My soul’s delight, you may perhaps deny me from your fear; but oh, do not, though I ask a mighty blessing; _Sylvia_’. company alone, silent, and perhaps by dark:--oh, though I faint with the thought only of so bless’d an opportunity, yet you shall secure me, by what vows, what imprecations or ties you please; bind my busy hands, blind my ravish’d eyes, command my tongue, do what you will; but let me hear your angel’s voice, and have the transported joy of throwing my self at your feet; and if you please, give me leave (a man condemned eternally to love) to plead a little for my life and passion; let me remove your fears; and though that mighty task never make me entirely happy, at least it will be a great satisfaction to me to know, that ‘tis not through my own fault that I am the _Most wretched_ PHILANDER. _I have order’d_ Brilliard _to wait your commands at_ Dorillus_’. cottage, that he may not be seen at_ Bellfont: _resolve to see me to-night, or I shall come without order, and injure both: my dear, damn’d wife is dispos’d of at a ball_ Cesario _makes to-night; the opportunity will be lucky, not that I fear her jealousy, but the effects of it._ * * * * * _To_ PHILANDER. I tremble with the apprehension of what you ask: how shall I comply with your fond desires? My soul bodes some dire effect of this bold enterprise, for I must own (and blush while I do own it) that my soul yields obedience to your soft request, and even whilst I read your letter, was diverted with the contrivance of seeing you: for though, as my brother, you have all the freedoms imaginable at _Bellfont_, to entertain and walk with me, yet it would be difficult and prejudicial to my honour, to receive you alone any where without my sister, and cause a suspicion, which all about me now are very far from conceiving, except _Melinda_, my faithful confidante, and too fatal counsellor; and but for this fear, I know, my charming brother, three little leagues should not five long days separate _Philander_ from his _Sylvia_: but, my lovely brother, since you beg it so earnestly, and my heart consents so easily, I must pronounce my own doom, and say, come, my _Philander_, whether love or soft desire invites you; and take this direction in the management of this mighty affair. I would have you, as soon as this comes to your hands, to haste to _Dorillus_’. cottage, without your equipage, only _Brilliard_, whom I believe you may trust, both from his own discretion, and your vast bounties to him; wait there ‘till you receive my commands, and I will retire betimes to my apartment, pretending not to be well; and as soon as the evening’s obscurity will permit, _Melinda_ shall let you in at the _garden-gate_, that is next the _grove_, unseen and unsuspected; but oh, thou powerful charmer, have a care, I trust you with my all: my dear, dear, my precious honour, guard it well; for oh I fear my