La montre, or, The lover's watch by Mrs. A. Behn. Montre. English Bonnecorse, Monsieur de (Balthasar), d. 1706. 1686 Approx. 197 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 132 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A28675 Wing B3595C ESTC R23390 12761498 ocm 12761498 93505 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A28675) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 93505) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 375:17) La montre, or, The lover's watch by Mrs. A. Behn. Montre. English Bonnecorse, Monsieur de (Balthasar), d. 1706. Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689. [20], 243 p., [1] leaf of plates : ill. Printed by R.H. for W. Canning ..., London : 1686. Translation by Mrs. Behn of: La montre / B. Bonnecorse. Reproduction of original in Harvard University Libraries. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Love -- Early works to 1800. 2002-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-07 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-08 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2002-08 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Licensed , Aug. 2. 1686. R.L.S. LA MONTRE : OR THE Lover's Watch. By M rs . A. Behn . LONDON , Printed by R. H. for W. Canning , at his Shop in Vine-Court , Middle-Temple . 1686. TO PETER WESTON , Esq OF THE Honourable Society OF THE INNER-TEMPLE . SIR , WHen I had ended this little unlaboured Piece , the Watch , Iresolv'd to dedicate it to some One , whom I cou'd fancy , the nearest approacht the charming Damon . Many fine Gentlemen I had in view , of Wit and Beauty ; but still , through their Education , or a natural Propensity to Debauchery , I found those Vertues wanting , that shou'd compleat that delicate Character , Iris gives her Lover ; and which , at first Thought of You , I found center'd there to Perfection . Yes Sir , I found You had all the Youth of Damon ; without the forward noisy Confidence , which usually attends your Sex. You have all the attracting Beauty of my young Hero ; all that can charm the Fair ; without the Affectation of those , that set out for Conquests ( though You make a Thousand , without knowing it , or the Vanity of believing it . ) You have our Damon's Wit , with all his agreeable Modesty : Two Vertues that rarely shine together : And the last makes You conceal the noble Sallies of the first , with that Industry and Care , You wou'd an Amour : And You wou'd no more boast of either of these , than of your undoubted Bravery . You are ( like our Lover too ) so discreet , that the bashful Maid may , without Fear or Blushing , venture the soft Confession of her Soul with You ; reposing the dear Secret in Yours , with more Safety , than with her own Thoughts . You have all the Sweetness of Youth , with the Sobriety and Prudence of Age. You have all the Power of the gay Vices of Man ; but the Angel in your Mind , has subdu'd you to the Vertues of a God! And all the vicious , and industrious Examples of the roving Wits of the mad Town , have only serv'd to give you the greater Abborrence to Lewdness . And You look down with Contempt and Pity on that wretched unthinking Number , who pride themselves in their mean Victories over little Hearts ; and boast their common Prizes with that Vanity , that declares 'em capable of no higher Joy , than that of the Ruin of some credulous Unfortunate : And no Glory like that , of the Discovery of the brave Atchievment , over the next Bottle , to the Fool that shall applaud ' em . How does the Generosity , and Sweetness of your Disposition despise these false Entertainments , that turns the noble Passion of Love into Ridicule , and Man into Brute . Methinks I cou'd form another Watch ( that shou'd remain a Patern to succeeding Ages ) how divinely you pass your more sacred Hours , how nobly and usefully you divide your Time ; in which , no precious Minute is lost , not one glides idly by ; but all turns to wondrous Account . And all Your Life is one continu'd Course of Vertue and Honour . Happy the Parents , that have the Glory to own You ! Happy the Man , that has the Honour of your Friendship ! But , Oh! How much more happy the fair She , for whom you shall sigh ! Which surely , can never be in vain . There will be such a Purity in Your Flame : All You ask , will be so chaste and noble , and utler'd with a Voice so modest , and a Look so charming , as must , by a gentle Force , compel that Heart to yield , that knows the true Value of VVit , Beauty , and Vertue . Since then , in all the Excellencies of Mind and Body ( where no one Grace is wanting ) you so resemble the All-perfect Damon , suffer me to dedicate this Watch to You. It brings You nothing but Rules for Love ; delicate as Your Thoughts , and innocent as Your Conversation . And possibly , 't is the only Vertue of the Mind , You are not perfectly Master of ; the only noble Mystery of the Soul , You have not yet studied . And though they are Rules for every Hour , You will find , they will neither rob Heaven , nor Your Friends of their Due ; those so valuable Devoirs of Your Life : They will teach You Love ; but Love , so pure , and so devout , that You may mix it , even with Your Religion ; and I know , Your fine Mind can admit of no other . VVhen ever the God enters there ( fond and wanton as he is , full of Arts and Guiles ) he will be reduc'd to that Native Innocency , that made him so ador'd , before inconstant Man corrupted his Divinity , and made him wild and wandring . How happy will Iris's VVatch be , to inspire such a Heart ! How honour'd under the Patronage of so excellent a Man ! VVhose VVit will credit , whose Goodness will defend it ; and whose noble and vertuous Qualities so justly merit the Character , Iris has given Damon : And which is believed so very much your Due , by SIR , Your most Obliged , and Most Humble Servant , A. Behn . To the Admir'd Astrea . I Never mourn'd my Want of Wit , 'till now ; That where I do so much Devotion vow , Brightest Astrea , to your honour'd Name , Find my Endeavour will become my Shame . 'T is you alone , who have the Art , and Wit T' involve those Praises in the Lines y'have writ , That we should give you , could we have the Sp'rite , Vigour , and Force , wherewith your self do write . Too mean are all th' Applauses we can give : You in your self , and by your self , shall live ; When all we write will only serve to shew , How much , in vain Attempt , we flag below . Some Hands write some things well ; are elsewhere lame : But on all Theams , your Power is the same . Of Buskin , and of Sock , you know the Pace ; And tread in both , with equal Skill and Grace . But when you write of Love , Astrea , then Love dips his Arrows , where you wet your Pen. Such charming Lines did never Paper grace ; Soft , as your Sex ; and smooth , as Beauty's Face . And 't is your Province , that belongs to you : Men are so rude , they fright when they wou'd sue . You teach us gentler Methods ; such as are The fit and due Proceedings with the Fair. But why should you , who can so well create , So stoop , as but pretend , you do translate ? Could you , who have such a luxuriant Vein , As nought but your own Judgment could restrain ; Who are , your self , of Poesie the Soul , And whose brave Fancy knocks at either Pole ; Descend so low , as poor Translation , To make an Author , that before was none ? Oh! Give us , henceforth , what is all your own ! Yet we can trace you here , in e'ery Line ; The Texture's good , but some Threds are too fine : We see where you let in your Silver Springs ; And know the Plumes , with which you imp his Wings . But I 'm too bold to question what you do , And yet it is my Zeal that makes me so . Which , in a Lover , you 'l not disapprove : I am too dull to write , but I can love . Charles Cotton . To the Incomparable Author . WHile this poor Homage of our Verse we give , We own , at least , your just Prerogative : And tho' the Tribute's needless , which we pay ; It serves to shew , you reign , and we obey . Which , adding nothing to your perfect Store , Yet makes your polisht Numbers shine the more : As Gems in Foils , are with Advantage shown ; No Lustre take from them , but more exert their own . Male Wits , from Authors of a former Date , Copy Applause ; and but at best , translate : While you , like the immortal Pow'rs , Create . Horace and Pindar ( tho' attempted long In vain ) at last , have learnt the British Tongue ; Not so the Grecian Female Poet's Song . The Pride of Greece we now out-rival'd see : Greece boasts one Sappho ; two Orinda's , we . But what unheard Applause shall we impart To this most new , and happy piece of Art ? That renders our Apollo more sublime In num'rous Prose , but yet more num'rous Rhime ; And makes the God of Love , the God of Time. Love's wandring Planet , you have made a Star : 'T was bright before , but now 't is Regular . While Love shall last , this Engine needs must vend : Each Nymph , this Watch shall to her Lover send , That points him out his Hours , and how those Hours to spend . N. Tate . To the most Ingenious Astrea , upon her Book intituled , La Môntre , or the Lover's Watch. To celebrate your Praise , no Muse can crown You with that Glory , as this Piece hath done . This Lover's Watch , tho' it was made in France , By the fam'd Bonnecorse ; yet you advance The Value of its curious Work so far , That as it shin'd there like a glitt'ring Star , Yet here a Constellation it appears ; And in Love's Orb , with more Applause , it wears Astrea's Name . Your Prose so delicate , Your Verse so smooth and sweet , that they create A lovely Wonder in each Lover's Mind : The envious Critick dares not be unkind . La Môntre cannot err , 't is set so well : The Rules for Lovers Hours are like a Spell To charm a Mistress with : The God of Love Is highly pleas'd ; and smiling , does approve Of this rare Master piece : His Am'rous Game Will more improve : This will support his Fame . May your luxuriant Fancy ever flow Like a Spring tide ; no Bounds , or Limits know . May you , in Story , for your Wit , live high : And summon'd hence , to blest Eternity , Aged with Nestor's Years , resign to Fate ; May your fam'd Works receive an endless Date . Rich. Foerrar . To the Divine Astrea , on her Môntre . Thou Wonder of thy Sex ! Thou greatest Good ! The Ages Glory , if but understood . How are the Britains bound to bless the Name Of great Astrea ! Whose Eternal Fame , To Foreign Clymes , is most deserv'dly spread ; Where Thou , in thy great Works , shalt live , tho' dead . And mighty France , with Envy shall look on , To see her greatest Wit by thee out-done : And all their boasted Trophies are in vain , Whilst thou , spight of their Salick Law , shalt reign . Witness La Montre , from their Rubbish rais'd : A Piece , for which , thou shalt be ever prais'd . The beauteous Work is with such Order laid , And all the Movement so divinely made , As cannot of dull Criticks be afraid . Such Nature in the Truths of Love thou 'st shew'd , As the All-loving Ovid never cou'd . Thy Rules so soft , so modest , and so right , The list'ning Youths will follow with Delight : To thy blest Name will all their Homage pay , Who taught 'em how to love the noblest Way . G. J. To his admired Friend , the most ingenious Author . ONce more my Muse is blest ; her humble Voice Does in thy wondrous Works , once more , rejoyce . Not the bright Mount , where e'ery sacred Tongue , In skilful Choirs , immortal Numbers sung . Not great Apollo's own inspiring Beams , Nor sweet Castalia's consecrated Streams , To thy learn'd Sitters could so charming be , As are thy Songs , and thou thy self , to me . Aethereal Air , soft Springs , and verdant Fields Cool Shades , and Sunny Banks , thy Presence yields . Never were Soul and Body better joyn'd : A Mansion , worthy so divine a Mind ! No wonder e'ery Swain adores thy Name , And e'ery Tongue proclaims thy Deathless Fame : For who can such refistless Power controul , Where Wit and Beauty both invade the Soul ? Beauty , that still does her fresh Conquests find ; And Sacred Wit , that ever charms the Mind : Through all its Forms , that lovely Proteus chase ; And e'ery Shape has its peculiar Grace . Hail , Thou Heav'n-born ! Thou most transcendent Good ! If Mortals their chief Blessings understood ! Thou that , while Kingdoms , Thrones , and Pow'rs decay , Hast , with Eternity , one constant Stay : Liv'st , and will live , like the great God of Love ; For ever young , although as old as Jove . While we , alas ! in dark Oblivion lye , Thou ne er wilt let thy lov'd Astrea dye . No , my good Friend , Thy Works will mount , the Skies , And see their Author 's learned Ashes rise . Much to the Fame of thy fair Sex of Old , By skilful Writers , has been greatly told : But'all the boasted Titles they have gain'd By others Labours , weakly are sustain'd ; While thou look'st down , and scorn'st so mean a Praise : Thy own just Hands do thy own Trophies raise . Rich is the Soil , and vast thy Native Store ; Yet Thou ( Wit 's Great Columbus ) seek'st out more . Through distant Regions spread'st thy Towring Wings , And Foreign Treasure to thy Country brings . This Work let no Censorious Tongue despise , And judge thee wealthy with unlawful Prize . We owe to thee , our best Refiner , more Than him , who first dig'd up the rugged Ore. Tho this vast Frame were from a Chaos rais'd , The great Creator should not less be prais'd : By its bright Form , his Pow'r's as much display'd , As if the World had been from Nothing made . And if we may compare great Things with Small , Thou therefore canst not by just Censure fall ; While the rude Heap , which lay before unform'd , To Life and Sense , is by thy Spirit warm'd . Geo. Jenkins . Hours of the Day La Monstre . THE ARGUMENT . 'T Is in the most Happy and August Court of the best and greatest Monarch of the World , that Damon , a young Noble-man , whom we will ●ender under that Name , languishes ●or a Maid of Quality , who will give us leave to call her Iris. Their Births are equally Illustrious : They are both Rich , and both Young : Their Beauty such , as I dare not too nicely particularize , lest I should discover ( which I am not permitted to do ) who these charming Lovers are . Let it suffice , that Iris is the most fair and accomplisht Person that ever adorn'd a Court ; and that Damon is only worthy of the Glory of her Favour ; for he has all that can render him Lovely , in the fair Eyes of the Amiable Iris. Nor is he Master of those Superficial Beauties alone , that please at first Sight : He can charm the Soul with a thousand Arts of Wit and Gallantry . And , in a word , I may say , without flattering either , that there is no one Beauty , no one Grace , no Perfection of Mind and Body , that wants to compleat a Victory on both sides . The Agreement of Age , Fortunes ; Quality and Humours in the two fair Lovers , made the impatient Damon hope , that nothing would oppose his Passion ; and if he saw himself every Hour , languishing for the Adorable Maid , he did not however despair : And if Iris sigh'd , it was not for fear of being one day more happy . In the midst of the Tranquility of these two Lovers , Iris was obliged to go into the Country for some Months , whither 't was impossible for Damon to wait on her , he being oblig'd to attend the King , his Master ; and being the most Amorous of his Sex , suffer'd with extream Impatienco the Absence of his Mistress . Nevertheless , he fail'd not to send to her every day , and gave up all his melancholy Hours to Thinking , Sighing , and Writing to her the softest Letters that Love could inspire . So that Iris even blessed that Absence , that gave her so tender and convincing Proofs of his Passion ; and found this dear way of Conversing , even recompenced all her Sighs for his Absence . After a little Intercourse of this kind , Damon bethought himself to ask Iris a Discretion , which he had won of her , before she lest the Town ; and in a Billet-doux to that purpose , prest her very earnestly for it . Iris being infinitely pleas'd with his Importunity , suffer'd him to ask it often ; and he never fail'd of doing so . But as I do not here design to relate the Adventures of these two Amiable Persons , nor give you all the Billet-douxes that past between them : You shall here find nothing but the Watch , this charming Maid sent her impatient Lover . Iris to Damon . IT must be confest , Damon , that you are the most importuning Man in the World. Your Billets have an hundred times demanded a Discretion , which you won of me ; and tell me , you will not wait my Return , to be paid . You are either a very faithless Creditor , or believe me very unjust , that you dun with such Impatience . But , to let you see I am a Maid of Honour , and value my Word , I will acquit my self of this Obligation I have to you , and send you a Watch of my fashion ; perhaps you never saw any so good . It is not one of those , that have always something to be mended in it ; but one that is without Fault , very just and good , and will remain so , as long as you continue to love me . But Damon , know , that the very Minute you cease to do so , the String will break , and it will go no more . 'T is only useful in my Absence , and when I return , 't will change its Motion : And though I have set it but for the Spring-time , 't will serve you the whole Year round ; and 't will be necessary only , that you alter the business of the Hours ( which my Cupid , in the middle of my Watch , points you out ) according to the length of the Days and Nights . Nor is the Dart of that little God directed to those Hours , so much to inform you how they pass , as how you ought to pass them , how you ought to employ those of your Absence from Iris. 'T is there you shall find the whole Business of a Lover , from his Mistress ; sor I have design'd it a Rule to all your Actions . The Consideration of the Work-man , ought to make you set a Value upon the Work : And though it be not an accomplisht , and perfect Piece ; yet Damon , you ought to be grateful , and esteem it , since I have made it for you alone . But however I may boast of the Design , I know , as well as I believe , you love me ; that you will not suffer me to have the Glory of it wholly , but will say in your heart , That Love , the great Instructor of the Mind , That forms anew , and fashions every Soul , Refines the gross Defects of Humane kind ; Humbles the Proud and Vain , inspires the Dull : Gives Cowards noble Heat in Fight , And teaches feeble Woman how to write . That doth the Vniverse command ; Does from my Iris Heart direct her Hand . I give you the liberty to say this to your Heart , if you please : And that you may know , with what Justice you do so , I will confess in my turn , The Confession . That Love 's my Conduct where I go , And Love instructs me all I do . Prudence no longer is my Guide , Nor take I Counsel of my Pride . In vain does Honour now invade , In vain does Reason take my part ; If against Love it do perswade , If it rebel against my heart . If the soft Ev'ning do invite , And I incline to take the Air , The Birds , the Spring , the Flowers no more delight ; 'T is Love makes all the Pleasure there ; Love , which about me still I bear . I 'm charm'd with what I thither bring , And add a Softness to the Spring . If for Devotion I design , Love meets me , even at the Shrine : In all my Worships , claims a part ; And robs even Heaven of my Heart . All day does counsel and controul , And all the night , employs my Soul. No wonder then , if all you think be true , That Love 's concern'd in all I do for you , And Damon , you know , that Love is no ill Master ; and I must say , with a Blush , that he has found me no unapt Scholar ; and he instructs too agreeably , not to succeed in all he undertakes . Who can resist his soft Commands ? When he resolves , What God withstands ? But I ought to explain to you my Watch. The naked Love which you will find in the middle of it , with his Wings clip'd , to shew you , he is fix'd and constant , and will not fly away , points you out , with his Arrow , the four and twenty Hours , that compose the Day and the Night : Over every Hour , you will find written , what you ought to do , during its Course ; and every Half-hour is marked with a Sigh , since the quality of a Lover is , to sigh day and night : Sighs are the Children of Lovers , that are born every hour . And that my Watch may always be just , Love himself ought to conduct it ; and your Heart should keep Time with the Movement . My Present's delicate , and new , If by your Heart the Motion 's set ; According as that 's false , or true , Tou'l find , my Watch will answer it . Every hour is tedious to a Lover , separated from his Mistress ; and , to shew you how good I am , I will have my Watch instruct you , to pass some of them without Inquietude ; that the force of your Imagination , may sometimes charm the Trouble you have for my Absence . Perhaps I am mistaken here , My Heart may too much Credit give ; But Damon , you can charm my Fear , And soon my Error undeceive . But I will not disturb my Repose at this time , with a Jealousie , which , I hope , is altogether frivolous and vain ; but begin to instruct you in the Mysteries of my Watch. Cast then your Eyes upon the Eighth Hour in the Morning , which is the Hour I would have you begin to wake : You will find there written , 8 A-Clock . Agreeable Reverie . DO not rise yet ; you may find Thoughts agreeable enough , when you awake , to entertain you longer in Bed. And 't is in that hour you ought to recollect all the Dreams you have had in the Night . If you have dream'd any thing to my Advantage , confirm your self in that thought ; but if to my Disadvantage , renounce it , and dis-own the injurious Dream . 