Addresses, he forbad him his House, not approving the Circumstances or
the Character of the young Gentleman; for the Father of _Theodora_ was a
mercenary Courtier, having no regard to any but such as were in their
Nature Misers and sanctified Hypocrites, and _Leander_ being a Gentleman
inclin'd to Extravagancy. _Leander_ setting a greater value upon his
Education, Manners and good Nature than his Fortune, was oblig'd to
desist in his Pretensions and to sink under the oppression of Avarice:
He determin'd to leave _Ferara_, since he was there to see his
Happiness, no more, however, he resolv'd to send his Fair One, a moving
_Billet Doux_ before his Departure, which he did, and it was as follows.

To the _GODDESS_ of _Ferara_, the Beautiful _THEODORA_.

_Divine Creature,

It is not to be admir'd that I, the meanest of your Servants, should be
rejected by your wealthy Parents, and that Heaven should deny me a
Happiness which it self only ought to enjoy; Why did Nature make you so
Beautiful and Deserving, and me so unworthy of your Affection? My misery
increases with your Happiness, unless you participate my Pains; you are
in the Bud of your Beauty, which when full blown, will be like the Sun
in the midst of the Horizon, Illuminating the whole World, but its
penetrating Rays not to be gaz'd upon. You are the Lilly and I am the
Thorn; you beautify the rich fertile Vale, whilst I retire to the barren
Mountains. I will pass the Alps 'till I approach the most aspiring
Mount, and there, in view of_ Ferara, _I will lay me down and bid the
World Adieu. When I am gone, remember that you had once a Lover who
could sacrifice every thing for our Service, and without you he could
enjoy nothing. I have not only concerted my Journey from_ Ferara, _but
likewise to the_ Elysian Groves; _if my grizly Ghost should terrify that