I served once aRomanCitizen, together with a youngGrecianSlave, whom the Storm had also oblig’d to serve, tho’ born Free. Nature had engraven in the Face of this young Man all the marks of Nobleness, and of that good Education which he ow’d to his Birth and the care of his Parents; and one might easily see that he was not born for the Condition to which his hard Fortune had reduc’d him; if he was to carry any Burden, he sunk under the lightest; yet he would needs do every thing, and forgot his Birth, to adapt himself to the present State of his Fortune. But not being able to bear hard labour, nor the course Food of Servants, he grew insensibly very weak, and neglected himself to that degree, that he did not so much as comb his Hair, which was the finest in the World. In a little time he became lean and full of Wrinckles, his Eyes grew hollow and languishing, his Hands black and course; in fine, he was not the same Man: Melancholy had sunk his Spirit, as much as Fatigue had impair’d his Health. he figh’d often, and his affliction mov’d my Pity; I thought Fortune was very unjust to him; I endeavoured to comfort him under it; wept for his Misfortunes; taught him what he must do, and did part of it my self to ease him. His wretched state did not take away from him a noble Air, and I know not what preheminence over my Birth, which made me sensible of the difference of his, to which I willingly submitted. He knew well enough how much he was oblig’d to me, and return’d me thanks with the politeness of a Courtier. In short, I was so much affected with those Accomplishments, that thinking I had only Pity for his Misfortunes, I found my self in Love with his Person; and indeed I lov’d him desperately.
I served once aRomanCitizen, together with a youngGrecianSlave, whom the Storm had also oblig’d to serve, tho’ born Free. Nature had engraven in the Face of this young Man all the marks of Nobleness, and of that good Education which he ow’d to his Birth and the care of his Parents; and one might easily see that he was not born for the Condition to which his hard Fortune had reduc’d him; if he was to carry any Burden, he sunk under the lightest; yet he would needs do every thing, and forgot his Birth, to adapt himself to the present State of his Fortune. But not being able to bear hard labour, nor the course Food of Servants, he grew insensibly very weak, and neglected himself to that degree, that he did not so much as comb his Hair, which was the finest in the World. In a little time he became lean and full of Wrinckles, his Eyes grew hollow and languishing, his Hands black and course; in fine, he was not the same Man: Melancholy had sunk his Spirit, as much as Fatigue had impair’d his Health. he figh’d often, and his affliction mov’d my Pity; I thought Fortune was very unjust to him; I endeavoured to comfort him under it; wept for his Misfortunes; taught him what he must do, and did part of it my self to ease him. His wretched state did not take away from him a noble Air, and I know not what preheminence over my Birth, which made me sensible of the difference of his, to which I willingly submitted. He knew well enough how much he was oblig’d to me, and return’d me thanks with the politeness of a Courtier. In short, I was so much affected with those Accomplishments, that thinking I had only Pity for his Misfortunes, I found my self in Love with his Person; and indeed I lov’d him desperately.
Je servois chez un CitoyenRomainavec un jeuneGrecson Esclave, que la tempête avoit obligé de servir aussi, quoi que né libre. La nature avoit mis sur le visage de ce jeune homme toutes les marques de la noblesse & de la bonne éducation qu’il devoit à sa naissance & aux soins de ses Parens; et on voyoit bien qu’il n’étoit pas né pour l’état où son malheur l’avoit reduit; s’il falloit porter quelque fardeau, il succomboit aux plus legers: Cependant il vouloit tout faire, & il oublioit sa naissance, pour tâcher de s’accommoder à l’état present de la Fortune. Mais ne pouvant resister à la fatigue, ni à la nourriture de valet, il tomba peu à peu dans un grand abbatement, & il se negligeoit à un point qu’il ne peignoit pas même les plus beaux cheveux du monde qu’il avoit. En peu de temps il devint maigre & ridé, il eut les yeux cavez & languissans; les mains noires & pleines de calus: enfin il n’étoit plus reconnoissable. La tristesse lui avoit abbatu l’esprit, autant que la fatigue lui avoit alteré la santé. Il soûpiroit souvent; & son affliction me faisoit pitié; Je trouvois la fortune bien injuste à son egard; je l’exhortois à se consoler; je pleurois ses malheurs, je lui apprenois ses fonctions, & je le soulageois même de quelques-unes. Sa misere ne lui ôtoit pas un air noble, & je ne sçai quelle superiorité sur ma naissance, qui me faisoit sentir la difference de la sienne, à laquelle je me soûmetois volontiers. Il sentoit bien les obligations qu’il m’avoit & il m’en remercioit avec la politesse d’un homme de la Cour. Enfin toutes ces bonnes qualitez me toucherent si fort, que ne croyant avoir que de la pitié pour ses malheurs, je me trouvai de l’amour dans le cœur pour sa personne, & je l’aimai éperdument.
