|<[iii]> [The Epistle Dedicatory]
My Lord,
When a New Book comes into the World, the first thing we consider, is the Dedication; and according to the Quality and Humour of the Patron, we are apt to make a Judgment of the following Subject: If to a States-man we believe it Grave and Politick; if a Gown-man,* Law or Divinity; if to the Young and Gay, Love and Gallantry. By this Rule, I believe the gentle
My Lord, I presume to lay at your Lordship’s Feet, an Illustrious Youth; the unhappy Circumstances of whose Life ought to be Written in lasting Characters of all Languages, for a President to succeeding Ages, of the Misfortune of heedless Love, and a too Early Thirst of Glory; for in him, your Lordship will find the fatal Effects of great Courage without Conduct, Wit without
Pardon the Liberty, my Zeal for your Lordship has here presumed to take, since among Vows and Prayers for your Lordship’s
My LORD,
Your Lordships,
Most Humble and
Obedient Servant,
A. B.|<1>
THE
AMOURS
OF
PHILANDER and SILVIA.
Octavio, the Brave, the Generous, and the Amorous, having left Silvia absolutely resolv’d to give her self to that doting fond Lover, or rather to sacrifice her self to her Revenge, that unconsidering Unfortunate, whose Passion had expos’d him to all the unreasonable Effects of it, return’d to his own House, wholly transported with his happy Success. He thinks on nothing but vast coming Joys: Nor did one kind thought direct him back to the evil Consequences of|<2> what he so hastily pursu’d; he reflects not on her Circumstances, but her Charms; not on the Infamy he shou’d espouse with Silvia, but on those ravishing Pleasures she was capable of giving him: he regards not the Reproaches of his Friends; but wholly abandon’d to Love and youthful Imaginations, gives a Loose to young Desire and Fancy, that deludes him with a thousand soft Ideas: He reflects not that his gentle and easy Temper, was most unfit to joyn with that of Silvia, which was the most haughty and humorous in Nature; for tho’ she had all the Charms of Youth and Beauty that are conquering in her Sex, all the Wit and Insinuation that even surpasses Youth and Beauty; yet to render her Character impartially, she had also abundance of disagreeing Qualities mixt with her Perfections. She was Imperious and Proud, even to Insolence; Vain and Conceited even to Folly; she knew her|<3> Vertues and her Graces too well, and her Vices too little; she was very Opinionated and Obstinate, hard to be convinc’d of the falsest Argument, but very positive in her fancied Judgement: Abounding in her own Sense, and very critical on that of others: Censorious, and too apt to charge others with those Crimes to which she was her self addicted, or had been guilty of: Amorously inclin’d, and indiscreet in the Management of her Amours, and constant rather from Pride and Shame than Inclination; fond of catching at every trifling Conquest, and lov’d the Triumph, tho’ she hated the 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 cou’d 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 al-|<4>most 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 suffer’d 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 cou’d 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|<5> 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 wou’d 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|<6> 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,|<7> whom she had not visited in two days before, being extreamly troubl’d 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 cou’d 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 up-|<8>braiding 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 cou’d 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. ’Tis well, Sir, (reply’d Antonett) that you having been the most perfidious Man alive, shou’d accuse me who am Innocent: Come, come Sir, you have not carried Matters so swimingly but I could easily dive into the other Nights Intrigue and Secret. What Secret, thou 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,|<9> 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|<10> 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, ’twas only the Brunet and the Black, such as her self, that cou’d 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|<11> to receive you, why did you not retire like an honest Man, and leave her to her self? Oh fy, said he, that had not been to have acted Octavio to the Life, but wou’d have made a Discovery. Ay, said she, that was your Aim to have acted Octavio to the Life, I believe, and not to discover my Lady’s Constancy to your Lord; but I suppose you have been sworn at the But of Hedleburgh,* never to kiss the Maid, when you can kiss the Mistress: But he renewing his Caresses and Asseverations of Love to her, she suffer’d herself to be convinc’d of all he had a mind to have her believe. After this she cou’d not contain any Secret from him, but told him she had something to say to him, which if he knew, would convince him she had all the Passion in the World for him: He presses eagerly to know, and she pursues to tell him, ’tis as much as her Life is worth to discover it, and that she lies under the Obligation of an Oath|<12> not to tell it; but Kisses and Rhetorick prevails, and she crys —— What will you say now if my Lady may Marry one of the greatest and most considerable Persons in all this Country? I shou’d not wonder at her Conquests (reply’d Brilljard) but I shou’d wonder if she should Marry. Then cease your Wonder, reply’d she, for she is to morrow to be married to Count Octavio, whom she is to meet at nine in the Morning to that end, at a little Village a League from this place. She spoke, and he believes; and finds it true by the raging of his Blood, which he could not conceal from Antonett, and for which he feigns a thousand Excuses to the Amorous Maid, and charges his Concern on that for his Lord: At last (after some