TO CHLOE, WITH THE VOYAGE to the Iſland of LOVE.
A VOYAGE to the Iſland of LOVE.

IT is but juſt, dear Bellamour, that I ſhould let you hear from me; and that after a Year's Abſence, you ſhou'd at laſt be deliver'd from the Uneaſineſs, which the Uncertainty of my Fate has undoubtedly given you. I have ſeen a⯑bundance of the World ſince my leaving you, but am not ſure whether, in my preſent Condition, I ſhall have Reſolution enough to give you any tolerable Account of my Travels: 'Tis adding to my preſent Affliction to call to mind my paſt Sor⯑rows; [2] and 'tis increaſing my preſent Pain, mak⯑ing my old Wounds bleed aſreſh, to take a Survey, even in Imagination, of thoſe Pleaſures, whereof nothing now is remaining but cruel Remembrance. I believe however, that it will be no ſmall Con⯑ſolation to me, to communicate to one of my beſt Friends, both my paſt Pleaſures and Afflictions; Complaining is ſome Eaſe to a Perſon in Miſery; I ſhall forget my Sorrows whilſt I am relating my Adventures, and for a Moment make a Truce with my Heart-breaking Anguiſh.

'Tis now about a Year, as you may remember, ſince I embark'd on the wide Ocean, with ſeveral other Perſons, of all Ages, and Conditions, but moſt of them very giddy-headed, in ſearch of a de⯑licious Country, named Pleaſure, whereof we had all of us heard a moſt inchanting Deſcription. Charm'd with the Thoughts of the Delights we were there to enjoy, we ſail'd for ſome Days peaceably, and nothing was to be heard but Mirth and Gayety, from one End of the Veſſel to the other; when pretty near an Iſland, where we intended to have taken in Reſreſhments, there aroſe ſo ſurious a Tempeſt, and the Wind was ſo boiſterous, that in ſpite of the utmoſt Skill and Endeavours of the Pilot, it drove us with Vio⯑lence to a Coaſt quite oppoſite to that to which we were bound: In this Condition, we were [3] toſs'd up and down, between four and five Days; after which the Weather began to clear up, the Sun ſhone out with greater Luſtre than ever, and we found our ſelves not far off of a beautiful Iſland, which ſeem'd almoſt cover'd with the moſt delightful Gardens, or rather, which ſeem'd one continued Garden, and a ſecond terreſtrial Paradiſe. Raviſh'd with the numberleſs Beauties, which every where offer'd themſelves to our Eye, we were all curious to know the Name of that inviting Country, imagining it that to which we were bound, and that the Pilot had put an agree⯑able Cheat upon us, when he inform'd us that we had been driven ſo far out of our Way. But there happen'd to be a Man on board the Ship who undeceived us, having before made the Tour of the Iſland; accordingly he gave us the follow⯑ing Information.

Whilſt this Man was giving us this Informa⯑tion, we ſtill drew nearer and nearer to the Iſland; till by that Time he had made an End we were come ſo nigh that we cou'd diſtinguiſh every Object.

In Effect, all along the Shore, one ſees an in⯑finite Number of Things, that create Admiration; all the Beauties and Graces, all that is agreeable and charming is perpetually to be beheld there; but what ſurprized me the moſt was, to obſerve both the Old, and the Ugly, in Company with the Agreeables: I could not forbear expreſſing my A⯑ſtoniſhment thereat; whereupon the ſame Man, who had given us the abovementioned Informa⯑tion, inſtructed me farther as follows,

Whilſt he was thus inſtructing me, I was wholly taken up with gazing, with an Attention that is not uſual with me, upon a young Lady, who was [6] walking upon the Sea Shore; ſhe was in the Midſt of the Beauties and Graces, and eclipſed their Brightneſs by the Luſtre of her Charms: I muſt own to you, that ſhe gain'd a Conqueſt over me at firſt Sight.

In the mean while Ten or a Dozen little Boats looſed from the Shore; theſe Boats were all em⯑belliſh'd with the moſt beauteous Flowers, and their Cordage was of Silk, of a hundred different Colours. Several little Cupids were the Rowers to conduct theſe Boats, whilſt numberleſs Zephyrs fly⯑ing round them, and fanning the Flowers con⯑tinually with their gentle Breezes, filled the Air with an agreeable Odour, and at the ſame Time wafted the little Fleet to us in Peace.

When they were come up with our Veſſel, we were entertained with an admirable Concert [7] of Muſick, wherein ſome exquiſite fine Voices ſung as follows,

At the ſame Time the Zephyrs hovering around us, ſtretched out their Hands, and with a ſweet Smile ſeemed to invite us to accompany them. All theſe ſurprizing Wonders had charmed me to ſuch a Degree, that I was no longer Maſter of myſelf: That inchanting Beauty whom I had ſeen, and whom I burnt with Impatience of Rejoining, with ſomewhat, I know not what, that ſeized my Heart at the ſame Inſtant, made me reſolve to go aſhore upon the Iſland; accordingly I held out my Hands, and the Zephyrs took me up, and carried me into a Boat, where the little Cupids received me with a thouſand Demonſtrations of Kindneſs.

There were ſeveral in our Veſſel who followed my Example, but there were others likewiſe who ſtay'd behind, and laugh'd at us, inſomuch that I was aſtoniſhed at their Inflexibility, when they cry'd after us jearing;

In the mean While we made the beſt of our Way, accompanied with Conſorts of Muſick, and covered with Flowers; and in a little While we got ſafe aſhore.

Accordingly I went on without minding her Preaching, and ran full of Impatience towards the Place, where I had ſeen the inchanting Creature, who had induced me to land in that Country; but juſt as I approached her, a Man whom I ſaw near her, ſtruck a Terror into me with a ſingle Look. He was tall, and of a good Mein, but very grave and ſerious; his Eyes were very modeſt, and his [9] Aſpect very ſubmiſſive, and when he looked upon me, he held his Finger upon his Mouth, like the Figure of the God Silence. A young Maiden accompanied him, who trode in his very Steps, and mimick'd his every Action and Geſture, look⯑ing at every Turn round about her to ſee if ſhe was obſerved. A little Love, who from that Time devoted himſelf to my Service, to bear me Com⯑pany in my Travels, and to inſtruct me, gave me the following Information.

Being inſtructed by ſuch a good Maſter, I paid great Civility to Reſpect, and Precaution, and de⯑ſired their Friendſhip, which they both granted me with a very good Grace: This done, I ad⯑vanced [10] trembling towards the fair One, who had charm'd me, and begged her to do me the Ho⯑nour to let me hand her, which ſhe granted with Haughtineſs enough; and after having talked for ſome Time about Things indifferent, ſhe left me and went her Way.

As Night drew on, Love conducted me to a little Village, that was very near, where I had a very ſorry Lodging: This Village is called Anxi⯑ety, from the Name of the Lady of the Mannor, to whom we made a Viſit. It is hardly poſſible to give you a tolerable Deſcription of this Wo⯑man, for ſhe cannot ſit one Moment in the ſame Place, or Poſture: One Minute ſhe is ſtanding, another Minute ſhe lies down; ſometimes ſhe walks a Snail's Pace, at another Time ſhe runs ſo ſwift it is impoſſible to keep up with her; ſhe never ſleeps, which makes her very lean and hag⯑ged; then ſhe is very negligent of herſelf, having her Hair always diſhevell'd, and in terrible Diſ⯑order, but eſpecially about her Forehead, by Rea⯑ſon ſhe is oſten rubbing it. After having paid my Reſpects to her, whereof ſhe took no Manner of Notice, I went to my Lodging, and laid me down upon a Bed, but could get no Reſt, the beautiful Charmer being always preſent in my Thought, which cauſed me to make the following Reflection.

Next Morning I aroſe very early, and Love conducted me to another Village, whoſe Name is Courtſhip; it is very different from Anxiety, being in my Opinion, one of the moſt agreeable Places in the whole Country.

In Effect, there is nothing to be ſeen there but continual Gallantry: Neatneſs, Magnificence, Complaiſancy, and good Humour reſide there perpetually; in ſhort, every Thing there is done with the beſt Grace in the World.

As ſoon as I arrived there, I found myſelf in the moſt complaiſant Humour imaginable, beſides which, nothing could be more ingenious at in⯑venting new Pleaſures to divert Zelinda. With this Deſign, after having dreſſed myſelf very gen⯑teelly, Love conducted me to viſit her, better ſatisfied with myſelf than I had ever before been in my Life; but we were forced at Night to re⯑turn and lie at Anxiety, becauſe there is no Lodg⯑ing to be had at Courtſhip, inſomuch that I paſſed that Night again very diſagreeably, through my Impatience to ſee Zelinda, and enjoyed but one Hour's ſound Repoſe, wherein my ſleeping Fancy [13] entertained me with a Dream, that was perfectly agreeable.

