The triumph of wit, or, Ingenuity display'd in its perfection. Being the newest and most useful academy, in three parts. Part I. Containing variety of excellent poems, pastorals, satyrs, dialogues, epigrams, anagrams, acrosticks, choice letters with their answers, ... and exactest collection of choice songs. Part II. Containing the whole art and mystery of love in all its nicest intreagues and curious particulars, ... with the description & anatomy of perfect beauty. Part III. Containing the mystery and art of wheedling and canting, with the original and present management thereof, and the ends to which it serves and is employed. Illustrated with poems, songs and various intreagues in the canting language, with the explanation, &c. To which is added, Instructions for dancing with musical notes.

A Dialogue between Altemor and Almira.

Love broke through danger, Constancy has crown'd; True Love with fetters ne'er cou'd yet be bound.

Altemor.

THis unexpected Letter, delivered me by an unknown hand, possesses me with mortal fears that my dear Almira is in danger—Ha—it says she'll meet me here this very hour—and see where she comes.—O how I revive at this blest sight!

Almira.

May this Grove for ever flourish, that has been so often kind to shelter us from the prying Eyes of too severe and too officious Parents, who strive to cross our Happiness—

Alt.

May it wear a lasting Green, and may these cool shades be still a Recess for Lovers; and these fra∣grant Banks Enamell'd with the pride and glory of the Spring, yield them a soft Repose, whilst they breathe forth a thousand tender things: But how, my dear Almira, did you scape your guard to bless me with such unexpected joy?

Alm.

Not without great difficulty, you may be sure, considering how narrowly I have been watched ever since your last Letter was intercepted by my Fa∣ther.

Alt.

It was unhappy it so fell out, and I have mourned that fatal over-sight of mine, which was the cause of so long a separation: but since my better self. I have you in my Arms, all sorrow vanishes much like a Morning-cloud that's spent in showers.

Alm,

But you had like never to have had me thus again, had I not escaped as I did; all our Joys, and all we can expect from Love, had been for ever bar∣red.

Alt.

As how—my dear Almira—Alas, I tremble at the sound of what you say—had been for ever barr'd: Just Heaven could ne'er have suffer'd such a punishment to fall on Innocents, since Love is Hea∣vens chief Attribute—But speak, for I find by the Roses being frighted from your Cheeks, that you'ave escaped a danger.

Alm.

I have so, for my Father upon the discovery of the Intreague we were carrying on, confin'd me to my Chamber, resolving out of hand to Marry me to his Neighbour P—

Alt.

Death and Ruin — Cou'd he be so barbarously inclined to joyn these Beauties, fresh and gay as new-blown Roses, and more sprightly than the kindling flame, apt for Love and Mutual Joys with Age and Impotency? Cou'd he be so cruel to ••••st the bloom∣ing Spring, adorned, and smiling with her fragrant sweet, into the Icey Arms of shivering Winter, which seems in nature dead? sure 'tis impossible.

Alm.

It was intended, and my nauseous Lover daily visited me; strove with Presents, and a thousand Amo∣rous stories to make me plyant.

Alt.

And did you not regard 'em? how could you resist his flattery, or be proof against his wealth?

Alm.

I answer'd him with Tears, and more and more grew sullen when he wooed; protested against his Love, and vow'd to sacrifice my life rather than be his Bride: My Father chid me for my obstinacy, and laid approaching Greatness in my view; urged and conjured me by the power of his Paternal Juris∣diction over me, to yield my self obedient to his will. I answer'd him, My life was in his hand, and that he might command it when he pleas'd: But for my Love, it soared a nobler hight, and could not be circumscri∣bed, as being free by a Charter ancient as the World: He stormed at this, and said, I Trifle with him, and

should dearly suffer for my obstinacy: I thereupon fell at his feet, o'er-whelmed with tears and sighs, that wou'd have moved a Rock of Adamant, and beg∣ged I might be free to make my choice: or if he would not grant it, as he had given me life, next to the workings of nature, and the invisible power that infused that breath of life, which ought to act in free∣dom, he wou'd strike me dead, and kindly put an end to woes that might ensue: At this his Eyes shot fire, his Frowns me-thought looked like a Winter-cloud, frought with a thousand storms, at which I trembled, and look pale: But he, remorsless, told me. That in spite of all my denial and resistance I must prepare the next day to be a Bride; at which my spirits failed, and I sunk down into a deadly swoun, and in that plight he left me: For when I awoke as from the dead, and faintly reared my head, I found me in my Nurses Arms; who pittying my distress, and moved by my tears and intreaties, my vows and protestati∣ons of sacrificing my Life to my Father's anger, but not my Love, she helped me to cordage, whereby I made my escape through the Window, though at the hazard of my life, by reason of it's hight; and have since obscured my self to give you notice by Letter to meet me in this place —

Alt.

And all this for worthless me—O my dear—dear Angel, what recompences can I make to such transcendant goodness, who have been the cause of all your sufferings?

Alm.

Your love, and constancy, and kindness in not upbraiding me hereafter with my over-fondness, is all I ask—

Alt.

Love and Constancy—why thou deservest more than the World can give; or to upbraid you with what's the noblest Virtue of your Sex, wou'd merit a punishment beyond what witty horrour cou'd

invent—Witness, all ye Powers; and may hot Lightning strike me dead; may all the bolts of Thun∣der fall upon my head the moment that I prove un∣constant or unkind—

Alm.

I must believe you Sir, for now my Love and Fortunes are at your dispose; I'll leave the manage∣ment of all to you; yet consider it is a business that requires speed, or else the Wind that blows so fair may turn into a storm, and shipwrack all our happi∣ness e'er we arrive at the desired Port.

Alt.

The God of speed shall wing us in our flight, Hymen the Torch shall of our Nuptials light, And stop the Ruin you so much cou'd dread, Whilst to a thousand Joys my Dear is led: Joys that shall recompence you for the pain You once endur'd, but ne'er shall feel again.

Exeunt.