.

But tho' our daily-increafing Riches left my pamper'd Body no Defire unfatisfy'd; and tho' I flatter'd my felf into an Opinion, that ill Fortune had taken her laft Leave of me, yet not only the Thoughts of my prefent Condition, but the Means of getting to it, would often break in upon my Joys, and embitter all the Sweet. And what, faid I to my felf, if fome one wiler than the reft, fhould difpatch a Meffenger for Afric, should we not foon be difcover'd? What if the Slave Eumolpus pick'd up, glutted with his present Happiness, fhould betray us to his Companions, and maliciously discover the whole Intrigue? We fhould then be put upon the Stroul again, and be oblig'd with Shame to renew our former Beggary. Heavens! how ill it fares with wicked Livers! that they muft ever expect a deferv'd Punishment.

Going out full of thefe Thoughts, to di• vert Melancholy, I refolv'd on a Walk, but had fcarce got into a publick one, ere a C pretty Girl made up to me; who, calling me Polyanus, told me her Lady would be proud of an Opportunity of speaking with

me.

• You're mistaken, Sweet-heart, answer'd I in a little Heat, I am but a Servant, of another Country too, and not worthy of 'fo great a Favour.

No, Sir, faid fhe, I have Commands to you; but because you know what you can do, you're proud; and if a Lady would receive a Favour from you, I fee fhe muft

purchase

purchafe it: For to what End are all those Allurements, forfooth, the curl'd Hair, the Complexion advanc'd by Washes, the wanton Roul of your Eyes, the affected Air of your Gate, unless in order to invite a Purchafer? For my part, I am neither Witch nor Conjurer, yet can guefs at a Man by his Phyfiognomy; and when I find a Spark walking, can guefs the Meaning. To be fhort, Sir, if fo be you are one of them that fell their Ware, I'll procure you a Buyer; but if you're a courteous Lender, confer the Benefit. As for your being a Servant, and below (as you fay) fuch a Favour, it increases the Flames of her that's dying for you. 'Tis the foolish Humour of fome Women to be in Love with Filth; nor can they be rais'd to an Appetite, but by the Charms forfooth, of fome Slave or Laquey: Some can be pleas'd with nothing more than the ftrutting of a Prize-fighter, with a hack'd Face, and a red Ribbon in his Shirt; or an Actor, incited to proftitute himself on the Stage by the Vanity of fhewing his pretty Shapes there. Of this Sort is my Lady, who indeed, added fhe, prefers the paltry Lover of the upper Gallery, with his dirty Face and Oaken Staff, to all the fine Gentlemen in the Boxes, with their Patches, Gun-powder-fpots, and Tooth-pickers.

When, pleas'd with the Humour of her Talk, I beseech you, Child, faid I, are you the She that's fo in Love with my Perfon? Upon which, the Maid fell into a fit of Laugh

ter.

ter. I would not, return'd fhe, have you fo extreamly flatter your felf; I never yet truckled to a Waiter; nor will Venus allow I fhould embrace a Gibbet. You must addrefs your felf to Ladies that kifs the Enfigns of Slavery. Be affur'd that I, tho' a Servant, have too fine a Tafte to converse with any below a Knight. I was amaz'd at the Relation of fuch unequal Paffions, and thought it miraculous to find a Servant with the fcornful Pride of a Lady, and a Lady with the Humility of a Servant.

Our pleafant Difcourfe continuing, I defir'd her to bring her Lady. She readily confented, and taking hold of her Petticoats, tript it gently into a Lawrel Labyrinth, that border'd on the Walk. Twas not long ere fhe ufher'd her Lady to me; a Beauty excelling even the Flattery of Painters; Words can't exprefs fo perfect a Creature: Whatever I fhould fay of her, would fall' fhort of what he was.

Her Hair spread all upon her Shoulders, and feem'd in eafy Curls to wanton in the Air. Her Forehead was oval, and naturally inclin'd the Hair to its Advantage. The Shape of her Eye-brows was moft correct. Her Eyes eclips'd the Glory of the brightest Star. Her Nose had an eafy Turn, and her Mouth was fuch as Praxiletes believ'd Venus had. Then her Chin, her Neck, her Arms,and Feet gently girt with embroider'd Sandals, to whofe Whitenefs the Parian Marble would ferve but as a Foil. 'Twas then I began to

de

defpife my old Mistress Doris: And thus broke out in a Rapture ;

Sure amorous Jove's a holy Tale above,

With fancy'd Arts that wait upon bis Love;

When we are blefs'd with fuch a Charm as this,
And be no Rival of our Happiness;

How well the Bull would now the God become,
Or his

grey Hairs to be transform'd to Down? Here's Danaè's felf, a Touch from her would fire, And make the God in liquid Foys expire.

She was pleas'd, and fmil'd with such an Air, that the feem'd like the Moon in her filver Glories breaking through a Cloud when addreffing herfelf, her pretty Fingers humouring the Turn of her Voice, If a fine Woman, very lately acquainted with your Sex, faid fhe, may deferve your Love, let me commend you to a Miftrefs. I am fenfible you have a Friend already,nor have I thought it below me to enquire into your Circumftances: But why not a Miftrefs to? I enter the Lift on the fame Bottom with your Friend, nor do I defire to engross all your Careffes; only think me deferving, and confer them as you please.

Let me befeech you, Madam, return'd I, by all thofe Cupids in your Face and Mien, to permit a Stranger in the Number of your

P

Ad

Admirers, you'll find him moft religious, if you'll accept his Devotions; and to convince you, Madam, that the Way to this Heaven (like the Paths of Paradife) is not to be trod gratis, I prefent you with my Friend.

I

What! faid fhe, do you give him, without whom you could not live, on whofe Lips your very Being depends, whom you love as I do you? Her Words were attended with such a Grace at their Delivery, and the sweet Sound fo charm'd the yielding Air, you would have fworn fome Syren had been breathing Melodies. Thus wrapt with every Thing fo amazing, and fancying a Glory fhin'd in every Part, I ventur'd to enquire what Name the Goddefs own'd. My Maid, perceive, faid fhe, has not inform'd you; am call'd Circe i I would not have you believe, tho' I bear that Name, that I derive my Orignal from Apollo; nor that my Mother, while the lay in the God's Embraces, held the fiery Steeds: Yet I fhall know enough of Heaven, if Fate will give you to my Arms. And who can penetrate into the Decrees of Destiny? Therefore come, my Dear, and crown my Wishes. Nor need. you fear any malicious Difturber of our Joys, your Companion is far enough from hence.

Upon which, fhe threw her Downy Arms about me, and led me to a Plat of Ground, the Pride of Nature, deck'd with a gay Variety of every pleasing Obje&. ·

On