THE Loving Enemies: A COMEDY, As it was Acted at His Highness the DUKE of YORK'S THEATRE. Written by L. MAIDWELL.  
Inventum secuit primus qui nave profundum▪  
Et rudibus remis sollicitavit aquas,  
Tranquillis primum trepidus se credidit undis,  
Littora sccuro tramite summa legens:  
M●x vagus exultat pelago, coelumque secutus  
Aegeas hyemes Io●iasque domat.  Claudian. 
LONDON, Printed for john Guy at the Sign of the Flying Horse between St. Dunstan's Church, and Chancery Lane. 1680.   

To the much Honoured CHARLES FOX, Esq.  
SIR,  
I Very much congratulate this occasion, though I readily acknowledge, that this poor Present brings small advantage to any, but him that gives it; who gains thereby the opportunity of publicly owning those great respects he shall always pay your name, and of setting his hand to a paper, as a voluntary surrendry to you, of all his good Wishes, and Services. If the Treat he provided be not so well dressed, or served up, as it ought to be, pray let him beg pardon, with that common, yet necessary excuse of a young Housekeeper, one not well settled, and scarce with any thing in readiness. Suppose his Garden newly planted, very little, or no fruit to be expected the first year, and the unexperienced Planter, not as yet well skilled, in keeping off the cold winds, and nipping Frosts; howsoever he entreats you to receive what he has raised, and to eat kindly of his first-fruits, with which the greatest men have been always pleased, and Heaven claims them before other off rings.  
Now dear Sir, as I once loved you with your other Brothers, so those hopeful Gentlemen being dead, I will centre my good wishes on you; may you join their virtues and sweetness to your own, may you be one for all, to your Relations, and Friends, and may you like your excellent Father, be as eminently concerned in the World, and as honourably praised by it, to the great satisfaction of  
Sir, Your most humble Servant, L. Maidwell.   

PROLOGUE.  
WHo dares be witty now, and with just rage  
Disturb the vice, and follies of the Age?  
With Knaves and Fools, Satyr's a dangerous fault,  
They will not let you rub their sores with salt.  
Else Rose-streets Ambuscade shall break your head,  
And life in Verse, shall lay the Poet dead.  
Since therefore such unequal judges sit,  
Who for suspicion punish men of Wit,  
'Twill be self-preservation to be dull,  
It cracks the credit but preserves the skull.  
Henceforth live long and undisturbed lives,  
Your Countrey-Worships, and your tawdry Wives,  
The flaunting Punk and Lady's eldest Son,  
All such who are by mutual crimes undone;  
Like Lakes look green and flourish to the Eye,  
But yet for want of stirring putrify.  
For I am told that Fop, and eke the Clown,  
jointly subscribe Petitions in each Town,  
And swear all satire with bold truth shall down.  
Why, cry they, What has wit to do with me?  
With this Man's folly, or his knavery,  
It is not fit we lose our property.  
We'll pound the Poet up in small extent,  
Far from his arbitrary Government.  
Birthright is birthright, and he shall not rail,  
We are undone, if common sense prevail.  
Meum and tuum now shall be the rule,  
The Magna Charta for the Knave and Fool.  
Therefore the Poet that designs this Treat,  
Ventures to serve up light and innocent meat.  
And since high seasoned sauce don't well agree,  
Excuse a strangers plainer Cookery.  
For to extremes you do the Poet drive,  
And make him leave his best prerogative.  
So the poor Beaver lest he prove a prey,  
Bites off his dearest part, and throws away.   

Dramatis Personae.  

Lorenzo Two Noblemen Enemies to one another from a long feud in their Families. By Mr. Betterton.  
Marcello Mr. Smith.  
Antonio. In love with Lucinda, but pretends it to the Widow. Mr. Io. Williams.  
Paulo. A brisk old Gentleman in love with the Widow. Mr. Leigh.  
Circumstantio. A formal Valet de Chambre very troublesome with impertinent Rhetoric. Mr. underhill.  
Albrigi●. Servant to Lorenzo. Mr. Richards.   

julia. Sister to Lorenzo, in love with Marcello, yet never seen by him. By Mrs. Mary Lea.  
Camilla. Sister to Marcello, in love with Lorenzo, yet never seen by him. Mrs. Barry.  
Lucinda. Old Paulo's daughter, in love with Antonio. Mrs. Shadwell.  
Paulina. A rich Widow. Mrs. Leigh.  
Nuarcha. An old Maid almost undone for want of an Husband. Mrs. Norris.  
With other Servants and Attendants.   
Scene FLORENCE.   

ACT I.  
SCENE I.  Antonio and Circumstantio. Ant. waking and rising from his Couch. Ant. 
BLess me, Circumstantio, how goes the day?  Circ. 
Dear Sir, two hours precisely are rolled off since the Meridian, and Sir by the way I have often thought the Sun a proper emblem of all us, though we be never so glorious for birth or parts, like him alas how soon we set! 'tis pity noble Sir that men of parts—  Ant. 
— Again Fool brushing up your threadbare phrases▪ your nasty ends of Gold and Silver, your tawdry intellectual Wardrobe, you had best tell me what's a Clock without your foolish sentences and morals— Thou everlasting Coxcomb, are not words to express thoughts by, and the plainest expression of our meanings best?  Cir. 
Oh Heaven Sir you amaze me! plain speaking!  
Sure words were meant for ornaments of thoughts, and I'd not for the Universe be without those tropes, and flowers that my discourse adorn.  Ant. 
