TWO o'CLOCK.
Dinner-Time.
Leave all those fond Entertainments, or you will disoblige me, and make Dinner wait for you; for my Cupid tells you 'tis that Hour. Love does not pretend to make you lose that; nor is it my Province to order you your Diet. Here I give you a perfect Liberty to do what you please; and possibly, 'tis the only Hour in the whole four and twenty that I will absolutely resign you, or dispense with your even so much as thinking on me. 'Tis true, in seating your self at Table, I would not have you placed over-against a very beautiful Object; for in such a one there are a thousand little Graces in Speaking, Looking, and Laughing that fail not to charm, if one gives way to the Eyes, to gaze and wander that way; in which, perhaps, in spight of you, you will find a Pleasure: And while you do so, tho' without design or concern, you give the fair Charmer a sort of Vanity, in believing you have placed your self there, only for the advantage of looking on her; and she assumes a hundred little Graces and Affectations which are not natural to her, to compleat a Conquest, which she believes so well begun already. She softens her Eyes, and sweetens her Mouth; and in fine, puts on another Air than when she had no Design, and when you did not, by your continual looking on her, rouze her Vanity, and encrease her easy Opinion of her own Charms. Perhaps she knows I have some Interest in your Heart, and prides her self, at least, with believing she has attracted the Eyes of my Lover, if not his Heart; and thinks it easy to vanquish the whole, if she pleases; and triumphs over me in her secret Imaginations. Remember, Damon, that while you act thus in the Company and Conversation of other Beauties, every Look or Word you give in favour of 'em, is an Indignity to my Reputation; and which you cannot suffer if you love me truly, and with Honour: and assure your self, so much Vanity as you inspire in her, so much Fame you rob me of; for whatever Praises you give another Beauty, so much you take away from mine. Therefore, if you dine in Company, do as others do: Be generally civil, not applying your self by Words or Looks to any particular Person: Be as gay as you please: Talk and laugh with all, for this is not the Hour for Chagrin.
The Permission.
My Damon, tho' I stint your Love,
I will not stint your Appetite;
That I would have you still improve,
By every new and fresh Delight.
Feast till Apollo hides his Head,
Or drink the Am'rous God to Thetis' Bed.
Be like your self: All witty, gay!
And o'er the Bottle bless the Board;
The list'ning Round will, all the Day,
Be charm'd, and pleas'd with every Word.
Tho' Venus' Son inspire your Wit,
'Tis the Silenian God best utters it.
Here talk of every thing but me,
Since ev'ry thing you say with Grace:
If not dispos'd your Humour be,
And you'd this Hour in silence pass;
Since something must the Subject prove,
Of Damon's Thoughts, let it be Me and Love.
But, Damon, this enfranchised Hour,
No Bounds, or Laws, will I impose;
But leave it wholly in your pow'r,
What Humour to refuse or chuse;
I Rules prescribe but to your Flame;
For I, your Mistress, not Physician, am.