Anonymous

Vertue Rewarded; or, the Irish Princess. A New Novel

London

Printed for R. Bentley

1693

"Yet that lovely Body is but the Shell of a more glorious Inhabitant, and is as far out-shone by that more radiant Gust, which lies within, as your choicest Jewels exceed the lustre of the Cask; which holds them: For her Illustrious mind has got as inexhaustible a store of rare perfections in it, as the famed Potosi has of Riches: And as in that the greedy Spanish Conquerour, the farther he diggs, finds still more new supplies of Ores so whoever makes himself Master of her richer Heart, will still discover there new Mines of Radiant Vertues, so infinite they are, that they would tire the most inquisitive Lover to find them all, and each of them has such peculiar Charms in't, enough to make him leave his scrutiny after more, to admire that one which his first search does find."

You defer ye all things, Divine Marinda, (said the passionate Prince) what Title is too High, or Estate too Magnificent to admit you for a Partner? I will no more indulge this vain Ambition, or let it cross my love: Tell me, Celadon, (said he) cannot Marinda, with her natural beauty look finer than our Proudest Court Ladies, tho' decked with all their Gaudy Costly Dresses? Yet that lovely Body is but the Shell of a more glorious Inhabitant, and is as far out-shone by that more radiant Gust, which lies within, as your choicest Jewels exceed the lustre of the Cask; which holds them: For her Illustrious mind has got as inexhaustible a store of rare perfections in it, as the famed Potosi has of Riches: And as in that the greedy Spanish Conquerour, the farther he diggs, finds still more new supplies of Ores so whoever makes himself Master of her richer Heart, will still discover there new Mines of Radiant Vertues, so infinite they are, that they would tire the most inquisitive Lover to find them all, and each of them has such peculiar Charms in't, enough to make him leave his scrutiny after more, to admire that one which his first search does find. Ah, Sir, (said Celadon, now your Highness is happy and in favour, you do not consider him who is clearly cast off by his Mistress, for what he did only with design to serve you; for it was my telling Diana that your Highness was married, and confessing the falshood afterward, has so put me out of her favour, that she has forbidden me ever seeing her against. Tho' (said the Prince) that was an unlucky Policy of yours, yet since 'twas well designed, you shall not suffer for it; and therefore take my word, that the same day which makes me happy, shall make you so to; and as our Loves are joyn'd, so shall our Fortunes. Your Highness (said Celadon cannot be more in Love with the perfections of your Mistress, than I can with the Wit and good Humour of mine: Besides; her Baggs which are so large and tempting, it would grieve my heart to part with them, after I was in so fair a way for obtaining her. The Prince answered, that both their Love waited only for his Health, and then he would soon see them consumated. He wrote two or three Letters more to Marinda whilst he lay in, but the Reader must excuse me, if I produce them not here, since Marinda burned them to prevent a discovery; and Secretary Celadon was not so careful to keep any Copies. [...]
(pp. 161-2)

Container::Cask Mineral::Jewel Money::Riches Mineral::Ore Mineral::Mines

C-H Lion

Vertue Rewarded; or, the Irish Princess. A New Novel (London: Printed for R. Bentley, 1693)

06/17/2013