BEfore this rare Couple return’d to the rest of the Company, Irenes kindness for Didymus made her think, she ought not to loose this opportunity, of doing good offices to her absent Friend. And therefore having (as she easily might) brought the discourse to fall upon his late performances; I hope, Madam, sayes she to Theodora, you are now satisfi’d, that the Character I gave you of the greatness of my Cousins Vertue, and the Ardency of his Flame, was dictated more by his Merit than my Friendship. I were very ungrateful, replies Theodora, if I did not willingly acknowledge his Generosity to be altogether extraordinary, and that, as he could not oblige me more highly than he has done, so it was not possible that he should do it more handsomly.
I know, Madam, saith Irene, that Theodora may freely choose among all the illustrious Youth of Antioch, what person she would please to make happy: And, without considering her less obvious, though more admirable, Perfections; far less Beauty than she is Mistress of, has in our times, given the Possessors a share in the Imperial Throne, and perhaps too, plac’d them upon the Roman Altars. But yet, continues she, since I have the honour to know you too well, not to be confident, that you value Piety and Vertue, and a Flame regulated and excited by them, above those outward advantages which weaker Spirits are influenc’d by; I think I may presume to say; that I know not any person in Antioch, to whom the fair Theodora may with less Condescension vouchsafe a Share in her Favour, than to him, that had the happiness to give her so clear a proof, of the ardency, the purity, and the disinterestedness of his Flame.
If I had not, reply’s Theodora with a somewhat dissatisfy’d look, been much surprised at the begining of your Discourse; I had immediately stop’d you there: And lamented my infelicity, that Irene, whom I thought my self happy in having for my Friend, allows her self what is so repugnant to true friendship, as flattery is. I could, continues Theodora without pausing for fear of being prevented; easily, and with the approbation of many of the best Judges in Antioch, return the fair Irene her own Complements, if I thought fit to imitate what I cannot approve. And to Speak seriously, continues She, neither you nor I, nor any of our Sex, ought to think Skin-deep Beauty as great a Blessing, as ‘tis an applauded one. For without our fault, and in Spight of our care to preserve it, a Thousand accidents may, and time certainly will, ruine the Loveliest Faces; and perhaps to that degree, as not in the remains to leave it credible that ever they were hansom. ‘Tis true that those vain Men, whose Passion masters their reason, are wont (for the most part with designs we ought not to be proud of) to Speak extravagant things, and too often even prophane Ones, of the beauties they profess to adore. But though they really meant (which they very seldom do) all they say, in praise of those they represent as Goddesses; yet I think a considering person will scarce be very proud of receiving that Title, from those who can think that a few Colours and Features luckily mingled, are sufficient to make a Deity. An uncommon degree of Beauty, adds she, exposes the owner to extraordinary troubles, from the Envy of those that want it, and the Importunities of those that court it. And, without as much caution and watchfulness as turn it into a trouble, it too often proves a strong Temptation to those that admire it, and a dangerous Snare to those that possess it. And if I had the vanity to think, what you would persuade me to believe, I should yet take Beauty in a woman, to be like a rich Perfume; which though it be a thing very grateful in most companies, and perhaps (especially at first) very delightful to the wearer, yet does often discompose, not only strangers she chances to converse with, but the best Friend she has; and not seldom does mischief even to herself, by disordering her head, or casting her into fits of the mother. I beg your pardon, Dear Madam, says the fair Irene, with somewhat of sadness in her looks, that whilst I had so much Beauty in my eye and thoughts, I forgot, that it was in Theodora accompany’d with a far greater and scrupulous Humility; and I did not apprehend that I could be thought guilty of Flattery, so near to a witness (at which words she pointed to a Looking-Glass, that hung up in the Room) ready to justifie more than I had occasion to say. I willingly acknowledge with you, that the amiableness discoverable by the Eyes of every gazer, is a thing far less desirable than desired: And procures the possessors more praise, than it brings them happiness. And for my part, adds she, if I had the weakness to beleive my self Mistress of what the folly of some had made them flatter me with, yet I should not be over much pleas’d with a Quality, that would add to those harms my frailty makes me guilty of, those which I never intended; and makes Ladies so mischievous, to those that most love them, that even when they do not rob men of their Innocency, they deprive them of their Quiet. I confess therefore, Madam, (continues Irene) that it was injurious to insist upon the praises of a face, when, how little soever it can be Match’d in its own kind, ‘tis accompanied with Several Beauties of a much nobler kind. But that which induc’d me to speak as I did, was, to let the fair Theodora see, that I was justly sensible, how great a thing I begg’d for my Friend; when I implor’d for him an interest in Her Favour. And I do the less despair of the effects of your Goodness, both to him and me, because I beg them for an absent friend, who is not in a condition to speak for himself; and who, as I perceiv’d by the obliging Relation you were pleas’d to make, of his Carriage towards you, declin’d making you any request, when his Services were so happy as not to be useless to you. His silence, answers Theodora, in such circumstances, had more effect on me, than his passionatest solicitations would have produc’d. But the thing, I presume, you aim at, for him, is of that moment to me, that I cannot think fit to discourse of it, till we can do so with more calmness and leisure, than we can at this time expect. You know, Irene, that I have still look’d upon Marriage as one of the most important Actions of Life: And, though I think they have too mean a notion of Happiness and Misery, who imagine, that one Creature can make either of them the portion of another; yet I think, that not only the dictates of discretion, but those of sincerity and chastity, oblige a woman to have a great care, not to enter into so near and indissoluble a Relation, upon any grounds, that are not like to last as long as it, (and consequently, as our lives:) And therefore, a woman that resolves to be what she should be, when a wife, ought to deliberate much upon a Choice she can probably make but once; and not needlesly venture to embarque herself on a Sea so infamous for frequent Shipwracks, only because she is offer’d a fine Ship to make the long Voyage with. But, continues the bashful Virgin, (not without some little disorder in her looks) since my dear Irene will needs make use of the priviledge she has, to know more of my thoughts than I would disclose to any other perperson in the world; our friendship prevails with me to tell her, that if I were altogether at my own disposal, and could be induc’d to admit such a change of condition, as I have alwayes been averse from; I should be more influenc’d in my choice by the shining Vertues and Extraordinary Services of Didymus, than by all the Advantages that either Titles, or Riches, or Dignities, could give any of his Rivals. But, my Dear Irene, (adds she) we live in such times, and I, for my own particular, am beset with such Circumstances; that ‘twere not only very unreasonable, but wildly extravagant, for me to encrease my Commerce with the World.