Most excellent Rogue! flowers? no your weeds rise thick, and I will root out them or thee, thou gross nauseous Fool: laughter which first thou tookest as an applause, since it hath been the cause of thy disease, shall be thy cure, and thou shalt be a scorn to all the Family.  Cir. 
The envy, not the scorn, no men of parts can laugh at me  Ant. 
In short Sirrah, tell me plainly what's a clock, or I will cudgel you most excessively.  Cir. 
Sir, the Sun has from its Zenith these two hours declined.  Ant. 
Incorrigible wordy Rogue!— Come Sirrah, I'll stop those Rhetoric vapours— Ho there within Pietro, is the Pillory I bespoke for this Fool made?  [Enter Pietro. Pietro. 
It is Sir.  Ant. 
Let it be brought in.  Pietr. 
It shall Sir.  Ex. Pietro. Ant. 
Now Sir you shall find the ill success of translating the florid Coxcomb. Is there but one sort of Fool more nauseous than other to me, (I mean your Orator) and must you copy him?  Cir. 
Sir be concise and clear, I hope you mean not me.  Ant. 
In short, most eloquent puppy, you must stand in the Pillory, exposed to jeers and taunts of all the house, until two hours precisely are rolled off.— Sirrah, I told you the next trope was Capital, no metaphors but in turned suits Fool.  Cir. 
Oh utinam nescirem literas— the Pillory for Rhetoric and good parts!  Ant. 
There is no remedy, I have often threatened you before.  Cir. 
Oh cruel master whose heart is hard as Rocks of Adamant!  Ant. 
Within there, bring in the Pillory, I'll try if punishment will reform thee.  Cir. 
I'll die a martyr Sir to tropes and figures, Oh Nick— Nick Machiavelli thou Enter with pillory. hast well observed, great merits when they rise too high, meet hate from them who ought to recompense them. Consider Sir the injury you do your own fair Honour, alas I shall not be hurt.  Ant. 
I'll try that, put him in.  Piet. 
Come, come on.  Cir. 
Be not so temerarious, Friends.  Ant. 
Put him in, he's at his tropes still.  Cir. 
Must I abandon eloquence?— Certes thou wast not born of Human race, but sprung from some wild Numidian Father, and got on some rough Caledonian Mother, from Ganges West, to Gades East, there is not one so savage. Hold, Hold, I say—  Enter Marcello. Ant. 
Welcome my dear Marcello thou art come in good time to see my Farce.  Mar. 
What Engine's this?  Ant. 
'Tis a Collar for my Orator, you have often known him plague me with his tropes; this Rascal served me all the while I studied at Milan, where (instead of Learning) the Coxcomb got a little false Rhetoric and Pedantry, he affects to talk like a Scholar, and never since would bring a message or tell what's a clock without a trope.  Marc. 
'Tis pity you should affronted one of such parts, release him now, I'll be his surety.  Ant. 
He's incorrigible.  Circ. 
Sir, when for this noble intercession I shall cease to offer the oblation of my thanks upon the Altar of my heart, may I become the scum and scorn of vagabonds.  Ant. 
You see his amendment. [Enter Nuarcha. Dearest Nuarcha, I am your humble servant, let me kiss thee.  Nuar. 
Thank you dear Sir.  Ant. 
What news from my Mistress the Widow Paulina?  Nuar. 
This night she ends her year of Widowhood, and now will see and speak with man again, she has removed my old Master's statue out of her Bedchamber, and old Signior Paulo has leave this night to speak with her, but sure she is designed for one more young, of whom she thinks and talks, sleeping and waking.  Ant. 
Much thanks for thy goods news, faith I must kiss thee again, though much against my conscience and my appetite.  [aside. Nuar. 
How sovereign a Cordial is Mankind!  Cir. 
Sir I beseech you to entreat for a remission of my ignominious censure.  Mar. 
Pray release your Orator on his submission.  Ant. 
I do upon condition he will abandon tropes and figures, and speak sense to his fellow servants.  Nuar. 
My affairs call me home, I had almost forgotten, Mrs. Lucinda, Signior Paulo's daughter, whom you know her Father has placed with my Lady, has a desire to speak with you in the Garden about the prevention of her Father's marriage with my Lady, which would much prejudice her affairs, I will make way for you to see her.  Ant. 
You will most infinitely oblige me, assure her I will not fail to do her all the service of my life, and should think myself happy to venture it for her. One kiss more, dear sweet Mrs. Nuarcha.  Nuar. 
A most absolute complete fine Gentleman, a civil proper young man is a most sweet Creature! Sir your most obedient servant.  Ant. 
Your servant.  [Ex. Nuar. Marc. 
You are a most vigorous man to be able to kiss this Succubus.  Ant. 
This salacious old Chambermaid is better bribed this way than any other.  Mar. 
You have a lusty mind to the Widow I see, that you can travel through so soul a way to her.  Ant. 
O Marcello, 'tis not the Widow which I aim at. Lucinda's Mine of beauty far exceeds the Widow's wealth, so excellent, so sweet, so rare a Creature, I but pretended passion to the Widow to get access to beautiful Lucinda, and now congratulate my happiness, she has contrived an interview herself. But why do I tell thee of this? thou art an Heretic, an Infidel to love.  Mar. 
Oh thou mistak'st me, dear Antonio, I am a Convert, I have the Image of a fair one stamped upon my heart, that ne'er can be effaced.  Ant. 
This is news indeed, may I know who this fair one is?  Marc. 
That adds to my confusion, she is unknown; yesterday morning going to my devotions, this Lady being near me dropped her Handkerchief, I stooped and gave it her, she hastily put up her Veil, and with so sweet an air thanked me for my service, and showed me such a face, that nature in all her plenteous store can never show an equal.  Ant. 
