n her presence, tipping thee a wink, show thee the
motion, for it was a very pretty one. Quite new. Yet have I seen an
hundred pretty passionate twirls too, in my time, from other fair-ones.
How universally engaging is it to put a woman of sense, to whom a man is
not married, in a passion, let the reception given to every ranting
scene in our plays testify. Take care, my charmer, now thou art come to
delight me with thy angry twirls, that thou temptest me not to provoke a
variety of them from one, whose every motion, whose every air, carries in
it so much sense and soul.
But, angry or pleased, this charming creature must be all loveliness.
Her features are all harmony, and made for one another. No other feature
could be substituted in the place of any one of her's but most abate of
her perfection: And think you that I do not long to have your opinion of
my fair prize?
If you love to see features that glow, though the heart is frozen, and
never yet was thawed; if you love fines sense, and adages flowing through
teeth of ivory and lips of coral; an eye that penetrates all things; a
voice that is harmony itself; an air of grandeur, mingled with a
sweetness that cannot be described; a politeness that, if ever equaled,
was never excelled--you'll see all these excellencies, and ten times
more, in this my GLORIANA.
Mark her majestic fabric!--She's a temple,
Sacred by birth, and built by hands divine;
Her soul the deity that lodges there:
Nor is the pile unworthy of the god.
Or, to describe her in a softer style with Rowe,
The bloom of op'ning flow'rs, unsully'd beauty,
Softness, and sweetest innocence she wears,
And looks like nature in the world's first spring.
Adieu, varlets four!--At six, on Monday evening, I expect ye all.
LETTER VI
MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
SUNDAY, APRIL 30.
[Mr. Lovelace, in his last letters, having taken notice of the most
material passages contained in this letter, the following extracts
from it are only inserted.
She gives pretty near the same account that he does of what passed
between them on her resolution to go to church; and of his proposal
of St. Paul's, and desire of attending her.--She praises his good
behaviour there; as also the discourse, and the preacher.--Is pleased
with its seasonableness.--Gives particulars of the conversation
between them afterwards, and commends the good observat
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