'T is in this Hour also , that I give you leave to reflect on all that I have ever said and done , that has been most obliging to you , and that gives you the most tender Sentiments . The Reflection . Remember Damon , while your Mind Reflect on things that charm and please , Tou give me Proofs that you are kind , And set my doubting Soul at ease : For when your Heart receives with Joy The thoughts of Favours which I give , My Smiles in vain I not employ , And on the Square we love and live . Think then on all I ever did , That e'er was charming , e're was dear . Let nothing from that Soul be hid , Whose Griefs and Joys I feel and share . All that your Love and Faith have sought , All that your Vows and Sighs have bought , Now render present to your Thought . And for what 's to come , I give you leave , Damon , to flatter your self , and to expect , I shall still pursue those Methods , whose remembrance charms so well : But , if it be possible , conceive these kind Thoughts between Sleeping and Waking , that all my too forward Complaisance , my Goodness , and my Tenderness , which I consess to have for you , may pass for Half-Dreams ; for 't is most certain , That , though the Favours of the Fair Are ever to the Lover dear ; Yet , lest he should reproach that easie Flame , That buys its Satisfaction with its Shame She ought but rarely to confess , How much she finds of Tenderness ; Nicely to guard the yielding part , And hide the hard-kept Secret in her Heart . For , let me tell you , Damon , though the Passion of a Woman of Honour be never so innocent , and the Lover never so discreet and honest ; her Heart feels I know not what of Reproach within , at the Reflection of any Favours she has allow'd him . For my part , I never call to mind the least soft , or kind Word I have spoken to Damon , without finding , at the same Instant , my Face cover'd over with Blushes , and my Heart with sensible Pain . I sigh at the Remembrance of every Touch I have stol'n from his Hand , and have upbraided my Soul , which confesses so much guilty Love , as that secret desire of Touching him made appear . I am angry at the Discovery , though I am pleas'd at the same time , with the Satisfaction I take in doing so ; and ever disorder'd at the remembrance of such Arguments of too much Love. And these unquiet Sentiments alone , are sufficient to perswade me , that our Sex cannot be reserv'd too much . And I have often , on these occasions , said to my self , The Reserve . Though Damon every Vertue have , With all that pleases in his Form , That can adorn the Just and Brave , That can the coldest Bosom warm ; Though Wit and Honour there abound ; Yet the Pursuer's ne'er pursu'd , And when my Weakness he has found , His Love will sink to Gratitude : While on the Asking Part he lives , 'T is she th'Obliger is , who gives . And he that , at one throw , the Stake has won , Gives over Play , since all the Stock is gone . And what dull Gamester ventures certain Store With Losers , who can set no more . 9 A-Clock . Design to please no body . I Should continue to accuse you of that Vice I have often done , that of Laziness , if you remain'd past this Hour in Bed ; 't is time for you to rise ; my Watch tells you 't is Nine a-Clock . Remember that I am absent , therefore do not take too much pains in dressing your self , and setting your Person off . The Question . Tell me ! What can he design , Who in his Mistress absence will be fine ? Why does he cock , and comb , and dress ? Why is the Cravat-string in print ? What does th'Embroyder'd Coat confess ? Why to the Glass this long Address , If there be nothing in 't ? If no new Conquest is design'd , If no new Beauty fill his Mind ? Let Fools and Fops , whose Talents lie In being neat , in being spruce , Be drest , be vain , and tawdery ; With Men of Sense , 't is out of use : The only Folly that Distinction sets Between the noisy flutt'ring Fools and Wits . Remember , Iris is away ; And sighing , to your Valet cry , Spare your Perfumes and Care , to day I have no business to be gay , Since Iris is not by . I 'll be all negligent in Dress , And scarce set off for Complaisance . Put me on nothing that may please , But only such as may give no Offence . Say to your self , as you are dressing , Would it please Heaven , that I might see Iris to day ! But Oh! 't is impossible : Therefore all that I shall see , will be but indifferent Objects , since 't is Iris only that I wish to see . And sighing , whisper to your self , The Sigh . Ah! Charming Object of my wishing Thought ! Ah! Soft Idea of a distant Bliss ! That only art in Dreams and Fancy brought , To give short Intervals of Happiness . But when I waking , find thou absent art ; And with thee , all that I adore , What Pains , what Anguish fills my Heart ! What Sadness seizes me all o'er ! All Entertainments I neglect , Since Iris is no longer there : Beauty scarce claims my bare Respect , Since in the Throng I sind not her . Ah then ! How vain it were to dress , and show , Since all I wish to please , is absent now ! 'T is with these Thoughts , Damon , that your Mind ought to be employed , during your time of Dressing : And you are too knowing in Love , to be ignorant , That when a Lover ceases to be blest With the dear Object he desires , Ah! How indifferent are the rest ! How soon their Conversationtires ! Though they a thousand Arts to please invent , Their Charms are dull , their Wit impertinent . 10 A-Clock . Reading of Letters . MY Cupid points you now to the Hour , in which you ought to retire into your Cabinet , having already past an Hour in Dressing ; and for a Lover , who is sure not to appear before his Mistress , even that Hour is too much to be so employ'd . But I will think , you thought of nothing less than Dressing , while you were about it . Lose then no more Minutes , but open your Scrutore , and read over some of those Billets you have receiv'd from me . Oh! What Pleasures a Lover feels about his Heart , in reading those from a Mistress he entirely loves ! The Joy. Who , but a Lover , can express The Joys , the Pants , the Tenderness , That the soft Amorous Soul invades , While the dear Billet-doux he reads ? Raptures Divine the Heart o'er-flow ; Which he that loves not , cannot know . A thousand Tremblings , thousand Fears , The short-breath'd Sighs , the joyful Tears ; The Transport , where the Love 's confest , The Change , where Coldness is exprest ; The diffring Flames the Lover burns , As those are shy , or kind , by Turns . However you find 'em , Damon , construe 'em all to my Advantage : Possibly , some of 'em have an Air of Coldness , something different from that Softness they are usually too amply fill'd with ; but where you find they have , believe there , that Sense of Honour , and my Sexes Modesty , guided my Hand a little , against the Inclinations of my Heart ; and that it was a kind of an Atonement , I believed , I ought to make , for something I feared , I had said too kind , and too obliging before : But where-ever you find that , stop that Check in my Carriere of Love ; you will be sure to find something that follows it to favour you , and deny that unwilling Imposition upon my Heart ; which , lest you should mistake , Love shews himself in Smiles again , and flatters more agreeably , disdaining the Tyranny of Honour , and Rigid Custom , that Imposition on our Sex ; and will , in spight of me , let you see , he Reigns absolutely in my Soul. The Reading my Billet-doux may detain you an Hour ; I have had Goodness enough to write you enough to entertain you so long , at least , and sometimes reproach my self for it ; but , contrary to all my Scruples , I find my self dispos'd to give you those frequent Marks of my Tenderness . If yours be so great as you express it , you ought to kiss my Letters a Thousand times , you ought to read them with Attention , and weigh every Word , and value every Line . A Lover may receive a Thousand indearing Words from a Mistress , more easily than a Billet . One says a great many kind Things of Course to a Lover , which one is not willing to write , or to give testify'd under one's Hand , Sign'd and Seal'd . But when once a Lover has brought his Mistress to that degree of Love , he ought to assure himself , she loves not at the common Rate . Love's Witness . Slight , unpremeditated Words are born , By every common Wind , into the Air ; Carelesly utter'd , dye as soon as born , And in one Instant , give both Hope and Fear : Breathing all Contraries with the same Wind , According to the Caprice of the Mind . But Billets-doux are constant Witnesses , Substantial Records to Eternity ; Just Evidences , who the Truth confess ; On which , the Lover safely may rely : They 're serious Thoughts , digested and resolv'd ; And last , when Words are into Clouds devolv'd . I will not doubt , but you give Credit to all that is Kind in my Letters ; and I will believe , you find a Satisfaction in the Entertainment they give you , and that the Hour of Reading 'em is not dis-agreeable to you . I cou'd wish , your Pleasure might be Extream , even to the Degree of suffering the Thought of my Absence not to diminish any Part of it . And I cou'd wish too , at the End of your Reading , you wou'd sigh with Pleasure , and say to your self , — The Transport . O Iris ! While you thus can charm , While at this Distance , you can wound and warm ; My absent Torments I will bless and bear , That give me such dear Proofs , how kind you are . Present , the valu'd Store was only seen : Now I am rifling the bright Mass within . Every dear past , and happy Day , When Languishing at Iris Feet , I lay ; When all my Prayers , and all my Tears cou'd move No more than her Permission , I should love : Vain with my Glorious Destiny , I thought , beyond , scarce any Heaven cou'd be . But , Charming Maid , now I am taught , That Absence has a thousand Joys to give , On which , the Lover , present , never thought , That recompence the Hours we grieve . Rather by Absence let me be undone , Than forfeit all the Pleasures that has won . With this little Rapture , I wish you wou'd finish the Reading my Letters , shut your Scrutore , and quit your Cabinet ; for my Love leads to Eleven A-Clock . 11 A-Clock . The Hour to Write in . IF my Watch did not inform you , 't is now time to Write : I believe , Damon , your Heart wou'd ; and tell you also , that I should take it kindly , if you wou'd employ a whole Hour that way ; and that you shou'd never lose an Occasion of Writing to me , since you are assur'd of the Welcome I give your Letters . Perhaps you will say , an Hour is too much , and that 't is not the Mode to write long Letters . I grant you , Damon , when we write those indifferent ones , of Gallantry in Course , or necessary Compliment ; the handsom Comprising of which , in the fewest Words , renders 'em the most agreeable : But in Love , we have a Thousand foolish things to say , that , of themselves , bear no great Sound , but have a mighty Sense in Love ; for there is a peculiar Eloquence , natural alone to a Lover , and to be understood by no other Creature : To those , Words have a thousand Graces , and Sweetnesses ; which , to the Unconcerned , appears Meanness , and Easie Sense , at the best . But , Damon , you and I are none of those ill Judges of the Beauties of Love ; we can penetrate beyond the Vulgar , and perceive the fine Soul in every Line , through all the humble Dress of Phrase ; when possibly , they who think they discern it best in Florid Language , do not see it at all . Love was not born , or bred in Courts , but Cottages ; and nurs'd in Groves and Shades , smiles on the Plains , and wantons in the Streams ; all Unador'd , and Harmless . Therefore , Damon , do not consult your Wit in this Affair , but Love alone ; and speak all that He and Nature taught you , and let the fine Things you learn in Schools alone : Make use of those Flowers you have gather'd there , when you converse with States-men , and the Gown . Let Iris possess your Heart in all its simple Innocence , that 's the best Eloquence to her that loves ; and this is my Instruction to a Lover , that would succeed in his Amours ; for I have a Heart very difficult to please , and this is the nearest Way to it . Advice to Lovers . Lovers , if you would gain a Heart , Of Damon learn to win the Prize : He 'll shew you all its tend ' rest Part , And where its greatest Danger lies . The Magazin of its Disdain ; Where Honour , feebly guarded , does remain . If Present , do but little say ; Enough the silent Lover speaks : But wait , and sigh , and gaze all day : Such Rhet'rick , more than Language takes . For Words the dullest way do move ; And utter'd more to shew your Wit , than Love. Let your Eyes tell her of your Heart : Its Story is , for Words , too delicate . Souls thus exchange , and thus impart , And all their Secrets can relate . A Tear , a broken Sigh , She 'll understand ; Or the soft trembling Pressings of the Hand . Or if your Pain must be in Words exprest , Let 'em fall gently , unassur'd , and slow ; And where they fail , your Looks may tell the rest : Thus Damon spoke , and I was conquer'd so . The witty Talker has mistook his Art : The modest Lover only charms the Heart . Thus while all day you gazing sit , And fear to speak , and fear your Fate , Tou more Advantages by Silence get , Than the gay forward Touth , with all his Prate . Let him be silent here ; but when away , Whatever Love can dictate , let him say . There let the Bashful Soul unvail , And give a Loose to Love and Truth : Let him improve the Amorous Tale , With all the Force of Words , and Fire of Touth . There all , and any thing , let him express ; Too long he cannot write , too much confess . O Damon ! How well have you made me understand this soft Pleasure ! You know my Tenderness too well , not to be sensible , how I am charmed with your agreeable long Letters . The Invention . Ah! He who first found out the Way , Souls to each other to convey , Without dull Speaking , sure must be Something above Humanity . Let the fond World in vain dispute , And the first Sacred Mystery impute Of Letters , to the Learned Brood ; And of the Glory , cheat a God : 'T was Love alone , that first the Art essay'd ; And Psyche was the first fair yielding Maid , That was by the dear Billet-doux setray'd . It is an Art too ingenious , to have been found out by Man ; and too necessary to Lovers , not to have been invented by the God of Love himself . But , Damon , I do not pretend to exact from you those Letters of Gallantry , which , I have told you , are fill'd with nothing but fine Thoughts , and writ with all the Arts of Wit and Subtilty : I wou'd have yours still , all Tender , unaffected Love , Words unchosen , Thoughts unstudied , and Love unfeigned . I had rather find more Softness , than Wit , in your Passion ; more of Nature , than of Art ; more of the Lover , than the Poet. Nor wou'd I have you write any of those little short Letters , that are read over in a Minute : In Love , long Letters bring a long Pleasure . Do not trouble your self to make 'em fine , or writea great deal of Wit and Sense in a few Lines ; that is the Notion of a witty Billet , in any Affair , but that of Love : And have a Care , rather to avoid these Graces to a Mistress ; and assure your self , dear Damon , that what pleases the Soul , pleases the Eye ; and the Largeness , or Bulk of your Letter , shall never offend me ; and that I only am displeased , when I find them small . A Letter is ever the best , and most powerful Agent to a Mistress : It almost always perswades ; 't is always renewing little Impressions , that possibly , otherwise , Absence would deface . Make use then , Damon , of your Time , while 't is given you ; and thank me , that I permit you to write to me : Perhaps , I shall not always continue in the Humour of suffering you to do so ; and it may so happen , by some Turn of Chance and Fortune , that you may be deprived , at the same time , both of my Presence , and of the Means of Sending to me . I will believe , that such an Accident wou'd be a great Misfortune to you ; for I have often heard you say , that , To make the most happy Lover suffer Martyrdom , one need only forbid him Seeing , Speaking , and Writing to the Object he loves . Take all the Advantages then you can , you cannot give me too often , Marks too powerful of your Passion : Write therefore , during this Hour , every Day . I give you leave to believe , that while you do so , you are Serving me the most Obligingly , and Agreeably you can , while Absent ; and that you are giving me a Remedy against all Grief , Uneasiness , Melancholy , and Despair . Nay , if you exceed your Hour , you need not be asham'd : The Time you employ in this kind Devoir , is the Time that I shall be grateful for , and , no doubt , will recompence it . You ought not , however , to neglect Heaven for me ; I will give you time for your Devotion , for my Watch tells you , 't is time to go to the Temple . 12 A-Clock . Indispensible Duty . THere are certain Duties , which one ought never to neglect : That of Adoring the Gods , is of this nature ; and which we ought to pay , from the bottom of our Hearts : And that , Damon , is the only Time , I will dispence with your not Thinking on me . But I would not have you go to one of those Temples , where the Celebrated Beauties , and those that make a Profession of Gallantry , go ; and which come thither , only to see , and be seen ; and whither they repair , more to shew their Beauty and Dress , than to honour the Gods. If you will take my Advice , and oblige my Wish , you shall go to those that are least frequented ; and you shall appear there , like a Man , that has a perfect Veneration for all things Sacred . The Instruction . Damon , if your Heart , and Flame , Tou wish , should always be the same , Do not give it leave to Rove , Nor expose it to new Harms : Eer you think on 't , you may Love , If you gaze on Beauty's Charms . If with me , you wou'd not part , Turn your Eyes into your Heart . If you find a new Desire , In your Easie Soul , take Fire , From the Tempting Ruin fly ; Think it Faithless , think it Base : Fancy soon will fade , and dye , If you wisely cease to gaze . Lovers should have Honour too , Or they pay but half Love's Due . Do not to the Temple go , With design to Gaze , or Show : What e'er Thoughts you have abroad , Though you can deceive elsewhere , There 's no Feigning with your God ; Souls should be all Perfect there . The Heart that 's to the Altar brought , Only Heaven should fill its Thought . Do not your sober Thoughts perplex , By gazing on the Ogling Sex. Or if Beauty call your Eyes , Do not on the Object dwell : Guard your Heart from the Surprize , By thinking , Iris doth excel . Above all Earthly Things , I 'd be , Damon , most Belov'd by Thee : And only Heaven must Rival me . 1 A-Clock . Forc'd Entertainment . I Perceive , it will be very difficult for you to quit the Temple , without being surrounded with Complements , from People of Ceremony , Friends , and News-Mongers , and several of those sorts of Persons , who afflict and busie themselves , and rejoyce at a Hundred things , they have no Interest in : Coquets , and Politicians ; who make it the Business of their whole Lives , to gather all the News of the Town : adding , or diminishing , according to the Stock of their Wit and Invention , and spreading it all abroad , to the believing Fools and Gossips ; and perplexing every Body with a Hundred ridiculous Novels , which they pass off , for Wit , and Entertainment : Or else , some of those Re-counters of Adventures , that are always telling of Intrigues , and that make a Secret , to a Hundred People , of a Thousand foolish things they have heard . Like a certain Pert , and Impertinent Lady of the Town , whose Youth and Beauty being past , sets up for Wit , to uphold a feeble Empire over idle Hearts : And whose Character is this , — The Coquet . Milinda , who had never been Esteem'd a Beauty at Fifteen , Always Amorous was , and Kind : To every Swain , she lent an Ear. Free as Air , but False as Wind ; Tet none complain'd , She was Severe . She eas'd more than she made complain : Was always Singing , Pert , and Vain . Where e'er the Throng was , she was seen , And swept the Youths along the Green. With equal Grace , she flatter'd all ; And fondly Proud of all Address : Her Smiles invite , her Eyes do call ; And her vain Heart , her Looks confess . She Raillies this , to that she Bow'd ; Was Talking ever , Laughing loud . On every Side , she makes Advance ; And every where , a Confidance . She tells , for Secrets , all she knows ; And all to know , she does pretend , Beauty in Maids , she treats as Foes ; But every handsom Youth , as Friend . Scandal still passes off for Truth ; And Noise and Nonsence , Wit , and Youth . Coquet all o'er , and every Part , Yet wanting Beauty , even of Art. Herds with the Vgly , and the Old ; And plays the Critick on the rest Of Men , the Bashful , and the Bold ; Either , and All , by Turns , likes best . Even now , tho' Youth be languisht , she Sets up for Love , and Gallantry . This sort of Creature , Damon , is very dangerous ; not that I fear , you will squander away a Heart upon her , but your Hours ; for , in spight of you , she 'll detain you with a Thousand Impertinencies , and Eternal Tattle . She passes for a Judging Wit ; and there is nothing so troublesome , as such a Pretender . She , perhaps , may get some Knowledge of our Correspondence ; and then , no doubt , will improve it , to my Disadvantage . P●ssibly , she may rail at me ; that is her fashion , by the way of Friendly Speaking ; and an Aukward Commendation , the most effectual Way of Desaming , and Traducing . Perhaps she tells you , in a cold Tone , that you are a Happy Man , to be Belov'd by me : That Iris , indeed , is handsom ; and she wonders , she has no more Lovers ; but the Men are not of her Mind ; if they were , you should have more Rivals . She commends my Face , but that I have Blue Eyes , and 't is pity my Complexion is no better : My Shape , but too much inclining to Fat. Cries — She would charm infinitely with her Wit , but that she knows too well , she is Mistress of it . And concludes , — But All together , she is well enough . — Thus she runs on , without giving you leave to edge in a Word , in my Defence ; and ever , and anon , Crying up her own Conduct , and Management : Tell you , how she is opprest with Lovers , and fatigu'd with Addresses ; and recommending her self , at every Turn , with a perceivable Cunning : And all the while , is Jilting you of your good Opinion ; which she would buy , at the Price of any Body's Repose , or her own Fame , though but for the Vanity of Adding to the number of her Lovers . When she sees a new Spark , the first thing she does , she enquires into his Estate : If she find it such , as may ( if the Coxcomb be well manag'd ) supply her Vanity , she makes Advances to him , and applies her self to all those little Arts , she usually makes use of , to gain her Fools ; and , according to his Humour , dresses and affects her own . But , Damon , since I point to no particular Person , in this Character , I will not name , who you shall avoid ; but all of this sort , I conjure you , wheresoever you find ' em . But if unlucky Chance throw you in their Way , hear all they say , without Credit , or Regard , as far as Decency will suffer you : Hear 'em , without approving their Foppery ; and hear 'em , without giving 'em Cause to censure you . But 't is so much Time lost , to listen to all the Novels , this sort of People will perplex you with ; whose Business is , to be idle ; and who , even tire themselves with their own Impertinencies . And be assur'd , after all , there is nothing they can tell you , that is worth your Knowing . And , Damon , A perfect Lover never asks any News , but of the Maid he loves . The Enquiry . Damon , If your Love be True , To the Heart that you possess , Tell me ; What have you to do , Where you have no Tenderness ? Her Affairs , who cares to learn , For whom he has not some Concern ? If a Lover fain would know , If the Object lov'd be true , Let her but industrious be , To watch his Curiosity . Tho' ne'er so cold his Questions seem , They come from warmer Thoughts within . When I hear a Swain enquire What Gay Melinda does to live , I conclude , there is some Fire In a Heart Inquisitive : Or 't is , at least , the Bill , that 's set , To shew , The Heart is to be Let. 2 A-Clock . Dinner-time . LEave all those fond Entertainments , or you will dis-oblige me , and make Dinner wait for you ; for my Cupid tells you , 't is that Hour . Love does not pretend to make you lose that ; nor is it my Province , to order you your Dyet . Here I give you a perfect Liberty , to do what you please : And possibly , 't is the only Hour in the whole Four and twenty , that I will absolutely resign you , or dispence with your , even so much as Thinking on me . 