The showing of her face in Florence, is an encouragement against despair.  Mar. 
I should have thought so, had not I found when she perceived I watched her she shunned my search, and spite of all my diligence avoided me in the crowd at Church, so that the showing of her matchless face appears an accident from her surprise, and no designed favour.  Ant. 
It cannot be, you construe it amiss, fear not she'll give you opportunity again to see her. But as you are my Friend I have a thing of near concernment to relate to you, a thing that grieus me much, I find the Duke's command has not yet power to tame Lorenzo's spirit, he seems yet more enraged than ever.  Marc. 
I know it since the Duke checked him so severely, and vowed to punish his disobedience if he contracted not a friendship with me; he thinks that I by a complaint caused his disgrace, and is more bent upon revenge for that.  Ant. 
It is a custom too frequent, and too brutal here, for Parents to entail their Quarrels with their Estates.  Marc. 
It is so, and therefore I'd avoid them. Our Father's ambitious of preferment could not admit superior or equal, they lived like the two famed Theban Brothers always in war, the fierce Lorenzo when but young was sworn to oppose the Growth and Fortune of our house, hatred was left by Will and Testament. I have used all healing ways, affecting the friendship of a person that but for this, would be most worthy of it, but 'tis all in vain.  [Enter Circumst. Cir. 
A Messenger from Milan, who by his haste may well be called a Mercury, well figured by his wings on Head and Feet, is much solicitous to impart his grand affair unto your proper ears.  Ant. 
Again at tropes, thou odious Rogue?  Marc. 
Antonio Fare thee well, I will to Vespers, and see if I can find my unknown Mistress out.  Ant. 
Farewell Marcello, I see this Love will make thee very devout. Where is this Messenger?  [Exeunt. Enter Julia and Leonora her Governess in the Town. Leon. 
Madam, do not thus blast your beauty with your sighs  
And drown it with fond tears, forget the cause  
Of this dire mischief.  julia. 
As soon a wretch with dislocated limbs  
Might put the rack out of his memory  
That caused his torments. How just is heaven  
To punish thus the Brother's unjust rage  
With hopeless love upon the Sister! Fierce Lorenzo  
Still more and more pursues the good Marcello  
Hurried by my Fathers hot spirit, and  
His own mistakes and Jealousies, whilst I  
dote on Marcello's generous nature, which  
Would pass by all his crying injuries,  
And heal the wounds which weaken both our Families.  
At first I but admired his lovely form,  
His virtue now completes the victory.  Leo. 
Why do you call yours hopeless love? Marcello  
Though yet he knows you not, has seen and loves you,  
By yesterday good signs you saw it, which  
I'm too skilful not to understand.  julia. 
Ah Leonora, should my Brother know  
He once hath seen my face, although by chance,  
He'd tear my heart out, but did he know  
I loved him! Oh fatal eyes that ere beheld  
This lovely enemy.  Leon. 
Yet were you married to Marcello, his courage  
Might defend you from your Brother and perhaps that marriage  
Would close the breach between the Families.  julia. 
'Twould pull down ruin on us both.  
I see thou know'st not his ungoverned rage.  Leo. 
Too well I know and fear it, he is talking yonder  
In the Piazza, should I suffer you to loiter thus  
In the way to Church, I should soon feel his rage I fear.  
Let's hasten to Vespers, devotion and good music  
May perhaps soften your care.  julia. 
No Leonora, no divinity can justle out Marcello  
From my thoughts.  [Exeunt. Enter Camilla and her Governess. Gou. 
Come Charge, let's hasten to the Church,  
The Saint of this day whatever good he  
Does, brings us good Music. All the Masters  
In Florence assist at the Ceremony.  Cam. 
Yet all will cause but little harmony  
In me, there's nought but discord in my thoughts.  
Oh fatal love! yonder is my Lorenzo,  
Heaven! my Lorenzo, foolish tongue he ne'er  
Alas can be so, though he long has warmed  
My tender heart, and yet he never saw me.  Gou. 
What are you musing on? let's haste to Church.  Cam. 
He'll hate the Sister of his enemy,  
His rage does burn so fiercely in his breast  
'Twill cause eternal separation  
'Twixt him and any of our Race; fool that  
I am, that I should like that fierceness  
In him too, and think it does become him.  Gou. 
What do you mutter to yourself? go on.  Cam. 
I find my love too hard for me, when we are  
Bewitched to love a man, we like  
Each fault, and folly in him too.  
Bless me! my Brother and he come  
Towards one another! stand by, I'll  
Wait the sad event, I shall be known  
By thee, else my black habit makes me  
Undistinguished, and I would try to hinder it.  Gou. 
I'll not appear.  Cam. 
Retire, I'll venture on an odd experiment.  Enter Julia and Leonora. julia. 
What's here my Brother and Marcello!  
Oh fatal meeting. Retire Leonora and let  
Mealone—  Enter Lorenzo and his man Vincentio, and Marcello with his man Albricio. Lor. 
Who's here, my hated Foe? now for his  
Blood, what power has hitherto defended  
Him from this Arm and Justice?  Vinc. 
So I shall have an honourable occasion  
Of showing my prowess.  Mar. 
I will avoid him as much as honour  
Will permit me.  Lor. 
What dost thou shun me, Coward?  Mar. 
I am less a Coward than thou a Brute,  
I fear thee not thou know'st it,  
But I'd obey the Duke.  Lor. 
That name calls all my strength into my arm  
And quickens my revenge, you have abused me.  Mar. 
