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
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
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
as your self And from a mouth so eloquent to a Maid so full of Love will soon reconcile me to her heart With her Letter I send you a Bill to pay her 2000 Patacons which I have paid Vander Hanskin here as his Letter will inform you as also those Bills I receiv'd of you at my departure having been supply'd by an English Merchant here who gave me credit 'T will be an Age till I hear from you and receive the news of the health of Silvia Than which two blessings nothing will be more wellcom to Collen Generous Octavio Your PHILANDER Direct your Letters for me to your Merchant Vander Hanskin Philander to Silvia THere is no way left to gain my Silvia's pardon for leaving her and leaving her in such circumstances but to tell her 't was to preserve a life which I believ'd intirely dear to her but that unhappy crime is too severely punisht by the cruelties of my absence Believe me Lovely Silvia I have felt all your pains I have burnt with your feaver and sigh'd with your oppressions Say has my pain abated yours Tell me and hasten my health by the assurance of your recovery or I have fled in vain from those dear Arms to save a life of which I know not what account to give you till I reecive from you the knowledg of your perfect health the true state of mine I can only say I sigh and have a sort of a being in Collen where I have some more assurance of protection than I cou'd hope from those int'rested Bruits who sent me from you yet Bruitish as they are I know thou art safe from their Clownish outrages For were they sensless as their Fellow Monsters of the sea they durst not prophane so pure an excellence as thine the sullen Boors wou'd jouder out a wellcom to thee and gape and wonder at thy awful beauty tho they want the tender sense to know to what use 't was made Or if I doubted their Humanity I cannot the Friendship of Octavio since he has given me too good a proof of it to leave me any fear that he has not in my absence persu'd those generous sentiments for Silvia which he vow'd to Philander and of which the first proof must be his relating the necessity of my absence to set me well with my adorable Maid Who better than I can inform her and that I rather chose to quit you only for a short space than reduce my self to the necessity of losing you eternally Let the satisfaction this ought to give you retrieve your health and beauty and put you into a condition of restoring to me all my joys That by persuing the dictates of your Love you may again bring the greatest happyness on earth to the Arms of Your PHILANDER My affairs here are yet so unsettl'd that I can take no order for your coming to me but as soon as I know where I can fix with safety I shall make it my business and my happyness Adieu Trust Octavio with your Letters only This Letter Octavio wou'd not carry himself to her who had omitted no day scarce any hour wherein he saw not or sent not to the charming Silvia but he sound in that which Philander had writ to him an Aire of coldness altogether unusual with that passionate Lover and infinitely short in point of tenderness to those he had formerly seen of his and from what he had heard him speak so that he no longer doubted and the rather because he hop'd it but that Philander found an abatement of that heat which was wont to inspire at a more Amorous rate this appearing declension he cou'd not conceal from Silvia at least to let her know he took notice of it for he knew her Love was too quick sighted and sensible to pass it unregarded but he with reason thought that when she shou'd find others observe the little slight she had put on her her pride which is natural to women in such cases wou'd decline and lessen her Love for his Rival He therefore sent his Page with the Letters inclos'd in this from himself Octavio to Silvia Madam FRom a little necessary debauch I made last night with the Prince I am forc'd to imploy my Page in those duties I ought to have perform'd my self He brings you Madam a Letter from Philander as mine which I have also sent you informes me I shou'd else have doubted it 't is I think his character and all he says of Octavio confesses the Friend but where he speaks of Silvia sure he disguises the Lover I wonder the mask shou'd be put on now to me to whom before he so frankly discover'd the the secrets of his Amorous heart 'T is a mistery I wou'd sain perswade my self he finds absolutely necessary to his interest and I hope you will make the same favorable constructions of it and not impute the lessen'd zeal wherewith he treats the charming Silvia to any possible change or coldness since I am but too fatally sensible that no man can arrive at the Glory of being belov'd by you that had ever power to shorten one link of that dear chain that holds him and you need but survey that adorable face to confirm your tranquillitie set a just value on your charmes and you need no arguments to secure your everlasting Empire or to establish it in what heart you please this fatal truth I learnt from your fair eyes e're they discover'd to me your Sex and you may as soon change to what I then believ'd you as I from adoring what I now find you if all then Madam that do but look on you become your Slaves and languish for you love on even without hope and die what must Phillander pay you who has the mighty blessing of your Love your Vows and all that renders the hours of amorous Youth sacred glad and Triumphant But you know the conquering power of your charmes too well to need either this daring confession or a defence of Phillanders vertue from Madam Your obedient Slave Octavio Silvia had no sooner read this with blushes and a thousand fears and trembling of what was to follow in Phillander's Letters both to Octavio and to her self but with an Indignation agreeable to her haughty Soul she cry'd How slighted and must Octavio see it too By Heaven if I shou'd find it true he shall not dare to think it then with a generous rage she broke open Phillanders Letter and which she soon perceiv'd did but too well prove the truth of Octavio's suspition and her own fears She repeated it again and again and still she found more cause of greif and anger Love occasion'd the first and Pride the last And to a Soul perfectly haughty as was that of Silvia 't was hard to guess which had the assendant She consider'd Octavio to all the advantages that thought cou'd conceive in one who was not a Lover of him she knew he merited a heart tho she had none to
Beauty He is I 'le not indure it aid me Antonett Oh where 's the perjur'd Traytor Antonett who was waiting on her seeing her rise on the suddain in so great a fury wou'd have staid her hasty turns and ravings beseeching her to tell her what was the occasion and by a discovery to case her heart but she with all the fury imaginable flung from her Arms and ran to the Table and snatching up a Penknife had certainly sent it to her heart had not Antonett stept to her and caught her hand which she resisted not but blushing resign'd with telling her she was asham'd of her own Cowardize for said she if I had designâ—d to have been brave I had sent you off and by a Noble resolution have freed this Slave within striking her Breast from a Tyranny which it shou'd disdain to suffer under With that she rag'd about the Chamber with broken words and imperfect threatnings unconsider'd imprecations and unheeded Vows and Oaths at which Antonett redoubl'd her Petition to know the cause and she reply'd Philander the dear the soft the fond and Charming Philander is now no more the same Oh Antonett said she didst thou but see this Letter compar'd to those of heretofore when Love was gay and young when new desire drest his soft Eyes in tears and taught his tongue the Harmony of Angels when every tender word had more of passion then Volumes of this forc'd this triffling business Oh thou woud'st say I were the wretch'dst thing that Nature ever made Oh thou wou'dst curse as I do Not the dear Murderer but thy Frantick self thy mad deceiv'd believing easie self if thou wert so undone Then while she wept she gave Antoneâ—t liberty to speak which was to perswade her her fear were vain she urg'd every argument of Love she had been Witness too and cou'd not think it possible he cou'd be false To all which the still weeping Silvia lent a willing ear For Lovers are much inclin'd to believe every thing they wish Antonett having a little calm'd her continu'd telling her that to be better convinc'd of his Love or his persidy she ought to have Patience till Octavio shou'd come to visit her For have you forgotten Madam said she that that generous Rival has sent him word he is your Lover For Antonett was waiting at the reading of that Letter nor was there any thing the open hearted Silvia conceal'd from that Servant and Women who have made a breach in their Honour are seldom so careful of their rest of Fame as those who have a Stock intire and Silvia believ'd after she had trusted the Secret of one Amour to her discretion she might conceal none See Madam says Antonett here is a Letter yet unread Silvia who had been a great while impatient for the return of Octavio's answer from Philander expecting from thence the confirmation of all her doubts Hastily snatch'd the Letter out of Antonetts hand and read it hoping to have found something there to have eas'd her Soul one way or other a Soul the most raging and haughty by Nature that ever possest a Body the Words were these Octavio to Silvia AT least you 'l pity me Oh Charming Silvia when you shall call to mind the cruel services I am oblig'd to render you to be the Messenger of love from him whom Beauty and that God plead so strongly for already in your heart If after this you can propose a torture that yet may speak my passion and obedience in any higher measure command and try my fortitude for I too well divine Oh rigorous Beauty the business of your love sick Slave will be only to give you proofs how much he does adore you and ne're to taste a joy even in a distant hope like Lamps in Urns my lasting Fire must burn without one kind material to supply it Ah Silvia if e're it be your wretched fate to see the Lord of all your Vows given to anothers Arms When you shall see in those soft eyes that you adore a languishment and joy if you but name another Beauty to him When you behold his blushes fade and rise at the approaches of another Mistress Hear broken sighs and unassur'd replys when e're he answers some new conqueress tremblings and pantings seizing every part at the warm touch as of a second Charmer Ah Silvia do but do me justice then and sighing say I pitty poor Octavio Take here a Letter from the blest Philander which I had brought my self buâ— cannot bear the torment of that joy that I shall see advancing in your eyes when you shall read it o're no 't is too much that I imagine all yet bless that patient fondness of my Passion that makes me still Your Slave and Your Adorer Octavio At finishing this the jealous fair One redoubl'd her tears with such violence that 't was in vain her Woman strove to abate the flowing Tide by all the reasonable arguments she cou'd bring to her aid and Silvia to increaâ—e it read again the latter part of the ominous Letter which she wet with the tears that stream'd from her bright eyes Yes yes cry'd she laying the Letter down I know Octavio this is no Prophesie of yours but a known truth alas you know too well the fatal time 's already come when I shall find these changes in Philander Ah Madam reply'd Antonett how curious are you to search out torments for your own heart and as much a Lover as you are how little do you understand the Arts and Politicks of Love Alas Madam continu'd she you your self have arm'd my Lord Octavio with those Weapons that wound you The last time he writ to my Lord Philander he found you possest with a thousand fears and jealousies of these he took advantage to attaque his Rival for what man is there so dull that wou'd not assault his Enemy in that part where the most considerable mischief may be done him 't is now Octavio's Int'rest and his business to render Philander false to give you all the umbrage that is possible of so powerful a Rival and to say any thing that may render him hateful to you or at least to make you love him less Away reply'd Silvia with an uneasi-smile how foolish are thy reasonings for were it possible I cou'd Love Philander less is it to be imagin'd that shouâ—d make way for Octavio in my heart or any after that dear deceiver No doubt of it reply'd Antonett but that very effect it wou'd have on your heart for Love in the Soul of a witty person is like a scain of Silk to unwin'd it from the Bottom you must wind it on another or it runs into confusion and becomes of no use and then of course as one lessens the other increases and what Philander loses in Love Octavio or some one industrious Lover will most certainly gain Oh reply'd Silvia you are a great Phylosopher in Love I shouâ—d be Madam cry'd Antonett had I but had
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
done this but for somebody's Sake to whom I am more enjaged than I am aware of and when you pass'd your Parole for my Liberty I am not so vain to think it was for my Sake therefore pray inform me Sir how I can pay this Debt and to whom and who it is you require should be bound for me to save you harmless Madam cry'd Sebastian tho' there need no greater Security than your own Innocence yet least that Innocence should not be sufficient to guard you from the Outrage of a People approaching to Savages Iâ— bâ—ggâ— for your own Security not mine that you will make this House your Sanctuary my Power can save you from impending Harms and all that I call mine you shall command At this she blushing bow'd but durst not make Reply to contradict him She knew at least that there she was safe and well free from Fear of the Tyranny of the rest or any other Apprehension 'T is true she found by the Shyness of Octavio towards her before his Uncle that she was to manage her Amour with him by stealth till they could contrive matters more to their Advantage She therefore finding she should want nothing but as much of Octavio's Conversation as she desired she begg'd he would give her Leave to write a Note to her Page who was a faithful sober Youth to bring her Jewels and what things she had of Value to her which she did and received those and her Servants together who â—ound a perfect Welcome to the old Lover but Antonett had like to have lost her Place but that Octavio pleaded for her and she herself confessing 't was Love to the false Brilljard that made her do that foolish thing in which she vow'd she thought no harm tho' it was like to have cost so dear she was again received into Favour So that for some Days Silvia found herself very much at her Ease with the old Gentleman and had no want of any thing but Octavio's Company But she had the Pleasure to find by his Eyes and Sighs he wanted hers more He dy'd every day and his fair Face faded like falling Roses Still she was gay for if she had it not about her she assumed it to keep him in Heart she was not displeased to see the old Man on Fire too and fancied some Diversion from the Intrigue But he concealed his Passion all he could both to hide it from his Nephew and because he knew not what he ail'd A strange change he found a wonderous Disorder in Nature but could not give a Name to it nor Sigh aloud for fear he should be heard and lose his Reputation especially for this Woman on whom he had rail'd so lavishly One day therefore after a Night of Torment very incommode to his Age he takes Octavio into the Garden alone telling him he had a great Secret to impart to him Octavio guessing what it might be put his Heart in as good order as he could to receive it He at least knew the worst was but for him at last to steal Silvia from him if he should be weak enough to doat on the young Charmer and therefore resolv'd to hear with patience But if he were prepared to attend the other was not prepared to begin and so both walked many silent Turns about the Garden Sebastian had a-mind to ask a thousand Questions of his Nephew who he found maâ—gre all his Vows of deserting Silvia had no power of doing it He had a-mind to urge him to marry the Widow but durst not now press it tho' he used to do so least he should take it for Jealousy in him nor durst he now forbid him seeing her least he should betray the Secrets of his Soul He began every Moment to love him leâ—s as he loved Silvia more and beholds him as an Enimy to his Repose nay his very Life At last the old Man who thought if he brought his Nephew forth under pretence of a Secret and said nothing to him it would have look'd ill began to speak Octavio said he I have hitherto found you so just in all you have said that â—were a Sin to doubt you in what relates to Silvia You have told me she is nobly Born and you have with infinite Imprecations convinced me she is Vertuous and lastly you have sworn she was not Married At this he sigh'd and paus'd and left Octavio trembling with Fear of the Result A thousand times he was like to have denyed all but durst not defame the most sacred Idol of his Soul Sometimes he thought his Uncle would be generous and think it fit to give him Silvia but that Thought was too Seraphick to remain a Moment in his Heart Sir reply'd Octavio I own I said so of Silvia and hope no Action she has committed since she had a Protection under your Roof has contradicted any thing I said No said Sebastian sighing and pausing as loath to speak more Sir said Octavio I suppose this is not the Secret you had to impart to me for which you separate me to this lonely Walk fear not to trust me with it whatever it be for I am so intirely your own that I will grant submit prostrate myself and give up all my Will Power and Faculties to your Interest or Designs This incouraged the old Lover who reply'd Tell me on Truth Octavio which I require of you and I will desire no more Have not you had the Possession of this fair Maid You apprehend me Now it it was that he fear'd what Design the Amorous old Gentleman had in his Head and Heart and was at a loss what to say whether to give him some Jealousy that he had known and possess'd her and so prevent his Designs on her or by saying he had not to leave her Defenceless to his Love But on second Thoughts he could not resolve to say any thing to the Disadvantage of Silvia tho' to save his own Life and therefore assured his Uncle he never durst assume the Boldness to ask so rude a Question of a Woman of her Quality And much more he spoke to that purpose to convince him That 't is true he wou'd have Marry'd her if he cou'd have gain'd his consent maugre all the Scandal that the malicious World had thrown upon her But since he was positive in his command for the Widow he wou'd bend his Mind to Obedience In that replied Sabastian you are Wise and I am glad all your Youthful Fires are blown over and having once fixt you in the World as I design I have resolved on an Affair At this again he paused I am says he in Love I think it is Love or that which you call so I cannot eat nor sleep nor even pray but this fair Stranger interposes or if by chance I slumber all my Dreams are of her I see her I touch her I imbrace her and find a Pleasure even then that all my waking Thoughts cou'd never procure me If I go
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
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
fierceness and instead of drawing me on wou'd lessen my esteem if any such deceit were capable to harbour in the Heart of Silvia but she is all Divine and I am mistaken in the meaning of what she say's Oh my adorable think no more on that dull false thing a Wife let her be banisht thy thoughts as she is my Soul let her never appear though but in a Dream to â—right our solid joys our true happiness no let us look forward to Pleasures vast and unconfin'd to coming transports and leave all behind us that contributes not to that Heav'n of Bliss Remember oh Silvia that five tedious days are past since I â—igh't at your dear feet and five days to a Man so madly in Love as your Philander is a tedious Age 't is now â—ix a Clock in the Morning Brilljard will be with you by Eight and by Ten I may have your permission to see you and then I need not say how soon I will present my self before you at Bellfont for Heaven's sake my eternal Blessing if you design me this happiness contrive it so that I may see no body that belongs to Bellfont but the fair the lovely Silvia for I must be more moments with you than will be convenient to be taken notice of leâ—t they suspect our business to be Love and that discovery yet may ruine us Oh I will delay no longer my Soul 's impatient to see you I cannot live another Night without it I dy by Heav'n I languish for the appointed hour you will believe when you see my languid Face and dying Eyes how much and great a sufferer in Love I am My Soul's Delight You may perhaps deny me from your fear but oh do not though I ask a mighty blessing Silvia's Company alone silent and perhaps by Dark Oh though I faint with the thought only of so blest an opportunity yet you shall secure me by what Vows what imprecations or ty's you please bind my busie hands blind my ravish't eyes command my Tongue do what you will but let me hear your Angels Voice and have the transported joy of throwing my self at your feet and if you please give me leave a man condemn'd eternally to Love to plead a little for my Life and passion let me remove your fears and though that mighty Task never make me intirely happy at least 't will be a great satisfaction to me to know that 't is not through my own fault that I am the Most Wretched PHILANDER I have order'd Brilljarâ— to 〈◊〉 your Commands at Dorillus his Cottage that he may not be seen at Bellfont resolve to see me to Night or I shall 〈◊〉 without order and injure both My dear Damn'd Wife is dispos'd of at a Ball Caesario 〈◊〉 to Night the opportunity will be lâ—ckey not that I fear her jealousie but the effects of it To Philander I Tremble with the apprehension of what you ask how shall I comply with your fond desires My Soul bodes some dire effect of this bold enterprise for I must own and blush while I do own it that my Soul yields obedience to your soft request and even whilst I read your Letter was diverted with the contrivance of seeing you For though as my Brother you have all the freedoms imaginable at Bellfont to entertain and walk with me yet 't would be difficult and prejudical to my Honour to receive you alone any where without my Sister and cause a suspicion which all about me now are very far from conceiving except Melinda my faithful confident and too fatal Councellor and but for this fear I know my charming Brother three little Leagues shou'd not five long days separaâ—e Philander from his Silvia But my lovely Brother since you beg it so earnesty and my heart consents so easily I must pronounce my own Doom and say Come my Philander whither Love and soft desire invites you and take this direction in the management of this mighty affair I wou'd have you as soon as this comes to your hands to hast to Dorillus's Cottage without your Equipage only Brilljard whom I believe you may trust both from his own discretion and your vast bounty's to him wait there till you receive my commands and I will retire betimes to my Apartment pretending not to be well and as soon as the Evenings obscurity will permit Melinda shall let you in at the Garden Gate that is next the â—rove unseen and unsuspected but oh thou powerful Charmer have a care I trust you with my all my dear dear my precious Honour guard it well for oh I fear my forces are too weak to stand your shock of Beauties you have Charms enough to justify my yielding but yet by Heav'n I wou'd not for an Empire but what 's dull Empire to Almighty Love the God subdues the Monarch 't is to your strength I trust for I am a feeble Woman a Virgin quite disarm'd by two fair eyes an Angels Voice and form but yet I 'll dy before I 'll yield my Honour no though our unhappy Family have met reproach from the imagin'd levity of my Sister 't is I 'll redeem the bleeding Honour of our Family and my great Parents Vertues shall shine in me I know it for if it passes this Test if I can stand this Temptation I 'm proof against all the World but I conjure you aid me if I need it If I incline but in a Languishing look if but a wish appear in my eyes or I betray consent but in a Sigh take not oh take not the opportunity lest when you 've done I grow raging mad and discover all in the wild fit oh who wou'd venture on an enemy with such unequal force what hardy fool wou'd hazard all at Sea that sees the rising Storm come rouling on who but fond Woman giddy heedless Woman wou'd thus expose her Vertue to Temptation I see I know my danger yet I must permit it Love soft bewitching Love will have it so that cannot deny what my â—eebler Honour forbids and though I tremble with fear yet Love suggests 't will be an Age to Night I long for my undoing for oh I cannot stand the batteries of your eyes and tongue these fears these conflicts I have a Thousand times a day 't is pitiful sometimes to see me on one hand a Thousand Cupids all gay and smiling present Philander with all the Beauties of his sex with all the softness in his looks and Language those Gods of Love can inspire with all the Charms of youth adorn'd bewitching all and all transporting on the other hand a poor lost Virgin languishing and undone sighing her willing rape to the deaf shades and â—â—â—â—tains filling the Woods with cry's swelling the Murmering Rivolets with tears her noble Parents with a generous Rage reviling her and her befray'd Sister loading her bow'd head with curses and reproaches and all about her looking forlorn and sad Judg oh Judg my adorable Brother of the vastness of
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
wildness of my frantick Love I paws'd took a turn or two in the lone path consider'd what I had â—aid and found it was too much too bold too â—ude to approach my soft my tender Maid I am calm my Soul as thy bewitching smiles hush as thy secret Sighs and will resolve to dy rather than offend my adorable Virgin only send me word what you think of my Fate while I expect it here on this kind Mossy bed where I nowly which I wou'd not quit for a Throne since here I may hope the News may soonest arrive to make me happier than a God! which that nothing on my part may prevent I here Vow in the face of Heav'n I will not abuse the freedome my Silvia blesses me with nor shall my Love go beyond the limits of Honour Silvia shall command with a frown and fetter me with a Smile prescribe rules to my longing Ravish't Eyes and pinion my busie fond Roving hands and lay at her feet like a tame slave her adoring PHILANDER To Philander APproach approach you â—acred Queen of Night and bring Philander Veil'd from all eyes but mine approach at a fond Lovers call behold how I ly panting with expectation tir'd out with your tedious Cerimony to the God of day be kind oh lovely Night and let the Deity descend to his belov'd Thâ—tis's Arms and I to my Philanders the Sun and I must snatch our joys in the same happy hours favour'd by thee oh sacred silent Night see see the inamour'd Sun is hasting on a pace to his expecting Mistress while thou dull Night art slowly lingâ—ing yet Advance my Friend my Goddess and my confident hide all my blushes all my soft confusions my tremblings transports and Eyes all Languishing Oh Philander a Thousand things I 've done to divert the tedious hours but nothing can all things are dull without thee I 'm tir'd with every thing impatient to end as soon as I begin 'em even the Shades and solitary Walks afford me now no ease no satisfaction and thought but afflicts me more that us'd to relieve And I at last have recourse to my kind Pen For while I Write methinks I 'm talking to thee I tell thee thus my Soul while thour methinks art all the while smiling and listening by this is much easier than silent thought and my Soul â—s never weary of this converse and thus I wou'd speak a Thousand things but that still methinks words do not enough express my Soul to understand that right there requires looks there is a Rethorick in looks in Sighs and silent touches that surpasses all there is an Accent in the sound of words too that gives a sense and soft meaning to little things which of themselves are of trivial value and insignificant and by the cadence of the utterance may express a tenderness which their own meaning does not bear by this I wou'd insinuate that the story of the heart cannot be so well told by this way as by presence and conversation sure Philander understands what I mean by this which possibly is nonsense to all but a Lover who apprehends all the little fond prattle of the thing belov'd and finds an Eloquence in it that to a â—ense unconcern'd wou'd appear even approaching to Folly But Philander who has the true Notions of Love in him apprehends all that can â—e said on that dear Subject to him I venture to say any thing whose kind and soft imaginations can supply all my wants in the description of the Soul Will it not Philander answer me But 〈◊〉 where art thou I â—ee thee not I touch thee not but when I hast with transport to imbrace thee 't is shadow 〈◊〉 and my poor Arms return empty to my Bosome why oh why 〈◊〉 it thou â—ot why art thou cautious and Prudently waâ—test the slow-pac'd Night Oh cold oh unreasonable Lover why But I grow wild and know not what I say Impatient Love betrays me to a Thousand folly 's a Thousand rashnesses I dy with shame but I must be undone and 't is not matter how whether by my own weakness Philander's Charms or both I know not but so 't is destin'd Oh Philander 't is two tedious hours Love has counted since you Writ to me yet are but a quarter of a Mile distant what have you been doing all that live-long while are you not unkind does not Silvia ly neglected and unregarded in your thoughts hudled up confuâ—edly with your graver business of State and almost lost in the ambitious crowd Say say my lovely Charmer is she not does not this fatal Interest you espouse Rival your Silvia is she not too often remov'd thence to let in that haughty Tyrant Mistress Alas Philander I more than fear she is and oh my Adorable Lover when I look forward on our coming happiness when ever I lay by the thoughts of Honour and give a loose to Love I run not far in the pleasing carier before that dreadful thought stop me on my way I have a fatal prophetick fear that gives a check to my soft pursuit and tells me that thy unhappy ingagement in this League this accursed Association will one day undo us both and part for ever thee and thy unlucky Silvia yes yes my dear Lord my Soul does presage an unfortunate event from this dire ingagement nor can your false Reasoning your fancy'd advantages reconcile it to my honest good-natur'd heart and surely the design is inconsistent with Love for two such mighty contradictions and enemies as Love and ambition or revenge 〈◊〉 can never sure abide in one â—oul together at least Love can but share Philander Heart when blood and â—evenge which he 〈◊〉 Glory Râ—vals it and has 〈◊〉 the greatest part in it methinâ—â— this notion inlarges in me and every wordâ— I speak and every Minutes thougâ— oâ— it strengthens its reasons to me and give me leave while I am full of the jealousie of it to express my sentiments and lay before you those reasons that Love and I think most substantial ones what you have hitherto deâ—â—â—d of me oh unreasonable Philanâ—â—â—â— and what I out of Modesty and Honour deny'd I have reason to fear from the absolute conquest you have made of my Heart that some time or other the charming thief may break in and rob me of for fame and Vertue love begins to laugh at My dear unfortunate condition being thus 't is not impossible oh Philander but I may one day in some unlucky hour in some 〈◊〉 be witching moment in some spightful critical ravishing minute yield all to the Charming Philander and if so where oh where is my security that I shall not be abandoned by the Lovely Victor for 't is not your Vows which you call sacred and I alas believe so that can secure me though I Heav'n knows believe 'em all and am undone you may keep 'em all too and I believe you will but oh Philander in these fatal circumstances you have ingag'd your self
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
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
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
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
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
put it into your power to ruin me with Silvia and to establish your â—elf in her heart a thought I yet am not willing to bear for I have an ambition in my love that wou'd not while I am toyling for Empire here lose my dominion in another place but since I can no more rule a Womans heart than a Lovers Fate both you and Silvia may deceive my opinion in that but shall never have power to make me believe you less my friend than I am Your Philander POSTCRIPT The inclos'd I need not oblige you to deliver You see I give you opportunity Octavio no sooner arriv'd to that part of the Letter which nam'd the Count of Clerinau but he stop'd and was scarce able to proceed for the Charming Calista was his Sister the only one he had who having been bred in a Nunnery was taken thence to be married to this old rich Count who had a great Fortune Before he proceeded his Soul divin'd this was the new Amour that had ingag'd the heart of his Friend he was afraid to be farther convinc'd and yet a curiosity to know how far he had proceeded made him read it out with all the disorder of a man jealous of his Honour and nicely careful of his Fame he consider'd her young about eighteen married to an Old ill favour'd jealous Husband no Parents but himself to right her wrongs or revenge her levety he knew tho she wanted no Wit she did Art for being bred without the Conversation of Men she had not learnt the little cunnings of her Sex he guest by his own Soul that hers was soâ—t and apt for impression he judg'd from her Conâ—ession to her Husband of the Vision that she had a simple Innocence that might betray a a young Beauty under such Circumstances to all this he consider'd the Charms of Philander unresistable his unwearied industry in love and concludes his Sister lost At first he upbraids Philander and calls him ungrateful but soon thought it unreasonable to accuse himself of an injustice and excus'd the frailty of Philander since he knew not that she whom he ador'd was Sister to his friend however it fail'd not to possess him of with inquietude that exercis'd all his Wit to consider how he might prevent an inseparable injury to his Honoâ—r and an intrigue that possibly might cost his Sister her Life as well as Fame In midst of all those torments he forgot not the more iâ—portant business of his Love For to a Lover who has his Soul perâ—ectly â—ixt on the fair object of its adoration what ever other thought faâ—igue and cloud his mind that like a soft Gleam of new sprung light darts in and spreads a glory all around and like the God of day chearseâ— very drooping vital yet even these dearer thoughts wanted not their torments At first he strove to attone for the â—ears of Calista with those of imagining Philander â—alse to Silvia Well cry'd he If thou beâ—st lost 〈◊〉 at least thy ruin has laid a foundation for my happiness and every Triumph Philander makes of thy Vertue it the more secures my Empire over Silvia and since thy Brother cannot be happy but by the Sisters being undone yield thou oh faithless fair one yield to Philander and make me blest in Silvia And thou continued he Oh perjur'd Lover and inconstant Friend glut thy insatiate flame rifle Calista of every Vertue Heaven and Nature gave her so I may but revenge it on thy Silvia Pleas'd with this joyful hope he traverses his Chamber glowing and blushing with new kindling fire his heart that was all gay defus'd a gladness that exprest it self in every Feature of his lovely face his eyes that were by nature languishing shone now with an unusual Air of briskness Smiles grac'd his mouth and dimples drest his face insensibly his busie fingers trick and dress and set his hair and without designing it his feet are bearing him to Silvia till he â—â—ept short and wonder'd whither he was going for yet it was not time to make his Visit Whither fond Heart said he O whither wou'dst thou hurry this Slave to thy soft fires And now returning back he paws'd and fell to thought He remember'd how impatiently Sylvia waited the return of the answer he writ to him wherein he own'd his passion for that Beauty He knew she permitted him to write it more to raise the little brisk fires of Jealousie in Philander and to set an edge on his blunted love than from any favours she design'd Octavio And that on this answer depended all her happiness or the confirmation of her doubts and that she wou'd measure Philanders love by the effects she found there of it So that never Lover had so hard a game to play as our new one He knew he had it now in his power to ruin his Rival and to make almost his own terms with his fair Conqueress but he consider'd the secret was not render'd him for so â—ase an end nor cou'd his love advance it self by wayes so false dull and criminal between each thought he paws'd and now resolves she must know he sent an answer to his Letter for shou'd she know he had and that he shou'd refuse her the sight of it he believ'd with reason she â—ught to banish him for ever her presence as the most disobedient of her Slaves He walks and pawses on but no kind thought presentsit self to save him â—ither way he finds himself undone and from the most gay and most triumphing Lover on the Earth he now with one serious thought of right reasoning finds he is the most miserable of all the Creation He reads the Superscription of that Philander writ to Silvia which was inclos'd in his and finds it was directed only For Silvia which wou'd plainly demonstrate it came not so into Holland but that some other cover secur'd it so that never any but Octavio the most nice in Honour had ever so great a contest with Love and Friendship for his Noble temper was not one of those that cou'd Sacrifice his friend to his little Lusts or his more solid passion but truly brave resolves now rather to die than to confess Philanders Secret to evade which he sent her Letter by his Page with one from himself and commanded him to tell her that he was going to receive some Commands from the Prince of Orange and that he wou'd wait on her himself in the Evening The Page obeys and Octavio sent him with a sigh and Eyes that languishingly told him he did it with regreet The Page hasting to Silvia finds her in all the disquiet of an expecting Lover and snatching the Papers from his hand the first she saw was that from Philander at which she trembl'd with fear and joy for Hope Love and Despair at once seiz'd her and hardly able to make a sign with her hand for the Boy to withdraw she sunk down into her Chair all pale and almost fainting
