Sy. I had not Leisure.  I would have come, but I could not for my Business.  Business would not permit me hitherto to come to see you.  These Floods of Business that I have been plung’d in would not permit me to pay my Respects to you.  I have been so busy I could not come.  I have been harass’d with so many vexatious Matters that I could not get an Opportunity.  I have been so taken up with a troublesome Business that I could never have so much Command of myself.  You must impute it to my Business, and not to me.  It was not for Want of Will, but Opportunity.  I could not get Time till now.  I have had no Time till now.  I never have had any Leisure till this Time.  I have been so ill I could not come.  I could not come, the Weather has been so bad.

Ge. Indeed I accept of your Excuse, but upon this Condition, that you don’t make use of it often.  If Sickness has been the Occasion of your Absence, your Excuse is juster than I wish it had been; I’ll excuse you upon this Condition, that you make Amends for your Omission by Kindness, if you make up your past Neglect by your future frequent Visits.

Sy. You don’t esteem these common Formalities.  Our Friendship is more firm than to need to be supported by such vulgar Ceremonies.  He visits often enough that loves constantly.

Ge. A Mischief take those Incumbrances that have depriv’d us of your Company.  I can’t tell what to wish for bad enough to those Affairs that have envy’d us the Company of so good a Friend.  A Mischief take that Fever that hath tormented us so long with the Want of you.  I wish that Fever may perish, so thou thyself wert but safe.

* * * * *

Of Commanding and Promising.

JAMES, SAPIDUS.

Ja. I pray you take a special Care of this Matter.  I earnestly intreat you to take Care of this Affair.  If you have any Respect for me, pray manage this Affair diligently.  Pray be very careful in this Affair.  Pray take a great Deal of Care about this Business for my Sake.  If you are indeed the Man I always took you to be, let me see in this Concern what Esteem you have for me.

Sa. Say no more, I’ll dispatch this Affair for you, and that very shortly too.  I can’t indeed warrant you what the Event shall be, but this I promise you, that neither Fidelity nor Industry shall be wanting in me.  I will take more Care of it than if it were mine own Affair; tho’ indeed that which is my Friend’s I account as my own.  I will so manage the Affair, that whatever is wanting, Care and Diligence shall not be wanting.  Take you no Care about the Matter, I’ll do it for you.  Do you be easy, I’ll take the Management of it upon myself.  I am glad to have an Opportunity put into my Hand of shewing you my Respect.  I do not promise you in Words, but I will in Reality perform whatsoever is to be expected from a real Friend, and one that heartily wishes you well.  I won’t bring you into a Fool’s Paradise.  I’ll do that which shall give you Occasion to say you trusted the Affair to a Friend.