The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XXII.

To Dgnet Oglou.

IT is, thou knowest, a considerable Time since I was Love-smitten with the Beautiful Daria, who was Fair as an Angel, and dis∣creet above any Mortal Creature. It's hard to say, whether the Beauty of her Mind or that of her Body, struck deepest Impressions on my Soul. How long were the Nights and how short my Slumbers, and what a general Distraction of Thoughts were I in? I could not abide my Chamber, and when I went out, no other Place could please me. I knew not what I said or thought, whether I dreamt or was really awake, stood or sate, went back∣wards or forwards, all Postures and Places being alike, seeing none of them could afford me the Relief I sought after.

I imagin'd no less, but that I must thus lan∣guish on; yet I find, That Time and Absence have, at length, made Way for Reason. Marvel not, dear Oglou, I have suffered these Transports. Our Passions are not in our Power; we cannot love and hate when and whom we please. There is a Conformity of Blood, wherein the Stars, they say, work Wonders. It's true, no Man can love and be wise at the same Time; but, prithee tell me, didst ever know any Wise Man, who was not one Time or other in Love? Remember thine own Passion for the same Object, which will make thee the easier

to excuse mine. I'll tell thee a Story, which I have some-where read; which, if it does not palliate, yet will not aggravate my Weakness.

A certain Country-Man having lost his Ass, came to the Muezin, or Cryer, desiring him to give Notice at the Door of one of their Mosques: which he did for Three several Fe∣stivals. But, no News being heard of the Animal, the Owner urged the Muezin to continue his Proclamations, with the Reward of a fat Pig to the Finder. The Muezin be∣ing an arch Wag, and tired with the Fellow's Importunity, one Day when the Ceremonies of their Superstitious Worship was ended, and People flockt amain out of the Mosque, he made this following Proclamation: If there be any Man here amongst you, who will come forth, and solemnly profess, he never was in Love, he shall have a fat Pig.

An ungainly loobily Fellow, who was lean∣ing listning on his Staff, bawled out, That he could safely take his Oath, he was the Person who had never been in Love. Whereupon the Muezin taking him by the Sleeve, presents him to the Country-Man, saying, Here, Friend, I have found your Ass, the Pig is mine.

Rejoyce with me for the Recovery of my Liberty, and believe an experienced Man, when he tells thee, that a Man's Love to his Friend, though it be not so violent and strong as that to his Mistriss, yet is more solid and lasting.

Paris, 12^th of the 11^th Moon, of the Year 1644.