Miscellaneous letters and essays on several subjects philosophical, moral, historical, critical, amorous, &c., in prose and verse : directed to John Dryden, Esq., the Honourable Geo. Granvill, Esq., Walter Moile, Esq., Mr. Dennis, Mr. Congreve, and other eminent men of th' age / by several gentlemen and ladies.

The Ingenious and Honourable Theocrine to Theopompus; shewing Her the faithfullest of Lovers, and most Pious of Children.

ALL your Letters are at last arriv'd safe, tho' it happen'd with them, as in a great many other things: what shou'd a came first, came last, by which I'm sorry to find, that one who is to judge of Souls, knows no better how to judge of Merit; else whatever your request had been, it had been granted. I wish all that can serve the generous Theopompus, had my sense of his deserts, then shou'd the Friend of my dear Poliarchus be rais'd, as far above those self Interest'd Wretches, as his Soul now is, and Generosity was above theirs. For most of the sordid World, neither know how to reward the living, nor how to do justice to the dead; but these are crimes unknown to all that were inspir'd with the Friendship for our dear Poliarchus.

There are few of the Troubles that attend us in this Life, but when we seriously examine their

Cause, we shall find we our selves in one kind or other, have in some degree contributed to 'em. For who can be of a generous Temper, and not bear a part with the Afflicted? this has (as it it does with all that are good) made you sensible of my sufferings, which has by an unforeseen Consequence brought the trouble of many impertinent Letters on your self; for 'tis impossible to suffer you ever to give over that pleasing Melancholy Subject you so in∣geniously entertain me with. The Death of my Poliarchus is as lasting in my Memory as I am: and as I am the most unfortunate of Women by his loss, so can all other Afflictions be but like drops of Water into the abyss of the Sea: Yet have I met lately with an additional Grief, that bears a much greater proportion. That dear Mother I have been in care for, is now taken from me to augment the number of the blest above; my ten∣der Love, and grateful Duty, was such for my un∣equal'd Parent, that had I not known how to live after the Loss, and Affliction you saw me in, I cou'd scarce have supported this; but That has made me know that there is a vast difference be∣twixt Tears shed for those whom Death chooses, and Those who make choice of Death, rather than live without what they too much valu'd. This vast conflux of misfortunes, gives me a greater desire to be assur'd what knowledge my departed Friends will have of me at our meeting in their blest abode, for since I've committed the sacred Memory of Poliarchus to your care, (which whilst I live, can never dye.) I am eternally entertaining

all, I can get to listen, with my sad Story; bu•…•… you can make it from age to age endure. Time the certain cure, of all other ills can never lessen mine, so that I often resolve to seek out a solitude, where if Reason cannot overcome my Grief, Grief may overcome me, and make my wretched days short as I wish 'em, and my unhappy state re∣quires.

I am extreamly sensible of your generous com∣passion, and must tell you that when I first converst in this kind with the ingenious Theopompus, my Esteem cou'd then be grounded on no other score, but what great value he had for what deserv'd Love and Esteem from all the World, my best and dearest Poliarchus: But now you have engag'd me the way that most prevails with Humane Nature, by a Real Sense of my Pain. That is so gene∣rous a piece of good Nature, that 'tis to be ad∣mir'd wherever 'tis found; and in return, I wou'd if I cou'd forbear tormenting you any more with my Grief. But Ah! How can I cease my com∣plaints to one, who so tenderly apprehends 'em, and so excellently applys the Cordial of unequal'd Advices. This makes you often troubl'd with my Melancholly Life; for I declare I had rather read your obliging Expressions for our dead Friend, than all the finest things the greatest of Mankind can say on any other Subject, but not to tire you all at once; I shall here conclude, that I am

your Friend, and Servant. Theocrine.