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=_Tractatus de Hermaphroditis_:=
=OR, A=
=TREATISE=
=OF=
=HERMAPHRODITES,=
=CONTAINING=
I. A Description of the several Sorts of HERMAPHRODITES, and how the
Law regards them in respect to Matrimony.
II. Intrigues of HERMAPHRODITES and Masculine FEMALES, and of the
outward Marks to distinguish them.
III. The material Cause and Generation of HERMAPHRODITES, of
unnatural BIRTHS, Generation of MONSTERS, extraordinary CONCEPTIONS,
&c.
=_LONDON_:=
=Printed for E. CURLL _Fleet-street_.=
=MDCCXVIII.=
PREFACE.
_Prefaces now a Days are rather Apologies for the Works to which they
are prefix'd, than written for Instruction; and generally a ludicrous
Scene is expected, if the Performance be of an airy Nature; or, if not,
at least an introductory Specimen of what the Reader may hope for in the
Body of the Work_.
_I shall make no Apology for my Subject, notwithstanding an impudent
Libeller has endeavour'd to load Authors and Publishers of Works of
this Nature with the utmost Infamy; and herein I admire at the Front of
the Fellow, to pretend to Chastise others for Writing only, when he
practises a great deal more Iniquity than any Book extant can prompt him
to, every Day that comes over his Head_.
MY _Design in the following Sheets is meerly as an innocent
Entertainment for all curious Persons, without any Views of inciting
Masculine-Females to Amorous Tryals with their own Sex; and I am
perswaded there will not be one single_ HERMAPHRODITE _the more in the
World, on account of the publishing this_ TREATISE.
IT _may be expected by some faithless Persons, that I should produce
an_ HERMAPHRODITE _to publick View, as an incontestible Justification of
there being Humane Creatures of this kind; but as I have no Authority to
take up the Petticoats of any Female without her Consent, I hope to be
excus'd from making such demonstrable Proofs; and if I had such a Power,
the Sight might endanger the Welfare of some pregnant Female, whose
Curiosity would spur her to a particular Examination_.
_The Intrigues of my_ HERMAPHRODITES _are indeed very amazing, and as
monstrous as their Natures, but that many Lascivious Females divert
themselves one with another at this time in this City, is not to be
doubted: And if any Persons shall presume to Censure my Accounts,
grounded on a Probability of Truth, I shall be sufficiently reveng'd in
proclaiming them, what my_ HERMAPHRODITES _are found to be in the
Conclusion_--Old Women.
_I confess, all Histories of extraordinary Conceptions from these
Intrigues, or by Women without actual Copulation, are equally fabulous
with those of the Engendring of Men: It would be as surprizing to find a
Man with a teeming Belly, as to see a Woman increase there meerly by her
own Applications_.
_I doubt not but this small_ TREATISE _may put some Persons upon a
previous Examination of Robust Females, that they may be at a certainty
with respect to mutual Enjoyment; but I would not have them rashly
conclude from large Appurtenances only, that they are unnatural, but, on
the contrary, agreeable Companions._
_To conclude, I fear not the Censure of_ HERMAPHRODITES, _nor of those
that would be such to satisfy their vicious Inclinations; neither am I
under any apprehensions from the Censure of our Reforming Zealots_.
* * * * *
_Tractatus de Hermaphroditis_:
OR, A
TREATISE
OF
HERMAPHRODITES.
The Secrets of Nature have in all Ages been particularly examin'd by
Anatomists and others, and this of _Hermaphrodites_ is so very
wonderful, that I am perfectly assur'd my present Enquiry will be
entirely acceptable to all Lovers of curious Discoveries; and as it is
my immediate Business to trace every Particular for an ample
Dissertation on the Nature of _Hermaphrodites_, (which obliges me to a
frequent Repetition of the Names of the Parts employ'd in the Business
of Generation) so, I hope, I shall not be charg'd with Obscenity, since
in all Treatises of this Kind it is impossible to finish any one Head
compleatly, without pursuing the Methods of Anatomical Writings.
