to death spare 'em not El. Or it may be we mistake all this while and their pitiful looks are caused by loving too much Vid. Right Madam a little too Uxorious Ha Ha! St. A. Now have not I one word to say but stand to endure all Jerks like a School-boy with my Shirt up Pol. I 'll have one fling at 'em tho' I dye for 't why Ladies you 'll overshoot your selves at this rate Must we only be the Butts to bear all your Railery methinks you might spend one Arrow at random and take off that Daw that Chatters so near you Gad and I think I paid 'em there Cel. Butts and Daw Let me never Laugh agen if they be not Witty too Why you pleasant Rogues Z'life I cou'd Kiss 'em if they did not stink of Matrimony St. A. Mum Mum Mum. Did not I tell you 't was a madness to speak to ' em El. They envy my Friend too here this pleasant Companion Cel. This dear agreeable Person Nem. Ay Damme Madam the Rogues envy us El. What a gentle Aspect Cel. How proper and Airy El. See here 's Blood in this Face Vid. Pure Blood Madam at your Service Cel. Will you walk dear Sir give me your hand El. And me yours Nem. Come you dear ravishing Rogues Your Servant Mr. Butts Vid. Gentle Mr. Butts El. Adieu sweet Mr. Butts Cel. Witty Mr. Butts Ha Ha Ha! Exeunt Nem. Vid. Cel. El. St. A. Well I 'll to a Dutchess Pol. Lord thou art always so high-flown Hast thou never a cast Countess for me St. A. Come along to the Ball and thou shalt see the Duke of Nemours is the Gallant to night and Treats at his Palace because 't is the King's Birth-day Let me see what new Fancy for the Masquerade Oh! I have it Because the Town is much taken with Fortune-telling I 'll act the Dumb Man the Highlander that made such a noise and thou shalt be my Interpreter Come along and as we go I 'll instruct thee in the Signs Pol. Dear Rogue let 's practise a little before we stir As what sign for Lechery because we may Nick our Wives St. A. Why thus that 's a glanting squeez'd Eye or thus for a moist Hand or thus for a Whore in a corner or thus for downright Cuckolding Pol. Well I swear this will be rare sport and so my damn'd Spouse I am resolv'd to tickle her with a squeez'd Eye and a moist Hand and a Whore in a corner till she confess her self guilty of downright Cuckoldom then in revenge for her last Impudence Sue for a Divorce And holding to her Face the flying Label Call her in open Court the Whore of Babel Exeunt SCENE II. The Prince and Princess of Cleve P. C. MAdam the King commands me to attend His Daughter into Spain and further adds Because no Princess Rivals you in Fame You will oblige the Court in going with me Princess C. My Lord I am prepar'd and leave the Court With such a Joy as wou'd admit no bounds P. C. As wou'd admit no bounds and why because It takes you from the Charms which you wou'd shun This is a Vertue of such height indeed As none but you can boast nor I deplore But Madam Rumor says the King intends To joyn another with me Princess C. Who my Lord P. C. 'T was thought at first the Chevalier de Guise Princess C. He is your Friend nor cou'd the King choose better P. C. I say at first 't was thought the Duke of Guise But I was since instructed by the Queen That Honour 's fixt upon the Duke Nemours Princess C. Nemours my Lord P. C. Most certain Princess C. For what reason P. C. Because I mov'd the Dauphin Queen to gain him Princess C. 'T was rashly done against your Interest mov'd P. C. Perhaps 't is not too late yet to supplant him Princess C. Do 't then be quick Nemours will share your Honours Eclipse your Glory P. C. Ha I must confess The Soldiers love him and he bears the Palm Already from the Marshals of the Field Princess C. And in the Court he 's call'd the Rising Star You see each night at every Entertainment Where he moves what Troops of Beauties follow How the Queens praise him and all Eyes admire him P. C. Ha! Chartres Princess C. Ah! my Lord what have I done P. C. Nothing my Chartres but admire Nemours O Heaven and Earth and if I had but Patience To hear you out how had you lost your self On that Eternal Object of your Love No Madam no 't is false 't is no Nemours 'T was my invention to find out the truth Your trouble has convinc'd me 't is Nemours Which curst Discovery in another Woman I shou'd have made by her too eager Joy. Why speak you Not you 're shock'd with your own Vertue The resolution of your Justice aws you Which cannot dares not give it self the Lye. Princess C. My Lord my Love my Life Alas my Cleve O pity me I know not what to answer I 'm mortally asham'd I 'm on the Rack But spare this humble Passion Take me with you Where I may never see a Man again P. C. O Rise my Chartres Rise if possible I 'll force thee to be mine in spite of Fate My constant Martyrdom and deathless Kindness My more than Mortal Patience in these Sufferings Shall poize his noblest Qualities O Heav'n No fear my Chartres tho these Sorrows fall That I suspect thy Glory thou hast strength To curb this Passion in that else may end us All that I ask thee is to bend thy Heart Princess C. I 'll break it P. C. Turn it from Nemours Nemours But Oh! that name presents thy danger greater Look to thy Honour then and look to mine I ask it as thy Lover and thy Husband I beg it as a Man whose Life depends Upon thy Breath that offers thee a Heart All bleeding with the Wounds of Mortal Love All hack'd and gash'd and stab'd and mangled o'er And yet a Heart so true in spite of pain As ne'er yet lov'd nor ever shall again Exit P.C. Enter Irene Iren. Ha! Madam speak how is it with your Heart Princess C. As with a timorous Slave condemn'd to Torments That still cries out he cannot will not bear it And yet bears on Iren. Ah Madam I wou'd speak If you cou'd bear the dreadful News I bring Princess C. Alas thou canst not add to grief like mine Iren. May I demand then if you have not told The Secret to your Husband Princess C. Ha! Iren Why dost thou ask Iren. Because but now Tournon a Lady of the Queens Told me 't is blaz'd at Court Nemours confessed He is belov'd by one of such nice Virtue That fearing lest the Passion might betray her She own'd confess'd and told it to her Husband Princess C. Death and Despair But does Nemours avow it Iren. He own'd it to the Vidam who agen Told it to Madam Tournon she to others
