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 ...

The Departure.

Adieu dear Beauty; it behooves me to be banish'd from you, that I may dispose my Soul to esteem you the more; one way, by the loss of your presence, another way, by recollecting the thoughts of past happiness.

Truly Sir, you have very great reason to make use of your Fancy, when you would praise me; for Fancy and Thoughts will forge imagenary Merits, where your Eyes and Judgement will finde the contrary.

Madam, You do very well make use of a new custom, I believe you would perswade your self to speak false, that you might have an advantage over one, that breath nothing but the truth; is it possible that such a vanity should make you offend that which I honour, and that which you possess. Truly Madam, you will gain nothing by it, but the pleasure of fine words.

Sir, Call them rather true, and then you will speak truth your self.

You continue, Madam, acquiring new glories to your per∣swasions, by maintaining Paradoxes against your Beauty, which will be alwayes perfect in it self, though not in your opinion.

Sir, If I am perfect, I do know my self; perfection being the knowledge of ones self: since therefore I do know my self, I may be permitted to stile my self very poor in Merits. But you would perswade the contrary, to exercise your parts, knowing that it is a greater honour to vanquish the Truth, then to sustain it.

Madam, The design which I have to serve you, may give you testimony sufficient of that power which you have to dispose of me; In one moment I saw you enjoying a thou∣sand wonders, and in a moment I was sensible of a thousand torments of Love; and being capable of nothing but Admira∣tion, methought that this Beauty was in the world for no other end, but deserve, and for me to be obedient to. I see no reason, Fairest, that the belief which I have taken with the clearest judgement that I have of your Beauty, should be swal∣low'd up by your misbelieving opinions.

Sir, They say, that contrariety doth animate persons the

more; and therefore I shall be silent, that I may hinder these unjust Praises; perhaps you will have pitty on my seeble re∣sistance, and will be weary of conquering so easily.

Madam, 'Tis rather my self that ought to keep silent, be∣ing so lately in an astonishment; but as for you; Madam, it would be a sin against your fair lips, whose words are Oracles.

Then pray, Sir, why do you not believe that which I say, for all Oracles are truth?

But why will you, Madam, by perswasion hinder the belief which I have taken with sight and judgment. For I will believe your Beauty against all your unbelief and undervalu∣ings: and also continue the Service which I have sworn you, against any thing that shall hinder it. My Attempt also hath promis'd my Design, that future Ages shall admire your Merit and my Servitude; and record us as the most faithful Lovers in Cupid's Dominions.

I fear, Sir, that time will alter this opinion.

Madam, Time can do nothing against that which Love hath ordain'd; he is the master of Fortune, and an enemy to change. But wherefore this superfluity of speech? It is bet∣ter to believe by the force of Words, then by the force of Perswasion; and therefore at this time, it is more necessary for me, to demand of you Remedies for this remove, the apprehension whereof makes me endure this present pain.

Sir, It behooves you to forget your Design, and you will avoid the Pain that will follow, and also the Repen∣tance.

No, Madam, I will keep the memory of my Design eter∣nally, and shall always see painted before me the glory of my Enterprize. Adieu great Beauty, you shall never cast your eyes downward, but you shall perceive, lying at your feet, him that admires you; nor ever elevate your Thoughts to your deserts, but you shall remember your conquest. Adieu Fairest, for now I leave the Sun, and go to seek out Night and Sor∣rows cell.