Though in _Ovid_'s _Metamorphosis_, _Salmacis_'s being in Love with
_Hermaphroditus_, and not succeeding in her amorous Wishes, her praying
to the Gods to join their Bodies in one, has no Weight in it; yet, that
the Notions of Hermaphrodites are not entirely fictitious, I need only
mention the Servant of _Montuus_, who took his Hermaphrodite to be a
Male when he lay with his Maids, and for a Female when she lay with her
Husband to propagate their Species, the two Hermaphrodites of
_Licetus_, and the Story of _Ausonius_, which he relates of an
Hermaphrodite of _Bonavento_ in _Italy_; and Histories are full of
Confirmations, that many Persons in the World have had the privy Parts
of both Sexes.
For the Definition of the Word Sex, it is no other than a Distinction of
Male and Female, in which this is most observable, that for the Parts of
the Body, there is but little Difference between them; but the Females
are colder than the Males, and abound with more superfluous Moisture;
wherefore their spermatick Parts are more soft and humid, and all their
natural Actions more vigorous than those of Men: But Hermaphrodites are
a mixture of both Sexes, and to both incompleat.
In all Ages Hermaphrodites have been talk'd of, though particular
Vouchers have been many times wanting, which is generally the Case
where a Deficiency of the Secrets of Nature is to be detected; the
amorous Parts are certainly more valuable than any other principal Parts
of the Body, as they afford the greatest pleasure of Life; and there is
always the greatest Difficulty attends the Discoveries of Impotency,
(which is less obnoxious) and nothing but the Force of the Law executed
by a lascivious Female, in the State of Matrimony, will occasion a
Record of a want of Substance for the amorous Adventure.
It is natural to suppose, that these Persons of a mix'd Nature call'd
Hermaphrodites, have had generally more Prudence and Conduct than to
marry under such Incapacities, which would prevent an agreeable
Consummation in the amorous Embrace, (however they may sport and dally
with each other) as they must expect nothing but the greatest Resentment
and highest Indignation from the Persons they have presumptuously
espous'd, and must inevitably tend to their being expos'd to the World,
as Prodigies and Monsters; and they have in Times past been the more
effectually deterr'd from engaging in Matrimony, as they were
immediately on their Discovery cast into the Sea or some large Rivers,
or banish'd into some desolate Island, as presages of dire Events, and
the worst of Calamities.
But the Civil Law does not regard Hermaphrodites as Monsters, it permits
them to make a Choice of either of the two Sexes for the Business of
Copulation, either in the Capacity of Men or Women; but if the
Hermaphrodite does not perform his Part agreeable to Nature, the same
Law inflicts the Punishment due to Sodomy, because he has abus'd one
Part, contrary to Matures Laws. This must be determin'd by the
Predominancy of the Parts, for there are some Hermaphrodites so very
vigorous as to embrace Women, and others whose Parts are so dispos'd as
to receive with pleasure the Caresses of Men; and where there is nothing
to hinder the amorous Action, but that they are capable of enjoying
mutual Pleasure, it would be a piece of injustice to prohibit their
Nuptials.
Monsieur _Venette_[A] tells us, that there are five kinds of
Hermaphrodites: The first have the privy Parts of a Man very entire;
they make Water and Engender like other Men, but with this difference,
that they have a pretty deep Slit between the Seat and the Cod, which is
of no Use in Generation.
The second Sort have also the Parts of a Man very well proportion'd,
that serve either the Functions of Life or Generation; but they have a
Slit not so deep as the first Sort, which being in the midst of the
Cods, presses the Testicles on each side.
The third Sort have no visible privy Parts of a Man, only a Slit,
through which the Hermaphrodite makes Water. This Cavity is deeper or
shallower, according to the plenty or default of Matter employ'd for the
forming of it, yet one may easily find the Bottom of it with one's
Finger. The Terms never flow by this way, and this kind of Hermaphrodite
is a true Man as well as the two others above mention'd; for these sorts
of Hermaphrodites become Boys, about the Age of fifteen, in an Instant,
and are as valiant in the Adventures of Love as other Males, and this is
oftentimes affected by some violent Action, as _Mary Germain_, mention'd
by _Parĉus_, leaping over a Ditch, strain'd herself, and became
instantly a Man, through the coming forth of the privy Parts.
This may be a sufficient Caution to young Gentlemen not to be too hasty
in their Marriages, lest, in a vigorous Consummation with a very
youthful Partner, the imaginary Female should at once appear an
Hermaphrodite.