Pardon for interrupting you But if you have a mind to hear the sweetest Airs in the World Nem. With all my heart Sir Pol. Nay since your Grace has put my hand in I 'll sing you my Lord before you go the softest thing compos'd in the Nonage of my Muse yet such a one as our best Authors borrow from Nay I 'll be judg'd by your Grace if they do not steal their Dying from my Killing St. A. Nay prithee Poltrot thou art so impertinent Pol. No more impertinent than your self Sir nor do I doubt Sir but my Character shall be drawn by the Poets for a Man of Wit and Sense Sir as well as your self Sir Vid. Ay I 'll be sworn shall it Pol. For I know how to Repartee with the best to Rally my Wife to kick her too if I please Sir to make Similes as fast as Hops Sir tho I lay a dying slap dash Sir quickly off and quickly on Sir and as round as a Hoop Sir St. A. I grant you Dear Bully all this but let 's have your Song another time because mine are begun Pol. Nay look you Dear Rogue mine is but a Prologue to your Play and by your leave his Grace has a mind to hear it and he shall hear it Sir Nem. Ay and will hear it Sir tho the Great Turk were at St. Dennis's Gate come along my Orpheus and then Sir we 'll follow you to the Prince of Cleve's Ballad When Phoebus had fetch'd c. Exeunt Singing SCENE III. The Prince of Cleve ' s Palace Musick SONG IN a Room for Delight the Landskip of Love Like a shady old Lawn With the Curtains half drawn My Love and I lay in the cool of the day Till our Ioyes did remove II. So fierce was our Fight and so smart e'ry stroak That Love the little Scout Was put to the Rout His Bow was unbent e'ry Arrow was spent And his Quiver all broke Enter Vidam Nemours Nem. I have lost my Letter and by your Description It must be that which the Queen read at Court. But are you sure the Princess of Cleve has seen it Vid. Why are you so concern'd does your wild Love Turn that way too She is too Grave Nem. Too Grave as if I cou'd not laugh with this and try with that and veer with every gust of Passion But has she seen it Vid. She has the Letter the Queen Dauphin sent it her Nem. Then you must own it on occasion and whatever else I shall put upon your Person Vid. Why Nem. Lest it shou'd reach the Ears of Marguerite For Oh my Vidam 't is such a ranting Devil If she believes this Letter mine when next We meet beware my Locks and Eyes No more But this remember that you own it Exit Enter St. Andre and Poltrot St. A. His Bow was unbent c. Singing with Poltrot Come my Lord we 'll have all over agen Enter the Prince of Cleve Vid. See we have rais'd the Prince of Cleve My Lord good Morrow P. C. Good morrow my good Lord Save you my dear Nemours Pol. Give you Joy my Lord What a little blew under the Eyes Ha Ha St. A. Give you Joy my Lord Ha my Lord Ha. Holds up 3 Fing Pol. Ha my Lord Ha Holding up five Fingers P. C. You are merry Gentlemen I am not in the vein Therefore Dear Chartres take these Fingers hence St. A. My Lord you look a little heavy shall we Dance Sing Fence take the Air Ride Vid. Come away Sir the Prince is indispos'd St. A. Gad I remember now I talk of riding at the Tournament of Mete as I was riding the great Horse Vid. Leave off your Lying and come along St. A. With three pushes of Pike and six hits of Sword I wounded the Duke of Ferrara Duke of Millain Duke of Parma Prince of Cleve P. C. My Lord I was not there St. A. My Lord I beg your Lordships pardon I meant the Vidam of Chartres Vid. You Lye I was then at Rome St. A. My Lord Pol. Ha Ha Lord Lord how this World is given to Lying Ha Come come you 're damnably out come away St. A. My Lord I beg your pardon I see you are indispos'd besides the Queen oblig'd me this Morning to let 'em choose Colours for my Complexion Vid. Heark you will you go or shall I Pulling him off by the Nose St. A. My Friend my Lord you see is a little Familiar but I am ever your Highness's most humble faithful obedient Servant Exeunt Manet P. Cleve Full of himself the happy Man is gone Why was not I too cast in such a Mould To think like him or not to think at all Enter the Princess of Cleve Had he a Bride like me Earth wou'd not bear him But Oh I wish that it might cover me Since Chartres cannot love me Oh I found it Last night I found it in her cold Embraces Her Lips too cold Cold as the Dew of Death And still whene'er I prest her in my arms I found my Bosom all afloat with Tears Princess C. He weeps O Heaven my Lord the Prince of Cleve P. C. My Life my Dearest part Princess C. Why Sighs my Lord What have I done Sir thus to discompose you P. C. Nothing Princess C. Ah Sir there is a Grief within And you wou'd hide it from me P. C. Nothing my Chartres nothing here but Love. Princess C. Alas my Lord you hide that Secret from me Which I must know or think you never lov'd me P. C. Ah Princess that you lov'd but half so well Princess C. I have it then you think me Criminal And tax my Honour P. C. Oh forbid it Heaven But since you press me Madam let me ask you Why when the Princess led you to the Altar Why cak'd the Tears upon your Bloodless Face Why sigh'd you when your hand was clasp'd with mine As if your Heart your Heart refus'd to joyn Princess C. Ah Sir P. C. Behold you 're dash'd with the remembrance Why when my Hopes were fierce and Joys grew strong Why were you carri'd like a Coarse along When like a Victim by my side you lay Why did you Gasp why did you Swoon away O speak You have a Soul so open and so clear That if there be a Fault it must appear Princess C. Alas you are not skill'd in Beauties cares For Oh! when once the god his Wrath declares And Stygian Oaths have wing'd the bloody Dart To make its passage thro the Virgins Heart She hides her Wound and hasting to the Grove Scarce whisp'ring to the Winds her conscious Love. The touch of him she loves she 'll not endure But Weeps and Bleeds and strives against the Cure So judge of me when any Grief appears Believe my Sighs are kind and trust my Tears P. C. Vanish my Doubts and Jealousies be gon On thy lov'd Bosom let me break my Joy O only Sweets that Fill but never Cloy And was it was it only Virgins
your way Nem. Why then the whole Town does me wrong because I take no notice of theirs thus t'other night I was in company with two or three well-bred Fops that found fault with my Obscenity and protested 't was such a way Why 't is the way of ye all only you sneak with it under your Cloaks like Taylors and Barbers and I as a Gentleman shou'd do walk with it in my hand For prithee observe does not your Priest the same thing did not I see Father Patrick declaiming against Flesh in Lent strip up to the Elbow and telling the Congregation he had eat nothing but Fish these twenty years yet protest to the Ladies that Fat Arm of his which was a chopping one was the least Member about him Bell. Faith and it may be so too Nem. Does not your Politician your little great Man of bus'ness that sets the World together by the Ears after all his Plotting Drudging and Sweating at Lying retire to some little Punk and untap at Night Vid. I submit to the weight of your Reasons and confess the whole World does you Injustice wherefore I judge it fit that they Bring your Grace their Wives and Daughters to make you amends Nem. Why now thou talk'st like an honest Fellow for never let bus'ness Flatter thee Frank into Nonsense Women are the sole Pleasure of the World nay I had rather part with my whole Estate Health and Sense than lose an Inch of my Love I was t'other day at a pretty Entertainment