Cas. 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. Well, my lord Polydore, I guess your business, And read th' ill-natur'd purpose in your eyes.   Pol. If to desire you, more than misers wealth, Or dying men an hour of added life; If softest wishes, and a heart more true Than ever suffer'd yet for love disdain'd, Speak an ill nature; you accuse me justly.   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, 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. Thus Eternally admiring, fix, and gaze, On those dear eyes; for every glance they send Darts through my soul.   Mon. How can you labour thus for my undoing? I must confess, indeed, I owe you more Than ever I can hope, or think, to pay. There always was a friendship 'twixt our families; And therefore when my tender parents dy'd, Whose ruin'd fortunes too expir'd with them, Your father's pity and his bounty took me, A poor and helpless orphan, to his care.   Pol. 'Twas Heav'n ordain'd it so, to make me happy. Hence with this peevish virtue, 'tis a cheat; And those who taught it first were hypocrites. Come, these soft tender limbs were made for yielding.   Mon. Here, on my knees, by heav'n's blest pow'r I swear, [kneels. If you persist, I ne'er henceforth will see you, But rather wander through the world a beggar, And live on sordid scraps at proud men's doors; For, though to fortune lost, I'll still inherit My mother's virtues, and my father's honour.   Pol. Intolerable vanity! your sex Was never in the right! y'are always false, Or silly; ev'n your dresses are not more Fantastic than your appetites; you think Of nothing twice; opinion you have none. To-day y'are nice, to-morrow not so free; Now smile, then frown; now sorrowful, then glad; Now pleas'd, now not: and all, you know not why!   Mon. Indeed, my lord, I own my sex's follies; I have 'em all; And, to avoid its fault, must fly from you. Therefore, believe me, could you raise me high As most fantastic woman's wish could reach, And lay all nature's riches at my feet; I'd rather run a savage in the woods, Amongst brute beasts, grow wrinkled and deform'd, So I might still enjoy my honour safe, From the destroying wiles of faithless men.[exit.    Pol. Who'd be that sordid thing call'd man? I'll yet possess my love; it shall be so.[exeunt.

 

---

 

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.A SALOON.