expressions revive secretly in our hearts the Passion which they have for you; and the grief which you would raise in us for an unfortunate Lady, becomes a natural sense of our own torments.
One should not believe this without making experience of it, at his own cost. Those matters that seem most opposite to tenderness, assume an affecting air in your mouth: your Reasonings, your Disputes, your Altercations, nay, your very Anger have their charms; so difficult it is to find any thing in you, which does not contribute to the Passion you inspire. Nothing comes from you which is not amiable; nothing is form'd in you which does not turn to love.
A serious Reflection puts me in mind that you will laugh at me for this Discourse; but you cannot make merry with my weakness, without being pleas'd with your Beauty; and I am satisfied with my shame, if it gives you any satisfaction. A man may sacrifice his Repose, his Liberty, and his Fortune: but Glory, says Montaigne, is never sacrificed. I will make bold to contradict Montaigne in this particular; and don't refuse to become ridiculous for the love of you.
But upon second thoughts, Madam, we cannot make you a sacrifice of this nature: since a man can never be ridiculous in loving you. A Minister of State renounces his Politicks for you; and a Philosopher his Morals, without any prejudice to their reputation. The power of an exquisite Beauty justifies all the Passion which it is capable of producing; and after having consulted my Judgment as nicely as my Heart, I will tell you, without fearing to be ridicul'd for it, that I love you.