where two or three Grave Politick Rogues were wond'ring why Women shou'd be brought into Plays I as gravely reply'd the World was not made without 'em he full Pop upon me But Sir it had been better if it had Vid. And then no doubt a gloomy Smile arose Nem. These are your Rogues Frank that wou'd be thought Criticks that are never pleas'd but with something new as they call it just proper and never as men speak you 're out of the way men that hate us Rogues with a way Bell. But after all this they 'll run you down and say your Grace is no Scholar Nem. Why Faith nor wou'd be if Learning must wrench a Man's Head quite round I understand my Mother-tongue well enough and some others just as I do Women not to be married to 'em but to serve my turn what 's good in 'em never scapes me but as for Points and Tags for which those solemn Fops are to be valued I slight 'em nor wou'd remember 'em if I cou'd for he that once listens to Jingling ten to one if ever he gets it out of his head while he lives But prithee be gone and leave me to my Musing find Tournon out my Vidam and bid her remember the Handkercher Away thou art concern'd in the bus'ness therefore away Exeunt Vid. Bell. Enter the Princess of Cleve Irene Nem. She comes ye Gods with what a pompous State The Stars and all Heav'ns Glories on her wait That 's out of the way too But now for my Closet Exit Princess C. No no I charge thee pity me no longer But on the Earth let us consult our Woes For Earth I shall be shortly sit and hear me While on thy Faithful Bosom thus I lean My akeing Head and breath my cruel Sorrows Iren. Speak Madam speak they 'll strangle if contain'd Princess C. As late I lay upon a flow'ry Bank My Head a little heav'd beyond the Verge To look my Troubles in the Rockless Stream I slept and dreamt I saw The bosom of the Flood unfold I saw the Naked Nymphs ten Fathom down With all the Crystal Thrones in their Green Courts below Where in their busie Arms Nemours appear'd His Head reclin'd and swoll'n as he were drown'd While each kind Goddess dew'd his Senseless Face With Nectars drops to bring back Life in vain When on a sudden the whole Synod rose And laid him to my Lips Oh my Irene Forgive me Honour Duty Love forgive me I found a Pleasure I ne'er felt before Dissolving Pains and Swimming shuddering Joys To which my Bridal Night with Cleve was dull Enter the Prince of Cleve Iren. Behold him Madam P. C. Ha! my Chartres How Why on the Earth Princess C. Because my Lord it suits The humble posture of my sad Condition P. C. These Starts agen but why thy sad Condition O rise and tell me why this Melancholy Why fall those Tears Why heaves this Bosom thus Nay I must then constrain thee with my Arms. Rise Is 't possible does then thy load of Grief Oppress thee so thou canst not speak for Sighing Ah Chartres Chartres then thou didst but sooth me There is some cause too frightful to be told And thou hast learnt the art too to dissemble Princess C. O Heavens dissemble when I strip my Soul Shew it all bear and trembling to your view Can you suspect me Sir for a Dissembler P. C. By all my Hopes Doubts Jealousies and Fears I know not what to think I think thou show'st Thy inmost thought and now I think thou dost not I think there is a Bosom secret still And have a dawn of it through all thy Folds That hide it from my view O trust me Cleve Trust me whate'er it be I love thee more Than thou lov'st help for that which thus inthrauls thee Trust thy Dear Husband O let loose the pain That makes thee droop though it shou'd be my death By thy dear self I 'll welcome it to ease thee Princess C. Thou best of all thy Kind why shou'd you rack me Who dare not cannot speak No more but this Take me from Paris from the Court. P. C. Ha Chartres how What from the Court of Paris why Princess C. Because my Mothers Death-bed Counsel so advised me Because the Court has Charms because I love A Grotto best because 't is best for you And me and all the World. P. C. Because O Heaven Because there is some cursed Charm at Court Which you love better than me and all the World. The Reason's plain for which you wou'd remove To lose the Mem'ry of some lawless Love. Princess C. Why then am I detain'd if that 's your fear P. C. It is it ought and shall and Oh! you must Confess this horrid Falshood to my Face Princess C. Never my Lord never confess a Lye By Heav'ns I love your Life above my own P. C. Not that not that speak home and fly not wide Swear by thy self thou dearly purchas'd Pleasure Swear by those Chaster Sweets thy Mother left thee Swear that thy Soul which cannot hide a Treason Prefers me ev'n to all the World Hold Precious Swear that thou lov'st him more And only lov'st him And in such Sense as not to love another Princess C. Ah Sir why will you sink me to your Feet Where I must lye and groan my Life away P. C. Speak Chartres Speak nor let the name of Husband Sound Terror to thy Soul for by my hopes Of Paradice
howe'er thou usest me I am thy Creature still to make and mould me Thy cringing crawling Slave and will adore The hand that kills me Princess C. O you are too good And I must never hope for Pardon Yet I cou'd excuse it but my Lord I will not Know then I cannot speak P. C. Nor I by Heav'n Princes C. I Love. P. C. Go on Princess C. I love you as my Soul. P. C. Ha But the rest Princess C. Alas alas I dare not P. C. Why then farewel for ever Princess C. Stay and take it Take the extreamest Pang of tortur'd Vertue Take all I love I love thee Cleve as Life But Oh! I love I love another more P. C. Oh Chartres Oh Princess C. Why did you rack me then You were resolv'd and now you have it all P. C. All Chartres All Why can there then be more But rise and know I by this Kiss forgive thee Thou hast made me wretched by the clearest proof Of perfect Honour that e'er flow'd from Woman But crown the misery which you have begun And let me know who 't is you wou'd avoid Who is the happy man that had the power To burn that Heart which I cou'd never warm Princess C. Forgive me Sir in this Prudence commands Eternal silence P. C. Ha! if silent now Why didst thou speak at all If here thou stop'st I shall conclude that which I thought thy vertue A start of passion which thou cou'dst not hide And now Vexation gnaws thy guilty Soul With a too late Repentance for confessing His name Princess C. You shall not know it Yes my Lord Now a too late Repentance tears my Soul And tells me I have done amiss to trust you Yet by my hopes of ease at last by Death I swear my Love has never yet appear'd To any Man but you P. C. Weep not my Chartres for howe'er my Tongue Upbraid thy Fame my Heart still worships thee And by the Blood that chills me round I swear From this sad Moment I 'll ne'er urge thee more All that I beg of thee is not to hate me Princess C. The study of my Life shall be to love you P. C. Never Oh never I were mad to hope it Yet