'T is true , in Seating your self at Table , I wou'd not have you plac'd over against a very Beautiful Object ; for in such an one , there are a Thousand little Graces , in Speaking , Looking , and Laughing , that fail not to Charm , if one gives way to the Eyes , to gaze and wander that Way ; in which , perhaps , in spight of you , you will find a Pleasure : And while you do so , though without Design , or Concern , you give the fair Charmer a sort of Vanity , in believing , you have plac'd your self there , only for the Advantage of Looking on her ; and assumes a Hundred little Graces , and Affectations , which are not Natural to her , to compleat a Conquest , which she believes so well begun already . She softens her Eyes , and sweetens her Mouth ; and , in fine , puts on another Air , than when she had no Design ; and when you did not , by your continual Looking on her , rouze her Vanity , and increase her easie Opinion of her own Charms . Perhaps she knows , I have some Interest in your Heart ; and Prides her self , at least , with believing , she has attracted the Eyes of my Lover , if not his Heart ; and thinks it easie to vanquish the Whole , if she pleases ; and triumphs over me in her secret Imaginations . Remember , Damon , that while you act thus in the Company , and Conversation of other Beauties , that every Look , or Word , you give , in favour of 'em , is an Indignity to my Reputation ; and , which you cannot suffer , if you love me truly , and with Honour : And , assure your self , so much Vanity as you inspire in her , so much Fame you rob me of ; for whatever Praises you give another Beauty , so much you take away from mine . Therefore , if you dine in Company , do as others do : Be generally Civil , not applying your self , by Words , or Looks , to any particular Person : Be as gay as you please : Talk and laugh with all , for this is not the Hour for Chagrin . The Permission . My Damon , tho' I stint your Love , I will not stint your Appetite : That I would have you still improve , By every new , and fresh Delight . Feast , till Apollo hides his Head ; Or drink the Am'rous God to Thetis Bed. Be like your self : All Witty , Gay ! And o're the Bottle bless the Board , The Listening round will , all the Day , Be charm'd , and pleas'd with every ibord . Tho' Venus Son inspire your Wit , 'T is the Selenian God best utters it . Here talk of ev'ry thing , but me , Since ev'ry Thing you say with Grace . If not dispos'd your Humour be , And you 'd this Hour in Silence pass ; Since something must the Subject prove Of Damon's Thoughts ; let it be Me , and Love. But , Damon , this ensranchis'd Hour , No Bounds , or Laws , will I impose ; But leave it wholly in your Pow'r , What Humour to refuse , or chuse . I Rules prescribe but to your Flame ; For I , your Mistress , not Physitian , am . 3 A-Clock . Visits to Friends . DAmon , my Watch is juster than you imagine ; it would not have you live Retired and Solitary , but permits you to go , and make Visits . I am not one of those that believe , Love and Friendship cannot find a Place in one and the same Heart : And that Man wou'd be very unhappy , who , as soon as he had a Mistress , shou'd be oblig'd to renounce the Society of his Friends . I must confess , I wou'd not , that you shou'd have so much Concern for them , as you have for me ; for I have heard a sort of a Proverb , that says , He cannot be very fervent in Love , who is not a little cold in Friendship . You are not ignorant , that when Love establishes himself in a Heart , he Reigns a Tyrant there ; and will not suffer , even Friendship , if it pretend to share his Empire there . Cupid . Love is a God , whose charming Sway , Both Heaven , and Earth , and Seas obey . A Pow'r that will not mingled be With any dull Equality . Since first from Heav'n , which gave him Birth , He rul'd the Empire of the Earth , Jealous of Sov'raign Power , he rules , And will be Absolute in Souls . I shou'd be very angry , if you had any of those Friendships , which one ought to desire in a Mistress only ; for many times it happens , that you have Sentiments a little too tender for those Amiable Persons ; and many times , Love and Friendship are so confounded together , that one cannot easily discern one from t'other . I have seen a Man flatter himself with an Opinion , that he had but an Esteem for a Woman , when , by some Turn of Fortune in her Life , as Marrying , or Receiving the Addresses of Men , he has found , by Spight and Jealousies within , that that was Love , which he before took for Complaisance , or Friendship . Therefore have a Care ; for such Amities are dangerous . Not but that a Lover may have Fair and Generous Female Friends , whom he ought to visit ; and perhaps , I shou'd esteem you less , if I did not believe , you were valued by such , if I were perfectly assured , they were Friends , and not Lovers . But have a care , you hide not a Mistress under this Veil , or that you gain not a Lover by this Pretence ; for you may begin with Friendship , and end with Love ; and I shou'd be equally afflicted , shou'd you give it , or receive it . And though you charge our Sex with all the Vanity ; yet I often find Nature to have given you as large a Portion of that common Crime , which you wou'd shuffle off , as asham'd to own ; and are as fond and vain of the Imagination of a Conquest , as any Coquet of us all ; though , at the same time , you despise the Victim , you think it adds a Trophy to your Fame . And I have seen a Man dress , and trick , and adjust his Looks and Meen , to make a Visit to a Woman he lov'd not , nor ever cou'd love , as for those he made to his Mistress ; and only for the Vanity of making a Conquest upon a Heart , even unworthy of the little Pains he has taken about it . And what is this , but buying Vanity at the Expence of Sense and Ease ; and with Fatigue , purchase the Name of a Conceited Fop , besides that of a dishonest Man ? For he who takes pains to make himself Belov'd , only to please his curious Humour , though he should say nothing that tends to it , more than by his Looks , his Sighs , and now and then breaking into Praises and Commendations of the Object , by the Care he takes , to appear well drest before her , and in good Order ; he lies in his Looks , he deceives with his Meen and Fashion , and cheats with every Motion , and every Grace he puts on : He cozens when he sings , or dances , he dissembles when he sighs ; and every thing he does , that wilfully gains upon her , is Malice propense , Baseness , and Art below a Man of Sense , or Vertue : And yet these Arts , these Coz'nages , are the common Practices of the Town . What 's this , but that Damnable Vice , of which they so reproach our Sex ; that of Jilting for Hearts ? And 't is in vain , that my Lover , after such foul Play , shall think to appease me , with saying , He did it , to try how easily he cou'd conquer , and of how great Force his Charms were : And why shou'd I be angry , if all the Town lov'd him , since he lov'd none but Iris ? Oh Foolish Pleasure ! How little Sense goes to the making of such a Happiness ? And how little Love must he have for one particular Person , who wou'd wish to inspire it into all the World , and yet himself pretend to be insensible ? But this , Damon , is rather , what is but too much practised by your Sex , than any Guilt I charge on you ; though Vanity be an Ingredient , that Nature very seldom omits , in the Composition of either Sex ; and you may be allow'd a Tincture of it , at least . And perhaps , I am not wholly exempt from this Leaven in my Nature , but accuse my self sometimes , of finding a secret Joy of being Ador'd , though I even hate my Worshipper . But if any such Pleasure touch my Heart , I find it , at the same time , blushing in my Cheeks , with a guilty Shame ; which soon checks the petty Triumph , and I have a Vertue at soberer Thoughts , that I find surmounts my Weakness , and Indiscretion ; and I hope , Damon finds the same ; for , should he have any of those Attachments , I should have no Pity for him . The Example . Damon , if you wou'd have me True , Be you my President , and Guide : Example sooner we pursue , Than the dull Dictates of our Pride . Precepts of Vertue are too weak an Aim : 'T is Demonstration , that can best reclaim . Shew me the Path you 'd have me go ; With such a Guide , I cannot stray : What you approve , what e'er you do , It is but just , I bend that Way . If true , my Honour favours your Design : If false , Revenge is the Result of mine . A Lover True , a Maid Sincere , Are to be priz'd , as Things Divine : 'T is Justice makes the Blessing dear ; Justice of Love , without Design . And She that Reigns not in a Heart alone , Is never Safe , or Easie , on her Throne . 4 A-Clock . General Conversation . IN this Visiting Hour , many People will happen to meet , at one and the same time together , in a Place : And , as you make not Visits to Friends , to be silent , you ought to enter into Conversation with 'em ; but those Conversations ought to be General , and of General Things ; for there is no necessity of making your Friend the Confident of your Amours : 'T would infinitely displease me , to hear , you have reveal'd to them , all that I have repos'd in you : Though Secrets never so trivial , yet , since utter'd between Lovers , they deserve to be priz'd at a higher Rate . For what can shew a Heart more indifferent , and indiscreet , than to declare , in any Fashion , or with Mirth , or Joy , the Tender Things a Mistress says to a Lover ; and which possibly , related at Second Hand , bear not the same Sense , because they have not the same Sound and Air , they had Originally , when they came from the soft Heart of her , who sigh'd 'em first , to her lavish Lover . Perhaps they are told again with Mirth , or Joy , unbecoming their Character , and Business ; and then they lose their Graces ; ( for Love is the most Solemn Thing in Nature , and the most unsuiting with Gayety . ) Perhaps the soft Expressions sute not so well the harsher Voice of the Masculine Lover , whose Accents were not form'd for so much Tenderness ; at least , not of that sort ; for Words that have the same Meaning , are alter'd from their Sense , by the least Tone , or Accent of the Voice ; and those proper , and fitted to my Soul , are not , possibly , so to yours , though both have the same Efficacy upon us ; yours upon my Heart , as mine upon yours ; and both will be mis-understood by the unjudging World. Besides this , there is a Holiness in Love , that 's true , that ought not to be prophan'd : And as the Poet truly says , at the latter End of an Ode ; of which , I will recite the Whole . The Invitation . Aminta , fear not to confess The charming Secret of thy Tenderness : That which a Lover can't conceal , That which , to me , thou shouldst reveal ; And is but what thy Lovely Eyes express . Come , whisper to my panting Heart , That heaves , and meets thy Voice half way : That guesses what thou wou'dst impart , And languishes for what thou hast to say . Confirm my trembling Doubt , and make me know , Whence all these Blushings , and these Sighings flow . Why dost thou scruple to unfold A Mystery that does my Life concern ? If thoune'er speak'st , it will be told ; For Lovers all things can discern . From every Look , from every bashful Grace , That still succeed each other , in thy Face , I shall the dear Transporting Secret learn : But 't is a Pleasure , not to be exprest , To hear it by thy Voice confest , When soft Sighs breath it on my panting Breast . All calm and silent is the Grove , Whose shading Boughs resist the Day : Here thou may'st blush , and talk of Love , While only Winds , unheeding , stay , That will not bear the Sound away : While I , with solemn Awful Joy , All my Attentive Faculties employ ; List'ning to ev'ry valu'd Word ; And in my Soul , the Sacred Treasure hoard . There , like some Mystery Divine , The Wondrous Knowledge I 'll enshrine . Love can his Joys , no longer call his own , Than the dear Secret's kept unknown . There is nothing more true , than those two last Lines ; and that Love ceases to be a Pleasure , when it ceases to be a Secret , and one you ought to keep Sacred . For the World , who never makes a right Judgment of Things , will mis-interpret Love , as they do Religion ; every one judging it , according to the Notion he has of if , or the Talent of his Sense . Love , as a great Duke said , is like Apparitions ; every one talks of 'em , but few have seen 'em : Every body thinks himself capable of understanding Love , and that he is a Master in the Art of it ; when there is nothing so nice , or difficult to be rightly comprehended ; and indeed , cannot be , but to a Soul very delicate . Nor will he make himself known to the Vulgar : There must be an uncommon Fineness in the Mind , that contains him ; the rest , he only visits in as many Disguises , as there are Dispositions , and Natures ; where he makes but a short Stay , and is gone . He can fit himself to all Hearts , being the greatest Flatterer in the World : And he possesses every one with a Considence , that they are in the Number of his Elect ; and they think , they know him perfectly , when nothing but the Spirits refin'd , possess him in his Excellency . From this Difference of Love in different Souls , proceeds those odd Fantastick Maxims , which so many hold of so different Kinds : And this makes the most innocent Pleasures pass oftentimes for Crimes , with the unjudging Crowd , who call themselves Lovers : And you will have your Passion censur'd , by as many as you shall discover it to , and as many several Ways . I advise you therefore , Damon , to make no Confifidents of your Amours ; and believe , that Silence has , with me , the most powerful Charm. 'T is also in these Conversations , that those indiscreetly civil Persons often are , who think to oblige a good Man , by letting him know , he is Belov'd by some one , or other ; and making him understand , how many good Qualities he is Master of , to render him agreeable to the fair Sex , if he wou'd but advance , where Love and good Fortune calls ; and that a too constant Lover loses a great part of his Time , which might be manag'd to more Advantage , since Youth hath so short a Race to run : By this , and a Thousand the like indecent Complaisances , give him a Vanity , that sutes not with that Discretion , which has hitherto acquir'd him so good a Reputation . I wou'd not have you , Damon , act on these Occasions , as many of the Easie Sparks have done before you , who receive such Weakness and Flattery for Truth ; and passing it off with a Smile , suffer 'em to advance in Folly , 'till they have gain'd a Credit with 'em , and they believe all they hear ; telling 'em they do so , by consenting Gestures , Silence , or open Approbation . For my part , I shou'd not condemn a Lover , that shou'd answer such a sort of civil Brokers for Love somewhat briskly , and by giving 'em to understand , they are already engaged ; or directing 'em to Fools , that will possibly hearken to 'em , and credit such Stuff , shame 'em out of a Folly so insamous , and disingenious . In such a Case only , I am willing you shou'd own your Passion ; not that you need tell the Object , which has charm'd you : And you may say , you are already a Lover , without saying , you are Belov'd . For so long as you appear to have a Heart unengag'd , you are expos'd to all the little Arts and Addresses of this sort of obliging Procurers of Love , and give way to the Hope they have , of making you their Proselyte . For your own Reputation then , and my Ease and Honour , shun such Conversations ; for they are neither credible to you , nor pleasing to me : And believe me , Damon , a true Lover has no Curiosity , but what concerns his Mistress . 5 A-Clock . Dangerous Visits . I Fore-see , or fear , that these busie , impertinent Friends will oblige you , to visit some Ladies of their Acquaintance , or yours : My Watch does not forbid you . Yet I must tell you , I apprehend Danger in such Visits ; and I fear , you will have need of all your Care and Precaution , in these Encounters . That you may give me no Cause to suspect you , perhaps you will argue , that Civility obliges you to 't : If I were assur'd , there wou'd no other Design be carried on , I shou'd believe , it were to advance an Amorous Prudence too far , to forbid you . Only keep your self upon your Guard ; for the Business of most part of the fair Sex is , to seek only the Conquest of Hearts : All their Civilities , are but so many Interests ; and they do nothing without Design . And in such Conversations , there is always a Je ne scay quoy , that is to be fear'd ; especially , when Beauty is accompanied with Youth and Gayety ; and which they assume , upon all Occasions that may serve their Turn . And I consess , 't is not an easie matter to be just in these Hours and Conversations : The most certain Way of being so , is to imagine , I read all your Thoughts , observe all your Looks , and hear all your Words . The Caution . My Damon , if your Heart be kind , Do not too long with Beauty stay ; For there are certain Moments , when the Mind Is hurry'd , by the Force of Charms , away . In Fate , a Minute Critical there lics , That waits on Love , and takes you by Surprise . A Lover pleas'd with Constancy , Lives still as if the Maid he lov'd were by : As if his Actions were in View : As if his Steps she did pursue ; Or that his very Soul she knew . Take heed ; for tho' I am not present there , My Love , my Genius , waits you every where . I am very much pleas'd with the Remedy , you say , you make use of , to defend your self from the Attacks that Beauty gives your Heart ; which , in one of your Billets , you said , was this , or to this purpose . The Charm for Constancy . Iris , to keep my Soul entire , and true , It thinks , each Moment of the Day , on you . And when a charming Face I see , That does all other Eyes incline , It has no Influence on me : I think it ev'n deform'd to thine . My Eyes , my Soul , and Sense , regardless move To all , but the dear Object of my Love. But , Damon , I know , all Lovers are naturally Flatterers , though they do not think so themselves ; because every one makes a Sense of Beauty , according to his own Fancy . But perhaps , you will say , in your own Defence , That 't is not Flattery to say , an Unbeautiful Woman is Beautiful , if he that says so , believes she is so . I shou'd be content to acquit you of the first , provided you allow me the last : And if I appear Charming in Damon's Eyes , I am not fond of the Approbation of any other . 'T is enough , the World thinks me not altogether disagreeable , to justifie his Choice ; but let your good Opinion give what Increase it pleases , to my Beauty ; though your Approbation give me a Pleasure , it shall not a Vanity ; and I am contented , that Damon should think me a Beauty , without my believing I am one . 