takes those out of his pocket and in a glass of Sack drinks 'em down after this he bathes and dresses and believes himself a very 〈◊〉 that cou'd have got at least twelve Sonâ— that happy Night â— But he was no sooner laid in Bed with the Charming Silvia as he thought â—ut he was taken with intollerable gripes and pains such as he hâ—d never felt before insomuch as he was not able to lie in the bed this enrages him he grows mad and asham'd sometimes he had little intermissions for a moment of case and then he wou'd plead softly by her Bed side and ask ten thousand pardons which being easily granted â—e wou'd come into bed again but then the pain wou'd seizâ— him anew so that after two or three hours of distraction he was forc'd to dress and retire but instead of going down he went softly up to his own Chamber where he sate him down and 〈◊〉 the World himself and his hard â—ate and in this extremity oâ— pain shame and grief he reremain'd till break of day By which time Antonett who was most violently afflicted got her Coats on and went to her own Chamber where she found her Lady more dead than alive She immediately shiâ—ted her bed Linnen and made her Bâ—d and conducted her to it without indeavouring to divert her with the History of her own misfortune and only ask'd her many questions concerning her being thus ill to which the wretched Silvia only answer'd with sighs so that Antonett perceiv'd 't was the Letter that had disorder'd her and begg'd she might be permitted to see it she gave her leave and Antonett read it but no sooner was she come to that part of it which nam'd the Countess of Clarinau but she ask'd her Lady if she understood who that person was with great amazement At this Silvia was content to speak pleas'd a little that she shou'd have an account of her Rival No said she Dost thou know her Yes Madam replyed Antonett particularly well for I have serv'd her ever since I was a Girle of five years old she being of the same Age with me and sent at six years old both to a Monastery for she being fond of my play her Father sent me at that Age with her both to serve and to divert her with Babies and Baubles there we liv'd seven yearsâ— together when an old rich Spaniard the Count of Clarinau fell in love with my Lady and married her from the Monastery before she had seen any part of the World beyond those sanctified Walls She cry'd bitterly to have had me to Collen with her but he said I was too â—ouug now for her service and so sent me away back to my own Town which is this and here my Lady was born too and is Sister to Here she stopt fearing to tell which Silvia perceiving with a briskness which her indisposition one wou'd have thought cou'd not have allow'd sate up in her Bâ—d and cry'd Haâ— Sister to whom Oh how thou wou'dst please me to say to Octavio why Madam wou'd it please you said the blushing Maid Because said Silvia 't wou'd in part revenge me on his bold Addresses to me and he wou'd also be oblig'd in honour to his Family to revenge himself on Philander Aâ— Madam said she as to his presumption towards you fortune has sufficiently reveng'd it at this she hung down her head and look'd very foolishly How said Silvia smiling and rearing her self yet more in her Bed is any misfortuue arriv'd to Octavio Oh how I will triumph and upbraid the daring man tell me quickly what it is for nothing wou'd rejoyce me more thaâ— to hear he were punisht a little Upon this Antonett told her what an unlucky Night she had how Octavio was seiz'd and how he departed by which Silvia believ'd he had made some discovery of the cheat that was 〈◊〉 upon him and that he only feign'd illness to get himself loose from her imbraces and now she falls to considering how she shall be reveng'd on both her Lovers And the best 〈◊〉 can pitch upon is that of sâ—tting them both at odds and making â—em fight and revenge themselves on one another but she like a right Woman cou'd not dissemble her resentment of jealousie what ever art she had to do so in any other point but mad to ease her Soul that was full and to upbraid Philander she writes him a Letter but not till she had once more to make her stark mad read his over again which he sent Octavio Silvia to Philander YEs pâ—rjur'd Villain at last all thy perfidy is arriv'd to my knowledge and thou hadst better have been damn'd of have fallâ—n like an ungrateful Traytor as thou art under the publique shame of dying by the common Executioner than have 〈◊〉 under the grasp of my revenge insatiate as thy Lust false as thy Treasons to thy Prince fatal as thy destiny lowd as thy infamy and bloody as thy party Villain Villain where got you the courage to use me thus knowing my injuries and my Spirit thou seest base Traytor I do not fall on thee with treachery as thou hast on thy King and Mistress to which thou has broke thy Holy vows of allegiance and Eternal Love but thou that hast broke the Laws of God and Nature What cou'd I expect when neither Religion Honour common Justice nor Law cou'd bind thee to humanity thou that bâ—tray'd thy Prince abandon'd thy Wife renounc'd thy Child kill'd thy Mother ravisht thy Sister and art in open Rebellion against thy Native Country and very Kindred and Brothers Oh after this what must the Wretch expect who has believ'd thee and follow'd thy abject fortunes the miserable outcast Slave and contempt of the World what cou'd she expect but that the Villain is still potent in thee unrepented and all the Lover dead and gone the Vice remains and all the Virtue vanisht Oh what cou'd I expect from such a Divel so lost in sin and wickedness that even those for whom he ventur'd all his Fame and lost his Fortune lent like a State Cully upon the publique Faith on the security of Rogues Knaves and Traytors even those I say turn'd him out of their Councels for a reprobate too lewd for the villainous society Oh curst that I was by Heaven and Fate to be blind and deaf to all thy infamy and suffer thy adorable bewitching Face and Tongue to charm me to madness and undoing when that was all thou hadst left thee thy false person to cheat the silly easie fond believing World into any sort of opinion of thee for not one good principle was left not one poor vertue to guard thee from Damnation thou hadst but one friend left thee one true one real Friend and that was wretched Silvia she when all abandon'd thee but the Executioner fled with thee suffer'd with thee starv'd with thee lost her Fame and Honour with thee lost her friend her Parents and all her Beauties
had indeed discover'd the truth of the matter she knew since that was all she cou'd easily reconcile him by a plain confession and giving him new hopes she therefore writes this answer to him which she sent by his Page who waited for it Silvia to Octavio I Own too angry and too nice Octavio the Crime you charge me with and did believe a person of your Gallantry Wit and Gayety wou'd have past over so little a fault with only reproaching me pleasantly I did not expect so grave a reproof or rather so serious an accusation youth has a thousand follies to answer for and cannot Octavio pardon one sally of it in Silvia I rather expected to have seen you early here this morning pleasantly rallying my little perfidy than to find you railing at a distance at it calling it by a thousand names that does not merit half this malice And sure you did not think me so poor in good Nature but I cou'd some other coming hour have made you amends for those you lost last Night possibly I cou'd have wisht my self with you at the same time and had I perhaps follow'd my inclination I had made you happy as you wisht but there were powerful reasons that prevented me I conjure you to let me see you where I will make a confession of my last nights sin and give you such arguments to convince you of the necessity of it as shall absolutely reconcile you to love hope and SILVIA It being late she only sent this short Billet And not hoping that Night to see him she went to bed after having inquir'd the health of Briljard whom she heard was very ill and that young defeated Lover finding it impossible to meet Octavio as he had promis'd not to fight him but to ask his pardon for his mistake he made a shift with much ado to write him a Note which was this My Lord I Confess my yesterdays rudeness and beg you will give me a Pardon before I leave the World for I was last Night taken violently ill and am unable to wait on your Lordship to beg what this most earnestly does for Your Lordships most Devoted Servant Briljard This Billet tho it signifi'd nothing to Octavio it serv'd Silvia afterwards to very good use and purpose as a little time shall make appear And Octavio receiv'd these two Notes from Briljard and Silvia at the same time the one he flung by regardless the other he read with infinite pain scorn hate indignation all at once storm'd in his heart he feâ—t every passion there but that of Love which caus'd 'em all if he thought her false and ungrateful before he now thinks her fall'n to the lowest degree of lewdness to own her Crime with such impudence he fancies now he 's cur'd of Love and hates her absolutely thinks her below even his scorn and puts himself to bed believing he shall sleep as well as before he saw the Light the foolish Silvia But oh he boasts in vain the Light the foolish Silvia was Charming still still all the Beauty appear'd even in his slumbers the Angell dawn'd about him and all the Fend was laid He sees her lovely Face but the false heart is hid he hears her Charming Wit but all the cunnings husht he views the motions of her delicate Body without regard to those of her mind he thinks of all the tender words she has given him in which the Jilting part is lost and all forgotten or if by chance it crost his happier thought he rowls and tumble in his Bed he raves and calls upon her charming Name till he have quite forgot it and takes all the pains he can to deceive his own heart Oh 't is a tender part and can indure no hurt he sooths it therefore and at the worst resolves since the vast blessing may be purchas'd to revel in delight and cure himself that way These flattering thoughts kept him all night waking and in the Morning he resolves his Visit but taking up her Letter which lay on the Table he read it o're again and by degrees wrought himself up to madness at the thought that Silvia was possest Philander he cou'd bear with little patience but that because before he lov'd or knew her he cou'd allow but this This wrecks his very Soul and in his height of fury writes this Letter without consideration Octavio to Silvia SInce you profess your self a common Mistress and set up for the Glorious trade of sin send me your price and I perhaps may pâ—rchase Damnation at your rate may be you have a Method in your dealing and I 've mistook you all this while and dealt not your way Instruct my youth great Mistress of the Art and I shall be obedient tell me which way I may be happy too and put in for an adventurer I have a stock of ready youth and mony pray name your time and sum for hours or Nights or months I will be in at all or any as you shall find leasure to receive the Impatient Octavio This in a Mad moment he wrâ—t and sent it e're he had consider'd farther and Silvia who expected not so course and rough a return grew as mad as he in reading it and she had much aâ— do to hold her hands off from beating the innocent Page that brought it To whom she turn'd with fire in her Eyes â—lames in her Cheeks and Thunder on her Tongue and cry'd Go tell your Master that he is a Villain and if you dare approach me any more from him I 'le have my Footmen whip you and with a scorn that discover'd all the indignation in the World she turn'd from him and tearing his Note threw it from her and walk'd her way And the Page thunderstruck return'd to his Lord who by this time was repenting he had manag'd his passion no better and â—t what the Boy told him was wholly convinc'd of his Error he now consider'd her Character and quallity and accus'd himself of great indiscretion and as he was sitting the most dejected melancholly man on Earth reflecting on his misfortune the Post arriv'd with Letters from Philander which he open'd and laying by that which was inclos'd for Silvia he read that from Philander to himself Philander to Octavio THere is no pain my dear Octavio either in Love or friendship like that of doubt and I confess my self guilty of giving it you in a great measure by my silence the last Post but having business of so much greater concern to my heart than even writing to Octavio I found my self unable to pursue any other and I believe you cou'd too with the less impatience bear with my neglect having affairs of the same nature there our circumstances and the business of our hearts then being so resembling methinks I have as great an impatience to be recounting to you the story of my Love and Fortune as I am to receive that of yours and to know what advances you have made in
till she were brought to Bed before he wou'd demand the glorious recompence he aspir'd to so that Silvia being opprest with Obligation finding yet in her Soul a violent passion fo◠〈◊〉 â—hilander she knew not how to take or how to refuse the Blessing offer'd since Octavio was a man whom in her height of innocence and youth she might have been vain and proud of ingaging to this degree He saw her pain and irresolution and being absolutely undone with love delivers her Philanders last Letter to him with what he had sent her inclos'd the sight of the very outside of it made her grow pale as Death and a feebleness seiz'd her all over that made her unable for a moment to open it all which confusion Octavio saw with pain which she perceiving recollected her thoughts as well as she cou'd and open'd it and read it that Octavio first as being fondest of the continuation of the History of his falshood she reâ—â— and often paus'd to recover her Spirits that were fainting at every period and having finisht it she fell down on the Bed where they sate Octavio caught her in her fall in his Arms where she remain'd â—ead some moments While he just on the point of being so himself ravingly call'd for help and Antonett being in the dressing Room ranto 'em and by degrees Silvia recover'd and ask'd Octavio a thousand pâ—rdons for exposing a weakness to him which was but the effects of the last blaze of Love And taking a Cordial which Aâ—tonett brought her she rous'd resolv'd and took Octavio by the hand Now said she shew youâ— self that generous Loâ—er you have profest and give me your Vows of revenge on Philander and after that by all that 's Holy kneeling as she spoke and holding him fast by all my injur'd innocence by all my Noble Fathers wrong and my dear Mothers grief by all my Sisters sufferings I swear I le marry you love you and give you all this she spoke without considering Antonett was by and spoke it with all the rage and blushes in her Face that injâ—r'd Love and revenge cou'd inspire And on the other side the sense of his Sisters Honour soâ—t and that of the tender paâ—sion he had for Silvia made him sweâ—r by all that was sacred and by all the Vows of Eternal Love and Honour he had made to Silvia to go and revenge himself and her on the falâ—e Friend and Lover and confest the second motive which was his Sisters Fame For cry'd he that foul Adultress that false Calista is so allâ—ed to me But still he urg'd that wou'd add to the juâ—â—ness of his cause if he might depart her Husband as well as Lover and revenge an Injur'd wife as well as Sister and now hâ— cou'd ask nothing she did not easily grant and because 't was late in the day they conclude that the Morning shall consumate all his desires And now she gives him her Letter to read For â— said she I shall esteem my self henceforth so absolutely Octavio's that I will not so much as read a Line from that perjur'd ruiner of my Honour he took the Letter with smiles and bows of gratitude and read it Philander to Silvia THere are a thousand reasons dearest Silvia at this time that prevents my writing to you reasons that will be convincing enough to oblige my pardon and plead my Cause with her that Loves me all which I will lay before you when I have the happiness to see you I have met with some affairs since my arival to this place that wholly takes up my time affairs of state whose fatigues have put my heart extreamly out of Tune and if not carefully manag'd may turn tomy perpetual ruin so that I have not an hour in a day to spare for Silâ—ia which believe me is the greatest affliction of my Life and I have no prospect of Ease in the endless toyls of Life but that of reposing in the Arms of Silvia Some short interâ—als Pardon my hast for you cannot guess the weighty business that at present robs you of Your Philander You lie false Viâ—â—ain reply'd Silvia in mighty rage I can guess your business and can revenge it too curse on thee Slave to think me grown as poor in sense as Honour To be cajâ—l'd with this Stuff that wou'd neâ—er sham a Chamber Maid Death am I so forlorn so despicable I am not worth the pains of being well dissembl'd with Confusion overtake him misery seize him may I become his plague while life remains or publique tortures end him This with all the madness that ever inspir'd a Lunatick she utter'd with Tears and Violent Actions When Octaâ—io besought her not to afflict her self and almost wisht he did not love a temper so contrary to his own He told her he was sorry extreamly sorry to find she still retain'd so violent a passion for a mâ—n unworthy of her least concern when she reply'd Do not mistake my soul by Heav'n 't is Pride disdain despight and haâ—e to think he shou'd believe this dull excuse couâ—d pass upon my judgment had the false Traytor told me that he hated me or that his faithleâ—s date of Love was out I had been tame with all my injuries but poorly thus to impose upon my Wit By Heav'n he shall not bear the affront to Hell in Triumph no more I 've vow'd he shall not My Soul has fixt and now will be at ease Forgive me oh Octavio and letting her self fall into his Arms she soon obtain'd what she ask'd for one touch of the fair Charmer cou'd calm him into Love and softness Thus after a thousand transports of passion on his side and all the seeming tenderness on hers the Night being far advanc'd and new Confirmations given and taken on either side of pursuing the happy Agreement in the Morning which they had again resolv'd they appointed that Silvia and Antonett shou'd go three Miles out of Town to a little Village where there was a Church and that Octavio shou'd meet 'em there to be Confirm'd and secur'd of all the happiness he propos'd to himself in this World Silvia being so wholly bent upon revenge for the accomplishment of which alone she accepted of Octavio that she had lost all remembrance of her former Marriage with Briljard Or if it ever enter'd into her thought 't was only consider'd as a sham nothing design'd but to secure her from being taken from Philander by her Parents And without any respect to the Sacred tie to be regarded no more nor did she design this with Octavio from any respect she had to the Holy State of Matrimony but from a Lust of Vengeance which she wou'd buy at any price and which she found no Man so well able to satisfie as Octavio But what wretched changes of Fortune she met with after this and a miserable Portion of Fate was destin'd to this unhappy Wanderer the last Part of Philanders Life and the Third and
Slave Yet she had Vertues too that balanc'd her Vices among which we must allow her to have lov'd Philander with a Passion that nothing but his Ingratitude could have decay'd in her Heart nor was it lessen'd but by a Force that gave her a thousand Tortures Racks and Pangs which had almost cost her her less valu'd Life for being of a Temper nice in Love and very fiery apt to fly into Rages at every Accident that did but touch that tenderest Part her Heart she suffered a world of Violence and Extremity of Rage and Grief by turns at this Affront and Inconstancy of Philander Nevertheless she was now so discreet or rather Cunning to dissemble her Resentment the best she could to her generous Lover for whom she had more Inclination than she yet had leisure to perceive and which she now attributes wholly to her Revenge and considering Octavio as the most proper Instrument for that she fancies what was indeed a growing Tenderness from the sense of his Merit to be the Effects of that Revenge she so much desired and thirsted after and tho' without she dissembled a Calm within she was all Fury and Disorder all Storm and Distraction She went to Bed rack'd with a thousand thoughts of dispairing Love sometimes all the Softness of Philander in their happy Enjoyments came in view and made her sometimes weep and sometimes faint with the dear lov'd Remembrance sometimes his late Enjoyments with Calista and then she rav'd and burnt with frantick Rage But oh at last she found her Hope was gon and wisely fell to argue with her Soul She knew Love would not long subsist on the thin Diet of Dispair and resolving he was never to be retriev'd who once had ceas'd to Love she strove to bend her Soul to useful Reason and thinks on all Octavio's Obligations his Vows his Assiduity his Beauty his Youth his Fortune and his generous Offer and with the Aid of Pride resolves to unfix her Heart and give it better Treatment in his Bosom To cease at least to love the false Philander if she could never force her Soul to hate him And tho' this was not so soon done as thought on in a Heart so prepossest as that of Silvia's yet there is some Hope of a Recovery when a Woman in that Extremity will but think of listening to Love from any new Adorer and having once resolv'd to pursue the Fugitive no more with the natural Artillery of their Sighs and Tears Reproaches and Complaints they have Recourse to every thing that may soonest chase from the Heart those Thoughts that oppress it For Nature is not inclin'd to hurt it self and there are but very few who find it necessary to die of the Disease of Love Of this sort was our Silvia tho' to give her her due never any Person who did not indeed die ever languished under the Torments of Love as did that charming and afflicted Maid While Silvia remain'd in these eternal Inquietudes Antonett having quitted her Chamber takes this Opportunity to go to that of Brilljard whom she had not visited in two days before being extreamly troubled at his Design which she now found he had on her Lady she had a mind to vent her Spleen and as the Proverb says call W re first Brilljard long'd as much to see her to rail at her for being privy to Octavio's Approach to Silvia's Bed as he thought she imagin'd and not giving him an account of it as she us'd to do of all the Secrets of her Lady She finds him alone in his Chamber recover'd from all but the Torments of his unhappy Disappointment She approach'd him with all the Anger her sort of Passion could inspire for Love in a mean unthinking Soul is not that glorious thing it is in the Brave however she had enough to serve her Pleasure for Brilljard was young and handsome and both being bent on Railing without knowing each others Intentions they both equally flew into high Words he upbraiding her with her Infidelity and she him with his Are not you said he growing more calm the falsest of your Tribe to keep a Secret from me that so much concern'd me is it for this I have refus'd the Addresses of Burgomasters Wives and Daughters where I could have made my Fortune and my Satisfaction to keep myself intirely for a thing that betrays me and keeps every Secret of her Heart from me false and forsworn I will be Fool no more 'T is well Sir reply'd Antonett that you having been the most perfidious Man alive should accuse me who am Innocent Come come Sir you have not carried Matters so swimingly but I could easily dive into the other Nights Inâ—rigâ—â— and Secret What Secret thoâ— false one Thou art all over secret a very hopeful Bawd at eighteen go I hate ye At this she wept and he pursu'd his Railing to out-noyse her You thought because your Deeds were done in Darkness they were conceal'd from a Lovers Eyes no thou young Viper I saw I heard and felt and satisfi'd every Sense of this thy Falshood when Octavio was conducted to Silvia 's Bed by thee But what said she if instead of Octavio I conducted the perfidious Traytor to love Brilljard Who then was false and perjur'd At this he blush'd extreamly which was too visible on his fair Face She being now confirm'd she had the better of him continued Let thy Confusion said she with Scorn witness the Truth of what I say and I have been but too well acquainted with that Body of yours weeping as she spoke to mistake it for that of Octavio Softly dear Antonett reply'd he nay now your Tears have calm'd me and taking her in his Arms sought to appease her by all the Arguments of seeming Love and Tenderness while she yet wholly unsatisfied in that Cheat of his of going to Silvia's Bed remain'd still pouting and very frumpish But he that had but one Argument left that on all Occasions serv'd to convince her had at last Recourse to that which put her in good Humour and hanging on his Neck she kindly chid him for puting such a Trick upon her Lady He told her and confirm'd it with an Oath That he did it but to try how far she was Just to his Friend and Lord and not any Desire he had for a Beauty that was too much of his own Complexion to charm him 't was only the Brunet and the Black such as her self that could move him to Desire thus he shams her into perfect Peace And why said she were you not satisfied that she was False as well from the Assignation as the Tryal Oh no said he you Women have a thousand Arts of Gibing and no Man ought to believe you but put you to the Tryal Well said she when I had brought you to the Bed when you found her Arms stretch'd out to receive you why did you not retire like an honest Man and leave her to her self Oh fy said he
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
Garden of any in that Province where those things are not much esteem'd in which the Old Gentleman took wonderful Delight and kept a Gardener and his Family in a little House at the farther end of the Garden on purpose to look to it and dress it This Man had a very great Veneration for Octavio whom he call'd his Young Lord. Sure of the Fidelity of this Gardener when it was dark enough to conceal him he wrapt himself in his Cloak and got him thither by a back-way where with Presents he soon won those to his Interest who would before have been Commanded by him in any Service He had a little clean Room and some little French Novels which he brought and there he was as well conceal'd as if he had been at the Indies he left word at home that he was gone out of Town He knew well enough that Silvia's Lodgings look'd that way And when it was dark enough he walk'd under her Window till he saw a Candle lighted in Silvia's Bed-Chamber which was as great a Joy to him as the Star that Guides the Traveller or wandring Seaman or the Lamp at Sestos that Guided the Ravish'd Lover o'er the Hellespont And by that time he could imagine all in Bed he made a little noise with a Key on the Pummel of his Sword but whether Silvia heard it or not I cannot tell but she anon came to the Window and putting up the Shash leaned on her Arms and look'd into the Garden Oh! who but he himself that Lov'd so well as Octavio can express the Transports he was in at the Sight which more from the Sight within than that without he saw was the lovely Silvia whom calling softly by her Name answered him as if she knew the welcome Voice and cry'd Whos 's there Octavio She was soon Answer'd you may imagine And they began the most indearing Conversation that ever Love could dictate He complains on his Fate that sets 'em at that distance and she pities him He makes a Thousand Doubts and she undeceives 'em all He Fears and she convinces his Error and is impatient at his Suspicions She will not indure him to question a Heart that has given him so many proofs of its Tenderness and Gratitude She tells him her own Wishes how soft and servent they are and assures him he is extreamly oblig'd to her Since for you my Charming Friend said she to Octavio I have refus'd this Night to Marry your Vncle have a care said she Smiling how you treat me least I revenge my self on you become your Aunt and bring Heirs to the Estate you have a Right to The Writings of all which I have now in my Chamber and which were but just now laid at my Feet and which I cannot yet get him to receive back And to oblige me to a compliance has told me how you have deceived me by giving your self to another and exposing me in Lampoons To this Octavio would have replied but she assured him she needed no Argument to convince her of the Falshhood of all He Sighs and told her all she said tho' Dear and Charming was not sufficient to ease his Heart for he foresaw a World of hazzard to get her from thence and mischiefs if she remained insomuch that he caus'd the Tears to flow from the fair Eyes of Silvia with the Reflections on her rigid Fortune And she cry'd Oh my Octavio what strange Fate or Stars rul'd my Birth that I shou'd be born the ruine of what I Love or of those that Love me At this rate they past the Night sometimes more soft sometimes incouraging one another but the last result was to contrive the means of escaping He fancy'd she might easily do it by the Garden from that Window But that he was not sure he could trust the Gardener so far who in all things would serve him in which his Lord and Master was not Injured and he amongst the rest of the Servants had Order not to suffer Silvia out of the Garden for which reason he kept a strict Guard on that back-Door Some way must be found out which yet was not and was left to time He told her where he was and that he wou'd not stir from thence till he were secur'd of her flight And Day coming on tho' loath yet for fear of Eyes and Ears that might Spy upon 'em he retired to his little Lodging and Silvia to Bed after giving and receiving a Thousand Vows and Farewels The next Night he came to the same place but instead of entertaining her he only saw her softly put up the Shash a little and throw something white out of the Window and retire He was wondring at the meaning but taking up what was thrown down he found and smelt it was Silvia's Handkerchief in which was ty'd up a Billet He went to his little Lodging and read it Silvia to Octavio GO from my Window my adorable Friend and be not afflicted that I do not entertain you as I had the Ioy to do last Night for bath our Voices were heard by some one thaâ— Lodges below and tho' your Vncle could not tell me any part of our Conversation yet he heard I talk'd to somebody I have perswaded him the Fellow dream'd who gave him this Intelligence and he is almost satisfied he did so however hazard not thy dear self any more so but let me lose for a while the greatest Happiness this Earth can afford me in the Circumstances of our Fortunes rather than expose what is dearer to me than Life or Honour Pity the Fate I was born to and expect all things from Your Silvia I will wait at the Window for your Answer and let you down a Ribband by which I will draw it up But as you love me do not speak He had no sooner read this but he went to write an Answer which was this Octavio to Silvia COmplain not thou Goddess of my Vows on the Fate thou wert born to procure to all Mankind but thank Heaven for having received ten thousand Charms that can recompence all the Injuries you so unwillingly do us And who would not implore his Ruine from all the angry Powers if in return they would give him so glorious a Reward Who would not be undone to all the trifling Honours of the mistaken World to find himself in lieu of all possess'd of the Ravishing Silvia But oh where is that presumptious Man that can at the price of all lay claim to so vast a Blessing Alass my Silvia even while I dare call you mine I am not that hoping Slave no not after all the valued dear things you have said and vow'd to me last Night in the Garden welcome to my Soul as Life after a Sentence of Death or Heaven after Life is ended But oh Silvia all this even all you uttered from your dear Mouth is not sufficient to support me Alas I die for Silvia I am not able to bear the cruel Absence longer
blush'd a Thousand times and fix'd her Eyes upon it for she knew it and was Impatient to have ask'd me some Questions but contain'd her Words And after that I saw a Ioy dance in her lovely Eyes that told me She devin'd you were not far from thence Therefore I beseech your Lordship let us haste So both went out together and the Page Conducted him into a Chamber he better knew than the Boy while every Moment he receives Intelligence how Affairs went in that of Silvia's by the Page who leaving Octavio there went out as a Spy for him In fine with much ado Silvia perswaded her Old Lover to urge her for no Favours that Night for she was indispos'd and unfit for Love yet she perswades with such an Air so Smiling and Insinuating that she increases the Fire she indeavour'd to allay but he who was all Obedience as well as New Desire resolves to humour her and shew the perfect Gallantry of his Love he promises her she shall command And after that never was the Old Gentleman seen in so excellent a Humour before in the whole Course of his Life a certain Lightening against a Storm that must be fatal to him He was no sooner gone from her with a promise to go to Bed and Sleep that he might be the earlier up to show her the fine Gardens which she lov'd but she sends Antonett to call the Page from whom she long'd to know something of Octavio and was sure he cou'd inform her But she was undressing while she spoke and got into her Bed before she left her But Antonett instead of bringing the Sighing Youth brought the Transported and Ravish'd Octavio who had by this time pull'd off his Course Campaign and put down his Hair He fell breathless with Joy on her Bed side when Antonett who knew that Love desired no lookers on retired and left Octavio almost dead with Joy in the Clasping Arms of the Trembling Maid the lovely Silvia Oh who can guess their satisfaction Who can guess their Sighs and Love their tender Words half stifled in Kisses Lovers fond Lovers only can imagine to all besides this Tale will be Insipid He now forgets where he is that not far off lay his Amorous Uncle that to be found there was Death and something worse but wholly Ravish'd with the Languishing Beauty taking his Pistols out of either Pocket he lays them on a Dressing Table near the Bed side and in a Moment throws off his Cloths and gives himself up to all the Heaven of Love that lay ready to receive him there without thinking of any thing but the vast Power of eithers Charms They lay and forgot the hasty Hours but Old Sebastian did not They were all counted by him with the Impatience of a Lover He Burnt he Rag'd with fierce Desire and tost from side to side and found no ease Silvia was present in Imagination and he like Tantalus reaches at the Food which tho' in view is not within his reach He wou'd have Pray'd but he had no Devotion for any Deity but Silvia he rose and walk'd and went to Bed again and found himself uneasie every way A Thousand times he was about to go and try what Opportunity would do in the dark silent Night but fears her Rage he fears she 'll chide at least then he resolves and unresolves as fast Unhappy Lover thus to blow the Fire when there were no Materials to supply it at last overcome with fierce Desire too Violent to be withstood or rather Fate wou'd have it so ordained he ventures all and steals to Silvia's Chamber believing when she found him in her Arms she could not be displeased or if she were that was the surest place of Reconciliation So that only putting his Night Gown about him he went softly to her Chamber for fear of waking her The unthinking Lovers had left open the Door so that it was hardly put to And the first Alarm was Octavio's Hand being seiz'd which was Clasping his Treasure He starts from the frighted Arms of Silvia and leaping from the Bed wou'd have escaped for he knew too well the touch of that Old Hand but Sebastian wholly surpriz'd at so robust a repulse took most unfortunately a stronger hold and laying both his Hands roughly upon him with a Resolution to know who he was for he felt his Hair and Octavio struggling at the same Minute to get from him they both fell against the Dressing Table threw down the Pistols in their fall one of which going off shot the unfortunate Old Lover into the Head so that he never spoke word more At the going off of the Pistol Silvia who had not minded those Octavio laid on the Table cry'd out Oh my Octavio My dearest Charmer reply'd he I 'm well And feeling on the Dead Body which he wonder'd had no longer Motion he felt Blood flowing round it and Sighing cry'd Ah Silvia I 'm undone My Vncle Oh my Parent Speak Dear Sir Oh! what unlucky Accident has done this fatal Deed Silvia who was very soft by Nature was extreamly surpriz'd and frightned at the News of a Dead Man in her Chamber so that she was ready to run Mad with the Apprehension of it She rav'd and tore her self and exprest her Fright in Cries and Distraction so that Octavio was compelled from one charitable Grieâ— to another He goes to her and Comforts her and tells since 't is by no design of either of them their Innocence will be their Guardian Angel He tells her all their fault was Love which made him so heedlesly fond of Joys with her he staid to reap those when he should have secur'd 'em by Flight He tells her this is now no place to stay in and that he would put on her Clothes and fly with her to some secure part of the World For who said he that finds this poor Vnfortunate here will not charge his Death on me or thee Haste then my dearest Maid haste haste and let us fly So dressing her he led her into Antonett's Chamber and conjured her to say nothing of the Accident while he went to see which way they could get out So locking the Chamber door where the dead Body lay which by this time was stiff and cold he lock'd that also of his Uncle's Chamber and calling the Page they all got themselves ready and puting Two Horses in the Coach they unseen and unperceived got themselves all out The Servants having drunk hard at their meeting in the Country last Night were all too sound a sleep to understand any thing of what past It being now about the Break of Day Octavio was the Coachman and the Page Riding by the Coach-side while Silvia and Antonett were in it they in an hours time reach'd the Town where Octavio pack'd up all that was carriageable took his own Coach and Six Horses left his Affairs to the Managent of a Kinsman that dwelt with him took Bills to the value of Two