For, Irene, continues she, in my opinion, a Christian does not deserve to be happy, and a true one cannot think he is happy, whilst the Church of Christ is miserable: At least, as far as outward Calamities can make it. When I see the Empire over-run with Idolaters and Persecutors; when I see Ravishers and Whores, ador’d instately Temples, and the only Worshippers of the True God driven into Corners, and pursu’d even thither; when I see such as God is pleas’d to declare the World not to be worthy of, (Heb. 11. 38) treated by men as persons not worthy to live in the World; but daily expell’d out of it, with ignominy and torments: When I say, (adds Theodora, with tears in her Eyes,) I consider the general Desolation of the Church, and that I am like and willing to be, not a meer Spectator, but a suffering Actor, in this Tragedy; I cannot, in the midst of Her Sighs and Groans, listen to the unseasonable Complements of a Lover, think of relishing any Contentment, that descends not from a place too high for Persecution to reach. In these Sentiments, subjoins she, I am warranted, by no less Authority that than of an Apostle; who, though not unfavourable to the Marriage State, disadvises those women that are free, from entering into it, at least during the present distress; though that were in his time, very much inferiour to those straits we are now reduc’d to. Yet, Madam, sayes Irene, those expressions of Friendship, that a Conjugal Relation invites, are not only made allowable by it, but commendable; and are as real duties of Piety, and Vertue, as divers of the more abstracted Exercises of Religion. I do not contradict that, replies Theodora, but look upon that very thing, as a disswasive, from the state of life, you would recommend. For, if I could think fit, to enter into it, it should be with a resolution, to do all that becomes me in it. And in such a calamitous Time as we live in, I could not do that, without coming far more than I now am, within the worlds reach; since I should think it my duty, and perhaps be engag’d upon another account, to have such apprehensions for a near friends danger, as my own would be uncapable of giving me. And the Contentment I now enjoy, in a disposition to quit the world without regret, would be destroy’d, or at least allay’d, by an uneasiness to part with, what duty and inclination would, perhaps, too much fasten me to. Here Irene was going to interrupt her by an answer; when her fair friend prevented her, by thus continuing her discourse: And to me it seems very considerable, that the Apostle I lately mentiond, clearly enough intimates, that to persevere in a Virgin-State, in times of Persecution, gives those that prefer it, the great advantage of serving God more undistractedly; and consequently of being more entirely and uninterruptedly imploy’d, in the direct Contemplation and Services, of an Object so Sublime, that our mind cannot divert to another, without stooping to an inferiour one. And though it be true, that the duties of a Relation, may rightfully challenge a part of an engag’d persons time and care; yet I see not why one that has no need, should enter into a Relation, that would make those distracting Duties necessary.
Though Irene found it scarce possible to answer Theodoras Reasons, yet her kindness to her absent friend, made her unwilling to lose the opportunity their privacy gave her, to make one attempt more in his favour: Which she did, by saying to his excellent Mistress; But shall not the as faithful as unhappy Didymus, be allow’d to hope, that if once those dismal Clouds that pour down show’rs of Blood, shall be happily blown over, he may have a particular share in the publick joy and Tranquility; that his Sufferings shal end with the Persecutions of the Church; that those fatal resolutions, that are so destructive to his happiness, may cease with their occasion; that Theodoras Severity will not out live the Roman Cruelty; and that her heart will not be the last place, where the Emperours cruel Edicts will continue to have a fatal Operation.
Alas Irene, says Theodora, somewhat troubled to be so press’d; how unseasonably do you now discourse to me, about things relating to a time, to which very probably my life will never reach. For, Subjoines She, to deal clearly with you; I am so far from flattering my self, with an Expectation of those Halcyon dayes I wish you may live to see, that I shall not be surpriz’d, if this day prove the last I shall Spend in this World. And if before Night, I pass thence into another; where the frailty and Mortality, upon which Marriage was founded, ceasing, that condition of Life will have no Place; but will be Succeded by an Angelical State, where our Friendships, as well as our Persons, will be Transfigur’d, and made Incomparably more Perfect than they can be here below.