'T is not to draw new Assurances , and new Vows from you , that I speak this ; though Tales of Love are the only ones we desire to hear often told , and which never tire the Hearers , if addrest to themselves : But 't is not to this End , I now seem to doubt what you say to my Advantage : No , my Heart knows no Disguise , nor can dissemble one Thought of it to Damon ; 't is all Sincere , and Honest , as his Wish : 'T is therefore it tells you , it does not credit every Thing you say ; though I believe , you say abundance of Truths , in a great Part of my Character . But when you advance to that , which my own Sense , my Judgment , or my Glass cannot perswade me to believe ; you must give me leave , either to believe , you think me vain enough to credit you , or pleas'd , that your Sentiments and mine are differing in this Point . But I doubt , I may rather reply in some Verses , a Friend of yours and mine , sent to a Person , she thought , had but indifferent Sentiments for her ; yet , who , nevertheless , flatter'd her , because he imagin'd , she had a very great Esteem for him . She is a Woman that , you know , naturally hates Flattery : On the other side , she was extreamly dis-satisfy'd , and uneasie , at his Opinion , of his being more in her Favour , than she desir'd he shou'd believe . So that , one Night , having left her full of Pride and Anger , she , next Morning , sent him these Verses , instead of a Billet-doux . The Defyance . By Heaven , 't is false : I am not vain ; And rather wou'd the Subject be Of your Indifference , or Disdain , Than Wit , or Raillery . Take back the trifling Praise you give , And pass it on same Easier Fool , Who may th'Injuring Wit believe , That turns her into Ridicule . Tell her , she 's Witty , Fair , and Gay ; With all the Charms that can subdue : Perhaps she 'l credit what you say : But Curse me , if I do . If your Diversion you design , On my Good Nature you have prest : Or if you do intend it mine , You have mistook the Jest. Philander , fly that guilty Art : Your Charming Facil Wit will find , It cannot play long on a Heart , That is Sincere and Kind . For Wit with Softness does reside , Good Nature is with Pity stor'd ; But Flatt'ry's the Result of Pride , And fawns to be Ador'd . Nay , even when you smile and bow , 'T is to be render'd more compleat . Your Wit , with ev'ry Grace you shew , Is but a Popular Cheat. Laugh on , and call me Coxcomb — do ; And , your Opinion to improve , Think , all you think of me , is true ; And , to confirm it , swear , I love . Then , while you wreck my Soul with Pain , And of a Cruel Conquest boast , 'T is you , Philander , that are Vain , And Witty , at my Cost . Possibly , the angry Aminta , when she writ these Verses , was more offended , that he believ'd himself belov'd , than that he flatter'd ; though she wou'd seem to make that a great Part of the Quarrel , and Cause of her Resentment : For we are often in an Humour , to seem more Modest in that Point , than naturally we are ; being too apt to have a favourable Opinion of our selves : And 't is rather , the Effects of a Fear that we are flatter'd , than our own ill Opinion of the Beauty flatter'd ; and that the Praiser does not think so well of it , as we do our selves , or as , at least , we wish he shou'd . Not but there are Grains of Allowance , for the Temper of him that speaks : One Man's Humour is , to talk much ; and he may be permitted to enlarge upon the Praise he gives the Person he pretends to , without being accus'd of much Guilt . Another hates to be Wordy ; from such an one , I have known , one soft Expression , one tender Thing , go as far , as whole Days everlasting Protestations , urg'd with Vows , and mighty Eloquence : And both the One , and the Other , indeed , must be allow'd , in good Manners , to stretch the Complement beyond the Bounds of nice Truth ; and we must not wonder , to hear a Man call a Woman , a Beauty , when she is not Ugly ; or another , a Great Wit , if she have but Common Sense , above the Vulgar ; well Bred , when well Drest ; and Good-Natur'd , when Civil . And as I shou'd be very Ridiculous , if I took all you said , for Absolute Truth ; so I shou'd be very Unjust , not to allow you very Sincere , in almost all you said besides ; and those Things , the most Material to Love , Honour , and Friendship . And for the rest , Damon , be it true , or false , this believe ; You speak with such a Grace , that I cannot chuse but Credit you ; and find an infinite Pleasure in that Faith , because I love you : And if I cannot find the Cheat , I am contented , you shou'd deceive me on , because you do it so agreeably . 6 A-Clock . Walk without Design . YOu yet have Time to Walk ; and my Watch fore-saw , you cou'd not refuse your Friends . You must to the Park , or the Mall ; for the Season is fair , and inviting ; and all the Young Beauties love those Places too well , not to be there . 'T is there , that a Thousand Intrigues are carried on , and as many more design'd . 'T is there , that every one is set out for Conquest ; and who aim at nothing , less than Hearts . Guard yours well , my Damon ; and be not always Admiring what you see . Do not , in passing by sigh 'em silent Praises . Suffer not so much as a guilty Wish to approach your Thoughts , nor a heedful Glance to steal from your fine Eyes : Those are Regards , you ought only to have for her you Love. But Oh! Above all , have a Care of what you say . You are not reproachable , if you should remain silent , all the Time of your Walk ; nor wou'd those that know you , believe it the Effects of Dulness , but Melancholy . And if any of your Friends ask you , Why you are so ? I will give you leave to sigh , and say — The Mal-Content . Ah! Wonder not , if I appear Regardless of the Pleasures here ; Or that my Thoughts are thus confin'd To the Just Limits of my Mind . My Eyes take no Delight to rove O'er all the Smiling Charmers of the Grove , Since She is absent , whom they Love. Ask me not , Why the flow'ry Spring , Or the Gay Little Birds , that sing , Or the Young Streams , no more delight , Or Shades and Arbours can't invite ? Why the soft Murmurs of the Wind , Within the Thick-grown Groves confin'd , No more my Soul transport , or cheer ? Since all that 's Charming , — Iris is not here ; Nothing seems Glorious , nothing Fair. Then suffer me to Wander thus , With Down-cast Eyes , and Arms a-cross . Let Beauty , unregarded go ; The Trees and Flowers ; unheeded grow . Let purling Streams , neglected glide ; With all the Spring 's adorning-Pride . 'T is Iris only Soul can give To the Dull Shades , and Plains , and make 'em Thrive ; Nature , and my lost Joys , retrieve . I do not , for all this , wholly confine your Eyes : You may look indifferently , on all ; but with a particular Regard , on none . You may praise all the Beauties , in General ; but no single One , too much . I will not exact from you , neither , an entire Silence : There are a Thousand Civilities , you ought to pay to all your Friends and Acquaintance ; and while I caution you of Actions , that may get you the Reputation of a Lover , of some of the Fair , that haunt those Places ; I wou'd not have you , by an unnecessary , and uncomplainsant Sullenness , gain that of a Person too Negligent , or Morose . I wou'd have you remiss in no one Punctilio of Good Manners . I wou'd have you very Just , and pay all you Owe. But in these Affairs , be not Over-generous , and give away too much . In fine , You may Look , Speak , and Walk ; but , Damon , do it all without Design : And while you do so , remember , that Iris sent you this Advice . The Warning . Take heed , my Damon , in the Grove , Where Beauties , with Design , do walk : Take heed , my Damon , how you look , and talk ; For there are Ambuscades of Love. The very Winds , that softly blow , Will help betray your Easie Heart ; And all the Flowers , that blushing grow ; The Shades above , and Rivulets below , Will take the Victor's Part. Remember , Damon , all my Safety lies In the Just Conduct of your Eyes . The Heart , by Nature , Good and Brave , Is , to those Treacherous Guards , a Slave . If they let in the Fair destructive Foe , Scarce Honour can defend her Noble Seat : Ev'n She will be corrupted too , Or driv'n to a Retreat . The Soul is but the Cully to the Sight , And must be pleas'd , in what that takes Delight . Therefore , examine your self well ; and conduct your Eyes , during this Walk , like a Lover , that seeks nothing : And do not stay too long in these Places . 7 A-Clock . Voluntary Retreat . 'T Is Time to be weary ; 't is Night : Take Leave of your Friends , and retire Home . 'T is in this Retreat , that you ought to recollect , in your Thoughts , all the Actions of the Day ; and all those Things , that you ought to give me an Account of , in your Letter : You cannot hide the least Secret from me , without Treason against Sacred Love. For all the World agrees , that Confidence is one of the greatest Proofs of the Passion of Love ; and that Lover , who refuses this Confidence to the Person he loves , is to be suspected , to love but very indifferently , and to think very poorly of the Sense and Generosity of his Mistress . But , that you may acquit your self like a Man , and a Lover of Honour , and leave me no Doubt upon my Soul ; think of all you have done this Day , that I may have all the Story of it , in your next Letter to me : But deal faithfully ; and neither add , nor diminish , in your Relation ; the Truth and Sincerity of your Confession will attone , even for little Faults , that you shall commit against me , in some of those Things you shall tell me . For if you have fail'd in any Point , or Circumstance of Love , I had much rather hear it from you , than another : For 't is a sort of Repentance , to accuse your self ; and wou'd be a Crime unpardonable , if you suffer me to hear it from any other : And be assur'd , while you confess it , I shall be indulgent enough to forgive you . The noblest Quality of Man , is Sincerity ; and , Damon , one ought to have as much of it in Love , as in any other Business of one's Life , notwithstanding the most Part of Men make no Account of it there ; but will believe , there ought to be double Dealing , and an Art , practis'd in Love , as well as in War. But , Oh! beware of that Notion : Sincerity . Sincerity ! Thou greatest Good ! Thou Vertue , which so many boast ! And art so nicely understood ! And often , in the Searching , lost . For when we do approach thee near , The fine Idea , fram'd of thee , Appears not now , so charming fair , As the more useful Flattery . Thou hast no Glist'ring , to invite ; Nor tak'st the Lover , at first Sight , The Modest Vertue shuns the Croud , And lives , like Vestals , in a Cell ; In Cities , 't will not be allow'd ; Nor takes Delight , in Courts to dwell . 'T is Nonsense with the Man of Wit ; And ev'n a Scandal to the Great : For all the Toung , and Fair , unfit ; And scorn'd bywiser Fops of State. A Vertue , yet was never known To the false Trader , or the falser Gown . And , Damon , tho' thy Noble Blood Be most Illustr'ous , and Refin'd ; Tho' ev'ry Grace ; and ev'ry Good Adorn thy Person , and thy Mind ; Yet , if this Vertue shine not there ; ( This God-like Vertue , which alone , Wer't thou less Witty , Brave , or Fair , Wou'd for all these , less priz'd , attone : ) My tender Folly I 'd controul , And scorn the Conquest of thy Soul. 8 A-Clock . Impatient Demands . AFter you have sufficiently recollected your self , of all the past Actions of the Day , call your Page into your Cabinet , or him , whom you trusted with your last Letter to me ; where you ought to enquire of him , a Thousand Things ; and all , of me . Ask impatiently ; and be angry , if he answers not your Curiosity soon enough : Think that he has a Dreaming in his Voice , in these Moments , more than at other Times ; and reproach him with Dulness . For 't is most certain , that when one loves tenderly , we wou'd know in a Minute , what cannot be related in an Hour . Ask him , How I did ? How I receiv'd his Letter ? And if he examin'd the Air of my Face , when I took it ? If I Blusht , or lookt Pale ? If my Hand trembl'd , or I spoke to him , with short , interrupting Sighs ? If I askt him any Questions about you , while I was opening the Seal ? or if I cou'd not well speak , and was silent ? If I read it Attentively , and with Joy ? And all this , before you open the Answer , I have sent you by him : Which , because you are impatient to read , you , with the more Haste and Earnestness , demand all you expect from him ; and that you may the better know , what Humour I was in , when I writ that to you . For , Oh! a Lover has a Thousand little Fears , and Dreads ; he knows not why . In fine , make him recount to you , all that past , while he was with me : And then you ought to read that which I have sent , that you may inform your self of all that passes in my Heart ; for you may assure your self , all that I say to you that way , proceeds from thence . The Assurance . How shall a Lover come to know , Whether he 's Belov'd , or no ? What dear Things must she impart , To assure him of her Heart ? Is it , when her Blushes rise ; And she languish in her Eyes : Tremble , when he does approach : Look Pale , and faint at ev'ry Touch ? Is it when , a Thousand Ways , She does his Wit and Beauty praise ? Or she venture to explain , In less moving Words , a Pain ; Tho' so indiscreet she grows , To confirm it with her Vows . These some short-liv'd Passion moves ; While the Object 's by , she loves ; While the gay , and sudden Fire Kindles by some fond Desire : And a Coldness will ensue , When the Lover's out of View . Then she reflects , with Scandal , o're The easie Scene , that past before . Then , with Blushes , wou'd recall The unconsid ' ring Criminal ; In which , a Thousand Faults she 'll find , And chide the Errors of her Mind . Such fickle Weight is found in Words , As no substantial Faith affords : Deceiv'd and baffl'd all may be , Who trust that frail Security . But a well-digested Flame , That will always be the same ; And that does , from Merit , grow Establisht by our Reason too ; By a better Way , will prove , 'T is th' unerring Fire of Love. Lasting Records it will give : And , that all she says , may live , Sacred and Authentick stand , Her Heart confirms it by her Hand . If this , a Maid , well born , allow ; Damon , believe her Just and True. 9 A-Clock . Melancholy Reflections . YOu will not have much trouble to explain what my Watch designs here . There can be no Thought more afficting , than that of the Absence of a Mistress ; and which , the Sighings of the Heart will soon make you find . Ten Thousand Fears oppress him ; he is jealous of every Body , and envies those Eyes and Ears , that are charm'd , by being near the Object ador'd . He grows impatient , and makes a Thousand Resolutions , and as soon abandons 'em all . He gives himself wholly up to the Torment of Incertainty ; and by degrees , from one cruel Thought , to another , winds himself up to insupportable Chagrin . Take this Hour then , to think on your Misfortunes ; which cannot be small , to a Soul that is wholly sensible of Love. And every one knows , that a Lover , depriv'd of the Object of his Heart , is depriv'd of all the World , and Inconsolable . For though one wishes , without ceasing , for the dear Charmer one loves , and though you speak of her every Minute ; though you are writing to her every Day , and though you are infinitely pleas'd with the dear , and tender Answers ; yet , to speak sincerely , it must be confest , that the Felicity of a true Lover , is to be always near his Mistress . And you may tell me , O Damon ! what you please ; and say , that Absence inspires the Flame , which perpetual Presence wou'd satiate ; I love too well , to be of that Mind ; and when I am , I shall believe , my Passion is declining . I know not whether it advances your Love ; but surely , it must ruin your Repose : And is it impossible to be , at once , an absent Lover , and Happy too ? For my part , I can meet with nothing , that can please , in the Absence of Damon ; but , on the contrary , I see all Things with Disgust . I will flatter my self , that 't is so with you ; and that the least Evils appear great Misfortunes ; and that all thòse , who speak to you of any thing , but of what you love , increase your Pain , by a new Remembrance of her Absence . I will believe , that these are your Sentiments , you are assur'd , not to see me in some Weeks ; and , if your Heart do not betray your Words , all those Days will be tedious to you . I wou'd not , however , have your Melancholy too extream ; and to lessen it , you may perswade your self , that I partake it with you ; for , I remember , in your Last , you told me , you wou'd wish , we shou'd be both griev'd at the same Time , and both , at the same Time , pleas'd ; and I believe , I love too well , not to obey you . Love Secur'd . Love , of all Joys , the sweetest is ; The most substantial Happiness : The softest Blessing , Life can crave : The noblest Passion , Souls can have . Yet , if no Interruptions were , No Difficulties came between , I wou'd not be render'd half so dear . The Sky is gayest , when small Clouds are seen . The sweetest Flower , the blushing Rose , Amidst the Thorns , securest grows . If Love were one continu'd Joy , How soon the Happiness wou'd cloy ! The wiser Gods did this fore-see ; And , to preserve the Bliss entire , Mixt it with Doubt and Jealousie , Those necessary Fuels to the Fire . Sustain'd the sleeting Pleasures , with new Fears ; With little Quarrels , Sighs , and Tears ; With Absence , that tormenting Smart , That makes a Minute seem a Day ; A Day , a Year , to the impatient Heart , That languishes in the Delay , But cannot sigh the tender Pain away ; That still returns , and with a greater Force , Through every Vein , it takes its grateful Course . But whatsoe'er the Lover does sustain , Tho'he still sigh , complain , and fear , It cannot be a Mortal Pain , When two do the Affiction bear . 10 A-Clock . Reflections . After the afflicting Thoughts of my Absence , make some Reflections on your Happiness . Think it a Blessing , to be permitted to love me : Think it so , because I permit it to you alone ; and never cou'd be drawn , to allow it any other . The first Thing you ought to consider is , that , at length , I have suffer'd my self to be overcome , to quit that Nicety , that is natural to me , and receive your Addresses ; nay , thought 'em agreeable ; and that I have , at last , confest , the Present of your Heart is very dear to me . 'T is true , I did not accept of it the first Time it was offer'd me , nor before you had told me a Thousand times , that you cou'd not escape Expiring , if I did not give you leave to sigh for me , and gaze upon me ; and that there was an absolute Necessity for me , either to give you leave to love , or dye . And all those Rigours , my Severity has made you suffer , ought now to be re-counted to your Memory , as Subjects of Pleasure ; and you ought to esteem , and judge of the Price of my Affections , by the Difficulties you found , in being able to touch my Heart : Not but you have Charms , that can conquer at first Sight ; and you ought not to have valu'd me less , if I had been more easily gain'd : But 't is enough to please you , to think , and know , I am gain'd ; no matter when , or how . When , after a Thousand Cares and Inquietudes , that which we wish for , succeeds to our Desires , the Remembrance of those Pains and Pleasures we encounter'd , in arriving at it , gives us a new Joy. Remember also , Damon , that I have prefer'd you , before all those , that have been thought worthy of my Esteem ; and that I have shut my Eyes to all their pleading Merits , and cou'd survey none , but yours . Consider then , that you had , not only the Happiness to please me ; but that you only found out the Way of doing it ; and I had the Goodness , at last , to tell you so , contrary to all the Delicacy , and Niceness of my Soul ; contrary to my Prudence , and all those Scruples , you know , are natural to my Humour . My Tenderness proceeded further , and I gave you innocent Marks of my new-born Passion , on all Occasions , that presented themselves : For after that , from my Eyes and Tongue , you knew the Sentiments of my Heart , I confirm'd that Truth to you , by my Letters . Confess , Damon , that if you make these Reflections , you will not pass this Hour very disagreeably . Beginning Love. As free as wanton Winds , I liv'd , That unconcern'd , do play : No broken Faith , no Fate I griev'd ; No Fortune gave me Joy. A dull Content crown'd all my Hours ; My Heart no Sighs opprest : I call'd in vain on no deas Pow'rs , To ease a tortur'd Breast . The sighing Swains regardless pin'd , And strove in vain , to please : With Pain , I civilly was kind ; But cou'd afford no Ease . Tho' Wit and Beauty did abound , The Charm was wanting still , That cou'd inspire the tender Wound , Or bend my careless Will. Till in my Heart , a kindling Flame , Tour softer Sighs had blown ; Which I , with striving , Love and Shame , Too senfibly did own . What e'er the God , before cou'd plead ; What e'er the Touth's Desert ; The feeble Siege in vain was laid , Against my stubborn Heart . At first , my Sighs and Blushes spoke , Just when your Sighs wou'd rise : And when you gaz'd , I wisht to look ; But durst not meet your Eyes . I trembled , when my Hand you prest , Nor cou'd my Guilt controul ; But Love prevail'd , and I confest The Secrets of my Soul. And when , upon the giving Part , My Present to avow , By all the Ways , confirm'd my Heart , That Honour wou'd allow ; Too mean was all that I cou'd say , Too poorly understood : I gave my Soul the noblest Way , My Letters made it good . You may believe , I did not easily , nor suddenly , bring my Heart to this Condescension ; but I lov'd , and all Things in Damon , were capable of making me resolve so to do . I cou'd not think it a Crime , where every Grace , and every Vertue justify'd my Choice : And when once one is assur'd of this , we find not much Difficulty in owning that Passion , which will so well commend one's Judgment ; and there is no Obstacle , that Love does not surmount . I confest my Weakness a Thousand Ways , before I told it you , and I remember all those Things with Pleasure ; but yet I remember 'em also with Shame . 