A Letter from a Mistriss to tax her Lover with Inconstancy.
Sir,
COu'd I have thought you false after so many Pro∣testations, I had not so easily believed and trusted you with my honour: Little did I think when you made your addresses in so humble a strain accompa∣nying your amorous Discourse with such seemingly serious Protestations, that such falshood attend your Sex; but since by sad Experience I have found that the Seas and Winds are not less stable, nor wandring Fires that delude belated Travellers more false; I am constrained to let you know how much I resent your Ingratitude, though through the strength of mind that always supports me, I could have refrained to let you see what you perhaps may glory to account a woman∣ish weakness in me, and have remain'd as unconcern'd as you; nay done it with that Ease I shook you from my heart; but this I do to prevent your heaping more guilt upon your self by protesting perhaps here∣after your ignorance and innocence, though at the same time you know it to be otherwise; nor is it less in my power to be revenged, wou'd I give my self up to the study of it; but I think it the more gene∣rous and nobler way not to suffer my Soul to sink so low, but rather to leave you to be punished by your conscious guilt, and so from this time rasing you out of my Memory, I date it the happy moment of my recovered freedom, and remain, false man henceforth entirely at my own dispose.
M. Q.