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 Trial.

Madam, If the opportunities of serving you were as ordi∣nary, as those of speaking to you, I had rendred you as many Services, as I have spoken Words. I dare not confirm them always with the same testimonies; and since I am so little capable of persuasion, I fear I shall discover my Ignorance and not my Servitude.

Sir, I am of opinion that the custom of Persuasion is only used there, where Truth is wanting: and therefore seeing you have always protested the Truth, you ought not to make use of it, else you will make your Oaths and my Credit as in∣different, as your Words and Assurance would be.

The cunning of a Discourse shall never do me such an ill office, as to make me believe an untruth; for I am ignorant of the custom and invention thereof, which shall cause me not to seek out such an Enterprize, to the end, that being warranted from the disturbance which I find between the resolution and the event, I should not give you for an assurance, that the whole world, seeing so noble a Design as mine, will judge that I owe an eternal perseverance to it.

Be advis'd, Sir, to conform your minde to your words, for time will give us always opportunities to distinguish between those that are feigned, and those that are true. Truly I must make this promise in answer to your promises, that if I do not finde them true, you will repent to have so vainly lost them; for I shall always reserve to my self this power, either to reject or accept of what you tender me,

Why should your belief take any ill impression of your ser∣vant? I do call love and your beauty to witness, that I should always preserve my self the same.

Well Sir, I shall content my self at present with your drift, notwithstanding I shall expect better assurances.

Madam, Be confident that you shall draw as much fidelity from your conquest, as I expect glory and happiness from my subjection.

But I desire to know if your Promises shall be as faithfully performed, as your Oaths.

Much more, Madam, for I can give you but weak words, which my ignorance furnishes me withall: whereby you work effects worthy a glorious death.

Will you then die for me, Sir?

No, Madam, for that which would be a death to others, would be a life to me, provided it came from your hand.

Live then, Sir, and take heed that your repentance do not kill you.

'Tis well, Madam, I shall live your Servant, and live long through the worth of my preserver.