The fourth Sort of Hermaphrodites, are Women who have the _Clitoris_
bigger and longer than others, and thereby impose upon the Vulgar, who
know but little of the Parts they are compos'd of, and of these kinds of
Hermaphrodites, _Columbus_ says he examin'd all the Parts, and found no
essential Difference from other Women; the only Sign that they are Women
is, that they suffer the flowing of their Terms every Month.
The fifth Kind, are those that have neither the Use of the one nor the
other Sex, and have their privy Parts confus'd, and the Temper of Man
and Woman so inter-mix'd, that one can hardly say which is most
predominant; but these sorts of Persons are rather a kind of Eunuchs
than Hermaphrodites, their _Penis_ being good for nothing, and their
Terms never flowing. Of this Kind was the _Bohemian_ Woman, that pray'd
_Columbus_ to cut off her _Penis_, and to enlarge her _Vagina_, that she
might the more freely, as she alledg'd, join amorously with a Man.
These are the several Sorts of Hermaphrodites, mentioned by Monsieur
_Venette_; and the four first of them, tho' they have the Name, yet
Nature has not refus'd them the Advantage to make use of their Genital
Parts, and to Engender as others. The Male Hermaphrodite may get
Children, and the Female conceive; so that neither the one nor the other
differ from Men or Women, but only by a superfluity or a deficiency of
Parts, and such as does not disturb the business of Generation.
The fifth Sort are call'd perfect Hermaphrodites, because they are
incapable of using either of the Sexes; but some Persons fancy there are
a sort of Hermaphrodites which can make use of both Sexes, and Engender
both ways, though this is easily confuted, when we consider that one of
the privy Parts of an Hermaphrodite is generally useless, as being
contrary to the Laws of Nature, and what confusion would it be, to find
in one and the same Person a Man's and Woman's Testicles, a Womb and a
_Penis_? A Woman's Genital Parts and a Man's are too different to admit
of such an Union, and to change the Use upon any occasion.
Agreeable to the list mention'd Opinion, some Naturalists will have it,
that an Hermaphrodite, which is very vigorous as to both Sexes, may
Engender within himself, without the Company of another Person, having
Matter to form a Child, a Place to conceive it, and proper Liquid for
Nourishment: In the same manner as _Jack Hares_ engender once in their
Lives, and that _Stags_ do the same, which is maintain'd by the learned
_Langius_: But these Generations are both impossible and ridiculous, the
Naturalists must certainly be deceiv'd, in taking some Parts of the
Female for the Testicles of the Male; and what probability is there that
the Seed should come out of one Part and into the other, without losing
its Spirits, and altering considerably in changing of Place? And if such
a Thing were possible, the Temperament that engenders Masculine Seed
might as well engender Feminine, and produce the Terms at the same Time
or something else in proportion to it.
Women having Beards, and being a large Masculine Size, have been
sometimes, by the Ignorant, accounted Men, tho' they were true Women;
and it cannot be said, that one Sex is chang'd into another, for we
never heard of Men that became Women, and that their, privy Parts were
abolish'd; or turn'd within, in order to form the Genital Parts of a
Woman. The Hermaphrodites of _Licetus_, which conceiv'd and brought
forth Children, were real Women taken for Men, by reason of the length
and bigness of their _Clitoris_: And the Fisherman's Wife, mention'd by
_Antonius de Palma_, was only a Male, call'd the third sort of
Hermaphrodites undiscover'd, which was afterwards manifested in the
coming out of the Parts of a Man, when she had been fourteen Years
married. The Case was the same with _Emilia_, marry'd to _Antonius
Sperta_, mention'd by _Potanus_ who was accounted a Woman twelve Years,
but was afterwards reputed a Man, and married again to a Woman.
For the Discovery of the Male and Female Hermaphrodite, these
Observations will be serviceable: A Person that is bold and sprightly,
having a strong Voice, much Hair on the Body, particularly on the Chin
and privy Parts, with the rest of such Signs as discover Manhood, are
certain Demonstrations that the Hermaphrodite has the privy Parts of a
Man in a more predominant manner than those of the other Sex; and
contrarywise, if an Hermaphrodite has good Breasts, Skin smooth and
soft; if the Terms appear at their due Intervals; if there be a
sparkling and agreeableness in the Eyes; and if other Signs are
observ'd, that commonly distinguish a Woman from a Man, these are
Arguments that the Hermaphrodite has the Privities of the Female Sex of
a good Conformation; and if the _Vagina_ is not too defective, such an
Hermaphrodite ought to pass for a Woman.