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
fickle Humour cannot inform thee why thou hast betray'd me but thou hast done it Silvia and may it never rise in Iudgment on thee nor fix a Brand upon thy Name for ever greater than all thy other Guilts can load thee with Live fair Deceiver live and charm Philander to all the Heights of his beginning Flame maist thou be gaining Power upon his Heart and bring it to Repâ—ntance for Inconstancy may all thy Beauty still maintain its Lustre and all thy Charms of Wit be new and gay maist thou be chast and true and since it was thy Fate to 〈◊〉 undone let this at least excuse the hâ—pless Maid 't was Love alone betâ—ay'd her to that Ruin and it was Philander only had that Power If thou had'st sinn'd with one as Heaven 's my Witness after I had plighted thee my sacred Voâ—s I do not think thou did ' st may all the Powers above forgive thee Silvia and those thou hast committed since those Vows will need a world of Tears to wash away 'T is I will weep for both 't is I will go and be a Sacrifice to atone for all our Sins 't is I will be the pressing Penitent and watch and pray and weep till Heaven have Mercy and may my Penance be accepted for thee Farewelâ— I have but one Request to make thee which is that thou wilt for Octavio's Sake forgive the faithful Slave that brings thee this from thy Octavio Silvia whose Absence and ill Treatment of Octavio had but served to raise her Flame to aâ—much greater degree had no sooner read this Letter but she suffered herself to be distracted with all the different Passions that possess dispairing Lovers sometimes raveing and sometimes sighing and weeping 'T was a good while she continued in these Disorders still thinking on what she had to do next that might redeem all Being a little come to herself she thought good to consult with Brilljard in this Affair between whom and Octavio she found there was a very good Understanding And resolving absolutely to quit Philander she no longer had any Scruples or Doubt what Course to take nor car'd she what Price she paid for a Reconciliation with Octavio if any Price would purchase it In order to this Resolve fix'd in her Heart she sends for Brilljard whom she careses anew with all the Fondness and Familiarity of a Woman who was resolv'd to make him her Confident or rather indeed her next Gallant I have already said he was very handsome and very well made and you may believe he took all the care he could in dressing which he understood very well He had a good deal of Wit and was very well fashion'd and bred With all these Accomplishments and the addition of Love and Youth he could not be imagined to appear wholly indifferent in the Eyes of any body tho' hitherto he had in those of Silvia whose Heart was doating on Philander but now that that Passion was wholly extinguished and that their eternal Quarrels had made almost a perpetual Separation she being alone without the Conversation of Men which she lov'd and was used to and in her Inclination naturally addicted to love she found Brilljard more agreeable than he used to be which together with he Designs she had upon him made her take such a Freedom with him as wholly transported this almost hopeless Lover She discourses with him concerning Octavio and his Condition and he failed not to answer so as to please her right or wrong she tells him how uneasy she was with Philander who every day grew more and more insupportable to her she tells him she had a very great Inclination for Octavio and more for his Fortune that was able to support her than his Person she knew she had a great Power over him and however it might seem now to be diminished by her unlucky Flight with Philander she doubted not but to reduce him to all that Love he once profess'd to her by telling him she was forc'd away and without her Knowledge being carried only to take the Air was compell'd to the fatal Place where she now was Brilljard sooths and flatters her in all her Hope and offers her his Service in her Flight which he might easily assist unknown to Philander It was now about fix a Clock at Night and she commanded a Supper to be provided and brought to her Chamber where Brilljard and she supp'd together and talk'd of nothing but the new Design the hope of effecting which put her into so good Humour that she frankly drank her Bottle and show'd more signs of Mirth than she had done in many Months before In this good Humour Brilljard look'd more amiable than ever she smiles upon him she caresses him with all the assurance of Friendship imaginable she tells him she shall behold him as her dearest Friend and spoke so many kind things that he was imbolden'd and approach'd her by degrees more near he makes Advances and the greatest Incouragement was the Secret he had of her intended Flight He tells her He hop'd she would be pleased to consider that while he was serving her in a new Amour and assisting to render her into the Arms of another he was wounding his own Heart which languished for her that he should not have taken the Presumption to have told her this as such a time as he offered his Life to serve her but that it was already no Secret to her and that a Man who lov'd at his rate and yet would contrive to make his Mistriss happy with another ought in Justice to receive some Recompence of a Flame so constant and so submissive While he spake he found he was not regarded with the Looks of Scorn or Disdain he knew her haughty Temper and finding it calm he pressed on to new Submissions he fell at her Feet and pleaded so well where no Opposers were that Silvia no longer resisted or if she did it was very feebly and with a sort of Wish that he would pursue his Boldness yet farther which at last he did from one degree of Softness and gentle Force to another and made himself the happiest Man in the World tho' she was very much disordered at the Apprehension of what she had suffered from a Man of his Character as she imagined so infinitely below her but he redoubled his Submissions in so cunning a manner that he soon brought her to her good Humour and after that he used the kind Authority of a Husband whenever he had an Opportunity and found her not displeased at his Services She considered he had a Secret from her which if reveal'd would not only prevent her Design but ruin her for ever she found too late she had discovered too much to him to keep him at the Distance of a Servant and that she had no other way to attach him eternally to her Interest but by this means He now every day appear'd more fine and well dressed and omitted nothing that might
Bruxells and at the Ceremony sad as she was while the soft Musick was playing she discours'd to him tho' she knew him not of the business of the day He told her she was to see a Sight that ought to make her Sex less cruel a Man extreamly Beautiful and Young whose Fortune could command almost all the pleasures of the World yet for the Love of the most Amiable Creature in the World who has treated him with Rigor he abandons this Youth and Beauty to all the Severities of rigid Devotion This relation with a great deal he said of Octavio's Vertues and Bravery had like to have discovered her by putting her into a Swoon and she had much ado to support her self in her Seat I my self went among the rest to this Ceremony having in all the time I lived in Flanders never been so curious to see any such thing The Order of St. Bernard is one of the neatest of any of 'em and there is a Monastery of that Order which are oblig'd to be all Noble Mens Sons of which I have seen fifteen hundred at a time in one House all handsome and most of 'em Young their Habit adds a Grace to their Person for of all the Religious that is the most becoming Long white Vests of fine Cloth ty'd about with White Silk Sashes or Cord of White Silk over this a long Cloak without a Cape of the same fine white Broad-Cloth their Hair of a pretty Length as that of our Parsons in England and a White Beaver they have very fine Apartments fit for their quality and above all every one his Library They have Attendance and Equipage according to their Rank and have nothing of the Inconveniences and Slovenliness of some of the Religious but served in as good order as can be and they have nothing of the Monastick but the Name the Vow of Chastity and the Opportunity of gaining Heaven by the sweetest Retreat in the World fine House excellent Air and delicate Gardens Grotto's and Groves 'T was this Oader that Octavio had chosen as too delicate to undertake the Austerity of any other and in my opinion 't is here a Man may hope to become a Saint sooner than in any other more perplext with Want Cold and all the necessaries of Life which takes the thought too much from Heaven and afflicts it with the Cares of this World with Pain and too much Abstinence and I rather think 't is Necessity than Choice that makes a Man a Cordelier that may be a Iesuit or a Bernardine two the best of the Holy Orders But to return 't was upon a Thursday this Ceremony began and as I said there was never any thing beheld so fine as the Church that day was and all the Fathers that officiated at the High-Altar behind which a most magnificent Scene of Glory was opened with Clouds most rarely and Artificially set off behind which appear'd new onesmore bright and dazling till from one degree to another their lustre was hardly able to be look'd on and in which sat an hundred little Angels so rarely dress'd such shining Robes such Charming Faces such flowing bright Hair Crown'd with Roses of White and Red with such Artificial Wings as one would have said they had born the Body up in the Splendid Sky and these to soft Musick Tun 〈◊〉 soft Voices with such sweetness of Harmony that for my part I confess I thought my self no longer on Earth and sure there is nothing gives us an Idea of real Heaven like a Church all adorn'd with rare Pictures and the other Ornaments of it with what ever can Charm the Eyes and Musick and Voices to Ravish the Ear both which inspire the Soul with unresistable Devotion and I can Swear for my own part in those Moments a thousand times I have wish'd to Die so absolutely I have forgot the World and all its Vanities and fixt my thoughts on Heaven While this Musick continued and the Anthems were Singing Fifty Boys all in White bearing Silver Censers Cast Incense all round and perfum'd the Place with the richest and most agreeable Smells while two hundred Silver Lamps were burning about the Altar to give a greater Glory to the open'd Scene while other Boys strow'd Flowers upon the inlaid Pavement where the gay Victim was to tread for no Crowd of Gazers fill'd the empty Space but those that were Spectators were so placed as rather served to adorn than disorder the awful Ceremony where all were silent and as still as Death as awful as Mourners that attend the Hearse of some lov'd Monarch While we were thus listening the soft Musick playing and the Angels singing the whole Fraternity of the Order of St. Bernard came in two by two in very graceful Order and going up to the shining Altar whose Furniture that day was Embroidered with Diamonds Pearls and Stones of great Value they bow'd and retired to their Places into little gilded Stalls like our Knights of the Garter at Windsor After them fifty Boys that sang approach in order to the Altar bow'd and divided on each side they were dressed in white Cloth of Silver with golden Wings and rosy Chaplets After these the Bishop in his pontifick Robes set with Diamonds of great Price and his Mitre richly adorn'd ascended the Altar where after a short Anthem he turn'd to receive the young Devotee who was just entered the Church while all Eyes were fixed on him He was led or rather on each side attended with two young Noble-men his Relations and I never saw any thing more rich in Dress but that of Octavio exceeded all Imagination for the gayety and fineness of the Work It was white Cloth of Silver embroidered with Gold and Buttons of Diamonds lin'd with rich Cloth of Gold and Silver Flowers his Breeches of the same trim'd with a pale Pinck Garniture rich Linen and a white Plume in his white Hat His Hair which was long and black was that day in the finest order that could be imagined but for his Face and Eyes I am not able to describe the Charms that adorn'd 'em no Fancy no Imagination can paint the Beauties there He look'd indeed as if he were maid for Heaven no Mortal ever had such Grace He look'd methought as if the Gods of Love had met in Council to dress him up that day for everlasting Conquest for to his usual Beauties he seem'd to have the Addition of a thousand more he bore new Lustre in his Face and Eyes Smiles on his Cheeks and Dimples on his Lips He moved he trode with nobler Motions as if some supernatural Influence had took a peculiar Care of him Ten thousand Sighs from all sides were sent him as he passed along which mix'd with the soft Musick made such a murmuring as gentle Breezes moving yielding Boughs I am assured he won that day more Hearts without Design than ever he had gain'd with all his Toils of Love and Youth before when Industry assisted him to
prepar'd as himself and that she would leave her Woman Leticia to give me Admittance This satisfy'd me very well and as I attended here some of my acquaintance chanced to arrive with whom I Supp'd and took so many Glasses to her Health as it past down that I was arriv'd at a very handsome pitch and to say Truth was as full of Bacchus as Venus However as soon as her Foot-man arriv'd I stole away and took Horse and by that time it was quite dark arriv'd at her House where I was let in by a Youngâ— Maid whose Habit was very neat and clean and she herself appear'd to my Eyes then dazling with Wine the most beautiful Young Creature I had ever seen as in truth she was she seemed all Modesty and blushing Innocence so that conducting me into a low Parlour while she went to tell her Lady I was come who lay ready drest in all the Magnificence of Night-dress to receive me I sate contemplating on this fair Young Maid and no more thought of her Lady than of Bethlehem Gabor The Maid soon return'd and Curtsying told me with Blushes on her Face that her Lady expected me the House was still as Sleep and no Noise heard but the little Winds that rush'd among the Iesamin that grew at the Window now whether at that moment the false Light in the Room or the true Wine deceived me I know not but I beheld this Maid as an Angel for Beauty and indeed I think she had all the temptations of Nature I began to kiss her and she to tremble and blush yet not so much out of Fear as Surprize and Shame at my Addresses I found her pleased with my Vows and melting at my Kisses I sigh'd in her Bosom which panted me a welcome there that Bosom whiter than Snow sweeter than the Nosegay she had Planted there She urg'd me faintly to go to her Lady who expected me and I swore it was for her Sake I came whom I never saw and that I scorn'd all other Beauties She kindl'd at this and her Cheeks glow'd with Love I press'd her to all I wish'd but she replyed she was a Maid and should be undone I told her I would Marry her and swore it with a thousand Oaths she believed and grew prettily Fond In fine at last she yielded to all I ask'd of her which we had scarce recover'd when her Lady rung I could not stir but she who fear'd a Surprize ran to her and told her I was gone into the Garden and would come immediately she hastens down again to me Fires me anew and pleas'd me anew 't was thus I taught a longing Maid the first Lesson of Sin at the price of Fifty Pistoles which I presented her nor could I yet part from this young Charmer but stayed so long that her Lady rung a Silver Bell again but my new Prize was so wholly taken up with the pleasure of this new Amour and the good Fortune arriv'd to her she heard not the Bell so that the fair deceiv'd put on her Night-gown and Slippers and came softly down Stairs and found my new Love and I closely imbracing with all the passion and fondness imaginable I know not what she saw in me in that kind moment to her Woman or whether the disappointment gave her a greater desire but 't is most certain she fell most desperately in Love with me and scorning to take notice of the Indignity I put upon her she unseen stole to her Chamber Where after a most afflicting Night she next Morning called her Woman to her whom I left towards Morning better pleased with my Fifty Pistoles worth of Beauty than I should have been with that of five hundred the Maid whose Guilt made her very much unassur'd approach'd her Lady with such tremblings as she no longer doubted but she was guilty but durst not examine her about it least she who had her Honour in keeping should by the discovery she found she had made of her Levity expose that of her Lady She therefore dissembled as well as she could and examined her about my stay to which the Maid answer'd I had fallen asleep and 't was impossible to wake me till day appear'd when for fear of discovery I posted away This tho' the Lady knew was false she was forc'd to take for currant Excuse and more raging with Love than ever she immediately dispatch'd away her Foot-man with a Letter to me upbraiding me extreamly but at the same time inviting me with all the passion imaginable and because I should not again see my young Mistriss who was dying in Love with me she appointed me to meet her at a little House she had a Bow-shot from her own where was a fine Deâ—oy and a great number of Wild-fowl kept which her Husband took great delight in there I was to wait her coming where liv'd only a Man and his old Wife her Servants I was very glad of this Invitation and went she came adorn'd with all her Charms I consider'd her a new Woman and one whom I had a Wager to win upon the conquest of one I had inclination to till by the discovery of the Jilt in her I began to dispise the Beauty however as I said she was new and now perhaps easie to be brought to my Terms as indeed it hap'ned she caress'd me with all imaginable fondness was ready to Eat my Lips instead of Kissing them and much more forward than I wish'd who do not love an over easie Conquest however she pleas'd me for three days together all which time she detained me there coming to me early and staying the latest Hour and I have no reason to repent my time for besides that I have past it very well she at my coming away presented me this Jewel in my Hat and this Ring on my Finger and I have sav'd my five hundred Pistoles my heart and my credit in the Encounter and am going to Bruxells to triumph over the haughty conceited Philander who set so great a value on his own Beauty and yet for all his fine Person has paid the Pistoles before he could purchase the Blessing as she swore to me who have made a Convert of her and reduced her to the thing she never yet was a Lover insomuch that she has promised me to renounce Philander I have promised to visit her again but if I do 't will be more for the Vanity to please than be pleas'd for I never repeat any thing with pleasure All the while he spoke Silvia fix'd her Eyes and all her soft desires upon him she envies the happy Countess but much more the happy Maid with whom his perfect liking made him happy she fansies him in her Arms and wishes him there she is ready a thousand times to tell him she is a Woman but when she reflects on his inconstancy she fears When he had ended his Story she Cry'd sighing And you are just come from this fair Lady He answered
or a great part of 'em so that all this side of France will be left defenceless I myself Madam have some Share in this great Design and possibly you will one day see me a Person of a Quality sufficient to merit those Favours I am now blessed with Pray reply'd Silvia smiling with a little Scorn what part are you to play to arrive at this good Fortune I am said he trusted to provide all the Ammunition and Arms and to hire a Vessel to transport them to some Sea-port Town in France which the Council shall think most proper to receive us Silvia laughed and said she prophesied another End of this high Design than they imagined but desperate Fortunes must take their Chance What continued she does not Hermione speak of me and inquire of me Yes reply'd Brillâ—ard but in such a way as if she look'd on you as a lost Creature and one of such a Reputation she would not receive a Visit from for all the World At this Silvia laughed eâ—treamly and cry'd Hermione would be very well content to be so mean a Sinner as myself to be so young and so handsome an one However said she to be serious I would be glad to know what real Probability there is in advancing and succeeding in this Design for I would take my Measures accordingly and keep Philander whose wavering or rather lost Fortune is the greatest Motive of my Resolves to part with him and that have made me so uneasy to him Brilljard told her he was very confident of the Design and that it was almost impossible to miscarry in the Discontent all France was in at this Juncture and they feared nothing but the Prince's Relapsing who now most certainly preferred Love to Glory He farther told her that as they were in Council one deputed from the Parisians arrived with new Offers and to know the last Result of the Prince whether he would espouse their Interest or not as they were with Life and Fortune ready to espouse his Glory They sent him word it was from him they expected Liberty and him whom they look'd upon as their titular Deity Old Fergusano was then in Council that High-land Wizard that manages all and who is ever at hand to awaken Mischief alarm'd the Prince to new Glories reproaching his scandalous Life withal telling him there were Measures to be taken to reconcile Love and Fame and which he was to discourse to him about in his Closet only but as things were he bade him look into the Story of Armida and Renaldo and compare his own with it and he doubted not but he would return blushing at his Remissness and Sloath Not that he would exempt his Youth from the Pleasures of Love but he would not have Love hinder his Glory This bold Speech before Hermione had like to have begot an ill understanding but she was as much for the Prince's Glory as Fergusano and therefore could not be angry when she considered the Elevation of the Prince would be her own also At this necessary reproach the Prince blush'd the Board seconding the wizard had this good effect to draw this assurance from him That they should see he was not so attach'd to Love but he could for sometime give a Cessation to his Heart and that the Envoy from the Parisians might return assur'd that he would as soon as he could put his affairs in good order come to their relief and bring Arms for those that had none with such Friends as he could get together he could not promise Numbers least by leading so many here their design should take Air but would wholly trust to Fortune and their good resolutions He demanded a Sum of money of 'em for the buying these Arms and they have promised him all Aids This is the last result of Council which broke immediately up and the Prince retired to his Closet where he was no sooner come but reflecting on the necessity of leaving Hermione he fell into the most profound Melancholy and Muzing that could seize a Man while he sat thus Hermione who had school'd Fergusano for his rough Speech in Council and desired he would now take the opportunity to repair that want of respect while the Prince was to be spoken to alone sent him into the Closet to him where he found him walking with his Arms across not minding the Bard who stood gazing on him and at last called to him and finding no reply he advanced and pulling him gently by the Arm cry'd Awake Royal young Man awake and look up to coming Greatness I was reflecting replyed Cesario on all the various Fortunes I have pass'd from the time of my Birth to this present hapless day and would be glad to know if any supernatural means can tell me what future Event will befal me If I beleived I should not gain a Crown by this great Enterprize I am undertaking here I would lay me down in silent Ease give up my Toils and restless Soul to Love and never think on vain Ambition more Ease thou my troubled Mind if thou hast any Friend among the Infernals and they dare utter Truth My gracious Prince replyed the fawning Wizard this Night if you dare loose your self from Love and come unattended to my Apartment I 'll undertake to show you all the future Fortune you are to run the Hazards Dangers and Escapes that attend your mighty Race of Life I 'll lay the Adamantin Book before you where all the Destinies of Princes are Hieroglisick'd I 'll show you more if Hell can furnish Objects and you dare stand untrembling at the Terrour of ' em Enough replyed Cesario Name me the Hour 'Twixt Twelve and One said he for that 's the sacred dismal time of Night for Fiends to come for Tombs to open and let loose their Dead we shall have use of both No more reply'd Cesario I 'll attend 'em The Prince was going out when Fergusano recalled him and cry'd one thing Sir I must caution you That from this minute to that wherein I shall show you your Destiny you commit nothing unlawful with Women-kind Away replyed the Prince smiling and leave your Canting The Wizard putting on a more grave Countenance replyed By all the Infernals Sir if you commit unlawful Things I cannot serve you If your devils replyed the Prince Laughing be so nice I doubt I shall find 'em too honest for my Purpose Sir said the subtle old Fiend such Conscientious Devils your Highness is to converse with to Night and if you discover the Secret it will not prove so Lucky Since they are so Humourous cry'd Cesario I will give 'em way for once And going out of the Room he went directly to Hermione's apartment where it being late she is preparing for Bed and with a thousand Kisses and hanging on his Neck she ask'd him why he is so slow and why he suffers not himself to be undress'd He feigns a thousand excuses at which she seems extreamly amaz'd she
treat it for I find already you have done it more damage than it ever sustained in all the Rancounters it has had with Love and Beauty You complain too soon reply'd Silvia smiling and you ought to make a tryal of my good Nature before you reproach me with harming you I know not reply'd Alonzo sighing what I may venture to hope from that but I am afraid from your Inclinations I ought to hope for nothing since a Thousand reasonable Iealousies already possess me from the sight of that Ring and I more than doubt I have a powerful Rival a Youth of the most divine Form I ever met with of his Sex if from him you received it I guess my Fate I perceive Stranger said Silvia you begin to be inconsâ—ant already and find excuses to complain on your Fate before you have tried your Fortune I perswade myself that fine Person you speak of and to whom you gave this Ring has so great a value for you that to leave you no Excuse I assure you he will not be displeas'd to find you a Rival provided you prove a very constant Lover I confess said Alonzo Constancy is an imposition I never yet had the Confidence and ill Nature to impose on the Fair and indeed I never found that Woman yet of Youth and Beauty that ever set so small a value on her own Charms to be much in Love with that dull Vertue or require it of my Heart but upon occasion Madam if such an unreasonable fair one be found I am extreamly sorry interrupted Silvia to find you have no better way of recommending yourself this will be no great incouragement to a person of my Humour to receive your Addresses Madam I do not tell you that I am not in my nature wondrous constant reply'd he I tell you only what has hitherto happen'd to me not what will that I have yet never been so is no fault of mine but power or truth in those Beauties to whom I have given my Heart rather believe they wanted Charms to hold me than that I where Wit and Beauty ingag'd me should prove so false to my own Pleasure I am very much afraid Madam if I find my Eyes as agreeably entertained when I shall have the Honour to see your Face as my Ears are with your excellent Wit I shall be reduced to that very whining sighing Coxcomb you like so well in a Lover and be ever dying at your Fâ—et I have but oneâ— hope left to preserve myself from this wretched thing you Women love that is that I shall not find you so all over Charming as what I have hitherto found presents it self to be You have already created Love enough in me for any reasonable Woman but I find you are not to be approached with the common Devotions we pay your Sex but like your Beauty the Passion too must be great and you are not content unless you see your Lovers die this is that fatal proof alone that can satisfie you of their Passion And tho' you laugh to see a Sir Courtly Nice a Fop in Fashion acted on the Stage in your Hearts that foolish thing that fine neat Pasquel is your Darling your fine Gentleman your Well-bred Person Thus sometimes in Jest and sometimes in Earnest they recommended themselves to each other and to so great a degree that it was impossible for them to be more Charm'd on either side which lasted till it was time to depart but he besought her not to do so till she had informed him where he might wait on her and most passionately folicits what she as passionately desired To tell you Truth said she I cannot permit you that freedom without you ask it of Bellumere He reply'd Next to waiting on her he should be the most over-joy'd in the World to pay his Respects to that young Gentleman However to name him gave him a Thousand Fears which when he would have urg'd she bid him trust to the generosity of that Man who was of Quality and loved him she then told him his Lodgings which were her own Alonzo infinitely over-joyed resolv'd to lose no time but promis'd that Evening to visit him And at their parting he treated her with so much passionate Respect that she was vext to see it paid to one he yet knew not However she verily believed her Conquest was certain He having seen her three times and all those times for a several Person and yet was still in Love with her And she doubted not when all three were joyn'd in one he would be much more in Love than yet he had been with this assurance they parted Silvia was no sooner got home but she resolved to receive Alonzo who she was assured would come She hasted to dress herself in a very rich Suit of Man's Cloths to receive him as the young French Gentleman She believed Brilljard would not come till late as was his use now being at Play at Hermione's She look'd extream pretty when she was drest and had all the Charms that Heaven could adorn a Face and Shape withal Her Apartment was very magnificent and all look'd very great She was no sooner drest but the young Lover came Silvia received him on the Stair-case with open Arms and all the signs of Joy that could be exprest and leads him to a rich drawing Room where she began to entertain him with that happy Nights adventure when they both lay together at the Village while Alonzo makes imperfect replies wholly charmed with the look of the young Cavalier which so resembled what he had seen the day before in another Garb on the Toure He is wholly ravish'd with his Voice it being absolutely the same that had charmed him that Day in the Park the more he gaz'd and listen'd the more he was confirm'd in his Opinion that he was the same and he had the Musick of that dear accent still in his Ears and could not be deceived A Thousand times he is about to kneel before her and ask her Pardon but still is check'd by Doubt He sees he hears this is the same lovely Youth who lay in Bed with him at the Village Caberett and then no longer thinks her Woman He hears and sees it is the same Face and Voice and Hands he saw on the Toure and in the Park and then believes her Woman While he is in these perplexities Silvia who with Vanity and Pride perceiv'd his disorder taking him in her Arms cry'd Come my Alonzo that you shall no longer doubt but I am perfectly your Friend I will shew you a Sister of mine whom you will say is a Beauty or I am too partial and I will have your judgment of her With that he call'd to Antonett to beg her Lady would permit him to bring a young Stranger to kiss her Hand The Maid instructed reâ—res and Alonzo stood gazing on Silvia as one confounded and amaz'd not knowing yet how to determine he now begins to think himself mistaken in
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
a destructive storm but like the anger'd Sea which pants and heaves and retains still an uneasie motion long after the rude winds are appeas'd and hush'd to silence My heart beats still and heaves with the sensible remains of the late dangerous tempest of my mind and nothing can absolutely calm me but the approach of the all-powerful Philander though that thought possesses me with ten thousand fears which I know will vanish all at thy appearance and assume no more their dreadful shapes till thou art gone again bring me then that kind cessation bring me my Lysander and set me above the thoughts of Cares Frights or any other thoughts but those of tender Love hast then thou charming object of my eternal wishes of my new desires hast to my Arms my Eyes my Soul But oh be wondrous careful there do not betray the easie Maid that trusts thee amidst all her sacred store 'T is almost dark and my Mother is retir'd to her Chamber my Father to his Cabinet and has left all that Apartment next the Garden wholly without Spies I have by trusty Silvia sent you a Key Mâ—linda got made to the Door which leads from the Garden to the back-Stairs to my Apartment so carefully lock'd and the original Key so closely guarded by my jealous Father that way I beg you to come a way but too well known to Lysander and by which he has made many an escape to and from Mertilla Oh Damn that thought what makes it torturing me Let me â—hange it for those of Lysander the advantage will be as great as â—artering Hell for Heaven haste then Lysander But what need I bid thee Love will lend thee his Wings thou who commandest all his Artillery put 'em on and fly to thy Languishing SILVIA O I faint with the dear thought of thy Approach To the Charming Silvia WIth much ado with many a Sigh a panting heart and many a Languishing look back towards happy Bellfont I have recover'd Dorillus his Farm where I threw me on a Bed and lay without motion and almost without life for two hours 'till at last through all my Sighs my great Concern my Torment my Love and Rage broke silence and burst into all the different complaâ—nts both soft and mad by turns that ever possest a soul extravagantly seiz'd with frantick Love Ah Silvia what did I not say How did I not Curse and who except my Charming Maid For yet my Silvia is a Maid Yes yes ye Envying Power she is and yet the sacred and inestimable treasure was offer'd a trembling victim to the o'rejoy'd and fancy'd Deity for then and there I thought my self happier than a triumphing God but having overcome all difficulties all the fatigues and toyles of Loves long Sieges Vanquisht the mighty Fantôm of the â—air the Giant Honour and routed all the numerous Host of Womens little Reasonings past all the bounds of peevish Modesty Nay even all the loose and silken Counterscarps that fenc'd the sacred Fort and nothing stop'd my glorious pursuit Then then ye Gods just then by an over transport to fall just fainting before the surrendering Gates unable to receive the yielding treasure Oh Silvia what Demon malicious at my Glory seiz'd my vigor What God envious of my mighty joy render'd me ashameful object of his Raillery Snatcht my till then never failing power and left me dying on thy Charming Bosom Heavens how I lay Silent with wonder rage and extasy of Love unable to complain or rail or storm or seek for ease but with my sighs alone which made up all my breath my mad desires remain'd but all unactive as Age or Death it self as cold and feeble as unfit for joy as if my Youthful fire had long been past or Silvia had never been blest with Charms Tell me thou wondrous perfect Creature tell me where lay the hidden Witchcraft Was Silvia's Beauty too Divine to mix with Mortal Joys Ah no 't was Ravishing but Humane all Yet sure 't was so approaching to Divinity as chang'd my Fire to Awfull Adoration and all my wanton heat to reverend Contemplation But this is nonsense all 't was something more that gave me rage despair and torments insupportable No 't was no dull Devotion tame Divinity but mortal killing Agony unlucky disappointment unnatural impotence Oh I am lost enchanted by some Magick Spell Oh what can Silvia say What can she think of my sond passion She 'll swear 't is all a cheat I had it not No it could not be such Tales I 've often heard as often laught at too of disappointed Lovers wou'd Silvia wou'd believe as sure she may mine was excess of Passion What! my Silvia being arriv'd to all the joy of Love just come to reap the glorious recompence the full reward the Heaven for all my sufferings do I lye gazing only and no more A dull a feeble unconcern'd Admirer Oh my eternal shame Curse on my Youth give me ye Powers Old Age for that has some excuse but Youth has none 't is Dullness Stupid Insensibility Where shall I hide my head when this lewd Story 's told When it shall be confirm'd Philander the Young the Brisk and Gay Philander who never fail'd the Woman he scarce wisht for never baâ—k'd the Amorous conceated Old nor the ill-favour'd Young yet when he had extended in his Arms the Young the Charming Fair and Longing Silvia the untouch'd unspotted and till then unwishing Lovely Maid yielded defenceless and unguarded all he wanted power to seize the trembling Prey Defend me Heaven from Madness Oh Silvia I have reflected on all the little circumstances that might occasion this distaster and damn me to this degree of coldness but I can fix on none I had 't is true for Silvia's sake some apprehensions of fear of being surpriz'd for coming through the Garden I saw at the farther end a man at least I fancy'd by that light it was a man who perceiving the glimps of something approach from the Grove made softly towards me but with such caution as if he fear'd to be mistaken in the person as much as I was to approach him and reminding what Melinda told me of an assignation she had made to Monsiâ—ur the Count Imagin'd it him nor was I mistaken when I heard his voice calling in low tone Melinda At which I mended my pace and e're he got half way the Garden recover'd the Door and softly unlocking it got in unperceiv'd and fasten'd it after me well enough assur'd that he saw not which way I vanisht however it fail'd not to alarm me with some fears on your dear account that disturb'd my repose and which I thought then not necessary to impart to you and which indeed all vanisht at the sight of my Adorable Maid When entering thy Apartment I beheld thee extended on a Bed of Roses in Garments which if possible by their wanton loose negligence and gaiety augmented thy natural Charms I trembling sell on my Knees by your