more Discourse on that Subject) he pretends to grow sleepy, and hastens her to her Chamber, and locking the Door after her, he began to reflect on what she had said, and grew to all the Torment|<13> of Rage and Jealousie, and all the Dispairs of a Passionate Lover: And tho’ this Hope was not Extreme before, yet as Lovers do, he found, or fancy’d a Probability (from his Lord’s Inconstancy, and his own right of Marriage) that the Necessity she might chance to be in of his Friendship and Assistance in a strange Country, might some happy Moment or other render him the Blessing he so long had waited for from Silvia; for he ever design’d, when either his Lord left her, grew cold, or shou’d happen to die, to put in his Claim of Husband. And the soft familiar way, with which she eternally liv’d with him, incourag’d this Hope and Design; nay, she had often made him Advances to that happy Expectation. But this fatal Blow had driven him from all his fancy’d Joys, to the most wretched Estate of a desperate Lover. He traverses his Chamber wounded with a thousand different Thoughts, mixt|<14> with those of preventing this Union the next Morning. Sometimes he resolves to fight Octavio, for his Birth might pretend to it, and he wanted no Courage; but he is afraid of being overcome by that gallant Man, and either losing his Hopes with his Life, or if he kill Octavio, to be forc’d from his Happiness, or die an ignominious Death. Sometimes he resolves to own Silvia for his Wife, but then he fears the Rage of that dear Object of his Soul, which he dreads more than Death it self: So that tost from one Extream to another, from one Resolution to a hundred, he was not able to fix upon any thing. In this Perplexity he remain’d till Day appear’d, that Day must advance with his undoing, while Silvia and Antonett were preparing for the Design concluded on the last Night. This he heard, and every Minute that approach’d gave him new Torments, so that now he would have|<15> given himself to the Prince of Darkness for a kind Disappointment: He was often ready to go and throw himself at her Feet, and plead against her Enterprize in hand, and to urge the unlawfulness of a double Marriage, ready to make Vows for the Fidelity of Philander, tho’ before so much against his own Interest, and to tell her all those Letters from him were forg’d: He thought on all things, but nothing remain’d with him, but Dispair of every thing. At last the Devil and his own Subtilty, put him upon a Prevention, tho’ base, yet the most likely to succeed, in his Opinion.
He knew there were many Factions in Holland, and that the States themselves were divided in their Interests, and a thousand Jealousies and Fears were eternally spread amongst the Rable; there were Cabals for every Interest, that of the French so prevailing, that of the English, and that of the Illustrious Orange, and|<16> others for the States; so that it was not a Difficulty to move any Mischief, and pass it off among the Crowd for dangerous Consequences. Brilljard knew each Division, and which way they were inclin’d, he knew Octavio was not so well with the States as not to be easily rendred worse; for he was so intirely a Creature and Favourite of the Prince, that they conceiv’d abundance of Jealousies of him which they durst not own. Brilljard besides knew a great Man, who having a Pique to Octavio, might the sooner be brought to receive any ill Character of him: To this sullen Magistrate he applies himself, and deluding the Credulous busie old Man with a thousand circumstantial Lies, he discovers to him, that Octavio held a Correspondence with the French King to betray the State; and that he Caball’d to that end with some who were look’d upon as French Rebels, but indeed were no other than Spies|<17> to France. This coming from a Man of that Party, and whose Lord was a French Rebel, gain’d a perfect Credit with the old Sr. Politic; so that immediately hasting to the State House he lays this weighty Affair before them, who soon found it reasonable, if not true, at least they fear’d, and sent out a Warrant for the speedy apprehending him; but coming to his House, tho’ early, they found him gone, and being inform’d which way he took, the Messenger pursu’d him, and found his Coach at the Door of a Caberett,* too Obscure for his Quality; which made them apprehend this was some place of Rendezvous, where he possibly met with his Traytorous Associators: They send in, and cunningly inquire who he waited for, or who was with him, and they understood he stay’d for some Gentleman of the French Nation, for he had ordered Silvia to come in mans Cloaths, that she might not be|<18> known; and had given Order below, that if two French Gentlemen came they shou’d be brought to him. This Information made the Scandal as clear as Day, and the Messenger no longer doubted of the Reasonableness of his Warrant, tho’ he was loath to serve it on a Person whose Father he had serv’d so many Years. He waits at some distance from the House unseen, tho’ he cou’d take a View of all; he saw Octavio come often out into the Balcony and look with longing Eyes towards the Road that leads to the Town; he saw him all 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 the 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|<19> may imagine, with what Love and Joy the ravished 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 flowery 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.