No. CCCI. THURSD P T WE ar accomplishi once made p. deavour to of time to r the same 1 plauses of author writ out ever C and that he formerly r The same behaviour celebrated hobble. in It is this, i fops, and s Canidia, yesterday beauty of 1 adorers, w gave her then contr ding frown still all th If she now only by bei sex laugh: enjoy an ill-natured pleasure in seeing an imperious beauty humbled and neglected, regard her with the same satisfaction that a free nation sees a tyrant in disgrace. Will Honeycomb, who is a great admirer of the gallantries in king Charles the second's reign, lately communicated to me a letter written by a wit of that age to his mistress, who it seems was a lady of Canidia's humour; and though I do not always approve of my friend Will's taste, I liked this letter so well, that I took a copy of it, with which I shall here present my reader. SINCE my waking thoughts have never been ' able to influence you in my favour, I am resolved 'to try whether my dreams can make any impression " on you. To this end I shall give you an account ' of a very odd one which my fancy presented to me 'last night, within a few hours after I left you. 'Methought I was unaccountably conveyed into 'the most delicious place mine eyes ever beheld: it was a large valley divided by a river of the purest 'water I had ever seen. The ground on each side ' of it rose by an easy ascent, and was covered with 'flowers of an infinite variety, which as they were ' reflected in the water doubled the beauties of the 'place, or rather formed an imaginary scene more 'beautiful than the real. On each side of the river was a range of lofty trees, whose boughs were load'ed with almost as many birds as leaves. Every tree " was full of harmony. 'I had not gone far in this pleasant valley, when I 'perceived that it was terminated by a most magni'ficent temple. The structure was ancient and 'regular. On the top of it was figured the god Sa turn, in the same shape and dress that the poets ' usually represent Time. As I was advancing to satisfy my curiosity by a 'nearer view, I was stopped by an object far more 'beautiful than any I had before discovered in the whole place. I fancy, madam, you will easily guess 'that this could hardly be any thing but yourself; in 'reality it was so; you lay extended on the flowers by the side of the river, so that your hands, which were 'thrown in a negligent posture, almost touched the 'water. Your eyes were closed; but if your sleep ' deprived me of the satisfaction of seeing them, it 'left me at leisure to contemplate several other charms, which disappear when your eyes are open. I could not but admire the tranquillity you slept in, ' especially when I considered the uneasiness you ' produce in so many others. While I was wholly taken up in these reflections, the doors of the temple flew open, with a very great noise; and lifting up my eyes, I saw two figures, in human shape, coming into the valley. Upon a ' nearer survey, I found them to be Youth and Love. The first was incircled with a kind of purple light, that spread a glory over all the place; the other held a flaming torch in his hand. I could observe, 'that all the way as they came towards us, the colours of the flowers appeared more lively, the trees • shot out in blossoms, the birds threw themselves ' into pairs, and serenaded them as they passed: the whole face of nature glowed with new beauties. • They were no sooner arrived at the place where you lay, when they seated themselves on each side of you. On their approach, methought I saw a new bloom arise in your face, and new charms diffuse themselves over your whole person. You appeared 'more than mortal; but, to my great surprise, continued fast asleep, though the two deities made ‹ several gentle efforts to awaken you. |