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
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 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
Octavio to become no less his admirer But when he saluted Silvia who appear'd to him a youth of quality he was extreamly charm'd with her pretty gayety and an unusual Air and life in her address and motion he felt a secret joy and pleasure play about his Soul he knew not why And was almost angry that he felt such an emotion for a youth tho the most lovely that he ever saw After the first complyments they fell into discourse of a thousand indifferent things and if he were pleas'd at first sight with the two Lovers he was wholly charm'd by their conversation especially that of the amiable youth who well enough pleas'd with the young Stranger or else hitherto having met nothing so accomplisht in her short Travels and indeed despairing to meet any such she put on all her gayety and charms of Wit and made as absolute a Conquest as 't was possible for her suppos'd Sex to do over a man who was a great admirer of the other and surely the lovely Maid never appear'd so charming and desirable as that day they din'd together in the Cabin and after dinner repos'd on little Matresses by each others side where every motion every Limb as carelessly she lay discover'd a thousand Graces and more and more inslam'd the now beginning Lover she cou'd not move nor smile nor speak nor order any charm about her but had some peculiar Grace that begun to make him uneasie and from a thousand little Modesties both in her blushes and motions he had a secret hope she was not what she seem'd but of that Sex whereof she discover'd so many softnesses and beauties tho to what advantage that hope wou'd amount to his repose was yet a disquiet he had not consider'd nor â—elt Nor cou'd he by any fondness between them or indiscretion of love conceive how the lovely Strangers were alied he only hop'd and had no thoughts of fear or any thing that cou'd check his new beginning flame While thus they past the after-noon they ask'd a thousand questions Our Lovers of the Country and manners and their security and civility to Strangers to all which Octavio answer'd as a man who wou'd recommend the place and persons purely to oblige their stay for now self interest makes him say all things in favour of it and of his own friendship offers them all the service of a Man of power and who cou'd make an interest in those that had more than himself much he protested much he offer'd and yet no more than he design'd to make good on all occasions which they receivâ—d with an acknowledgment that plainly discover'd a generosity and quality above the common rate of Men so that finding in each other occasions for Love and friendship they mutually profest it and nobly entertain'd it Octavio told his Name and quality left nothing unsaid that might confirm the Lovers of his sincerity This begot a confidence in Phillander who in return told him so much of his Circumstances as suâ—â—ic'd to let him know he was a person so unfortunate to have occasion'd the displeasure of his King against him and that he cou'd not continue with any repose in that Kingdom whose Monarch thought him no longer â—it for those honours he had before receiv'd Octavio renew'd his protestations of serving him with his interest and fortune which the other receiving with all the Gallant modesty of an unfortunate Man they came a shore where Octavio's Coâ—ches and Equipage waiting his coming to conduct him to his house he offer'd his new friends the best of 'em to carry them to their lodging which he had often prest might be his own Pallace but that being refus'd as too great an honour he wou'd himself see them plac'd in some one which he thought might be most sutable to their quality they excus'd the trouble but he prest too eagerly to be deny'd and he conducted them to a Merchants house not far from his own so Love had contriv'd for the better management of this new affair of his heart which he resolv'd to persue be the fair object of what sex soever but after having well enough recomended em to the care of the Merchant he thought it justice to leave em to their rest tho with abundance of reluctancy So took his leave of both the Lovely Strangers and went to his own home and after â— hasty supper got himself put to bed not to sleep for now he had other business Love took him now to task and ask'd his heart a thousand questions Then 't was he found the Idea of that fair unknown had absolute possession there Nor was he at all displeas'd to find he was a captive his youth and quality promise his hopes a thousand advantages above all other men but when he reâ—lected on the Beauty of Phillander on his Charming youth and Conversation and every Grace that adorns a Conqueror he grew inflam'd disorderd restless angry and out of Love with his own attractions consider'd every Beauty of his own person and found 'em or at least thought 'em infinitly short of those of his now Fancy'd Rival yet 't was a Rival that he cou'd not hate nor did his passion abate one thought of his Friendship for Phillander but rather more increas'd it insomuch that he once resolv'd it shou'd surmount his Love if possible at least he left it on the upper hand till time shou'd make a better dicovery When tir'd with thought we 'l suppose him a â—leep and see how our Lovers far'd Who being lodg'd all on one Stair Case that is Phillander Silvia and Brilljard it was not hard for the Lover to steal into the longing Arms of the expecting Silvia no fatigues of tedious journeys and little voyages had a bated her fondness or his vigour the night was like the first all joy all transport Briljard lay so near as to be a witness to all their sighs of Love and little soft murmurs who now began from a servant to be permitted as an humble companion since he had had the Honour of being marry'd to Silvia tho yet he durst not lift his eyes or thoughts that way yet it might be perceiv'd he was melancholy and sullen when e're he saw their daliances nor cou'd he know the joys his Lord nightly stole without an impatience which if but minded or known perhaps had cost him his life he began from the thoughts she was his wife to fancy â—ine injoyment to fancy Authority which he durst not asume And often wisht his Lord woud grow cold as possessing Lovers do that then he might advance his hope when he shou'd ever abandon or slight her he cou'd not see her kist without blushing with resentment but if he has assisâ—ed to undress him for her bed he was ready to dy with anger and wou'd grow sick and leave the office to himself he cou'd not see her naked charmes her armes streatcht out to receive a Lover with impatient joy without madness To see her
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
be false If the dear Man be perjur'd take take kind Heaven the life you have preserv'd but for a greater proof of your revenge And at that word she sunk into his Arms which he hastily extended as she was falling both to save her from harm and to give himself the pleasure of grasping the lovely'st body in the World to his Bosome on which her fair face declin'd cold dead and pale but so transporting was the pleasure of that dear burden that he forgot to call for or to use any aid to bring her back to life but trembling with his love and eager passion he took a thousand joys he kist a thousand times her Luke-warm lips suckt her short sighs and ravisht all the sweets her Bosome which but guarded with a loose Night Gown yielded his impatient touches Oh Heaven who can express the pleasures he receiv'd because no other way he ever cou'd arrive to so much dareing 't was all beyond his hope loose were her Robes insensible the Maid and love had made him insolent he rov'd he kist he gaz'd without controul forgetting all respect of persons or of place and quite despairing by fair means to win her resolves to take this luckey opportunity the door he knew was fast for the Counsel she had to ask him admitted of no lookers on so that at his enterance she had secur'd that pass for him her self and being near her Bed when she fell into his Arms at this last daring thought he lifts her thither and lays her gently down and while he did so in one Minute ran o're all the killing joys he had been witness to which she had given Philander on which he never paws'd but urg'd by a Cupid altogether malicious and wicked he resolves his cowardly Conquest when some kinder God awaken'd Silvia and brought Octavio to the Chamber door who having been us'd to a freedom which was permitted to none but himself with Antonett her woman waiting for admittance after having knockt twice softly Brilljard heard it and redoubl'd his disorder which from that of Love grew to that of surprise he knew not what to do whether to resuse answering or to re-establish the reviveing sense of Silvia in this moment of perplexing thought he fail'd not however to set his hair in order and ajust him tho there were no need of it and steping to the door after having rais'd Silvia leaning her head on her hand on her bed side he gave admittance to Octavio but oh Heaven how was he surpriz'd when he saw it was Octavio his heart with more force than before redoubl'd its beats that one might easily perceive every stroke by the motion of his Cravate he blusht which to a complexion perfectly fair as that of Briljard who wants no Beauty either in face or person was the more discoverable add to this his trembling and you may easily imagine what a suger he represented himself to Octavio Who almost as much surpriz'd as himself to find the Goddess of his Vows and Devotions with a young Endimion a lone a door shut too her Gown loose which from the late fit she was in and Briljards rape upon her Bosom was still open and discover'd a World of unguarded Beauty which she knew not was in view with some other disorders of her head Cloaths gave him in a moment a thousand false apprehensions Antonett was no less surpriz'd so that all had their part of amazement but the innocent Silvia whose Eyes were beautifi'd with a melancholly calm which almost fet the generous Lover at ease and took away his new fears however he cou'd not chuse but ask Briljard what the matter was with him he look so out of countenance and trembled so he told him how Silvia had been and what extream frights she had possest him with and told him the occasion which the lovely Silvia with her eyes and sighs assented to and Brilljard departed how well pleas'd you may imagine or with what gusto he left her with the lovely Octavio whom he perceiv'd too well was a Lover in the disguise of a Friend But there are in lovethose wonderful Lovers who can quench the Fire one Beauty kindles with some other Object and as much in Love as Brilljard was he found Antonett an Antidote that dispell'd the grosser part of it for she was in Love with our Amorous friend and courted him with that passion those of that Country do almost all handsom Strangers and one convenient principle of the Religion of that Country is to think it no sin to be kind while they are single Women tho otherwise when Wives they are just enough nor does a Woman that manages her affairs thus discreetly meet with any reproach of this humour was our Attonett who persu'd her Lover out half jealous there might be some amarous intrigue between her Lady and him which she sought in vain by all the feable Arts of her Countries Sex to get from him while on the other side he believing she might be of use in the farther discovery he desir'd to make between Octavio and Silvia not only told her she her self was the Object of his wishes but gave her a substantial proof on 't and told her his design after having her Honour for security that she wou'd be secret the best Pledge a man can take of a Woman After she had promis'd to betray all things to him she departed to her affairs and he to giving his Lord an account of Silvia as he desir'd in a Letter which came to him with that of Silvia and which was thus Philander to Briljard I Doubt not but you will wonder that all this time you have not heard of me nor indeed can I well excuse it since I have been in a place whence with ease I cou'd have sent every Post but a new affair of Gallantry has engag'd my thoughtful hours not that I find any passion there that has abated one sigh for Silvia but a mans hours are very dull when undiverted by an intrigue of some kind or other especially to a heart young and gay as mine is and which would not if possible bend under the fatigues of more serious thought and business I shou'd not tell you this but that I wou'd have you feign all the dilatory excuses that possible you can to hinder Silvia's coming to me while I remain in this Town where I design to make my abode but a short time and had not staid at all but for this stop to my journey and I scorn to be vanquish'd without taking my revenge 't is a sally of Youth no more a flash that blazes for a while and will go out with enjoyment I need not bid you keep this knowledge to your self for I have had too good a confirmation of your faith and friendship to doubt you now and believe you have too much respect for Silvia to occasion her any disquiet I long to know how she takes my absence send me at large of all that
pasles and give your Letters to Octavio for none else shall know where I am or how to send to me Be careful of Silvia and observe her with diligence for possibly I should not be extravagantly afflicted to find she were inclin'd to love me less for her own ease and mine since Love is troublesome when the height of it carries it to jealousies little quarrels and eternal discontents all which beginning Lovers prize and pride themselves on every distrust of the fond Mistress since 't is not only a demonstration of love in them but of power and charmes in us that occasion it but when we no longer find the Mistress so desirable as our first wishes form her we value less their opinion of our persons and only endeavour to render it agreeable to new Beauties and adorn it for new Conquests but you Briljard have been a Lover and understand already this Philosophy I need say no more then to a man who knows so well my Soul but to tell him I am His constant Friend Philander This came as Briljards Soul cou'd wish and had he sent him word he had been chosen King of Poland he cou'd not have receiv'd the news with so great joy and so perfect a welcom How to manage this to his best advantage was the business he was next to consult after returning an answer now he fancied himself sure of the lovely prize in spight of all other oppositions For says he in reasoning the case if she can by degrees arrive to a coldness to Philander and consider him no longer as a Lover she may perhaps consider me as a Husband or shou'd she receive Octavio 's addresses when once I have found her feable I will make her pay me for keeping of every secret So either way he entertain'd a hope tho never so distant from Reason and probability but all things seem possible to longing Lovers who can on the least hope resolve to out wait even Eternity if possible in expectation of a promis'd blessing and now with more than usual care he resolv'd to dress and fet out all his Youth and Beauty to the best advantage and being a Gentleman well born he wanted no Arts of dressing nor any advantage of shape or Mein to make it appear well Pleas'd with this hope his art was now how to make his advances without appearing to have design'd doing to And first to act the Hypocrite with his Lord was his business for he consider'd rightly if he should not represent Silva's sorrows to the life and appear to make him sensible of 'em he shou'd not after be credited if he related any thing to her disadvantage for to be the greater Enemy you ought to seem to be the greatest Friend This was the policy of his heart who in all things was inspir'd with phanatical notions In order to this being alone in his Chamber after the defeat he had in that of Silvia's he writ this Letter Briljard to Philander My Lord YOu have done me the honour to make me your Confident in an affair that does not a little surprize me Since I believ'd after Silvia no mortal Beauty cou'd have touch'd your heart and nothing but your own excuses cou'd have suffic'd to have made it reasonable and I only wish that when the fatal news shall arrive to Silvia's ear as for me it never shall that she may think it as pardonable as I do but I doubt 't will add abundance of grief to what she is already possest of if but such a fear shou'd enter in her tender thoughts But since 't is not my business my Lord to advise or counsel but to obey I leave you to all the success of happy Love and will only give you an account how affairs stand here since your departure That Morning you left the Brill and Silvia in Bed I must disturb your more serene thoughts with telling you that her first surprise and griefs at the news of your departure were most deplorable where raging madness and the softer passion of Love complaints of grief and anger sighs tears and cries were so mixt together and by turns so violently seiz'd her that all about her wept and pitty'd her 't was sad 't was wonderous sad my Lord to see it Nor cou'd we hope her Life or that she wou'd preserve it if she cou'd for by many ways she attempted to have releas'd her self from pain by a violent Death and those that strove to preserve that cou'd not hope she wou'd ever have return'd to sense again sometimes a wild extravagant Raving wou'd require all our aid and then again she would talk and rail so tenderly and express her resentment in the kindest softest words that ever madness utter'd and all of her Philander till she has set us all a weeping round her sometimes she 'd sit as calm and still as death and we have perceiv'd she liv'd only by sighs and silent Tears that fell into her bosom then on a suddain wildly gaze upon us with Eyes that even then had wonderous Charms and frantickly survey us all then cry aloud where is my Lord Phillander Oh bring me my Phillander Brilljard Oh Antonett where have you hid the Treasure of my Soul then weeping floods of Tears wou'd sink all fainting in our Arms. Anon with trembling words and sighs she 'd cry but Oh my dear Phillander is no more you have surrendered him to France Yes yes you 've given him up and be must dye Publickly dye be led a sad Victim thro the joyful crowd reproacht and fall ingloriously Then rave again and tear her ' lovely hair and Act such wildness so moving and so sad as even infected the pittying beholders and all we cou'd do was gently to perswade her grief and sooth her raveing Fits but so we swore so heartily we vow'd that you were safe that with the aid of Octavio who came that day to visit her we made her capable of hearing a little reason from us Octavio kneel'd and beg'd she wou'd but calmly hear him speak he pawn'd his Soul his honour and his life Philander was as safe from any injury either from France or any other Enemy as he as she or Heaven it self in sine my Lord he Vow'd he swore and pleaded till the with patience heard him tell your Story and the necessity of your absence this brought her temper back and dry'd her Eyes then sighing answer'd him that if for your safety you were fled she wou'd forgive your cruelty and your absence and indeavour to be her self again But then she wou'd a thousand times conjure him not to deceive her faith by all the friendship that he bore Philander not to possess her with false hopes then wou'd he swear a new and as he swore she wou'd behold him with such charming sadness in her Eyes that he almost forgot what he wou'd say to gaze upon her and to pay his Pitty But if with all his power of Beauty and of Rhetorick he
left her Calm he was no sooner gone but she return'd to all the Tempests of despairing Love to all the unbelief of faithless passion wou'd neither sleep nor eat nor suffer day to enter but all was sad and gloomy as the vault that held the Ephesian Matron nor suffer'd she any to approach her but her Page and Count Octavio and he in midst of all was well receiv'd not that I think my Lord she seign'd any part of that close retirement to entertain him with any freedom that did not become a Woman of perfect Love and Honour tho' I must own my Lord I believe it impossible for him to behold the Lovely Silvia without having a passion for her what restraint his Friendship to you may put upon his heart or Tongue I know not but I conclude him a Lover tho without success what effects that may have upon the heart of Silvia only time can render an account of And whose conduct I shall the more particularly observe from a curiosity natural to me to see if it may be possible for Silvia to love again after the adorable Phillander which levity in one so perfect wou'd cure me of the Disease of Love while I liv'd amongst the fickle Sex But since no such thought can yet get possession of my belief I humbly beg your Lordship wou'd entertain no jealousie that may be so fatal to your repose and to that of Silvia doubt not but my fears proceed perfectly from the zeal I have for your Lordship for whose Honour and tranquillity none shall venture so far as My Lord Your Lordships most humble and obedient Servant Brilljard POSTCRIPT My Lord the Groom shall set forward with your Coach Horses to morrow Morning according to your Order Having writ this he read it over not to see whether it were wity or Eloquent or writ up to the sence of so good a Judge as Philander but to see whether he had cast it for his purpose for there his Master-piece was to be shewn and having read it he doubted whether the relation of Silvia's griefs were not too moving and whether they might not serve to revive his fading love which were intended only as a demonstration of his own pitty and compassion that from thence the deceiv'd Lover might with the more ease entertain a belief in what he hinted of her Levity when he was to make that out as he now had but toucht upon it for he wou'd not have it thought the business of malice to Silvia but duty and respect to Philander That thought reconcil'd him to the first part without alteration and he fancy'd he had said enough in the latter to give any man of Love and Sence a Jealousie which might inspire a young Lover in persute of a new Mistress with a revenge that might wholly turn to his advantage for now every ray gave him light enough to conduct him to hope and he believ'd nothing too difficult for his Love nor what his invention cou'd not conquer he fancy'd himself a very Machiavel already and almost promis'd himself the Charming Silvia with these thoughts he feals up his Letters and hastes to Silvia's Chamber for her Further commands having in his politick transports forgotten he had left Octavio with her Octavio who no sooner had seen Brilljard quit the Chamber all trembling and diforde'rd after having given him enterance but the next step was to the Feet of the newly recover'd languishing Beauty who not knowing any thing of the freedom the daring Husband-Lover had taken was not at all surpriz'd to hear Octavio cry kneeling before her Ah Madam I no longer wonder you use Octavio with such rigour then sighing declin'd his Melancholly Eyes where love and jealousie made themselves too apparent while she believing he had only reproach'd her want of Ceremony at his entrance checking her self she started from the Bed and taking him by the hands to raise him she cry'd Rise my Lord and pardon the omission of that respect which was not wanting but with even life it self Octavio answer'd Yes Madam but you took care not to make the World absolutely unhappy in your Eternal loss and therefore made chioce of such a time to dâ—e in when you were sure of a skilful person at hand to bring you back to life My Lord said she with an innocent wonder in her Eyes and an ignorance that did not apprehend him I mean Briljard said he whom I found sufficiently disorder'd to make me believe he took no little pains to restore you to the World again This he spoke with such an Air as easily made her imagine he was a Lover to the degree of jealousie and therefore beholding him with a look that told him her disdain before she spoke she reply'd hastily My Lord if Brilljard have exprest by any disorder or concern of his kind sense of my sufferings I am more oblig'd to him for it then I am to you for your opinion of my vertue and I shall hereafter know how to set a value both on the one and on the other since what he wants in quality and ability to serve me he sufficiently makes good with his respect and Duty At that she wou'd have quitted him but he still kneeling held her Train of her Gown and besought her with all the Eloquence of moving and petitioning Love That she wou'd Pardon the effect of a Passion that cou'd not run into less extravagancy at a sight so new and strange as that she shou'd in a morning with only her Night Gown thrown loosely about her lovely body and which left a thousand Charms to view alone receive a man into her Chamber and make fast the door upon 'em which when from his importunity was open'd he found her all ruffled and almost fainting on her Bed and a young blushing youth start from her Arms with trembling Limbs and a heart that beat time to the Tune of active love faultering in his speech as if scarce yet he had recruited the sense he had so happily lost in the Amorous incounter With that surveying of her self as she stood in a great Glass which she cou'd not hinder her self from doing she found indeed her Night Linnen her Gown and the bosome of her Shift in such disorder as if at least she had yet any doubt remaining that Briljard had not treated her well she however found cause enough to excuse Octavio's opinion weighing all the circumstances together and adjusting her Linnen and Gown with blushes that almost appear'd criminal she turn'd to Octavio who still held her and still beg'd her Pardon assuring him upon her Honour her love to Philander and her friendship â—or him that she was perfectly innocent and that Brilljard tho he shou'd have quality and all other advantages which he wanted to render him acceptable yet that there was in Nature something which compell'd â—er to a sort of coldness and disgust to his person for she had so much the more abhorrance to him as 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
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
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
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
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
's love jealousie and impatience indur'd no delay with a malicious half smile and a tone all angry scorn in her Eyes and passion on her Tongue she cry'd 'T is well Octavio that you so early let me know you can be false unjust and faithless you knew your power and in pitty to that Youth and easiness you found in me have given a Civil warning to my heart In this I must confess continu'd she you have given a much greater testimony of your friendship for Philander than your Passion for Silvia And I suppose you came not here to resolve your self of which you should prefer that was decided e're you arriv'd and this visit I imagine was only to put me out of doubt A piece of Charity you might have spar'd She ended this with a scorn that had a thousand Charmes because it gave him a little hope and he answer'd with a sigh Ah Madam how very easie you find it to entertain thoughts disadvantagious of me And how small a fault your Wit and cruelty can improve to a Crime You are not offended at my friendship for Philander I know you do not Vallue my Life and my repose so much as to be concern'd who or what shares this heart that adores you No it has not merited that Glory Nor dare I presume to hope you shou'd so much as wish my Passion for Silvia shou'd surmount my Friendship to Philander If I did reply'd she with a scorn I perceive I might wish in vain Madam answer'd he I have too Divine an opinion of the justice of the Charming Silvia to believe I ought or cou'd make my approaches to her heart by ways so base and ungenerous the result of even tollerated Treason is to hate the Traytor Oh you are very nice Octavio re plyed Silvia in your Functilio to Philander but I perceive you are not so tender in those you ought to have for Silvia I find Honour in you men is only what you please to make it for at the same time you think it ungenerous to betray Philander you believe it no breach of Honour to betray the eternal repose of Silvia You have promis'd Philander your friendship you have avow'd your self my Lover my Slave my Friend my every thing and yet not one of these has any tye to oblige you to my interest pray tell me continued She when you last writ to him was it not in order to receive an answer from him And was not I to see that answer And here you think it no dishonour to break your word or promise by which I find your false Notions of Vertue and Honour with which you serve your selves when int'rest design or self Love makes you think it necessary Madam replyed Octavio you are pleas'd to persue your anger as if indeed I had disobeyed your command or refus'd to shew you what you Imagine I have from Philander Yes I do replyed she hastily and wonder why you shou'd have a greater friendship for Philander than for Silvia especially if it be true that you say you have joyned Love to friendship or are you of the opinion of those that cry they cannot be a Lover and a friend of the same Object Ah Madam cry'd our perplext Lover I beg you to believe I think it so much more my Duty and inclination to serve and obey Silvia than I do Philander that I swear to you Oh Charming Conqueress of my Soul if Philander have betrayed Siliva â—e has at the same time betray'd Octavio and that I wou'd revenge it with the loss of my Life In injuring the adorable Silvia believe me lovely Maid he injures so much more than a Friend as Honour is above the inclination if he wrong you by Heaven he cancels all he wrongs my Soul my Honour Mistress and my Sister Fearing he had said too much he stopp'd and sight at the word Sister and casting down his Eyes blushing with shame and anger he continu'd Oh give me leave to say a Sister Madam least Mistress had been too daring and presumptious and a Title that wou'd to justifie my quarrel half so well since 't wou'd take the Honour from my just resentment and blast it with the scandal of self intrest or jealous revenge What you say replyed she deserves abundance of acknowledgement but if you wou'd have me believe you you ought to hide nothing from me and he methinks that was so daring to confefs his Passion to Philander may after that venture on any discovery In short Octavio I demand to see the return you have from Philander for possibly said she sweet'ning her Charming face into a Smile deâ—ign'd I shou'd not be displeas'd to find I might with more freedom receive your Addresses and on the coldness of Philanders reasoning may depend a great part of your Fate or Fortune Come come produce your credentials they may recommend your heart more effectually than all the fine things you can say you know not how the least appearance of a slight from a Lover may advance the Pride of a Mistress and Pride in this affair will be your best Advocate Thus she insinuated with all her female Arts and put on all her Charms of Looks and smiles sweetned her mouth soften'd her Voyce and Eyes assuming all the tenderness and little affectations her subtil Sex was capable of while he lay all ravisht and almost expiring at her Feet sometimes transported with imagin'd Joys in the possession of the dear slatterting Charmer he was ready to unravel all the Secrets of Philanders letter but Honour yet was even above his Passion and made him blush at his first hasty thought and now he strove to put her off with all the Art he cou'd who had so very little in his Nature and whose real Love and perfect Honour had set him above the little evasions of Truth who scorn'd in all other cases the baseness and cowardize of a Lye and so unsuccessful now was the little honest cheat which he knew not how to manage well that 't was soon discover'd to the Wity jealous and angry Silvia So that after all the rage a passionate Woman cou'd express who belive'd her self injur'd by the only two persons in the World from whom she expected most Adoration she had recourse to that Natural and softning aid of her Sex her Tears and haviug already reproach'd Octavio with all the malice of a defeated Woman she now continued it in so moving a manner that our Hero cou'd no longer remain unconquer'd by that powerful way of Charming but unfixt to all he had resolv'd gave up at least apart of the secret and own'd he had a Letter from Philander and after this confession knowing very well he cou'd not keep her from the sight of it no tho an Empire were render'd her to buy it off his Wit was next imploy'd how he shou'd defend the sense of it that she might not think Philander false In Order to this he forcing a Smile told her that
