Anonymous

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

London

Printed for R. Bentley

1693

"for though your Highness, did make some Addresses to her, which as she told me, served to ruin her the more, yet they would never have proved any advantage to you; since we both thought, that you spoke out of Raillery more than any serious design; besides, in the highest tide of her Passion, she professed, she would rather suffer any thing than own it to you."

The Prince exactly hit it in the first Visit he made Marinda ; as soon as the designed Marriage was deferred, and the Company gone, he went to pay his particular Respects to the Lady of his Vows: He found her in the Gardens with her Cousin, discoursing about the unexpected breaking off her Marriage, and Celadon according to his priviledge, taking her into an Ally aside, left the Prince in another, with Marinda , and what time they had there together, he improved to the utmost, in shewing her how sincerely he had been her Servant, from the first sight he ever had of her, till then; and told her, what he required of her in retaliation, and upon what Honourable Conditions he expected it; she answered with all the kindness due to so fond a Lover, and with a mixture of that submissive Civility, which she paid him as he was a Prince, tho' one who professed himself her Servant; and that his Highness might not censure her to have been either Rude or Cruel in her Behaviour towards him, through the whole course of their Acquaintance; she desired, that he would hear those things from her Cousin's Mouth, which she thought not so fit for her own; Diana was called for, and Marinda desiring her to acquaint the Prince with all she knew of her Thoughts, without disguising any thing; she Discoursed with Celadon apart, while her Cousin began thus to the Prince, who was more than ordinarily attentive. When my Cousin ordered me to tell you her greatest privacies, those of her Love; she did but give the Reins to that passion, which has alwaies been too strong for her, since first the Graces your Highness is master of, reduced her to the condition of a Lover; and I question not, but she has had undeniable proofs of an equal Affection in you; or else, (by what I know of her Humour) she would rather have Died, than once suffered it to be known, your Highness over-hearing our Discourse at the Well, opened a light to the discovery of that Affection, which otherwise had been doom'd to perpetual obscurity; for though your Highness, did make some Addresses to her, which as she told me, served to ruin her the more, yet they would never have proved any advantage to you; since we both thought, that you spoke out of Raillery more than any serious design; besides, in the highest tide of her Passion, she professed, she would rather suffer any thing than own it to you; the first Night your Highness Serenaded her, she shewed so little concern at it, till you were gone, that I thought it had been a Frolick of the Spaniard's Gallantry, who about that time came acquainted with me, 'twas I spoke to you out of the window, though when the difference of Voice discovered my mistake, I broke off the party; that time the Indian came to Town, and lighting first into my Cousin's Acquaintance, she told her the Dream she had about you; I will not tell it over, again, because your Highness has heard it already, only in vindication of the Indian's Skill, let me assure your Highness, that she told my Cousin, she should have the Gentleman she Dreamed of, she interpreted the little Archer, who was on your side, to be Love, the Giant on hers, Honour; that Honour's going over to your side, and leaving her defenceless, signified, that your proffering to Marry her, would overcome her obstinacy; and the Cupid's shooting her through, is easie enough to be left to your Highness's Explanation; the Indian promising her success, made her indulge that Love, which she bridled before, and brought her abroad to the Ball
(pp. 183-6)

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C-H Lion

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

06/17/2013