I returned early next Morning to Courtſhip, where I was daily better and better treated by Zelinda, inſomuch that the Nights, which I was forced to paſs at Anxiety, gave me very little Diſquiet; but after ſome Time, having done all that lay in my Power to appear agreeable in Ze⯑linda's Eyes, ſhe went one Day to another Vil⯑lage, which is call'd, Good Reception, from the Name of the Lord of the Manor, who is the moſt obliging and moſt complaiſant Man in the World: He is mighty eaſy of Acceſs, and re⯑ceives every Body very well. The Inhabitants of [14] the Place are likewiſe mighty civil; and Zelinda being willing to be conformable, after the Ex⯑ample of others, treated me very obligingly, and gave me Room to imagine, by her Behaviour, that ſhe was not at all diſpleaſed at the Sight of me.

Hereupon Love conducted me to Hope, where I took up my Lodging, it being a large and beau⯑tiful City, vaſtly populous, by Reaſon of the daily Arrival of Thouſands, who flock thither from all Parts. Nevertheleſs, the greateſt Part of this City is built upon Sand, and without any Foundation, which makes it very often fall to Ruin; But the other Part ſtands upon a pretty good Foundation: for which Reaſon, it has almoſt, always, conti⯑nued in its firſt State. This whole City is ſitu⯑ated upon the River Pretenſions, which takes its Riſe from a Mountain of the ſame Name, bor⯑dering upon Hope. This River is perfectly plea⯑ſant, but it is dangerous imbarking thereon, which is the very Reaſon, why the Houſes built upon its Banks are generally thrown down; but whilſt they remain ſtanding, the fineſt Palaces don't e⯑qual them for Beauty of their Proſpect.

This pleaſant River is famous for the Ruin of divers illuſtrious Perſons; nevertheleſs, I was tempted to bathe myſelf therein; and Love would have let me plunge in inconſiderately enough when I met Reſpect, followed by Precaution, who [15] ſtop'd me by the Arm, and told me, that it was the ready Way to ruin me, and that I ought to be contented with continuing in Hope, without go⯑ing to expoſe myſelf in the dangerous River Pre⯑tenſions.

Hereupon I thank'd him for his good Advice, and took a Walk towards that Part of the Town which is fartheſt from the River: There it is that the Palace of the Princeſs Hope ſtands, who is reckoned the Oracle of the Iſland of Love, al⯑though it is not very ſafe relying upon what ſhe ſays; for,

By entering her Palace, one meets the Thoughts, which are always upon the Wing, and fly ſome⯑times high, ſometimes low, and ſometimes in the Middle of the Air; according as the Fancy takes them; for my Part, I happened upon ſuch as were diſcreet enough, for they always kept an even Flight. I went afterwards to ſee the Princeſs Hope, who is actually a very amiable Lady: [16] She has a perpetual Smile in her Countenance, and a moſt ſweet, and moſt engaging Look; one is never tired of her Company; ſhe comforts the moſt afflicted, animates the Courage of the Proud, and flatters agreeably thoſe who are not unreaſon⯑able in their Deſires: when I went to pay her my Reſpects, two Men entered her Apartment, at the ſame Time, with me; one whereof had placed his Affections on one ſo much his Superior, that he durſt not promiſe himſelf any good Iſſue from his Paſſion; and the other, who was in the ſame Caſe, hoped for all Things from his good For⯑tune! I muſt own, I could not help admiring the artful Addreſs of the Princeſs, in comforting one and animating the other: To the firſt ſhe ſaid,

And turning to the other, ſaid,

As for my Part, when I had told my Caſe, [17] as ſhe found me not to be unreaſonable, ſhe ſaid,

Although I very well knew, that ſhe conſtantly flattered every Body, I could not help being de⯑lighted with her Anſwer; and it left ſuch a plea⯑ſing Impreſſion upon my Mind, that I reſted bet⯑ter that Night than I had done ſome Time before; and the next Morning Love would have conducted me to Declaration: But as we were on the Way thither, we were again met by Reſpect, who was very much out of Humour, and told me, that I ought not to be in ſuch Poſt-Haſte; he even repri⯑manded Love pretty ſharply, which the little Ty⯑rant not being able to bear, with any Manner of Patience, cryed out in a great Paſſion,

Hereupon Reſpect told him that ſhould not be my Caſe, and that, if I would be adviſed by him, my Paſſion ſhould be ſoon known without going to Declaration: That, as for the reſt, I ſhould al⯑ways find Zelinda at the Place to which he would conduct me, whereas ſhe would, perhaps ſtay but one Day at Declaration, after which I ſhould ne⯑ver ſee her more. I ſuffered myſelf to be prevail⯑ed on, by theſe Reaſons, notwithſtanding all that Love could urge to the contrary, and went with him to a ſtrong Fortreſs whereof he is Governor: It is a Citadel well fortified with ſeveral impreg⯑nable Baſtions, whoſe Walls are ſo high, that the Eye cannot reach the Top of them, and ſo ſtrong, and ſo thick, that it is impoſſible to ſhake them.

Modeſty, Silence, and Secreſy guard the only Gate there is to this Fortreſs, which, nevertheleſs is but a very little Wicket. Modeſty is a Woman of great Gravity, but without affecting to appear ſo; her Eyes have a reſolute Look, accompanied with a great deal of Reſervedneſs; and ſhe goes always very [19] plainly dreſs'd, having her Arms and her Neck continually covered up very cloſe, ſo as not to be ſeen by any one, eſpecially any Men. Silence ex⯑actly reſembles the Pictures you have ſeen of him, having a ſullen. Look with his Eyes, and holding always one Finger upon his Mouth. As for Se⯑creſy, he is hardly ever to be ſeen, keeping him⯑ſelf generally concealed in an obſcure Corner, whence he never ſtirs out but when it is very ſea⯑ſonable, and if he ſpeaks ſometimes, it is very low, and in a Whiſper; but he has excellent Parts, and his Sagacity is ſo great, that he under⯑ſtands every Body at the leaſt Sign in the World. He entered this Citadel in the Retinue of Reſpect, without ſpeaking a Word, and almoſt by Stealth, and we ſaw that,

This Citadel is called Diſcretion, from the Name of the Daughter of Reſpect, whom he has made his Deputy, and who commands the Fortreſs un⯑der him. She is a Lady of great Beauty, though not of the Sort that pleaſes at firſt Sight; but they who are uſed to her Company are very fond of her Converſation; Her Eyes are inexpreſſibly piercing and lively, inſomuch, that when they pleaſe, they can make themſelves underſtood by every Body; and ſhe has the Look of a Perſon of the greateſt Modeſty and Reſervedneſs, through which, nevertheleſs, one may diſcover abundance of Addreſs and Wit, which ſhe never fails to make uſe of, whenever ſhe ſees Occaſion.

After paying my Reſpects to her, I inquired artfully where Zelinda lodged, which, when I was informed, I took up my Quarters in a Houſe that was a good Diſtance from thence, and even when I chanced to meet her, all my Diſcourſe was upon Subjects quite different from Love: Thus did I continue a conſiderable Time in the Citadel, [21] leading a very miſerable Life, and holding no Cor⯑reſpondence with any.

The little Love, my Companion, and Inſtruc⯑tor, took Compaſſion on me, and would have left me, but I expreſſed ſuch a Value and ſo much Kindneſs for him, that he could not reſolve abſolutely upon it.

After ſome Time, I became yet more miſerable than ever; for Zelinda having diſcovered my Love by my Actions, removed from thence, and took up her Abode in the Cave of Cruelty. This Cave is in the Hole of a Rock, ſo ſteep and rug⯑ged, that it is very difficult to aſcend it; the En⯑trance is forbidden to all Lovers; for which Rea⯑ſon there is a ſtrong Guard of Tygers placed at the Mouth, to prevent their getting in. I would have ſtopped Zelinda, juſt as ſhe was upon the Point of entering, but was hind'red by a Woman [22] of the largeſt Size, who was very ugly, and had a Savage Look: Her Eyes ſticks out of her Head, ſhe has great, lean, long Arms, with prodigious long Nails, like Eagle's Talons; treats every Body with a great deal of Haughtineſs and Con⯑tempt, and takes a Pleaſure in torm enting all who approach her; in ſhort, one, only, of her Looks is enough to cauſe Deſpair.