Philander was the most malicious of his Sex and had contriv'd the best Stratagem in the world to find whether Silvia still lov'd or Octavio retain'd his friendship for him And but that continued he I know the Nature of your curious Sex to be such that if I shou'd perswade you not to see it it wou'd but the more inflame your desire of seeing it I wou'd ask no more of the Charming Silvia than that she wou'd not oblige me to shew what wou'd turn so greatly to my own advantage if I were not too sensible 't is but to intrap me that Philander has taken this method in his answer Believe me Adorable Silvia I plead against my own Life while I beg you not to put my honour to the test by commanding me to shew this Letter and that I joyn against the int'rest of my own Eternal repose while I plead thus she hears him with a hundred changes of countenance Love rage and Jealousie swell in siercer Eyes her breath beats short and she was ready to burst into speaking before he had finisht what he had to say she calls up all the little discretion and Reason Love had left her to manage her self as she ought in this great occasion she bit her Lips and swallow'd her rising sighs but he soon saw the storm he had rais'd and knew not how to stand the shock of its fury he sighs he pleads in vain and the more he indeavours to excuse the Levity of Philander the more he rends her heart and sets her on the Rack and concluding him false she cou'd no longer contain her rage but broke out into all the fury that madness can inspire and from one degree to another wrought her Passion to the height of Lunacy She tore her Hair and bit his hands that indeavour'd to restrain hers from violence she rent the Ornaments from her fair Body and discover'd a thousand Charms and Beauties and finding now that both his strength and reason was too weak to prevent the mischiefs he found he had brought on her he calls for help When Briljard was but too ready at hand with Antonelt and some others who came to his assistance Briljard who knew nothing of the occasion of all this believ'd it the second part of his own late adventure and fancy'd that Octavio had us'd some violence to her upon this he assumes the Authority of his Lord and secretly that of a Husband or Lover and upbraiding the innocent Octavio with his brutallity they fell to such words as ended in a challenge the next morning for Briljard appear'd a Gentleman Companion to his Lord and one whom Octavio cou'd not well refuse this was not carried so silently but Antonett busie as she was about her raving Lady heard the appointment and Octavio quitted the Chamber almost as much disturb'd as Silvia whom with much ado they perswaded him to leave but before he did so he on his knees offer'd her the Letter and implor'd her to receive it So absolutely his Love had vanquisht his Nobler part that of honour but she at tending nomotions but those of her own Rage had no ragard either to Octavio's proffer or his Arguments of Excuse so that he went away with the Letter in all the extremity of disorder this last part of his submission was not seen by Briljard who immediately leâ—t the Chamber upon rcceiving Octavia's answer to his Challenge so that Silvia was now left with her Woman only who by degrees brought her to more calmness and Briljard impatient to hear the reproaches he hop'd she wou'd give Octavio when she was return'd to reason being curious of any thing that might redound to his disadvantage whom he took to be a powerful Rival return'd again into her Chamber But in heu of hearing what he wisht Silvia being recover'd from her Passion of madness and her Soul in a state of thinking a little with reason she misses Octavio in the crow'd and with a Voyce her rage had infeebl'd to a Languishment she cry'd surveying carefully those about her Oh where 's Octavio Where is that Angel man he who of all his kind can give me comfort Madam replyed Antonett he is gone while he was here he kneel'd and pray'd in vain but for a word or look his Tears are yet remaining wet upâ—n your Feet and all for one sensible reply but rage had deafen'd you what has he done to merit this Oh Antonett cry'd Silvia 'T was what he wou'd not do that makes me rave run hast and fetch him back But let him leave his Honour all behind Tell him he has too much consideration for Philander and none for my repose Oh fly Briljard Have I no friend in view dares carry a Message from me to Octavio Bid him return oh instantly returrn I dye I languish for a sight of him Descending Angels wou'd not be so welcome Why stand ye still have I no power with you Will none obey Then running hastily to the Chamber Door she call'd her Page to whom she cry'd Hast hast dear youth and find Octavio out and bring him to me instantly Tell him I dye to see him The Boy glad of so kind a Message to so liberal a Lover runs on his Errant while she returns to her Chamber and indeavours to recollect her senses against Octavio's coming as much as possible she cou'd She dismisses her Attendant with different apprehensions sometimes Briljard believ'd this was the second part of her first raving and having never seen her thus but for Philander concludes it the height of tenderness and Passion for Octavio but because she made so publique a Declaration of it he believ'd he had given her a Philter which had rais'd her flame so much above the bounds of modesty and discretion concluding it so he knew the usual essects of things of that Nature and that nothing cou'd alay the heat of such a love but possession and easily deluded with every fancy that slatter'd his love mad starke mad by any way to obtain the last blessing with Silvia he consults with Antonelt how to get one of Octavio's Letters out of her Ladies Cabinet and feigning many frivolous reasons which deluded the Amorous Maid he perswaded her to get him one which she did in half an hour after for by this time Silvia being in as much tranquillity as 't was possible a Lover cou'd be in who had the hopes of knowing all the Secrets of the false betrayer she had call'd Antonett to dress her which she resolved shou'd be in all the careless magnificence that Art or Nature cou'd put on to Charm Octavio wholly to Obedience whom she had sent for and whom she expected but she was no sooner set to her Toylight but Octavio's Page arriv'd with a Letter from his Master which she greedily snacht and read this Octavio to Silvia BY this time oh Charming Silvia give me leave to hope your Rage is abated and your reason return'd and that you will hear a little
upon for a future love or use he wou'd have rusht in and have made the guilty Night a Covert to a Scene of Blood but even yet he had an awe upon his Soâ—l for the perjur'd Fair One tho at the same time he resolv'd she shou'd be the the object of his hate for the Nature of his honest Soul abhor'd an Action so treacherous and base He begins in a moment from all his good thoughts of her to think her the most Jilting of her Sex he knew if int'rest cou'd oblige her no man in Holland had a better pretence to her than himself who had already without any return even so much as hope presented her the vallue of eight or ten thousand pound in fine Plate and Jewels If it were looser desire he fancy'd himself to have appear'd as capable to have serv'd her as any man but oh he considers there is a fate in things a destiny in Love that elevates and advances the most mean deform'd or abject and debases and contemns the most worthy and magnificent Then he wonders at her excellent art of dissembling for Philander he runs in a minute over all her Passions of rage jealousie tears and softness and now he hates the whole Sex and thinks 'em all like Silvia than which nothing cou'd appear more despicable to his present thought and with a smile while yet his heart was insensibly breaking he fancies himself a very Coxcomb a Cully an impos'd on Fool and a conceited Fop Valâ—e's Silvia as a common fair Jilâ— whose whole design was to deceive the World and make her self a Fortune at the price of her Honour one that receives all kind bidders and that he being too lavish and too modest was reserv'd the Cully on purpose to be undone and Jilted out of all his fortune This thought was so perfectly fixt in him that he recover'd out of his excess of pain and fancy'd himself perfectly cur'd of his blind passion resolves to leave her to her beastly entertainment and to depart but before he did so Silvia who had conducted the Amorous Spark to the Bed where the expecting Lady lay drest rich and sweet to receive him return'd out of the Chamber and the light being a little more favourable to his â—yes by his being so long in the darkâ— he perceiv'd it Antonett at least such a sort of figure as he fancy'd her and to confirm him saw her go into that Chamber where he knew she lay he saw her perfect dress and all confirm'd him this brought him back almost to his former confusion but yet he commands his passion and descended the Stairs and got himself out of the Hall into the Street and Silvia having forgot the street door was open went and shut it and return'd to Antonett's Chamber with the Letter which Briljard had given to Antonett as she lay in the Bed believing it Silvia for that trembling Lover was no sooner enter'd the Chamber and approacht the Bed side but he kneel'd before it and oâ—â—er'd the price of his happiness this Letter which she immediately gave to Silvia unperceiv'd who quitted the Room and now with all the eager hast of impatient love she strikes a Light and falls to reading the sad contents but as she read she many times fainted over the Paper and as she has since said 't was a wonder she ever recover'd having no â—ody with her by that time she had â—â—nisht it she was so ill she was not able to get her self into Bed but threw her self down on the place where she sate which was the side of it in such agonies of grief and despair as never any Soul was possest of but Silvia's wholly abandon'd to the violence of Loves and despair it is iâ—possible to paint a torment to express hers by and tho' she had vow'd to Antonett it shou'd not at all effect her being sâ— prepossest before yet when she had the confirmation of her fears and heard his own dear soft words addrest to another object saw his transports his impatience his languishing industry and indeavour to obtain the new desire of his soul she found her resentment above â—age and given over to a more silent and less supportable torment brought her self into a high Fever where she lay without so much as calling for Aid in this extremity not that she was afraid the cheat she had put on Octavio would be discover'd for she had lost the remembrance that any such prank was plaid and in this multitude of thoughts of more concern had forgot all the rest of that Nights action Octavio this while was traverâ—ing the street wrapt in his Cloke just as if he had come from Horse for he was no sooner gone from the door but his resenting passion return'd and he resolv'd to go up again and disturb the Lovers tho it cost him his life and fame But returning hastily to the door he found it shut at which being inrag'd he was often about to break it open but still some unperceivable respect for Silvia prevented him but he resolv'd not to stir from the door till he saw the fortunate rogue come out who had given him all this torment at first he câ—rst himself for being so much concern'd for Silvia or her actions to waste a minute but flattering himself that it was not love to her but pure curiosity to know the man who was made the next fool to himself tho the morâ— happy one he waited all Night and when he began to see the day break which he thought a thousand years his Eye was never off from the door and wonder'd at their confidence who wou'd let the day break upon them but the Close drawn Curtains there cry'd he favours the happy Villainy Still he walk'd on and still he might for any Rival that was to appear for a most unlucky accident prevented Briljard's coming out as he doubly intended to do first for the better carrying on of his cheat of being Octavio and next that he had challeng'd Octavio to fight and when he knew his Error design'd to have gone this morning and ask'd him pardon if he had been return'd but the Amorous Lover over Night ordering himself for the incounter to the best advantage had sent a Note to a Doctor for something that wou'd incourage his spirits the Doctor came and opening a little Box wherein was a powerful Medicine He told him that a Dose of those little flies wou'd make him come off with wonderous Honour in the Battail of Love and the Doctor being gone to call for a glass of Sack the Doctor having laid out of the Box what he thought requisite on a piece of Paper and leaving the Box open our Spark thought if such a Dose wou'd incourage him so a greater wou'd yet make him do greater Wonders and taking twice the quantity out of the Box puts 'em into his pocket and having drunk the first with full directions the Doctor leaves him who was no sooner gone but he
him and no Lover appear'd no not so much as a Billet nor page at her uprising to ask her health so that believing he had been very ill indeed from what Antonett told her of his being so all Night and fearing now that it was no discovery of the cheat put upon him by the exchange of the Maid for the Mistress but real sickness she resolv'd to send to him and the rather because Antonett assur'd her he was really sick and in a cold damp sweat all over his face and hands which she toucht and that from his infinite concern at the defeat the extreme respect he shew'd her in midst of all the rage at his own disappointment and every Circumstance she knew it was no â—eign'd thing for any discovery he had made On this confirmation from a Maid cunning enough to distinguish truth from flattery she write Octavio this letter at Night Silvia to Octavio AFter such a parting from a Maid so intirely kind to you she might at least have hop'd the favour of a Billet from you to have inform'd her of your health unless you think that after we have surrender'd all we are of the Humour of most of your Sex who despise the obliger but I believ'd you a man above the little Crimes and Levities of your race and I am yet so hard to be drawn from that opinion I am willing to â—latter my self that 't is yet some other reason that has hinder'd you from visiting me since or sending me an account of your recovery which I am too sensible of to believe was feign'd and which indeed has made me so tender that I easily forgive all the disappointment I receiv'd from it and beg you will not afflict your self at any loss you sustain'd by it since I am still so much the same I was to be as sensible as before of all the obligations I have to you send me word immediately how you do for on that depends a great part of the happiness of Silvia You may easily see by this Letter she was not in a humour of either writing love or much flattery for yet she knew not how she ought to resent this absence in all kinds from Octavio and therefore with what force she cou'd put upon a Soul too wholly taken up with the thoughts of another more dear and more afflicting she only writ this to fetch one from him that by it she might learn part of his sentiment of her last Action and sent her Page with it to him who as was usual was carried directly up to Octavio whom he found in a Gallery walking in a most dejected posture without a Hat unbrac'd his Arms a cross his open breast and his eyes bent to the Floor and not taking any notice when the Pages enter'd his own was forcâ—d to pull him by the Sleeve before he wou'd look up and starting from a thousand thoughts that opprest him almost to death he gaz'd wildly about him and ask'd their business When the Page deliver'd him the Letter he took it but with such confusion as he had much a do to support himself but resolving not to shew his feebleness to her Page he made a shift to get to a Wax Light that was on the Table and read it and was not much amaz'd at the contents believing she was persuing the business of her Sex and Life and Jilting him on for such was his opinion of all Women now he forc'd a smile of scorn tho' his Soul were bursting and turning to the Page gave him a liberal reward as was his daily use when he came and Muster'd up so much Courage as to force himself to say Child tell your Lady it requires no answer you may tell her too that I am in perfect good Health He was opprest to speak more but sighs stopp'd him and his former resolution wholly to abandon all corrispondence with her check'd his forward Tongue and he walk'd away to prevent himself from saying more While the Page who wonder'd at this turn of Love after a little waiting departed and when Octavio had ended his walk and turn'd and saw him gone his heart felt a thousand pangs not to be born or supported he was often ready to recal him and was angry the Boy did not urge him for an answer he read the Letter again and wonders at nothing now after her last nights Action tho all was riddle to him he found 't was writ to some happier man than himself however he chanc'd to have it by mistake and turning to the outside view'd the superscription where there happen'd to be none at all for Silvia writ in haste and when she did it 't was the least of her thoughts And now he believ'd he had found out the real Mystery that it was not meant to him he therefore calls his Page whom he sent immediately after that of Silvia who being yet below for the Lads were laughing together for a moment he brought him to his distracted Lord who nevertheless assum'd a mildness to the innocent Boy and cry'd My Child thou hast mistaken the person to whom thou shou'dst have carried the Letter and I am sorry I open'd it pray return it to the happy Man 't was meant to giving him the Letter My Lord replyâ—d the Boy I do not use to carry Letters to any but your Lordship 'T is the footmens business to do that to other persons 'T is a mistake where ever it lies cry'd Octavio sighing whether in thee or thy Lady So turning from the wondering Boy he left him to return with his Letter to his Lady who grew mad at the relation of what she heard from the Page and notwithstanding the torment she had on her Soul occasioned by Philander she now found she had more to indure and that in spight of all her love Vâ—ws and resentments she had something for Octavio to which she cou'd not give a Name she fancies it all pride and concern for the indignity put on her Beauty but what ever it was this slight of his so wholly took up her Soul that she had for sometime quite forgot Philander or when she did think on him 't was with less resentment than of this affront she considers Philander with some excuse now as haveing long been 〈◊〉 of a happiness he might grow weary off but a new Lover who had for six months incessantly lain at her feet imploring dying vowing weeping sighing giving and acting all things the most passionate of men was capable of or that love cou'd inspire for him to be at last admitted to the possession of the ravishing Object of his Vows and Soul to be laid in her Bed nay in her very Arms as She imagin'd he thought and then even before gathering the Roses he came to pluck before he had begun to compose or finisht his Nosegay To depart the happy Paradise with a disgust and such a disgust as first to oblige him to dissemble sickness and next fall even from all
his Civillities Was a contempt she was not able to bear especially from him who of all men living she design'd to make the greatest property of as most fit for her revenge of all degrees and sorts But when she reflected with reason which she seldom did for either Love or rage blinded that she cou'd not conceive it possible that Octavio cou'd be fall'n so suddenly from all his Vows and professions but on some very great provocation Sometimes she thinks he tempted her to try her Vertue to Philander and being a perfect Honourable friend hates her for her Levity but she considers his presents and his unwearied industry and believes he wou'd not at that expence have bought a knowledg which cou'd profit neither himself or Philander then she believes some disgustful Scent or something about Antonett might disoblige him but having call'd the Maid â—onjuring her to tell her whether any thing past between her and Octavio she again told her Lady the whole truth in which there cou'd be no discovery of infirmity there she imbrac'd her she kiss'd her bosom and found her touches soft her breath and Bosom sweet as any thing in Nature cou'd be and now lost almost in a Confusion of thought she cou'd not tell what to imagine at last she being wholly possest that all the fault was not in Octavio for too often we believe as we hope she concludes that Antonett has told him all the cheat she put upon him This last thought pleas'd her because it seem'd the most probable and was the most favourable to her self and a thought that if true cou'd not do her any injury with him This set her heart a little to rights and she grew calm with a belief that if so it was as now she doubted not a sight of her or a future hope from her wou'd calm all his discontent and beget a right understanding She therefore resolves to write to him and own her little fallacy But before she did so Octavio whose passion was as violent as ever in his Soul tho 't was opprest with a thousand torments and languisht under as many feeble resolutions burst at last into all its former softness and he resolves to write to the false Fair One aâ—d upbraid her with heâ— last Nights inâ—idelity Nor cou'd he sleep till he had that way Charm'd his senses and 〈…〉 It being 〈…〉 and he 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Chamber he set himself down and writ this Octavio to Silvia Madam YOu have at last taught me a perfect knowledge of my self and in one unhappy Night made me see all the follies and Vanities of my Soul which self Love and fond imagination had too long render'd that way guilty long long I 've play'd the Fop as others do and shew'd the gaudy Monsieur and set a Value on my worthless person for being well drest as I believ'd and furnisht out for Conquest by being the gayest Coxcombe in the Town where even as I past perâ—â—ps I fancy'd I made â—dvances on â—ome wishing hearts â—nd vain with but imaginary Victory I still fool'd on And was at last undone for I saw Silvia the Charming faithless Silvia a Beauty that one wou'd have thought had had the power to have cur'd the fond disease of self conceit and foppery since love they say's a remedy against those faults of youth but still my vanity was powerful in me and even this Beauty too I thought it not impossible to vanquish and still drest on and took a mighty care to shew my self a Blockhead curse upon me while you were laughing at my industry and turn'd the fancying fool to ridicule Oh he deserv'd it well most wondrous well for but believing any thing about him cou'd merit but a serious thought from Silvia Silvia whose business is to laugh at all yet Love that is my sin and punishment reigns still as absolutely in my Soul as when I wisht and hop'd and long'd for mighty blessings you cou'd give yes I still love only this wretchedness is fix'd to it to see those Errors which I cannot shun my love 's as high but all my wishes gone my Passion still remains entire and raving but no desire I burn I dye but do not wish to hope I wou'd be all despair and like a Martyr am vain and proud even in suffering Yes Silvia When you made me wise you made me wretch'd too before like a false Worshipper I only saw the Gay the gilded side of the deceiving Idol but now 't is fall'n discovers all the cheat and shews a God no more and 't is in Love as in Religion too there 's nothing makes their voteries truly happy but being well deceiv'd For even in love it self harmless and innocent as 't is by Nature there needs a little Art to hide the daily discontents and torments that fears distrusts and Jealousies creats a little soft dissimulation's needful for where the Lover's easie he 's most constant But oh when love it self 's defective too and manag'd by design and little int'rest what cunning oh what cautions ought the fair designer then to call to her defence yet I confess your Plot Still Charming Silvia Was subtilly enough contriv'd discreâ—tly carry'd on The shades of Night the happy Lovers Refuge favour'd you too 't was only â—ate was cruel fate that conducted me in an unlucky hour dark as it was and silent too the Night I saw Yes faithless Fair I saw I was betray'd by too much faith by too much love undone I saw my fatal ruin and your perâ—idy And like a tame ignoble sufferer left you without revenge I must confess oh thou deceiving Fair One I never cou'd pretend to what I wisht and yet methinks because I â— know my heart and the entire Devotion that it paid you I merited at least not to have been impos'd upon but after so dishonourable an Action as the betraying the Secret of my friend it was but just that I shou'd be betray'd and you have paid me well deserv'dly well and that shall make me silent and what so e're I suffer how e're I dye how e're I languish out my wretch'd life I 'le bear my sighs where you shall never hear 'em nor the reproaches my complaints express Live thou a punishment to vain fantastick hoping youth live and advance in cunning and deceit to make the fond believing men more wise and teach the Women newer arts of falshood till they deceive so long that man may hate and set as vast a distance between Sex and Sex as I 've resolv'd oh Silvia thou shalt be for ever from Octavio This letter came just as Silvia was going to write to him of which she was extreamly glad for all along there was nothing exprest that cou'd make her think he meant any other than the cheat she put upon him in Antonett instead of her self And it was some ease to her mind to be assur'd of the cause of his anger and absence and to find her own thought confirm'd 〈◊〉 he
new desire Sometimes I even overtook her and fearing to fright her and cause her to make some noise that might alarm the sleeping Dormina I slackt my pace till in a Walk at the end of which she was oblig'd to turn back I remain'd and suffer'd her to go on 't was a Walk of Grass broad and at the end of it a little Arbour of Greens into which she went and sate down looking towards me and methought she look't full at me so that finding she made no noise I softly approach'd the door of the Arbour at a convenient distance she then stood up in great amaze as she after said and I kneeling down in an humble posture cry'd Wonder not oh Sacred Charmer of my Soul to see me at your Feet at this late hour and in a place so inaccessible for what attempt is there so hazardous despairing Lovers dare not undertake and what impossibility almost can they not overcome remove your fears oh Conqueress of my Soul for I am an humble Mortal that Adores you I have a thousand Wounds a thousand pains that proves me flesh and Blood if you wou'd hear my story Oh give me leave to approach you with that Awe you do the sacred Altars for my Devotion is as pure as that which from your Charming Lips ascends the Heavens With such Canâ—and stuff as this which Lovers serve themselves with on occasion I lessen'd the terrors of the frighted Beauty and she soonâ— saw with Joy in her Eyes that I was both a mortal and the same â—he had before seen in the outward Garden I rose from my knees then and with a Joy that wander'd all over my body trembling and panting I approach'd her and took her hand and kâ—â—t it with a transport that was almost ready to lay me fainting at her Feet nor did she answer any thing to what I had said but with sighs suffer'd her hand to remain in mine her Eyes she cast to Earth her Breast heav'd with nimble motions and we both unable to support our selves sate down together on a Green Bank in the Arbour where by that Light we had we gaz'd at each other unable to utter a syllable on either side I confess my dear Octavio I have felt Love before but do not know that ever I was possest with such pleasing pain such agreeable languishment in all my life as in those happy moments with the fair Calista And on the other I dare answer tor the soft Fair One she felt a passion as tender as mine which when she â—ou'd recover her first transpâ—rt the exprâ—st in such a manner as has wholly Charm'd me For with all the Eloquence of young Angels and all their innocence to â—â— she said she whisper'd she â—ight the soâ—test things that ever Lover heard I told you before she had from her infancy been bred in a Monastery kept from the fight of men and knew no one art or subtilty of her Sex But in the very purity of her innocence she appear'd like the first born Maid in Paradice generously giving her Soul away to the great Lord of all the new form'd man and nothing of her hearts dear thoughts did she reserve but such as modest Nature shou'd conceal yet if I touch't but on that tender part where Honour dwelt she had a sense to nice as 't was a Wonder to find so vast a store of that mixt with so soft a passion Oh what an excellent thing a perfect Women is e're man has taught her Arts to keep her Empire by being himself inconstant all I cou'd ask of Love she freely gave and told me every sentiment of her heart but 't was in such a way so innocently she conâ—est her passion that every word added new flames to mine and made me raging mad at last she sufferr'd me to kiss with caution but one begaâ— another that a Number And every one was an advance to happiness and I who knew my advantage lost no time but put each Ninute to the properest use now I imbrace Clasp her Fair Lovely Body close to mine which nothing parted but her shiâ—t and Gown my busie hands find passage to her Breasts and give and take a thousand nameless Joys all but the last I reapt that heaven was still deny'd tho she were fainting in my trembling Arms still she had watching sense to guard that Treasure Yet in spight of all a thousand times I brought her to the very point of yielding but oh she begs and pleads with all the Eloquence of love tells me that what she had to give she gave but wou'd not violate her Marriage Vow No not to save that life she found in danger with too much Love and too extream desire she told me that I had undone her quite she sight and wisht that she had seen me sooner e're Fate had render'd her a Sacrifice to the imbraces of old Clarinau she weept with Love and answer'd with sob to every Vow I made thus by degrees she wrought me to undoing and made me mad in Love 'T was thus we past the Night we told the hasty hours and curst their coming we told from ten to three and all that time seem'd but a little Minute Nor wou'd I let her go who was as loath to part till she had given me leave to see her often there I told her all my story of her Conquest and how I came into the Garden She ask'd me pleasantly if I were not afraid of old Clarinau I told her no of nothing but of his being happy with her which thought I cou'd not bear she assur'd me I had so little reason to envy him that he rather deserv'd my compassion for that her aversion was so extream to him his person years his temper and his diseases were so disagreeable to her that she cou'd not dissemble her disgust but gave him most evident proofs of it too frequently ever since she had the misfortune of being his Wife but that since she had seen the Charming Philander for so we must let her call him too his Company and Conversation was wholly insupportable to her and but that he had ever us'd to let her have four Nights in the Week her own wherein he never disturb'd her repose she shou'd have been dead with his nasty entertainment She vow'd she never knew a soft desire but for Philander she never had the least concern for any of his Sex besides and till she felt his touches took in his kisses and suffer'd his dear imbraces she never knew that Woman was ordain'd for any Joy with man but fancy'd it design'd in its Creation for a poor Slave to be opprest at pleasure by the Husband dully to yield obedience and no more But I had taught her now she said to her Eternal ruin that there was more in Nature than she knew or ever shou'd had she not seen Philander she knew not what dear name to call it by but something in her Blood something that panted in
from my Love or to preserve my quiet If you will promise me to say 't is false reply'd he softly I will confess the Errors of my senses I came the other Night at twelve the door was open 'T is true said Silvia At the Stairs Foot I found a man and saw him led to you into your Chamber sighing as he went and panting with impatience Now Silvia if you value my Repose my life my Reputation or my services turn it off handsomly and Iâ—m happy At that being wholly amaz'd she told him the whole story as you heard of her dressing Antonett and bringing him to her at which he smil'd and beg'd her to go on She fetch the pieces of Briljards counterfeit Letters and shew'd him this brought him a little to his his Wits and at first sight he was ready to fancy the Letters came indeed from him he found the Character his but not the business And in great amaze reply'd Ah Madam did you know Octavio's Soul so well and cou'd you imagin e it capable os a thought like this A presumption so dareing to the most awful of her Sex This was unkind indeed And did you answer ' em Yes reply'd she with all kindness I cou'd force my Pen to express So that after canvasing the matter and relating the whole story again with his being taken ill they concluded from every Circumstance Briljard was the man for Antonett was calâ—â—d to Councel who now recollecting all things in her mind and knowing Briljard but too well she confest she verily believ'd it was he especially when she told how she stole a Letter of Octavio's for him that day and how he was ill of the same disease still Octavio then call'd his Page and sent him home for the Note Briljard had sent him and all appear'd as clear as day But Antonett met with a great many reproaches for shewing her Ladies Letters which she excus'd as well as she cou'd But never man was so ravisht with joy as Octavio was at the knowledge of Silvia's innocence a thousand times he kneel'd and beg'd her Pardon and her figure incouraging his Caresses a thousand times he imbrac'd her he smil'd and blusht and sight with Love and Joy and knew not how to express it most effectually And Silvia who had other business than Love in her heart and head suffer'd all the marks of his eager passion and transport out of design for she had a farther use to make of Octavia tho when she survey'd his person handsom young and adorn'd with all the Graces and Beauties of his Sex not at all infâ—rior to Philander if not exceeding in every Judgement but that of Silvia when she consider'd his Soul where Wit Love and Honour equally reign'd when she consults the excellence of his Nature his Generosity Courage Friendship and softness she sight and cry'd 't was pity to impose upon him and make his Love for which she shou'd esteem him a property to draw him to his ruin for so she fancy'd it must be if ever he incounter'd Philander and tho good Nature was the least ingredient that form'd the Soul of this fair Charmer yet now she â—ound she had a mixture of it from her concern for Octavio and that generous Lover made her so many soft Vows and tender prâ—testations of the respect and awfulness of his passion that she was wholly convinc'd he was her Slave nor cou'd she see the constant Languisher pouring out his Soul and fortune at her feet without suffering some warmth about her heart which she had never felt but for Philander and this day she exprest her self more obligeingly than ever she had done And allows him littlâ— freedoms of approaching her with more softeness than hitherto she had and absolutely Charm'd he promises lavishly and without reserve all she wou'd ask of him and in requital she assur'd him all he cou'd wish or hope if he wou'd serve her in her revenge against Philander She recounts to him at large the story of her undoing her quality her Fortune her nice education the care and tenderness of her Noble Parents and charges all her Fate to the evil Conduct of her heed â—less youth Sometimes the reflection on her ruin she looking back upon her former innocence and tranquillity forces the Tears to flow from her fair Eyes and makes Octavio sigh and weep by simpathy Sometimes arriv'd at the Amorous part of her relation â—he wou'd sigh and languish with the remembrance of past Joys in their beginning love and sometimes smile at the little unlucky adventures they met with and their escapes so that different passions seizâ—d her Soul while she spoke while that of all love fill'd Octavio's He doats he burns and every word she utters inflames him still the more he fixes his very Soul upon her Tongue and darts his very Eyes into her face and every thing she says raises his vast esteem and passion higher In fine having with the Eloquence of sacred Wit and all the Charms of every differing Passion finisht her moving tale they both declin'd their Eyes whose falling showers kept equal time and pace and for a little time were still as thought When Octavio opprest with mighty Love broke the soft silence and burst into extravagance of passion says all that men grown mad with love and wishing cou'd utter to the Idol of the heart and to oblige her more recounts his Life in short where in in spight of all his modesty â—the found all that was great and brave all that was Noble Fortunate and Honest And having now confirm'd her he deserv'd her kneeling implor'd she wou'd accept of him not as a Lover for a Term of passion for dates of Months or years but for a long Eternity not as a rifler of her Sacred Honour but to defend it from the sensuring World he vow'd he wou'd forget that ever â—ny part of it was lost nor by a look or Action e're upbraid her with a misfortune past but still look forward on Nobler joys to come And now implores that he may bring a Priest to tie the Solemn knot In spight of all her Love for Philander she cou'd not chuse but take this offer kindly and indeed it made a very great impression on her heart she knew nothing but the height of Love cou'd oblige a man of his quality and vast fortune with all the advantages of youth and Beauty to marry her in so ill Circumstances and paying him first those acknowledgments that were due on so great an occasion with all the tenderness in her Voice and Eyes that she cou'd put on she excus'd her self from receiving the Favour by telling him she was so unfortunate as to be with Child by the ungrateful man And falling at that thought into new Tears she mov'd him to infinite Love and infinite compassion in so much that wholly abandoning himself to softness he assur'd her if she wou'd secure him all his happiness by marrying him now that he wou'd wait