thou shalt give me leave to fold thy hand To press it with my Lips to sigh upon it And wash it with my Tears Princess C. I cannot bear this kindness without dying P. C. Nay we will walk and talk sometimes together Like Age we 'll call to mind the Pleasures past Pleasures like theirs which never shall return For Oh! my Chartres since thy Heart 's estrang'd The pleasure of thy Beauty is no more Yet I each night will see thee softly laid Kneel by thy side and when thy Vows are paid Take one last kiss e'er I to Death retire Wish that the Heav'ns had giv'n us equal fire Then sigh it cannot be and so expire Exeunt Enter Nemours She Loves she Loves and I 'm the happy Man She has avow'd it past all president Before her Husbands Face Ha! but from Love like hers such daring virtue That like a bleeding Quarry lately chas'd Plunges among the Waves or turns at Bay What is there to expect But let it come The worst can happ'n yet 't is glorious still To bring to such Extreams so chast a mind And charm to love the wisest of her Kind Enter Vidam Ah Vidam I cou'd tell thee such a Story of such a Friend of mine the oddest prettiest out of the way of bus'ness but thou art so flippant there 's no trusting thee Vid. Tournon says the Flag 's held out Nem. Tournon be Damn'd Know then but be secret there is a Friend of mine belov'd But by a Soul so Vertuous Vid. That was too much Nem. That quite from the method of all Womankind she told it to her Husband Vid. That 's strange indeed And how did her Husband like it Nem. Why after a tedious passionate Discourse approved her carriage and swore he lov'd her more than ever so they cry'd and kiss'd and went away most lovingly together Vid. Why then she Cuckolds him to rights nor can he take the Law of her and I 'll be judge by any Bawd in Christendom And so my Lord farewell I have bus'ness of my own and Tournon waits you Nem. But heark you Frank I have occasion for you and must press thee I hope to no unwellcome Office only a Second Vid. With all my heart my Lord the time and place Nem. Just now in Luxemburg Garden betwixt one and two a Challenge from a couple the smartest briskest prettiest Tilting Ladies Vid. Your Servant Sir and as you thrive let me hear from your Grace and so Fate speed your Plow Exit Enter Tournon with Marguerite Nem. And so Fate speed your Plow and you go to that and I shall tell you Sir 't was not handsomly done to leave me thus to the Mercy of two unreasonable Women at once Tour. You have him now in view and so I leave you Exit Tour. Marg. Stand Sir. Nem. To a Lady while I have breath Marg. Wou'd you not fall to a Lady too if she shou'd ask the Favour Nem. Ay Gad any pretty Woman may bring me upon my Knees at her pleasure Marg. O Devil Nem. Prithee my dear soft warm Rogue let thee and I be kind Marg. And Kiss you were going to say Nem. Z'Life how pat she hits me why thou and I were made for one another Let 's try how our Lips fit Marg. Is that your fitting Nem. 'Fore Heaven she 's wond'rous quick Nay my Dear and you go to that I can fit you every way Marg. You are a notorious talker Nem. And a better doer prithee try Marg. As if that were to do now Nem. Nay then I 'm sure of thee for never was a Woman mine once but was mine always Marg. Know then you are a heavy sluggish Fellow but I see there is no more Faith in Man than Woman Cork and Feathers Nem. Make a Shittlecork that 's Woman let me if you please be Battledoor and by Gad for a day and a night I 'll keep up with any Fellow in Christendom Marg. Come away then and I 'll keep count I warrant you Monster Villain Nem. Now is the Devil and I as great as ever I come my Dear But then what becomes of my other Dears For whom I was Prim'd and Charg'd Marg. Why dont you come my Dear Nem. There with that sweet word she cock'd me Marg. Lord how you tremble Nem. There the Pan flash'd Marg. I 'll set my Teeth in you Nem. Now I go off O Man O Woman O Flesh O Devil Finis Actus Secundi ACT III. SCENE I. The Vidam Tournon Tour. A Woman in Love with another and confess it to her Husband What wou'd I give to know her Without all question Nemours is the Person belov'd Vid. That 's plain by his eagerness in the Discovery he forc'd me to hear him whether I wou'd or no
my Comfort is I shall make a new discovery if she keeps her word and she has too much wit to break it before she tryes me Tour. And where are you to make this new discovery Nem. At the Ball in Masquerade Thus wou'd I have Time rowl still all in these lovely Extreams the Corruption of Reason being the Generation of Wit and the Spirit of Wit lying in the Extravagance of Pleasure Nay the two nearest ways to enter the Closet of the Gods and lye even with the Fates themselves are Fury and Sleep Therefore the Fury of Wine and Fury of Women possess me waking and sleeping let me Dream of nothing but dimpl'd Cheeks and laughing Lips and flowing Bowls Venus be my Star and Whoring my House and Death I defie thee Thus sung Rosidore in the Urn But where and when with my Fops Wives be quick thou know'st my appointment with this unknown and the Minute's precious Tour. Why I have contriv'd you the sweetest Wight in the World if you dare Nem. Dare and in a Woman's Cause why I have no drop of Blood about me but must out in their service and what matter is 't which way Tour. Know Poltrot's Lady has inform'd me how St. Andre walks in his sleep and that her Husband last night attempted to Cuckold him that she watch'd and overheard the whole matter but Poltrot cou'd not find the door before St. Andre return'd she doubts not but he will try agen to night Now if you can nick the time when Poltrot rises and steal to her ten to one but she 'll be glad to be reveng'd Nem. Or she wou'd not have told thee the bus'ness There wants but speaking with her taking her by the hand and 't is a bargain Enter Celia Elianora Mask'd Poltrot St. Andre following Tour. Step step aside they are upon the hunt for you and their Husbands have 'em in the wind stand by a while to observe and I 'll turn you loose upon 'em St. A. Ha Tournon by my Honour a Prize let 's board ' em Pol. Be not too desperate my little Frigat for I am that I am a Furious Man of Honour Cel. Now Heav'n defend us what will you give us a Broad-side El. Lord how I dread the Guns of the lower Tire St. A. Such notable Marks-men too we never miss hitting between Wind and Water Cel. I 'll warrant they carry Chain-shot Pray Heav'n they do not split us Sister Pol. Yield then yield quickly or no Mercy we have been so shatter'd to day already by two she Pirates that we are grown desperate El. But what alas have we done that you shou'd turn your Revenge upon us poor harmless Innocents that never wrong'd you never saw you before Cel. If you shou'd deal unkindly with us 't wou'd break our Hearts for we are the gentlest things St. A. And we will use you so gently so kindly like little Birds