T ing then what Companions he fhould make Choice of for this Enterprize, as well as the Means that were to be taken, he foon call'd Cimon to Mind, whom he had in Cuftody, as alfo This Companions; and, thinking he could have no Body better to affift him, nor one more trufty and faithful on that Occafion than Cimon, the next Night he had him privately into his Chamber, when he fpoke to him in this Manner: Cimon, as the Gods are the best and moft liberal Givers of all Things to Mankind, fo are they alfo the ableft fudges if our several Virtues and Merits: Such then as they find to be form and conftant in every Refpect, them do they make worthy of the greatest Things. Now concerning your Worth and Valour, they are willing to have a more certain Trial of both, than it was poffible for you to be within the fcanty Limits of your Father's Houfe, whom I know to be a Perfon of the greatest Diftinction; for first then, by the pungent Force of Love, as I am inform'd, have they from a meer infenfible Creature, made a Man of you; and afterwards, by adverse Fortune, and now by a miferable Imprisonment, are they willing to fee if your Soul be chang'd from what it was, when you appeared flußbed fo lately with the Prize you bad won. If that continues the fame, I can propofe nothing fo agreeable to you, as what I am now going to offer; which, that you may refume your former Might and Valour, I fall ftraightway difclofe. Pafimunda overjoyed with your Difappointment, and a zealous Promoter, as far as in him lay, of your being put to Death, is now about to celebrate bis Mar riage with your Ephigenia, that be may enjoy that Bleffing, which Fortune, when he was favourable, firft put into your Power, and afterwards fnatched away from you; but how this must afflict you, I can eafily fuppofe by myfelf, who am. like to undergo the fams Injury, and at the fame Time, with Regard to my Miftrefs Caffandra, who is to be married then to bis Brother Hermifda. Now I fee no Remedy for either of us, but what confifts in our own Refolution, and the Strength of our Arms. It will be neceffary therefore to make our Way witb our Swords, for each of us to gain bis Lady: If then you value (1 will not say your Liberty, because that without her would be of little. Weight with you; but, I fay, if you value) your Mistress, you need only follow me, and Fortune bath, put her into your Hands. Thefe Words fpoke Comfort to the drooping Soul of Cimon, who immediately replied, Lifimachus, you could never have a more ftout, nor a more trufty Friend for fuch an Enterprize than myfelf, if it be as you seem to promife: Tell me then what you would have me do, and you shall fee me put it nobly in Execution. Lifimachus made Anfwer, Three Days hence the Ladies are to be brought Home to their efpoufed Husbands; when you, with your Friends, and my felf, with fome People whom I can confide in, will go armed in the Evening, and enter their Houfe, whilst they are in the Midst of their Mirth; where we will feize on the two Brides, and carry them away to a Ship which I have lecretly provided, killing all that fball prefume to oppofe us. This Scheme was entirely to Cimon's N 2 good good Liking, and he waited quietly 'till the Time appointed. The Wedding Day being now come, and every Part of their Houfe full of Mirth and Feafting; Liftmachus, after giving the neceffary Orders at the Time fixed, divides Cimon and his Companions, with his own Frierds, into three Parties; and putting Arms under their feveral Cloaks, and animating them boldly to purfue what they had undertaken, he fent one Party to the Haven to fecure their Efcape, and with the other two they went to Pafimunda's Houfe. One they ftationed at the Gate to prevent any Perfon's fhutting them up in the Houfe; whilft he, along with Cimon, went up Stairs with the remaining Part. Coming then into the Dining-Room, where the two Brides, with many other Ladies were fet down orderly to Supper, they advanced up to them, and throwing down all the Tables, each feized his Lady, and giving them into the Arms of their Followers, order'd them to carry them away to their Ship. The Brides, as well as the other Ladies and the Servants, cried out fo much, that immediately there was a great Tumult. In the mean time, Cimen and Lifimachus, with their