Part 4 (1/2)
_Venus_ had now kept her Word to _Paris_, and given him the Beauty she had promised, not as a Bribe, but as a Gratification for his having made an Award in her Favour, in the famous Cause between _Juno_ and others against _Venus_, in _Trover_ for a Golden Apple; which was referred to him at the a.s.sizes at _Ida_.
_Paris_, every one knows, no sooner had received Mrs. _Helen_, than he immediately carried her off to his Father's Court.
Upon this the _Grecians_ entered into an a.s.sociation; and several n.o.blemen raised Regiments at their own Expence, out of their Regard to the Public: For Cuckoldom was a public Cause, no one knowing whose Turn it would be next.
Lieutenant-General _Achilles_, who was to command a large Body of Grenadiers, which the _Greeks_ call _Myrmidons_, did not behave handsomely on that Occasion, though he got off afterwards at a Court-Martial by pleading, that his Mother (who had a great deal in her own Power) had insisted on his acting the Part he did; for, I am ashamed to say, he dressed himself in Women's Clothes, and hid himself at the House of one _Lycomedes_, a Man of good Fortune in those parts.
_Fie upon it, General, I am ashamed to see you sit quilting among the Girls; a Sword becomes your Hands much better than a Needle._
_What can you mean by that Work-Basket in a Hand by which Count _Hector_ is to fall? Do you carry that Basket with you to put his Head in?_
_For Shame then, cast away your Huswife, and all those effeminate Trinkets from a Fist able to wield _Harry_ the Fifth's Sword._
It happened, that at the same Time when the General, at the House of 'Squire _Lycomedes_, performed this Feat, Miss _Deidamia_, one of the Maids of Honour, was visiting at the same Place. This young Lady soon discovered that the General was a Man; for indeed he got her Maidenhead.
He ravished her, that is the Truth on't; that a Gentleman ought to believe, in Favour of the Lady: But he may believe the Lady was willing enough to be ravished at the same Time.
When the General threw away his Needle, and grasped the Armour, (you must remember the Story, for it was in the _Trojan Alamain_) the young Lady began to change her Note, and to hope he would not forsake her so.
_Ah! little _Mia_! is this the Violence you complained of? Is this the Ravisher you are afraid of? Why with that gentle Voice do you solicite the Author of your Dishonour to stay with you?_
To come at once to the Moral of my Story; as they are ashamed to make the first Advances, so they are ready to suffer whatever a pus.h.i.+ng Man can do unto them.
As for those pretty Master-Misses, the _Adonis's_ of the Age, who confide in their own Charms, and desire to be courted by the Girls; believe me, they will stay long enough before they are asked the Question.
If you are a Man, make the first Overtures: Remember, it is the Man's Part to address the Fair; and it will be her's to be tenderly won.
Be bold then, and put the Question; she desires no more than to have the Question put; and sure you will not deny your own Wishes that Favour.
_Jupiter_ himself went a courting to the Heroines of old: For I never heard of any Girl who courted him.
But if you find Madam gives herself any immoderate Airs at your Proposal, it will then be good to recede a little from your Undertaking, and to affect to sheer off: For many of them, according to the Poet,
_Pursue what flies, and fly what doth pursue._
A short Absence will soon cure her Disdain.
It may be proper likewise to conceal your intentions a little at first, and make your first Advance under the Pretence of _Platonic_ Friends.h.i.+p.
I have known many a Prude taken under these false Colours; and the _Platonic_ Friend hath soon become a happy Lover.
And now as to your Complexion; for believe me, this is a Matter of some Consequence: Though I would not have you effeminate, yet I would have you delicate.
A fair Complexion in a Tar is scandalous, and looks more like a Borough Captain or one of those fresh-water Sailors, who have so much dishonoured our Navy. The Skin of a Seaman ought to be rough, and well battered with Winds and Waves.
Such likewise ought to be the Face of a Fox-hunter, who ought not to fear Rain or Easterly Winds: And the fame becomes the Soldier.
But let the Soldier of _Venus_ look fair and delicate; nay, if your Complexion inclines to Paleness, so much the better; for this will be imputed by every young Girl to Love.