|<20> The Messenger turning to Silvia, cry’d, Sr. Tho’ I can hardly credit this Crime that is charg’d 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 wou’d do well if you wou’d deliver your selves into my Hands for the farther clearing this Gentleman. This 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|<21> 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 her self 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 Dar-|<22>ling 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 Father’s Service, might have so much Respect 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,|<23> and that they were very well Accommodated, and seem’d to have no other Trouble but what they suffer’d 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 ask’d him who it was; and he told him a French Gentleman belonging to the Count Philander, who about six Months ago was oblig’d 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 Hazard, he wou’d not run to serve|<24> 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 the first soft Tranquillity, with|<25> 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 wou’d perform what they were so unluckily prevented from doing this Morning, and that tho’ possibly by this unhappy Adventure his Design might have taken Air, and have arriv’d 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 in 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|<26> the possessing, the most charming, the all ravishing Silvia: in return, she paid him all the Vows that could secure an Infidel 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; and every Hour was adding new Fire to her Heart, which|<27> 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 remain’d 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|<28> Visit, but one 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, evaded 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|<29> 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!|<30>
’Twas 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|<31> 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|<32> 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, —— ’Tis 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 ’tis regard to my own Honour, violent Love for Silvia, and extream Respect to your Lordship,|<33> has made me thus saucy 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 Looseness of unthinking Youth, to all the Breach of Laws both Human and Divine, if all the Youth should follow your Example, you would betray Posterity it self; and only mad Confusion would abound: In short, my Lord, that Lady who was taken with you by the Messenger, was my Wife: And going towards Silvia, who was struck as with a Thunderbolt, he|<34> seiz’d her Hand, and Cry’d, —— while all stood gazing on —— This Lady Sir I mean —— she is my Wife, my lawful married Wife. At this Silvia could no longer hold her Patience within its Bounds, but with that other Hand he had left her, she struck him a Box on the Ear, that almost stagger’d him, coming unawares, and as she struck, she cry’d aloud, Thou liest base Villain —— and I’ll be reveng’d; and flinging her self out of his Hand, she got on the other side of Octavio, while the whole Company remained confounded at what they saw and heard. How, cry’d out old Sebastian, Uncle to Octavio, a Woman, this? By my Troth, sweet Lady, (if you be one) methought you were a very pretty Fellow: And turning to Brilljard, he cry’d, —— Why, what Sir, then it seems all this Noise of betraying the State was but a Cuckold’s Dream. Hah! and this wonderful and dangerous Plot, was but one upon your Wife, Sir; hah|<35> —— was it so? Marry Sir, at this rate, I rather think ’tis you have a Design of betraying the State —— you cuckoldy Knaves, that bring your handsome Wives to seduce our young Senators from their Sobriety and Wits. Are these the Recompences, reply’d Brilljard, you give the Injured, and in lieu of restoring me my Right, am I reproach’d with the most scandalous Infamy that can befal a Man. Well Sir, reply’d Sebastian, this is all you have to charge this Gentleman with? At which he bow’d and was silent —— and Sebastian continu’d —— If your Wife, Sir, have a mind to my Nephew, or he to her, it should have been your Care to have forbid it, or prevented it, by keeping her under Lock and Key, if no other way to be secured; and, Sir, we do not sit here to relieve Fools and Cuckolds; if your Lady will be Civil to my Nephew, what’s that to us: Let her speak for herself; What say you, Madam? —— I say, reply’d Silvia, that|<36> this Fellow is mad and raves; that he is my Vassal, my Servant, my Slave; but, after this, unworthy of the meanest of these Titles. This she spoke with a Disdain that sufficiently show’d the Pride and Anger of her Soul —— La you, Sir, reply’d Sebastian, you are discharg’d your Ladys Service; ’tis a plain case she has more mind to the young Count than the Husband, and we cannot compel People to be honest against their Inclinations. And coming down from the Seat where he sate, he imbraced Octavio a hundred times, and told the Board, he was extreamly glad they found the mighty Plot, but a Vagary of Youth, and the Spleen of a Jealous Husband or Lover, or whatsoever other malicious thing; and desired the angry Man might be discharged, since he had so just a Provocation as the loss of a Mistriss. So all laughing at the Jest, that had made so great a Noise among the Grave and Wise, they|<37> freed ’em all: And Sebastian advised his Nephew, that the next Cuckold he made, he would make a Friend of him first, that he might hear of no more Complaints against him. But Octavio very gravely reply’d: Sir, you have infinitely mistaken the Character of this Lady, she is a Person of too great Quality for this Raillery; at more Leisure you shall have her Story. While he was speaking this, and their Discharges were making, Silvia confounded with Shame, Indignation, and Anger, goes out, and taking Octavio’s Coach that stood at the Gate, went directly to his House, for she resolved to go no more where Brilljard was. After this Sebastian fell seriously to good Advice, and earnestly besought his Darling to leave off those wild Extravagancies that had so long made so great a Discourse all the Province over, where nothing but his splendid Amours, Treats, Balls, and Magni-|<38>ficences of Love, was the Business of the Town, and that he had forborne to tell