and I'll be no hinderance to your Projects, but think of fome other way; for otherwise we shall run into a thousand Mischiefs, and become fcandalous all over the Town.

Afcyltos was not against the Project; And fince we have promis'd, faid he, as Scholars, to Sup together, let's husband the Night too ; and to morrow I'll get me a new Ledging, and fome Comrade or other.

'Tis Nonfenfe, faid I, to defer what we defire: I had for a confiderable time Intentions to part with Afcyltos, looking upon him as a Perfon who too narrowly obferv'd my A&tions; but a stronger Motive to it was, that I might renew my old friendship with Gito.

feyltos taking the Affront, impatiently, without anfwering, flew away in a fury; I was too well acquainted with the weaknefs of his Mind, and the violence of his Love, not to fear the effects of fo fudden a breach, and therefore made after him, both to observe his Designs and to prevent them; but lofing fight of him, I was a long time in pursuit of him to no purpose.

When I had fearch'd the whole Town, I return'd to my Cellar, where, the Ceremony of Kiffes being over, I got my Boy to a clofer Embrace, and enjoying my wishes, thought my felf happy even to Envy: Nor had I done when Afcyltos ftole to the Door, and forcing the Bolt, found us diverting our felves; upon which, clapping his Hands, he fell a laughing, and turning me about; What, faid he, most reverend Gentleman, what

were

were you doing, my brother in Iniquity? Nor was he content with Words only, but untying the Thong that bound his Wallet, he belabour'd me heartily, and mingling Reproaches with his Blows, As you like this, defire a fecond parting.

Being thus furprized, I took little notice ' of the Injury, but politickly turn'd it off ' with a laugh; for otherwife I must have come to an Engagement with my Rival: Whereas fweetning him with a counterfeit Mirth, I brought him alfo to laugh for company: And you, Eucolpius, began he, are fo wrapt in Pleafures, you little confider how fhort our Money grows, and what we have left will turn to no account: There's nothing to be got in Town this Summer-time, me shall have better luck in the Country; let's vifit our Friends.

Neceflity made me approve his Advice, as well as conceal the smart of the Lash ; fo loading Gito with our Baggage, we left the City, and went to the House of one Ly. curgus, a Roman Knight; who, because Afeyltos had formerly been his Comrade, entertain'd us handsomely; and the Company we met with in the place, made our Entertainment the more agreeable: For, first there was Tryphana,a very beautiful Woman, who came with one Lycas, the owner of a Ship, and Master of a fmall Seat that lay contiguous to the Sea.

The Delight we receiv'd in this place ⚫ was more than could be expreft, tho' Ly

curgus's

curgus's Table was thrifty enough, you must know we were all promifcuously imploy'd in Affairs of Love: The fair Tryphana pleas'd me, and readily inclin'd to my wishes; but I had fcarce given her the Courtefie of the House when Lycas ftorming to be thus nickt in his Amours, accus'd me at * firft of underhand-dealing; but foon from a Rival addreffing himself as a Lover, be pleasantly told me, I must repair his Dama ges; and ply'd me hotly: But Tryphana having my Heart, I could not lend him an Ear. The refufal made him the fharper; he follow'd me wherever I went, and getting ' into my Chamber at Night, when Entreaty ' did no good, he fell to downright Violence; ⚫ but I rais'd fuch an out-cry, that I wak'd ⚫ the whole House, and by the help of Lycurgus, got rid of him for that time.

At length perceiving Lycurgus's House was not for his purpose, he would have perfuaded me to his own; but I rejecting the proffer, he made ufe of Tryphana's power over me; and the the rather perfuaded me to yield to him, because she was in hopes of living more at liberty there. I follow'd therefore whither my Love conducted me; but Lycurgus having renew'd his old Concern with Afcyltos, would not fuffer him to absent himself: At last we agreed, that he fhou'd stay with Lycurgus, and we go with Lycas: Moreover it was concluded, that every one of us, as opportunity offer'd,fhould pilfer what he could for the benefit of the common Stock.

· Lycas

Lycas was overjoy'd at my Confent, and fo haftned our departure, that, taking leave of our Friends, we arriv'd at his House the ⚫ fame Day.

6

But in our Paffage he fo order'd the matter that he fat next me,and Tryphana next to Gito, which he purposely contriv'd, to shew the notorious Lightness of that Woman; nor was he mistaken in her, for the prefently grew amorous of the Boy: I was quickly jealous, and Lycas fo exactly re'mark'd it to me, that he foon confirm'd my fufpicion of her. On this I began to be more condefcending to him, which made him all Joy, as being affur'd the Unworthiness of my new Mistress wou'd beget my Contempt of her, and refenting her flight, I should be more eafily induc'd to receive. ⚫ him favourably.

C

Softood Affairs while we were at Lycas's: Tryphana was defperately in love with Gito 5 Gito again as wholly devoted to her; Í 'car'd little for the fight of either of them; and Lycas ftudying to please me, found me every day fome new Diverfion: In all which alfo his Wife Doris, a fine Woman, ftrove to exceed him, and that with fo much 'gaiety, that he prefently expell'd Tryphana from my Heart: I gave her the Wink, and the return'd her Confent by as wanton a Twincle; fo that this dumb Rhetorick going before the Tongue, fecretly convey'd to each other our mutual Inclina⚫tions.

●

I

'I knew Lycas was jealous, which kept me Tongue-ty'd fo long, and the love he bore 'his Wife made him difcover to her his inclination to me: But the first opportunity we had of talking together, the related to me what she had learn'd from him; and I frankly confefs'd it, but withal told her how abfolutely averfe I had ever been to't : Well then, quoth the discreet Woman, we muft try our Wits, according to his own Opinion, the Permiffion was one's, and the Poffeffion another's.

By this time Gito had been worn off his Legs, and was gathering new ftrength, when Tryphana return'd to me, but difappointed of her expectation, her Love chang'd to a downright Fury; and, all on fire with 'following me to no purpofe, fhe got into my Intrigue both with Lycas and his Wife: • She made little reckoning of his Wantonness ⚫ with me, as well knowing it wou'd hinder no Grift from coming to her Mill: But for Doris, fhe never left till fhe had found out * her private Amours with me, and difcover'd them to Lycas; whofe Jealoufie being fuperior to his Love, ran all to Revenge; but Doris, advertis'd by Tryphana's Woman, to divert the Storm, forbore any clande ftine Meetings.

As foon as I perceiv'd it, having curs'd the Treachery of Tryphana, and the Ingratitude of Lycas, I began to think of retiring, and Fortune favour'd me: For a Ship confecrated to the Goddess Ifis, laden with