11 A-Clock . Supper . I Will believe , Damon , that you have been so well entertain'd , during this Hour , and have found so much much in these Thoughts , that if one did not tell you , that Supper waits , you wou'd lose your self in Reflections so pleasing , many more Minutes . But you must go , where you are expected ; perhaps among the Fair , the Young , the Gay ; but do not abandon your Heant to too much Joy , though you have so much Reason to be contented : But the greatest Pleasures are always imperfect . If the Object be lov'd , do not partake of it : For this Reason , be chearful ; and merry , with Reserve . Do not talk too much ; I know , you do not love it ; and if you do it , 't will be the Effect of too much Complaisance , or with some Design of Pleasing too well ; for you know your own charming Power , and how agreeable your Wit and Conversation is to all the World. Remember , I am covetous of every Word you speak , that is not addrest to me ; and envy the happy Listner , if I am not by : And I may reply to you , as Aminta did to Philander , when he charg'd her of loving a Talker : And because , perhaps , you have not heard it , I will , to divert you ; send it you ; and at the same time assure you , Damon , that your more noble Quality , of Speaking little , has reduc'd me to a perfect Abhorrence of those Wordy Sparks , that value themselves , upon their Ready , and Much Talking upon every trivial Subject ; and who have so good an Opinion of their Talent that Way , they will let no body edge in a Word , or a Reply ; but will make all the Conversation themselves , that they may pass for very Entertaining Persons , and pure Company . But the Verses — The Reformation . Philander , since you 'll have it so ; I grant , I was impertinent ; And , till this Moment , did not know , Through all my Life , what 't was I meant . Your kind Opinion was the flattering Glass , In which my Mind , found how deform'd it was . In your clear Sense , which knows no Art , I saw the Errors of my Soul : And all the Foibless of my Heart , With one Reflection , you controul . Kind as a God! and gently you chastise : By what you hate , you teach me to be wise . Impertinence , my Sex's Shame , That has so long my Life pursu'd , You with such Modesty reclaim , As all the Women has subdu'd . To so Divine a Power , what must I owe , That renders me so like the Perfect You ? That Conversable Thing I hate Already , with a just Disdain , That prides himself upon his Prate , And is , of words , that Nonsence vain . When in your few , appears such Excellence , As have reproacht , and charm'd me into Sense . For ever may I list ' ning sit , Tho' but each Hour , a Word be born ; I wou'd attend the Coming Wit , And bless what can so well inform . Let the dull World , henceforth , to Words be dam'd ; I 'm into nobler Sense , than Talking , sham'd . I believe you are so good a Lover , as to be of my Opinion ; and that you will neither force your self against Nature , nor find much Occasion to lavish out those excellent Things , that must proceed from you , when-ever you speak . If all Women were like me , I shou'd have more Reason to fear your Silence , than your Talk ; for you have a Thousand Ways to charm , without Speaking ; and those which , to me , shew a great deal more Concern . But , Damon , you know , the greatest Part of my Sex , judge the fine Gentleman , by the Volubility of his Tongue , by his Dexterity in Repartee ; and cry — " Oh! He never wants fine Things to say : He 's eternally Talking the most surprising Things . " But , Damon , you are well assur'd , I hope , that Iris is none of these Coquets ; at least , if she had any Spark of it once in her Nature , she is , by the Excellency of your contrary Temper , taught to know , and scorn the Folly : And take heed , your Conduct never give me Cause to suspect , you have deceiv'd me in your Temper . 12 A-Clock . Complaisance . NEvertheless , Damon , Civility requires a little Complaisance , after Supper ; and I am assur'd , you can never want that , though , I confess , you are not accus'd of too general a Complaisance ; and do not often make use of it , to those Persons , you have an Indifference for ; though one is not the less Esteemable , for having more of this , than one ought ; and though an Excess of it be a Fault , 't is a very excusable one : Have therefore some for those , with whom you are : You may laugh with 'em , drink with 'em , dance or sing with 'em ; yet think of me . You may discourse of a Thousand indifferent Things with 'em , and at the same time , still think of me . If the Subject be any beautiful Lady , whom they praise , either for her Person , Wit , or Vertue ; you may apply it to me : And if you dare not say it aloud , at least , let your Heart answer in this Language : Yes , the fair Object , whom you praise , Can give us Love a Thousand Ways . Her Wit and Beauty charming are ; But still , my Iris is more fair . No Body ever spoke before me , of a faithful Lover , but I still sigh'd , and thought of Damon : And ever , when they tell me Tales of Love , any soft pleasing Intercourses of an Amour ; Oh! with what Pleasure do I listen ; and with Pleasure answer 'em , either with my Eyes , or Tongue — That Lover may his Silvia warm ; But cannot , like my Damon , charm . If I have not all those excellent Qualities , you meet with in those beautiful People , I am , however , very glad , that Love prepossesses your Heart to my Advantage : And I need not tell you , Damon , that a true Lover ought to perswade himself , that all other Objects ought to give place to her , for whom his Heart sighs — But see , my Cupid tells you , 't is One a-clock , and that you ought not to be longer from your Apartment : Where , while you are Undressing , I will give you leave to say to your self — The Regret . Alas ! And must the Sun decline , Before it have inform'd my Eyes Of all that 's Glorious , all that 's Fine ; Of all I sigh for , all I prize ? How joyful were those happy Days , When Iris spread her charming Rays , Did my unwearied Heart inspire , With never-ceasing awful Fire : And e'ery Minute gave me new Desire ! But now , alas ! All dead and pale , Like Flow'rs , that wither in the Shade ; Where no kind Sun-beams can prevail , To raise its cold , and fading Head ; I sink into my useless Bed. I grasp the senseless Pillow , as I lye ; A Thousand times , in vain , I sighing , cry ; " Ah! Wou'd to Heaven , my Iris were as nigh ! 1 A-Clock . Impossibility to Sleep . YOu have been up long enough ; and Cupid , who takes Care of your Health , tells you , 't is time for you to go to Bed. Perhaps you may not sleep as soon as you are laid ; and possibly , you may pass an Hour in Bed , before you shut your Eyes . In this Impossibility of Sleeping , I think it very proper for you to imagine , what I am doing ; where I am . Let your Fancy take a little Journey then , invisible , to observe my Actions , and my Conduct . You will find me , sitting alone in my Cabinet ( for I am one that do not love to go to Bed early ) and will find me very uneasie , and pensive ; pleas'd with none of those Things , that so well entertain others . I shun all Conversation , as far as Civility will allow ; and find no Satisfaction , like being alone ; where my Soul may , without Interruption , converse with Damon . I sigh ; and sometimes , you will see my Cheeks wet with Tears , that insensibly glide down , at a Thousand Thoughts , that present themselves soft , and afflicting . I partake of all your Inquietude . On other Things , I think with Indifference , if ever my Thoughts do stray from the more agreeable Object . I find , however , a little Sweetness in this Thought , that , during my Absence , your Heart thinks of me , when mine sighs for you . Perhaps , I am mistaken ; and that , at the same Time , that you are the Entertainment of all my Thoughts , I am no more in yours : And perhaps , you are thinking of those Things , that immortalize the Young , and Brave ; either by those Glories , the Muses flatter you with ; or that of Belloua , and the God of War ; and Serving now a Monarch , whose Glorious Acts in Arms , has out-gone all the seign'd , and real Heroes of any Age ; who has , himself , out-done what-ever History can produce , of Greatand Brave ; and set so Illustrious an Example to the Under-World , that it is not impossible , as much a Lover as you are , but you are thinking now , how to render your self worthy the Glory of such a God-like Master , by projecting a Thousand Things of projecting , and Danger . And though , I confess , such Thoughts are proper for your Youth , your Quality , and the Place you have the Honour to hold , under our Soveraign ; yet , let me tell you , Damon , you will not be without Inquietude , if you think of either being a delicate Poet , or a brave Warrior ; for Love will still interrupt your Glory , however you may think to divert him ; either by Writing , or Fighting . And you ought to remember these Verses , Love and Glory . Beneath the kind protecting Lawrel's Shade , For sighing Lovers , and for Warriors made , The soft Adonis , and rough Mars were laid . Both were design'd to take their Rest ; But Love , the Gentle Boy , opprest , And false Alarms shook the slern Hero's Breast . This , thinks to soften all his Toyls of War , In the dear Arms of the obliging Fair : And That , by Hunting , to divert his Care. All Day , o'er Hills and Plains , Wild Beasts he chac't ; Swift , as the flying Winds , his eager Haste , In vain ! The God of Love pursues as fast . But Oh! No Sports , no Toyls divertive prove : The Evening still returns him to the Grove , To sigh , and languish for the Queen of Love. Where Elogies , and Sonnets , he does frame ; And to the list'ning Ecchoes sighs her Name ; And on the Trees carves Records of his Flame . The Warrior , in the Dusty Camp all Day ; With ratling Drums , and Trumpets , does essay , To fright the Tender Flatt'ring God away . But still , alas , in vain ! What ere Delight , What Care he takes the wanton Boy to fright ; Love still revenges it at Night . 'T is then , he baunts the Royal Tent ; The sleeping Hours , in Sighs are spent ; And all his Resolutions does prevent . In all his Pains , Love mixt his Smart : In every Wound , he feels a Dart ; And the soft God is trembling in his Heart . Then he retires to shady Groves ; And there , in vain , he seeks Repose ; And strives to fly from what he cannot lose . While thus he lay , Bellona , came ; And with a generous fierce Disdain , Upbraids him with his feeble Flame . Arise ! The World 's great Terrour , and their Care ! Behold the glitt'ring Host from far , That waits the Conduct of the God of War. Beneath these Glorious Lawrels , which were made , To crown the noble Victor's Head ; Why thus Supinely art thou laid ? Why on that Face , where Awful Terrour grew , Thy Sun-parcht Cheeks ; why do I view The shining Tracts of falling Tears bedew ? What God has wrought these universal Harms ? What fatal Nymph ; What fatal Charms Has made the Heroe deaf to War's Alarms ? Now let the Conqu'ring Ensigns up be furl'd : Learn to be gay , be soft , and curl'd ; And Idle , lose the Empire of the World. In fond Effeminate Delights go on : Lose all the Glories , you have won : Bravely resolve to love , and be undone . 'T is thus the Martial Virgin pleads : Thus she the Am'rous God perswades , To fly from Venus , and the flow'ry Meads . You see here , that Poets and Warriors are oftentimes in Affliction , even under the Shades of their Protecting-Lawrels ; and let the Nymphs and Virgins sing what they please to their Memory , under the Mirtles , and on Flowery Beds ; much better Days , than in the Campagne . Nor do the Crowns of Glory surpass those of Love : The First is but an empty Name , which is won , kept , and lost with Hazard ; but Love more nobly employs a brave Soul , and all his Pleasures are solid and lasting ; and when one has a worthy Object of one's Flame , Glory accompanies Love too . But go to sleep , the Hour is come ; and 't is now , that your Soul ought to be entertain'd in Dreams . 2 A-Clock . Conversation in Dreams . I Doubt not , but you will think it very bold and arbitrary , that my Watch shou'd pretend to rule even your sleeping Hours , and that my Cupid shou'd govern your very Dreams ; which are but Thoughts disorder'd , in which Reason has no Part ; Chimera's of the Imagination , and no more : But though my Watch does not pretend to counsel unreasonably , yet you must allow it here ; if not to pass the Bounds , at least , to advance to the utmost Limits of it . I am assur'd , that after having thought so much of me in the Day , you will think of me also in the Night . And the first Dream my Watch permits you to make , is to think you are in Conversation with me . Imagine , Damon , that you are talking to me of your Passion , with all the Transport of a Lover ; and that I hear you with Satisfaction : That all my Looks and Blushes , while you are speaking , gives you new Hopes , and Assurances , that you are not indifferent to me ; and that I give you a Thousand Testimonies of my Tenderness , all Innocent , and Obliging . While you are saying all that Love can dictate , all that Wit and good Manners can invent , and all that I wish to hear from Damon , believe , in this Dream , all flattering and dear ; that after having shew'd me the Ardour of your Flame , that I confess to you the Bottom of my Heart , and all the loving Secrets there ; that I give you Sigh for Sigh , Tenderness for Tenderness , Heart for Heart , and Pleasure for Pleasure . And I wou'd have your Sense of this Dream so perfect , and your Joy fo entire , that if it happen you shou'd awake , with the Satisfaction from this Dream , you shou'd find your Heart still panting with the foft Pleasure of the dear deceiving Transport , and you shou'd be ready to cry out — Ah! How sweet it is to dream , When charming Iris is the Theam ! For such , I wish , my Damon , your sleeping , and your waking Thoughts shou'd render me to your Heart . 3 A-Clock . Capricious Suffering in Dreams . IT is but just , to mix a little Chagrin with these Pleasures , a little Bitter with your Sweet ; you may be cloy'd with too long an Imagination of my Favours : And I will have your Fancy in Dreams , represent me to it , as the most capricious Maid in the World. I know , here you will accuse my Watch , and blame me with unnecessary Cruelty , as you will call it ; but Lovers have their little Ends , their little Advantages , to pursue by Methods wholly unaccountable to all , but that Heart that contrives 'em : And , as good a Lover as I believe you , you will not enter into my Design at first Sight ; and though , on reasonable Thoughts , you will be satisfy'd with this Conduct of mine , at its first Approach , you will be ready to cry out ! — The Request . Oh Iris ! Let my sleeping Hours be fraught With Joys , which you deny my waking Thought . Is 't not enough , you absent are ? Is 't not enough , I sigh all Day ; And languish out my Life in Care : To e'ery Passion made a Prey ? I burn with Love , and soft Desire ; I rave with Jealousie and Fear : All Day , for Ease , my Soul I tire ; In vain I search it e'ery where : It dwells not with the Witty , or the Fair. It is not in the Camp , or Court ; In Bus'ness , Musick , or in Sport : The Plays , the Park , and Mall afford No more than the dull Basset-board . The Beauties in the Drawing-room , With all their Sweetness , all their Bloom , No more my faithful Eyes invite , Nor rob my Iris of a Sigh , or Glance ; Unless soft Thoughts of her incite A Smile , or trivial Complaisance . Then since my Days so anxious prove , Ah , cruel Tyrant ! Give A little Loose to Joys in Love ; And let your Damon live . Let him in Dreams be happy made ; And let his Sleep some Bliss provide : The nicest Maid may yield , in Night's dark Shade , What she so long , by Day-light , had deny'd . There let me think , you present are ; And court my Pillow , for my Fair. There let me find you kind , and that you give All that a Man of Honour dares receive . And may my Eyes eternal Watches keep , Rather than want that Pleasure , when I sleep . Some such Complaint as this , I know you will make ; but , Damon , if the little Quarrels of Lovers render the reconciling Moments so infinitely Charming , you must needs allow , that these little Chagrins in capricious Dreams , must awaken you to more Joy , to find 'em but Dreams , than if you had met with no Disorder there . 'T is for this Reason , that I wou'd have you suffer a little Pain , for a coming Pleasure ; nor , indeed , is it possible for you to escape the Dreams , my Cupid points you out . You shall dream , that I have a Thousand Foiblesses , something of the Lightness of my Sex ; that my Soul is employ'd in a Thousand Vanities ; that , ( proud and fond of Lovers ) I make Advances for the Glory of a Slave , without any other Interest , or Design , than that of being ador'd . I will give you leave to think my Heart fickle ; and that , far from resigning it to any one , I lend it only for a Day , or an Hour , and take it back at Pleasure ; that I am a very Co●●●t , even to Impertinence . All this I give you leave to think , and to offend me ; but 't is in Sleep only , that I permit it ; for I wou'd never pardon you the least Offence of this Nature , if in any other Kind , than in a Dream . Nor is it enough Affliction to you , to imagin me thus idly vain ; but you are to pass on , to a Hundred more capricious Humours ; as that I exact of you a Hundred unjust Things ; that I pretend , you shou'd break off with all your Friends , and , for the future , have none at all ; that I will , my self , do those Things , which I violently condemn in you ; and that I will have for others , as well as you , that tender Friendship that resembles Love ; or rather , that Love , which People call Friendship ; and that I will not , after all , have you dare complain on me . In fine , be as ingenious as you please , to torment your self ; and believe , that I am become unjust , ungrateful , and insensible : But were I so indeed , O Damon ! consider your awaking Heart , and tell me ; Wou'd your Love stand the Proof of all these Faults in me ? But know , that I wou'd have you believe , I have none of these Weaknesses , though I am not wholly without Faults , but those will be excusable to a Lover ; and this Notion I have of a perfect one ; What e'er fantastick Humours rule the Fair , She 's still the Lover's Dote-age , and his Care. 4 A-Clock . Jealousie in Dreams . DO not think , Damon , to wake yet ; for I design you shall yet suffer a little more : Jealousie must now possess you ; that Tyrant over the Heart , that compels your very Reason , and seduces all your good Nature . And in this Dream , you must believe That in Sleeping , which you cou'd not do me the Injustice to do , when awake . And here you must explain all my Actions to the utmost Disadvantage : Nay , I will wish , that the Force of this Jealousie may be so extream , that it may make you languish in Grief , and be overcome with Anger . You shall now imagine , that one of your Rivals is with me , interrupting all you say , or hindring all you wou'd say ; that I have no Attention to what you say aloud to me , but that I incline my Ear , to hearken to all that he whispers to me . You shall repine , that he pursues me every where ; and is eternally at your Heels , if you approach me : That I caress him with Sweetness in my Eyes , and that Vanity in my Heart , that possesses the Humours of almost all the Fair ; that is , to believe it greatly for my Glory , to have abundance of Rivals , for my Lovers . I know , you love too well , not to be extreamly uneasie in the Company of a Rival , and to have one perpetually near me ; for let him be belov'd , or not , by the Mistress , it must be confest , a Rival is a very troublesome Person : But , to afflict you to the utmost , I will have you imagine , that my Eyes approve of all his Thoughts ; that they flatter him with Hopes , and that I have taken away my Heart from you , to make a Present of it to this more lucky Man. You shall suffer , while possest with this Dream , all that a cruel Jealousie can make a tender Soul suffer . The Torment . O Jealousie ! Thou Passion most ingrate ! Tormenting as Despair , envious as Hate ! Spightful as Witchcraft , which th' Invoker harms : Worse than the Wretch that suffers by its Charms . Thou subtil Poyson in the Fancy bred ; Diffus'd through every Vein , the Heart , and Head ; And over all , like wild Contagion , spread . Thou , whose sole Property is to destroy ; Thou Opposite to Good , Antipathy to Joy ; Whose Attributes are cruel , Rage , and Fire ; Reason debaucht , false Sense , and mad Desire . In sine , It is a Passion , that ruffles all the Senses , and disorders the whole Frame of Nature . It makes one hear and see , what was never spoke , and what never was in view . 'T is the Bane of Health and Beauty , an unmannerly Intruder ; and an Evil of Life , worse than Death . She is a very cruel Tyrant in the Heart ; she possesses , and pierces it with infinite Unquiets : And we may lay it down , as a certain Maxim , — She that wou'd wreck a Lover's Heart To the Extent of Cruelty , Must his Tranquility subvert To tort'ring Jealousie . I speak too sensibly of this Passion , not to have lov'd well enough , to have been toucht with it : And you shall be this unhappy Lover , Damon , during this Dream ; in which , nothing shall present it self to your tumultuous Thoughts , that shall not bring its Pain . You shall here pass and re-pass a Hundred Designs , that shall confound one another . In fine , Damon , Anger , Hatred , and Revenge shall surround your Heart . There they shall , all together reign With mighty Force , with mighty Pain ; In Spight of Reason , in Contempt of Love : Sometimes by Turns , sometimes united move . 