ERGASTO

Indeed will I. Why I'll make buttons of'em, and had they half The valve that I swore they had, when I did beg'em, Rich orient Diamonds could not equal them: Some came easily, and some I was forced to dig for in the Mine I was and Ass when I talked so: Those damned books of Chastity I read In my minority corrupted me; but since I'm practised in the World, I find there are No greater Libertines than married men. It's true 'twas dangerous, this knot in the First Age, when it was a crime to break vows: But thanks to VENUS, the Scene is altered, And we act other parts. I'll tell thee, The privileges we enjoy when we are married. First, our secrecy is held Authentic, Which is assurance will take up any woman at Interest, that is not peevish, then the acquaintance Which our wives bring us, to whom at times I carry My wives commendations, and if their husbands be Not at home, I do commend my self. For a good Dancer, A good Rider, a good — any thing That I think will please they. It'll be my best resolution. But hark in thy Ear Rogue, I could be content to think, and Wish mine and all — for the public good, And wear my horns with as much confidence, As the best velvet head of'em all, and paint Them in my Crest, with this Inscription; These he deserved for his love to the Commonwealth. A more lasting one than any Monument you can Repeat the Epitaph of, and would it not be Glorious to be commemorated as the first founder Of the Commonalty of undisparaged Cuckolds? And cursed by Surgeons that were undone by Honest women's practices. By JUPITER never; no, thought would preserve A thousand smooth foreheads: if she be honest Your Arts cannot altar her, and if otherwise, Had I not rather adopt a son of thine Than a strangers: and confess truly CLEON, Would not you for this public benefit be Content to sacrifice a Sister, that we might Love no longer by obligations, but affection; and Seeing, liking, and enjoying, finished in a meeting. No airy ones of liking and affection, but mine Are built on terrafirma already, which her father Looks on greedily, and proportions This to that grandchild, to the second this. Indeed it was my enemy while my elder brother lived. A pretty Satire this, to whip boys of nine: Yet still I tell thee, I am another in the opinion of the world. By reason, which is a spirit will hardly be Raised in you, but thus it is: while my brother Lived, my wildness was observed by — Hear me and be converted; I say I was Observed by those that were nearest in blood to me, And with fear too, least the ruin of my Fortune might force them to supply my wants. This caused the Ague,; this the admonitions, and Frequent counsels; sometime severe reproofs, Every one curling himself from any Hope's of mine, They would assist me, and those gave largest counsels, That would give nothing else. Since n y brother's death, the names of things Are changed, my riots are the bounties of my nature, Carelessness the freedom of my soul, My prodigality and easenesse of mind proportioned To my fortune: believe me CLEON, this poverty Is that which puts a multiplying-glass upon our Faults, and makes'em swell, and fill the eye; Our crimes cry highest then, when they have brought us low. True, and let it be thy rule for all things else. Thou'lt never be, unless it be this way. I prophesy, good CLEON. None present that I can fear, having her Father's firm consent And I hope will, till I am full possessed of HERMIONE. Nor knew then any of offence, or his pretences, Which his folly looked I should divine; he met me on the guard, And drew upon me; we had a lettle scuffle, Were parted, and he banished for the insolence. By all means, he was by in the noised battle, saw the Prince cleave this man to the twist, divide a second, overthrow A third, he is his Trumpet. Wilt thou be happy CLEON, believe not Fame So far, as to make thy self less than another man, There were thousands that served for six Sestersce, That did more than both; yet sleep forgotten: It's Now time to meet the Ladies on the walk. Madam will you honour me, and this Gentleman, With a sighed of that which does enrich the World? So breaks the morning forth, but the Suns Rays, are not so quick and piercing as your eyes, For they descend even to our hearts. Why Madame? Your wit does make you cruel: but Madam, I Have something to deliver unto you, which your Father commanded no ear should hear but yours. Madam? Why Madam, this intemperance? If you are augry Madam with all that love you, There lives none that has more enemies, Every eye that looks upon you, you must hate. Yes of Heaven, that it would furnish me With merits fit to deserve your Cozen. Why are you fair? or why has my scars Enforced me to love nothing else? Is she not strangely fair? D'ee think that there are such faces in Elizium? Nor any thing else, her beauty makes me forget All things that has no Reference to it. It's a fear that makes me tremble. Now we are met, what shall we do to keep us together? What the Ladies? One that I would sacrifice half my life, To have but a weeks enjoying of. Your limitation takes away much of my answer: But grant all that you say, I have no hope of Obtaining my Mistress. She is so deserving, she thinks none worthy Ofher affections, and so can love none. I was of your mind, till I had experience Of the contrary. And do you think there is any thing fitter To call down affection than submission? Thou were't and excellent fool in a chamber, if you Continue, you'll be so in a Comedy: Dost believe Thau canst swagger them out of their loves? It's safer they should do so, than hate us for our insole ̄ ce. You must deal by enchantment then; for I am Resolved to stick to my conclusions. Would I could. You mistake me; I mean I could not tell, because No Tongue can speak her to her merit. You mistake me gentlemen, I choose for my self, not for you. You have met with rare Fortune's. I had her Father's firm consent before he declared himself. Is't possible? Take this Ring, and this. Tle pay thy Dowry then within this half hour; I'll wait on her. A las Gentlemen, I was born to know nothing Of love, but sighs and despairs. I can be servant to none that have the election of two. Nay, I am no Expositer; you come my Lord, To see my Cozen Hermione? I do Madam, And should be proud to hear I live in her memory. If I herd her desire it, she should quickly have her wish. I, her good nature. I will deal truly with thee; she has taken My heart out of HERMIONES keeping. I am desperately in love. I'll attempt it, let what will follow. Madam, what would you expect from him You had redeemed from captivity? It's just, but this may be no great favour to the slave, If his misery be only altered, not lessened. But you can suffer your self to be beloved? I'll ne re consider whom I offend in loving you: I wish her beauty centupled, that my first Obligation To you might be, leaving her: by this fair hand I'll never name any but you for Mistress. The More you herd of. Excluded by your rigour, Madam, I was entreating Your foire Cozen to present my vows. No more, you cannot doubt it Madam, turn in Your eyes upon your beauty's and perfections, and they Will tell you, how impossible it is to loose the Empire They have gained upon our hearts and wills: Fortune and want of merit may make me loose The hope of your fair graces, but nover so much Traitor, As to pay homage to any other beauty, or change The resolution I have fixed to be your servant only. You might condemn it, had not you been the Cause on't: I never think your Name, but with A Reverence great as I pay the gods; and they Allow us bending to their Images when we Transfer our vows: The fair Irene is worthy all, Have not the hope of you, but while you give me leave To cherish that ambition; I must not own So great and injury, as to admit the proffered love of those Who are so distant from your merit. In her presence I will confirm this to you. Madam. I have undone my self for ever. I told Hermione I never loved Irene. O yes, it might have been for sworn else. Ask him, he made me do't. A precipice, as being ashamed to live any longer. Is she gone? How did she look? Observe me. Most perfectly, and came to congratulate With the Prince, for her double recovery. What's in my power to give him satisfaction: He may command. Ages of happiness attend them: If I may hope to Gain the graces of the fair IRENE, I shall be happy too. He has reason, for I have opened my breast to him, And he has seen my heart, and you inthroned in't. What in the name of doubt? I ever shall be yours.