He said, no woman's smiles should buy his freedom;, And marriage is a mortifying thing. Mon. Then I am ruin'd, if Castalio's false. Where is there faith and honour to be found? Ye gods that guard the innocent, and guide 300 Oh, but I love him! There's the rock will wreck me! Why was I made with all my sex's softness, Yet want the cunning to conceal its follies? Enter CASTALIO and POLYDORE alone. He comes, the conqueror comes! lie still, my heart, And learn to bear thy injuries with scorn. Cast. Madam, my brother begs he may have leave To tell you something that concerns you nearly. I leave you, as becomes me, and withdraw. Mon. My lord, Castalio! Cast. Madam ? Mon. Have you purpos'd To abuse me palpably? What means this usage ? Why am I left with Polydore alone? Cast. He best can tell you. Business of importance Calls me away; I must attend my father. Mon. Will you then leave me thus ? Cast. But for a moment. Mon. It has been otherwise; the time has been, 320 When business might have staid, and I been heard. Cast. I could for ever hear thee; but this time Matters of such odd circumstances press me, That I must go [Exit. Mon. Then go, and, if't be possible, for ever. Mon. Talk not of love, my Lord, I must not hear it. Pol. Who can behold such beauty and be silent? Desire first taught us words. Man, when created, At first alone long wander'd up and down, Forlorn, and silent as his vassal-beasts; But when a heav'n-born maid, like you, appear'd, Strange pleasures fill'd his eyes, and fir'd his heart, 340 Unloos'd his tongue, and his first talk was love. Mon. The first created pair indeed were bless'd; They were the only objects of each other, Therefore he courted her, and her alone: But in this peopled world of beauty, where There's roving room, where you may court, and ruin A thousand more, why need you talk to me? Pol. Oh! I could talk to thee for ever. Eternally admiring, fix and gaze Thus On those dear eyes; for every glance they send Man. How can you labour thus for my undoing? I must confess, indeed, I owe you more There always was a friendship 'twixt our families; swear, 361 Pol. 'Twas Heav'n ordain'd it so, to make me happy. Was never in the right! y'are always false Now smile, then frown; now sorrowful, then glad; Ev'ry rank fool goes down Mon. Indeed, my Lord, 380 I own my sex's follies; I have 'em all. I'd rather run a savage in the woods Amongst brute beasts, grow wrinkled and deform'd, "As wildness and most rude neglect could make me," So I might still enjoy my honour safe From the destroying wiles of faithless men. [Exit. Pol. Who'd be that sordid foolish thing call'd man, To cringe thus, fawn, and flatter for a pleasure, Which beasts enjoy so very much above him? The lusty bull ranges through all the field, And from the herd singling his female out, Enjoys her, and abandons her at will. It shall be so; I'll yet possess my love; Wait on, Beat down her guard of honour all before me, [Exeunt Pol. and Page. ACT 11. SCENE 1. A Salloon. Enter ACASTO, CASTALIO, and POLYDORE. Acasto. To-day has been a day of glorious sport. Cast. The actions of your life were always wond'rous. by't; It is a little sneaking art, which knaves Use to cajole and sotten fools withal. If thou hast flattery in thy nature, out with it, "Pol. Why there? "Acast. 'Tis, next to money, current there; "To be seen daily in as many forms 20 |