AMOR AND OBEDIENTIA :

THE

A MORAL TALE.

HE obftinacy of parents and friends often destroys the future happiness of young couples, who entertained a pleafing paffion, and perhaps vowed eternal fidelity to each other, through the violence and compulfion too often ufed to fe parate them from all that is dear, on pretence of the inequality of the match, and, as they call it, befriending them by forcing a marriage into a higher ftation, though deteftable to the party compelled, and for ever after rendering life a burthen, or perhaps occafioning fome rafh ftep whereby their ruin enfues.

It is much to be lamented that parents do not confider the imprudence of fuch a compulsion, as it is known to every one, that titles and honour, without love, can never render life happy in the marriage ftate; not admitting every imprudent connection, which two young heads may frame, but fuch only as are of age of maturity to judge for themselves. The following authentic story of Amor and Obedientia will confirm the truth of the above affcrtion.

In a corporation town, in Chefhire, lived Amor and Obedientia. Amor was brought up under the Bb 2

care

care of a friend, on whom he chiefly depended for a fubfiftence, as his own parents were not able to give him any fortune, having been lately reduced in the world. His fortune, therefore, depended upon his own abilities, and his behaviour towards his friend, (whom I fhall call by the name of Sir Peter) who loved him as his own Son, and intended to difpofe of him as fuch.

Obedientia was the daughter of an honest tradefman of the fame place, a lady of furprifing abilities, agreeable behaviour, and an enchanting person, and had received a very liberal education. In short, the young couple were made to please, and were the very model of happiness. Her fortune was but small, but her accomplishments made amends for that. Sir Peter intended Amor for a much greater fortune than Obedientia was poffeffed of.

The acquaintance of Amor and Obedientia began at a public diverfion, about ten miles from home. Obedientia was there upon a vifit for fome time, at a friend's houfe, where Amor likewife went one day to fee the diverfions. They met by chance at this place, which was the firft fcene of their future intrigue. Amor never had any acquaintance with Obedientia before this time, tho' they lived both in one town, but had often heard

of

of her abilities, which he found perfectly true, as his heart was by this accidental acquaintance entirely her's. He was fo much engaged, that he did not return home for two or three days; and when he did, he waited with the utmost impatience for the arrival of the fair keeper of his heart. He did not disclose his mind to her for fome time, but gave evident marks thereof, which were agreeably returned.

Amor at firft was afraid fo charming a Lady as Obedientia was otherwife engaged, than to hearken to his folicitations, but foon found her attached to no one, though numbers were striving to gain her affections. He then ventured to disburthen his mind to her, which was received by evident marks of fatisfaction. Things being in this train, he visited her conftantly at her parent's, three or four times a day. He spent his evenings fucceffively with her, and accompanied her to all the affemblies and diverfions in the country. In short, he was never happy but when in her company. Their happiness was of too great moment to last long: they loved each other with equal affection; and nothing was wanting but their union to make them perfectly happy, which at that interval, was totally impoffible for a number of years. The bufy world faw with enmity the hap

piness

pinefs of this charming pair; and ftrove, by a number of fchemes and fabulous ftories, to deftroy it.

Sir Peter, all this time, knew nothing of the connection, which Amor and Obedientia endeavoured by all means to conceal from him, as they well knew he would object against it, and the violence of his temper might thereby be their immediate feparation. However, he perceived an alteration in the behaviour of Amor, and that he totally neglected his ftudies, which furprised him very much, as he could not tell the reafon, 'till his ears were at last caught by the ill-natured ftories then circulating about, which affuredly brought on a violent quarrel between Amor and his guardian, who infifted upon Amor's immediately leaving his houfe, or breaking off the connection with Obedientia; and perfevered therein so much, that Amor was at laft forced faithfully to promife to banish all thoughts of Obedientia, and never speak to her more.

very

He was obliged to fubmit to his fate, as he well knew his fortune depended upon Sir Peter, and his non-compliance to his will, would be his certain and immediate ruin. The fituation he was now in cannot be expreffed. Deprived of his dear Obedientia, and the thoughts of the pleasure he

ufed

ufed to enjoy in her company, he was driven to despair. But how to difclofe this fad tale to Obedientia, he was at a lofs to determine: he, however, refolved to pay her a last and final vifit, to communicate to her the cause of their feparation, which he did, with as much fortitude and refolution as lay in his power.

No one can judge the forrow that was painted on their countenances: the circumftances they were in is past the power of a pen to defcribe, and the tortures they fuffered upon the occafion, were more than they could bear.

But when the time came that they must bid the laft parting farewell, it is too affecting to express. Encircled in each others armis, and floods of tears flowing down their cheeks, with vows of eternal conftancy paffing and re-paffing between them, their cafe was really deplorable: however, they at last tore themfelves from each other, in a fituation not to be described.

Amor continued feveral days in a state of stupefaction, infomuch that his health began perceivably to impair. As for Obedientia, fhe was much in the fame ftate; and a fortnight paffed in this unhappy fituation, 'till it was impoffible to bear it

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