For my Part, I was ſtruck with ſuch a Ter⯑ror on her firſt Approach, that not being able to ſupport her Looks, I withdrew haſtily, and went to the Side of a large Torrent, which falls, with Violence from the Top of the Rock.

This Torrent is ſurrounded by a very thick and gloomy Foreſt, whoſe Trees all bear the Marks of ſome diſconſolate Lover; their Bark being all full of their melancholy Stones and Complaints; the whole Foreſt reſounds with nothing but Cries and Reproaches; and that talkative Nymph, Ec⯑cho, repeats nothing but mournful and lamentable Expoſtulations; in ſhort, one hears nothing but Death talked of in this diſmal Place. It was there, that deſpairing of being ever able to draw Zelinda out of the Arms of Cruelty, I frequently cry'd out.

[24] Thus did I make all the neighbouring Ecchoes reſound with my Complaints; never having any Reſt, nor ceaſing from ſhedding Floods of Tears: My uſual Employment was to walk round the Rock, where I ſometimes met Zelinda, but ſhe was always in Company with Cruelty, whom I endeavour'd in vain to mollify by all Manner of Submiſſions. At laſt, one Day, when I was in a more deſpairing Temper of Mind than I had ever been before, Love conducted me to the Side of a certain Lake:

[25] Several diſconſolate Lovers walk along the Sides of the Lake, and I ſaw ſome who threw them⯑ſelves into it headlong; I was once tempted to do the ſame, but before I attempted to put the deſperate Deſign in Execution, (a Deſign to which Nature is always repugnant) I imagin'd it bet⯑ter upon ſecond Thoughts to endeavour once more to mollify Zelinda, and that Monſter Cru⯑elty. To this Purpoſe, I went and laid myſelf at the Entrance of the Cave, with a firm Reſolu⯑tion never to ſtir from thence, till I ſhould ſee Ze⯑linda come out. There it was, that by a Flood of Tears, and innumerable heart-breaking Sighs, I made my Complaints heard even to the Bot⯑tom of the Cave, for which I was frequently very ill uſed by Cruelty; In ſhort, I believe I ſhould at laſt have ſunk under my Pains, if Love had not given me a Piece of very wholeſome Counſel, which ſav'd my Life. One Day, when I was ſwallow'd up with Grief, I ſaw a very a⯑greeable Maiden paſs by me, who ſhed Tears as ſhe looked upon me, and ſeem'd by her Counte⯑nance to beſtow thoſe Tears upon my Misfor⯑tunes.

I thought myſelf ſo much obliged to this Mai⯑den, that I aſk'd her Name, and Love told me that it was Pity, who uſed frequently to come thus, and endeavour to oblige ſome unfortunate Lover; and that if ſhe wou'd eſpouſe my Cauſe, ſhe wou'd certainly engage Zelinda to come out of the Cave of Cruelty.

In order to follow his Counſel, I endeavour'd to prevail upon Pity, by letting her know my deplorable Condition, which ſhe was ſo much moved with, that ſhe promis'd to uſe her ut⯑moſt Efforts to aſſiſt me: Accordingly it was not long before ſhe made me ſenſible of the good Effects of her Promiſes; for taking a Turn round the Rock ſhe at laſt diſcover'd Zelinda, and with Tears in her Eyes gave her an Account of my melancholy Condition, and that in ſuch moving Language that it drew likewiſe Tears from the beauteous Eyes of the inhuman Fair One. Pity finding ſhe had moved her Compaſſion, conducted her to the Place where I lay, and ſhew'd her the miſerable State to which ſhe had reduced me; Zelinda could not help being ſenſibly affected with the melancholy Sight, and accordingly, not only began to give Ear to my amorous Reproaches, [27] but approved thereof, and at laſt reſolved to put an End to them: Cruelty, who was informed of her Deſign, wou'd have prevented it, but Pity thruſt her back very roughly, and reſtored Ze⯑linda to me, who, raiſing me up, ſaid;

'Tis impoſſible to expreſs the Joy I felt at theſe Words; I ſaw myſelf in a Moment, from the moſt miſerable of Mankind, become the happieſt Mortal in the Univerſe, inſomuch that, in my Raptures, I cry'd out;

Behold me then more happy than I ever durſt have hoped to have been, inſomuch that I bleſs'd a Thouſand Times a Day all the Pains I had ſuf⯑fer'd, and they vaniſh'd from my Thoughts in a Moment.

But Pity did not reſt contented with bringing Zelinda out of that diſagreeable Abode, ſhe like⯑wiſe carried her on to Confidence, and then left us to go and aſſiſt ſome other Lover in Diſtreſs. I conjured her, however, at parting, to remem⯑ber that I ſhou'd always ſtand in need of her Good Offices, whereupon ſhe promiſed me her Aſſiſtance in Caſe of Neceſſity, and which was more, com⯑mitted us into the Hands of Confidence, who own'd the Village where ſhe took Leave of us.

This Village, properly ſpeaking, is but a Plea⯑ſure-Houſe, but the moſt agreeable, in my Opi⯑nion, in the whole Iſland. As to Confidence, ſhe is a Maiden Lady, who has an open frank Look, inſomuch that one may read the inmoſt Re⯑ceſſes of her Heart, and not be miſtaken in one's Sentiments: She is of the moſt even Tem⯑per [29] in the World, always the ſame; and there is no manner of Reſtraint, but every one enjoys full Liberty in her Houſe. There it is that Lovers keep their Rendezvous, in little winding Groves, whoſe Avenues are very ſecret, and where they are not diſturbed.

There it is that they have the Pleaſure of talk⯑ing with each other the whole Day without being tired: And there it is that they ſee each other every Hour, and yet think they don't ſee each other enough. There they enjoy each others Con⯑verſation in private, and have the pleaſing Satiſ⯑faction of ſeeking a Thouſand different Ways of ſeeing or talking to each other by Stealth: Billet⯑doux alſo paſs there between each other very fre⯑quently. In ſhort, I ſpent very many happy Days there, and indeed the happieſt of my Life; for I was continually with Zelinda; ſhe told me all her Thoughts; and I did not conceal from her any of mine.

All the Proofs of Friendſhip that cou'd be de⯑ſired, and even ſome Teſtimonies of Affection, I eaſily obtain'd after ſome few Intreaties; in ſhort I liv'd the moſt agreeable Life in the World, if I cou'd have been ſatisfied with it, but Love perpetually urged me to carry her to his Temple, and I was always ſure of being out of her Favour, whenever I propoſed to her to go thither.

At laſt however, after many fruitleſs Intreaties, we went together from the Village of Confidence, but were hardly got out of it, when a Man, who ſeem'd to be a Perſon of Authority, met us di⯑rectly, and with a ſtrong Arm, took Zelinda with Violence from me. Notwithſtanding his Incivi⯑lity I cou'd not help reſpecting him, and as I wou'd have appeas'd him, without deſigning to look upon me, he led Zelinda a quite contrary Way, and all ſhe cou'd do was to cry out,

In this miſerable State I went to viſit Jea⯑louſy, who is very ugly, and very lean, beſides her being cover'd with Serpents, which are perpetually gnawing her Entrails. Her Look is full of Horrour, and ſhe ſees not any Thing which ſhe does not envy. As ſoon as I entered the Room where ſhe was, ſhe threw one of her Serpents at me, which, in the Fury I was then in, exaſperated me yet ten times more; inſomuch that I ran up and down every where, without knowing whither I was going, or to what End. When I met Zelinda in Company, I durſt not approach her, and trembled in my very Soul, but then I endeavour'd to overhear what was ſaid to her, and her Anſwers, and I wreſted every Word ſhe ſpoke to ſuch a Senſe as might torment my ſelf. When any one whiſper'd her, I turn'd as pale as Death immediately, and interpreted the leaſt Action, and the leaſt Geſture in Favour of others; and when I did not ſee her, I imagin'd her in the Arms of ſome happier Rival: If ſhe was alone, I fancy'd ſhe was waiting for ſome Body; in ſhort in my Phrenzy I was jealous of [37] every Thing I ſaw, and even of Things inani⯑mate.

In the mean While, Zelinda, who ſaw my Weakneſs, did but ſmile at it, at the Beginning; but afterwards ſhe reſented it highly, and then it was that I became acquainted with a Man who would have cured me, both of my Love and Jea⯑louſy, at the ſame Time; his Name was Spite.

