Oh how could I have admired, nay, adored your dear cousin, if the
divine Eloisa herself had not taken up all my thoughts! You throw, my
dearest angel, an irresistible charm on every thing that surrounds
you. Your gown, your gloves, fan, work, nay every thing that was the
object of my outward senses, enchanted my very soul; and you yourself
compleatd the enchantment. Forbear, forbear, my dear, dear Eloisa, nor
deprive me of all sensation, by making my enjoyment too exquisite. My
transports approach so nearly to phrenzy, that I begin to be
apprehensive I shall lose my reason. Let me, at least, be sensible of
my felicity; let me at least have a rational idea of those raptures,
which are more sublime, and more penetrating, than my glowing
imagination could paint. How can you think yourself disgraced? This
very thought is a sure proof that your senses likewise are affected.
Oh, you are too perfect for frail mortality! I should believe you to
be of a more exalted purer species, if the violence of my passion did
not clearly evince, that we are of a kindred frame. No human being
conceives your excellence; you are unknown even to yourself; my heart
alone knows and can estimate its Eloisa. Were you only an idol of
worship, could you have been enraptured with the dull homage of
admiring mortals? Were you only an angel, how much you would lose of
your real value!
Tell me, if you can, how such a passion as mine is capable of
increasing? I am ignorant of the means, yet am but too sensible of the
fact. You are indeed ever present with me, yet there are some days in
which thy beautiful image is peculiarly before me, and haunts me as it
were with such amazing assiduity that neither time nor place can
deprive me of the delightful object. I even believe you left it with
me in the dairy-house, at the conclusion of your last letter. Since
you mentioned that rural spot, I have been continually rambling in the
fields, and am always insensibly led towards the same place. Every
time I behold it, it appears still more enchanting.
_Non vide il mondo si leggiadri rami,
Ne mosse’l vento mai si verdi frondi._