| Citation |
SCG-C.732.068
23-30 Dec 1732:11, 12, 21 (50)
Omnia Vincit Amor. Ovid.
The following story contains so great a share of generosity
and humanity, that I am persuaded it will neither be
unacceptable or displeasing to my readers.
Florio is one of the most accomplished gentlemen of our
age, . . . [5 lines] He was about one and twenty when
proposals were made to him by some modern matchmaker of
quality, to espouse the Lady Cordelia, who possessed,
besides the invaluable treasures of wit and good nature, a
fortune of an hundred thousand pounds; she had only the
misfortune of being born some years before him. The
marriage was soon concluded, and celebrated in the most
sumptuous manner for many weeks successively; Cordelia loved
her Florio to distraction, and was never easy without his
company, nor was Florio regardless of his Cordelia's
fondness and virtues, he admired her perfections in wit,
generosity and fortune; all the gaiety imaginable flowed
around them, balls, concerts of musick, assemblies and
entertainments on the water were the business of every day;
. . . [5 lines]
But how uncertain are all our joys, and how accidentally
are they changed when we least expect any alteration! For
Florio, with his lady, taking the diversion one evening at
Barn Elms, of a fine concert and a splendid supper, amongst
the rest of the company who generally attend such
entertainments, there appeared the charming Sylvia, who with
a lady of her acquaintance, made the tour of the walks: Her
graceful mein and engaging beauties were soon discovered by
Florio and his lady, and the charms of her voice were no
less admired by all the company; My dear Florio, says
Cordelia, observe that beautiful person, how genteel is her
mein, how ravishing is her voice and air in singing, she
must surely captivate all that have the pleasure of her
company; let us try to engage her to our entertainment; . .
.[Florio invites her; she becomes a regular; he falls in
love with her, provides her with a house and the richest of
furnishings, money, presents and jewels. Florio loses his
money; a colonel-friend convinces Sylvia to return gifts and
leave him. Florio and Cordelia are reconciled.]
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