On Ida's Top, when Jove his Nymph carefs'd, And the fair Lilly Smiling on the Green. Such was the Plat on which my Venus lay; Our Love was fecret, but the charming Day Was bright, like her, and as her Temper gay. Here we prepar'd for Battel, and thro' ten thousand Kiffes prefs'd to a clofer Engagement; but a fudden Weakness robb'd me of my Arms. Thus cheated in her Expectation, the highly refenting it, afk'd whether her Lips, her Breath, or fome ill Scent of any Part of her, offended me? Or if none of thofe, whether I was afraid of Gito? I was fo afham'd of my felf, that if there was any Spark of the Man left in me, I loft it. And finding every Part of me feeble, and as it were lifeless, I befeech you, Madam, faid I, don't triumph o'er my Mifery: I'm certainly bewitch'd. "So flight an Excufe could not allay her • Refentment; but giving me a difdainful 'Glance, fhe turn'd to her Maid, And I prithee, Chryfis, faid fhe, be free with me, don't flatter your Miftrefs, is there any Thing mifbecoming or ungenteel about me? Or have I us'd Art to hide any natural De P 2 formity ? formity? I can't tell how you've dress'd me to Day. Upon which, ere Chryfis could make a Return, the fnatch'd a Pocket-Glass from the Maid; and after fhe had practis'd all her Looks, to try if any appear'd lefs charming than before, fhe took hold of her Petticoats, that were a little rumpl'd with lying on, and immediately ran to a neighbouring Temple dedicated to Venus. I could not tell what to fay or do; but, as if I had feen a Vifion, at last began with Horror to confider whether I had been robb'd of any real Joy. So when a Dream our fleeping Sight betrays, And to our View fome bidden Gold conveys; Our bufy Hands th' inviting Treasure seize, And fhort-liv'd Foys our active Fancies please. But foon we fear, left any confcious Spy May find the Secret, and the Theft decry. 'This Misfortune might make me juftly 'think it not only a true Vifion, but real Witchcraft; for I was fo weak, I could fcarce get upon my Legs; my Mind at laft a . . a little freed, began by Degrees to recover its Vigor; upon which I went to my Lodging, and diffembling a Faintness, lay down upon my Bed. A little after, Gito, being inform'd I was ill, came to me much troubl'd; but to allay his Concern, I told him I was only a little weary, and had a Mind to repofe my felf, but not a Word of my laft Adventure. I talk'd to him about feveral Things; I was afraid to disclose the Secret, because I knew he envy'd every one that appear'd agreeable to me; and to prevent his Sufpicion, throwing my Arms about him, I endeavour'd to give a Proof ' of my Tenderness; but being disappointed in my Expectation, he arofe very angry, accufing my Weakness and ftrange Behaviour to him, told me, that of late he had found my chief Favours were beftow'd to Perfons who did not merit my Kindneis. My Refpect for you, Gite, faid I, has ever been the fame; but now my Dancingdays fubmit to Reason. Gito fell a laughing, and with a Sort of· an ill-natur'd Railery, reply'd, That he was pleas'd with my Difcretion, but conceiv'd that Friendship was confiftent with Reason; that the wifeft Perfons had always the profoundest Refpect for that venerable Name and, that Socrates thought it no Diminution to his Wifdom, to contract a folemn Friendfhip with Alcibiades, one of the most able of Men. agree Ending these Words, Gito went out of the Room in a Paffion, affronted at my Conduct and Behaviour. He was hardly gone, ere Chryfis enter'd my Chamber, and gave me a Billet from her Miftrefs, wherein I found this written. AD I flatter'd my felf with an Expectation H of of Pleafure, how bad I been deceiv'd! But pray, Sir, if I may be fo free, I defire to know how you defign to bestow your felf, and whether you dare venture abroad on thofe Legs, which ten thousand to one but may fink under you. Let me advise your tender Years to beware of a Palfy; I never faw any Body in fo much Danger. On my Confcience, you are just going ; and fhould the fame Chilnefs feize you all over, I might be foon oblig'd to weep at your Funeral. But, to convince you I am fincerely concern'd for your Recovery, I shall give you a Prescription for your Cure; Eat heartily, drink moderately, and fleep three Nights alone. As to my felf, I am not in the leaft apprehenfive of appearing to another lefs charming than I have to you; I am told neither my Glafs nor Report do flatter me. Farewel, if you can. When Chryfis found I had read the Reproaches of her Mistress, This is the Custom, Sir, faid fhe, and chiefly of this City, where the Women are fo potent in magick Charms, even to make the Moon confefs their Power; therefore the Recovery of languifhing Love becomes their Care. 'Tis only writing fome foft foft Things to my Lady, and you make her happy. For 'tis confefs'd, fince her Disap pointment, she has not been herself. I readily confented, and calling for Paper, thus addrefs'd my felf : IS confefs'd, Madam, I have often finned, for I am not only a Man, but a very young one, yet never left the Field so dishonourably before. You have at your Feet a confeffing Criminal, that deferves whatever you can inflict; I've cut a Throat,betray'd my Country, committed Sacrilege; if a Punishment for any of these will ferve, I am ready to receive Sentence. If you fancy my Death, I wait you with my Sword; but if a Beating will content you, I fly naked to your Arms. Only remember, that 'twas not the Work-man, but his Materials, that fail'd. I was ready to engage, but wanted Arms. Who robb'd me of them, I know not ; perhaps my eager Mind out-run my Body; or while with an unhappy Hafte I aim'd at all, I was cheated with abortive Joys. I only know I don't know what I've done. You bidme fear a Palfy, as if the Difeafe could do more, that has already robb'd me of that by which I Should have purchas'd you. All I have to fay for my felf, is this, That I will certainly pay with Intereft the Arrears of Love, if you allow me Time to repair my Misfortune. Having fent back Chryfis with this Anfwer, to encourage my jaded Body, after the Bath and ftrengthening Oils had a little refresh'd P 4 me, |