'Tis false.  Lor. 
At thy life.  They go to fight. Mar. 
Thou ne'er shalt reach it.  Albr. 
Sir I will wait upon you.  Vinc. 
Your servant Sir.  Julia goes to Marcello and Camilla to Lorenzo. julia. 
Oh hold your hand, spill not Lorenzo's  
blood,  Mar. 
My life, my soul, my Genius, my good Angel  
In appearance, but my destroyer now.  
Am I a Rival to my enemy?  Lor. 
Is your protection there?  Mar. 
'Tis in my hand.  Cam. 
O Sir, If ever prayers could move your fierce  
And stubborn nature, hear 'em now,  
Pull not Marcello's blood upon thy head.  
He's Generous and would forget your injuries.  Lor. 
He dare not then remember 'em, prithee  
Woman let me go.— Come from thy guard  
And fight.  Cam. 
Hold, hold, the rashness of this act will ruin you.  Cam. puts up her veil. 
Behold my tears, deny 'em if you can.  Lor. 
Ha! who art thou?  
By heaven the brightest thing that e'er was seen,  
What is't shrinks up my nerves, and calls  
Back my revenge?  Cam. 
I on my knees beseech you will desist  
From your rash action, can you deny me?  Lor. 
By all the Saints in heaven I cannot.  
Death what's this that softens me to  
Woman? By heaven and earth she is  
The sweetest Creature that earth e'er was,  
Or heaven e'er made.  julia. 
Who is't that on her knees can beg for my  
Marcello? have I Rivals too besides the  
Enmity of our Family to undo me?  Mar. 
Ah Madam had the care you have expressed  
Been aimed at me, I had been blessed enough.  julia. 
I had a care of you, but he must be my care.  Lor. 
Marcello go and live, this Lady bids thee  
Live. Thank her.  Mar. 
I thank none but heaven for my life,  
It is unmanly to be thus vainglorious.  julia. 
Good Sir walk this way, I have something  
More to say to you.  [Ex. Marcello and julia. Lor. 
Who are you Madam that have hindered  
This present quarrel between my mortal Foe  
And me, but let me tell you, you've 〈◊〉  
My private peace, and raised a war more  
Dangerous within me than any thing I  
Could have met from him.  Cam. 
I dare not tell my name, I meant no  
Harm to you, but if you love yourself,  
Or if your nature has imbibed  
But the least softness from your Mother's milk,  
Pursue not farther good Marcello's life.  Lor. 
Good Marcello! Hell and Furies! she loves him.  
First let me know who gives me this command.  Cam. 
First Sir, deserve it by your temper,  
And be assured I will not be ungrateful▪  
Farewell.  Exeunt. Cam. Gou. Lor. 
Tempests and whirlwinds! whither am I rapt!  
She is gone, she has jest me quite unmanned,  
At once I am stung with love and jealousy,  
And I have let my Rival scape my fury.  
Sirrah, dog that Lady, and on your life  
Inquire out who she is.  [Ex. Vinc. 
Thou art not my Foe alone but happy Rival.  
Instead of cooling shor has inflamed our strife:  
I'll first defeat thy love, then take thy life.  [Ex. Loren. The Scene discovers Paulo leaping with his Doublet off. Paulo. 
In troth 'tis well leapt, Paulo, who can say thou'rt old, let me see any young man leap with more agility— hah well done Paulo, come thy joints are pliant, thy back lusty, and thou fit for an able Bridegroom,— hah well done again honest Paulo. What? grey hairs are no marks of old age, but of many years, of chaste and sober youth, and of no idle expense of life, of no years cut off by a Chirurgeon, nor washed away in a Tavern. Widow I commend thee in thy first choice, and hope thou wilt resemble it in a second— Have at thee Widow, have at thee.— Now well jumped Paulo. But now I must fatherly infuse Chastity into my Daughter, and teach her rules too hard for me, Declaim against the lewdness of the World, and advise her to choose the virtue of a Nunnery, for the being 〈◊〉 settled, my Widow can assault me with no very strong objection. Lucinda come hither.  [Enter Lucinda and Nuarcha. Lucin. 
I come Sir.  Paulo. 
What have you been doing Lucinda?  Luc. 
Sir I have been observing the Pictures in the long Gallery.  Paulo. 
Which of them Child?  Luc. 
I observed Europa and jupiter, and the Picture of Calisto surprised by the same amorous God.  Nuar. 
And we observed how he put a trick upon Danae, for all the Guards of her severe Father.  Paulo. 
Out upon it, mere bawdry, dost thou know my Child the moral of it? it declares a hot Gallant, and a vile Governess debauched with money to ruin her charge: Out upon you naughty Girl! to indulge your Carnality with provocation; why did you not look upon the good Saint Mary Magdalen, you know she bemoaned all her love-vanities, you should have viewed St. Katherine of Alexandria. Did not I bid you speak to your Lady to take down these Pictures, and that of Mars and Venus in a net?  [To Nuarcha. Nuar. 
O Devilish dissembling old Fellow!  Paulo. 
I will be a kind Father in keeping thee spotless from this world, I am now old, and can best tell you the small improvement virtue makes in Worldly conversation; come, have you considered well my Child our late Discourse about a Nunnery? Oh the sweet life! O the blessedness of such retirement! O divine pleasure of a Nunnery!  Nuar. 
This old Goat thinks to deceive me. What sure do you propose most unnatural rules to be observed by her in the fresh spring of her life, which you cannot submit to in the frozen December of your age?  Paulo. 