rich and gay as a young Bridegroom lovely and young as the Morning that flattered him with so fair and happy a Day at last he saw two Gentlemen alight at the Door and giving their Horses to a Page to walk a while they ran up into the Chamber where Octavio was waiting who had already sent his Page to prepare the Priest in the Village Church to marry them You may imagine with what Love and Joy the â—avished Youth approach'd the Idol of his Soul and she who beholds him in more Beauty than ever yet she thought he had appear'd pleas'd with all things he had on with the gay Morning the flowry Field the Air the little Journey and a thousand diverting things made no Resistance to those fond Imbraces that prest her a thousand times with silent Transport and falling Tears of eager Love and Pleasure but even in that moment of Content she forgot Philander and receiv'd all the Satisfaction so soft a Lover could dispence While they were mutually thus exchanging Looks and almost Hearts the Messenger came into the Room and as civilly as possible told Octavio he had a Warrant for him to secure him as a Traytor to the State and a Spy for France You need not be told the Surprize and Astonishment he was in however he obey'd The Messenger turning to Silvia cry'd Sr. Tho' I can hardly credit this Crime that is charged to my Lord yet the finding him here with two French Gentlemen gives me some more Fears that there may be something in it and it would do well if you would deliver your selves into my Hands for the farther clearing this Gentleman The foolish grave Speech of the Messenger had like to have put Octavio into a loud Laughter he addressing himself to two Women for two Men But Silvia reply'd Sir I hope you do not take us for so little Friends to the gallant Octavio to abandon him in his Misfortune no we will share it with him be it what it will To this the generous Lover blushing with kind Surprize bow'd and kissing her Hand with Transport calling her his charming Friend and so all three being guarded back in Octavio's Coach they return to the Town and to the House of the Messenger which made a great Noise all over that Octavio was taken with two French Jesuits plotting to fire Amsterdam and a thousand things equally Ridiculous They were all three lodg'd together in one House that of the Messenger which was very fine and fit to entertain any Persons of Quality while Brilljard who did not like that part of the Project bethought him of a thousand ways how to free her from thence for he design'd as soon as Octavio should be taken to have got her to have quitted the Town under pretence of being taken upon Suspicion of holding Correspondence with him because they were French but her delivering herself up had not only undone all his Design but had made it unsafe for him to stay While he was thus bethinking himself what he should do Octavio's Uncle who was one of the States extreamly affronted at the Indignity put upon his Nephew and his sole Heir the Darling of his Heart and Eyes commands that this Informer may be secur'd and accordingly Brilljard was taken into Custody who giving himself over for a lost Man resolves to put himself upon Octavio's Mercy by telling him the Motives that induc'd him to this violent and ungenerous Course It was some days before the Council thought fit to call for Octavio to hear what he had to say for himself in the mean time he having not had Permission yet to see Silvia and being extreamly desirous of that Happiness he bethought himself that the Messenger having been in his Fathers Service might have so much Reâ—â—â—t for the Son as to allow him to speak to that fair Charmer provided he might be a Witness to what he should say He sends for him and demanded of him where those two fair Prisoners were lodg'd who came with him in the Morning he told him in a very good Apartment on the same Floor and that they were very well Accommodated and seem'd to have no other Trouble but what they suffered for him I hope my Lord added he your Confinement will not be long for I hear there is a Person taken up who has confest he did it for a Revenge on you At this Octavio was very well pleased and asked him who it was and he told him a French Gentleman belonging to the Count Philander who about six Months ago was obliged to quit the Town as an Enemy to France He soon knew it to be Brilljard and comparing this Action with some others of his lately Committed he no longer doubts it the Effects of his Jealousie He ask'd the Messenger if it were impossible to gain so much Favour of him as to let him visit those two French Gentlemen he being by while he was with them The Keeper soon granted his Request and reply'd There was no Hazzard he would not run to serve him and immediately putting back the Hangings with one of those Keys he had in his Hand he opened a Door in his Chamber that led into a Gallery of fine Pictures and from thence they past into the Apartment of Silvia As soon as he came in he threw himself at her Feet and she received him and took him up into her Arms with all the Transports of Joy a Soul more than ever possest with Love for him could conceive and tho' they all appear'd of the Masculine Sex the Messenger soon perceiv'd his Error and beg'd a thousand Pardons Octavio makes hast to tell her his Opinion of the cause of all this Trouble to both and she easily believ'd when she heard Brilljard was taken that it was as he imagin'd for he had been found too often faulty not to be suspected now This Thought brought a great Calm to both their Spirits and almost reduc'd them to their first soft Tranquillity with which they began the day For he protested his Innocence a thousand times which was wholly needless for the generous Maid believed before he spoke he could not be guilty of the Sin of Treachery He renews his Vows to her of eternal Love and that he would perform what they were so unluckily prevented of doing this Morning and that tho' possibly by this unhappy Adventure his Design might have taken Air and have arrived to the Knowledge of his Uncle yet in spite of all Opposition of Friends or the Malice of Brilljard he would pursue his Glorious Design of marrying her tho' he were forc'd for it to wander to the farthest parts of the Earth with his lovely Prize He begs she will not disesteem him for this Scandal on his Fame for he was all Love all soft Desire and had no other Design than that of making himself Master of that greatest Treasure in the World that of the possessing the most charming the all ravishing Silvia In return she paid
acquainted her with the short History of his Passion for Silvia and order'd her to give her attendance on the treasure of his Life he bid her prepare all things as magnificent as she could in that Apartment he design'd her which was very rich and gay and towards a fine Garden The Hangings and Beds all glorious and fitter for a Monarch than a Subject the finest Pictures the World afforded Flowers in-laid with Silver and Ivory guilded Roofs carved Wainscot Tables of Plate with all the rest of the moveables in the Chambers of the same all of great value and all was perfumed like an Altar or the Marriage-Bed of some young King Here Silvia was design'd to lodge and hither Octavio conducted her and setting her on a Couch while the Supper was getting ready he sits himself down by her and his heart being ready to burst with Grief at the thought of the Claim which was laid to her by Brilljard he silently views her while Tears were ready to break from his fix'd Eyes and Sighs stopt what he would fain have spoke While she wholly confounded with Shame Guilt and Disappointment for she could not imagine that Brilljard could have had the Impudence to have claim'd her for a Wife fix'd her fair Eyes to Earth and durst not behold the languishing Octavio They remain'd thus a long time silent she not daring to defend herself from a Crime of which she knew too well she was guilty nor he daring to ask her a Question to which the Answer might prove so fatal he fears to know what he dies to be satisfied in and she fears to discover too late a Secret which was the only one she had conceal'd from him Octavio runs over in his Mind a thousand Thoughts that perplex'd him of the Probability of her being married he considers how often he had found her with that happy young Man who more freely entertain'd her than Servants use to do He now considers how he has seen 'em once on a Bed together when Silvia was in the Disorder of a yielding Mistress and Brilljard of a ravish'd Lover he considers how he has found 'em alone at Cards and Dice and often entertaining her with Freedoms of a Husband and how he wholly managed her Affairs commanded her Servants like their proper Master and was in full Authority of all These and a thousand more Circumstances confirms Octavio in all his Fears A thousand times she is about to speak but either fears to lose Octavio by a clear Confession or to run herself into farther Error by denying the matter of Fact stops her Words and she only blushes and sighs at what she dares not tell and if by chance their speaking Eyes meet they would both decline 'em hastily again as afraid to find there what their Language could not confess Sometimes he would press her Hand and sigh Ah Silvia you have undone my Quiet to which she would return no Answer but Sigh and now rising from the Couch she walk'd about the Chamber as sad and silent as Death attending when he should have advanced in speaking to her tho' she dreads the Voice she wishes to hear and he waits for her Reply tho' the Mouth that he adores should deliver Poyson and Daggers to his Heart While thus they remained in the most silent and sad Entertainment that ever was between Lovers that had so much to say the Page which Octavio only trusts to wait brought him this Letter Brilljard to Octavio My Lord I am too sensible of my many high Offences to your Lordship and have as much Penitence for my Sin committed towards you as 't is possible to conceive but when I implore a Pardon from a Lover who by his own Passion may guess at the violent Effects of my dispairing Flame I am yet so vain to hope it Antonett gave me the Intelligence of your Design and raised me up to a Madness that hurried me to that Barbarity against your unspotted Honour I own the baseness of the Fact but Lovers are not my Lord always guided by Rules of Iustice and Reason or if I had I should have kill'd the fair Adultress that drew you to your Vndoing and who merits more your Hate than your Regard and who having first violated her marriage Vow to me with Philander would sacrifice us both to you and at the same time betray you to a Marriage that cannot but prove fatal to you as it is most unlawful in her so that my Lord if I have injured you I have at the same time saved you from a Sin and Ruin and humbly implore that you will suffer the Good I have rendered you in the last to atone for the Ill I did you in the first If I have accused you of a Design against the State it was to save you from that of the too subtil and too charming Silvia which none but myself could have snatcht you from 'T is true I might have acted something more worthy of my Birth and Education but my Lord I knew the Power of Silvia and if I should have sent you the Knowledge of this when I sent the Warrant for the Security of your Person the haughty Creature would have prevail'd above all my Truths with the Eloquence of Love and you had yielded and been betray'd worse by her than by the most ungenerous Measures I took to prevent it Suffer this Reason my Lord to plead for me in that Heart where Silvia Reigns and shews how powerful she is every where Pardon all the Faults of a most unfortunate Man undone by Love and by your own guess what his Passion would put him on who aims or wishes at least for the intire Possession of Silvia tho' it was never absolutely hop'd by the most unfortunate Brilljard At the beginning of this Letter Octavio hoped it contained the Confession of his Fault in claiming Silvia he hop'd he would have own'd it done in order to his Service to his Lord or his Love to Silvia or any thing but what it really was but when he read on and found that he yet confirm'd his Claim he yeilded to all the Grief that could sink a Heart over-burthen'd with violent Love he fell down on the Couch were he was sate and only calling Silvia with a dying Groan he held out his Hand in which the Letter remain'd and look'd on her with Eyes that languished with Death Love and Dispair while she who already feared from whom it came received it with Disdain Shame and Confusion And Octavio recovering a little Cry'd in a faint Voice See Charming Cruel Fair see how much my Soul adores you when even this cannot extinguish one spark of that Flame you have kindled in my Soul At this she blush'd and bow'd with a graceful modesty that was like to have given the lie to all the Accusations against her She reads the Letter while he greedily fixes his Eyes upon her Face as she read observing with curious Search every Motion there all killing
and adorable He saw her Blushes sometimes rise then sink again to their proper Fountain her Heart there swell and rise and beat against her Breast that had no other Covering than a thin Shirt for all her Bosom was open and betray'd the nimble Motions of her Heart Her Eyes sometimes would sparkle with Disdain and glow upon the fatal tell-tale Lines and sometimes languish with excess of Grief But having concluded the Letter she laid it on the Table and began again to traverse the Room her Head declined and her Arms across her Bosom Octavio made too true an Interpretation of this Silence and Calm in Silvia and no longer doubted his Fate He fixes his Eyes eternally upon her while she considers what she shall say to that afflicted Lover she find's Philander lost or if he ever return 't is not to Love so that he was for ever gone for too well she knew no Arts Obligations or Industry could retrieve a flying a Cupid She found if even that could return his whole Fortune was so exausted he could not support her and that she was of a Nature so haughty and impatient of Injuries that she could never forgive him those Affronts he had done her Honour first and now her Love she resolves no Law or Force shall submit her to Brilljard she finds this Fallacy she has put on Octavio has ruined her Credit in his Esteem at least she justly fears it so that believing herself abandoned by all in a strange Country she fell to weeping her Fate and the Tears wet the Floor as she walk'd At which Sight so melting Octavio starts from the Couch and catching her in his trembling Arms he cry'd be false be cruel and deceitful yet still I must I am compell'd to Adore you This being spoken in so hearty and resolved a Tone from a Man of whose Heart she was so sure and knew to be so generous gave her a little Courage and like sinking Men she catches at all that presents her any Hope of escaping She resolves by discovering the whole Truth to save that â—ast Stake his Heart tho' she could pretend to no more and taking the â—ainting Lover by the Hand she leads him to the Couch Well said she Octavio you are too generous to be impos'd on in any thing and therefore I will tell you my Heart without Reserve as absolutely as to Heaven it self if I were interceeding my last Peace there She begg'd a thousand Pardons of him for having conceal'd any part of her Story from him but she could no longer be guilty of that Crime to a Man for whom she had so perfect a Passion and as she spoke she imbraced him with an unresistable Softness that wholly charm'd him She reconciles him with every Touch and sighs on his Bosom a thousand grateful Vows and Excuses for her Fault while he weeps with Love and almost Expires in her Arms she is not able to see his Passion and his Grief and tells him she will do all things for his Repose Ah Silvia sigh'd he talk not of my Repose when you confess your self Wife to one and Mistress to another in either of which I have alass no part Ah what is reserv'd for the Vnfortunate Octavio when two happy Lovers divide the Treasure of his Soul Yet tell me Truth because it will look like Love shew me that excellent Vertue so rarely found in all your fickle Sex Oh! tell me Truth and let me know how much my Heart can bear before it break with Love and yet perhaps to hear thee speak to me with that insinuating dear Voice of thine may save me from the Terror of thy Words and tho' each make a Wound their very Accents have a Balm to heal Oh quickly pour it then into my listening Soul and I 'll be silent as o'er ravished Lovers whom Ioys have charm'd to tender Sighs and Pantings At this imbracing her anew he let fall a Shower of Tears upon her Bosom and sighing Cry'd Now I attend thy Story She then began anew the Repetition of the Loves between herself and Philander which she slightly ran over because he had already heard every Circumstance of it both from herself and Philander till she arriv'd to that part of it where she left Belsont her Fathers House Thus far said she you have had a faithful Relation And I was no sooner miss'd by my Parent but you may imagine the diligent Search that would be made both by Foscario whom I was to have married the next day and my tender Parents but all Search all Hu-an-Crys were vain at last they put me into the weekly Gazette describing me to the very Features of my Face my Hair my Breast my Stature Youth and Beauty omitting nothing that might render me apparent to all that should see me offering vast Sums to any that should give Intelligence of such a lost Maid of Quality Philander who understood too well the Nature of the common People and that they would betray their very Fathers for such a proferr'd Sum durst trust me no longer to their Mercy His Affairs were so involved with those of Caesario he could not leave Paris for they every Moment expected the People should rise against their King and these Glorious Chiefs of the Faction were obliged to wait and watch the Motions of the dirty Croud Nor durst he trust me in any place from him for he could not live a Day without me At that Thought she sigh'd and then went on so that I was oblig'd to remain obscurely lodged in Paris where now I durst no longer trust myself tho' disguis'd in as many Shapes as I was obliged to have Lodgings At last we were betray'd and had only the short Notice given us to yield or secure our selves from the hand of Iustice by the next Morning when they design'd to surprize us To escape we found almost impossible and very hazardous to attempt it so that Philander who was raving with his Fear call'd myself and this young Gentleman Brilljard then Master of his Horse and one that had serv'd us faithfully through the whole Course of our Loves to Councel Many things were in vain debated but at last this hard Shift was found out of marrying me to Brilljard for to Philander it was impossible so that no Authority of a Father could take me from the Husband I was at first extreamly unwilling but when Philander told me it was to be only a mock-Marriage to secure me to himself I was reconcil'd to it and more when I found the inâ—inite Submission of the young Man who vow'd he would never look up to me with the Eyes of a Lover or Husband but in Obedience to his Lord did it to preserve me intirely for him Nay further to secure my future Fear he confest to me he was already privately married to a Gentlewoman by whom he had two Children Oh tell me true my Silvia Was he married to another Cry'd out the over-joy'd Lover Yes on my
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
any other way he held her fast in those Arms that trembled yet with Love and new-past Joy he found a Pleasure even in her Railing with a Tenderness that spoke more Love than any other Language Love could speak Betwixt his Sighs he pleads his Right of Love and the Authority of his solemn Vows he tells her that the Marriage Ceremony was but contrived to satisfy the Ignorant and to proclaim his Title to the Crowd but Vows and Contracts were the same to Heaven He speaks and she believes and well she might for all he spoke was honourable Truth He knew no Guile but uttered all his Soul and all that Soul was Honest Just and Brave thus by degrees he brought her to a Calm In this soft Rancounter he had discovered a thousand new Charms in Silvia and contrary to those Men whose end of Love is Lust which extinguish together Octavio found increase of Tenderness from every Bliss she gave and grew at last so fond so doating on the still more charming Maid that he neglected all his Interest his Business in the State and what he ow'd his Uncle and his Friends and became the common Theam over all the United Provinces for his Wantonness and Luxury as they were pleased to call it and living so contrary to the Humour of those more sordid and slovenly Men of Quality which make up the Nobility of that parcel of the World For while thus he lived retired scarce visiting any one or permitting any to visit him they charge him with a thousand Crimes of having given himself over to Effeminacy as indeed he grew too Lazy in her Arms neglecting Glory Arms and Power for the more real Joys of Life while she even Rifles him with Extravagancy and grows so bold and hardy that regarding not the Humours of the stingy censorious Nation his Interest or her own Fame she is seen every day in his Coaches going to take the Air out of Town puts him upon Balls and vast expensive Treats devises new Projects and ways of Diversion till some of the more busie Impertinents of the Town made a publick Complaint to his Uncle and the rest of the States urging he was a Scandal to the Reverend and Honourable Society On which it was decreed that he should either lose that Honour or take up and live more according to the Gravity and Authority of a Senator This Incenses Sebastian both against the States and his Nephew for tho' he had often reproved and counselled him yet he scorn'd his Darling should be school'd by his Equals in Power So that resolving either to discard him or draw him from the Love of this Woman he one Morning goes to his Nephews House and sending him up word by his Page he would speak to him he was conducted to his Chamber where he found him in his Night-Gown He began to upbraid him first with his want of Respect and Duty to him and next of his Affairs neglecting to give his Attendance on the Publick He tells him he is become a Scandal to the Common-Wealth and that he liv'd a lude Life with another Man's Wife He tells him he has all her Story and she was not only a Wife but a scandalous Mistress too to Philander She boasts says he of Honourable Birth but what 's that when her Conduct is Infamous In short Sir continued he your Life is obnoxious to the whole Province Why what Sir cannot honest Men's Daughters cry'd he more angerly serve your turn but you must crack a Commandment Why this is flat Adultery A little Fornication in a civil way might have been allow'd but this is stark naught In fine Sir quit me this Woman and quit her me presently or in the first place I renounce thee cast thee from me as a Stranger and will leave thee to Ruine and the incensed States A little Pleasure a little Recreation I can allow A Layer of Love and a Layer of Business But to neglect the Nation for a Wench is flat Treason against the State and I wish there were a Law against all such unreasonable Whore-Masters that are States-Men for the rest 't is no great matter Therefore in a Word Sir leave me off this Mistress of yours or we will secure her yet for a French Spy that comes to debauch our Common-Wealths-Men The States can do it Sir they can Hitherto Octavio received all with Blush and Bow in sign of Obedience but when his Uncle told him the States would send away his Mistriss no longer able to contain his Rage he broke out into all the Violence imaginable against them and swore he would not now forego Silvia to be Monarch over all the nasty Provinces and 't was a greater Glory to be a Slave at her Feet Go tell your States cry'd he They are a company of Cynical Fops born to moyl on in sordid Business who never were worthy to understand so great a Happiness of Life as that of nobler Love Tell 'em I scorn the dull Gravity of those Asses of the Common-Wealth fit only to bear the dirty Load of State-Affairs and die old busie Fools The Uncle who little expected such a Return from him who used to be all Obedience began more gently to perswade him with more solid Reason but could get no other Answer from him than that what he commanded he should find it Difficult to disobey and so for that time they parted Some days after he never coming so much as near their Councils they sent for him to answer the Contempt He came and received abundance of hard Reproaches and finding they were resolved to Degrade him he presently rallied them in Answer to all they said nor could all the Cautions of his Friends perswade him to any Submission after receiving so rough and ill-bred a Treatment as they gave him And impatient to return to Silvia where all his Joys were Centered he was with much a-do perswaded to stay and hear the Resolution of the Council which was to take from him those Honours he held amongst them at which he cock'd and smil'd and told 'em he receiv'd what he was much more proud of than of those useless Trifles they call'd Honours and wishes they might treat all that served them at that ungrateful Rate For he that had received a hundred Wounds and lost a Stream of Blood for their Security shall if he kiss their Wives against their Wills be banish'd like a Coward So hasting from the Council he got into his Coach and went to Silvia This incensed the old Gentlemen to a high Degree and they carried it against the younger Party because more in Number That this French Lady who was for high-Treason as they call'd it forc'd to fly France should be no longer protected in Holland And in order to her Removal or rather their Revenge on Octavio they sent out their Warrant to Apprehend her and either to send her as an Enemy to France or force her to some other part of the World For
to the State House I mind nothing there my Heart 's at home with the Young Gentlewoman on the Change or wheresoever I go my restless Thoughts present her still before me And prethee tell me is not this Love Octavio It may arrive to Love replied the blushing Youth if you shou'd fondly give way to it But you are Wise and Grave and hate all Women Sir till about Forty and then for Generation only You are above the Follies of vain Youth And let me tell you Sir without Offending Already you are charged with a Thousand little Vanities unsuitable to your Years and the Character you have had and the Figure you have made in the World I heard a Lampoon on you the other day Pardon my Freedom Sir for keeping a Beauty in your House who they are pleased to say was my Mistress before And pulling out a Lampoon which his Page had before given him he gave it his Uncle But instead of making him resolve to quit Silvia it only serv'd to incense him against Octavio he rail'd at all Wits and swore there was not a more dangerous Enemy to a civil sober Commonwealth That a Poet was to be banish'd as a Spy or hang'd as a Traytor That it ought to be as much against the Law to let 'em live as to Shoot with white Powder and that to write Lampoons should be put into the Statute against Stabbing And cou'd he find the Rogue that had the Wit to write that he wou'd make him a warning to all the Race of that Damnable Vermin what to abuse a Magistrate one of the States a very Monarch of the Commonwealth 't was Abominable and not to be born and looking on his Nephew and considering his Face a while he cry'd I Fancy Sir by your Physiognomy that you your self have a hand in this Libel At which Octavio blush'd which he taking for guilt flew out into terrible Anger against him not suffering him to speak for himself or clear his Innocence And as he was going in this Rage from him having forbidden him ever to set his Foot within his Doors he told him If said he the scandalous Town from your Instructions have such Thoughts of me I will convince it by Marrying this fair Stranger the first thing I do I cannot doubt but to find a welcom since she is a Banish'd Woman without Friend or Protection and especially when she shall see how civilly you have handled her here in your Dogerel Ballad I 'll teach you to be a Wit Sir and so your Humble Servant And leaving him almost wild with his Fears he went directly to Silvia where he told her his Nephew was going to make up the Match between himself and Madam the Widow of and that he had made a scandalous Lampoon on her Fair self He forgot nothing that might make her hate the Amiable young Nobleman whom she knew too well to believe that any thing of this was other than the effects of his own growing Passion for her For tho' she saw Octavio every day in this time she had remain'd at his Uncles yet the Old Lover so watch'd their very Looks that 't was impossible almost to tell one anothers Heart by any Glance there But Octavio had once in this time convey'd a Letter to her which having Opportunity to do he put it into her Comb-box when he was with his Uncle one day in her Dressing-room for he durst not trust her Pagâ— and less Antonett who had before betray'd 'em And having for Silvia's release so solemnly Sworn to his Uncle to which Vows he took Religious care to keep him He had so perfect an awe upon his Spirits from every Look and Command of his Uncles he took infinitely heed how he gave him any Umbrage by any Action of his and the rather because he hoped when time shou'd serve to bring about his Business of stealing Silvia from him for she was kept and guarded like a mighty Heiress so that by this prudent Management on both sides they heighten'd the growing Love in every Heart In that Billet which he dropt in her Comb-box he did not only make Ten thousand Vows of Eternal Passion and Faith and beg the same assurance of her again but told her he was secur'd so well he thought of her from fears of his Uncles Addresses to her and beg'd she wou'd not let 'em perplex her but rather serve her for her diversion that she should from time to time write him all he said to her and how he treated her when alone and that since the Old Lover was so watchful she should not trust her Letters with any body but as she walk'd out into the Garden she shou'd in passing throw the Hall put her Letter in at the broken Glass of an Old Sedan that stood there and had stood for several Years and that his own Page whom he could trust shou'd when he came with him to his Uncles take it from thence Thus every Day they writ and received the dearest returns in the World where all the Satisfaction that Vows oft repeated cou'd give was rendred each other with an account from Silvia that was very pleasant of all the Passion of the Doating Old Sebastian the Presents he made her the Fantastick Youth he would assume and the unusual manner of his Love which was a great diversion to both and this Difficulty of speaking to Silvia and entertaining her with Love tho' it had its Pains had its infinite Pleasures too it increas'd their Love on both sides and all their Wishes But now by this last Banishment from the House where she was to lose that only Pleasure of beholding the Adorable Maid gave him all the Pains without the hope of one Pleasure and he began to fear he should have a World of Difficulty to secure the dear Object of his continual Thoughts He found no way to send to her and dreads all his Malicious Uncle and Rival may say to his disadvantage He dreads even that infinite Tenderness and Esteem he had for the good Old Man who had been so fond a Parent to him least even that should make him unwilling to use that Extremity against him in the regaining Silvia which he would use to any other Man Oh how he Curses the fatal hour that ever he implored his Aid for her Release and having overcome all Difficulties even that of his Fears of Philander from whom they had received no Letter in Two Months and that of Silvia's Disdain and had Establish'd himself in her Soul and her Arms he should by employing his Uncle's Authority for Silvia's Service be so Unfortunate to involve 'em into new Dangers and Difficulties of which he could foresee no other end than that which must be fatal to some of ' em But he believed half his Torture would be eased could he but write to Silvia for see her he could not hope He bethought himself of a way atlast His Uncle had belonging to his House the most fine
therefore without Delay assist me to contrive your Escape or I shall die and leave you to the Ravage of his Love who holds thee from me the very Thoughts of that is worse than Death I die alas I die for an intire Possession of thee Oh let me grasp my Treasure let me ingross it all here in my longing Arms. I can no longer languish at this Distance from my eternal Ioy my Life my Soul But oh I Rave and while I should be speaking a thousand useful things I am telling you my Pain a Pain that you may guess and confounding myself between those and their Remedies am able to fix on nothing Help me to think oh my dear charming Creature help me to think how I shall bear thee off Take your own Measures flatter him with Love sooth him to Faith and Confidence and then oh pardon me if there be Baseness in the Action then Cozen him Deceive him any thing for he deserves it all that thinks that lovely Body was form'd for his Imbraces whom Age has rendered fitter for a Grave Form any Plots use every Stratagem to save the Life of Your Octavio He writ this in Hast and Disorder as you may plainly see by the Stile and went to the Window with it where he found Silvia leaning expecting him The Shashes were up and he toss'd it in the Haâ—â—kerchief into her Window She read it and writ an Answer back as soft as Love could form to send him pleased to Bed wherein she commanded him to hope all things form her Wit and industrious Love This had partly the Effects she wished and after kissing his Hand and throwing it up towards Silvia they parted as silent as the Night from Day which was now just dividing so long they stay'd tho' but to look at each other so that all the Morning was pass'd in Bed to make the Day seem shorter which was too tedious to both This Pleasure he had after Noon towards the Evening that when Silvia walked as she alwaies did in the Garden he could see her thorow the Glass of his Window but durst not open it for the old Gentleman was ever with her In this time Octavio fail'd not however to essay the good Nature of the Gardener in order to Silvia's Flight but â—ound there was no dealing with him in this Affair and therefore durst not come right down to the Point The next Night he came under the beloved Window again and found the sacred Object of his Wishes leaning in the Window expecting him To whom as soon as she heard his Tread on the Gravel she threw down a Handkerchief again which he took up and toss'd his own with a soft complaining Letter to entertain her till his Return for he hasted to read hers and swep'd the Garden as he pass'd as swift as Wind so impatient he was to see the Inside which he found thus Silvia to Octavio I Beg my charming Friend you will be assur'd of all I have promised you and to believe that but for the Pleasure of those dear Billets I receive from you I could as little support this cruel Confinement as you my Absence I have but one Game to play and I beseech you not to be surpriz'd at it 't is to promise to marry Sebastian He is eternally at my Feet and either I must give him my Vow to become his Wife or give him hope of other Favours I am so intirely yours that I will be guided by you which I shall Flatter him in to gain my Liberty for if I grant either he has proposed to carry me to his Country-House two Leagues from the Town and there Consummate whatever I design to bless him with and this is it that has wrought my Consent that we being to go alone only my own Servants you may easily take me thence by Force upon the Road or after our Arrival where he will not guard me perhaps so strictly as he does here For that I leave it to your Conduct and expect your Answer to Your Impatient Silvia He immediately sate down and writ this Octavio to Silvia HAVE a Care my Charming Fair how you play with Vows and however you are forc'd for that Religious End of saving your Honour to deceive the poor old Lover whom by Heaven I pity yet rather let me die than know you can be guilty of Vow-Brâ—ach tho' made in jest I am well pleased at the Glimpse of Hope you give me that I shall see you at his Villa and doubt not but to find a way to secure you to myself Say any thing promise to sacrifice all to his Desire but oh do not give away thy dear thy precious self by Vow to any but the Languishing Octavio After he had writ this he hast'd and throws it into her Window and return'd to Bed without seeing her which was no small Affliction to his Soul He had an ill Night of it and fancied a thousand tormenting things That the old Gentleman might thâ—â— be with her and if alone what might he not perswade by force of rich Presents of which his Uncle was well stored And so he guess'd and as he guess'd it proved as by his next Nights Letter he was inform'd that the old Lover no sooner saw Silvia retire but having a mind to try his Fortune in some Critical Minute for such a Minute he had heard there was that favoured Lovers but he goes to his Closet and taking out some Jewels of great Value to make himself the more welcome he goes directly to Silvia's Chamber and entered just as she had taken up Octavio's Letter and clap'd it in her Bosom as she heard some body at the Door but was not in a little Confusion when she saw who it was which she excused by telling him she was surpriz'd to find herself with a Man in her Chamber That there he fell to pleading his cause of Love and offered her again to settle his Estate upon her and implor'd she would be his Wife After a thousand faint Denials she told him she could not possibly receive that Honour but if she could she would have look'd upon it as a great Favour from Heaven at that he was Thunder-struck and look'd as gastly as if his Mothers Ghost had frighten'd him and after much Debate Love and Grief on his side Design and Dissimulation on hers she gave him Hopes that Aton'd for all she had before said insomuch that before they parted an absolute Bargain was struck up and he was to settle part of his Estate upon her as also that Villa to which he had resolved in two days to carry her in earnest to this he presents her a Necklace of Pearl of good Value and other Jewels which was the best Rhetorick he had yet spoke to her and now she appear'd the most Complaisant Lady in the World she suffers him to talk wantonly to her nay even to kiss her and rub his grizly Beard on her divine Face grasp her Hands and
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