Je servois chez un CitoyenRomainavec un jeuneGrecson Esclave, que la tempête avoit obligé de servir aussi, quoi que né libre. La nature avoit mis sur le visage de ce jeune homme toutes les marques de la noblesse & de la bonne éducation qu’il devoit à sa naissance & aux soins de ses Parens; et on voyoit bien qu’il n’étoit pas né pour l’état où son malheur l’avoit reduit; s’il falloit porter quelque fardeau, il succomboit aux plus legers: Cependant il vouloit tout faire, & il oublioit sa naissance, pour tâcher de s’accommoder à l’état present de la Fortune. Mais ne pouvant resister à la fatigue, ni à la nourriture de valet, il tomba peu à peu dans un grand abbatement, & il se negligeoit à un point qu’il ne peignoit pas même les plus beaux cheveux du monde qu’il avoit. En peu de temps il devint maigre & ridé, il eut les yeux cavez & languissans; les mains noires & pleines de calus: enfin il n’étoit plus reconnoissable. La tristesse lui avoit abbatu l’esprit, autant que la fatigue lui avoit alteré la santé. Il soûpiroit souvent; & son affliction me faisoit pitié; Je trouvois la fortune bien injuste à son egard; je l’exhortois à se consoler; je pleurois ses malheurs, je lui apprenois ses fonctions, & je le soulageois même de quelques-unes. Sa misere ne lui ôtoit pas un air noble, & je ne sçai quelle superiorité sur ma naissance, qui me faisoit sentir la difference de la sienne, à laquelle je me soûmetois volontiers. Il sentoit bien les obligations qu’il m’avoit & il m’en remercioit avec la politesse d’un homme de la Cour. Enfin toutes ces bonnes qualitez me toucherent si fort, que ne croyant avoir que de la pitié pour ses malheurs, je me trouvai de l’amour dans le cœur pour sa personne, & je l’aimai éperdument.
This Story ofLarissahad drawn to her the attention of the whole Company, but especially of two young Maidens, who counterfeited sleep, lest decency should oblige them to retire, if they seem’d to hear what she said. One of them having open’d her Eyes, and cast them uponLarissa, as tho’ it were by Chance, closed them again immediately. As for the other, making as if she was just awake, is it Day already? Said she, with a blush. The Company took notice of their cunning, and fell a laughing; in the mean timeLarissahad done speaking, alledging that she was unwilling to go through with this Adventure, for fear of making the young Ladies uneasy, and begun to threaten the Company with some old and grave Stories. ButEugeniusimpatient to know the rest of this Tale, Alass!Larissa, said he, these young Maids have all this while counterfeited sleep only to hear you speak with more liberty; and I assure you, they long more than any of us to know the end of your Story. Go on I beseech you, said he embracing her. She consented, promis’d to end the Story as modestly as possible, and calling the young Maids she told them.Tho’ Maids be tied to Modesty,Yet youth allows some Liberty.And thus resum’d her Discourse.
This Story ofLarissahad drawn to her the attention of the whole Company, but especially of two young Maidens, who counterfeited sleep, lest decency should oblige them to retire, if they seem’d to hear what she said. One of them having open’d her Eyes, and cast them uponLarissa, as tho’ it were by Chance, closed them again immediately. As for the other, making as if she was just awake, is it Day already? Said she, with a blush. The Company took notice of their cunning, and fell a laughing; in the mean timeLarissahad done speaking, alledging that she was unwilling to go through with this Adventure, for fear of making the young Ladies uneasy, and begun to threaten the Company with some old and grave Stories. ButEugeniusimpatient to know the rest of this Tale, Alass!Larissa, said he, these young Maids have all this while counterfeited sleep only to hear you speak with more liberty; and I assure you, they long more than any of us to know the end of your Story. Go on I beseech you, said he embracing her. She consented, promis’d to end the Story as modestly as possible, and calling the young Maids she told them.