I return'd then, with more Violence than ever, to my jealous Suſpicions; but, after a conſide⯑rable Time, Zelinda grew weary of ſeeing me in ſo deplorable a Condition; and Pity, who had promiſed me her Aſſiſtance in Caſe of Neceſſity, was as good as her Word, and remov'd from Zelinda every Object that might give me any Vexation, and brought me away with much Dif⯑ficulty, from a Place ſo diſagreeable. Zelinda too undeceived me as I came out, and convinced me of all my Faults and Miſtakes, upon which I fell at her Feet, and asking her a thouſand Pardons, cry'd,

Nevertheleſs, Zelinda did not immediately ſeal my Pardon; it was even with ſome Difficulty that ſhe brought herſelf to ſupport my Preſence, ſince I had been capable of ſo much Weakneſs: Whereupon I endeavour'd to appeaſe her, by ſaying;

[40] At laſt my Tears and Intreaties, together with the natural Inclination ſhe had for me, as ſhe had confeſs'd to me at Confidence, prevail'd on her to receive me again into Favour: In ſhort, after many Difficulties, We arrived at the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Love, which is call'd after the Name of the Iſland, and where the Court is kept, which is beyond Expreſſion ſplendid and agreeable; being compoſed of all Sorts of Nati⯑ons, Ranks, and Degrees, Kings, Princes, and Subjects; notwithſtanding which, no one there is a greater Man than another.

This City is very large, and every Thing there is in Confuſion; Perſons of Merit are join'd there very often with thoſe who have none; and ſuch as are handſome frequently leave all for thoſe that are homely; which ſufficiently ſhews that the God who preſides there is blind. In the Middle of the City is a very famous Temple, which is older than the World, for Love was there when he unravell'd the Chaos. This Temple is very ſpa⯑tious, notwithſtanding which, it is hardly large enough to receive all the Sacrifices that are offer'd up there every Day.

We went thither alſo, to offer up our Sacri⯑fices according to Cuſtom, and on our Entrance were obliged to deliver up the Victims, which were our Hearts: Zelinda ſtill made ſome Dif⯑ficulty [41] of parting with hers, but Deſire at laſt ſnatch'd it away, not without ſome little Violence. Our Hearts then were offered up in Sacrifices to Love, and the Flame, which burnt them, did not conſume them, inſomuch that after the Sacrifice, we found them ſtill both entire, but burning:

Behold me then, arriv'd at the Height of all my Wiſhes; I continued therefore ſome Time in the City, enjoying all the Pleaſures whereof Man is capable, in being tenderly beloved; that is to ſay:

But this was not enough for me, I was ſtill diſ⯑ſatisfy'd, for I was bent upon carrying her to the Palace of True Pleaſure, which is the Country-Seat where Love goes to viſit Pſyche, and with [42] that Deſign I was conducting her that Way, when we met the moſt troubleſome Mortal in the World.

This numerous Company which attended him were very much out of Order, being all ſickly Women who cou'd not keep up with him, with⯑out great Difficulties: Love, which has taken entire Poſſeſſion of all the Faculties of their Soul, makes them hourly languiſh and pine away, till they are as lean as Skeletons, whilſt their dying Eyes betray their Hearts, and make it viſible to every one, that the little God in ſpite of all their Reſiſtance, maintains his Empire there.

This Mortal, in one Word, was Honour, and was accompany'd with Shamefacedneſs, of whom I can give you no tolerable Deſcription, becauſe ſhe has always a Vail over her Face, and will not diſcover herſelf to any one. Theſe two then [43] having ſtopt Zelinda, ſaid a Thouſand ſine Things to her, which ſeem'd very ridiculous to me, but were not eſteem'd ſo by Zelinda; for aſſoon as ſhe heard them, ſhe reſolved to be adviſed by them; at which new Way of Behaviour I was very much aſtoniſh'd, and immediately cry'd out:

Nevertheleſs I conjured Love to uſe his utmoſt Endeavours to recall her, and he took ſo much Pains therein that at laſt he ſucceeded, and we purſued our Journey to the Palace of True Plea⯑ſure. We were not very far from thence when we met with Reſpect and Precaution; but Re⯑ſpect no longer look'd ſo grave and auſtere; on the contrary he had a very gallant and gracefull Air, and his Countenance was full of Smiles: [44] Neither did Precaution ſtand ſo much upon Ce⯑remonies; and Reſpect ſaid to Us with a Smile.

This ſaid he embraced me and left me; and he was but juſt gone, when I ſaw a very handſome Woman, ſtark naked, running to Us very ſwift, with her Hair hanging all over her Face before, and quite bald behind. There were ſeveral Per⯑ſons there, ſome of which quite neglected her, and the others ran after her very faintheartedly, notwithſtanding which they all ſeemed very much vexed, at their having ſuffered her to paſs by them. Hereupon Love, aſſoon as he ſaw her, told me, that it was Opportunity, and that ſhe only had Intereſt enough to procure me Entrance into the Palace of True Pleaſure, wherefore I muſt not let her eſcape me, becauſe one cou'd not be certain ever to find her again. In Obe⯑dience to his Advice therefore I ran to meet her, and ſtopt her, and ſhe brought Zelinda to a Re⯑ſolution of going into the Palace, where we at laſt arrived with the greateſt Satisfaction in the World, for it is actually a moſt enchanting Place.

I muſt own to You that one is very happy in that Place; as for my Part, when I conſider'd that I was arrived at the Height of all my Wiſhes, I thought I cou'd never be ſufficiently ſatisfy'd with my good Fortune; but my Happineſs was too great to be laſting, accordingly I ſoon ſaw the End of it, as you will obſerve: But ſome Days before, as I was walking, I met with a Maiden who was but homely, but who was never⯑theleſs very affected, and never ſatisfy'd with any Thing. She has no ſettled Abode, becauſe ſhe takes no Care to provide herſelf of any one, even the moſt agreeable Things being irkſome to her, her Name is Coldneſs.

She has a great Power in the Iſle of Love; for they who will hearken to her Counſel, ſoon leave it without any Trouble or Regret, for ſhe con⯑ducts them to the Bay of Diſguſt, where there are but too many Veſſels ready to carry one away. I ſaw ſeveral who went along with her, but I thought her ſo homely and ſo unreaſonable, that [47] I wou'd not ſtay one Moment with her, but re⯑turn'd to the Palace of True Pleaſure, where ſome Days after I met with a Misfortune, which ſtill makes a deep Impreſſion upon me, and which I never expect to ſee an End of.

One Morning in the Midſt of all my Pleaſures, I ſaw a Man who came ſaucily to interrupt them; his Mien was majeſtick and independent, and his Look haughty; and by his Eyes, and the whole Air of his Face one might ſee that he was one that was abſolute, and knew not what it was to obey. In a Word, it was Deſtiny, whoſe Decrees are irrevocable, who forced Zelinda from my Arms. All my Efforts to detain her were in vain, he took her away, and carried her I know not whither, for I have not been able to hear of her ſince.

Hereupon I immediately left the Palace of True Pleaſure, which ſeem'd diſagreeable to me, ſince Zelinda was no longer there, and retired to the Place where I now am, and where I believe I ſhall paſs thoſe few remaining Days which my Sorrows will allow me. I am here upon the Top of a Mountain call'd the Deſart of Remembrance; its Solitude is very agreeable, but what is very vexatious is, that the Place is ſo high that it over⯑looks the whole Iſland of Love; inſomuch that one has always one's Misfortune before one's Eyes, [48] and can't help ſeeing the Places through which one has paſs'd, and this it is that makes me miſe⯑rable, for which Way ſoever I turn, I find al⯑ways ſome Objects which recall my paſt Hap⯑pineſs to my Remembrance.

I have now languiſh'd here for ſome Time, and at laſt conſider'd that you wou'd have ſome Reaſon to complain of me, dear Bellamour, if I did not let you hear from me before my Death. Farewell, mourn my Misfortune, perhaps you may one Day ſtand in need of the ſame Conſolation.

A MAP OF THE ISLAND of MARRIAGE.

THE Country which I am going to de⯑ſcribe to you, is an Iſland of a vaſt Ex⯑tent, and indiſputably the moſt populous of any Country in the Univerſe. There is no Poſ⯑ſibility of entering it, but in Couples, a Man and a Woman, whence it happens, that there is always an equal Number of both Sexes therein: For, no ſooner has any one ſet his Foot in it, but there is a ſtrong Guard placed continually at the Mouths of the Harbours, which prevents all Perſons whatſoever, from ſtirring from thence, but on Con⯑dition of having their Partners carried to the Grave, and being themſelves tranſported to the Peninſula of Widowhood, which is at one of the Ends of the Iſland.

