Tractus de Hermaphrodites | Page 9

a little Effeminate, who passionately admir'd the beautiful Theodora, and who had made several Attempts on her in vain.
Philetus being let into the Secret of Theodora's Intrigues, by the Assistance of the Confident, resolv'd to personate a Lady of the first Figure at Rome: In order to this, he furnish'd himself with a very rich and costly Female Habit, and by the Use of Paint, which alter'd his Eye-Brows, Cheeks, Hair, &c. and shaving every Day, he was sufficiently disguis'd; all Things being now concerted with Theodora's Confident, Philetus was admitted to wait upon Theodora and Amaryllis, with a feign'd Message from a Lady of their Acquaintance at Rome, and was entertain'd with the utmost Respect and Grandeur, with occasion'd frequent Visits between Philetus and Theodora, and at length there was such an Intimacy contracted, by the Management of Philetus and the Confident, that Philetus was permitted to be present in their Frolicks, and at last offering his Service to Theodora; she with a great deal of difficulty accepted his Embraces having not the least suspicion of the Design; so that Philetus taking the artificial Penis in his Hand, went to the Window from the Ladies, and pulling up his Petticoats, pretended he had fix'd it round his Waste, and putting the Instrument in a Furbelow of his Gown, he advanc'd to the Bed where Theodora was laid in an airy Manner to receive him; the Sight of the beautiful Theodora, in this captivating Posture, caus'd an immediate Erection with Philetus, and fill'd his Breast with amorous Fire; he approach'd his Charmer with a Lover's' vigour, and Theodora was still a Stranger to the Intrigue, 'till the moment of Ejaculation, which was not usual with the same Instrument in her Embraces with Amaryllis: When this happen'd she was prodigiously surpriz'd, and endeavouring to disengage her self from Philetus, he folded her more closely in his Arms; and in the greatest Transport told her, he was her constant Admirer Philetus: She upbraided him for this perfidious Method of bringing about his Designs; however, upon his telling her, That her strict way of Living made an uncommon Stratagem absolutely necessary, that he hop'd she would excuse what Love had prompted him to, and that notwithstanding what had past, his Designs were honourable; Theodora considering, what had happen'd, and experiencing a material Difference between Art and Nature, agreed, on his humble Request, to Marry him; and a Priest was immediately sent for, who solemniz'd their Nuptials. When the Ceremony was over, Theodora sung this Stanza.
_The Shadow I'll no longer try Or use the pleasing Toy A sprightly Youth I can't defy, The Substance I'll enjoy._
After these Adventures were over, Amaryllis likewise submitted to Matrimony with a Gentleman of Ferara; and they both enjoy'd the greatest Happiness, making no difficulty to forget all Sorrows past. The next Intrigues I shall mention, are of two famous Hermaphrodites, who were more vigorous than common in their Parts, at Urbino. It is not many Years ago (as the Story relates) that there liv'd at Urbino two Hermaphrodites, famous for their Intrigues, and indeed they were arriv'd to that consummate pitch of Impudence, that they were not asham'd to own their Bestiality, they not only frolick'd with each other, but with both Sexes in general; their Names were Diana and Isabella, both of reputable Birth, and well Educated. Diana on a Time being invited to the Nuptials of a certain Nobleman of Urbino, accompanied him to the House of a noted Clergyman, some distance from the Residence of Diana, to be a Witness to the solemnization of the Marriage, and being arriv'd there, every thing was instantly provided for the Ceremony; the Bride was attir'd in the richest Brocade Silks, with the finest Linnen that could be purchas'd; her Neck and Breasts were exposed very low, and heav'd with Desire, filling the Bridegroom with amorous Imaginations, her Hair was adorn'd with the most beautiful and odorous Flowers, which surrounded her heavenly Face, and made it appear like a Rose in its bloom, in a delightful Garden, just ready to be gathered. The Bridegroom was dress'd in Cloth of Gold, and Linnen of Flanders lac'd; on his Head was a flaxen Peruke reaching to his Waste of very great Value, and by his Side a Sword, whose Hilt was set with Diamonds.
The Parson by this time being ready to perform his Office, the Bride and Bridegroom, and Diana were usher'd into a great Hall, hung round with Scripture Paintings, particularly of our Saviour, illustrating his whole Life from his Birth, and being laid in the Manger to the Time of his Crucifixion. When the Service was over, and the wedded Couple had join'd their Hands and Hearts, a splendid Entertainment was provided by the Parson to refresh them after