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Fairest, It is now time that I should require from you some Assurances of your friendship, because I cannot grant you that authority which you have over my Affections, but by the service which I am willing to render to your power:
The proof whereof depends upon opportunity, and the oppor∣tunity occasion upon your commands: swear to me therefore, by your fair Eyes, that you love that which they have subdu'd, that I may boast my ruine to be a mark as well of my glory, as of your puissance.
Do you think, Sir, that that which is ruin'd by the Eyes, can be belov'd by the Heart?
Dear Lady, why should you not affect that love which you your self have created? Would you cause it to be born and dye at the same instant? that would be the action of an incon∣stant soul.
It is you, Sir, that run the hazard of being call'd by that name; for if love proceed from merit, you will soon finde some one more worthy your Affection then my self.
Madam, I shall never seek the means to find any more signal worth then that which you possess; it is permitted to those who are less worthy to have such jealousies, but not to you whose Beauty hath such a supereminence above all others in the world. No Madam, take counsel of your own worth, and it will shew the fair Election which I have made, how im∣possible it is to be changed; the design coming from the judge∣ment of our Soul, which being Divine, cannot erre.
But, Sir, they say that love is very subject to knowledge, of which you being so well provided, 'tis to be fear'd, that you may make use of those agreeable diversities, that Love doth every day present to unfaithful Lovers.
Madam, May he banish me from his Empire, if I have any other Will, then what is agreeable to his. He sees that I am yours, so his Power and my Will are agreed; my Designs concur with his Commands.
Sir, I believe that Love himself could not know how to force you to love.
He scar'd, Madam, lest he should be made himself a slave; He hath no force able to resist your puissance, unless it be your own: therefore since you have this Glory entire to your self, to have vanquish'd all the world, there remains nothing now, but that you should vanquish your self.
Sir, I cannot do any thing else but vanquish, having neither Will nor Thought, which doth not render obedience to that duty, which I have taken to be the perfect guide of my life.
Madam, You oppose your Designs to my Prayers, to the
end, this refusal may redouble my passion, and cause me to persist more eagerly in the pursuit of your tempting Graces: yet it suffices that the pain and difficulties of the acquest, will remain the glory of my conquest.
If it be your Difficulties, Sir, that can create your Glory, why do you complain?
Madam, I do not repine at the pain, but at your unkind∣ness that will not acknowledge it; but if that be not so, I do conjure your fair Lips to produce some assurance of your friendship.
Will Sir, then I do promise your servitude, to acknowledge it for the price of your constancy; and believe this, that as my true passion doth onely oblige me, so there is no adjura∣tion shall have power over me.
Madam, I wish that I could transform my whole will into words, to render you sufficient thanks for this favourable promise; but since I am not born capable of such a happiness, I will only say this, That he to whom your Favours are so liberally extended, shall pass the rest of his days in your Service.