SIR ROGER IN LOVE. [STEELE.]

No. 113. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1711.

HÆRENT infixi pectore vultus. — VIRG. ÆN. iv. 4.
HER looks were deep imprinted in his heart.

In my first description of the company in which I pass most of my time, it may be remembered, that I mentioned a great affliction which my friend Sir Roger had met with in his youth; which was no less than a disappointment in love. It happened this evening, that we 5 fell into a very pleasing walk at a distance from his house. As soon as we came into it, "It is," quoth the good old man, looking round him with a smile, “very hard, that any part of my land should be settled upon one who has used me so ill as the perverse widow did; 10 and yet I am sure I could not see a sprig of any bough of this whole walk of trees, but I should reflect upon her and her severity. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world. You are to know, this was the place wherein I used to muse upon her; and by that 15 custom I can never come into it, but the same tender sentiments revive in my mind, as if I had actually walked with that beautiful creature under these shades. I have been fool enough to carve her name on the bark of several of these trees; so unhappy is the condition of men 20 in love, to attempt the removing of their passion by the

methods which serve only to imprint it deeper. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world."

Here followed a profound silence; and I was not displeased to observe my friend falling so naturally into a 5 discourse which I had ever before taken notice he in

dustriously avoided. After a very long pause, he entered upon an account of this great circumstance in his life, with an air which I thought raised my idea of him above what I had ever had before; and gave me the picture of 10 that cheerful mind of his, before it received that stroke which has ever since affected his words and actions. But he went on as follows:

"I came to my estate in my twenty-second year, and resolved to follow the steps of the most worthy of my 15 ancestors who have inhabited this spot of earth before me, in all the methods of hospitality and good neighbourhood, for the sake of my fame; and in country sports and recreations, for the sake of my health. In my twenty-third year I was obliged to serve as sheriff of the 20 county; and in my servants, officers, and whole equipage, indulged the pleasure of a young man (who did not think ill of his own person) in taking that public occasion of showing my figure and behaviour to advantage. You may easily imagine to yourself what appearance I 25 made, who am pretty tall, ride well, and was very well dressed, at the head of a whole county, with music before me, a feather in my hat, and my horse well bitted. I can assure you I was not a little pleased with the kind looks and glances I had from all the balconies and win30 dows as I rode to the hall where the assizes were held. But, when I came there, a beautiful creature in a widow's

me.

habit sat in a court to hear the event of a cause concern-
ing her dower. This commanding creature (who was born
for the destruction of all who behold her) put on such
a resignation in her countenance, and bore the whispers
of all around the court with such a pretty uneasiness, I 5
warrant you, and then recovered herself from one eye
to another, until she was perfectly confused by meeting
something so wistful in all she encountered, that at last,
with a murrain to her, she cast her bewitching eye upon
I no sooner met it but I bowed like a great sur- 10
prised booby; and knowing her cause to be the first
which came on, I cried, like a captivated calf as I was,
'Make way for the defendant's witnesses.' This sudden
partiality made all the county immediately see the sher-
iff also was become a slave to the fine widow. During 15
the time her cause was upon trial, she behaved herself,
I warrant you, with such a deep attention to her business,
took opportunities to have little billets handed to her
counsel, then would be in such a pretty confusion, oc-
casioned, you must know, by acting before so much 20
company, that not only I but the whole court was
prejudiced in her favour; and all that the next heir
to her husband had to urge was thought so groundless
and frivolous, that when it came to her counsel to reply,
there was not half so much said as every one besides in 25
the court thought he could have urged to her advantage.
You must understand, Sir, this perverse woman is one of
those unaccountable creatures that secretly rejoice in the
admiration of men, but indulge themselves in no farther
consequences. Hence it is that she has ever had a train 30
of admirers, and she removes from her slaves in town to

those in the country, according to the seasons of the year. She is a reading lady, and far gone in the pleasures of friendship. She is always accompanied by a confidante, who is witness to her daily protestations 5 against our sex, and consequently a bar to her first steps towards love, upon the strength of her own maxims and declarations.

"However, I must needs say, this accomplished mistress of mine has distinguished me above the rest, and 10 has been known to declare Sir Roger de Coverley was the tamest and most humane of all the brutes in the country. I was told she said so by one who thought he rallied me; and upon the strength of this slender encouragement of being thought least detestable, I made 15 new liveries, new-paired my coach-horses, sent them all to town to be bitted, and taught to throw their legs well, and move all together, before I pretended to cross the country, and wait upon her. As soon as I thought my retinue suitable to the character of my fortune and youth, 20 I set out from hence to make my addresses. The particular skill of this lady has ever been to inflame your wishes, and yet command respect. To make her mistress of this art, she has a greater share of knowledge, wit, and good sense than is usual even among men of 25 merit. Then she is beautiful beyond the race of women. If you will not let her go on with a certain artifice with her eyes, and the skill of beauty, she will arm herself with her real charms, and strike you with admiration instead of desire. It is certain that if you were to behold 30 the whole woman, there is that dignity in her aspect, that composure in her motion, that complacency in her

SIR ROGER IN LOVE.

"HER CONFIDANTE SAT BY HER. THEY BOTH KEPT THEIR COUNTENANCES, AND AFTER I HAD SAT HALF AN HOUR MEDITATING HOW TO BEHAVE BEFORE SUCH PROFOUND CASUISTS, I ROSE UP AND TOOK MY LEAVE."

...