Tho’ Maids be tied to Modesty,Yet youth allows some Liberty.
Tho’ Maids be tied to Modesty,
Yet youth allows some Liberty.
And thus resum’d her Discourse.
Larissepar ce conte, avoit attiré l’attention de toute la compagnie, mais sur tout de deux jeunes Filles qui faisoient semblant de dormir de peur que la Bienseance ne les obligeat de se retirer si elles paroissoient entendre ce qu’elle disoit; l’une d’elles ayant ouvert les yeux pour regarderLarisse, comme si c’eut été sans dessein, les referma aussi-tôt. Pour l’autre, faisant semblant de se reveiller: Est-il déja jour? dit elle, & rougit en le disant. La compagnie connût leurs finesses, & s’en réjouit fort. CependantLarisseavoit cessé de parler, disant qu’elle ne vouloit pas achever le recit de cette avanture, de peur de faire de la peine à ces jeunes Filles & elle menaçoit la compagnie de quelques vieilles Histoires serieuses; MaisEugeneimpatient de scavoir le reste du conte: HéLarisselui dit-il, ces jeunes Filles n’ont fait semblant de dormir, que pour vous écouter avec plus de liberté: je vous assure qu’elles ont plus d’envie que pas un de nous de scavoir la fin de vôtre histoire. Continuez, je vous en conjure, lui dit-il en l’embrassant. Elle y consentit, promit d’achever le conte le plus modestement qu’elle pourroit; & faisant approcher d’elle les jeunes filles leur dit,Il est permis aux jeunes gensDe n’ètre pas toûjours si Sages.Et recommenca ainsi à parler:
Larissepar ce conte, avoit attiré l’attention de toute la compagnie, mais sur tout de deux jeunes Filles qui faisoient semblant de dormir de peur que la Bienseance ne les obligeat de se retirer si elles paroissoient entendre ce qu’elle disoit; l’une d’elles ayant ouvert les yeux pour regarderLarisse, comme si c’eut été sans dessein, les referma aussi-tôt. Pour l’autre, faisant semblant de se reveiller: Est-il déja jour? dit elle, & rougit en le disant. La compagnie connût leurs finesses, & s’en réjouit fort. CependantLarisseavoit cessé de parler, disant qu’elle ne vouloit pas achever le recit de cette avanture, de peur de faire de la peine à ces jeunes Filles & elle menaçoit la compagnie de quelques vieilles Histoires serieuses; MaisEugeneimpatient de scavoir le reste du conte: HéLarisselui dit-il, ces jeunes Filles n’ont fait semblant de dormir, que pour vous écouter avec plus de liberté: je vous assure qu’elles ont plus d’envie que pas un de nous de scavoir la fin de vôtre histoire. Continuez, je vous en conjure, lui dit-il en l’embrassant. Elle y consentit, promit d’achever le conte le plus modestement qu’elle pourroit; & faisant approcher d’elle les jeunes filles leur dit,
Il est permis aux jeunes gensDe n’ètre pas toûjours si Sages.
Il est permis aux jeunes gens
De n’ètre pas toûjours si Sages.
Et recommenca ainsi à parler:
One while I complained of Love, and another while I pray’d to him: Great God, said I often to him, either cure me or make me belov’d of him I love. All this while I could neither eat nor sleep.Gison, (for that was the name of my Dear) recover’d his Beauty every Day; for Time, which conquers all, had alleviated his Sorrows. For my part, I was no more the same Woman, and the moreGlison’s charms encreas’d, the more my secret Passion alter’d my Mind, my Face and Humour. I had not the assurance of disclosing my Passion, and yet was mad to conceal it: As forGlisonhe was unacquainted with my Disease; he was sorry for me, and only repaid with thankfulness the Obligations he had to me, and contented himself to ease me in my Business of a Slave, as I had done him in his. But at last being no longer Mistress of my Passion, I saw my self forc’d to discover it; therefore upon a Friday, Oh! happy Day, which I shall never forget, having foundGlisonupon my Bed, where he used sometimes to take his Repose after Dinner, I desired him, melting into Tears, to take pity on me. He granted my request, and seem’d very well pleas’d to have sav’d my Life.
