if I find
reason to think worse.' But Rinaldo would not have refused the trial of
the lady, before she became his wife, and when he might have found his
account in detecting her.

* The story tells us, that whoever drank of this cup, if his wife were
chaste, could drink without spilling; if otherwise, the contrary.

For my part, I would not have put the cup from me, though married, had
it been but in hope of finding reason to confirm my good opinion of my
wife's honour; and that I might know whether I had a snake or a dove in
my bosom.

To my point--'What must that virtue be which will not stand a
trial?--What that woman who would wish to shun it?'

Well, then, a trial seems necessary for the furthest establishment of
the honour of so excellent a creature.

And who shall put her to this trial? Who, but the man who has, as she
thinks, already induced her in lesser points to swerve?--And this for
her own sake in a double sense--not only, as he has been able to make
some impression, but as she regrets the impression made; and so may be
presumed to be guarded against his further attempts.

The situation she is at present in, it must be confessed is a
disadvantageous one to her: but, if she overcome, that will redound to
her honour.

Shun not, therefore, my dear soul, further trials, nor hate me for
making them.--'For what woman can be said to be virtuous till she has
been tried?

'Nor is one effort, one trial, to be sufficient. Why? Because a woman's
heart may at one time be adamant, at another wax'--as I have often
experienced. And so, no doubt, hast thou.

A fine time of it, methinks, thou sayest, would the woman have, if they
were all to be tried--!

But, Jack, I am not for that neither. Though I am a rake, I am not a
rake's friend; except thine and company's.

And be this one of the morals of my tedious discussion--'Let the little
rogues who would not be put to the question, as I may call it, choose
accordingly. Let them prefer to their favour good honest sober fellows,
who have not been used to play dog's tricks: who will be willing to
take them as they offer; and, who being tolerable themselves, are not
suspicious of others.'

But what, methinks thou askest, is to become of the lady if she fail?

What?--Why will she not, 'if once subdued, be always subdued?'
Another of our libertine maxims. And what an immense pleasure to a
marriage-hater, what rapture to thought, to be able to prevail upon s