Followers, all drew their Swords, and came down Stairs again without any Oppofition. Leaving the House then, they joined Parties, and went directly on to their Ship with their Booty, without the leart Hinderance whatever; when putting the Ladies on Board, and they with all their Friends following them, the Shore was foon fill'd with Crowds of People who came to refcue them; whereupon they plied their Oars, and fail'd joyfully away for Crete. There they were chearfully receiv'd by all their Friends and Relations, when they efpoufed their Ladies, and were well pleafed with their feveral Prizes. This occafioned great Quarrels afterwards between the two Iflands of Cyprus and Rhodes. At length, by the Interpofition of Friends, every Thing was amicably adjusted, when Cimon returned along with Ephigenia to Cyprus; and Lifimachus, in like Manner, carried Caffandra back to Rhodes, and they were extremely happy together all their Lives after. To the Authors of The Fefter's Magazine. GENTLEMEN, A. Z. The following is a Copy of a Letter fent from a Perfon near Leeds, in Yorkshire, to his Correfpondent in London. By inferting this in your Magazine, will oblige Your humble. Servant, J. W. Sur bobeck near leeds Sept. Tthat hive, had a fad, misforton His cums to let ye naw, happend me, and wanted to ax yer advife about it, az i wor, a 'cum ming, downt loyne, just beet brig end, Ide faft hould colt with won hand, and a poke a Cowks on his back, ana bran fpan new kit it tother hand that Ide juft geen, eleimpence fort, aut loups two a jobns lunds, Clumfey feeted kye, from a mengt wins and had likt to run full but hovver me. i givd 1765 [The above Letter is printed exactly from the Copy.] To To the Authors of The Jefter's Magazine. GENTLEMEN, As you propofe to publish fuch Pieces as are scarce, provided they are void of Offence, I have here enclos'd a humourous Letter, which by meer Accident came to my Hands. I hope it will contribute to the Entertainment of your Readers, and remain your Well-wisher, I Have fent an erroneous Watch, to receive thy friendly Correction and Reproof. She hath been long guilty of Lying, and would feldom fpeak the Truth; fo that by her Leafing I have often been deceiv'd, and led into Miftakes. She hath been twice at thy School for Amendment; but, as yet, hath profitted. nothing under thy Hands. Thou telleft me, in thy Note, thou haft rectify'd the Centre- Wheel, yet the whole Machine goes wrong; that thou haft clean'd her, yet her filthy. Tricks remain; that thou haft taken out her Bruiles, yet the old Sores continue; that thou haft turn'd the Top of her Teeth, and yet fhe re COMICUS. mains unconverted from her Faults: So that in a Senfe literal I may fay to thee, O Watchman, thou hast watched in vain, and haft bufied thyfelf to no Purpofe! I tell the Friend, mark me, I confide much in thy outward Skill and Ability, and hope thy Integrity is equal to them. If thefe Imperfections proceed from any Defects in the inner Man (I mean the Spring) or from any other Caufe, I defire thou wouldst rectify them; caft the Spirit of Untruth out of her, make her go in the Ways of Truth and Verity, and inftruct her to point at that which is right. I own, thou art worthy of Recompence, when thy Labour profits me. I have once more fent her to the; pray enter into a friendly Conference with her, in refpect of her Evils. I will board her with thee for fome Time, and pay thee for her Table, if thou doft request it of me. Thus committing her to thy friendly Care and Correction, I remain thy Friend, GEORGE PLAXTON. A Col A Collection of Conundrums, Riddles, Rebuffes, Acrofticks, Poems, Tales, Epigrams, Epitaphs, &c. 12. Because they are often taken with Maggots. 13. Because is craggy. 14. Because he is often looked over. 15. Because he is often wound up. 16. Because he's generally transported. 17. Because it is Auger-ill. 18. Because it goes to Pot. 19. Because he's candid. Tho' not apparent from the Womb. 20. Because he's in Bed before his I fometimes am produc'd in Pairs, Master. Which Male, as well as Female, bears. SOLUTIONS to the RIDDLES If fingle, without Fault in Nature, In Number II. 3. A Corkscrew. 4. Iron. My Name denominates a Creature. SOLUTIONS to the REBUSSES I wondrous Ufe from them derive: I then am plainly heard from far, rain |