you shall never repent the loss of your Liberty El. I 'll warrant Sister they 'll put us in a Cage or tye us by the Legs Pol. No upon the word of a Man of Honour your Legs shall be at liberty Cel. What will you Pinnion our Wings then and let us hop up and down the House St. A. Not in the House where we live pretty Soul for there 's two ravenous Sow-Cats will Eat you El. Your Wives you mean. Pol. Something like two Melancholy things that sit purring in the Chimney-corner and to exercise their spite kill Crickets Cel. Oh! for God-sake keep us from your Wives St. A. I 'll warrant thee little Rosamond safe from my jealous Elianor Pol. And if any Wife in Europe dares but touch a hair of thee I say not much but that Wife were better be a Widow El. But are your Wives handsome and well qualited for whatever you say to us when you have had your will you 'll home at night and for my part I cry All or none Pol. And All thou shalt have dear Rogue never fear my Wive's Beauty or good Nature they are things to her like Saints and Angels which she believes never were nor never will be She 's a Bason of Water against Lechery and looks so sharp whenever I see her like Vinegar she makes me sweat St. A. And mine 's so fulsome that a Goat with the help of Cantharides wou'd not touch her Cel. But then for their Qualities St. A. Such Scolds like Thunder they turn all the Drink in the Cellar Pol. Such Niggards they eat Kitchin-stuff and Candles ends Once indeed raving mad my Wife seem'd Prodigal for a Rat having eat his way through an old Cheese she baited a Trap for him with a piece of pareing But having caught him by the Lord she eat him up without mercy tail and all El. Are they not ev'n with us Sister St. A. 'T is hop'd tho the Hangman will take 'em off of our hands for they are shroadly suspected for Witches mine noints her self ev'ry Night sets a Broom-staff in the Chimny and op'ns the Window for what purpose but to fly Pol. Gad and my Wife has Tets in the wrong place she 's warted all over like a pumpl'd Orange Cel. Yet sure Gentlemen you told these Hags another story once and made as deep Protestations to them as you do to us St. A. Never by this hand the Salt Souls fell in Lust with us and haul'd us to Matrimony like Bears to the Stake Pol. Where they set a long black thing upon us that cry'd Have and Hold. El. Put the question they had been Handsome brought you great Poâ—tions were Pleasant and Airy and willing to humour you Enter Nemours with the Vidam Nem. Nay then I can hold no longer Z'death there 's it Madam Willing That Willingness spoils all my Dear my Hony my Jewel it Palls the Appetite like Sack at Meals Give me the smart disdainful she that like brisk Champaign or spritely Burgundy makes me smack my Lips after she 's down and long for t'other Glass St. A. Nay if your Grace come in there 's no dallying I 'll make sure of one Pol. Nay and for my part I am resolv'd to secure another come Madam no striving for I am like a Lion when I lay hold if the Body come not willingly I pull a whole Limb away Nem. Yes Madam he speaks truth â—â—ake it on my word who am a rational Creature he is a great furious wild Beast Cel. Pray Heav'n he be not a horned Beast is the Monster married Vid. Yes Ladies they are both married El. Married For Heav'n sake Gentlemen save us from the Cattle Pol. Why what is the Breeze in your Tails Z'death Ladies we 'll not eat you Cel. Say you so But we 'll not trust you I am sure you both look hungrily Vid. It may be their Wives use 'em unkindly El. And the poor good-natur'd things take it to heart Cel. I swear 't is pity they have both promising looks Nem. Proceed sweet Souls we 'll defend you
'T is true Nemours told not the Ladies name Nor wou'd confess himself to be the Party But yet the Court in general does believe it Pâ—incess C. I am undone my Fame is lost for ever And death Irene must be my remedy 'T is true indeed I laid my Bosom op'n I shew'd my Heart to that ungrateful Cleve Who since in dangerous search of him I love To the eternal ruine of my Honour Has trusted a third Person But away I hear his tread and am resolv'd to tax him Enter Princess C. Ah! Sir what have you done if you must kill me Are there not Daggets Pois'n But the Jealous Are Cruel still and thoughtful in Revenge And single Death 's too little must your will Of knowing Names my duty durst not tell you Oblige you to betray me to another So to divulge the Secret of my Soul That the whole Court must know it P. C. Ha! know what Know my Dishonour have you told it then Princess C. No 't is your self 't is you reveal'd it Sir To gain a Confident for more Discovery A Lady of the Queen 's just now declar'd it To your eternal Shame you have divulg'd it She had it from the Vidam Sir of Chartres And he from the Duke Nemours P. C. Nemours How Madam said you What Nemours Nemours Does Nemours know you love him Hell and Furies And that I know it too and not revenge it Princess C. That 's yet to seek he will not own himself To be concern'd he offers not at names But yet 't is found 't is known believ'd by all He cannot hold it 't will be shortly posted That Cleve your Wife 's that curst dishonour'd She You told him of P. C. Is 't possible I told him Peace Peace and if it lyes in Humane Power To reason calmly tell me Murd'ress tell me Compose that Face of flush'd Hypocrisie And answer to a truth Was it my Interest To speak of this was I not rather ty'd To wish it buried in the Grave in Hell Whence it might never rise to blot my Honour But you have seen him by my hopes of Heaven You have met and interchang'd your secret Souls On that Complotted since I bore so tamely Your first Confession I shou'd bear the latter Princess C. Believe it if you please P. C. I must believe it This last Proceeding has unmask'd your Soul He sees you ev'ry hour and knows you love him Nay for your greater freedom you have joyn'd To make this loath'd detested Cleve your Stale Ha I believ'd you might o'ercome this passion So well you knew to Charm me with the show Of seeming Vertue 'till I lost my Reason Princes C. 