not to imagined till seen, nor then
to be express'd. Now see the impertinence and conceitedness of an
Author, who will have a fling at a Description, which he has Prefaced
with an impossibility. One might have seen something in her Composition
resembling the Formation of Epicurus his World, as if every Atome of
Beauty had concurr'd to unite an excellency. Had that curious Painter
lived in her days, he might have avoided his painful search, when he
collected from the choicest pieces the most choice Features, and by a due
Disposition and Judicious Symmetry of those exquisite parts, made one
whole and perfect Venus. Nature seem'd here to have play'd the Plagiary,
and to have molded into Substance the most refined Thoughts of inspired
Poets. Her Eyes diffus'd Rays comfortable as warmth, and piercing as the
light; they would have worked a passage through the straightest Pores,
and with a delicious heat, have play'd about the most obdurate frozen
Heart, untill 'twere melted down to Love. Such Majesty and Affability
were in her Looks; so alluring, yet commanding was her Presence, that it
minged awe with love; kindling a Flame which trembled to aspire. She had
danced much, which, together with her being close masked, gave her a
tincture of Carnation more than ordinary. But Aurelian (from whom I had
every tittle of her Description) fancy'd he saw a little Nest of Cupids
break from the Tresses of her Hair, and every one officiously betake
himself to his task. Some fann'd with their downy Wings, her glowing
Cheeks; while others brush'd the balmy Dew from off her Face, leaving
alone a heavenly Moisture blubbing on her Lips, on which they drank and
revell'd for their pains; Nay, so particular were their allotments in her
service, that Aurelian was very positive a young Cupid who was but just
Pen-feather'd, employ'd his naked Quills to pick her Teeth. And a
thousand other things his transport represented to him, which none but
Lovers who have experience of such Visions will believe.

As soon as he awaked and found his Speech come to him, he employ'd it to
this effect:

''Tis enough that I have seen a Divinity--Nothing but Mercy can inhabit
these Perfections--Their utmost rigour brings a Death preferable to any
Life, but what they give--Use me, Madam, as you please; for by your fair
self, I cannot think a Bliss beyond what now I feel--You wound with
Pleasure, and if you Kill it must be with Transport--Ah! Yet methinks to
l