very Wall and thinking from our Wounds we could noâ— escape far they searching the Houses found me dressing Calista's Wound which I kist a Thousand times But the matchless Courage of the fair Virago the Magnanimity of Calista's Soul nothing of foolish Woman harâ—our'd there nothing but softest Love for while I was raving mad tearing my Hair and cursing my Fate in vain she had no concern but for me no pain but that of her fear of being taken from me and being delivered to Old Clarinau whom I fear'd was not dead nor could the very seizing her daunt her Spirits but with an unmatch'd Fortitude she bore it all she only wish'd she could have escaped without Bloodshed We were both led to Prison but none knew who we were for those that seized us had by chance never seen me and Calista's Habit secur'd the discovery While we both remained there we had this Comfort of being well Lodg'd together for they did not go about to part us being in for one Crime And all the satisfaction she had was that she should she hop'd die concealed if she must die for the Crime and that was much a greater Ioy than to think she should be render'd back to Clarinau who in a few days we heard was upon his Recovery this gave her new fears but I confess to you I was not afflicted at it nor did I think it hard for me to bribe Calista off for the Master of the Prison was very Civil and Poor so that with the help of some few of Calista's Iewels he was wrought upon to let her escape I offering to remain and bear all the brunt of the Business and â—o pay whatever he could be Fined for it These Reasons with the ready Iewels mollified the needy Rascal and tho' loath she were to leave me yet she being assured that all they could do was but to sine me and her stay she knew was her inevitable Ruine she at last submitted leaving me sufficient in Iewels to satisfie for all that could happen which were the value of a Hundred thousand Crowns She is fled to Bruxells to a Nâ—nnery of Augustin's where the Lady Abbess is her Aunt and where for a little time she is secure till I can follow her I beg of you my dear Octavio write to me and write me a Letter of Recommendation to the Magistrates here who all being concern'd when any one of 'em is a Cuckold are very severe upon Criminals in those Cases I tire you with my Melancholy Adventure but 't is some ease in the Extreams of Grief to receive the tender Pity of a Friend and that I 'm sure Octavio will afford his unhappy Philander As cold and as unconcern'd as Silvia imagin'd she had found her Heart to Philander's Memory at the reading of this Letter in spight of all the Tenderness she had for Octavio she was possest with all those pains of Love and Jealousie which heretofore tormented her when Love was Young and Philander appeared with all those Charms with which he first Conquer'd she found the Fire was but hid under those Embers which every little blast blows off and makes it Flame a new 'T was now that she forgetting all the past Obligations of Octavio all his vast Presents his Vows his Sufferings his Passion and his Youth abandon'd herself wholly to her Tenderness for Philander and drowns her fair Cheeks in a Shower of Tears And having eas'd her Heart a little by this natural Relief of her Sex she opened the Letter that was design'd for her self and read this To Silvia I Know my lovely Silvia I am accused of a Thousand Barbarities for unkindly detaining your Lover who long ere this ought to have thrown himself at your Feet imploring a Thousand Pardons for his tedious Six Months absence tho' the affliction of it is all my own and I am affraid all the Punishment but when my dearest Silvia I reflect again it is in order to our future Tranquillity I depend on your Love and Reason for my Excuse I know my absence has procur'd me a Thousand Rivals and you as many Adorers and fear Philander appears grown Old in Love and worn out with Sorrow and Care unfit for the soft Play of the Young and Delicate Silvia new Lovers have new Vows and new Presents and your fickle Sex stoop to the lavish Prostrate Ill luck unkind Fate has riâ—â—'d me and of a shining Fortune left me even to the Charity of the stingy World and I have no new Complement to maintain the esteem in so great a Soul as that of Silvia but that old repeated one of telling her my dull my trifling Heart is still her own But oh I want the presenting Eloquence that so perswades and charms the Fair and am reduced to that fatal Torment of a generous Mind rather to ask and take than to bestow Yet out of my contemptible stock I have sent my Silvia something towards that dangerous unavoidable hour which will declare me however a happy Father of what my Silvia bears about her 't is a Bill for a Thousand Patacoons I am at present under an easie restraint about a little Dispute between a Man of Quality here and my self I had else been at Bruxells to have provided all things for your coming Ilness but every day expect my Liberty and then without delay I will take Post and bring Philander to your Arms. I have News that Caesario is arrived at Bruxells I am at present a Stranger to all that passes and having a double Obligation to haste you need not fear but I shall do so This Letter raised in her a different Sentiment from that of the Story of his Misfortune and that taught her to know that this he had writ to her was all false and dissembl'd Which made her in concluding the Letter cry out with a vehement Scorn and Indignation Oh how I hate thee Traytor who hast the Impudence to continue thus to impose upon me as if I wanted common Sense to see thy Baseness For what can be more Base and Cowardly than Lyes that poor Plebeian Shift contemn'd by Men of Honour or of Wit This she spoke without reminding that this most contemptible Quality she herself was equally guilty of tho' infinitely more excusable in her Sex there being a thousand little Actions of their Lives liable to Censure and Reproach which they would willingly excuse and colour over with little Falsities but in a Man whose most inconstant Actions pass oftentimes for innocent Gallantries and to whom 't is no Infamy to own a thousand Amours but rather a Glory to his Fame and Merit I say in him whom Custom has favoured with an Allowance to commit any Vice and boast it 't is not so brave And this Fault of Philander's cur'd Silvia of her Disease of Love and chaced from her Heart all that Softness which once had so much favoured him Nevertheless she was fill'd with Thoughts that fail'd not to make her extreamly
Liberty who took his Journey immediately to Philander whom he found just released from his troublesome Affair and design'd for Bruxells where they arriv'd that very Morning Where the first thing he did was to go to the Nunnery of St. Austin to inquire for the fair Calista but instead of encountering the kind the impatient the brave Calista he was addressed to by the old Lady Abbess in so rough a manner that he no longer doubted upon what Terms he stood there tho' he wondered how they should know his Story with Calista When to put him out of Doubt she assured him he should never more behold the Face of her injured Neece for whose Revenge she left him to Heaven It was in vain he kneel'd and implored he was confirm'd again and again she should never come from out the Confines of those Walls and that her whole remaining Life spent in Penitence was too little to wash away her Sins with him And giving him the Letter he sent to Octavio which Silvia had given Calista and she the Lady Abbess with a full Confession of her Fault she cry'd See there Sir the Treachery you have committed against a Woman of Quality whom your Criminal Love has rendred the most Miserable of her Sex At the ending of which she drew the Curtain over the Grate and left him wholly amazed and confounded finding it to be the same he had writ to Octavio and in it that he had writ to Silvia By the sight of which he no longer doubted but that Confident had betrayed him every way He rails on his false Friendship curses the Lady Abbess himself his Fortune and his Birth but finds it all in vain Nor was he so infinitely afflicted with the thought of the eternal Loss of Calista because he had possessed her as he was to find himself betray'd to her and doubtless to Silvia by Octavio and nothing but Calista's being confin'd from him tho' she were very dear and charming to his Thoughts could have made him rave so extreamly for a Sight of her He loves her the more by how much more it was impossible for him to see her and that Difficulty and his Dispair increased his Flame In this Humour he went to his Lodging the most undone Extravagant that ever rag'd with Love He considers her in a place where no Art or force of Love or humane Wit can retrieve her no nor so much as send her a Letter This added to his Fury and in his first wild Imaginations he resolves nothing less than firing the Monastery that in that Confusion he might Seize his right of Love and do a Deed that would render his Name as famous as the Athenian Youth who to get a Fame tho' an Inglorious one fired the Temple of their Gods But his Rage abating by Consideration that Impiety dwelt not long with him And he ran over a number more till from one to another he reduced himself to a degree of Moderation which presented him with some flattering Hope that gave him a little Ease 'T was then that Chivalier Tomaso and another French Gentleman of Cesario's Faction who were newly arrived in Bruxells came to pay him their Respects And after a while carried him into the Park to walk where Silvia's Page had seen him and from whence they sent Brilljard to bespeak Supper at this Cabaret where Silvia's Chair and herself waited and where the Page found Brilljard of whom he asked for his Lord but understanding he would not possibly come in some Hours being design'd for Court that Evening whither he was obliged to go and kiss the Governours Hands he went to the Lady who was almost dead with Impatience and told her what he had learn'd Upon which she ordered her Chairmen to carry her back to her Lodgings for she would not be perswaded to ask any Questions of Brilljard for whom she had a mortal Hate However she resolved to send the Page back with a Billet to wait Philander's coming which was not long for having sooner dispatched their Complement at Court than they believed they should they went all to Supper together where Brilljard had bespoke it Where being impatient to learn all the Adventures of Cesario since his Departure from him and of which no Person could give so good an Account as Chivalier Tomaso Philander gave order that no body whomsoever should disturb them and sate himself down to listen to the Fortune of the Prince You know my Lord said Tomaso the state of Things at your Departure and that all our glorious Designs for the Liberty of all France were discovered and betray'd by some of those little Rascals that great Men are obliged to make use of in the greatest Designs Upon whose Confession you were proscrib'd myself this Gentleman and several others It was our good Fortunes to escape untaken and yours to fall first into the Messenger's Hands and carried to the Bastile even from whence you had the Luck to escape But it was not so with Cesario Heavens cry'd Philander the Prince I hope is not taken Not so neither reply'd Tomaso nor should you wonder you have receiv'd no News of him in a long time since forty thousand Crowns being offered for his Head or to any that could discover him it would have exposed him to have written to any body he being beset on all sides with Spies from the King so that it 't was impossible to venture a Letter without very great Hazzard of his Life Besides all these Hindrances Cesario who you know was ever a great admirer of the fair Sex happen'd in this his Retreat to fall most desperately in Love Nor could the fears of Death which alarm'd him on all sides deterr him from this new Amour Which because it has Relation to some part of his Adventures I cannot omit especially to your Lordship his Friend to whom every Circumstance of that Princes Fate and Fortune will be of Concern You must imagin my Lord that your Seizure and Escape was enough to alarm the whole Party and there was not a Man of the League who did not think it high time to look about him when one so considerable as your Lordship was surpriz'd Nor did the Prince himself any longer believe himself safe but retired himself under the darkness of the following Night He went only accompanied with his Page to a Ladies House a Widow of Quality in Paris that populous City being as he conceived the securest Place to conceal himself in This Lady was Madam the Countess of who had as you know my Lord one only Daughter Madam Osell Hermione the Heiress of her Family The Prince knew this young Lady had a Tenderness for him ever since they were both very young which first took beginning in a Mask at Court where she then acted Mercury and danced so exceeding finely that she gave our young Hero new Desire if not absolute Love and charm'd him at least into Wishes She was then old enough to perceive she
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
Councellors his Colour came into his Face and he could not forbear defending us with all the Force of Friendship He told her he knew of no such Seducers no Villains of the Party nor of any trayterous Design that either himself or any Man in France had ever harboured At which she growing to upbraid him in a manner too passionate he thought it decent to end his Visit and left her very abruptly At his going out he met with the Duke of Brother to the Dutchess going to visit her En passant a very indifferent Ceremony pass'd on both sides for this Duke never had entertain'd a Friendship or scarce Respect for Cesario but going into his Sister's the Dutchess her Chamber he found her all in a Rage at the Princes so publick Defence of the Hugonots and their Allies and the Duke entering they told him what had pass'd This was a very great Pleasure to him who had a mortal Hate at this time to the Prince He made his Visit very short hastens to Court and went directly to the King and told him how infinitely he found his Majesty mistaken in the imagined Penitence of the Prince and then told him what he had said at the Dutchess of Lodgings and had disown'd he ever confess'd any treasonable Design against his Majesty and gave 'em the Lye who durst charge him with any such Villainy The King who was unwilling to credit what he wished not true plainly told the Duke he could not believe it but that it was the Malice of his Enemies who had forg'd this the Duke reply'd he would bring those to his Majesty that heard the Words Immediately thereupon dispatched away his Page to begg the Dutchess would come to Court with Madamoisell Mariana The Dutchess suspecting the truth of the Business and unwilling to do the Prince an ill Office excused herself by sending word she was ill of the Colick But Mariana who lov'd the King's Interest and found the Ingratitude as she call'd it of the prime hasted in her Chair to Court and justified all the Duke had said who being a Woman of great Wit and Honour found that Credit which the Duke fail'd of as an open Enemy to the Prince About an hour after the Prince appeared at Court and found the face of Things changed extreamly and those who before had kiss'd his Hand and were proud of every smile from him Now beheld him with coldness and scarce made way as he past However he went on to the Presence and found the King whose looks were also very much changed who taking him into the Bed-Chamber show'd him his whole Confession drawn up ready for him to sign as he had promis'd tho' he never intended any such thing and now resolv'd to die rather than do it He took it in his Hand while the King cry'd Here keep your Word and Sign your Narrative Stay Sir replied the Prince I have the Council of my Friends to ask first in so weighty an Affair The King confirm'd in all he had heard no longer doubted but he had been too cunning for him and going out in a very great discontent he only cry'd Sir if you have any better Friends than my self I leave you to 'em and with this left him The Prince was very glad he had got the Confession-Paper hoping it would never come to light again the King was the only person to whom he had made the Confession and he was but one Accuser and him he thought the Party could at any time be too powerful to oppose all being easily believed on their side and nothing on that of the Court. After this in the Evening the King going to visit Madam the Dutchess of for whom he had a very great Esteem and whither every Day the whole Court followed him The Prince with all the assurance imaginable made his Court there also but he was no sooner come into the Presence but he perceived Anger in the Eyes of that Monarch who had indeed a peculiar Greatness and Firceness there when Angry A Minute after he sent Monsieur to the Prince with a command to leave the Court and without much Ceremony he accordingly departed and went directly to Hermione who with all the impatience of Love expected him nor was much surprized to find him Banisht the Court For he made her acquainted with his most Secret Designs who having made all his Interests her own Espoused whatever related to him and was capable of retaining all with great Fidelity Nor had he quitted her one Night since his coming to Court and he hath often with rapture told me Hermione was a Friend as well as a Mistress and one with whom when the first Play was ended he could Discourse with of useful things of State as well as Love and improve in both the Noble Mysteries by her Charming Conversation The Night of this second Disgrace I went to Hermione's to visit him where we Discours'd what was next to be done He did not think his Pardon was sufficient to secure him and he was not willing to trust a King who might be convinced that that Tenderness he had for him was absolutely against the Peace and Quiet of all France I was of this Opinion so that upon farther debate we thought it absolutely necessary to quit France till the Courts heat should be a little abated and that the King might imagine himself by his absence in more Tranquillity than he really is In order to this he made me take my Flight into Flanders here to provide all things necessary against his coming and I received his command to seek you out and beg you would attend his coming hither I expect him every Day He told me at parting he long'd to consult with you how next to play this mighty Game on which so many Kingdoms are staked and which he is resolv'd to win or be nothing An imperfect Relation replied Philander we had of this Affair but I never could learn by what Artifice the Prince brought about his good Fortune at Court but of your own Escape I have heard nothing pray oblige me with the Relation of it Sir said Thomaso there is so little worthy the trouble you will take in hearing it that you may spare your self the Curiosity Sir reply'd Philander I alway had too great a share in what concern'd you not to be Curious of the Story In which reply'd Thomaso tho' there be nothing Novel I will satisfie you Be pleas'd to know my Lord that about a Week before our design was fully discovered by some of our own under-Rogues I had taken a great House in Fabour St. Iermins for my Mistress whom you know my Lord I had liv'd with for the space of a Year She was gone to drink the Waters of Bourbon for some indisposition and I had promised her all things should be fitted against her return agreeable to her Humour and Desire and indeed I spared no cost to make her Apartment Magnificent And I believe few Women of
discovered to him to be untrue and she knew she should lose Philander to some new Mistriss if he once perceived her false He asked her a thousand Questions concerning Octavio and she seem'd to lavish every Secret of her Soul to her Lover but like a right Woman so ordered her Discourse as all that made for her Advantage she declared and all the rest she conceal'd She told him that those Hopes which her Revenge had made her give Octavio had obliged him to present her with such and such fine Jewels such Plate such Summs and in fine made him understand that all her Trophies from the believing Lover should be laid at his Feet who had conquered her Heart And that now having inriched herself she would abandon him wholly to Dispair This did not so well satisfy Philander but that he needed some greater Proofs of her Fidelity fearing all these rich Presents were not for a little Hope alone and she fail'd not giving what Protestations he desired Thus the Night pass'd away and in the Morning she knowing he was not very well furnished with Money gave him the Key of her Cabinet where she bid him furnish himself with all he wanted which he did and left her to go take Orders about his Horses and other Affairs not so absolutely satisfied of her Vertue but he fear'd himself put upon which the Advantage he was likely to reap by the Deceit made him less consider than he would perhaps otherwise have done He had all the Night a full Possession of Silvia and found in the Morning he was not so violently concern'd as he was over-night It was but a Repetition of what he had been feasted with before 't was no new Treat but like Matrimony went dully down And now he found his Heart warm a little more for Calista with which little Impatience he left Silvia That Morning a Lady having sent to Octavio to give her an Assignation in the Park tho' he were not curious after Beauty yet believing there might be something more in it than meerly a Lady he dress'd himself and went which was the reason he made not his Visit that Morning as he used to do to Silvia and so was yet ignorant of her Ingratitude while she on the other side finding herself more possess'd with Vanity than Love for having gain'd her end as imagined and got a second Victory over his Heart in spight of all Calista's Charms she did not so much consider him as before nor was he so dear to her as before she believed it possible to get him any more to her Arms and she found it was Pride and Revenge to Calista that made her so fond of indearing him and that she should â—hereby triumph over that haughty Rival who pretended to be so sure of the Heart of her Hero And having satisfied her Ambition in that Point she was more pleased than she imagined she should be and could now return her Thoughts again to Octavio whose Charms whose Indearments and lavish Obligations came anew to her Memory and made him appear the most agreeable to her Genius and Humour which now lean'd to Interest more than Love and now she fancies she found Philander duller in her Arms than Octavio that he tasted of Calista while Octavio was all her own intirely adoring and ever presenting two Excellencies of which Philander now had but part of one She found Philander now in a Condition to be ever taking from her while Octavio's was still to be giving which was a great Weight in the Scale of Love when a fair vain Woman guides the Balance And now she begins to distrust all that Philander had said of his Innocence from what she now remembers she heard from Calista herself and reproaches her own Weakness for believing While her penitent Thoughts were thus wandering in favour of Octavio that Lover arriv'd and approach'd her with all the Joy in his Soul and Eyes that either could express 'T is now my fair Charmer said he that I am come to offer you what alone can make me more worthy of you And pulling from his Pocket the Writings and Inventories of all his own and his Uncles Estate See here said he what those mighty Powers that favour Love have done for Silvia It is not continued he the Trifle of a Million of Money which these amount to that has pleased me but because I am now able to lay it without Controul at your Feet If she were before inclined to receive him well what was she now when a million of Money rendered him so charming She imbrac'd his Neck with her snowy Arms lays her Cheek to his ravish'd Face and kiss'd him a thousand Welcomes so well she knew how to make herself Mistriss of all this vast Fortune And I suppose he never appear'd so fine as at this Moment While she thus caressed him he could not forbear sighing as if there were yet something behind to compleat his Happiness For tho' Octavio were extreamly blinded with Love he had abundance of Wit and a great many Doubts which were augmented by the Arrival of Philander and he was too wise and too haughty to be imposed upon at least as he believed And yet he had so very good an Opinion of Silvia's Honour and Vows which she had engaged to him that he durst hardly name his Fears when by his Sighs she found them And willing to leave no Obstacle unremov'd that might hinder her possessing this Fortune she told him My dear Octavio I am sensible these Sighs proceed from some Fears you have of Philander 's being in Bruxells and consequently that I will see him as heretofore but be assured that that false Man shall no more dare to pretend to me but on the contrary I will behold him as my mortal Enemy the Murderer of my Fame and Innocence and as the most ungrateful and perfidious Man that ever liv'd This she confirm'd with Oaths and Tears and a thousand indearing Expressions So that establishing his Heart in a perfect Tranquillity and he leaving his Writings and Accounts with her he told her he was obliged to dine with the Advocates who had acted for him in Holland and could not stay to dine with her You must know that as soon as the Noise of old Sebastian Octavio's Uncle's Death was noised about and that he was thereupon fled they seized all the Estates both that of the Uncle and that of Octavio as belonging to him by right of Law but looking upon him as his Uncle's Murderer they were forfeited to the States This part of ill News Octavio kept from Silvia but took order that there should be such a Process began in his Name with the States that might retrieve it and sent word if it could not be carried on by Attornies for he was not he said in Health that nevertheless he would come into Holland himself But they being not able to prove by the Witness of any of Octavio's or Sebastian's Servants that Octavio had
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
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
in this Extremity she fears she has by her ill Management lost both her Lovers and she was in a Condition of needing every Aid They who knew the excellent Temper of Octavio and knew him to be the most considerable Lover of the two besought her as the best Expedient she could have Recourse to to visit Octavio who could not but take it kindly and they did not doubt but she had so absolute a Power over him that with a very little Complaisance towards him she would retrieve that Heart her ill Luck had this Morning forfeited and which they protested they knew nothing of nor how he got into her Chamber This Advice she took but because Octavio was carried away dead she feared and swounded with the Fear that he was no longer in the World or at least that he would not long be so However she assum'd her Courage again at the Thought that if he did dy she had an absolute Possession of all his Fortune which was to her the most considerable part of the Man or at least what rendered him so very agreeable to her However she thought fit to send her Page which she did in an hour after he was carried home to see how he did who brought her word that he was reviv'd to Life and had commanded his Gentleman to receive no Messages from her This was all she could learn and what put her into the greatest Extremity of Grief She after sent to Philander and found him much the better of the two but most infinitely incensed against Silvia This also added to her Dispair yet since she found she had not a Heart that any Love or loss of Honour or Fortune could break but on the contrary a Rest of Youth and Beauty that might oblige her with some Reason to look forward on new Lovers if the old must depart The next thing she resolv'd was to do her utmost Indeavour to retrieve Octavio which if unattainable she would make the best of her Youth She sent therefore notwithstanding his Commands to suffer none of her People to come and see him to inquire of his Health and in four Days finding he received other Visits she dress'd herself with all the Advantages of her Sex and in a Chair was carried to his Aunt 's where he lay The good Lady not knowing but she might be that Person of Quality whom she knew to be extreamly in Love with her Nephew and who liv'd at the Court of Bruxells and was Neece to the Governour carried her to his Chamber where she left her as not willing to be a Witness of a Visit she knew must be supposed Incognito It was Evening and Octavio was in Bed and at the first sight of her his Blood grew disordered in his Veins flush'd in his pale Face and burnt all over his Body and he was near to swounding as he lay She approach'd his Bed with a Face all set for Languishment Love and Shame in her Eyes and Sighs that without speaking seem'd to tell her Grief at his Disaster she sate or rather fell on his Bed as unable to support the sight of him in that Condition she in a soft manner seiz'd his burning Hand grasp'd it and sigh'd then put it to her Mouth and suffered a Tear or two to fall upon it and when she would have spoke she made her Sobs resist her Words and left nothing unacted that might move the tender Hearted Octavio to that degree of Passion she wished A hundred times fain he would have spoke but still his rising Passion choak'd his Words and still he feared they would prove either too soft and kind for the Injuries he had received or too rough and cold for so delicate and charming a Creature and one who in spight of all those Injuries he still adored She appear'd before him with those Attractions that never fail'd to conquer him with that Submission and Pleading in her modest bashful Eyes that even gave his the Lye who had seen her Perfidy Oh! what should he do to keep that Fire from breaking forth with Violence which she had so throughly kindled in his Heart how should that excellent good Nature assume an unwonted Sullenness only to appear what it could not by Nature be He was all Soft and Sweet and if he had had Pride he knew also how to make his Pleasure and his Youth lov'd Love above all the other little Vanities that attend it and was the most proper to it Fain he would palliate her Crime and considers in the Condition she was she could not but have some Tenderness for Philander that it was no more than what before past 't was no new Lover that came to kindle new Passions or to approach her with a new Flame but a Decliner who came and was received with the Dregs of Love with all the cold Indifference imaginable This he would have perswaded himself but dares not till he hear her speak and yet fears she should not speak his Sense and this Fear makes him sighing break Silence and he cry'd in a soft Tone Ah! why too lovely Fair why do you come to trouble the Repose of my dying Hours Will you cruel Maid pursue me to my Grave shall I not have one lone Hour to ask Forgiveness of Heaven for my Sin of loving thee The greatest that ever loaded my Youth and yet alas the least repented yet Be kind and trouble not my Solitude depart with all the Trophies of my Ruine and if they can add any Glory to thy future Life boast 'em all over the Vniverse and tell what a deluded Youth thou hast undone Take take fair Deceiver all my Industry my right of Birth my thriving Parents have been so long a geting to make me happy with take the useless Trifle and lavish it on Pleasure to make thee gay and fit for luckier Lovers Take that best part of me and let this worst alone 't was that first won the dear Confession from thee that drew my Ruin on for which I hate it and wish myself born a poor Cottage Boor where I might never have seen thy tempting Beauty but liv'd for ever bless'd in Ignorance At this the Tears ran from his Eyes with which the soften'd Silvia mixed her welcome Stream and as soon as she could speak she reply'd with half Cunning and half Love for still there was too much of the first mingled with the last Oh my Octavio to what Extremities are you resolved to drive a poor Vnfortunate who even in the height of Youth and some small stock of Beauty am reduced to all the Miseries of the Wretched Far from my noble Parents lost to Honour and abandoned by my Friends a helpless Wanderer in a strange Land exposed to Want and perishing and had no Sanctuary but thyself thy dear thy precious self whom Heaven had sent in Mercy to my Aid and thou at last by a mistaken turn of miserable Fate hast taken that dear Aid away At this she fell weeping
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
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
conquer In his Approach to the Altar he made three Bows where at the Foot oâ— it on the lower Step kneel'd and then High-Mass began in which were all sorts of different Musick and that so excellent that wholly ravished with what I saw and heard I fansied myself no longer on Earth but absolutely ascended up to the Regions of the Sky All I could see around me all I heard was ravishing and heavenly the Scene of Glory and the dazling Altar the noble Paintings and the numerous Lamps the Awfulness the Musick and the Order made me conceive myself above the Stars and I had no part of mortal Thought about me After the Holy Ceremony was performed the Bishop turn'd and bless'd him and while an Anthem was singing Octavio who was still kneeling submitted his Head to the Hands of a Father who with a pair of Sissors cut off his delicate Hair at which a soft Murmur of Pity and Grief fill'd the Place Those fine Locks with which Silvia had a thousand time play'd and wound the Curles about her snowy Finger she now had the dying Grief for her Sake for her Infidelity to behold sacrificed to her Cruelty and distributed amongst the Ladies who at any Price would purchase a Curl After this they took off his Linen and his Coat under which he had a white Sattin Wastcoat and under his Breeches Drawers of the same Then the Bishop took his Robes which lay consecrated on the Altar and put them on and invested him with the Holy Robe The Singing continuing to the end of the Ceremony where after an Anthem was sung while he prostrated himself before the Altar he arose and instead of the two noble Men that attended him to the Altar two Bernardines approach'd and conducted him from it to the Seats of every one of the Order whom he kissed and imbraced as they came forth to welcome him to the Society It was with abundance of Tears that every one beheld this Transformation but Silvia swouned several times during the Ceremony yet would not suffer herself to be carried out but Antonett and another young Lady of the House where she lodged that accompanied her did what they could to conceal her from the publick View For my part I swear I was never so affected in my Life with any thing as I was at this Ceremony nor ever found my Heart so oppressed with Tenderness and was myself ready to sink where I sate when he came near me to be welcom'd by a Father that sate next me After this he was led by two of the eldest Fathers to his Apartment and left a thousand sighing Hearts behind him Had he dy'd there had not been half that Lamentation so foolish is the mistaken World to grieve at our happiest Fortune either when we go to Heaven or retreat from this World which has nothing in it that can really charm without a thousand Fatigues to attend it And in this Retreat I am sure he himself was the only Person that was not infinitely concerned who quitted the World with so modest a Bravery so intire a Joy as no young Conqueror ever perform'd his Triumphs with more The Ceremony being ended Antonett got Silvia to her Chair concern'd even to Death and she vow'd afterwards she had much ado to withhold herself from running and seizing him at the Altar and preventing his Fortune and Design but that she believed Philander would have resented it to the last degree and possibly have made it fatal to both herself and Octavio It was a great while before she could recover from the Indisposition to which this fatal and unexpected Accident had reduced her But as I have said she was not of a Nature to dy for Love and charming and brave as Octavio was it was perhaps her Interest and the loss of his considerable Fortune that gave her the greatest Cause of Grief Sometimes she vainly fancied that yet her Power was such that with the Expence of one Visit and some of her usual Arts which rarely fail she had power to withdraw his Thoughts from Heaven and fix 'em all on herself again and to make him fly those Inclosures to her more agreeable Arms But again she wisely considered tho' he might be retriev'd his Fortune was disposed of to Holy Uses and could never be so This last Thought more prevailed upon her and had more convincing Reason in it than all that could besides oppose her Flame for she had this wretched Prudence even in the highest Flights and Passions of her Love to have a wise Regard to Interest insomuch that it is most certain she refused to give herself up intirely even to Philander him whom one would have thought nothing but perfect Love soft irresistable Love could have compell'd her to have transgress'd withal when so many Reasons contradicted her Passion How much more then ought we to believe that Interest was the greatest Motive of all her after Passions However this powerful Motive fail'd not to beget in her all the Pains and Melancholies that the most violent of Passions could do But Brilljard who lov'd to a greater Degree than ever strove all he could to divert the Thoughts of a Grief for which there was no Remedy and believed if he could get her out of Bruxells retir'd to the little Town or rather Village where he was first made happy and where Philander still believed her to be he should again reassume that Power over her Heart he had before In this melancholy Fit of hers he Proposed it urging the Danger he should be in for obeying her should Philander once come to know that she was in Bruxells and that possibly she would not find so civil a Treatment as he ought to pay her if he should come to the knowledge of it Besides these Reasons he said he had some of greater Importance which he must not discover till she were withdrawn from Bruxells But there needed not much to perswade her to retire in the Humour she then was and with no Opposition on her side she told him she was ready to go where he thought fit and accordingly the next day they departed the Town and in three more arrived to the Village In all this Journey Brilljard never approach'd her but with all the Respect imaginable but withal with abundance of silent Passion which manner of Carriage obliged Silvia very often to take Notice of it with great Satisfaction and Signs of Favour and as he saw her Melancholy abate he increased in sighing and Lovers Boldnesses Yet with all this he could not oblige her to those Returns he wished When after ten days stay Philander writ to him to inquire of his Health and of Silvia to whom he sent a very kind good natured Letter but no more of the Lover than if there had never been such a Joy between 'em He beg'd her to take care of herself and told her he would be with her in ten or fifteen days and desired her to send