him of it, and had hitherto justified his Actions, tho they had not deserved it; and he doubted this was the Lady to whom for these six or eight Months he heard he had so intirely dedicated himself: He desires him to quit this Lady, or if he will pursue his Love, to do it discreetly, to love some unmarried Woman, and not injure his Neighbours; to all which he blushed and bowed, and silently seem’d to thank him for his grave Councel. And Brilljard having receiv’d his Discharge, and Advice how he provok’d the Displeasure of the States any more, by accusing of great Persons, he was ordered to ask Octavio’s Pardon; but, in lieu of that, he came up to him and challenged him to fight him for the Injustice he had done him, in taking from him his Wife; for he was sure he was undone in her Favour, and|<39> that Thought made him mad enough to put himself on this second Extravagancy: However this was not so silently managed but Sebastian perceived it, and was so inraged at the young Fellow for his second Insolence, that he was again confined, and sent back to Prison, where he swore he should suffer the utmost of the Law: And the Council breaking up, every one departed to his own Home. But never was Man Ravished with excess of Joy as Octavio was, to find Silvia meet him with extended Arms on the Stair-Case, whom he did not imagine to have found there, nor knew he how he stood in the Heart of the Charmer of his own, since the Affront she had received in the Court from those that however did not know her, for they did not imagine this was that Lady, Sister to Philander, of whose Beauty they had heard so much, and her Face being turn’d from the Light, the old|<40> Gentleman did not so much consider or see it. Silvia came into his House the back way, through the Stables and Garden, and had the good Fortune to be seen by none of his Family but the Coach-man, who brought her home, whom she conjur’d not to speak of it to the rest of his Servants; And unseen of any body she got into his Apartment, for often she had been there at Treats and Balls with Philander. She was all alone, for Antonett stay’d to see what became of her false Lover, who, after he was seized again, retired to her Lodging the most disconsolate Woman in the World, for having lost her Hopes of Brilljard, to whom she had ingaged all that Honour she had. But when she missed her Lady there, she accused her self with all the Falshood in the World, and fell to repent her Treachery. She sends the Page to inquire at Ocatvio’s House, but no body there could give him any In-|<41>telligence; so that the poor amorous Youth returning without Hope, endur’d all the Pain of a hopeless Lover, for Octavio had anew charm’d his Coach-man: And calling up an ancient Woman who was his House-keeper, who had been his Nurse, he 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, carv’d Wainscot,* Tables of Plate, with all the rest of the movables 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 de-|<42>sign’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 the Earth, and durst not behold the languishing Octavio. They remain’d thus a long time silent, she not daring to defend her self 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|<43> 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 had 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 clear Confession, or to|<44> run her self 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.|<45>
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 ’tis 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 Justice and Reason; or, if I had, I should have kill’d the fair Adulteress that drew you to your Undoing, and who merits more your Hate than your Regard; and who having first violated her marriage Vow to me with Phi-|<46>lander, 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: ’Tis 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 un-|<47>generous 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|<48> yielded to all the Grief that could sink a Heart over-burthen’d with violent Love; he fell down on the Couch where 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, receiv’d 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|<49> 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, ’tis not to Love, so that he was for ever gone; for too well she knew no Arts, Obligations, or Industry, could re-|<50>trieve a flying 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 had 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|<51> 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 last Stake, his Heart, tho’ she could pretend to no more; and taking the fainting 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 unresistible 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,|<52> while he weeps his 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 Unfortunate 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 ov’r ravished Lovers, whom Joys have|<53> 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 her self 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 Belfont, 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|<54> 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 Cæsario, he could not leave Paris; for they every Moment expected the People should rise against their King, and those 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|<55> the hand of Justice 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 my self 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 infinite 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 se-|<56>cure 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 forced 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 chil-|<57>dren 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 grew to be more a Companion than a Servant, as indeed we desired he should; and of late have found him more presumptuous 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.
