The mysteries of love & eloquence, or, The arts of wooing and complementing as they are manag'd in the Spring Garden, Hide Park, the New Exchange, and other eminent places : a work in which is drawn to the life the deportments of the most accomplisht persons, the mode of their courtly entertainments, treatments of their ladies at balls, their accustom'd sports, drolls and fancies, the witchcrafts of their perswasive language in their approaches, or other more secret dispatches ...

To discourse concerning the noise of a Match.

Sir, I am very glad to meet with you, were it for no other reason, but to give you joy.

Sir, Your company is always a thing most acceptable to me, and your wishes cannot be other then very fortunate;

yet, if you please, pray let me understand why you wish me so much felicity, there being nothing new that I know of in my condition.

Sir, You dissemble that which is well known to many, and which hath been told me some few days since.

Pray Sir, do the favour to tell me what it is, for I can nei∣ther think nor imagine.

Sir, They say that you intend to marry in this Town.

Truly, Sir, 'tis the first news that I have heard of any such thing.

I can assure you, Sir, those that told me, believe that they know very well; and they take upon them to report many particulars.

Pray Sir, be pleas'd to tell me, to whom, and what are the good Conditions of this Marriage; perchance the person and the advantages may be such, that I may speedily advise with my self; and as speedily resolve.

Why should you do so, Sir? Would you marry out of your Countrey, far from your friends, and distant from all conve∣niences; obliging your self to quit the sweet presence of your kindred, or else to bring a strange Woman among them, which of what House or Quality soever she be, either will her self be despis'd, or bring envy upon you.

Sir, You have not answer'd my question, but instead there∣of have made a kind of sophistical digression.

I shall therefore come now more close to the matter; the young Lady is the daughter of M. N. to whom her Mother left a very fair Estate, besides a very fair Portion which her father intends to bestow upon her.

Sir, You have told me so much that you make my mouth water; I know her Father well, he is a Gentleman of worth and honour; the young Lady is Fair, Wise, and Rich, which are three good qualities: And truly I do not so much mis∣like her, but that if I thought I had so much interest in her Affections, as that I should be master of them for asking, I would run the hazard of sending one packet.

Surely, Sir, you must know something, I am told that you do not speak the truth, dissemble the matter as well as you ca••.

Believe it, Sir, nothing to any such purpose has been so much as mention'd by me. Those that report this, are

persons that take all occasions to babble, and urge the least appearances of a thing for certainties: and certainly this rumour comes from my frequenting often the places thereabouts, or because that now and then I go to see her Father.

Sir, That may be very likely; but 'tis very incredible but that there must be something in it: you know there is no smoak but there is some fire.

Truly, Sir, I do not wonder at all at it; for we must give the world leave to talk.

But do you believe you should do well to engage your self in a business of such importance, on which, not only your fortune, but the content of your Parents depends.

Be confident, Sir, that I was never counted a rash person, yet I have such an assurance in the paternal care and wisdom of my friends, that if any advantage did present it self in my behalf, they would not stick to quit some part of their content for my good.

Sir, You have fully satisfi'd me, and if there be any thing begun already, I wish you all happiness and content.