abundance of Gallantry for the fair Sex Alonzo related many short and pleasant accidents and amours he had had with women Tho' the Stranger were by Birth a Spaniard yet while they discours'd the Glass was not Idle but went as briskly about as if Silvia had been an absolute good Fellow Alonzo Drinks his and his Mistresses Health and Silvia return'd the Civility and so on till three Bottles were Sacrific'd to Love and good Humour while she at the expence of a little Modesty declared herself so much of the opinion of Don Alanzo for Gay Inconstancy and the Blessing of Variety that he was wholly Charm'd with a Conversation so agreeable to his own I have heard her Page say from whom I have had a great part of the Truths of her Life that he never saw Silvia in so pleasant a Humour all his life before nor seem'd so well pleas'd which gave him her Lover a Jealousie that perplext him above any thing he had ever felt from Love tho' he durst not own it But Alonzo finding his Young Companion altogether so Charming and in his own way too could not forbear very often from falling upon his Neck and Kissing the fair disguis'd with as hearty an Ardour as ever he did one of an other Sex He told her he Ador'd her she was directly of his Principle all gay inconstant galiard and roving and with such a Gusto he commended the Joys of fickle Youth that Silvia would often after say she was then Jealous of him and Envious of those who possest him tho' she knew not whom The more she lookt on him and heard him speak the more she fansied him and Wine that warm'd her Head made her give him a thousand Demonstrations of Love that warm'd her Heart which he mistoke for Friendship having mistaken her Sex In this fit of beginning Love which is always the best and Jealousie she bethought her to ask him on what Adventure he had now been for he being without his Equipage she believ'd she said he was upon some affair of Love He told her there was a Lady within an Hours riding of that place of quality and handsome very much Courted Amongst those that were of the number of her Adorers he said was a Young Man of Quality of France who call'd himself Philander This Philander had been about eight Days very happy in her Favour and had hap'ned to boast his good Fortune the next Night at the Governours Table where he Din'd with the Prince Cesario I told him continued Alonzo That the Person he so boasted of had so soon granted him the Favour that I believ'd she was of a Humour to suffer none to die at her Feet but this said he Philander thought an Indignity to his good parts and told me he believ'd he was the only Man happy in her Favour and that could be so On this I ventur'd a Wager at which he colour'd extreamly and the Company laugh'd which Incens'd him more the Prince urg'd the Wager which was a pair of Spanish Horses the best in the Court on my side against a Discretion on his This odds offer'd by me Incens'd him yet more but urg'd to lay we ended the Dispute with the Wager the best Conclusion of all Controversies He would have known what measures I would take I refus'd to satisfie him in that I only swore him upon Honour that he should not discover the Wager or the dispute to the Lady The next day I went to pay her a visit from my Aunt the Governours Lady and she receiv'd me with all the civility in the World I seem'd surpriz'd at her Beauty and could talk of nothing but the Adoration I had for her and found her extreamly pleas'd and vaiâ— of which Feeble Resistance I made so good advantage that before we parted being all alone I receiv'd from her all the Freedoms that I could with any good Manners be allow'd the first time she firâ—ing me with Kisses and suffering my closest Embraces Having prosper'd so well I left her for that time and two days after I made my visit again she was a Married Lady and her Husband was a Dutch Count and gone to a little Government he held under my Uncle so that again I found a free Admittance I told her 't was my Aunt 's Complement I brought before but that now 't was my own I brought which was that of an impatient Heart that Burnt with a World of Fire and Flame and Non-sense In â—ine so eager I was and so pressing for something more than Dull Kissing that she began to retire as fast as she advanc'd before and told me after abundance of pressing her to it that she had set a price upon her Beauty and unless I understood how to purchase her it was not her fault if I were not happy At first I so little expected it had been Money that I reiterated my Vows and fansied it was the assurance of my Heart she meant but she very frankly replyed Sir you may spare your Pains and five hundred Pistols will ease you of a great deal of trouble and be the best Argument of your Love This Generous Consciencious Humour of hers of suffering none to Die that had five hundred Pistols to present for a Cure was very good News to me and I found I was not at all oblig'd to my Youth or Beauty but that a Man with half a Nose or a single Eye or that stunk like an old Spaniard that had Din'd on Rotten Cheese and Garlick should have been equally as welcome for the aforesaid Sum to this Charming Insensible I must confess I do not love to chaffer for my pleasure it takes off the best part of it and were I left to my own Judgment of its worth I should hardly have offer'd so sneaking a Sum but that sort of bargaining was her Humour and to enjoy her mine tho' she had strangely pall'd me by this management of the Matter all I had now to do was to appoint my Night and bring my Money now was a very proper time for it her Husband being absent I took my leave of her infinitely well pleas'd to have gain'd my point on any Terms with a promise to deliver my self there the next Night but she told me she had a Brother to come to morrow whom she would not have see me and for that reason being however not willing to delay the receiving her Pistoles she desired I would wait at this very House till a Foot-man should give me notice when to come accordingly I came and sent her a Billet that I waited prepar'd at all points and she return'd me a Billet to this purpose That her Brother with some Relations being arriv'd as she expected she beg'd for her Honour's sake that I would wait till she sent which should be as soon as they were gone to their Chambers and they having rid a long Iourney would early retire that she was impatient of the Blessing and should be as well
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
De a Name very considerable in France which they told the Pages and that she liv'd at such a place This news Hermione no sooner heard but she sends a Gentlemen in the Name of the Prince and herself to complement her and tell her she had the Honour to know some great Persons of that name in France and did not doubt but she was related to them She therefore sent to offer her her Friendship which possibly in a strange place might not be unserviceable to her and that she should be extream glad to see her at Court that is at Cesario's Palace The Gentleman who deliver'd this message being surpriz'd at the dazling Beauty of the fair Stranger was almost unassur'd in his Address and the manner of it surpriz'd Silvia no less to be invited as a strange Lady by one that hated her she could not tell whether it were real or a Plot upon her however she made answer and bad him tell Madam the Princess which Title she gave her that she receiv'd her Complement as the greatest Honour that could arrive to her and that she would wait upon her Highness and let her know from her own Mouth the Sense she had of the Obligation The Gentleman returned and delivered his message to Hermione but so altered in his Look so sad and unusual that she took notice of it and ask'd him how he liked the new Beauty He blushed and bow'd and told her she was a Wonder This made Hermione's Colour rise it being spoke before Cesario for tho' she were assured of the Hero's Heart she hated he should believe there was a greater Beauty in the World and one universally Adored She knew not how so great a Miracle might work upon him and began to repent she had invited her to Court In the mean time Silvia after debating what to do in this Affair whether to visit Hermione and discover her self or to remove from Bruxells resolved rather upon the last but she had fixed her Design as to Don Alonzo and would not depart the Town To her former beginning Flame for him was added more Fuel she had seen him the Day before on the Toure she had seen him gaze at her with all the impatience of Love with madness of Passion in his Eyes ready to fling himself out of the Coach every time she past by and if he appeared Beautiful before when in his Riding dress and harass'd for Four Nights together with Love and want of Sleep What did he now appear to her Amorous Eyes and Heart She had wholly forgot Octavio Philander and all and made a Sacrifice of both to this new young Lover She saw him with all the advantages of Dress magnificent as Youth and Fortune could invent and above all his Beauty and his Quality warmed her Heart a new and what advanced her Flame yet farther was a Vanity she had of fixing the dear Wanderer and making him find there was a Beauty yet in the World that could put an end to his Inconstancy and make him languish at her Feet as long as she pleased Resolv'd on this design she defers it no longer but as soon as the Persons of Quality who used to walk every Evening in the Park were got together she accompanied with Antonett and Three or Four strange Pages and Foot-men went into the Park Mask'd drest in perfect Glory She had not walked long there before she saw Don Alonzo richer than ever in his Habit and more Beautiful to her Eyes than any thing she had ever seen he was gotten among the Young and Fair caressing laughing playing and acting all the little Wantonnesses of Youth Silvia's Blood grew disordered at this and she found she loved by her Jealousie and longs more than ever to have the glory of vanquishing thaâ— Heart that so boasted of never having yet been conquer'd She therefore uses all her Art to get him to look at her she passed by him often and as often as she did so he view'd her with Pleasure her Shape her Air her Mien had something so Charming as without the Assistance of her Face she gained that Evening a Thousand Conquests but those were not the Trophies she aimed at it was Alonzo was the mark'd out Victim that she destin'd for the Sacrifice of Love She found him so ingag'd with Women of great Quality she almost dispair'd to get to speak to him her Equipage who stood at the Entrance of the Park not being by her he did not imagine this fine Lady to be her he saw on the Toure last Night yet he look'd at her so much as gave occasion to those he was with to rally him extreamly and tell him he was in Love with what he had not seen and who might notwithstanding all that delicate appearance be ugly when her Mask was off Silvia however still past on with abundance of sighing Lovers after her some daring to speak others only languishing to all she would vouchsafe no word but made signs as if she were a stranger and understood 'em not at last Alonzo wholly impatient breaks from these Ralliers and gets into the Crowd that pursued this lovely unknown her Heart leaptâ— when he approach'd her and the first thing she did was to pull off her Glove and not only show the fairest Hand that ever Nature made but that Ring on her Finger Alonzo gave her when they parted at the Village The Hand alone was enough to invite all Eyes with Pleasure to look that way but Alonzo had a double Motive he saw the Hand with Love and the Ring with Jealousie and Surprize and as 't is natural in such Cases the very first Thought that possest him was that the young Bellumere for so Silvia had call'd herself at the Village was a Lover of this Lady and had presented her this Ring And after his Sighings and little Pantings that seized him at this thought would give him leave he bowing and blushing cry'd Madam the whole piece must sure be Excellent when the Pattern is so very fine And humbly beging the Favour of a nearer view he took her Hand and kiss'd it with a passionate Eagerness which possibly did not so well please Silvia because she did not think he took her for the same person to whom he show'd such signs of Love last Night In taking her Hand he survey'd the Ring and cry'd Madam would to Heaven I could lay so good a claim to this fair Hand as I think I once could to this Ring which this Hand Adorns and Honours How Sir replied Silvia I hope you will not charge me with Fellony I am afraid I shall reply'd he sighing for you have attack'd me on the King's High-way and have robbed me of a Heart I could never have robbed a Person said Silvia who could more easily have parted with that Trifle the next fair Object will redeem it and it will be very little the worse for my using Ah Madam reply'd he sighing that will be according as you will
subtlety than all the rest of her Sex thought it best to see Philander and part with him on as good terms as she could and that it was better he should think he yet had the absolute possession of her than that he should return to France with an ill opinion of her Vertue as yet he had known no guilt of that kind nor did he ever more than fear it with Octavio so that it would be easie for her to cajole him yet a little longer and when he was gone she should have the World to range in and possess this new Lover to whom she had promised all things and received from him all assurances imaginable of inviolable Love In order to this then she consulted with Brilljard and they resolved she should for a few days leave Antonett with her Equipage at that House where she was and retire herself to the Village where Philander had left her and where he still imagined she was She desired Brilljard to give her a days time for this preparation and it should be so He left her and going to Hermione's meets Philander who immediately gave him order to go to Silvia the next Morning and let her know how all things went and to tell her he would be with her in two days In the mean time Silvia sent for Alonzo who was but that Evening gone from her He flies on the Wings of Love and she tells him she is oblig'd to go to a place six or seven days Journey off whither he could not conduct her for reasons she would tell him at her return whatever he could plead with all the force of love to the contrary she gets his consent with a promise wholly to devote herself to him at her return and pleas'd she sent him from her when Brilljard returning told her the commands he had and 't was concluded they should both depart next Morning accompanied only by her Page I am well assur'd she was very kind to Brilljard all that Journey and which was but too visible to the amorous Youth who attended them so absolutely had she deprav'd her reason from one degree of Sin and Shame to another and he was happy above any imagination while even her Heart was given to another and when she could propose no other interest in this looseness but security that Philander should not know how ill she had treated him In four days Philander came and finding Silvia more â—air than ever was anew pleas'd for she pretended to receive him with all the joy imaginable and the deceived Lover believed and express'd abundance of Grief at the being obliged to part from her a great many Vows and Tears were lost on both sides and both believed true But the Grief of Brilljard was not to be conceived he could not perswade himself he could live when absent from her Some Bills Philander left her and was so plain with her and open-hearted he told her that he went indeed with Cesario but it was in order to serve the King that he was weary of their Actions and foresaw nothing but ruin would attend 'em that he never repented him of any thing so much as his being drawn into that Faction in which he found himself so greatly involved he could not retire with any credit but since Self-Preservation was the first principle to Nature he had resolved to make that his aim and rather prove false to a party who had no Justice and Honour on their Side than to a King whom all the Laws of Heaven and Earth obliged him to serve however he was so far in the power of these People that he could not disingage himself without utter ruin to himself but that as soon as he was got into France he would abandon their Interest Let the censuring World say what it would who never had right notions of things or ever made true Judgments of mens Actions He lived five or six days with Silvia there in which time she fail'd not to assure him of her constant Fidelity a thousand ways especially by Vows that left no doubt upon his Heart and it was now that they both indeed found there was a very great Friendship still remaining at the bottom of their Hearts for each other nor did they part without manifest proofs of it Brilljard took a sad and melancholy leave of her and had not the freedom to tell it aloud but obliged to depart with his Lord they left Silvia and posted to Bruxells where they found the Prince ready to depart having left Hermione to her Women more than half dead I have heard there never was so sad a parting between Two Lovers a Hundred times they swounded with the apprehension of the separation in each other's Arms and at last the Prince was forced from her while he left her dead and was little better himself He would have returned but the Officers and People about him who had espous'd his Quarrel would by no means suffer him And he has a Thousand times told a person very near him That he had rather have forfeited all his hop'd for Glory than have left that Charmer of his Soul After he had taken all care imaginable for Hermione for that name so dear to him was scarce ever out of his Mouth he suffer'd himself with a heavy Heart and Pace to be conducted to the Vessel And I have heard he was hardly seen to smile all that little Voyage or his whole Life after or do any thing but sigh and sometimes weep which was a very great discouragement to all that followed him they were a great while at Sea tost to and fro by stress of Weather and often driven back to the Shore where they first took Shiping and not being able to Land where they first designed they got a-shore in a little Harbour where no Ship of any bigness could Anchor so that with much ado getting all their Arms and Men on shore they sunk the Ship both to secure any from flying and that it might not fall into the Hands of the French Cesario was no sooner on the French shore but numbers came to him of the Hugonot Party for whom he had Arms and who wanted them he furnish'd as far as he could and immediately Proclaimed himself King of France and Navarr while the dirty Croud rang him Peals of Joy But tho' the under World came in great Crowds to his Aid he wanted still the main supporters of his Cause the men of more substantial Quality If the Ladies could have compos'd an Army he would not have wanted one for his Beauty had got them all on his side and he Charm'd the fair wheresoever he rode He march'd from Town to Town without any opposition Proclaiming himself a King in all the places he came to still gathering as he march'd till he had compos'd a very formidable Army He made Officers of the Kingdom Fergusano was to have been a Cardinal and several Lords and Dukes were nominated and he found no opposition
he open'd it and read this Octavio to Phillander My Lord I Had rather dy then be the ungrateful messenger of news which I am sensible will prove so fatal to you and which will be best exprest in fewest words 't is decreed that you must retire from the United Provinces in Four and Twenty hours if you will save a life that is dear to me and Silvia there being no other security against your being render'd up to the King of France Support it well and hope all things from the assistance of From the Council Wednesday Your Octavio Phillander Phillander having finisht the reading of this remain'd a while wholly without life or motion when coming to himself he sigh'd and cryd Why farewel trifling life If of the two extreames one must be chosen rather then I 'le abandon Silvia I 'le stay and be deliver'd up a Victim to incensed France 'T is but a life At best I never Vallu'd thee And now I scorn to preserve thee at the Price of Silvias teares Then taking a hasty turn or two about his chamber he pawsing cryd But by my stay I ruine both Silvia and my self her life depends on mine and 't is impossible hers can be preserv'd when mine is in danger by retiring I shall shortly again be blest with her sight in a more safe security by staying I resign my self poorly to be made a publick scorn to France and the cruell Murderer of Silvia now 't was after an hundred turns and pawses intermixt which sighs and raveings that he resolv'd for both their safeties to retire and having a while longer debated within himself how and where and a little time ruminated on his hard persuing fate grown to a calm of grief less easy to be born than rage he hastes to Silvia whom he sound something more cheerful than before but dares not aquaint her with the commands he had to depart But silently he views her while teares of Love and grief glide unperceivably fram his fine eyes his soul grows tenderer at every look and pity and compassion joyning to his Love and his despairs set him on the wrack of Liâ—e and now believing it less pain to dy than to leave Silvia resolves to disobey and dare the worst that shall befall him he yet had some glimmering hope as Lovers have that some kind chance will prevent his going or being deliver'd up he trusts much to the Friendship of Octavio whose power joyn'd with that of his Unkle Who was one of the States also and whom he had an ascendant over as his Nephew and his heir might serve him he therefore ventures to move him to compassion by this following Letter Phillander to Octavio I Know my Lord that the Exercise of Vertue and Justice is so innate to your soul and so fixt to the very Principle of a generous Commonwealths man that where those are in competition 't is neither birth wealth or Glorious merit that can render the unfortunate condemn'd by you worthy of your pity or pardon your very Sons and fathers fall before your justice and 't is crime enough to offend tho innocently the least of your wholsom laws to fall under the extremity of their rigor I am not ignorant neither how flourishing this necessary Tyranny this lawful oppression renders your State howsafe and glorious how secure from Enemies at home those worst of foes and how fear'd by those abroad pursue then Sir your justifiable method and still be high and mighty retain your ancient Roman vertue and still be great as Rome her self in her height of glorious Commonwealths rule your stubborn Natives by her excellent examples and let the height of your ambition be only to be as severely just as rigidly good as you please but like her too be pitiful to Strangers and dispence a Noble Charity to the distress'd compassionate a poor wandring young Man who flies to you for refuge lost to his Native home lost to his fame his fortune and his Friends and has only left him the knowledge of his innocence to support him from falling on his own Sword to end an unfortunate life persu'd every where and safe no where a Life whose only refuge is Octavio's goodness nor is it barely to preserve this life that I have recourse to that only as my Sanctuary and like an humble Slave implore your pity Oh Octavio pity my Youth and interceed for my stay yet a little longer Your self makes one of the illustrious Number of the Grave the Wise and mighty Councel your Unkle and Relations make up another considerable part of it and you are too dear to all to find a refusal of your just and compassionate application Oh! what fault have I committed against you that I shou'd not find a safety here as well as those charg'd with the same Crime with me tho of less quality Many I have incounter'd here of our unlucky party who find a safety among you is my birth a Crime Or does the greatness of that augment my guilt Have I broken any of your Laws committed any outrage Do they suspect me for a spie to France Or do I hold any Corrispondence with that ungrateful Nation Does my Religion Principle or Opinion differ from yours Can I design the subversion of your Glorious State Can I plot cabal or mutiny alone Oh charge me with some offence or your selves of injustice Say why I am deny'd my length of â—arth amongst you if I dy Or why to breath the open Air if I live since I shall neither oppress the one nor infect the other but on the contrary am ready with my sword my youth and Blood to serve you and bring my little aids on all occasions to yours and shou'd be proud of the Glory to dy for you in Battle who wou'd deliver me up a Sacrifice to France Oh! where Octavio is the glory or vertue of this Punctilio for 't is no other There are no Laws that bind you to it no obligatory Article of Nations but an unnecessary complyment made a nemini contradicente of your Senate that argues nothing but ill nature and cannot redound to any one advantage An Ill nature that 's levell'd at me alone for many I found here and many shall leave under the same circumstances with me 't is only me whom you have mark'd out the victime to atone for all Well then my Lord if nothing can move you to a safety for this unfortunate at least be so mercyful to suspend your cruelty a little yet a little and possible I shall render you the body of Phillander tho dead to send into France as the trophy of your fidellity to that Grown Oh yet a little stay your cruel sentence till my lovely Sister who persu'd my hard fortunes declare my Fate by her life or death Oh my Lord if ever the soft passion of Love have touch'd your soul if you have felt the unresistable force of young charms about your heart if ever you have known
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
her heart glow'd in her Cheeks and languisht in her looks told her she was not born for Clarinau or love wou'd do her wrong I sooth'd the thought and urg'd the Laws of Nature the power of Love necessity of Youth And the Wonder that was yet behind that ravishing somthing which not love or kisses cou'd make her guess at so beyond all soft imagination that nothing but a tryal cou'd convince her but she resisted still and still I pleaded with all the subtillest Arguments of Love words mixt with kisses sighing mixt with Vows but all in vain Religion was my Foe and Tyrant Honour guarded all her Charms thus did we pass the Night till the young Morn advancing in the East forc'd us to bid adieu Which oft we did and oft we sigh'd and kist oft parted and return'd and sigh'd again and as she went away she weeping cry ' wringing my hand in hers pray Heav'n Philander this dear interview do not prove fatal to me for oh I find frail Nature weak about me and one dear minute more wou'd forfeit all my Honour At this she started from my trembling hand and swipt the Walk like Wind so swift and suddain and left me panting sighing wishing dying with mighty Love and hope and after a little time I scal'd my Wall and return'd unseen to my new Lodging It was four days after before I cou'd get any other happiness but that of seeing her at her window vvhich vvas just against mine from which I never stirr'd hardly to eat or sleep and that she saw with joy for every Morning I had a Billet from her which we contriv'd that Happy Night shou'd be convey'd me thus It was a Byâ—Street where I lodg'd and the other side was only the dead wall of her Garden where early in the morning she us'd to walk and having the Billet ready she put it with a Stone into a little Leathern purse and tost it over the wall where either my self from the Window or any young friend below waited for it and that way every Morning and every Eveving she receiv'd one from me but 't is impossible to tell you the innocent Passion she exprest in them innocent in that there was no Art no faiâ—'d nicefolly to express a Virtue that was not in the Soul but all she spoke conâ—est her hearts soft wishes At last for I am teadious in a relation of what gave me so much pleasure in the injoyment at last I say I receiv'd the happy invitation to come into the Garden as before and Night advancing for my purpose I need not say that I deliver'd my self upon the place appointed which was by the Fountain side beneath her Chamber Window towards which I cast you may believe many a longing look The Clock struck ten eleven and then twelve but no dear Star appear'd to conduct me to my happiness at last I heard the little Garden door against the Fountain open and saw Calista there wrapt in her Night Gown only I ran like Lightning to her Armes with all the transports of an eager Lover and almost smother'd my self in her warm rising Breast for she taking me in her Arms. Let go her Gown which falling open left nothing but her Shift between me and all her Charming Body But she bid me hear what she had to say before I proceeded farther she told me she was forc'd to wait till Dormina was a sleep who lay in her Chamber and then stealing the Key she came softly down to let me in But said she since I amall undrest and cannot walk in the Garden with you will you promise me on Love and Honour to be obedient to all my Commands if I carry you to my Chamber for Dormina 's sleep are like death it self however least she chance to awake and shou'd take an occasion to speak to me 't were absolutely necessary that I were there for since I serv'd her such a trick the other Night and let her sleep so long she will not let me walk late A very little argument perswaded me to yield to any thing to be with Calista any where so that both returning softly to her Chamber she put her self into Bed and left me kneeling on the Carpet But 't was not long that I remain'd so from the dear touches of her hands and breast we came to kisses and so equally to a forgetfullness of all we had promis'd and agreed on before and broke all Rules and Articles that were not in the Favour of Love so that stripping my self by degrees while she with an unwilling force made some feeble resistance I got into the Arms of the most Charming Woman that ever Nature made she was all over perfection I dare not tell you more let it suffice she was all that luxurious man cou'd wish and all that renders woman fine and ravishing About two hours thus was my Soul in rapture while sometimes she reproacht me but so gently that 't was to bid me still be false and perjur'd if these were the effects of it if disobedience have such wonderous Charms may I said shâ— be still Commanding thee and thou still disobeying While thus we lay with equal ravishment we heard a murmuring noise at distance which we knew not what to make of but it grew still louder and louder but still at distance too this first Alarm'd us and I was no sooner perswaded to rise but I heard a door unlock at the side of the Bed which was not that by which I enter'd for that was at the other end of the Chamber towards the Window Oh Heavens said the fair frighted trembler here is the Count of Clerinau For he always came up that way and those Stairs by which I ascended was the back stairs so that I had just time to grope my way towards the door without so much as taking my Cloaths with me never was any Amorous adventurer in so lamentable a Condition I wou'd fain have turn'd upon him and at once have hinder'd him from entring with my Sword in my hand and secur'd him from ever disturbing my pleasure any more but she implor'd I wou'd not and in this minutes dispute he came so near me that he toucht meâ— as I glâ—ded from him but not being acquainted very well with the Chamber having never seen my way I lighted in my passage on Dormina's pallate Bed and threw my self quite over her to the Chamber door which made a damnable clattering and a waking Dormina with my Catastrophe she set up such a bawl as frighted and Alarm'd the Old Count who was just taking in a Candle from his Footman who had lighted it at his Flamboy So that hearing the noise and knowing it must be some Body in the Chamber he lets fall his Candle in the fright and call'd his Footman in with the Flamboy draws his Tolledo which he had in his hand and wrapt in his Night Gown with three or four woollen Caps one upon the top of another ty'd
Lodgings to know if any Accident had prevented her coming but that when he came tho' he had been with her but an Hour before she was gone away with Philander never more to return The Youth not being able to carry this sad news to his Lord when he came home offered at a hundred things to conceal the right but the impatient Lover would not be so answered but all inraged commanded him to tell that Truth which he found already but too apparently in his Eyes The Lad so commanded could no longer defer telling him Silvia was gone and being asked again and again what he meant with a Face and Voice that every Moment altered to dying the Page assured him she was gone out of Bruxells with Philander never more to return which was no sooner told him but he sunk on the Couch where he lay and fainted He farther told him how long it was and with what Difficulty he was recovered to Life and that after he was so he refused to speak or see any Visitors could for a long time be neither perswaded to eat nor sleep but that he had spoke to no body ever since and did now believe he could not procure him the Favour he beg'd That nevertheless he would go and see what the very Name of any that had but a relation to the Family of Silvia would produce in him whether a storm of Passion or a calm of Grief Either would be better than a Dulness all silent and sad in which there was no understanding what he meant by it Whoever spoke he only made a short sign and turn'd away as much as to say Speak no more to me But now resolv'd to try his Temper hasted to his Lord and told him that Brilljard full of Penitence for his past Fault and Grief for the ill Condition he heard he was in was come to pay his humble Respects to him and gain his Pardon before he went to his Lord and Silvia without which he had nor could have any peace of Mind he being too sensible of the baseness of the Injury he had done him At the Name of Philander and Silvia Octavio show'd some signs of listening but to the rest no regard and starting from the Bed where he was laid Ah! what hast thou said cry'd he The Page then repeated the Message and was commanded to bring him up who accordingly with all the signs of Submission cast himself at his Feet and Mercy and tho' he were an Enemy the very thought that he belonged to Silvia made Octavio caress him as the dearest of Friends He kept him with him two or three days and would not suffer him to stir from him but all their Discourse was of the faithless Silvia of whom the deceived Lover spoke the softest unheard tender things that ever Passion utter'd He made the amorous Brilljard weep a hundred times a-day and ever when he would have sooth'd his Heart with Hopes of seeing her and one day injoying her intirely to himself he would with so much peace of Mind renounce her as Brilljard no longer doubted but he would indeed not more trust her fickle Sex At last the News arrived that Cesario was in Bruxells and Brillijard was obliged the next Morning to take Horse and to go to his Lord And to make himself the more acceptable to Silvia he humbly besought Octavio to write some part of his Resentment to her that he might oblige her to a Reason for what she had so inhumanly done This flattered him a little and he was not long before he was overcome by Brilljard's Intreaties who having his Ends in every thing believed this Letter might contain at least something to asist in his Design by giving him Authority over her by so great a Secret The next Morning before he took Horse he waited on Octavio for his Letter and promised him an Answer at his Return which would be in a few days The Letter was open and Octavio suffered Brilljard to read it making him an absolute Confident in his Amour which having done he besought him to add one thing more to it and that was to beg her to forgive Brilljard which for his sake he knew she would do He told him he was obliged as a good Christian and a dying Man one resolved for Heaven to do that good Office and accordingly did Brilljard taking Post immediately arrived to Philander where he found every thing as he wished all out of Humour still on the Fret and ever peevish He had not seen Silvia as I said since she went from Holland and now knew not which way to approach her Philander was abroad on some of his usual Gallantries when Brilljard arrived and having discoursed a while of the Affairs of his Lord and Silvia he told Antonett he had a great desire to speak with that dissatisfied fair one assuring her he believed his Visit would be welcome from what he had to say to her concerning Octavio She told him with infinite Joy that she did not doubt of his Pardon from her Lady if he brought any News from that gallant injured Man and in all hast tho' her Lady saw no body but refused to rise from her Couch she ran to her and besought her to see Brilljard for he came with a Message from Octavio the Person who was the Subject of their Discourse Night and Day when alone She immediately sent for Brilljard who approach'd his Goddess with a trembling Devotion he kneel'd before her and humbly besought her Pardon for all that was past But she who with the very Thought that he had something to say from Octavio forgot all but that and hastily bid him rise and take all he ask'd and hope for what he wished In this Transport she imbraced his Head and kiss'd his Cheek and took him up That Madam said Brilljard which your divine Bounty alone has given me without any Merit in me I durst not have had the Confidence to have hop'd without my Credential from a nobler Hand This Madam said he And gives her a Letter from Octavio The dear hand she knew and kiss'd a hundred times as she opened it and having increated Brilljard to withdraw for a Moment that he might not see her Concern at the reading it she sate her down and found it this Octavio to Silvia I Confess oh faithless Silvia that I shall appear in writing to you to show a Weakness ever below that of your Infidelity nor durst I have trusted myself to have spoken so many sad soft things as I shall do in this Letter had I not try'd the Strength of my Heart and found I could upbraid you without talking myself out of that Resolution I have taken but because I would dy in perfect Charity with thee as with all the World I should be glad to know I could forgive thee for yet thy Sins appear too black for Mercy Ah! why charming Ingrate have you left me no one Excuse for all your Ills to me Why have