Judge 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|<58> 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, Philan-|<59>der was almost forgotten, for ’tis 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 Feviblesses,* 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.
’Twas thus they liv’d with uninterrupted Joys, no Spies to pry upon their Actions, no false Friends to censure their real Pleasures, no Ri-|<60>vals 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 remembered 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, ’twas 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|<61> 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|<62> 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’ 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 Judg-|<63>ment against her, ye bashful modest Maids, who never yet try’d any powerful Minute; nor ye 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. ’Twould 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 Ten-|<64>derness 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|<65> 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 one 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;|<66> 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 Nephew’s 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|<67> 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|<68> 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 ’tis 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-Wealth’s-Men —— The States can do it Sir, they can —— Hitherto Octavio received all with a 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 ’twas a greater Glory to be a Slave at her Feet.|<69> 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 Cauti-|<70>ons 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 Centred, 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|<71> 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 a day or two Sebastian’s Interest prevailed for the stoping the Warrant; believing he should be able to bring his Nephew to some Submission; which when he found in vain, he betook himself to his Chamber, and refus’d any Visits or Diversions: By this time Octavio’s rallying the States was become the Jest of the Town, and all the Sparks laugh’d at them as they past, and Lampoon’d ’em to damnable Dutch Tunes, which so highly incens’d ’em, that they sent immediately, and serv’d the Warrant on Silvia, whom they surpriz’d in Octavio’s Coach,|<72> as she was coming from taking the Air. You may imagine what an Agony of Trouble and Grief our generous and surpriz’d Lover was in: It was in vain to make Resistance, and he who before would not have submitted to have sav’d his Life, to the States, now for the Preservation of one moment’s content to Silvia, he was ready to go and fall at their Feet, kiss their Shooes, and implore their Pity. He first accompanies her to the House of the Messenger, where he only is permitted to behold her with Eyes of dying Love, and unable to say any thing to her, left her with such Gifts, and Charge to the Messengers Care, as might oblige him to treat her well; While Silvia less surprized, bid him, at going from her, not to afflict himself for any thing she suffer’d; she found it was the Malice of the peevish old Magistrates, and that the most they could do to her, was to send her from him:|<73> This last she spoke with a Sigh, that pierced his Heart more sensibly than ever any thing yet had done; and he only reply’d (with a Sigh) No Silvia, no rigid Power on Earth shall ever be able to deprive you of my eternal Adoration, or to separate me one Moment from Silvia, after she is compell’d to leave this ungrateful Place, and whose Departure I will hasten all that I can, since the Land is not worthy of so great a Blessing. So leaving her for a little Space, he hasted to his Uncle, whom he found very much discontented: He throws himself at his Feet, and assails him with all the moving Eloquence of sighs and Tears; in vain was all, in vain alas he pleads. From this he flies to Rage —— and says all a distracted Lover could power forth to ease a tortured Heart; what Divinity did he not provoke? Wholly regardless even of Heaven and Man, he made a publick Confession of his Passion, deny’d her being married to Brill-|<74>jard, and weeps as he protests her Innocence: He kneels again, implores and begs anew, and made the movingest Moan that ever touched a Heart, but could receive no other Return but Threats and Frowns: The old Gentleman had never been in Love since he was born, no not enough to marry, but bore an unaccountable Hate to the whole Sex, and therefore was pityless to all he could say on the Score of Love; tho’ he endeavours to soften him by a thousand things more dear to him. For my sake, Sir, said he, if ever my soft Plea were grateful to you, when all your Joy was in the young Octavio; release, release the charming Silvia; regard her tender Youth, her blooming Beauty, her timerous helpless Sex, her noble Quality, and save her from rude Assaults of Power —— Oh save the Lovely Maid! This he utter’d with interrupting Sighs and Tears, which fell upon the Floor as he pur-|<75>su’d the Obdurate on his Knees: At last Pity touch’d his Heart, and he said —— Spare, Sir, the Character of your inchanting Circe;* for I have heard too much of her, and what Mischief she has bred in