5 A-Clock . Quarrels in Dreams . I Perceive you are not able to suffer all this Injustice , nor can I permit it any longer ; and though you commit no Crime your self , yet you believe , in this Dream , that I complain of Injuries you do my Fame ; and that I am extreamly angry with a Jealousie so prejudicial to my Honour . Upon this Belief , you accuse me of Weakness ; you resolve to see me no more , and are making a Thousand feeble Vows against Love ! You esteem me as a false One , and resolve to cease loving the vain Coquet ; and will say to me , as a certain Friend of yours said to his false Mistress , The Inconstant . Though Silvia , you are very fair , Yet disagreeable to me : And since you so inconstant are , Your Beauty 's damn'd with Levity . Your Wit , your most offensive Arms , For want of Judgment , wants its Charms . To every Lover , that is new , All new and charming you surprize ; But when your fickle Mind they view , They shun the Danger of your Eyes . Shou'd you a Miracle of Beauty show ; Yet you 're inconstant , and will still be so . 'T is thus you will think of me : And in fine , Damon , during this Dream , we are in a perpetual State of War. Thus both resolve to break their Chain , And think to do 't without much Pain : But Oh! Alas ! We strive in vain . For Lovers , of themselves , can nothing do : There must be the Consent of two : You give it me , and I must give it you . And if we shall never be free , till we acquit one another , this Tye between you and I , Damon , is likely to last as long as we live : Therefore in vain you endeavour , but can never attain your End : And in Conclusion , you will say , in thinking of me ; Oh! How at Ease my Heart wou'd live , Cou'd I renounce this Fugitive ; This dear , ( but false ) attracting Maid , That has her Vows and Faith betray'd ! Reason wou'd have it so ; but Love Dares not the dang'rous Tryal prove . Do not be angry then , for this afflicting Hour is drawing to an End , and you ought not to despair of coming into my absolute Favour again . Then do not let your murm'ring Heart , Against my Int'rest , take your Part. The Feud was rais'd by Dreams , all false and vain , And the next Sleep shall reconcile again . 6 A-Clock . Accommodation in Dreams . THough the angry Lovers force themselves , all they can , to chace away the troublesome Tenderness of the Heart , in the height of their Quarrels , Love sees all their Sufferings , pities and redresses 'em : And when we begin to cool , and a soft Repentance follows the Chagrin of the Love-Quarrel , 't is then , that Love takes the Advantage of both Hearts , and renews the charming Friendship more forcibly than ever , puts a stop to all our Feuds , and renders the Peace-making Minutes , the most dear and tender part of our Life . How pleasing 't is to see your Rage dissolve ! How sweet , how soft is every Word , that pleads for Pardon at my Feet ! 'T is there , that you tell me , your very Sufferings are over-paid , when I but assure you from my Eyes , that I will forget your Crime : And your Imagination shall here present me , the most sensible of your past Pain , that you can wish ; and that , all my Anger being vanisht , I give you a Thousand Marks of my Faith and Gratitude ; and lastly , to crown all , that we again make new Vows to one another , of inviolable Peace . After these Debates of Love , Lovers Thousand Pleasures prove ; Which they ever think to taste , Tho' oftentimes they do not last . Enjoy then all the Pleasures , that a Heart that is very amorous , and very tender , can enjoy . Think no more on those Inquietudes that you have suffer'd , bless Love for his Favours , and thank me for my Graces ; and resolve to endure any thing , rather than enter upon any new Quarrels . And however dear the reconciling Moments are , there proceeds a great deal of Evil from these little frequent Quarrels ; and I think , the best counsel we can follow , is to avoid 'em , as near as we can : And if we cannot , but that , in spight of Love , and good Understanding , they shou'd break out , we ought to make as speedy a Peace as possible ; for 't is not good to grate the Heart too long , lest it grow harden'd insensibly , and lose its native Temper . A few Quarrels there must be in Love ; Love cannot support it self without 'em ; and besides the Joy of an Accommodation , Love becomes by it more strongly united , and more charming . Therefore let the Lover receive this , as a certain Receipt against declining Love. Love reconcil'd . He that wou'd have the Passion be Entire between the Am'rous Pair , Let not the little Feuds of Jealousie Be carry'd on to a Despair : That pauls the Pleasure he wou'd raise ; The Fire that he wou'd blow , allays . When Vnderstandings false arise , When misinterpreted your Thought ; If false Conjectures of your Smiles and Eyes Be up to baneful Quarrel wrought ; Let Love the kind Occasion take , And strait Accommodation make . The sullen Lover , long unkind , Ill-natur'd , hard to reconcile , Loses the Heart he had inclin'd ; Love cannot undergo long Toil : He 's soft and sweet , not born to bear The rough Fatigues of painful War. 7 A-Clock . Divers Dreams . BEhold , Damon , the last Hour of your Sleep , and of my Watch. She leaves you at liberty now , and you may chuse your Dreams : Trust 'em to your Imaginations , give a Loose to Fancy , and let it rove at Will ; provided , Damon , it be always guided by a respectful Love. For thus far I pretend to give Bounds to your Imagination , and will not have it pass beyond'em : Take heed , in Sleeping , you give no Ear to a flattering Cupid , that will favour your slumbring Minutes , with Lies too pleasing and vain : You are discreet enough , when you are awake ; Will you not be so in Dreams ? Damon , awake : My Watch's Course is done . After this , you cannot be ignorant of what you ought to do , during my Absence . I did not believe it necessary to caution you about Balls and Comedies : You know , a Lover , depriv'd of his Mistress , goes seldom there . But if you cannot handsomly avoid these Diversions , I am not so unjust a Mistress , to be angry with you for it . Go , if Civility , or other Duties , oblige you : I will only forbid you , in Consideration of me , not to be too much satisfy'd with those Pleasures ; but see 'em so , as the World may have Reason to say , you do not seek 'em ; you do not make a Business , or a Pleasure of 'em ; and that 't is Complaisance , and not Inclination , that carries you thither . Seem rather negligent , than concern'd at any Thing there ; and let every Part of you say , Iris is not here . I say nothing to you neither , of your Duty elsewhere ; I am satisfy'd , you know it too well , and have too great a Veneration for your Glorious Master , to neglect any part of that , for even Love it self ! And I very well know , how much you love to be eternally near his Illustrious Person ; and that you scarce prefer your Mistress before him , in point of Love : In all things else , I give him leave to take place of Iris , in the noble Heart of Damon . I am satisfy'd , you pass your Time well now at Windsor , for you adore that Place ; and 't is not , indeed , without great Reason ; for 't is , most certainly , now render'd , the most glorious Palace in the Christian World. And had our late Gracious Soveraign of blessed Memory had no other Miracles and Wonders of his Life and Reign , to have immortaliz'd his Fame , ( of which there shall remain a Thousand to Posterity : ) This noble Structure alone , this Building ( almost Divine ) wou'd have Eterniz'd the great Name of Glorious Charles the Second , till the World moulder again to its old Confusion , its first Chaos . And the Paintings of the famous Vario , and noble Carvings of the unimitable Gibon , shall never dye ; but remain , to tell succeeding Ages , that all Arts and Learning were not confin'd to ancient Rome , and Greece ; but that England too cou'd boast its mightiest Share . Nor is the In-side of this magnificent Structure , immortaliz'd with so many eternal Images of the Illustrious Charles and Katherine , more to be admir'd , than the wondrous Prospects without . The stupendious Heighth , on which the famous Pile is built , renders the Fields , and Flowery Meads below , the Woods , the Thickets , and the winding Streams , the most delightful Object , that ever Nature produc'd . Beyond all these , and far below , in an inviting Vale , the venerable Colledge , an old , but noble Building , raises it self , in the midst of all the Beauties of Nature ; high-grown Trees , fruitful Plains , purling Rivulets , and spacious Gardens ; adorn'd with all Variety of Sweets , that can delight the Senses . At farther distance yet , on an Ascent , almost as high as that to the Royal Structure , you may behold that famous and noble Clifdon rise ; a Palace erected by the Illustrious Duke of Buckingham : Who will leave this wondrous Piece of Architecture , to inform the future World , of the Greatness and Delicacy of his Mind ; it being , for its Situation , its Prospects , and its marvellous Contrivances , one of the finest Villa's of the World ; at least , were it finished , as begun ; and wou'd sufficiently declare the Magnifick Soul of the Hero , that caus'd it to be built , and contriv'd all its Fineness . And this makes up not the least Part of the beautiful Prospect from the Palace-Royal , while on the other side , lies spread a fruitful , and delightful Park and Forest , well stor'd with Deer , and all that make the Prospect charming ; fine Walks , Groves , distant Vallies , Downs , and Hills , and all that Nature cou'd invent , to furnish out a quiet , soft Retreat , for the most Fair , and most Charming of Queens , and the most Heroick , Good , and Just of Kings : And these Groves alone , are fit and worthy to divert such Earthly Gods. Nor can Heaven , Nature , or Humane Art contrive an Addition to this Earthly Paradise , unless those great Inventors of the Age , Sir Samuel Morland , or Sir Robert Gorden , cou'd , by the power of Engines , convey the Water so into the Park and Castle , as to furnish it with delightful Fountains , both useful and beautiful . These are only wanting , to render the Place All Perfection , without Exception . This , Damon , is a long Digression from the Business of my Heart ; but you know , I am so in Love with that charming Court , that when you gave me an Occasion , by your being there now , but to name the Place , I cou'd not forbear transgressing a little , in favour of its wond'rous Beauty ; and the rather , because I wou'd , in recounting it , give you to understand , how many fine Objects there are , besides the Ladies that adorn it , to employ your vacant Moments in ; and hope you will , without my Instructions , pass a great part of your idle Time , in surveying these Prospects ; and give that Admiration you shou'd pay to living Beauty , to those more venerable Monuments of everlasting Fame . Neither need I , Damon , assign you your waiting Times ; your Honour , Duty , Love , and Obedience will instruct you , when to be near the Person of the King ; and I believe , you will omit no part of that Devoir . You ought to establish your Fortune , and your Glory : For I am not of the Mind of those Critical Lovers , who believe it a very hard Matter to reconcile Love and Interest ; to adore a Mistress , and serve a Master at the same time . And I have heard those , who , on this Subject , say , Let a Man be never so careful in these double Duties , 't is Ten to One , but he loses his Fortune , or his Mistress . These are Errors that I condemn : And I know , that Love and Ambition are not incompatible ; but that a brave Man may preserve all his Duties to his Soveraign , and his Passion , and his Respect for his Mistress . And this is my Notion of it . Love and Ambition . The Noble Lover , who wou'd prove Vncommon in Address ; Let him Ambition joyn with Love ; With Glory , Tenderness : But let the Vertues so be mixt , That when to Love he goes , Ambition may not come betwixt , Nor Love his Power oppose . The vacant Hours from softer Sport , Let him give up to Int'rest , and the Court. 'T is Honour shall his Bus'ness be , And Love , his noblest Play : Those two shou'd never disagree ; For both make either Gay . Love without Honour , were too mean For any gallant Heart ; And Honour singly , but a Dream , Where Love must have no Part. A Flame like this , you cannot fear , Where Glory claims an equal Share . Such a Passion , Damon , can never make you quit any Part of your Duty to your Prince . And the Monarch , you serve , is so gallant a Master , that the Inclination you have to his Person , obliges you to serve him , as much as your Duty ; for Damon's Loyal Soul loves the Man , and adores the Monarch ; for he is certainly , all that compels both , by a charming Force and Goodness from all Mankind . The King. Darling of Bellona's Care ! The second Deity of War ! Delight of Heaven , and Joy of Earth ! Born for great and wonderous Things ! Destin'd , at his Auspicious Birth , T'out-do the num'rous Race of long-past Kings . Best Representative of Heaven ; To whom its chiefest Attributes are given ! Great , Pious , Stedfast , Just , and Brave ! To Vengeance slow , but swift to save ! Dispencing Mercy all abroad ! Soft and Forgiving , as a God! Thou Saving Angel , who preserv'st the Land From the Just Rage of the Avenging Hand : Stopt the dire Plague , that o'er the Earth was hurl'd ! And sheathing thy Almighty Sword , Calm'd the wild Fears of a distracted World , ( As Heaven first made it ) with a Sacred Word ! But I will stop the low Flight of my humble Muse ; who , when she is upon the Wing , on this Glorious Subject , knows no Bounds . And all the World has agreed to say so much of the Vertues and Wonders of this great Monarch , that they have left me nothing new to say ; though indeed , he every day gives us new Theams of his growing Greatness ; and we see nothing that equals him , in our Age. Oh! How happy are we , to obey his Laws ; for he is the greatest of Kings , and the best of Men ! You will be very unjust , Damon , if you do not confess , I have acquitted my self like a Maid of Honour , of all the Obligations I owe you , upon the Account of the Discretion I lost to you . If it be not valuable enough , I am generous enough to make it good : And since I am so willing to be just , you ought to esteem me , and to make it your chiefest Care to preserve me yours ; for I believe , I shall deserve it , and wish you shou'd believe so too . Remember me , write to me , and observe punctually all the Motions of my Watch : The more you regard it , the better you will like it ; and whatever you think of it at first sight , 't is no ill Present . The Invention is soft and gallant ; and Germany , so celebrated for rare Watches , can produce nothing to equal this . Damon , my Watch is just , and new : And all a Lover ought to do , My Cupid faithfully will shew . And every Hour he renders there , Except L'heure du Bergere . The End of the Watch. THE CASE FOR THE WATCH . Damon to Iris. EXpect not , O charming Iris ! that I shou'd chuse Words to thank you in ; ( Words , that least Part of Love , and least the Business of the Lover ; ) but will say all , and every thing , that a tender Heart can dictate , to make an Acknowledgment for so dear and precious a Present , as this of your charming Watch ; while all I can say , will but too dully express my Sense of Gratitude , my Joy , and the Pleasure I receive in the mighty Favour . I consess the Present too rich , too gay , and too magnificent for my Expectation ; and though my Love and Faith deserve it , yet my humbler Hope never durst carry me to a Wish of so great a Bliss , so great an Acknowledgment from the Maid I adore ! The Materials are glorious , the Work delicate , and the Movement just ; and even gives Rules to my Heart , who shall observe very exactly , all that the Cupid remarks to me , even to the Minutes , which I will point with Sighs , though I am oblig'd to 'em there , but every Half-hour . — You tell me , sair Iris , that I ought to preserve it tenderly , and yet you have sent it me without a Case . But that I may obey you justly , and keep it dear to me , as long as I live , I will give it a Case of my Fashion : It shall be delicate , and sutable to the fine Present ; of such Materials too . But because I wou'd have it perfect , I will consult your admirable Wit , and Invention , in an Affair of so curious a Consequence . The Figure of the Case . I Design to give it the Figure of a Heart . Does not your Watch , Iris , rule the Heart ? It was your Heart that contriv'd it , and 't was your Heart you consulted , in all the Management of it ; and 't was your Heart that brought it to so fine a Conclusion . The Heart never acts without Reason , and all the Heart projects , it performs with Pleasure . Your Watch , my lovely Maid , has explain'd to me a World of rich Secrets of Love : And where shou'd Thoughts so sacred be stor'd , but in the Heart , where all the Secrets of the Soul are treasur'd up ; and of which , only Love alone can take a View ? 'T is thence he takes his Sighs and Tears , and all his little Flatteries , and Arts to please . All his fine Thoughts , and all his mighty Raptures , nothing is so proper as the Heart , to preserve it ; nothing so worthy as the Heart , to contain it ; and it concerns my Interest too much , not to be infinitely careful of so dear a Treasure : And , believe me , charming Iris , I will never part with it . The Votary . Fair Goddess of my just Desire , Inspirer of my softest Fire ! Since you , from out the num'rous Throng , That to your Altars do belong , To me the sacred Myst'ry have reveal'd , From all my Rival Worshippers conceal'd ; And toucht my Soul with Heavenly Fire : Refin'd it from its grosser Sense , And wrought it to a higher Excellence ; It can no more return to Earth , Like Things that thence receive their Birth : But still aspiring , upward move , And teach the World , new Flights of Love. New Arts of Secresie shall learn , And render Youth discreet in Love's Concern . In his soft Heart , to hide the charming Things , A Mistress whispers to his Ear ; And e'ery tender Sigh she brings , Mix with his Soul , and hide it there . To bear himself so well in Company , That if his Mistress present be , It may be thought by all the Fair , Each in his Heart does claim a Share , And all are more belov'd than She. But when with the dear Maid apart , Then at her Feet the Lover lies ; Opens his Soul , shews all his Heart , While Joy is dancing in his Eyes . Then all that Honour may , or take , or give , They both distribute , both receive . A Looker on wou'd spoyl a Lover's Joy ; For Love 's a Game , where only Two can play . And 't is the hardest of Love's Mysteries , To feign Love where it is not , hide it where it is . After having told you , my lovely Iris , that I design to put your Watch into a Heart , I ought to shew you the Ornaments of the Case . I do intend to have 'em Crown'd Cyphers . I do not mean those Crowns of Vanity , which are put indifferently on all sorts of Cyphers : No , I must have such , as may distinguish mine from the rest ; and may be true Emblems of what I wou'd represent . My four Cyphers , therefore , shall be crown'd with these four Wreaths ; of Olive , Laurel , Myrtle , and Roses : And the Letters that begin the Names of Iris and Damon , shall compose the Cyphers ; though I must intermix some other Letters , that bear another Sense , and have another Signification . The first Cypher . THe first Cypher is compos'd of an I , and a D , which are joyn'd by an L , and an E : Which signifies , Love Extream . And 't is but just , O adorable Iris ! that Love shou'd be mixt with our Cyphers , and that Love alone shou'd be the Union of ' em . Love ought alone the Mystick Knot to tye ; Love , that great Master of all Arts ; And this dear Cypher , is to let you see , Love unites Names , as well as Hearts . Without this charming Union , our Souls cou'd not communicate those invisible Sweetnesses , which compleat the Felicity of Lovers ; and which , the most tender , and passionate Expressions are too feeble to make us comprehend . But , my adorable Iris , I am contented with the vast Pleasure I feel , in Loving well , without the Care of Expressing it well ; if you will imagine my Pleasure , without expressing it . For I confess , 't wou'd be no Joy to me , to adore you , if you did not perfectly believe , I did adore you . Nay , though you lov'd me , if you had no Faith in me , I shou'd languish , and love in as much Pain , as if you scorn'd , and at the same time believ'd I dy'd for you . For surely , Iris , 't is a greater Pleasure to please , than to be pleas'd ; and the Glorious Power of Giving , is infinitely a greater Satisfaction , than that of Receiving ; there is so great and God-like a Quality in it . I wou'd have your Belief therefore , equal to my Passion , extream ; as indeed , all Love shou'd be , or it cannot bear that Divine Name : It can pass but for an indifferent Assection . And these Cyphers ought to make the World find all the noble Force of delicate Passion . For , O my Iris ! what wou'd Love signifie , if we did not love fervently . Sisters and Brothers love ; Friends and Relations have Affections ; but where the Souls are joyn'd , which are fill'd with Eternal soft Wishes , Oh there is some Excess of Pleasure , which cannot be exprest ! Your Looks , your dear obliging Words , and your charming Letters have sufficiently perswaded me of your Tenderness ; and you might surely see the Excess of my Passion , by my Cares , my Sighs , and entire Resignation to your Will. I never think of Iris , but my Heart feels double Flames , and pants and heaves with double Sighs ; and whose Force makes its Ardours known , by a Thousand Transports : And they are very much too blame , to give the Name of Love to feeble , easie Passions : Such Transitory Tranquil Inclinations are , at best , but Well-wishers to Love ; and a Heart that has such Heats as those , ought not to put it self into the Rank of those nobler Victims , that are offer'd at the Shrine of Love. But our Souls , Iris , burn with a more glorious Flame , that lights and conducts us beyond a Possibility of losing one another . 