I doubt not but there are many Persons in the World of both Species,
particularly of the Female Sex, who would willingly assume to
themselves the Parts belonging to Hermaphrodites, if they could have a
vigorous Use of the Members of both Sexes, upon any lustful Inclination;
a lascivious Female would be transported at the Thoughts of acting the
Part of a Man in the amorous Adventure, and a lecherous Male would
propose equal Pleasure in receiving the Embraces he use to bestow; but
tho' most Persons agree that Women have the greatest Sense of Enjoyment
in the Act of Copulation, (as without all question they must, by the
Situation and Disposition of the Parts) yet they would be more forward
in satisfying this brutal Curiosity than those of the opposite Sex. Men
are more easy to be limited in the Pleasures of _Venus_ than Women; as
they are endu'd with more Reason, so they are generally easily satisfied
in those Enjoyments, which were chiefly design'd for the propagating of
their Species.
If two Persons, being Hermaphrodites, should Marry with an expectation
of pleasing each other, as Male and Female by turns, they'll meet with a
Disappointment, for the Reasons already mention'd, _viz_. That one of
the Members of Hermaphrodites is most commonly useless, and if a Man
should by chance be married to a Person of his own Sex, before the Parts
are come down, (which, as I have observ'd before, sometimes happens,
where Persons are wedded in an Age of Infancy) a great Disappointment
will ensue to the Husband, when his Partner shall take the Constitution
of a Man, and be ready to engage with him, instead of his encountering
with her; and in respect of a masculine Woman's being taken by the
Length of her _Clitoris_ for a Man, _Daniel de Bantin_ only sported with
his Wife, but was got with Child himself by one of his Companions. The
_Clitoris_ not being perforated, the Hermaphrodite can furnish no Matter
for Generation.
The _Clitoris_ in Women suffers erection and falling in the same manner
as the _Penis_ in Men; and the _Vagina_ likewise swells to make the
Passage streight and easy, for the reception of the _Penis_ in the Time
of Enjoyment. Sometimes the _Clitoris_ will grow out of the Body two or
three Inches, but that happens not but upon extraordinary Occasions,
upon violent Inclinations to Copulation, over much Heat of the
Privities, _&c._ and by this means a Man will be hinder'd from knowing
his Wife; but the larger it is, so as no way to prevent their mutual
Embraces, the greater is the Pleasure, especially to the Female; and
without this Part, the fair Sex would neither desire the Embraces of the
Males, nor have any Pleasure in them, or Conceive by them.
Women well furnish'd in these Parts may divert themselves with their
Companions, to whom for the most part they can give as much Pleasure as
Men do, but cannot receive in any proportion the Pleasure themselves,
for want of Ejaculation, the Crisis of Enjoyment to the Male in the
Intrigues of _Venus_. I am inform'd that Diversions of this nature are
frequently practis'd by robust and lustful Females, who cannot with any
prospect of safety to their Reputations, venture upon the Embraces of a
Man, though they are never so strongly enclin'd. The unnatural Pleasures
of this kind are finely illustrated in the following Song, written by
Mr. ROWE, which I take it will not be improperly inserted in this Place.
[Footnote A: Le Tableau de l'Amour Conjugal, par Monsieur _Venette_.
Paris 1710.]
SONG.
I.
_While_ SAPPHO, _with harmonious Airs,
Her dear_ PHILENIS _charms,
With equal joy the Nymph appears,
Dissolving in her Arms_.
II.
_Thus to themselves alone they are,
What all_ Mankind _can give;
Alternately the happy Pair
All grant, and all receive_.
III.
_Like the_ Twin-Stars, _so fam'd for Friends,
Who set by Turns and rise;
When_ one _to_ THETIS _Lap descends
His_ Brother _mounts the Skies_.
IV.
_With happier Fate, and kinder Care,
These_ Nymphs _by_ Turns _do reign,
While still the_ Falling, _does prepare
The Rising, to sustain_.
V.