[2] Nor is this Precaution needleſs; for were it not for theſe Guards, this Iſland, as populous as it is, would ſoon be a meer Deſert; for, notwithſtanding Thouſands of Strangers are flocking thither every Day from all Parts, being induced thereunto by the Spirit of Curioſity, the firſt Ruin of Mankind, it is very certain that moſt of the Inhabitants would ſoon ſwarm out again by Millions, did not theſe numerous Guards render it impracticable.

There is no Way to arrive at this vaſt Region, but by two Ports; the one whereof is called In⯑tereſt, and the other Love. The firſt of theſe is a trading Port, full of immenſe Riches, where Fathers and Mothers keep a perpetual Fair, to put off their Daughters, who are ſet out for Sale in their Warehouſes, and are diſpoſed of for good round Sums in ready Money. But there is one Thing very particular in the Way of trading of theſe Gentry; for whereas other Dealers expect Money in Return for their Goods, theſe give a handſome Price to thoſe who will take their Mer⯑chandize off their Hands. The Port of Intereſt is open on all Sides, and one may enter it with any Wind.

The other is a moſt agreeable Port, abounding with all imaginable Pleaſures: The People live there in a perpetual Spring, and the Trees, which are ever green, are always full of Birds, which [3] make the Air reſound with their Love inſpiring Harmony. The only Wind that carries into this Port, is a gentle Gale called Sighs, and one al⯑ways enters therein with Delight; but very often before one can get in, there ariſes ſudden Hurri⯑canes, which come from the high Mountain of Parents, drive the Veſſels back into open Sea, and prevent their putting into Port. Nevertheleſs when the above-mentioned Gale is good, and perſeveres conſtantly in blowing from the Region of Sighs, it ſeldom fails of getting the better of theſe Hur⯑ricanes, and bringing Paſſengers ſafe into Har⯑bour.

When one comes firſt within Sight of this Iſland, and takes a View of it afar off, before one's entering the Port, nothing can ſeem either more inviting, or more agreeable. One is entertain'd on all Sides with enchanting Proſpects, that form beautiful Landſkips to diſtant Beholders, and de⯑ceive the Eye moſt egregiouſly; but no ſooner has one once ſet Foot aſhore, but in Proportion as one advances up into the Country, one perceives that thoſe Plains, which ſeemed before, when at a Diſtance, to be covered with a lively Verdure, to be enamelled with Flowers, and to flouriſh with all the Beauties of the jolly Spring, are over⯑ſpread with Briars and Thorns, and full of dark and melancholly Vales, divided by Torrents, and [4] Precipices, abounding with intricate and perplex⯑ing Roads, that are croſſed by Moraſſes, which render them unpaſſable. One finds alſo that thoſe beautiful riſing Grounds, which one fancied co⯑vered with little verdant Groves, are nothing but Heaps of ſteep Rocks, between the mournful Cy⯑preſſes, which overſhade them; beſides which, they are full of wild Beaſts, Dragons, and Ser⯑pents.

Thus 'tis evident that this Iſland affords two very different Proſpects; one, which is very agreeable, to thoſe who have not yet ſet Foot thereon, and only view it at a Diſtance; and another, which is highly diſagreeable, to thoſe who have run them⯑ſelves wilfully into that Confinement, and who are no ſooner inthralled therein, but they offer up their moſt ardent Vows, for that dear Liberty, which they have given up ſo imprudently; inſo⯑much that it is juſt the ſame with them, as with the Goldfinch and the Cage.

The Inhabitants of this Iſland are at perpetual War with thoſe of the Iſle of Amathontis, or of Lovers, which lies very near them: I ſhall de⯑ſcribe in the Sequel, after what Manner their Wars are carried on; but firſt, it will be neceſſary to give a Deſcription of the different Inhabitants of the Iſle of Marriage.

[6] Towards the Eaſt, and inclining a little to the South, one may ſee another Iſland, ſeparated by a great Arm of the Sea, which holds no Manner of Correſpondence with out Iſle; it is called Poly⯑gamy: The Mahometans have uſurped to them⯑ſelves the Poſſeſſion thereof, and our rigid Laws forbid our ſo much as touching thereat, on the moſt ſevere Penalties.

Not but that there have ſometimes been Tra⯑vellers, who have been ſo curious as to take a Trip thither either out of a Frolick, or out of Love, and have obtained Admittance there by ſome Stratagem: But nevertheleſs they have not been able to effect this, without embroiling them⯑ſelves with the Courts of Juſtice, and unleſs one has as much Gold to throw away as my Lord M—d, one runs the Hazzard of taking a Voy⯑age with Count Cahoon, to the Chequer-Inn, in Newgate-Street.

The Mahometans then are left in peaceable Poſ⯑ſeſſion of the Iſle of Polygamy, and they have ac⯑cordingly cauſed the following Verſes to be cut in Golden Letters upon a Marble, which is placed at the Head of the Pier of their Harbour.

The Iſland of Marriage is divided into five Provinces, which have each of them a Capital City, and ſeveral little Towns dependent thereon. Four of theſe Provinces extend themſelves along the four Sea Coaſts, but the largeſt, which is chief⯑ly peopled by the Colonies that flock thither from the other four, is in the Center of the Iſland, the Government whereof it has uſurped, through the prodigious Number of its Inhabitants.

The four Provinces which lye along the Sea Coaſts, are inhabited by the Diſcreet, the Ill-match⯑ed, the Ill-at-Eaſe, and the Jealous: The Head Province, which is in the Middle, is the famous Cuckoldſhire, whoſe Capital is the well-known Hornborough. But beſides theſe five Provinces, there are likewiſe two Peninſulas, the one of Widowhood, and the other of Divorce, which have taken up two Necks of Land, at two Ends of this Iſland.

The Province of the Diſcreet, who were formerly called the Faithful, extends itſelf along the whole [8] Eaſtern Coaſt. Its Capital City is called Sophia; its Buildings are modeſt and regular, its Fortifica⯑tions good, and capable of making a reſolute De⯑fence; it is water'd by Chaſtity, which is a River, whoſe pure Stream flows ſoftly, and without Noiſe, although in its Courſe, it is enlarged by the Wa⯑ters of four Rivulets, called Piety, Auſterity, Mora⯑lity, and Vigilance: Theſe have nothing agreeable in them, becauſe they only run in Meanders, and their Sides are every where covered with Briars, and Thickets, which prevent the Incurſions of the Scouts of Amathontis, who might otherwiſe at⯑tempt to land there.

The Governour of this City is Prince Integrity, and my Lord Honour is the Civil Magiſtrate; their Churches are always open, they live there with Frugality, and enjoy no Pleaſures but what are in⯑nocent. The Publick Walks where they take the Air, are all planted with Linden Trees, that are ſprung from thoſe into which Baucis and Philemon were changed; and all their Fences are Palliſadoes of Laurel, ſprung from the chaſt Daphne.

Nevertheleſs as delightful and well governed as this City is, one can ſcarcely imagine how very few Inhabitants there are therein; and were it not for the Prudes, who have found the Means to get Admittance into it, under the borrowed Maſk of Virtue, this Province would be almoſt a Deſart.

[9] Theſe Prudes then poſſeſs the largeſt Part of this City, and inhabit a Quarter, which is ſepa⯑rated from the others by the Obſcure, a little Ri⯑ver overſhaded with Trees, which ſhield it from the Beams of the Sun, and diſembogues itſelf in⯑to the Black Sea.

Their Houſes on the Outſide, are not to be di⯑ſtinguiſhed from thoſe of the Diſcreet; but when my Lord Honour goes from Time to Time, and makes a narrow Inſpection into the Inſide of their Tenements, he finds ſo vaſt a Difference between their outward Appearance, and their Management within Doors, that he is often forced to baniſh them, and to ſend large Colonies of them to peo⯑ple the Head Province.

The Metropolis being ſo poorly inhabited, it may be well thought that the Country-Towns and Villages are yet worſe. In effect, one meets only with a few ſcattered up and down, and almoſt without Inhabitants; and even theſe are of ſuch a churliſh untractable Temper, that a Paſſenger is hard put to it to find a Lodging.

Although thoſe who are really diſcreet, are haughty and reſerved, they behave themſelves with yet leſs Haughtineſs than the Prudes; there are no People in the World who extol their own Me⯑rit to ſuch a Degree as they, or make ſuch a Noiſe about their Virtue, inſomuch that they treat all [10] their Neighbours with the utmoſt Contempt: But although they affect to ſeem wonderfully intrepid, and to be eager for the Combat, they often prove not to be ſo brave, as they would be thought by their Diſcourſe; and the Amathontins ſeldom at⯑tempt to invade their Territories, without making conſiderable Havock among them.