'T is this that flatters all my Hopes : 'T is this alone makes me believe my self worthy of Iris : And let her judge of its Violence , by the Greatness of its Splendour . Does not a Passion of this Nature , so true , so ardent , deserve to be crown'd ? And will you wonder to see , over this Cypher , a Wreath of Mirtles , those Boughs , so sacred to the Queen of Love , and so worshipt by Lovers ? 'T is with these soft Wreaths , that those are crown'd , who understand how to love well , and faithfully . The Smiles , the Graces , and the Sports , That in the sacred Groves maintain their Courts , Are with these Myrtles crown'd . Thither the Nymphs , their Garlands bring ; Their Beauties , and their Praises sing , While Ecchoes do the Songs resound . Love , tho' a God , with Mirtle Wreaths , Does his soft Temples bind . More valu'd are those consecrated Leaves , Than the bright Wealth , in Eastern Rocks confin'd : And Crowns of Glory less Ambition move , Than those more sacred Diadems of Love. The second Cypher IS crown'd with Olives ; and I add to the two Letters of our Names , an R and an L , for Reciprocal Love. Every time that I have given you , O lovely Iris ! Testimonies of my Passion , I have been so blest , as to receive some from your Bounty ; and you have been pleas'd to flatter me with a Belief , that I was not indifferent to you . I dare therefore say , that being honour'd with the Glory of your Tenderness and Care , Iought , as a Trophy of my illustrious Conquest , to adorn the Watch with a Cypher , that is so advantageous to me . Ought I not to esteem my self the most fortunate and happy of Mankind , to have exchang'd my Heart with so charming and admirable a Person as Iris ? Ah! how sweet , how precious is the Change ; and how vast a Glory arrives to me from it ! Oh! you must not wonder , if my Soul abandon it self to a Thousand Extasies ! In the Merchandize of Hearts , Oh! how dear it is , to receive as much as one gives ; and barter Heart for Heart ! Oh! I wou'd not receive mine again , for all the Crowns the Universe contains ! Nor ought you , my Adorable , make any Vows , or Wishes , ever to retrieve yours ; or shew the least Repentance for the Blessing you have given me . The Exchange we made , was confirm'd by a noble Faith ; and you ought to believe , you have bestow'd it well , since you are paid for it , a Heart that is so conformable to yours , so true , so just , and so full of Adoration : And nothing can be the just Recompence of Love , but Love ; and to enjoy the true Felicity of it , our Hearts ought to keep an equal Motion ; and , like the Scales of Justice , always hang even . 'T is the Property of Reciprocal Love , to make the Heart feel the Delicacy of Love , and to give the Lover all the Ease and Softness he can reasonably hope . Such a Love renders all Things advantageous and prosperous : Such a Love triumphs over all other Pleasures . And I put a Crown of Olives over the Cypher of Reciprocal Love , to make known , that two Hearts , where Love is justly equal , enjoy a Peace , that nothing can disturb . Olives are never fading seen ; But always flourishing , and green . The Emblem 't is of Love and Peace ; For Love that 's true , will never cease : And Peace does Pleasure still increase . Joy to the World , the Peace of Kings imparts ; And Peace in Love distributes it to Hearts . The third Cypher . THe C , and the L , which are joyn'd to the Letters of our Names in this Cypher , crown'd with Laurel , explains a Constant Love. It will not , my fair Iris , suffice , that my Love is extream , my Passion violent , and my Wishes fervent , or that our Loves are reciprocal : But it ought also to be constant ; for in Love , the Imagination is oftner carried to those things that may arrive , and which we wish for , than to things that Time has rob'd us of : And in those agreeable Thoughts of Joys to come , the Heart takes more delight to wander , than in all those that are past ; though the Remembrance of 'em are very dear , and very charming . We shou'd be both unjust , if we were not perswaded we are possest with a Vertue , the Use of which is so admirable ; as that of Constancy . Our Loves are not of that sort , that can finish , or have End ; but such a Passion , so perfect , and so constant , that it will be a President for future Ages , to love perfectly ; and when they wou'd express an extream Passion , they will say , They lov'd , as Damon did the charming Iris. And he that knows the Glory of Constant Love , will despise those fading Passions , those little Amusements , that serve for a Day . What Pleasure , or Dependance can one have in a Love of that sort ? What Concern , What Raptures can such an Amour produce in a Soul ? And what Satisfaction can one promise one's self , in playing with a false Gamester ; who , though you are aware of him , in spight of all your Precaution , puts the false Dice upon you , and wins all . Those Eyes , that can no better Conquest make , Let 'em ne'er look abroad : Such , but the empty Name of Lovers take , And so prophane the God. Better they never shou'd pretend , Than e'er begun to make an End. Of that fond Flame , what shall we say , That 's born and languisht in a Day ? Such short-liv'd Blessings cannot bring The Pleasure of an Envying . Who is 't will celebrate that Flame , That 's damn'd to such a scanty Fame ? While constant Love , the Nymphs and Swains Still sacred make , in lasting Strains , And chearful Lays , throughout the Plains . A constant Love knows no Decay ; But still advancing e'ery Day , Will last as long as Life can stay . With e'ery Look and Smile improves , With the same Ardour always moves , With such , as Damon , charming Iris loves ! Constant Love finds it self impossible to be shaken ; it resists the Attacks of Envy , and a Thousand Accidents that endeavour to change it : Nothing can disoblige it , but a known Falseness , or Contempt : Nothing can remove it , though for a short Moment it may lye sullen and resenting , it recovers , and returns with greater Force and Joy. I therefore , with very good Reason , crown this Cypher of Constant Love with a Wreath of Laurel ; since such Love always triumphs over Time and Fortune , though it be not her Property to besiege ; for she cannot overcome , but in defending her self ; but the Victories she gains , are never the less glorious . For far less Conquest , we have known The Victor wear the Lawrel Crown . The Triumph with more Pride let him receive ; While those of Love , at least , more Pleasures give . The fourth Cypher . PErhaps , my lovely Maid , you will not find out what I mean by the S , and the L , in this last Cypher , that is crown'd with Roses . I will therefore tell you , I mean Secret Love. There are very few People , who know the Nature of that Pleasure , which so divine a Love creates : And let me say what I will of it , they must feel it themselves , who wou'd rightly understand it , and all its ravishing Sweets . But this there is a great deal of Reason to believe , the Secrecy in Love doubles the Pleasures of it . And I am so absolutely perswaded of this , that I believe all those Favours that are not kept secret , are dull and paul'd , very insipid and tasteless Pleasures : And let the Favours be never so innocent , that a Lover receives from a Mistress , she ought to value 'em , set a Price upon 'em , and make the Lover pay dear ; while he receives 'em with Difficulty , and sometimes with Hazard . A Lover that is not secret , but suffers every one to count his Sighs , has , at most , but a feeble Passion , such as produces sudden and transitory Desires , which dye as soon as born : A true Love has not this Character ; for whensoever 't is made publick , it ceases to be a Pleasure , and is only the Result of Vanity . Not that I expect , our Loves shou'd always remain a Secret : No , I shou'd never , at that Rate , arrive to a Blessing , which , above all the Glories of the Earth , I aspire to ; but even then , there are a Thousand Joys , a Thousand Pleasures , that I shall be as careful to conceal from the foolish World , as if the whole Preservation of that Pleasure depended on my Silence ; as indeed it does in a great Measure . To this Cypher I put a Crown of Roses , which are not Flowers of a very lasting Date . And 't is to let you see , that 't is impossible Love can be long hid . We see every Day , with what fine Dissimulation and Pains , People conceal a Thousand Hates and Malices , Disgusts , Disobligations , and Resentments , without being able to conceal the least part of their Love ; but Reputation has an Ardour , as well as Roses ; and a Lover ought to esteem that , as the dearest , and tenderest Thing ; not only that of his own , which is , indeed , the least part ; but that of his Mistress , more valuable to him than Life . He ought to endeavour to give People no Occasion to make false Judgments of his Actions , or to give their Censures ; which , most certainly , are never in the Favour of the fair Person ; for likely , those false Censures are of the busie Female Sex , the Coquets of that number ; whose little Spights and Railleries , joyn'd to that fancy'd Wit they boast of , sets 'em at Odds with all the Beautiful , and Innocent : And how very little of that kind serves , to give the World a Faith , when a Thousand Vertues , told of the same Persons , by more credible Witnesses and Judges , shall pass unregarded ; so willing and inclin'd is all the World to credit the Ill , and condemn the Good. And yet , Oh! what pity 't is , we are compell'd to live in Pain , to oblige this foolish scandalous World ! And though we know each others Vertue and Honour , we are oblig'd to observe that Caution ( to humour the Talking Town ) which takes away so great a part of the Pleasure of Life ! 'T is therefore that , among these Roses , you will find some Thorns ; by which you may imagine , that in Love , Precaution is necessary to its Secrecy : And we must restrain our selves , upon a Thousand Occasions , with so much Care , that , O Iris ! 't is impossible to be discreet , without Pain ; but 't is a Pain , that creates a Thousand Pleasures . Where shou'd a Lover hide his Joys , Free from Malice , free from Noise ? Where no Envy can intrude : Where no busie Rival's Spy , Made , by Disappointment , rude , May inform his Jealousie . The Heart will their best Refuge prove ; Which Nature meant the Cabinet of Love. What wou'd a Lover not endure , His Mistress Fame and Honour to secure . Iris , the Care we take to be discreet , Is the dear Toyl , that makes the Pleasure sweet . The Thorn that does the Wealth inclose , That with less sawcy Freedom we may touch the Rose . The Clasp of the Watch. AH , charming Iris ! Ah , my lovely Maid ! 'T is now in a more peculiar manner , that I require your Aid , in the Finishing of my Design , and Compleating the whole Piece , to the utmost Perfection ; and without your Aid , it cannot be perform'd . It is about the Clasp of the Watch ; a Material , in all Appearance , the most trivial of any Part of it . But that it may be safe for ever , I design it the Image , or Figure of Two Hands ; that fair One of the adorable Iris , joyn'd to mine ; with this Motto , Inviolable Faith : For this Case , this Heart ought to be shut up by this Eternal Clasp . Oh , there is nothing so necessary as this ! Nothing can secure Love , but Faith. That Vertue ought to be a Guard to all the Heart thinks , and all the Mouth utters : Nor can Love say , he triumphs without it . And when that remains not in the Heart , all the rest deserves no Regard . Oh! I have not lov'd so ill , to leave one Doubt upon your Soul. Why then , will you want that Faith ? O unkind Charmer , that my Passion , and my Services so justly merit ! When two Hearts entirely love , And in one Sphere of Honour move , Each maintains the other's Fire , With a Faith that is entire . For what heedless Touth bestows On a faithless Maid , his Vows . Faith without Love , bears Vertue 's Price ; But Love , without her Mixture , is a Vice. Love , like Religion , still shou'd be , In the Foundation , firm and true : In Points of Faith , shou'd still agree : Tho' Innovations vain and new ( Love's little Quarrels ) may arise ; In Fundamentals still they 're just and wise . Then , charming Maid , be sure of this : Allow me Faith as well as Love ; Since that alone affords no Bliss , Vnless your Faith your Love improve . Either resolve to let me dye By fairer Play , your Cruelty ; Than not your Love , with Faith impart , And with your Vows , to give your Heart . In mad Despair I 'd rather fall , Than lose my glorious Hopes of Conqu'ring all . So certain it is , that Love , without Faith , is of no value . In fine , my adorable Iris , this Case shall be , as near as I can , like those delicate Ones of Filligrin-Work , which do not hinder the Sight from taking a View of all within : You may therefore see , through this Heart , all your Watch. Nor is my Desire of Preserving this inestimable Piece more , than to make it the whole Rule of my Life and Actions . And my chiefest Design in these Cyphers , is , to comprehend in 'em , the principal Vertues that are most necessary to Love. Do not we know , that Reciprocal Love is Justice ; Constant Love , Fortitude ; Secret Love , Prudence ? Though 't is true , that Extream Love , that is , Excess of Love , in one Sense , appears not to be Temperance ; yet you must know , my Iris , that in Matters of Love , Excess is a Vertue , and that all other Degrees of Love are worthy Scorn alone . 'T is this alone , that can make good the glorious Title : 'T is this alone , that can bear the true Name of Love ; and this alone , that renders the Lovers truly happy , in spight of all the Storms of Fate , and Shocks of Fortune . This is an Antidote against all other Griefs : This bears up the Soul in all Calamity ; and is the very Heaven of Life , the last Refuge of all Worldly Pain and Care , and may well bear the Title of Divine . The Art of Loving well . That Love may all Perfection be ; Sweet , Charming to the last Degree , The Heart , where the bright Flame does dwell , In Faith and Softness shou'd excel : Excess of Love shou'd fill each Vein , And all its sacred Rites maintain . The tend'rest Thoughts Heav'n can inspire , Shou'd be the Fuel to its Fire : And that , like Incense , burn as pure ; Or that , in Vrns , shou'd still endure . No fond Desire shou'd fill the Soul , But such as Honour may controul . Jealousie I will allow : Not the Amorous Winds that blow Shou'd wanton in my Iris Hair , Or ravish Kisses from my Fair. Not the Flowers , that grow beneath , Shou'd borrow Sweetness of her Breath . If her Bird she do caress , How I grudge its Happiness , When upon her Snowy Hand , The Wanton does triumphing stand ! Or upon her Breast she skips , And lays her Beak to Iris Lips ! Fainting at my ravisht Joy , I cou'd the Innocent destroy . If I can no Bliss afford , To a little harmless Bird , Tell me , O thou dear lov'd Maid ! What Reason cou'd my Rage perswade , If a Rival shou'd invade ? If thy charming Eyes shou'd dart Looks that sally from the Heart ; If you sent a Smile , or Glance To another , tho' by Chance ; Still thou giv'st what 's not thy own : They belong to me alone . All Submission I wou'd pay . Man was born , the Fair t' obey . Your very Look I 'd understand , And thence receive your least Command : Never your Justice will dispute ; But , like a Lover , execute . I wou'd no Vsurper be , But in claiming sacred Thee . I wou'd have all , and every Part : No Thought shou'd hide within thy Heart . Mine a Cabinet was made , Where Iris Secrets shou'd be laid . In the rest , without Controul , She shou'd triumph o'er the Soul : Prostrate at her Feet I 'd lye , Despising Power and Liberty ; Glorying more by Love to fall , Than rule the Vniversal Ball. Hear me , O you Sawcy Youth ! And from my Maxims , learn this Truth . Wou'd you Great and Powerful prove ? Be an humble Slave to Love , 'T is nobler far , a Joy to give , Than any Blessing to receive . THE LOOKING-GLASS , Sent from DAMON to IRIS . HOw long , O charming Iris ! shall I speak in vain of your adorable Beauty ? You have been just , and believe I love you with a Passion perfectly tender and extream ; and yet you will not allow your Charms to be infinite . You must either accuse my Flames to be unreasonable , and that my Eyes and Heart are false Judges of Wit and Beauty ; or allow , that you are the most perfect of your Sex. But instead of that , you always accuse me of Flattery , when I speak of your infinite Merit ; and when I refer you to your Glass , you tell me , that flatters , as well as Damon ; though one wou'd imagine , that shou'd be a good Witness for the Truth of what I say , and undeceive you of the Opinion of my Injustice . Look — and confirm your self , that nothing can equal your Perfections . All the World says it , and you must doubt it no longer . O Iris ! Will you dispute against the whole World ? But since you have so long distrusted your own Glass , I have here presented you with One , which I know is very true ; and having been made for you only , can serve only you . All other Glasses present all Objects , but this reflects only Iris ; whenever you consult it , it will convince you ; and tell you , how much Right I have done you , when I told you , you were the fairest Person that ever Nature made . When other Beauties look into it , it will speak to all the fair Ones ; but let 'em do what they will , 't will say nothing to their Advantage . Iris , to spare what you call Flattery , Consult your Glass each Hour of the Day . 'T will tell you where your Charms and Beauties lye , And where your little wanton Graces play : Where Love does revel in your Face and Eyes ; What Look invites your Slaves , and what denies . Where all the Loves adorn you with such Care , Where dress your Smiles , where arm your lovely Eyes ; Where deck the flowing Tresses of your Hair : How cause your Snowy Breasts to fall and rise : How this severe Glance makes the Lover dye ; How that , more soft , gives Immortality . Where you shall see , what 't is enslaves the Soul ; Where e'ery Feature , e'ery Look combines : When the adorning Air , o'er all the Whole , To so much Wit , and so nice Vertue joyns . Where the Belle Taille and Motion still afford Graces to be eternally ador'd . But I will be silent now , and let your Glass speak . Iris's Looking-Glass . DAmon ( O charming Iris ! ) has given me to you , that you may sometimes give your self the Trouble , and me the Honour of Consulting me in the great and weighty Affairs of Beauty . I am , my adorable Mistress ! a faithful Glass ; and you ought to believe all I say to you . The Shape of Iris. I Must begin with your Shape , and tell you , without Flattery , 't is the finest in the World , and gives Love and Admiration to all that see you . Pray observe how free and easie it is , without Constraint , Stiffness , or Affectation , those mistaken Graces of the Fantastick , and the Formal ; who give themselves Pain , to shew their Will to please ; and whose Dressing makes the greatest Part of its Fineness , when they are more oblig'd to the Taylor , than to Nature ; who add or diminish , as Occasion serves , to form a Grace , where Heaven never gave it : And while they remain on this Wreck of Pride , they are eternally uneasie , without pleasing any Body . Iris , I have seen a Woman of your Acquaintance , who , having a greater Opinion of her own Person , than any Body else , has screw'd her Body into so fine a Form ( as she calls it ) that she dares no more stir a Hand , lift up an Arm , or turn her Head aside , than if , for the Sin of such a Disorder , she were to be turn'd into a Pillar of Salt ; the less stiff and fix'd Statue of the two . Nay , she dares not speak or smile , lest she shou'd put her Face out of that Order she had set it in her Glass , when she last lookt on her self : And is all over such a Lady Nice ( excepting in her Conversation ) that ever made a ridiculous Figure . And there are many Ladies more , but too much tainted with that nauceous Formality , that old-fashion'd Vice : But Iris , the charming , the all-perfect Iris , has nothing in her whole Form , that is not free , natural , and easie ; and whose every Motion cannot please extreamly , and which has not given Damon a Thousand Rivals . Damon , the Young , the Am'rous , and the True ; Who sighs incessantly for you : Whose whole Delight , now you are gone , Is to retire to Shades alone , And to the Ecchoes make his Moan . By purling Streams the wishing Youth is laid , Still sighing Iris ! Lovely charming Maid ! See , in thy Absence , how thy Lover dies ; While to his Sighs , the Eccho still replies . Then with the Stream he holds Discourse : O thou that bendst thy liquid Force To lovely Thames ! upon whose Shore The Maid resides , whom I adore ! My Tears of Love upon thy Surface bear : And if upon thy Banks thou see'st my Fair , In all thy softest Murmurs sing , " From Damon , I this Present bring ; " My e'ery Curl contains a Tear ! Then at her Feet thy Tribute pay : But haste , O happy Stream ! away ; Lest , charm'd too much , thou shou'dst for ever stay . And thou , O gentle , murm'ring Breeze ! That plays in Air , and wantons with the Trees ; On thy young Wings , where gilded Sun-beams play , To Iris my soft Sighs convey , Still as they rise , each Minute of the Day : But whisper gently in her Ear ; Let not the ruder Winds thy Message hear , Nor ruffle one dear Curl of her bright Hair. Oh! touch her Cheeks with sacred Reverence , And stay not gazing on her lovely Eye ! But if thou bear'st her Rosie Breath from thence , 'T is Incense of that Excellence , That as thou mount'st , 't will perfume all the Skies . Iris's Complexion . SAy what you will , I am confident , if you will confess your Heart , you are , every time you view your self in me , surpriz'd at the Beauty of your Complexion ; and will secretly own , you never saw any thing so fair . I am not the first Glass , by a Thousand , that has assur'd you of this . If you will not believe me , ask Damon : He tells it you every Day , but that Truth from him offends you ; and because he loves too much , you think his Judgment too little ; and since this is so perfect , that must be defective . But 't is most certain , your Complexion is infinitely fine , your Skin soft and smooth , as polisht Wax , or Ivory , extreamly white and clear ; though if any Body speaks but of your Beauty , an agreeable Blush casts it self all over your Face , and gives you a Thousand new Graces . And then two Flowers , newly born , Shine in your Heav'nly Face : The Rose , that blushes in the Morn , Vsurps the Lilly's Place : Sometimes the Lilly does prevail , And makes the gen'rous Crimson pale . Iris's Hair. OH , the beautiful Hair of Iris ! It seems , as if Nature had crown'd you with a great Quantity of lovely fair brown Hair , to make us know , that you were born to rule ; and to repair the Faults of Fortune , that has not given you a Diadem : And do not bewail the Want of that ( so much your Merit 's Due ) since Heaven has so gloriously recompenc'd you , with what gains more admiring Slaves . Heav'n for Soveraignty , has made your Form : And you were more than for dull Empire born . O'er Hearts your Kingdom shall extend , Your vast Dominion know no End. Thither the Loves and Graces shall resort ; To Iris make their Homage , and their Court. No envious Star , no common Fate , Did on my Iris Birth-day wait ; But all was happy , all was delicate . Here Fortune wou'd inconstant be in vain : Iris and Love , eternally shall reign . Love does not make less use of your Hair for new Conquests , than of all the rest of your Beauties that adorn you . If he takes our Hearts with your fine Eyes , it tyes 'em fast with your Hair ; and of it weaves a Chain , not easily broken . It is not of those sorts of Hair , whose Harshness discovers ill Nature ; nor of those , whose Softness shews us the Weakness of the Mind : Not that either of these are Arguments without Exception ; but 't is such as bears the Character of a perfect Mind , and a delicate Wit ; and for its Colour , the most faithful , discreet , and beautiful in the World ; such as shews a Complexion and Constitution , neither so cold , to be insensible ; nor so hot , to have too much Fire ; that is , neither too white , nor too black ; but such a Mixture of the two Colours , as makes it the most agreeable in the World. 