France; abandoning her Honour, betraying a virtuous Sister, defaming her Noble Parents, and ruining an Illustrious young Noble Man, who was both her Brother and her Lover. This Sir, in short, is the Character of your Beauteous Innocent. Alas, Sir, reply’d Octavio, you never saw this Maid; or if you had, you would not be so cruel. Go to, Sir, reply’d the old Gentleman, I am not so soon softened at the sight of Beauty. But do but see her, Sir, reply’d Octavio, and then perhaps you will be charm’d like me —— You are a Fop, Sir, reply’d Sebastian, and if you would have me allow any Favour to your inchanting Lady, you must promise me first to abandon her, and marry the Widow of Monsieur —— who is vastly|<76> Rich, and whom I have so often recommended to you; she loves you too; and tho’ she be not fair, she has the best Fortune of any Lady in the Netherlands. On these Terms, Sir, I am for a Reconciliation with you, and will immediately go and deliver the fair Prisoner; and she shall have her Liberty to go or stay, or do what she please —— and now, Sir, you know my will and Pleasure —— Octavio found it in vain to pursue him any further with his Petitions; only reply’d, it was wonderous hard and cruel. To which the old one reply’d; ’Tis what must be done; I have resolved it, or my Estate, in value above two hundred thousand pounds, shall be disposed of to your Sister, the Counteß of Clarinau: And this he ended with an Execration on himself if he did not do; and he was a Man that always was just to his Word.
Much more to this ungrateful effect he spoke, and Octavio had Recourse to all the Dissimulation his|<77> generous Soul was capable of; and ’twas the first base thing, and sure the last that ever he was guilty of. He promises his Uncle to obey all his Commands and Injunctions, since he would have it so; and only beg’d he might be permitted but one Visit, to take his last Leave of her: This was at first refused, but at last; provided he might hear what he said to her, he would suffer him to go: For, said the crafty old Man, (who knew too well the Cunning of Youth) I will have no Tricks put upon me; I will not be outwitted by a young Knave: This was the worst part of all; he knew, if he alone could speak with her, they might have contriv’d, by handsome agreeing Flattery, to have accomplish’d their Design; which was; first, by the Authority of the old Gentleman to have freed her from Confinement; and next, to have settled his Affairs in the best Posture he could; and without valuing his|<78> Uncle’s Fortune, his own being greater, he resolv’d to go with her into Flanders or Italy; but his going with him to visit her would prevent whatever they might resolve: But since the Liberty of Silvia was first to be considered, he resolves —— since it must be so, and leaves the rest to Time and his good Fortune. Well then, Sir, said Octavio, since you have resolv’d your self, to be a Witneß of those melancholly things, I shall possibly say to her, let us haste to end the great Affair —— Hang it, cry’d Sebastian, if I go I shall abuse the young Hussie,* or commit some Indecency that will not be suitable to good Manners —— I hope you will, Sir —— reply’d Octavio —— Whip ’em, whip ’em, reply’d the Uncle, I hate the young cozening Baggages,* that wander about the World undoing young and extravagant Coxcombes;* gots so they are naught, stark-naught —— Be sure dispatch as soon as you can; and —— do you hear —— let’s have no Whineing.|<79> Octavio overjoy’d he should have her released to Night, promis’d lavishly all he was urged to; And his own Coach being at the Gate, they both went immediately to the House of the Messenger; and all the way the old Gentleman did nothing but rail against the Vices of the Age, and the Sins of Villainous Youth; the Snares of Beauty, and the Danger of witty Women; and of how ill Consequences these were to a Common-Wealth. He said, if he were to make Laws, he would confine all young Women to Monasteries, where they should never see Man till Forty, and then come out and marry for Generation sake, no more: For his part, he had never seen the Beauty that yet could inspire him with that silly thing call’d Love; and wonder’d what the Devil ail’d all the young Fellows of this Age, that they talk’d of nothing else: At this rate they discoursed till they arrived at the Prison, and calling for|<80> the Messenger, he conducted them both to the Chamber of the fair Prisoner, who was laid on a Couch, near which stood a Table with two Candles, which gave a great Light to that part of the Room, and made Silvia appear more fair than ever, if possible. She had not that day been dress’d but in a rich Night-Gown, and Cornets* of the most advantagious Fashion: At his Approach she blush’d (with a secret Joy, which never had possesd her Soul for him before) and spread a thousand Beauties round her fair Face: She was leaping with a transported Pleasure to his Arms, when she perceived an old grave Person follow him into the Room: At which she reassum’d a Strangeness, a melancholly Languishment, which charm’d no less than her Gayety. She approaches ’em with a modest Grace in her beautiful Eyes; and by the Reception Octavio gave her, she found that reverend Person was his Un-|<81>cle, or at least some body of Authority; and therefore assuming a Gravity unusual, she receiv’d ’em with all the Ceremony due to their Quality: And first, she address’d herself to the old Gentleman, who stood gazing at her, without Motion; at which she was a little out of Countenance. When Octavio perceiving it, approach’d his Uncle, and cry’d, Sir, This is the Lady —— Sebastian starting as from a Dream, cry’d —— Pardon me, Madam, I am a Fellow whom Age hath rendred leß Ceremonious than Youth: I have never yet been so happy as to have been used to a fair Lady; Women never took up one Minute of my more