Peace vain naughty carnal Woman. Speak Child, does silence give consent? perhaps thou may'st through piety be Canonised: O what joy! and what honour to us all! to have posterity after thy death pay devotion to St. Lucinda.  Luc. 
Pray Sir, may not Wives be Saints? if you please I will turn Nun when I am a Widow.  Nuar. 
I well said Madam; Pray have you the heart to put a young Woman of this neat shape, this complexion, these bright eyes, this sweet breath, these clean teeth—  Paulo. 
Woman, hold thy tongue.  Nuar. 
I will not, what into a Nunnery! what flesh and blood dares be her Confessor? there's ne'er a shaved pate of them all but has more mind to her than a month's fasting.  Paulo. 
O Lord! she will make me deaf with talking.  [He walks disturbed and she follows him. Nuar. 
Had she been crooked, had she wanted an eye, one leg shorter, one hand reversed, or uncurable fits, or by any distemper improper for copying out her own sweet-faced Picture: then she had been fit for a Nunnery, then most fit for your Matins and Vespers.  Paulo. 
Well, have you done?  Nuar. 
No Sir, I have not done, Is this flesh and blood for a Nunnery? no, she shall be a Matrimonial Saint, her shrine shall be a Downe-bed and a Quilt, and her Chapel a well furnished Chamber, the Pilgrim that shall kneel to her and kiss her, shall be a young handsome man, and you need expect no Miracle, but to see her Nuns work run up and down, and call you Grand Pappa.  Paulo. 
I tell thee Woman, I shall chastise thee if thou holdest not thy tongue. Thou hast been false, thou hast corrupted my daughter, thou hast confederated with Carnality: Get thee out of my sight, I will forthwith speak to my Lady Abbess about it, and she shall be admitted to morrow.  Luc. 
Sir, if you please, since a Daughter cannot with a Father dispute this great affair, which like marriage is for better for worse, let your Friend and mine reason it calmly, whether your only Daughter should turn Nun; If their reasons convince me, I obey.  Paulo. 
Well, for once I consent, who shall they be?  Luc. 
Sir, any young Gentleman of Florence shall judge for me, and for you my designed Mother-in-Law Paulina.  Paulo. 
begone you saucy Baggage: What, concern yourself in your Father's Business? what, you can prate, can you disobedience?  Luc. 
No Sir, I am all duty; you told me, you loved me, because I did resemble my Mother: I would fain increase your love, and be like my Mother in every thing.  Paulo. 
begone I say, my will is fixed.  Luc. 
Pray Sir, I ever loved my Father, and since the world is so perilous, let us both leave it: You often commanded me to follow my Parent's Example.  Paulo. 
Hence Impudence. And get thee out of my presence, Thou pestilence of the Family: [Exeunt Luc. and Nuar.— pert Slut— Well now for my Widow— Well jumped Paulo— hah vigorous Paulo, hah lusty Paulo— Ha brave Paulo.  [Exit jumping.  

ACT II.  
SCENE I.  Enter Antonio, after him Circumstantio. Ant. 
WEll sirrah, what makes you stay so long, when I bid you return a speedy answer from Lucinda?  Circ. 
Pray Sir, let me excuse my stay, secundum quid, by the History of some extraordinary contingences which interfered, though indeed I am of the Stoics opinion, that nothing is contingent, but only seems so quoad nos.  Ant. 
Sirrah to the purpose Rogue, Rascal.  [He kicks him. Circ. 
Sir, why do you wrong yourself, and debase your nature by this vile employ, which instead of making you red with anger, should make you blush for shame?  Ant. 
You tormenting Villain speak now, or else I am resolved to damn you to the Pillory.  Circ. 
Alas Sir, the Pillory! by this passion you extinguish every thing that is Socratic, or indeed Philosophical; you become my servant, I can make you kick me when I please, alas poor Gentleman! did he but see how passion altars his countenance, and defaces the pleasure of his Mistress!  Ant. 
Within there-bring in the Pillory; now sirrah you shall not escape: bid your fellows come in with the Pillory and Garland.  Circ. 
Sir, pray ponder the thing, and that you may not by designing me, expose yourself to domestic ignominy, I will endeavour to give verbal satisfaction.  Enter Pietro, Cook, Butler, Coachman, with the Pillory and Garland. Ant. 
Look invincible fool, here is the best Scheme for your Rhetoric, this must be your Climax, and this the ornament for your florid head, come put his Collar on, lest in his madness he bites some of you, and so infect you.  Circ. 
Fellow-servants entreat your Master to consult his reputation, and not pursue a thing so mal a propos.  Ant. 
Insufferable slay, as impudent, as invincible.  Circ. 
Sir, what error, what fault, what transgression? where is the least Circumlocution? though habits are very tough.  Ant. 
In with him. I leave him to you, let him not sleep, for that's bad in Physic, I allow you all battering instruments; sirrah, your faults are many, I hope they will reckon them up in my absence.  [Ex. Antonio. Circ. 
Torrens dicendi copia multis, & sua mortifera est facundia.  Pietro. 
What at it again? I hope this punishment will prove a cleansing vomit for your tough bits of eloquence.  Circ. 
I will suppress my anger, though it swells my heart, and hear what the dull Rout will say, and thus by taciturnity deceive them. Philosophy I thank thee!  Cook. 
Lord what makes Circumstantio in this strange disabilie as he used to call it! he swells like some Don in his ruff, sure the rogue has got a cold and cannot stir his neck.  Butler. 
No, no, the Landress has put too much starch in his Cravat: that light pate of his peeps like a Cork out of a bottle.  Coach. 