_The Joys of either Sex in Love;
In each of them we read,
Successive each, to each does prove,
Fierce Youth and yielding Maid_.
* * * * *
_Intrigues of Hermaphrodites and Masculine Females_.
The hotter the Climate, the stronger are the Inclinations to Venery.
When I was formerly in _Italy_; there happened a notable Adventure in
the Neighbourhood of _Rome_, between a certain Lady call'd _Margureta_,
one of a noble Family in the Papal Dominions, and a Lady of _France_,
whose Name was _Barbarissa_: These two Females were in their Statures
very near equal to the largest siz'd Male; they had full and rough
Faces, large Shoulders, Hands and Feet; and but slender Hips, and small
breasts: In short, they resembled Men in all respects, but their
Dresses, their Gates and Voices, and indeed they were suspected to be
Hermaphrodites. These Ladies, I am inform'd, paid frequent Visits to
each other, and 'twas always observ'd, that no Body was admitted to
their splendid Entertainments, which heighten'd the Curiosity of a
Servant in the Family of _Margureta_, to attempt a Discovery of their
Intrigues, they always locking themselves in, the moment they had
dispatch'd their Suppers: In order to this, on a Time, this Servant,
call'd _Nicolini_, with a piercing Instrument of Iron, and the
Assistance of an Artificer, ingeniously made a Communication for the
Sight into the next Room, by working a small Hole through the Wainscot,
opposite to the Bed, in the Chamber wherein the two Masculine Ladies
accustom'd to solace themselves. At the next Meeting, _Nicolini,_ to his
no small surprise, had a Prospect of the two Females embracing each
other, with a succession of Kisses of no short Duration. After this they
both drew up their Petticoat, and exposing their Thighs to view, they
mutually employ'd their Hands with each other, in the same Manner, and
with the same force of Inclination, as a juvenile Gallant would make his
Approaches to what he most admires in a beautiful _Belinda_, at the same
Time continuing the closest Salutations; at last one of the Females
threw herself down upon the Bed, and displaying her self commodiously,
the other immediately begun the amorous Adventure, covering her
Companion so effectually, that _Nicolini_ could not possibly discover
any farther Particulars: They had not continu'd their Sportings long
before _Margureta_, which officiated now instead of the Man, arose from
_Barbarissa_, and turning towards the Window with her Cloaths up in her
Arms, _Nicolini_ immediately discover'd something hang down from her
Body of a reddish Colour, and which was very unusual: They both
panting, and almost breathless, retir'd from the Bed to a Table, where
they sat down and refresh'd themselves with sufficient Quantities of
generous Wine. About an Hour after this, they began to renew their
Frolicks, and it being _Barbarissa_'s turn to caress, who was not so
Masculine as _Margureta_, to incite the falling down and erection of her
Female Member, she turn'd over a large Book, amply stor'd with obscene
Portraitures, wherein the amorous Combat was curiously describ'd in the
utmost variety of Postures which were ever practic'd, or the Head of a
youthful and ingenious Painter could invent; but this not having the
Effect expected, _Margureta_ strip'd her self naked, as did likewise
_Barbarissa_, and both dancing about the Room, they gave each other
repeated Strokes with their Hands on their white Posteriors; and this
likewise failing to move _Barbarissa_, _Margureta_ open'd a Cabinet,
and taking from thence a large Birchen Rod, she flogg'd _Barbarissa_
lustily, her Buttocks seeming to yield to that amorous Discipline; upon
this, something appear'd from the Privities of _Barbarissa_, like unto
what _Nicolini_ had observ'd of _Margureta_, and they instantly put on
their loose Gowns, and ran to the Bed, where _Barbarissa_ embracing her
Companion, did her Work effectually. After their Sportings were over,
that each had return'd the Favours receiv'd, they decently dress'd
themselves, and sat them down again to the Table, where, after drinking
a Bottle or two of the richest _Italian_ Wines, they kiss'd each other
in the most loving manner, and _Margureta_ rang the Bell for _Nicolini_
to light _Barbarissa_ down Stairs, who immediately taking leave of
_Margureta_, was carried in a Chair to her Place of Residence.