'T is likely Sir it was but seeming Vertue And you did ill to judge so kindly of me I was mistaken too in that Confession Because I thought that you wou'd do me Justice P. C. You were mistaken when you thought I wou'd Sure you forgot that I was desperate Sentenc'd and doom'd by Fate or rather damn'd To love you to my Grave And cou'd I bear A Rival what and when I was your Husband And when you own'd your passion to my face Confess'd you lov'd me much But lov'd him more Ha Is not this enough to make me mad Princess C. You have the power to set all right agen Why do you not end me P. C. No I 'll end my self My Toughts are grown too violent for my Reason By this last usage Oh! Thou hast undone me I know not what This ought not to be thine I have offended and wou'd Sue for pardon But yet I blush the Treason is too gross After that most unnatural Confession I wonder now that I have liv'd so long Confess and then divulge make me your Bawd It Scents too far the God of Love flies wide He gets the Wind and stops the Nose at this No more Farewel False Chartres False Nemours False World False All since Chartres is not true But you your Wish with lov'd Nemours shall have And shortly see your Husband in the Grave Exit Princess C. Sola False World False Cleve False Chartres False Nemours Farewel to all a long and last Farewel From all Converse to Deserts let me fly And in some gloomy Cave forgotten lye My Bower at Noon the shade of some old Trees With whistl'ing Winds t'endulge my pomp of ease And lulling Murmurs rowl'd from neighb'ring Seas Where I may sometimes hasten to the Shore And to the Rocks and Waves my Loss deplore Where when I feel my hour of Fate draws on Lest the false World shou'd claim a parting groan My Mothers Ghost may rise to fix my mind And leave no thought of tenderness behind Finis Actus Tertii ACT IV. SCENE I. Musick Songs Maskers c. Nemours with Musick Lady Poltrot Nem. HE has confess'd to me he intends to Cuckold St. Andre when he walks in his sleep Therefore if Love shou'd inspire me to nick the opportunity I hope you will not bar the door which your Husband op'ns L. Pol. Ingrateful Monster Nem. Ingrateful that 's certain and it lyes in your power to make him a Monster L. P. I dare not Nem. What L. P. Trust you Nem. Nay then I am sure thou wilt let me but in to shew the power you have over me L. P. As how my Lord Nem. Why when I have thee in my Arms by Heav'n I 'll quit my Joys at thy desire L. P. That will indeed be a perfect tryal of your love come then through the Garden back-stairs and when you see the Candle put out thrust op'n the door Nem. By Heav'n I 'll eat thy hand Thou dear sweet Seducer how it fires my Fancy to steal into a Garden to rustle through the Trees to stumble up a narrow pair of back stairs to whisper through the hole of the door to kiss it open and fall into thy Arms with a flood of Joy L. P. Farewel the company comes I must leave you a while to engage with my Husband you 'll fall asleep before the hour Nem. If I do the very transport of Imagination shall carry me in my sleep to thy Bed and I 'll wake in the Act. Exit L. Pol. So there 's one in the Fernbrake and if she stir till Morning I have lost my aim but now why what have we here a Hugonot Whore by this light Have I For the forward brisk she that promis'd me the Ball Assignation that said there was nothing like slipping out of the crowd into a corner breathing short an Ejaculation and returning as if we came from Church Let me see I 'll put on my Mask fling my Cloak over my shoulder and view 'em as they pass not thou nor thou Enter Tournon in the Habit of a Hugonot Tour. Ah thou unclean Person have I hunted thee there like a Hart from the Mountains to the Vallies and thou would'st not be found verily thou hast been amongst the Daughters of the Philistines Nay if you are Innocent stand before
smelling Art But sweet by nature as just peeping Violets Or op'ning Buds Marg. Than you do love me Nem. O! I cou'd dye methinks this very hour But for the luscious hopes of thousand more And all like these yet when I must go out Let it be thus with beauty laughing by me Songs Lutes and Canopeis while I Sacrifice To thee the last dear ebbing drop of Love. But show me now that face Marg. No you dissemble you say the same thing to every one you meet I thought once indeed to have fixt my Heart upon you but I 'm off agen and am resolv'd you shall never see me Nem. You dally come by all the kindness past Marg. Swear then Nem. What Marg. Never to touch your dear Domestick she That lives in Shades to all the World but me Do you guess I know you now Nem. I do and swear but are these equal Terms that you shall never touch a Man but me Marg. I will But how can you convince me Oaths with you Libertines of Honour are to little purpose Nem. But this must satisfie thee there is more pleasure in thee after Enjoyment than in her and all Womankind before it thou hast Inspiration Extasie and Transport all these bewitching Joys that make men mad Marg. Unmasking And thou Villany Treachery Perjury all those Monstrous Diabolical Arts that seduce Young Virgins from their Innocent homes to set 'em on the High-way to Hell and Damnation Nem. Ha! Ha! my Marguerite is 't possible Marg. Call me not yours nor think of me agen I am convinc'd you're Traytors all alike And from this hour renounce you Not but Ill be reveng'd Yes I will try the Joys of Life like you But not with Men of Quality you Devils of Honour No I will satisfie My Pride Disdain Rage and Revenge more safely By all the Powers of Heav'n and Earth I will I 'll change my loving lying Tinsel Lord For an obedient wholsome drudging Fool. Nem. Why this will make the matter easie to both Take you your Ramble Madam and I 'll take mine But is 't possible for one of your nice tast To Bed a Fool Marg. To choose to choose my Lord A Fool now by my Will and pride of Heart There 's Freedom Fancy and Creation in 't He truckles to the Frown and cries forgive me Besides the moulding of him without blushing And what wou'd Woman more now view the other Your Man of Sense that vaunts despotick Pow'r The reels precisely home at break of day Thunders the House brains half the Family Cries where 's my Whore what will she Stew till Doomsday When she appears and kindly goes to help him Roars out a Shop a walking-shop of Scents Flavours of Physick and the clammy Bath The stench of Orange-flow'rs the Devil Pulvilio These these he cries are the Blest Husband's Joys Nem. I swear most natural and unaffected Ha! Ha Marg. But if he chance to use her civilly Take heed there 's covert malice in his Smiles Millions to one the Villain has been Whoreing And comes to try Experiments on her Besides a thousand under Plots and Crosses Prescribing silence still where-e'er he comes No chat he cries of Colours Points or Fashions Nem. Preach on Divine Ha Ha Marg. Let me not hear you ask my sickly Lady Whither she found Obstructions at the Waters Nem. Fye that 's Obscene Marg. Thus Damns the Affectation of our Prattle And Swears he 'll Gag the Clack or what is worse Nem. Nay hold Marg. Send for the new found Lock Nem. What Mad Marg. Do Villain Traytor Contrive this Mischief if thou canst for me Send thou the Padlock but I 'll find the Key Exit Nem. Whir goes the Partridge on the purring Wing Yet when I see my time I must recall her For she has admirable things in her such as if I gain not the Princess of Cleve may fix me to her without nauseating the Vice of Constancy Ha! Bellamore Enter Bellamore What News my Dear Ha Hast thou found her Speak Bell. I have Nem. Where how when and by what means Bell. After I had enquir'd after the Prince's Health I ask'd a Woman