His Uncle had belonging to his House the most fine 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 far-|<101>ther 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 in the Indies;* he left Word at home, that he was gone out of the 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 wandering Seaman, or the Lamp at Sestos,*|<102> 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 —— Whose 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,|<103> 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 fervent 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 Uncle; 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 Falshood of all. He Sighs, and|<104> 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 her Reflections on her rigid Fortune. And she cry’d, Oh, my Octavio! What strange Fate or Stars rul’d my Birth, that I should be born to the ruine of what I Love, or 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 the 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 Guard on that|<105> 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 wondering 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.|<106>
Silvia to Octavio.
Go from my Window my adorable Friend, and be not afflicted that I do not entertain you, as I had the Joy to do last Night, for both our Voices were heard by some one that Lodges below, and tho’ your Uncle 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 satisfie’d 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.|<107>
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 receiv’d 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, posses’d of the Ravishing Silvia? But oh! where is that presumptuous Man, that can at the price of all, lay claim to so vast a Blessing? Alas, my Silvia, even while I dare call you mine, I am not that hoping Slave, no not after all the valued|<108> 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, 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 Joy, 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|<109> 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 Handkerchief into her Window: She read it, and writ an Answer back as soft as Love could form, to send|<110> him pleas’d to Bed; wherein she commanded him to hope all things from 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 found there was no dealing with him in this Affair; and therefore durst not come right down to the|<111> 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 sur-|<112>priz’d at it; ’tis 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.|<113>
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-Breach, 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.|<114>
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 fancy’d a thousand tormenting things; That the old Gentleman might then 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 in 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|<115> 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,|<116> to which he had resolved in two days to carry her; in earnest to this, he presents her with a Necklace of Pearl of good Value, and other Jewels, which was the best Rhetorick he had yet spoke to her; and now she had 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 touch her Breast; a Blessing he had never before arriv’d to with any body above the Quality of his own Servant-Maid. To all which she makes the best Resistance she can, under the Circumstances of one who was to deceive well; and while she loaths she seems well pleas’d, while the gay Jewels sparkled in her Eyes and Octavio in her Heart; so fond is Youth of Vanities, and to purchase an addition of Beauty at any Price. Thus with her pretty Flatteries she wrought upon his Soul, and smil’d and look’d|<117> him into Faith; loth to depart she sends him pleas’d away, and having her Heart the more inclin’d to Octavio by being Persecuted with his Uncles Love (for by Comparison she finds the mighty Difference) she sets herself to write him the Account of what I have related; this Nights Adventure, and Agreement between his Uncle and herself. She tells him that to Morrow, for now ’twas almost Day, she had promised him to go to his Villa: She tells him at what rate she has purchased the Blessing expected; and lastly, leaves the management of the rest to him, who needs not to be instructed. This Letter he receiv’d the next Night at the old place, and Silvia with it lets down a Velvet Night Bag, which contain’d all the Jewels and things of Value she had receiv’d of himself, his Uncle, or any other: After which he retired, and was pretty well at ease, with the imagination he should ere long be made|<118> Happy in the Possession of Silvia: In order to it the next Morning he was early up, and dressing himself in a great course Campaign-Coat of the Gardener’s, puting up his Hair as well as he could, under a Country-Hat, he got on a Horse that suited