This Story sufficiently shews the unnatural Intrigues of some Masculine
Females, where by the falling down and largeness of the _Clitoris_,
they have been taken for Men, as mention'd in my Description of
Hermaphrodites, and are capable of every Action belonging to a Man, but
that of Ejaculation. I next insert an Intrigue between two Females more
extraordinary than the former, by reason in this, Art was only employ'd,
and in the other there was something of Nature in it, tho' viciously
apply'd: I shall introduce it with several Adventures which happen'd in
this Cafe before the Scene was accomplish'd, and which I doubt not will
be acceptable. In the City of _Ferara_, 'tis reported, there some time
since liv'd two Damsels who were of reputable Descent, and their
Education was equal to that of the greatest Quality in the Territories
of _Italy_; the Name of one of them was _Theodora_, and of the other
_Amaryllis_: _Theodora_ was the Daughter of an eminent Courtier, and in
her Person most beautiful; her Shape was form'd according to the nicest
Rules of Symetry; her Waste was slender, her Breasts were full and
round, and for Whiteness equall'd the falling Snow; her Face was exactly
compos'd, the Features strong and yet beautiful; her Cheeks more lively
than the Rose and Lilly; her Eyes sparkled beyond the most shining
Planets; her Teeth excell'd the best polish'd Ivory; soft as Velvet were
her Lips, and redder than Vermillion; her Hand and Arm more white than
Milk; her Feet small, and her Gate stately, and on her Shoulders were
display'd her auborn Tresses, hanging in Ringlets to her Waste; in
short, every Part that was visible invited to hidden Charms; her Looks
were languishing, and her Eye-Balls large, which, perpetually rowling,
cast a thousand Darts at all Beholders. _Amaryllis_ the Daughter of a
wealthy Merchant and no less admir'd for her Beauty than the lovely
_Theodora_; she was made up of Perfections, and whomsoever she saw
unguarded, she was sure to captivate: These two Ladies were both of them
cross'd in their amorous Inclinations; _Theodora_, before she was
thirteen Years of Age, had made a powerful Conquest over the Affections
of a Youth of Gallantry, his Name was _Leander_, and he was the eldest
Son of a Nobleman of _Naples_; but _Theodora_'s Father having no regard
to the Happiness of his Daughter, after _Leander_ had made his
Addresses, he forbad him his House, not approving the Circumstances or
the Character of the young Gentleman; for the Father of _Theodora_ was a
mercenary Courtier, having no regard to any but such as were in their
Nature Misers and sanctified Hypocrites, and _Leander_ being a Gentleman
inclin'd to Extravagancy. _Leander_ setting a greater value upon his
Education, Manners and good Nature than his Fortune, was oblig'd to
desist in his Pretensions and to sink under the oppression of Avarice:
He determin'd to leave _Ferara_, since he was there to see his
Happiness, no more, however, he resolv'd to send his Fair One, a moving
_Billet Doux_ before his Departure, which he did, and it was as follows.
To the _GODDESS_ of _Ferara_, the Beautiful _THEODORA_.
_Divine Creature,
It is not to be admir'd that I, the meanest of your Servants, should be
rejected by your wealthy Parents, and that Heaven should deny me a
Happiness which it self only ought to enjoy; Why did Nature make you so
Beautiful and Deserving, and me so unworthy of your Affection? My misery
increases with your Happiness, unless you participate my Pains; you are
in the Bud of your Beauty, which when full blown, will be like the Sun
in the midst of the Horizon, Illuminating the whole World, but its
penetrating Rays not to be gaz'd upon. You are the Lilly and I am the
Thorn; you beautify the rich fertile Vale, whilst I retire to the barren
Mountains. I will pass the Alps 'till I approach the most aspiring
Mount, and there, in view of_ Ferara, _I will lay me down and bid the
World Adieu. When I am gone, remember that you had once a Lover who
could sacrifice every thing for our Service, and without you he could
enjoy nothing. I have not only concerted my Journey from_ Ferara, _but
likewise to the_ Elysian Groves; _if my grizly Ghost should terrify that
sordid Wretch your Father, 'tis no more than he deserves, and if my
Shade appears to you, look on that unconcern'd which cannot injure you.