of his Lady who told me She was retir'd into the great Bower in the Garden Nem. The very place where first I saw and lov'd her When after I had sav'd the Prince's Life He brought me late one ev'ning to the view There Love and Friendship first began My Love remains and Friendship as Much as Man can have for his Cuckold Nay I know not that Man upon Earth I love so well or cou'd take so much from as this hopeful Prince of Cleve Didst thou see her in the Garden Bell. My Lord I did where she appear'd like her that gave Acteon Horns with all her Nimphs about her busie in tyeing Knots which she took from Baskets of Ribbons that they brought her and methought she ti'd and unti'd 'em so prettily as if she had been at Cross Questions or knew not what she did her Face her Neck and Arms quite bare Nem. No more if I live I 'll see her to night for the Heroick Vein comes upon me Death and the Devil what shall become of the back-stair Lady then Heark thee Bellamore take this Key dost thou hear Rogue go to St. Andre's House through the Garden up the back-stairs push open the door and be blest Hell can't I be in two places at once Heark thee give her this and this and this and when thou bitest her with a parting blow sigh out Nemours Bell. I 'll do 't Enter the Prince of Cleve Nem. Go to Tournon for the rest she 'll instruct thee in the Management Away Exit Bell. Ha! he comes up but slowly yet he sees me Perhaps he 's Jealous why then I 'm jealous too Hypocrisie and Softness with all the Arts of Woman Tip my Tongue P. C. I come my Lord to ask you if you love me Nem. Love thee my Cleve by Heav'n e'er yet I saw thee Thus were my Prayers still offer'd to the Fates If I must choose a Friend grant me ye Powers The Man I love may seize my Heart at once Guide him the perfect temper of your selves With ev'ry manly Grace and shining Vertue Add yet the bloom of Beauty to his Youth That I may make a Mistress of him too P. C. O Heav'n Nem. That at first view our Souls may kindle And like two Tapers kindly mix their Beams I knelt and pray'd and wept for such a Blessing And they return'd me more than I cou'd ask All that was Good or Great or Just in thee P. C. You say you love me I must make the proof For you have brought it to a doubt Nem. In what P. C. In this you have not giv'n me all your Heart You Muse of late ev'n on my Bridal day I saw you sit with a too thoughtful brow You sigh'd and hung your Head upon your Hand Nay in the midst of Laughter You started blush'd and cry'd 't was
as Cleve himself You that are made my Lord for other Pleasures Nem. Is this then the reward of all my Passion As if there cou'd be any Happiness For this disconsolate despairing Wretch But in your Love alone Princess C. You 're pleas'd my Lord That I shou'd entertain you and I will Before this dear Remembrancer of Cleve We 'll talk of murder'd Love And you shall hear From this abandon'd part of him that was How much you have been lov'd Nem. Ha! Madam Princess C. Yes Sighing I speak it Sir you have inspir'd me With something which I never felt before That pleas'd and pain'd the quicknings of first Love Nor fear'd him then when with his Infant Beams He dawn'd upon my chill and senseless Blood. But Oh! when he had reach'd his fierce Meridian How different was his form that Angel Face With his short Rayes shot to a glaring God. I grew inflam'd burnt inward and the Breath Of the grown Tyrant parch'd my Heart to Ashes Nor need I blush to make you this Confession Because my Lord 't is done without a Crime Nem. Because for this most blest discovery I am resolv'd to kneel an Age before you Princess C. Rise I conjure you rise I 've told you nothing But what you knew my Lord too well before Not but I always vow'd to keep those Rules My Duty shou'd prescribe Nem. Strike me not dead With Duty 's name by Heav'n I Swear you 're free As Air as Waters Winds or open Wilds There is no Form of Obligation now Nay let me say for Duty O forgive me 'T is utmost Duty now to keep that Love You have confess'd for me Princess C. 'T is Duty 's Charge The voice of Honour and the cry of Love That I shou'd fly from Paris as a Pest That I shou'd wear these Rags of Life away In Sunless Caves in Dungeons of Despair Where I shou'd never think of Man agen But more particularly that of you For Reasons yet unknown Nem. Unknown they are And wou'd to Heav'n they might be ever so Since 't is impossible they shou'd be just Nay Madam let me say the Ghost of Cleve Princess C. Ah! Sir how dare you mention that dear name That drains my Eyes and cries to Heav'n for Blood. Name it no more without the Consequence For 't is but too too true you were the Cause Of Cleve's untimely Death I Swear I think No less than if you had stabb'd him through the Heart Nem. O! Cruel Princess but why shou'd I answer When thus you raise the shadow of a reason To ruin me for ever Is it a fault To Love Then blame not me No Madam no But blame your self who told it to your Husband But Oh! you wou'd not argue thus against me If ever you had lov'd You have deceiv'd your self and flatter'd me Why am I thrown else from the Glorious Height Snatch'd in a moment from my blissful State And hurl'd like Lightning by the hand of Fate Prineess C. Be satisfi'd my Lord you are not flatter'd I have such Love for you that Duties bar Wou'd prove too weak to hinder our Engagement But there is more Nem. More Fancy more Chimera But let it come I 'll stand the stalking Nothing And when the bladder'd Air wou'd turn the Ballance I 'll cast in Love substantial pondrous Love Eternal Love and hurl him to the Beam. But speak and if a Hell of Separation Must part my Soul and Body do not Rack me But let the Poyson steal into my Veins And Damn me mildly Madam as you can Princess C. Hear then my bosom thought 'T is the last time I e'er shall see you and 't is a poor reward For such a Love yet Sir 't is all I have And you must ask no more Nem. Be Witness Heav'n Of my Obedience I will ask her nothing Princess C. Know then my Lord you 're free and I am so Free for the eternal Bond of Marriage My Heart too is inclin'd by Love like yours Nor can I fear the censuring World shou'd blame us But now my Lord What Power on Earth can give Security that Bond shall prove Eternal Nem. Ha! Madam Princess C. Silence silence I command you No no Nemours I know the World too well You have a Sense too nice for long Enjoyment Cleve was the Man that only cou'd love long Nor can I think his passion wou'd have lasted But that he found I cou'd have none for him 'T is Obstacle Ascent and Lets and Bars That whet the Appetite of Love and Glory These are the fuel for that fiery Passion But when the flashy stubble we remove The God goes out and there 's an end of Love. Nem. Ah Madam I 'm not able to contain But must perforce break your commands to answer Once to be yours is to be for ever yours Yours only without thought of other Woman Princess C. Why this sounds well and natural till you 're cloid But Oh! when one satiety has pall'd you You sicken at each view and ev'ry glance Betrays your guilty Soul and says you loath her I know it Sir you have the well-bred cast Of Gallantry and Parts to gain success And do but think when various Forms have charm'd you How I shou'd bear the cross returns of Love Nem. Ah Madam now I find you 're prejudic'd To blast my hopes Princes C. 