Even amongſt the real Diſcreet, one may find two different Sorts; one of theſe are ſo through a Principle of Honour, and are always as chearful, as they are invincible; but there are others, whoſe Chaſtity is more owing to their Vanity, than their Virtue; theſe have always a ſullen Gravity in their Looks, which ſufficiently demonſtrates, that they are not at all pleaſed with their Condition.

As little inhabited as the Country is, and as ſevere as the Laws of their Government are, it does not prevent ſome, and thoſe even of the moſt Diſcreet, from removing daily into the Head Pro⯑vince; for, in ſhort, Virtue, as well as the Mind, grows weary of too intenſe an Application to one Point, and is apt to abate of its firſt Severity; but thoſe who ſtay behind, look upon theſe Deſerters with Contempt, for which Reaſon, they have ſet up the following Inſcription over the Front of their principal Gate.

On the oppoſite Side of the Iſland, that is on the Weſtern Coaſt, is the whimſical and unac⯑countable Province of the Ill-match'd: The Me⯑tropolis of this Province is called the Old Town. None of the Buildings of this City have any Con⯑formity one with the other, nor is there any Man⯑ner of Symmetry obſerved therein; inſomuch that one may often ſee a great Gate to a ſmall Houſe, and a diminitive Wicket to a ſpacious Palace. It is watered by two Rivers, one whereof is called the Fantaſque, and the other the Clandeſtine: The one is a River conſiſting wholly of Caſcades, and hurrying every Moment with Violence, down Precipices; and the other a rapid Torrent, which being aſhamed of ſhowing itſelf, runs [12] impetuouſly under Ground, but notwithſtanding the Care it takes to hide its Courſe, cannot pre⯑vent its being diſcovered, by a hollow Noiſe it makes in flowing.

As ſoon as one has ſet Foot within the Gates of this City, one hears nothing but the Cries and Complaints of Children, whom either an old Mo⯑ther has ſacrificed to a young Rake, or whom an old Debauchee has given up as Victims to a young Coquet. Here the Maſter of a Family marries his Cook-Maid, and there an old Beldame of Qua⯑lity takes to Huſband her Valet de Chambre, and ſolemnizes in her own Chapel a Ceremony, which ſerves only to add freſh Shame to her Licenti⯑ouſneſs.

At the Gates of this City grows that famous Wood, mentioned by the bantering Doctor in the Play. The Trees, he ſays of this Wood, bear the Heads of all Sorts of Iron Tools, and the Earth underneath produces proper Handles wherewith to fit them up; but it often happens, that when the Iron is at full Growth, and falls, inſtead of meeting with a Handle that would be proper for it, it drops upon one that matches it moſt prepo⯑ſterouſly: For Inſtance, the Head of a Scythe falls upon the Handle of a Pike, the Head of a Hal⯑berd upon the Helve of a Hatchet, and ſo of all [13] the reſt, inſomuch that not one of them meets with a Handle ſuitable to its Purpoſe.

It is juſt the ſame Caſe with thoſe who make Matches ſo diſproportionable, either for Age or Quality, that they only render themſelves a Laugh⯑ing Stock to every one who hears thereof; I would have all Perſons therefore remember this as an infallible Truth:

For although it is a very common Saying, and almoſt grown into a Proverb, That Love will unite the moſt diſtant Extreams in its Center; it is only in Love-Affairs that this Union muſt be under⯑ſtood to be effected with Pleaſure; but when the indiſſoluble Tye of Matrimony is in the Caſe, the Proverb will be found no longer to hold good.

Upon the Southern Coaſt of this Iſland, is the Province of the Ill-at-Eaſe, whoſe Capital City is Short-Allowance, under the Command of Colo⯑nel Hard-Fare. The Inhabitants of this Country are melancholly and fretful; the Houſes are but Cottages, which the Want of Belly-Timber un⯑furniſhes by little and little; the Kitchens all lye [14] open to the North-Wind, and the People therein have little elſe to do, but to blow their Fingers. The City is watered by Famine, a ſorry little Brook, which only runs murmuring over a Parcel of Flint-Stones, and does not afford the ſmalleſt little Fiſh; the barren Fields yield nothing but Straw, and the Vines nought but ſower and diſtaſteful Grapes.

Notwithſtanding this miſerable Want of neceſ⯑ſary Proviſion, moſt Part of the Inhabitants, and eſpecially the Women, will cheat their Bellies of the little they can afford, to beſtow it upon a de⯑ceitful Dreſs, which conceals their inward Neceſ⯑ſities under a Diſguiſe of an eaſy Outſide: But this Deſire of Finery, beyond what they can af⯑ford, and the Cries of a half-ſtarved Belly, makes theſe Inhabitants leave this miſerable Country with Pleaſure, and flock in large Colonies, to People the Head Province, and endeavour to help the Barrenneſs of their Lands by the kindly Showers of Gold that fall from the Pockets of their Lovers.

[15] On the Northern Coaſt of the Iſle of Marriage lies the Province of the Jealous, whoſe Capital City is ſituated on the Middle of Mount Chi⯑maera, juſt in that Part which the Antients ſaid was inhabited by Bulls and Goats, the Top being poſſeſſed by Lions, and the Bottom by Serpents; which gave Riſe to the Fable of its being an Ani⯑mal compoſed of three Natures. But the Poets, who were wretched Geographers, have miſtaken its Situation, ſince it is certainly in this Province that Mount Chimaera is ſituated.

The Metropolis of the Jealous is call'd Falſe Belief; it is water'd by Anxiety, which is a River, whoſe deep yellow Stream, ſerves the In⯑habitants as a deceitful and fallacious Looking-Glaſs, and fills their Heads with horned Viſions, by repreſenting Things to them in a quite different Manner from what they are in Reality. But be⯑ſides the deluſive Nature of the Water of this River, the Inhabitants, in Imitation of the Antojos amongſt the Spaniards, never ſtir a Step without wearing upon their Noſes great Spectacles made of magnifying Glaſs, which magnifies all Objects to that Degree, that the ſmalleſt Fly ſeems to them like an Elephant, and every Atom appears to be a Pair of large Brow-Antlers.

Theſe People are the moſt Savage of any in the whole Iſland, and their Country is the moſt rugged [16] and unpaſſable: It is wholly overſpread with ſteep Mountains, cover'd with impenetrable Woods, gloomy Vales, and barren Plains; wherefore none but the Native Inhabitants can dwell therein, nei⯑ther would the Jealous ſuffer them if they cou'd, and much leſs the Amathontins, than any others; becauſe they are firmly perſuaded, that they find ſome Means or other, to accompliſh their Deſigns every where.

The Capital City, altho' ſituated on the Side of a Hill, ſtands nevertheleſs in a very obſcure Place, and is overſhadowed with Mountains on every Side. There is no Way to it but by nar⯑row difficult Roads, full of watchful Centinals, whoſe Eyes are never both cloſed at one Time, but the one wakes, while the other ſleeps. They cauſed formerly the following Inſcription to be ſet up upon a high Poſt, that was erected for that Purpoſe, beyond the Glacis of their Fortifications.

On the other Side of the Pactolus are the Ima⯑ginary Cuckolds, who believe themſelves to be what they are not, and the Incredulous Cuckolds, who are not to be covinced that they are what they really are: Theſe are two Sorts of Citizens, of very different Tempers; the firſt reſolving to be Inhabitants of this City in Spight of all that could be done to prevent them; and the others being to the laſt Degree aſtoniſhed at their being made free thereof, without having any Title to it, as they are pleaſed to flatter themſelves. The Houſes of theſe Two Sorts of Citizens, whoſe Tempers are ſo very different, are ſeparated from each other, by a Rivulet called the Perverſe, whoſe Waters are ſo muddy and ſo thick, that the Eye cannot diſcover what lies at the Bottom.

[28] The Incredulous are only ſo, becauſe they re⯑poſe too intire, and too implicit a Confidence in whatever their artful Wives endeavour to make them believe; they live contented, and at Quiet, but not like thoſe contented Ones in that Quarter called the Land of Plenty, who both know of, give Conſent to, and pocket up their Horns, in order to reap their own Benefit from it, but by the Means of an indolent Ignorance, that keeps them from all Uneaſineſs.