My last Request to you is to take care of your self, who am_
Your despairing Lover,
But Admirer,
LEANDER
_Theodora_ receiv'd this moving Letter with a Concern proportion'd to
the melancholly Occasion; she communicated it to an intimate
Acquaintance, who likewise express'd the utmost Uneasiness; the thoughts
of the Catastrophe of the Loves of _Theodora_ and _Leander_ presented a
lively Idea to _Theodora's_ Companion, of the Miseries and Misfortunes
attending Mankind. "Hard is the Case (says she) that _Leander_, one of
the finest young Gentlemen of _Naples_, should be sacrific'd to a
mercenary Wretch, a Wretch, that in the midst of plenty is poor and
miserable, and who, tho' he has all Things to compleat his Happiness,
his avaricious Temper will not permit him to enjoy the common
Necessaries of Life: The Pleasures of living he's a Stranger to, he
lives despis'd, and will die unpitied: But such is the inequality of
Fortune's Favours, that Merit must stoop and Ideots be advanc'd to the
highest Pomp and Magnificence. It is entirely out of your Power to give
the pitied _Leander_ the least Relief; your Father's House is a Nunnery,
he has his Locks and Keys to secure you, and his Spies for Intelligence;
but I advise you to send the unfortunate Youth an Answer to his mournful
Epistle." Upon this, _Theodora_ immediately call'd for Pen, Ink and
Paper, and wrote the following Answer.
To the unfortunate LEANDER.
_I am sorry that you had the Misfortune ever to see me, and the more for
that in vain I seek your Relief; it is not in my Power to forward either
your Happiness or my own, which I confess I should think compleat, if my
mercenary Father would consent to my Espousals; but it is so far from
this, that I am to see for the future, so that the Lilly you admire now
droops its Head, and the whole Vale's enclouded at my sorrowful Fate; I
would willingly accompany the Briar to the Mountains. Impute not to me
your approaching Calamities, which only increase with _Theodora'_s.
Think me no longer handsome, who have so many Imperfections to sully
those Trifles you call Beauties; No, range me with Deformity, since
other Ideas may increase your Pain. I desire you to forget me, of I am
oblig'd to endeavour not to remember you._
Your most disconsolate
Lover,
THEODORA.
Upon receipt of this Letter, _Leander_ quitted _Ferara_ with a Grief
inexpressible, but however had Resolution to finish his Journey to the
Place of his Nativity without self Violence, but soon after, resign'd a
miserable life.
I come now to the Story of _Amaryllis_. _Amaryllis_ was formerly deeply
in Love with a Gentleman of _France_, (she being originally of that
Kingdom) whose Name was _Sempronius_; his Person was stately and very
well proportion'd; his Face was ruddy and inclining to be large; his
Eyes full and lively, with Eye-Brows and Beard pretty thick; of a dark
brown Colour; and his Skin was clear, his Shoulders were strong and well
set, and Limbs rather large than small, but exactly shap'd: He was
perfectly good natur'd, complaisant in his Behaviour, and gallant in his
Amours, his Dress was easy and genteel, his Approaches sprightly, and
his Conversation the most endearing. _Amaryllis_ was extremly fond of
_Sempronius_ and _Sempronius_ was fond of _Amaryllis_, without each
other they were equally unhappy; repeated Visits introduc'd each coming
Day, and innocent Embraces crown'd the Night: Love and Liberty were
their constant Themes, and nothing was wanting but the Marriage
Ceremony to compleat their Felicity; but it so fell out, that after a
Day was appointed for celebrating their Nuptials, that a young Gentleman
of _Spain_ call'd _Richardo_, envying the Happiness of _Sempronius_,
made several Attempts to disconcert his Measures; and one Night, taking
with him an Officer of Justice, whom he brib'd to his Interest, he
repair'd to the House of _Amaryllis_; and knocking with great Violence,
_Amaryllis_ was very much alarm'd; but she sent down her Servant to
enquire into the Occasion of this uncommon Approach. The Servant no
sooner open'd the Door, but _Richardo_ and the Officer of Justice
enter'd the House, (beating down the Servant) and immediately ascended
the Stairs in pursuit of _Sempronius_; during this Bustle, _Amaryllis_
suspecting a Design against _Sempronius_, (_Richardo_ having formerly