'T is that which leads those captiv'd Hearts , That bleeding at your Feet do lye . 'T is that the Obstinate converts , That dare the Power of Love deny . 'T is that which Damon so admires ; Damon , who often tells you so . If from your Eyes Love takes his Fires , 'T is with your Hair he strings his Bow : Which touching but the feather'd Dart , It never mist the destin'd Heart . Iris's Eyes . I Believe , my fair Mistress , I shall dazle you with the Lustre of your own Eyes . They are the finest Blue in the World : They have all the Sweetness , that ever charm'd the Heart ; with a certain Languishment , that 's irresistable ; and never any lookt on 'em , that did not sigh after ' em . Believe me , Iris , they carry unavoidable Darts and Fires ; and whoever expose themselves to their Dangers , pay for their Imprudence . Cold as my solid Chrystal is , Hard and impenetrable too Yet I am sensible of Bliss , When your charming Eyes I view : Even by me , their Flames are felt ; And at each Glance , I fear to melt . Ah , how pleasant are my Days ! How my glorious Fate I bless ! Mortals never knew my Joys , Nor Monarchs guest my Happiness . Every Look that 's soft and gay , Iris gives me every Day . Spight of her Vertue , and her Pride , Every Morning I am blest With what to Damon is deny'd ; To view her when she is undrest . All her Heaven of Beauty 's shown To triumphing Me — alone . Scarce the prying Beams of Light , Or th'impatient God of Day , Are allow'd so dear a Sight , Or dare prophane her with a Ray ; When she has appear'd to me , Like Venus rising from the Sea. But Oh! I must those Charms conceal , All too Divine for vulgar Eyes : Shou'd I my secret Joys reveal , Of Sacred Trust I break the Tyes ; And Damon wou'd with Envy dye , Who hopes , one Day , to be as blest as I. Extravagant with my Joys , I have stray'd beyond my Limits ; for I was telling you of the wondrous Fineness of your Eyes , which no Mortal can resist , nor any Heart stand the Force of their Charms ; and the most difficult Conquests they gain , scarce cost 'em the Expence of a Look . They are modest and tender , chaste and languishing . There you may take a View of the whole Soul , and see Wit and good Nature ( those two inseparable Vertues of the Mind ) in an extraordinary Measure . In fine , you see all that fair Eyes can produce , to make themselves ador'd . And when they are angry , they strike an unresistable Awe upon the Soul : And those Severities , Damon wishes , may perpetually accompany them , during their Absence from him ; for 't is with such Eyes , he wou'd have you receive all his Rivals . Keep , lovely Maid , the Softness in your Eyes , To flatter Damon with another Day : When at your Feet the ravisht Lover lies , Then put on all that 's tender , all that 's gay : And for the Griefs your Absence makes him prove , Give him the softest , dearest Looks of Love. His trembling Heart with sweetest Smiles caress , And in your Eyes , soft Wishes let him find ; That your Regret of Absence may confess , In which , no Sense of Pleasure you cou'd find : And to restore him , let your faithful Eyes Declare , that all his Rivals you despise . The Mouth of Iris. I Perceive , your Modesty wou'd impose Silence on me : But , O fair Iris ! Do not think to present your self before a Glass , if you wou'd not have it tell you all your Beauties : Content your self , that I only speak of 'em , En Passant ; for shou'd I speak what I wou'd , I shou'd dwell all Day upon each Particular , and still say something new . Give me Liberty then to speak of your fine Mouth : You need only open it a little , and you will see the most delicate Teeth , that ever you beheld ; the whitest , and the best set . Your Lips are the finest in the World ; so round , so soft , so plump , so dimpled , and of the lovliest Colour . And when you smile , Oh! What Imagination can conceive how sweet it is , that has not seen you Smiling ? I cannot describe what I so admire ; and 't is in vain to those , who have not seen Iris. O Iris ! boast that one peculiar Charm , That has so many Conquests made ; So innocent , yet capable of Harm ; So just it self , yet has so oft betray'd Where a Thousand Graces dwell , And wanton round in e'ery Smile . A Thousand Loves do listen when you speak , And catch each Accent as it flies : Rich flowing Wit , when e'er you Silence break , Flows from your Tongue , and sparkles in your Eyes . Whether you talk , or silent are ; Your Lips Immortal Beauties were . The Neck of Iris. ALl your Modesty , all your nice Care , cannot hide the ravishing Beauties of your Neck ; we must see it , coy as you are ; and see it the whitest , and finest-shap't , that ever was form'd . Oh! Why will you cover it ? You know , all handsom things wou'd be seen . And Oh! How often have you made your Lovers envy your Scarf , or any thing that hides so fine an Object from their Sight . Damon himself complains of your too nice Severity . Pray do not hide it so carefully . See how perfectly turn'd it is ; with small blue Veins , wandring and ranging here and there , like little Rivulets , that wanton o'er the flowery Meads . See how the round white rising Breasts heave with every Breath , as if they disdain'd to be confin'd to a Covering ; and repel the malicious Cloud , that wou'd obscure their Brightness . Fain I wou'd have leave to tell The Charms that on your Bosom dwell ; Describe it like some flow'ry Field , That does Ten Thousand Pleasures yield ; A Thousand gliding Springs and Groves ; All Receptacles for Loves . But Oh! What Iris hides , must be Ever sacred kept by me . The Arms and Hands of Iris. I Shall not be put to much Trouble to shew you your Hands and Arms , because you may view them without my Help ; and you are very unjust , if you have not admir'd 'em a Thousand times . The beautiful Colour and Proportion of your Arm is unimitable , and your Hand is dazling fine , small , and plump ; long-pointed Fingers , delicately turn'd ; dimpl'd on the Snowy Out-side , but adorn'd within with Rose , all over the soft Palm . O Iris ! Nothing equals your fair Hand ; that Hand , of which Love so often makes such use , to draw his Bow , when he wou'd send the Arrow home , with more Success ; and which irresistibly wounds those , who possibly , have not yet seen your Eyes : And when you have been veil'd , that lovely Hand has gain'd you a Thousand Adorers . And I have heard Damon say , Without the Aid of more Beauties , that alone had been sufficient to have made an absolute Conquest o'er his Soul. And he has often vow'd , It never toucht him , but it made his Blood run with little irregular Motions in his Veins ; his Breath beat short and double ; his Blushes rise , and his very Soul dance . Oh! How the Hand the Lover ought to prize , 'Bove any one peculiar Grace , While he is dying for the Eyes , And doting on the lovely Face . The Vnconsid'ring little knows , How much he to this Beauty owes . That , when the Lover absent is , Informs him of his Mistress Heart . 'T is that , which gives him all his Bliss , When dear Love-Secrets 't will impart . That plights the Faith , the Maid bestows : And that confirms the tim'rous Vows . 'T is that betrays the Tenderness , Which the too bashful Tongue denies . 'T is that , that does the Heart confess , And spares the Language of the Eyes . 'T is that , which Treasures gives so vast : Ev'n Iris 't will to Damon give at last . The Grace and Air of Iris. 'T Is I alone , O charming Maid ! that can shew you that noble Part of your Beauty : That generous Air , that adorns all your lovely Person , and renders every Motion and Action perfectly adorable . With what a Grace you walk ! — How free , how easie , and how unaffected ! See how you move ; — for only here you can see it . Damon has told you a Thousand times , that never any Mortal had so glorious an Air ; but he cou'd not half describe it , nor wou'd you credit even what he said ; but with a careless Smile , pass it off for the Flattery of a Lover . But here behold , and be convinc'd ; and know , no part of your Beauty can charm more than this . O Iris , confess , Love has adorn'd you with all his Art and Care. Your Beauties are the Themes of all the Muses ; who tell you in daily Songs , that the Graces themselves have not more than Iris. And one may truly say , that you alone know how to joyn the Ornaments and Dress , with Beauty ; and you are still adorn'd , as if that Shape and Air had a peculiar . Art to make all things appear gay and fine . Oh , how well drest you are ! How every thing becomes you ! Never singular , never gawdy ; but always suting with your Quality . Oh , how that Negligence becomes your Air ! That careless flowing of your Hair , That plays about , with wanton Grace , With every Motion of your Face : Disdaining all that dull Formality , That dares not move the Lip , or Eye ; But at some fancy'd Grace's cost ; And think , with it , at least , a Lover lost . But the unlucky Minute to reclaim , And ease the Coquet of her Pain , The Pocket-Glass adjusts the Face again : Re-sets the Mouth , and languishes the Eyes ; And thinks , the Spark that ogles that Way — dyes . Of Iris learn , O ye mistaken Fair ! To dress your Face , your Smiles , your Air. Let easie Nature all the bus'ness do : She can the softest Graces shew : Which Art but turns to Ridicule ; And where there 's none , serves but to shew the Fool. In Iris you all Graces find ; Charms without Art , a Motion unconfin'd : Without Constraint , she smiles , she looks , she talks ; And without Affectation , moves and walks . Beauties so perfect ne'er were seen . O ye mistaken Fair ! Dress ye by Iris Miene . The Discretion of Iris. BUt O Iris ! The Beauties of the Body are imperfect , if the Beauties of the Soul do not advance themselves to an equal Height . But , O Iris ! What Mortal is there so damned to Malice , that does not , with Adoration , confess , that you ( O charming Maid ! ) have an equal Portion of all the Braveries and Vertues of the Mind ? And who is it , that confesses your Beauty , that does not , at the same time acknowledge , and bow to your Wisdom ? The whole World admires both in you ? And all , with Impatience , ask , Which of the Two is most surprizing ? Your Beauty , or your Discretion ? But we dispute in vain on that excellent Subject ; for after all , 't is determin'd , that the two Charms are equal . 'T is none of those idle Discretions , that consists in Words alone , and ever takes the Shadow of Reason for the Substance ; and that makes use of all the little Artifices of Subtilty , and florid Talking , to make the Out-side of the Argument appear fine , and leave the In-side wholly mis-understood : Who runs away with Words , and never thinks of Sense . But you , O lovely Maid ! never make use of these affected Arts ; but without being too brisk , or too severe ; too silent , or too talkative , you inspire in all your Hearers , a Joy , and a Respect . Your Soul is an Enemy to that usual Vice of your Sex , of using little Arguments against the Fair ; or by a Word , or Jest , make your self , and Hearers pleasant , at the Expence of the Fame of others . Your Heart is an Enemy to all Passions , but that of Love. And this is one of your noble Maxims ; That every One ought to love , in some Part of his Life : And that , in a Heart truly brave , Love is without Folly : That Wisdom is a Friend to Love , and Love to perfect Wisdom . Since these Maxims are your own , do not , O charming Iris ! resist that noble Passion : And since Damon is the most tender of all your Lovers , answer his Passion with a noble Ardour : Your Prudence never falls in the Choice of your Friends ; and in chusing so well your Lover , you will stand an eternal President to all unreasonable fair Ones . O thou , that dost excel in Wit and Youth ! Be still a President for Love and Truth . Let the dull World say what it will , A noble Flame 's unblameable . Where a fine Sent'ment , and soft Passion rules , They scorn the Censure of the Fools . Yield , Iris , then ; Oh , yield to Love ! Redeem your dying Slave from Pain : The World your Conduct must approve : Your Prudence never acts in vain . The Goodness and Complaisance of Iris. WHo but your Lovers , fair Iris ! doubts , but you are the most complaisant Person in the World : And that with so much Sweetness you oblige all , that you command in Yielding ; and as you gain the Heart of both Sexes , with the Affability of your noble Temper ; so all are proud and vain of obliging you . And Iris , you may live assur'd , that your Empire is eternally establisht , by your Beauty , and your Goodness : Your Power is confirm'd , and you grow in Strength every Minute : Your Goodness gets you Friends , and your Beauty Lovers . This Goodness is not one of those , whose Folly renders it easie to every Desirer ; but a pure Effect of the Generosity of your Soul : such as Prudence alone manages , according to the Merit of the Person , to whom it is extended ; and those whom you esteem , receive the sweet Marks of it ; and only your Lovers complain : Yet even then you charm . And though sometimes you can be a little disturb'd , yet , through your Anger , your Goodness shines ; and you are but too much afraid , that that may bear a false Interpretation : For oftentimes , Scandal makes that pass for an Effect of Love , which is purely , that of Complaisance . Never had any Body more Tenderness sor their Friends , than Iris : Their Presence gives her Joy ; their Absence , Trouble ; and when she cannot see 'em , she finds no Pleasure , like Speaking of 'em obligingly . Friendship reigns in your Heart , and Sincerity on your Tongue Your Friendship is so strong , so constant , and so tender , that it charms , pleases , and satisfies . All , that are not your Adorers . 'T is therefore , Damon is excusable , if he be not contented with your Noble Friendship alone ; for he is the most tender of that Number . No! Give me all , th'impatient Lover cries ; Without your Soul , I cannot live : Dull Friendship cannot mine suffice , That dyes for all you have to give . The Smiles , the Vows , the Heart must all be mine : I cannot spare one Thought , or Wish of thine . I sigh , I languish all the Day ; Each Minute ushers in my Groans : To e'ery God in vain I pray ; In e'ery Grove repeat my Moans . Still Iris Charms are all my Sorrows Theams : They pain me Waking , and they wrack in Dreams . Return , fair Iris ! Oh , return ! Lest Sighing long , your Slave destroys . I wish , I rave , I faint , I burn ; Restore me quickly all my Joys : Your Mercy else , will come too late . Distance in Love more cruel is , than Hate . The Wit of Iris. YOu are deceiv'd in me , fair Iris , if you take me for one of those ordinary Glasses , that represent the Beauty only of the Body ; I remark to you also , the Beauties of the Soul : And all about you declares yours , the finest that ever was formed ; that you have a Wit that surprises , and is always new : 'T is none of those , that loses its Lustre , when one considers it ; the more we examine yours , the more adorable we find it . You say nothing , that is not , at once , agreeable and solid ; 't is always quick and ready , without Impertinence , that little Vanity of the Fair ; who , when they know they have Wit , rarely manage it so , as not to abound in Talking ; and think , that all they say must please , because , luckily , they sometimes chance to do so . But Iris never speaks , but 't is of use ; and gives a Pleasure to all that hears her . She has the perfect Art of Penetrating , even the most secret Thoughts . How often have you known , without being told , all that has past in Damon's Heart ? For all great Wits are Prophets too . Tell me ; Oh , tell me ! Charming Prophetess ; For you alone can tell my Love's Success . The Lines in my dejected Face , I fear , will lead you to no kind Result : It is your own , that you must trace ; Those of your Heart you must consult . 'T is there , my Fortune I must learn , And all that Damon does concern . I tell you , that I love a Maid , As bright as Heav'n , of Angel-hue : The softest , Nature ever made : Whom I , with Sighs and Vows , pursue . Oh , tell me , charming Prophetess ! Shall I this lovely Maid possess ? A Thousand Rivals do obstruct my Way ; A Thousand Fears they do create : They throng about her all the Day , Whilst I at awful Distance wait . Say , Will the lovely Maid so fickle prove , To give my Rivals Hope , as well as Love ? She has a Thousand Charms of Wit , With all the Beauty Heav'n e'er gave : Oh! Let her not make use of it , To flatter me into the Slave . Oh! Tell me Truth , to ease my Pain : Say rather , I shall dye by her Disdain . The Modesty of Iris. I Perceive , fair Iris , you have a Mind to tell me , I have entertain'd you too long , with a Discourse on your self . I know , your Modesty makes this Declaration an Offence ; and you suffer me , with Pain , to unvail those Treasures you wou'd hide . Your Modesty , that so commendable a Vertue in the Fair , and so peculiar to you , is here a little too severe : Did I flatter you , you shou'd blush : Did I seek , by praising you , to shew an Art of Speaking finely , you might chide . But , O Iris ! I say nothing , but such plain Truths , as all the World can witness , are so . And so far I am from Flattery , that I seek no Ornament of Words . Why do you take such Care to conceal your Vertues ? They have too much Lustre , not to be seen , in spight of all your Modesty : Your Wit , your Youth , and Reason oppose themselves , against this dull Obstructer of our Happiness . Abate , O Iris , a little of this Vertue , since you have so many other , to defend your self against the Attacks of your Adorers . You your self have the least Opinion of your own Charms : And being the only Person in the World , that is not in love with 'em , you hate to pass whole Hours before your Looking-glass ; and to pass your Time , like most of the idle Fair , in dressing , and setting off those Beauties , which need so little Art. You , more wise , disdain to give those Hours to the Fatigue of Dressing , which you know so well how to employ a Thousand Ways . The Muses have blest you , above your Sex ; and you know how to gain a Conquest with your Pen , more absolutely , than all the industrious Fair , who trust to Dress and Equipage . I have a Thousand things to tell you more , but willingly resign my Place to Damon , that faithful Lover ; he will speak more ardently than I : For , let a Glass use all its Force , yet , when it speaks its Best , it speaks but coldly . If my Glass , O charming Iris ! have the good Fortune ( which I cou'd never entirely boast ) to be believ'd , 't will serve , at least , to convince you , I have not been so guilty of Flattery , as I have a Thousand times been charg'd . Since then my Passion is equal to your Beauty ( without Comparison , or End ) believe , O lovely Maid ! how I sigh in your Absence : And be perswaded to lessen my Pain , and restore me to my Joys ; for there is no Torment so great , as the Absence of a Lover from his Mistress ; of which , this is the Idea . The Effects of Absence from what we love . Thou one continu'd Sigh ! all over Pain ! Eternal Wish ! but Wish , alas in vain ! Thou languishing , impatient Hoper on ; A busie Toyler , and yet still undone ! A breaking Glimpse of distant Day , Inticing on , and leading more astray . Thou Joy in Prospect , future Bliss extream ; But ne'er to be possest , but in a Dream . Thou fab'lous Goddess , which the ravisht Boy , In happy Slumbers proudly did enjoy : But waking found an Airy Cloud he prest ; His Arms came empty to his panting Breast . Thou Shade , that only haunts the Soul by Night ; And when thou shou'dst inform , thou fly'st the Sight . Thou false Idea of the Thinking Brain , That labours for the charming Form in vain ; Which if by Chance it catch , thou' rt lost again . FINIS .