Whilſt the Day laſts, their whole Employment is to enjoy a ſweet and peaceable Repoſe in the Foreſt of Confidence, a Place that is impene⯑trable by the Rays of the Sun, and not within the reach of the Noiſe of the City. The one might in vain beat all their Drums, and ſound all their Trumpets, yet would it never in the leaſt diſturb their Ears; and the other might ſhine out with the greateſt Luſtre, and diffuſe all his bright⯑eſt Rays around the Globe to as little Purpoſe, ſince it would not have the leaſt Effect upon their Eyes. Happy they in their peaceful Indolence! But more happy ſtill the artful Gipſies, who have brought them to ſuch a Paſs!

There is nothing to be ſeen in this Quarter, but mutual Pleaſure and Endearments between the Huſbands and Wives; the one, with an entire Con⯑fidence, think they can neither find Words obliging [29] enough, or Careſſes tender enough to thank their Dears for a Fidelity, which they are far from keeping; and the ſubtle Baggages, the more they deceive them, the more they redouble their Wheedling, their Careſſes, and all Manner of fond and enſnaring Endearments.

On the contrary, that Quarter which is inha⯑bited by the Imaginary Cuckolds, differs widely from this in every Particular; the People there are moroſe, quarrelfome, and unſociable; one may obſerve them always upon their Guard a⯑gainſt every Body, and both Sexes are equally ſubject to this Virtigo. Nothing there is to be heard, but Quarrels and Reproaches; the one are perpetually troubled with the Spleen, and the o⯑thers with the Vapours; their very Children fall Sacrifices to this reciprocal Caprice; even the moſt legitimate are looked upon as Baſtard Grafts; every Thing there is miſconſtrued, and they judge of nothing without Prejudice. One cannot ſo much as ſet a Foot in the Streets, with⯑out finding a prodigious Number falling together by the Ears, and the honeſt Man in the Play,^* who interpoſed impertinently between the Faggot-Maker and his Wife, in order to bring them to a Reconciliation, would have found full Employ⯑ment [30] there, in meddling between the Bark and the Tree.

In ſhort, theſe People are abſolutely Incorri⯑gible; for, although the Goddeſs of Reaſon once ſent the famous Moliere to them, from the Con⯑tented Witalls of the Land of Plenty, in order to convince them of their Infatuation, by drawing an admirable Picture of the Extravagance of their Imaginations, he could never ſucceed in the Cure he had undertaken, and their Brains remained as much addled as ever; wherefore ſome Time af⯑ter they were complimented with the following Verſes.

[31] As Hornborough, although it is of a vaſt Ex⯑tent, is far from being large enough to contain that prodigious Number of Inhabitants, who have actually an inconteſtable Right to a Freedom there, the Country round about ſwarms with the meaner Sort, who leave the City for Courtiers, Commiſſioners of the Treaſury and Cuſtoms, Gen⯑tlemen of Eſtates, great Merchants, ſubſtantial Tradeſmen, and ſome Officers of the Army; but above all for an infinite Number of Gown-Men, whoſe Profeſſion marks them out for a Head-Piece of Horn-Work, which they very ſeldom fail to wear.

Having thus given an Account of the whole Body of the Iſland, there remains now only two little Diſtricts to be deſcribed, which are two Pe⯑ninſula's that run out into the Sea; the one, which is on a Neck of Land towards the North, is the Promontory of Divorce, and the other, which is on another towards the South, is the Pro⯑montory of Widowhood.

The Peninſula of Divorce, is only ſeparated from the Iſle of Marriage, by a very narrow Iſthmus, through which it is pretty difficult to paſs. It is called the Iſthmus of Corinth; and from thence came the Proverb, that every Body is not allowed to go to Corinth; that is to ſay, that [32] every Body is not allowed a Paſſage into the Pe⯑ninſula of Divorce.

The Extravagance of an old Chancellour of a Dioceſs, who was deſirous of rendering this Paſſage more eaſy, induced him formerly to conſtitute an imprudent, filthy, and brutal Giant, called my Lord Congreſs, Superintendant of this Iſthmus. This was a Curious and Shameleſs Wretch, who in order to remove the Difficulties of this Paſſage, rendered Impotent, (by obliging them to be per⯑form'd in Publick,) the Conjugal Efforts of thoſe Huſbands, who would have hindered their Wives from removing into this Peninſula. The Modeſty of the Moderns, wou'd no longer ſuffer this filthy Lord to expoſe the Combatants to this Shame and Infamy, wherefore they have caſhier'd this ridi⯑culous Superintendant; but in Return, the artful Amathontins have brought into Play another En⯑chantreſs, who has been introduced under the Name of Separation, and they have ſupported her ſo well, that ſhe makes few Attempts without Succeſs.

It is ſhe who now peoples the Peninſula of Divorce, becauſe the River Repudiate, whereby they formerly arrived thither, is no longer navi⯑gable; thus by removing a ſmall Evil which pro⯑duced a great Good, they have introduced a [33] ſmall Good, which does not prevent a great Evil.

This little Country has neither Towns nor Vil⯑lages; all the Houſes are ſeparated from each other like Hermitages; and to take a View of it from the neighbouring Eminencies, one wou'd fancy it actually the Abode of ſome Anchorets. But the Solitude and Melancholy of theſe Deſarts, is mightily alleviated, by the frequent Intercourſe of the Amathontins, who take abundance of De⯑light therein, and find the Means to adminiſter agreeable Conſolation to the ſolitary Inhabitants. Above all, this is the Place where the Gentlemen of the long Robe gain the moſt Triumphs; for as the Fair Sex cannot get over the Difficulties that obſtruct this Paſſage, without the Aſſiſtance of thoſe who wear that Robe, their firſt Care is always to provide themſelves of a Protector, who may remove all Obſtacles.

The Inhabitants of this Country are not be⯑loved by thoſe in the Iſle of Marriage; but when the latter take upon them to blame their Conduct, they have an Anſwer ready, which is as follows.

Although theſe Divorces are moſt commonly demanded by the Women, the Men ſometimes don't fail to take Advantage thereof, and ſeveral Huſbands have even found the Means to provoke their Wives artfully to ſue for them, and then pretending to oppoſe it, they ſuffer themſelves to be caſt, like Ovid's Miſtreſs, who was overcome (as he ſays) by her own Treachery. This made one of thoſe, who had got rid of his Matrimonial Burthen by this Artiſice, and had obtained a Place in this Solitude, have the Picture of a Ship in a Storm drawn in Freſco in his Cell, and the Pilot calling out to the Sailors to fling over board all the heavieſt Luggage, in Obedience to which Or⯑der, one of them takes up his Wife, and throws her into the Sea, with the following Lines at the Bottom of the Picture:

The other Peninſula is that of Widowhood, which is upon a Promontory that lies towards the South, and is only ſeparated from the reſt of the Iſland, by a very narrow Neck of Land, which is wholly taken up by a magnificent Mauſoleum, built after the Model of that of Queen Artemiſa; inſomuch that there is no paſſing for any one from the Iſle of Marriage, to the Diſtrict of Widow⯑hood, but through this Tomb, by the Means of a ſubterraneous Vault, that is contrived under it.

The Inhabitants always make their Entrance there in Mourning, and they live there in Joy and Pleaſure; the Air of this Country, which every one there breaths with Freedom, being the moſt conſolatory in the World. Nevertheleſs, all the Inhabitants are not able to reliſh it with Pleaſure, and Satisfaction; for there comes a Wind, from the Coaſt of a certain little Province of the Iſland, called Binubia, whoſe malignant Atoms [36] cauſe new Itchings, which create ſuch Uneaſineſs, as thoſe that are troubled therewith, believe they can have no Cure for, without going to Binubia, and breathing the Air of that Place.

One cannot re-enter the Iſland of Marriage, but by this Coaſt, which makes a little ſeparate Province, and has even ſome particular Laws, which are not obſerved in the other Provinces.

In order to ſet ſail for this little Country of Binubia, the Inhabitants of the Peninſula of Wi⯑dowhood, muſt embark at a certain little Port, which has taken its Name from the celebrated Epheſian Matron, becauſe it was there ſhe took ſhipping with her Soldier, in order to ſet ſail for Binubia. Nevertheleſs ſeveral Perſons have given it the Name of Evil Counſel, although the Marble, that is at the Foot of an old Statue which is placed there, gives very good Counſel in the fol⯑lowing Verſes, which are to be ſeen thereon.

[37] And on the other Side of the Marble, one may read theſe other Verſes.