'T is Reason all calm Reason Nature affirms no violent thing can last I know 't I see 't ev'ry new Face that came Wou'd charm you from me Ha! and cou'd I Love To see that Fatal day and see you scorn me To hear the Ghost of Cleve each hour upbraid me No 't is impossible with all my Passion Not to submit to these Almighty Reasons For this I brave your noblest Qualities I 'll keep your Form at distance curb my Soul Despair of Smiles and Tears and Prayers and Oaths And all the Blandishments of Perjur'd Love I will I must I shall nay now I can Defie to Death the lovely Traytor Man. Nem. No. Madam think not you shall carry 't thus 'T is not allowable 't is past example 'T is most unnatural unjust and monstrous And were the rest of Women thus resolv'd You wou'd destroy the purpose of Creation What when I have the happiness to please When Heav'n and Earth combine to make us happy Will you defeat the aim of Destiny By most unparallel'd extreams of Vertue Which therefore take away it s very Being Princess C. Away I must not answer but conjure you Never to seek occasion more to see me Farewel 'T is past Nem. I cannot let you go I 'll follow on my Knees and hold your Robe Till you have promis'd me that I shall see you To shew you how each day by slow degrees I dye away This you shall grant by Heav'n Or you shall see my Blood let out before you Princess C. Alas Nemours O Heav'n why must it be That I shou'd charge you with the death of Cleve Alass why
met we not e'er I engag'd To my dead Lord And why did Fate divide us Nem. Fate does not No 'T is you that cross both Fortune Heav'n and Fate 'T is you obstruct my Bliss 't is you impose Such Laws as neither Sense nor Vertue warrant Princess C. 'T is true my Lord I offer much to duty Which but subsists in thought therefore have patience Expect what time with such a love as mine May work in your behalf my Husband 's death So bleeding fresh I see him in the Pangs Nay look methinks I see his Image rise And point an everlasting Separation Yet Oh! it shall not be without a Tear. Nem. O! stay Princess C. Let go believe no other Man Cou'd thus have wrought me but your self to Love Nem. Stay then Princess C. I dare not Think I love you still Nem. I do But stay and speak it o'er agen Princess C. Believe that I shall love you to my death Nem. I will. But live and love me Princess C. Off I charge you Believe this parting wounds me like the Fate Of Cleve or worse Believe but Oh! farewel Nem. Believe but what That last thought I implore Princess C. Believe that you shall never see me more Exit Enter the Vidam Vid. Well and how goes the Game What on the Knee a gather'd Brow and a large dew upon it Nay than you are a looser Nem. Didst thou see her pass Vid. I did she wrung me by the hand and sigh'd Then look'd back twice And totter'd on the threshold at the door Nem. Believe that you shall never see me more she Lyes I 'll Wager my State I Bed her eighteen months three weeks hence at half an hour past two in the Morning Vid. Why Faith and that 's as exact as e'er an Astrologer of 'em all Nem. Give me thy hand Vidam I know the Souls of Women better than they know themselves I know the Ingredients just that make 'em up All to loose Grains the subtlest volatile Atoms With the whole Mish-mash of their Composition Heark there without the voice of Marguerite Now thou shalt see a Battle worth the gazing Mark but how easily my reason flings her And yet at last I 'll swing into Friendship Because I love her Enter Bellamore Bell. The Princess shall I stop her Nem. No let her come With flying Colours and with beat of Drum Like the Fanatick I 'll but rub me down And then have at her Vidam stay you here By Heav'n I 'm jealous of this changeable Stuff Therefore the hits will be the livelier o' both sides The Dauphin but no more she comes she comes Enter Marguerite pushing Bellamore Marg. Be gon Villain Devil Fury Monster of a Man. Nem. But hear me but six words in private Enter Poltrot Celia Pol. And I swear by this lascivious bit of Beauty I will cleave to my Celia for Better for Worse in Searge Grogrum or Crape though a Queen shou'd come in my way in Beaten Gold Nem. What then Gentlemen I perceive there have been Wars at home Pol. Not a Battle my Lord only a Charge a Charge sounded or so Nem. What was it a Trumpet or through a Horn Sir Pol. A Horn Sir a Horn Sir no Sir 't was not a Horn Sir Only my Celia was a little disdainful but we are Friends agen Sir and what then Sir Nem. Come come all Friends were Tournon here I wou'd forgive her a litte Scorn in a pretty Woman so it be not too much affected is a Charm to new Friendship therefore let each Man take his Fair one by the hand thus lay it to his Lips and Swear a whole Life's Constancy St. A. As I will to my Nelle though I haule Cats at Sea or cry Small-coal and for him that upbraids her I 'll have more Bobs than Democritus when he cry'd Poor-Jack There 's more Pride in Diogenes or under a Puritan's Cap than in a King's Crown Nem. For my part the Death of the Prince of Cleve upon second thoughts has so truly wrought a change in me as nothing else but a Miracle cou'd For first I see and loath my Debaucheries Next while I am in Health I am resolv'd to give satisfaction to all I have wrong'd and first to this Lady whom I will make my Wife before all this Company e'er we part This I hope whenever I dye will convince the World of the Ingenuity of my Repentance because I had the power to go on He well Repents that will not Sin yet can But Death-bed Sorrow rarely shews the Man. THE EPILOGUE WHat is this Wit which Cowley cou'd not name The rare Inducement to a perfect Fame The Art of Nature curious in a Frame Is it a Whig a Trimmer or a Tory Or an Old Fop forgotten in the Story 'T is Honour veil'd in Honesty's Disguise Or Cesar like a Fencer in a Prize 'T is Pindar's Ramble Nature in Misrule A Politician acted by a Fool. 'T is all Variety that Arts can give The Danaid's filling of a Leakey Sieve The Valleys Sweets and the distilling Spring The brimming Bacchus that the Muses bring To drink the Health of England's Glorious King. A Statesman thoughtful for a Clown revil'd A Pestle and a Mortar for a Child 'T is a true Principle but hardly shown An Artificial Sigh a Virgins Groan When the first night her Lover layes her on 'T is like a Lass that Gads to gather May 'T is like the Comedy you have to day A Bulling Gallant in a wanton Play. FINIS