Well learned Domine! I knew you would at last be yoked for your frequent breaking of hedges, most high and mighty, you were always despising your fellow-servants, calling the Cook greasy, Butler frothy, the Coachman stable man.  Enter Nuarcha. Pietro. 
I am afraid our sport will be prevented by the coming of this old Maid, now must we kiss her, and talk of her husband, to keep her in some tolerable humour. Come Gentlemen show your breeding.  [they kiss her one after another. Nuar. 
Blessings on you all, kind hearts, I have not received so much comfort these two months: pray where is Antonio? for I came to speak with him: ah! but what do I see the accomplished Circumstantio in the Pillory?  Circ. 
Ah how dark and erroneous are the sentiments of the unphilosophick, which proceed from want of definition and distinction, they suppose this Pillory to be malum verum, which we that have been better taught know to be but malum apparens, no wise man can suffer ill; for how insignificant is malum poenae, when the essence of a man is free from malum culpae! Oh what consolation do I find in Metaphysics! I will assure you Auditors, neither candid, nor gentle, that I value not this Pillory nor its Pilloreity.  Nuar. 
Well, I never heard him speak so finely before.  Pietro. 
Mrs. Nuarcha, my Master is coming.  Nuar. 
Then I will compose myself. Sir, Mrs. Lucinda so desirous of your company [Enter Ant. has sent me after your servant to hasten your coming, and to tell you that she expects you within an hour at the Garden door, where I shall be ready to receive you, and for this good news let me beg Circumstantio's liberty. Indeed Sir you do not use him according to his deserts.  Ant. 
Indeed Mrs. Nuarcha you are in the right, but for your sake and this excellent news, I will not at this time be ungrateful in denying you any thing, well let him come out; Circumstantio you're bound to pay your respects to this Lady, and by right, if she thinks fitting, to marry her that brings you the reprieve, but as the Prologue of Matrimony, kiss her.  Cir. 
I kiss her not quà Nuarcha, but quatenus my deliveress.  [Kisses her. Nuar. 
Your words and lips shall always be acceptable.  Antonio 
I must now return, shall I tell Lucinda that you will not fail, for she expects me with impatiency.  Ant. 
Tell her I will watch each minute, and the hour will seem a year till I wait on her.  [Exeunt. Enter Julia and Governess, presently after Marcello, and his Servant, in the Town. Gou. 
Madam, Marcello just meets us.  jul. 
— If he  
Knows me I am ruined, is there no way  
To escape him? though I would willingly  
With his leave fly into his arms.  Gou. 
— Come, come  
Prepare your discretion to receive him.  
And put him off with hopes of seeing him,  Marc. 
Madam, though in obedience to your command  
I durst not enter the Church after you,  
So nice you are of discovering yourself,  
Yet now be not offended if I strive  
To know the name of my kind Protectress.  jul. 
Sir, pray retire, for sure the fierce Lorenzo  
Hovers hereabouts to meet you, and then  
I his fury returns, as sure it will,  
Perhaps the kind Lady that bowed his heart  
And arm, may not be at hand to help you.  Marc. 
Like Heaven you gave us unexpected help,  
And speak your mind like it in Oracles,  
Dark and mysterious. I know no Lady  
Neither you nor her, and owe no safety  
To any but yourself. Strange interview!  
Big with contraries, which saves, and yet destroys.  
To hinder my chance of death thrown  
From my enemy, yet as the same Friend  
To murder me by kindness to my foe!  julia. 
Let it satisfy in this place in words  
To promise you, that I am as ready  
As the other Lady to render my  
Assistance to the worthy Marcello.  Marc. 
It seems you know me Madam.  jul. 
— Not so well  
As the Lady who ventured the blind rage  
Of Lorenzo, by exposing her life  
To save yours, you have small reason to blame  
My hard heart, when you find such softness there.  Marc. 
Madam, 'tis the greatest severity  
To rally with a Wretch upon the rack.  jul. 
Come, you must be kept there till you confess.  Marc. 
Confess! what Madam?  julia. 
— The name of her that  
Did you such service, and then you may more  
Justly expect mine, for my part I can  
Allow you but one Mistress at a time.  Marc. 
Madam, if you design me by cruelty  
For death, let me not mistake some kindness  
In your words to keep me longer in pain.  
Oh speak my fate, for doubt is worse than death.  
You'll prove unkind if you pronounce my death,  
Yet more kind by speaking to finish life and pain.  jul. 
Sure despair is the worst vice of the Brave.  
Well, to be short, I will make  
This agreement with you, pursue no more  
Questions nor any further inquiry  
At this time, and I promise suddenly  
To grant the satisfaction you desire.  
And may Heaven grant that knowledge don't increase  
Those torments which we both conceive in ignorance.  [jul. Governess exeunt. Marc. 
Well, I submit, 'tis more generous to say, I obey my  
Mistress, than necessity, and 'tis better far to stand still, than  
march after love, when it moves like a wandering fire.  
Lest the poor Traveller goes more astray  
In a blind Moonless light, and unknown way.  [Marc. Seru. exeunt. Enter Lorenzo, in the Town. Lor. 
Sure my Servant is lost, as well as his poor Master. Oh how I rack my mind to know who this fair Creature is! perhaps to my greater torment, for some small hope hovers about me in my ignorance, which will take wing and upon information leave me [Enter Vincentio. Well, who is she? speak— hold— upon your life forbear, your look foretells misfortune.  Vinc. 
Pray Sir, shall I tell you, or shall I not tell you?  Lor. 
If your relation be good, stay not a moment, but if fatal, let it remain in everlasting silence— yet I must hear, come who is she?  Vinc. 
