_The Third_ CYPHER. The _C_ and the _L_, which are join’d to the Letters of our Names in this Cypher crown’d with Laurel, explains a _Constant Love_. It will not, my fair _Iris_, suffice, that my Love is extreme, my Passion violent, and my Wishes fervent, or that our Loves are reciprocal; but it ought also to be constant: for in Love, the Imagination is oftner carried to those things that may arrive, and which we wish for, than to things that Time has robbed us of. And in those agreeable Thoughts of Joys to come, the Heart takes more delight to wander, than in all those that are past; tho’ the Remembrance of ‘em be very dear, and very charming. We should be both unjust, if we were not persuaded we are possest with a Virtue, the Use of which is so admirable as that of Constancy. Our Loves are not of that sort that can finish, or have an end; but such a Passion, so perfect, and so constant, that it will be a Precedent for future Ages, to love perfectly; and when they would express an extreme Passion, they will say, _They lov’d, as_ Damon _did the charming_ Iris. And he that knows the Glory of constant Love, will despise those fading Passions, those little Amusements, that serve for a Day. What Pleasure or Dependance can one have in a Love of that sort? What Concern? What Raptures can such an Amour produce in a Soul? And what Satisfaction can one promise one’s self in playing with a false Gamester; who tho’ you are aware of him, in spite of all your Precaution, puts the false Dice upon you, and wins all? _Those Eyes that can no better Conquest make,_ _Let ‘em ne’er look abroad:_ _Such, but the empty Name of Lovers take,_ _And so profane the God._ _Better they never should pretend,_ _Than, ere begun, to make an end._ _Of that fond Flame what shall we say,_ _That’s born and languisht in a Day?_ _Such short-liv’d Blessings cannot bring_ _The Pleasure of an Envying._ _Who is’t will celebrate that Flame,_ _That’s damn’d to such a scanty Fame?_ _While constant Love the Nymphs and Swains_ } _Still sacred make, in lasting Strains_ } _And chearful Lays throughout the Plains._ } _A constant Love knows no Decay:_ } _But still advancing ev’ry Day,_ } _Will last as long as Life can stay,_ } _With ev’ry Look and Smile improves,_ } _With the same Ardour always moves,_ } _With such as_ Damon _charming_ Iris _loves!_ }