I am not at all surprised, my _Philander_, at the accident that has befallen thee, because so long expected, and love has so well fortified my heart, that I support our misfortunes with a courage worthy of her that loves and is beloved by the glorious _Philander_; I am armed for the worst that can befall me, and that is my being rendered a public shame, who have been so in the private whispers of all the Court for near these happy three months, in which I have had the wondrous satisfaction of being retired from the world with the charming _Philander_; my father too knew it long since, at least he could not hinder himself from guessing it, though his fond indulgence suffered his justice and his anger to sleep, and possibly had still slept, had not _Myrtilla_’. spite and rage (I should say just resentment, but I cannot) roused up his drowsy vengeance: I know she has plied him with her softening eloquence, her prayers and tears, to win him to consent to make a public business of it; but I am entered, love has armed my soul, and I’ll pursue my fortune with that height of fortitude as shall surprise the world; yes, _Philander_, since I have lost my honour, fame and friends, my interest and my parents, and all for mightier love, I’ll stop at nothing now; if there be any hazards more to run, I will thank the spiteful Fates that bring them on, and will even tire them out with my unwearied passion. Love on, _Philander_, if thou darest, like me; let ‘em pursue me with their hate and vengeance, let prisons, poverty and tortures seize me, it shall not take one grain of love away from my resolved heart, nor make me shed a tear of penitence for loving thee; no, _Philander_, since I know what a ravishing pleasure it is to live thine, I will never quit the glory of dying also thy SYLVIA. Cesario, _my dear, is coming to be your bail; with_ Monsieur _the Count of----I die to see you after your suffering for_ Sylvia. * * * * * _To_ SYLVIA. BELIEVE me, charming _Sylvia_, I live not those hours I am absent from thee, thou art my life, my soul, and my eternal felicity; while you believe this truth, my _Sylvia_, you will not entertain a thousand fears, if I but stay a moment beyond my appointed hour; especially when _Philander_, who is not able to support the thought that any thing should afflict his lovely baby, takes care from hour to hour to satisfy her tender doubting heart. My dearest, I am gone into the city to my advocate’s, my trial with _Monsieur_ the Count, your father, coming on to-morrow, and it will be at least two tedious hours ere I can bring my adorable her PHILANDER. * * * * * _To_ SYLVIA.