Nay Sir, be not so passionate, for I can neither kill you, nor save you.  Lor. 
Slave be quick, who is she?  Vinc. 
Pray Sir be satisfied, heaven and St. Peter knows for me.  Lor. 
Wretch, dost thou not know? why dost thou keep me thus in pain? speak or for ever hold thy tongue, who is she?  Vin. 
Sir, in short I dogged her, but she was too nimble for me, she was mingled with so many in the Church, that I could not distinguish her.  Lor. 
Villain thou liest. I will kill thee, and write fool in thy blood, what, not distinguish her? villain thou liest, 'tis impossible, a bright circle always crowns her face, her veil was all illustrated, as clouds gilded by the Suns darted beams, her breath would discover her at distance, as spices in blossom betray Arabia to approaching Travellers. Roses grow for ever where she treads, and nature paints her footsteps: not know her, not distinguish her! Impudent sot; recollect, and tell me you know her.  Vinc. 
Heyday: here's brave alteration in my Master: truly Sir, to speak the truth, I have a great cold, and so perhaps could not smell her, and then my eyes are very weak, and cannot look against so much light; as for Roses I saw none. Lady's servants, and their servants servants look not with the same eyes. Perhaps 'tis always Summer, and hot weather when you see her, but it was Winter by that time I drew near to her.  Lor. 
Yes, by your stay it seemed so; march before, and lead me to her; or—  Vinc. 
Lord Sir, what do you mean? have a little patience, and she may come by this way again. Vespers were almost done when I came to you: 〈◊〉— see your enemy Marcello is just going into his house.  Lor. 
I would it were his grave, but I will shortly send him or myself thither.  Vinc. 
Sir pray look that way— I think I spy the same Lady coming, yes 'tis she, now I see the light about her face, yes I smell the roses, and see them blush, and peep under her Petticoat.  Lor. 
'Tis she— I know my murderess is at hand by inward bleeding. My heart beats vehemently, and my blood presses with haste through life's floodgates: love which animates all creatures, abates my courage, when I have most need of it. I cannot speak to her, and yet I must.  Enter Camilla and Governess. Cam. 
Lorenzo is here, alas I tremble  
To meet the Man I love. I know he stares  
To learn who I should be, and where I live.  
'Tis only ignorance can make him kind,  
For knowledge would extinguish his devotion.  
He comes this way, be sure you discover  
Nothing of me to his servant.  [aside to her Governess. Lor. 
Madam  
Grant me the favour of some few minutes,  
To tell you that you have killed me, and saved  
My enemy; pray pardon the roughness  
Of my unpractised love, born in a storm  
And yet wrapped up in its clouds and darkness.  
Oh tell me I beseech you who you are,  
That were so kind to my foe Marcello.  Cam. 
Sir, I should venture more to save the life  
Of good Marcello; and since time and place  
Hinder me from offering long prayers  
To you, let me beg one boon on my knees  
If you can love  [he stops her kneeling. Lor. 
Madam, I beg of you  
Not to abuse you supplicant; O Death!  
She names the villainous Marcello with affection,  
And calls him good, but in death I should be  
Charitable, pray name your boon that I  
May grant it.  Cam. 
May good heaven bless Lorenzo  
For this mercy; be kind to Marcello  
And then—  Lor. 
Cursed expression! each syllable  [aside. 
Proves a poniard, and stabs me to the heart.  
Marcello is my rival; Dear Madam  
Pronounce those words again to make me happy,  
If there be happiness for me in death.  [He stands musing. Gou. 
Come Charge, let us go.  Vinc. 
Hold, hold, you have not proved yourself a woman yet, and discovered who your Lady is.  Gou. 
But you have declared yourself a Servingman by that question, What are you? your master's forlorn hope? sent out to skirmish with the enemy, and then retreat to the main body.  Vinc. 
I never heard the Sutler's wife, or the Laundress call herself part of the Army before.  Gou. 
Saucebox, I believe your empty belly, and foul Linen put these words into your mouth; come Charge let's go and not expose ourselves thus in the street.  Cam. 
I go with great regret, but must retire,  
Farewell Lorenzo, and be kind to me.  [he starts. Lor. 
By heavens I am astonished and scarce know  
Where, and who I am! O stay a little  
And hear my last petition, pray tell me  
Who you are, so cruel to Lorenzo  
And so kind to your Marcello; Whom now  
I must for ever hate, for what can move  
A man so much, as his lost fame and love?  Cam. 
O speak not such ill omens, for kind heaven  
Will bring us safe out of our labyrinth.  
I go Lorenzo, but will soon find time  
To see you, and make myself more happy,  
If now you'll promise me to retire  
Without observing me.  Lor. 
Well, I promise  
Since it pleases you, to torment myself:  
And be tormented by my ignorance.  Cam. 
'Tis best, for knowledge would my hopes destroy,  
His hatred is so inveterate against any of  
Our house: farewell Sir  [Exeunt Cam. Gou. Lor. 
Farewell my Visionary Mistress; for I neither know who, nor whence thou art; like Ixion, I did fancy a Goddess, but embraced a cloud. Sirrah what were they we discoursed with just now?  Vinc. 
Two Women, without doubt Sir.  Lor. 
'Tis false, impudence, are your sure you talked with any woman?  Vinc. 
I am sure mine was a true Woman, by her way of speaking.  Lor. 
