The Gentleman's Answer to the Lady's uncommon Request.

Dear Madam,

I am exceedingly concerned, that I cannot be as acceptable to you, as I have the good Fortune to find myself to your honoured Parents. If, Madam, I had Reason to think it was owing to your Prepossession in some happier Man's Favour, I should utterly despair of it, and should really think it would be unjust to myself, and ungenerous to you, to continue my Address. As therefore you have, by your Appeal to me, in so uncommon a way, endeavour’d to make me a Party against myself, and I have shewn so much Regard to you, as to be willing to oblige you, as far as I can, may I not hope the Favour of you to declare generously, whether I owe my Unhappiness to such a Prepossession, and whether your Heart is given to some other?——If this be the Case, you shall find all you wish on my Part; and I shall take a Pride to plead against myself, let me suffer ever so much by it, to your Father and Mother: But if not, and you have taken any other Disgusts to my Person or Behaviour, that there may be Hope my utmost Affection and Assiduity, or a contrary Conduct, may, in time, get the better of, let me implore you to permit me still to continue my zealous Respects to you; for this I will say, that there is not a Man in the World who can address you with a sincerer and more ardent Flame, than, dear Madam,

Your affectionate Admirer, and humble Servant.