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Petronius Arbiter, 20-66

"The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter"

" When pleas'd with the humour of her talk, "I beseech
you, child," said I, "are you the she that's so in love with my
person?" Upon which the maid fell into a fit of laughing. "I wou'd
not," return'd she, "have you so extreamly flatter your self. I never
yet truckl'd to a waiter, nor will Venus allow I shou'd imbrace a
gibbet. You must address your self to ladies that kiss the ensigns of
slavery; be assur'd that I, though a servant, have too fine a taste to
converse with any below a knight." I was amaz'd at the relation of
such unequal passions, and thought it miraculous to find a servant,
with the scornful pride of a lady, and a lady with the humility of a
servant.
Our pleasant discourse continuing, I desir'd her to bring her lady:
she readily consented, and taking hold of her petticoats, tript it
into a lawrel labyrinth, that border'd on the walk; 'twas not long
e're she usher'd her lady to me; a beauty excelling even the flattery
of painters; words can't express so perfect a creature; whatever I
shou'd say of her wou'd fall short of what she was. Her hair spread
all o're her shoulders, and seem'd in easie curls to wanton in the
air. Her forehead oval, and that naturally inclin'd the hair to its
advantage. The proportion of her eye-brows was most correct. Her
eyes eclypst the glory of the brightest star. Her nose had an easie
turn, and mouth was such Pragiteless believ'd Venus had.


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