The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume IX | Page 7

kissed
the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort of carriage. He
goes on; "Now you must know we have an ambition to have it to say,
that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray Mrs.
Betty----"--"Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at your
service."--"Then I heartily beg your pardon----"--"No offence in the
least," says she, "for I have a cousin-german whose name is
Betty."[6]--"Indeed," said he, "I protest to you that was more than I
knew, I spoke at random: But since it happens that I was near in the
right, give me leave to present this gentleman to the favour of a civil
salute." His friend advances, and so on, till that they had all saluted her.
By this means, the poor girl was in the middle of the crowd of these
fellows, at a loss what to do, without courage to pass through them; and
the Platonics, at several peepholes, pale, trembling, and fretting. Rake
perceived they were observed, and therefore took care to keep Sukey in
chat with questions concerning their way of life; when appeared at last
Madonella,[7] a lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse
life, and was the projectrix of the foundation. She approaches into the
hall; and Rake, knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes
deputy from his company. She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the
servant, who was sent out to know, What affair could make strangers
press upon a solitude which we, who are to inhabit this place, have
devoted to Heaven and our own thoughts?"-- "Madam," replies Rake,
(with an air of great distance, mixed with a certain indifference, by
which he could dissemble dissimulation) "your great intention has
made more noise in the world than you design it should; and we
travellers, who have seen many foreign institutions of this kind, have a
curiosity to see, in its first rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for

such it must be called by future ages, to the eternal honour of the
founders. I have read Madonella's excellent and seraphic discourse on
this subject." The lady immediately answers, "If what I have said could
have contributed to raise any thoughts in you that may make for the
advancement of intellectual and divine conversation, I should think
myself extremely happy." He immediately fell back with the
profoundest veneration; then advancing, "Are you then that admired
lady? If I may approach lips which have uttered things so sacred--" He
salutes her. His friends followed his example. The devoted within stood
in amazement where this would end, to see Madonella receive their
address and their company. But Rake goes on--"We would not
transgress rules; but if we may take the liberty to see the place you have
thought fit to choose for ever, we would go into such parts of the
gardens as is consistent with the severities you have imposed on
yourselves."
To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead her into the assembly of
nuns, followed by his friends, and each took his fair one by the hand,
after due explanation, to walk round the gardens. The conversation
turned upon the lilies, the flowers, the arbours, and the growing
vegetables; and Rake had the solemn impudence, when the whole
company stood round him, to say, "That he sincerely wished men might
rise out of the earth like plants;[8] and that our minds were not of
necessity to be sullied with carnivorous appetites for the generation, as
well as support of our species." This was spoke with so easy and fixed
an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir, under the notion of a
pious thought, you deceive yourself in wishing an institution foreign to
that of Providence: These desires were implanted in us for reverend
purposes, in preserving the race of men, and giving opportunities for
making our chastity more heroic." The conference was continued in
this celestial strain, and carried on so well by the managers on both
sides, that it created a second and a second interview;[9] and, without
entering into further particulars, there was hardly one of them but was a
mother or father that day twelvemonth.
Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying aside; therefore
Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will fly for ever from a

forward behaviour; but if he approaches her according to this model,
she will fall in with the necessities of mortal life, and condescend to
look with pity upon an unhappy man, imprisoned in so much body, and
urged by such violent desires.
[Footnote 1: This letter is introduced by the following words:
"White's Chocolate-house, June 22.
"An Answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary to be
dispatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon