Love's posie: or, A collection of seven and twenty love-letters, both in verse and prose; that lately pass'd betwixt a gentleman and a very young lady in France.

The young IRIS to TIMANDER.

The Seven and Twentieth Letter.

SEveral Lovers I have had; but never in my Life did I see such a sincere one as you. As 'tis apparent you lov'd me for having seen me, I might well doubt, that you would not Love, when you saw me no more, and my single Idea cou'd never stand firm and good against all those gay Persons, you view every day. Never did Lover, before, confide in her, that might cause his Torment, those pleasures he meets withal elsewhere in her absence. To tell you the righteous truth of things, you re∣call back again the integrity of the first Ages: And, if you have not the constancy of those not so much

antient as Antick times, at least you have their sincerity. This is, likewise, a Vertue; and you have pitch'd upon it to the other's pre∣judice. But, why did you not consult me? You should have cho∣sen the first. Upon the word of a Christian, I am very much scan∣daliz'd at your way of proceeding: I think, I shou'd have lik'd much better a Vice, that was somewhat more Complaisant, than so disobli∣ging a Vertue. I cannot tell, whe∣ther it's your Freedom or your In∣constancy, that displeases me the most: I tell my self, that 'tis the Confession, which offends me, but in truth, I will not peremptorily decide, whether it be the Word, or the Thing: You may draw, what Conclusions you will from this. But, to consider things more closely, this pretended Infidelity I do sus∣pect to be a Lover's cheat and trick, that is more faithful, than

he wou'd be thought to be: For, when we leave People in the lurch, we do not use to advertize them of it, we let our selves bend to our own declentions, and are not ac∣custom'd to frame such refined Syl∣logisms. I fancy, you had a mind to try, whether I wou'd be sensible of your loss: In this case, I forgive you with all my Heart. But, what do you design by making Jealousie precede Passion in my Heart? Why shou'd you go about to raise such a Sentiment there, when it is so sweet, to inspire it with those that are most delicate. Would you have me begin to have a sense of Love by all, that it hath most cruel and bloudy-minded? No, instead of taming and rendring me meek and tractable with it, you put me into Arms and Battel-array a∣gainst it. You manage your Inte∣rests with no great Policy, and Old Nick of Florence is no such well-wil∣ler to you: For,

In a fine Mold Love only does appear, Concealing, what gives Jealousie or Fear: And, we should keep our Properties by Law, If we an Arbitrary sway fore-saw.

In effect, Jealousie [as I have heard say] has such motions, as are too sharp and Netlish: It ra∣ther provoketh and irritates, than softneth and asswages the Soul: So that instead of making me taste the pleasures and kindnesses and (as I may say) the Clemency of Love, you will allow me presently nothing but its vexation and bit∣terness. This same Stratagem would never have bore me far; I should have immediately im∣peach'd the Enterprize. Love has much more pretty and acceptable ways, to insinuate himself into the Heart: For, what will that, which you have taken, get you, but these following Verses?

I.

Of a Sequester'd Shepherdess You fear to be a Lover; By change of whom for something, that hath less Severity, you would remove her. Oh! do not make a separation Of one Heart between Two; But the last Conqueror pursue: For it's more Natural, to maintain The Heavenly Blessings of a peaceful Reign, Than choose black War, Fire, Sword and Desolation.

II.

This you may do by my consent; And I shall nought Gain-say: Only one Quest. What by your fear is meant, I ve Catechis'd mine Heart to Day. Grateful alarms suit well a Passion, When tost by Sighs and Tears, Expos'd each Moment, to new Fears, But now, I can spy no pretence, Timander, for this pretty fearing Sense: 'Tis stupifi'd in a dead Inclination.