his Habit, and rides to the Villa, whither they were to come, and which he knew perfectly well every Room of; for there our Hero was born. He went to a little Caberet in the Village, from whence he could survey all the great House, and see every Body that pass’d in and out: He remain’d fix’d at the Window, fill’d with a thousand Agitations; this he had resolv’d, not to set upon the old Man as a Thief, or Robber; nor could he find in his Heart or Nature to injure him, tho’ but in a little affrighting him, who had given him so many anxious Hours, and who had been so unjust to desire that Blessing himself he would not allow him; and|<119> to believe that a Vertue in himself, which he exclaim’d against as so great a Vice in his Nephew; nevertheless he resolv’d to deceive him, to save his own Life. And he wanted that nice part of Generosity, as to satisfy a little unnecessary Lust in an old Man, to ruin the eternal Content of a young one, so nearly allied to his Soul, as was his own dear proper Person. While he was thus considering, he saw his Uncle’s Coach coming, and Silvia with that doting Lover in it, who was that day dressed in all the Fopperies of Youth, and every thing was young and gay about him but his Person, that was Winter it self, disguised in artificial Spring; and he was altogether a meer Contradiction: But who can guess the Disorders and Pantings of Octavio’s Heart at the Sight; and tho’ he had resolved before, he would not to save his Life, lay violent Hands upon his old Parent; yet at their Approach, at their presenting|<120> themselves together before his Eyes, as two Lovers going to betray him to all the Miseries, Pangs and Confusions of Love, going to possess —— her, the dear Object and certain Life of his Soul, and she [!] the Parent of him, to whom she had disposed of herself, so intirely already, he was provok’d to break from all his Resolutions, and with one of those Pistols he had in his Pockets, to have sent unerring Death to his old amorous Heart: But that Thought was no sooner born than stifled in his Soul, where it met with all the Sence of Gratitude that ever could present the tender Love and dear Care of a Parent there; and the Coach passing into the Gate put him upon new Designs, and before they were finished he saw Silvia’s Page coming from the House, after seeing his Lady to her Apartment, and being show’d his own, where he laid his Vallice* and Riding-things, and was now come out to look a-|<121>bout a Country where he had never been before. Octavio goes down and meets him: And ventures to make himself known to him: And so infinitely glad was the Youth to have an Opportunity to serve him, that he vow’d he would not only do it with his Life, on Occasion, but believ’d he could do it effectually, since the old Gentleman had no sort of Jealousie now; especially since they had so prudently manag’d Matters in this time of his Ladies remaining at Sebastian’s House. So that, Sir, it will not be difficult, says the generous Boy, for me to convey you to my Lodging, when it is dark. He told him his Lady cast many a longing look out towards the Road as she pass’d, for you, I am sure my Lord; —— for she had told both myself and Antonett of her Design before, least our Surprize or Resistance should prevent any Force you might use on the Road, to take her from my Lord Sebastian: She sigh’d, and look’d on|<122> me as she alighted, with Eyes, my Lord, that told me her Grief, for your Disappointment. You may easily imagine how transported the poor Octavio was; he kiss’d and imbrac’d the Amiable Boy a thousand times; and taking a Ring from his Finger of considerable Value, gave it the dear Reviver of his Hopes. Octavio already knew the Strength of the House, which consisted but of a Gardener, whose Wife was House-keeper, and their Son, who was his Fathers Servant in the Garden, and their Daughter, who was a sort of Maid-servant: And they had brought only the Coach-man, and one Foot-man, who were likely to be mirrily imploy’d in the Kitchin at Night when all got to Supper together. I say, Octavio already knew this, and there was now nothing that opposed his Wishes: So that dismissing the dear Boy, he remain’d the rest of the tedious day at the Caberet, the most|<123> impatient of Night of any Man on Earth: And when the Boy appear’d it was like the Approach of an Angel. He told him his Lady was the most Melancholly Creature that ever Eyes beheld, and that to conceal the Cause, she had feigned herself Ill, and had not stir’d from her Chamber all the day: That the old Lover was perpetually with her, and the most concern’d Doatard that ever Cupid inslav’d: That he had so wholly taken up his Lady with his disagreeable Entertainment, that it was impossible either by a Look or Note to inform her of his being so near her, whom she considered as her present Defender, and her future Happiness. But this Evening, continued the Youth, as I was waiting on her at Supper, she spy’d the Ring on my Finger, which, my Lord, your Bounty made me Master of this Morning. She blush’d a Thousand times, and fix’d her Eyes upon it, for she knew it, and was Impatient to|<124> have ask’d me some Questions, but contain’d her Words: And after that, I saw a Joy dance in her lovely Eyes, that told me she divin’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|<125> 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