offer'd his Service to her, and Revenge being the common Consequence of
a Disappointment with a _Spaniard_) lock'd him into a private Closet,
which was no sooner done, but _Richardo_ enter'd the Room with his Sword
drawn, _Amaryllis_ having but just Time to secure her Lover. _Richardo_
demanded of _Amaryllis_ the gay _Sempronius_ as a Criminal, telling her
he had committed a Rape on the Body of the virtuous _Maria_ a Lady
celebrated for Beauty, and to whom all _Italy_ could not produce an
Equal, the Officer ran about the Room, crying, "Justice, Justice, where is
the Villain _Sempronius."_ They search'd the Room very diligently, and
not finding _Sempronius_ at last _Richardo_ address'd himself to
_Amaryllis_ in these Words: "Madam, I hope you have more Virtue and
Honour than to shelter a Criminal, especially where one of your most
beautiful Sex is concern'd, and the greatest Innocence has been
violated: If you allow your House to to be a Sanctuary for Offenders of
this Nature, Justice will require Satisfaction at your Door; you may
your self expect the same Injury to your Person, and I am now prepar'd
to shew a Resentment that will not be pleasing to _Amaryllis_, either
comply with my Desires in producing the Criminal, or expect to fall my
Victim." This Speech very much confounded _Amaryllis_; the Designs of
_Richardo_ she could not easily penetrate, whether against her self or
_Sempronius_ the Plot was laid, or whether it extended to both, she
could not determine: But at last she summon'd her Courage and her
Reason, and with a look of Indignation peculiar to her Sex, she answer'd
thus the malicious and designing _Richardo_: "What Crimes _Sempronius_
has been guilty of, is to me a Secret, but that _Richardo_ deserves the
Character now given of _Sempronius_ is very obvious, and needs no
Difficulty for me to affirm; your brutal Inclinations are not easily
satisfied: When you made your Addresses to me, your Designs were base
and dishonourable; you more than once attempted with force to violate my
Chastity, and for ought I know you are now come upon the same Errand:
What could make you approach me in this hostile manner, but to Ravish
_Amaryllis_, or to Murder _Sempronius_, under a pretence of Justice? But
let the Event be what it will, I'll not deliver up him who is dearer to
me than Life, but dare a Villain to his worst." This heroick Speech made
by _Amaryllis_ dash'd _Richardo_ for the present; but he being resolv'd
to prosecute his Intentions (which indeed were both to Murder
_Sempronius_ and ravish _Amaryllis_, as she had guess'd) he advanc'd
nearer to _Amaryllis_, and took her in his Arms, upon which she cry'd
out with violence, whereupon _Sempronius_, who had heard every thing
that had pass'd, open'd the Closet Door, and sallying out Sword in Hand
to defend himself and his Mistress, _Richardo_ rush'd from _Amaryllis_
and attack'd _Sempronius_; they fought sometime without any seeming
Advantage on either Side, 'til at length the Officer belonging to
_Richardo_ knock'd down _Sempronius_ and _Richardo_ ran him to the
Heart, _Amaryllis_, through the Negligence of the Officer, had an
opportunity of escaping to a neighbouring House, where, he acquainted
the Inhabitants with the dismal Tragedy; upon this Warrants were issu'd
from the next Magistrates for Apprehension of _Richard_, but took Post
for _Germany_, where secur'd himsef: in a famous Monastery. In great
despair and confusion _Amaryllis_ left the Kingdom of France and
travell'd into _Italy_, to to forget this barbarous Treatment of her
unfortunate Lover. At first she propos'd to retire to some Country
Village, and spend the remainder of her Life in Sighs and Groans, and
complaining Sonnets; for this purpose she compos'd the following Lines.
SONG.
I.
_Since gay_ SEMPRONIUS _now is gone,
What Comfort yields my Life?
I shall Unhappy be alone,
My Breast is fill'd with Strife._
II.
_The Sun is set e'er Noon arrived,
Sad Glooms around me spread,
No flowing Joys the Lad surviv'd,
He's now rang'd with the Dead._
III.
SEMPRONIUS _Dear, where are ye stole?
Could I but find thee strait,
I'd cut the Thread of Life my Soul
On thy bless'd Shade would wait._
IV.
_If to th' infernal Regions, Woe,_
SEMPRONIUS _is confin'd;
His Ghost I'll trace, persue below
To ease my tortur'd Mind._
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