_Clitander_ having seen by chance _Celimene_, stood both surprised and charm’d with her Beauty. However because she had but a very mean Fortune, and that he was Master of a vast Estate, he reflected upon an Engagement which he found no less strong, than Sudden. He had quite lost his Repose; he felt himself in continual agitation, and feared lest a Passion, so very violent in its first rise, should prompt him at last to gratify his Heart at the Expence of his Fortune. In order to banish so dangerous a Tenderness from his Heart, he went to serve a Campaign in _Flanders_, but came back deeper in Love than he was at his Departure. Then accusing his own Weakness, he made a second attempt and resolv’d to travel into _Italy_, but the Diversions of _Rome_, and the Carnaval of _Venice_, proved as useless as the Siege of _Namur_. _Clitander_ return’d more ardent and passionate than ever, and as his Friend _Philantes_ came to visit him, Dear _Philantes_, said he, I lead a lingring wretched Life; I cannot forget _Celimene_, I fancy her always present to my view with all her Charms. _At last_, added he, _at last I must marry her, to cease to love her_. He did so, and a Months Marriage chang’d his violent and boysterous Love into a gentle and quiet Friendship. 152 _Le Mariage est quelquefois un Remede contre l’Amour._ C_litandre_ ayant veu par hazard _Celimene_, il demeura surpris & charmé de sa beauté extraordinaire, Cependant comme elle n’avoit qu’un bien médiocre, & qu’il avoit des Richesses immenses, il fit Reflexion sur un engagement qu’il trouvoit bien prompt, & bien fort. Il n’avoit plus de repos: Il se sentoit continuellement agité, & il craignoit qu’une Passion qui ètoit si violente dés son commencement, ne le portât enfin à satisfaire son coeur au prejudice de sa Fortune. Pour bannir de son ame une tendresse si dangereuse il alla faire une Campagne en _Flandres_; mais il revint plus amoureux qu’il n’ètoit parti. Puis, s’accusant de Foiblesse, il fit un second effort & entreprit le voyage d’_Italie_; mais les Divertissemens de _Rome_, & le Carnaval de _Venise_ ne furent pas moins inutiles que le Siege de _Namur_. _Clitandre_ fut à son retour plus passionné que jamais, & comme son Ami _Philante_ fut lui rendre visite, Mon cher _Philante_, lui dit il, je traine une vie malheureuse; je ne puis oublier _Celimene_; je m’imagine qu’elle est toûjours devant mes yeux avec tous ses Charmes; _Enfin_, ajoûta-t-il, _enfin il faudra, que je l’épouse pour cesser de l’aimer_. Il l’épousa en effet, & un mois de Mariage changea son Amour violente & tumultueuse, en une Amitié douce & tranquille. 153 _Of the Queen of_ Spain _and her Parrots._