A valuable Friend, and an intriguing Mistress. him also blind to that firm rock of happiness, which, fixed on the basis of the purest virtue, and an high regard to conjugal fidelity, would have blessed his summer days with delight, and afforded him the most gratifying and self-approving reflections in the winter of age. Princely Recreations. CHAP. VIII. PRINCELY RECREATIONS. * Voila donc, ces sirenes enchanteresses, sans lesquelles il n'y a point de bonheur; pour quoi on se ruine, on se deshonore, on sacrifie ce qu'on a de plus cher ! O hommes ! tristes jouets de vos passions, ce vrai bien que vous cherchez avec tant d'ardeur, vous l'avez en vous, et vous le sacrifiez a des chimeres ! Voulez meins etre heureux et vous le serez en effet. Jouissez de ce que vous possedez, de ce que la nature vous accorde, et vous n'aurez plus de desirs. S'il etoit possible qu'une lois defendit les femmes legitimes, les choses r'entreroient dans l'ordre. Nous n'aurions des voeux, d'empressement que pour elles; a leur tous les concubines n'essuyeroient que nos mepris. LE CHARPENTIER. PAGEANTS, at this period of time, formed the ruling diversion of the great. * These, then, are the enchanting sirens, without whose society there can be no happiness! for whose sake we ruin, we debase ourselves, and sacrifice all we should hold most dear! O man! the wretched sport of passion, this true Princely Recreations. An evening festival, in some respects, resembling our most gaudy theatrical representations; they were held chiefly at the court, and the houses of the nobles, and even the commoners and poor plebeians, to ape the manners of their superiors, had also their pageants exhibited. They became at length so frequent, that the actors were as numerous as the spectators; it therefore became customary to hire some of the most beautiful women, who were not very tenacious of their characters, some fine men from the soldiery, and a few needy adventurers, felicity, that you seek with so much ardour, you have within yourself, while you sacrifice it to a chimera. Be more bounded in your wishes of happiness, and you will, in effect, obtain it. Enjoy what is within your grasp, what nature grants you, and desire will be satisfied. If it were possible that the laws could forbid a man having only one virtuous wife, order would be re-established; then our wishes, our attentions would concentrate in her alone; and mistresses, in their turn, would have only our contempt. Princely Recreations. and were too idle to work for it. Those, for a stipulated sum, performed the part allotted them; if they danced and sung, they were a peculiar acquisition. At one of these public exhibitions, Edward was smitten with the person of a very lovely woman; her voice was harmonious, and her every action accompanied with a grace peculiar to herself. The prince, though then in a state of inebriety, which was visible to the whole audience, was quite enchanted with her; and, quitting Lady Elizabeth Grey, near whom he was seated, he said, "Don't be jealous, Bess, but I must go to Lord Stanley, and enquire something about that lovely girl." He soon returned to his seat. "By holy Mary," said he, "I must have her; she is a woman after my own heart, for she sings like an angel, and, what is better, I hear she can take a stoop of wine, with Princely Recreations. 66 any hard drinking lord in England; LOVELACE and I will have a toping bout with her." "Charming accomplishments!" said Lady Elizabeth, laughing, but without any apparent pique. By the holy rood, you are too sober, Bess,' said the prince, "I must divert myself a little, with this good fellow of a grisette." "A grisette! my liege," said Lord Hastings, who was standing behind the Lady Elizabeth, "though you see her performing in this pageant, she is married to a young man of great "Better still," interrupt expectations." ed the prince, 66 you know Hastings, I have a great predilection for married women; but I beg your pardon for interrupting you,—I see you blush,—and I know why-you are thinking on Jane. Come, tell us who this enchantress is married to?" "He is the nephew of, |