One while I complained of Love, and another while I pray’d to him: Great God, said I often to him, either cure me or make me belov’d of him I love. All this while I could neither eat nor sleep.Gison, (for that was the name of my Dear) recover’d his Beauty every Day; for Time, which conquers all, had alleviated his Sorrows. For my part, I was no more the same Woman, and the moreGlison’s charms encreas’d, the more my secret Passion alter’d my Mind, my Face and Humour. I had not the assurance of disclosing my Passion, and yet was mad to conceal it: As forGlisonhe was unacquainted with my Disease; he was sorry for me, and only repaid with thankfulness the Obligations he had to me, and contented himself to ease me in my Business of a Slave, as I had done him in his. But at last being no longer Mistress of my Passion, I saw my self forc’d to discover it; therefore upon a Friday, Oh! happy Day, which I shall never forget, having foundGlisonupon my Bed, where he used sometimes to take his Repose after Dinner, I desired him, melting into Tears, to take pity on me. He granted my request, and seem’d very well pleas’d to have sav’d my Life.
Tantôt je me plaignois de l’Amour, & tantôt je le priois. Grand Dieu, lui disois-je souvent, ou gueris moi, ou me fais aimer de ce que j’aime. Cependant je ne mangeois, ni ne dormois plus. La beauté deGlison, c’ètoit le nom de celui que j’aimois, revenoit tous les jours; car le temps, qui vient à bout de tour, avoit addouci ses chagrins. Pour moi je n’ètoit plus reconnoissable & plus les agrémens deGlisonaugmentoient, plus ma passion secrette changeoit mon esprit, mon Visage, & mon humeur. Je n’osois decouvrir mon Amour, & j’ètois au desespoir de le taire: maisGlisonne connoissoit pas mon mal. Il me plaignoit, & payoit de reconnoissance seulement les obligations qu’il m’avoit, & se contentoit de me soulager de mes devoirs d’esclave, comme je l’avois soulagé dans les siens. Mais enfin ne me trouvant plus Maîtresse de mon Amour, je vis bien qu’il faloit me declarer. Un Vendredy donc, ô jour heureux! que je n’oublierai jamais, ayant trouvéGlisonsur mon lit, où il se reposoit quelquefois après diné, je le priai en fondant en larmes d’avoir pitié de moi, il ne s’en defendit pas, & me parût fort aise de m’avoir sauvé la Vie.
Tantôt je me plaignois de l’Amour, & tantôt je le priois. Grand Dieu, lui disois-je souvent, ou gueris moi, ou me fais aimer de ce que j’aime. Cependant je ne mangeois, ni ne dormois plus. La beauté deGlison, c’ètoit le nom de celui que j’aimois, revenoit tous les jours; car le temps, qui vient à bout de tour, avoit addouci ses chagrins. Pour moi je n’ètoit plus reconnoissable & plus les agrémens deGlisonaugmentoient, plus ma passion secrette changeoit mon esprit, mon Visage, & mon humeur. Je n’osois decouvrir mon Amour, & j’ètois au desespoir de le taire: maisGlisonne connoissoit pas mon mal. Il me plaignoit, & payoit de reconnoissance seulement les obligations qu’il m’avoit, & se contentoit de me soulager de mes devoirs d’esclave, comme je l’avois soulagé dans les siens. Mais enfin ne me trouvant plus Maîtresse de mon Amour, je vis bien qu’il faloit me declarer. Un Vendredy donc, ô jour heureux! que je n’oublierai jamais, ayant trouvéGlisonsur mon lit, où il se reposoit quelquefois après diné, je le priai en fondant en larmes d’avoir pitié de moi, il ne s’en defendit pas, & me parût fort aise de m’avoir sauvé la Vie.
Now you, my Children, be merry whilst youth permits you; for the remembrance of past Pleasures will be the only ones of your old Age.
Now you, my Children, be merry whilst youth permits you; for the remembrance of past Pleasures will be the only ones of your old Age.
Vous autres, mes Enfans, rejouissez vous pendant que l’âge vous le permet. Le souvenir des plaisirs passez seront les seuls de vôtre Vieillesse.
Vous autres, mes Enfans, rejouissez vous pendant que l’âge vous le permet. Le souvenir des plaisirs passez seront les seuls de vôtre Vieillesse.