'Tis impoſſible to imagine with what violent Fits of Laughter, what cutting Raillery, the In⯑habitants of Widowhood banter thoſe who ſet out for Binubia; they hire an infinite Number of Hawkers, who are perpetually hollowing in their Ears, A Warning to all old Widows, who marry ſecond Huſbands. The lamentable Hiſtory and Downfall of the old Widower, who married his Cook-maid; come a Halfpenny a Piece, a Halfpenny a Piece, and a Thouſand other ſuch biting Jeſts, in Deriſion to thoſe, who have not the Reſolution to keep themſelves in that happy State, which perhaps they have ardently wiſh'd for a hundred Times, before the happy Minute of their Deli⯑verance came.

[38] But the People of Binubia, who have often been themſelves the firſt, to rally thoſe whom they have afterwards follow'd, give, once for all, the following Anſwer to thoſe who ſtay behind.

And perhaps they are not very much in the Wrong, when they anſwer them in this Man⯑ner; for it frequently happens that we fall into that very ſame Error, for which we have been the firſt to reprehend others; and moſt Part of the Inhabitants of Binubia, did not engage in ſecond Marriages, till after they had often endea⯑voured to diſſuade others from it.

Binubia, is a little City, whoſe Buildings are for the moſt Part old, and almoſt ready to fall; only the Walls are new white-waſh'd, new plai⯑ſter'd up, and new painted according to Art, to hide all Defects. Every Thing there has a me⯑lancholy and mournful Aſpect: and as almoſt every Match there has been made by the Influ⯑ence of Self-Intereſt, all there are intent upon managing their Affairs to their own private Ad⯑vantage, [39] at the Expence of their Partner, whom they flatter themſelves with the Hopes of ſur⯑viving. Accordingly the very beſt Employment of any in this Country, is to follow the Law, in order to take Advantage of the innumerable Law-Suits which are daily cauſed by ſecond Mar⯑riages.

Nothing is to be heard there, but the Com⯑plaints, and mournful Lamentations, of Children by a firſt Marriage, who have been robb'd, and cheated of their Right, to inrich thoſe by a ſe⯑cond; with endleſs Enquiries into Titles to Eſtates, to which the Lawyers at laſt become the Principal Heirs; and Diſputes about Guardians Accounts, and falſe Inventories: In ſhort, every Thing there is in Trouble and Confuſion, and the Pettyfoggers have not in the World ſuch another fruitful Nurſery of Law-Suits.

Having now given you an Account of all the different People that inhabit the Iſland of Mar⯑riage; viz. the Diſcreet, the Ill-match'd, the Ill-at-Eaſe, the Jealous, the Cuckolds, the Binu⯑bians, the Divorced, and the Inhabitants of Wi⯑dowhood; nothing remains but to give likewiſe ſome Deſcription of their Enemies, the Ama⯑thontins, and the perpetual Wars they have with them.

[40] I have already obſerved that Amathontis, or the Iſland of Lovers, is not far diſtant from the Iſle of Marriage; and indeed it is ſo near, that the Amathontins are every Moment invading them in prodigious Numbers, and never fail making terrible Havock amongſt them; inſomuch that they are very ſeldom driven out again, when they have once got Footing there. One Province or other is always warmly engaged with them, eſpecially Cuckoldſhire, which is over-run with their Multitudes, and the others are not free from them.

Their Manner of waging War is very pleaſant, for it is not in Incurſions, that make a great Noiſe and Buſtle in the World, that they place their chief Hope, and Dependence; no, they do their Buſineſs much better, by introducing them⯑ſelves without Clamour, by getting Footing pri⯑vately, and by gaining over to their Intereſt all the moſt conſiderable Perſons in the Country: But they have no ſooner made a Lodgment any where, but they know how to maintain them⯑ſelves therein, and the fewer they march in Com⯑pany, the more formidable they are.

It is not then with open Force, that they at⯑tack the Enemy whom they deſign to overthrow; one hears neither Trumpet ſound, nor Drum beat, when they march either to ſtorm a Fort, or to [41] give Battle; all is done without Noiſe; Advan⯑ces are all made either by Intrenchment, or by Sap, and their Battles are all reduced to ſingle Combat, every Man ſingling out the Enemy, with whom he chooſes to encounter.

As for their Weapons, Volleys of Sighs are their only Small-Arms; Languiſhing and dying Eyes, their only Swords; and the ſofteſt and moſt tender Expreſſions, their moſt dangerous Artillery: They have indeed a Kind of Short Stilletto which they always carry about them conceal'd, and with which they ſometimes give dangerous Stabs; but this is never but when they are very cloſe, and very warmly engaged, and have the Enemy down and at a Diſadvantage, for which Reaſon ſome Per⯑ſons will ſcarcely allow it to be a fair Weapon; but, be that as it will, it is well known, that few of the Enemy are afraid of its moſt home Thruſts. Their greateſt Valour then conſiſts only in their Submiſſion and Complaiſance to their Enemies; their Glory is wholly confin'd to loading them with their own Spoils; and their moſt compleat Victory is in expiring between the Arms of the conquer'd Enemy; in ſhort, the more ſecret their Triumphs are, the greater. Pleaſure they take in them.

By this Conduct, and provided the Sinews of War are not wanting, there is nothing which an [42] Amathontin cannot effect: No Fortifications are Proof againſt their Cannon, nor is there any Fort which will not ſurrender, if they perſevere in their Attacks. This made them once put the following Inſcription upon a Quiver, which they dedicated to the God of Love.

Neither do they often fail of being as good as their Words. Theſe Amathontins, are an agree⯑able, free, good-humoured, generous, and diſin⯑tereſted People, inſomuch that inſtead of ravag⯑ing, and amaſſing Spoils in the Country of Mar⯑riage, they ſpend at ſuch a Rate, that they very often enrich thoſe they have overthrown, and [43] thoſe who have connived at their getting any Footing in the Country.

But whoever would attempt to deſcribe all the Wiles, and all the Stratagems, whereof this artful Nation makes uſe of, in order to introduce them⯑ſelves, make a Lodgment, and gain a compleat Victory, would be obliged to write Millions of Volumes. Not but that there are among them an infinite Number of Inconſtants, Indiſcreet Ones, and Impoſtors; one may hear Complaints made of them every Day. But, notwithſtanding all theſe Complaints, there would be no living with⯑out them, and half their Enemies would be in a very ſad Condition, if they ſhould ceaſe to make War upon them.

'Tis impoſſible to conceive into what a good Humour the Reading of this agreeable Piece put the whole Company, by its humerous Deſcrip⯑tion of the Iſle of Marriage. All owned it to be exquiſitely imagined, and to be carried on with the niceſt Judgment; at laſt it brought into our Minds the celebrated Map of Tender in the Ro⯑mance of Clelia, which formerly was highly ex⯑toll'd, but every one agreed that this had ſeve⯑ral Beauties, and a Delicacy, and Turn, which the other was far from coming up to.

Every one then called to Remembrance thoſe Places which had made the moſt lively Impreſ⯑ſion [44] upon their Imagination; but of all the Parts of the Iſland, they always returned again to Hornborough, through a certain natural Inclina⯑tion, which ſeems to draw all the World thither; either to make Part of its Inhabitants, or to laugh at them, and very often for both. For the Citizens of this vaſt City have this merry Facul⯑ty belonging to them, that they generally ridicule one another; ſome to divert Peoples Thoughts from being fixed upon them, and others to comfort themſelves for their own Diſgrace.

At laſt, Melinda, one of the three Ladies who were with us, and who has a delicate and juſt Way of thinking and expreſſing herſelf, turned about to me, and aſked me, If I could give any Reaſon, why People were fond of having it thought, that the Horned Society are the Chief, and moſt numerous Part of the Inhabitanes of this vaſt Country.

You aſk me a Queſtion, Madam, ſaid I, to which it is not very difficult to find an Anſwer; for as ſoon as you reflect, that this formidable Society conſiſts for the moſt Part of Men who are haughty, unſociable, moroſe, ſnappiſh, ill-natured, uncomplaiſant, uneaſy in their Circumſtances, and perpetually employed about every Thing that is the moſt unlikely to render a Man gallant and [45] agreeable, you will find more Reaſons than one, for what you deſire to know.

Theſe few Words opened us a large Field of Scandal, and gave us full Scope to take a general Review of ſome Hundreds of our Acquaintance, which we accordingly did afterwards, Time not then permitting by Reaſon Dinner was ready: Wherefore we adjourned our Satire 'till After⯑noon, at the joint Invitation of Ceres, Bacchus, and our own Appetites, which were by this Time pretty ſharp ſet. What paſſed afterwards may poſſibly prove the Entertainment of another Day, if this meets with a favourable Acceptance from the Town.