'Tis strange that I should thus forget myself, to lay open my follies before my servant: hurried with new passions of love, and jealousy. Marcello is my Rival and my Foe. My Rival— 'tis enough— it is decreed. I will forthwith to his house, and kill him: no place shall save him, not the Court, nor Duke; nor Household gods; no bright apparition shall rescue him from death the second time.  [Exeunt. Enter Marcello and Camilla in their house. Cam. 
Brother, are you resolved to go to night?  Mar. 
Yes Dear Sister, my horses are ready.  Cam. 
When shall I see you again?  Marc. 
To Morrow.  Cam. 
I am sorry you go; pray have a care  
Of yourself. Lorenzo you know is much  
Enraged, and seeks after you  Marc. 
— Fear nothing  
Sister, Lorenzo is honourable.  
His greatest fury can suggest nothing  
That is unworthy of a Nobleman.  
To day I met him, and I will tell you  
At more leisure what wondrous providence  
Diverted his rage, and divided us.  Cam. 
My Brother little thinks, I know the thing  [aside. 
So well, which he pretends to hide.— But yet  
Brother, last nights dream disturbs me. Methoughts  
A young Gentleman of that house killed you,  
And I in just revenge stabbed Lorenzo.  
Ye both ●ay dead upon the ground, and then  
Rose up, and like the dearest Friends embraced.  
But that must signify the other world.  Marc. 
Dreams are but the Echoes of the thoughts  
Possess your mind by day.— a lively mark  
Of your great concern for me, for which I thank  
My loving Sister.  [Enter Albricio. Alb. 
Sir, Lorenzo whom I never saw here before, with angry looks and hasty words, bids me tell you that he must speak with you.  Cam. 
Oh my Brother!  Marc. 
'Tis fortunate Sister to have him here, I hope he comes prepared to hear me speak: retire Sister, whilst I introduce him.  Cam. 
I will withdraw, but overhear you both.  [Ex. Cam. Marcello going to the door meets Lorenzo. Marc. 
Lorenzo most welcome, you oblige me  
And my house for ever, by this favour.  Lor. 
Marcello you mistake, I hate both you,  
And your loathed house. I desire no welcome,  
But come hither like thy evil Genius  
To terrify thee, and bid thee meet me  
In such a place, where chance shall not part us.  Marc. 
I cannot fear it in Lorenzo's shape,  
Who rather should command my love, than fear,  
If he could bridle passion, and 〈◊〉  
His better reason, and the Duke's command.  Lor. 
Oh thou Rock under smooth waters! thou shalt  
Never deceive me, thou base enemy,  
Best able to kill at distance, and to  
Murder me by whispers.  Marc. 
You wrong me much,  
I hate the wretch as much as you, who can  
Deserve this character. I would in my  
Own house be calm, and make my plea  
To these false objections.  Lor. 
— as true, as thou art false.  
Now I find in thee a vice, I ever  
Thought thee free from, I mean base cowardice,  
Which springs from guilt; thou understand'st my rage,  
And its just cause, yet wouldst by oily smoothness  
Loosen my hold, if thou hast any heat,  
I will raise it by the remembrance  
Of thy Mistress, who saved thee from my revenge  
Today, 'tis her I'll have too, yet that  
Shall never buy my friendship.  Marc. 
'Tis enough,  
You have broke for me all ties of honour,  
And good manners. Lorenzo, be gone,  
My house is your best defence, pray leave it,  
Your last words will force me to imitate  
Your rudeness.  Lor. 
I will not go without you,  
I came to fetch you out, and punish you.  Marc. 
It is in vain by calmness to flatter  
His proud insolency any longer.  
I have been tame too long, and that my wronged  
Love and honour may have their quick revenge  
Upon thee, beyond the reach of casual  
Assistance to save thee, name some secret place  
Where we may meet, if thou dar'st come,  
Early to morrow morning.  Lor. 
Marcello  
For this kindness, if I find it real,  
I must thank thee: in nothing else thou canst  
Oblige Lorenzo— well— by Sunrising  
Tomorrow, let us meet at the great Oak  
In the Neighbouring Forest, till then— Farewell.  Marc. 
Let not my passion spoil civility,  
I will see you safe out of my own doors.  Lor. 
Forbear your ceremonies, I hate them  
From you, like him that uses them, it seems  
As recantation of your former words.  [Ex. Lor. Mar. 
You might accept them now, for I will show you none to morrow. I dare not tell my Sister what has passed betwixt us. [Enter Camilla. Here she comes, I will prevent her questions by telling her my story first; Camilla I am glad that all things will be soon composed between Lorenzo, and myself; for he came very kindly to propose a conference to morrow, where we shall upon the debate grow more calm, I hope for ever; and that my proposed affair may not hinder me, I must take my leave, and be gone. Dear Sister Farewell, and wish me good success.  [Exit Marcello. Cam. 
May all that is good preserve my dear Brother. He's gone, and now my eyes shall freely speak the rest. He thinks he has deceived me, and that I did not overhear their fatal assignation, I will retire to my Chamber, and consider how to save them both.  [Exit Cam. Enter Paulina and Lucinda in a Garden. Pauli. 
Lucinda, your father is so brisk and vigorous of late, that he seems to have dropped Twenty years of his life.  Luc. 
Yes Madam, he has been fortifying himself these three months to my knowledge, that he might appear brisk upon this day of admission.  Pau. 
Prithee pay more respect to the old Gentleman before your Mother-in-law, he always appeared cheerful though not to this degree.  Luc. 
Well Madam, if you have a mind to be my Mother-in-Law, 'tis you will have the worst of it, not I  Pau. 
Why so merry Cousin?  Luc. 
Because after a very little time my Father must return to rheum and spitting-sheet, and then how will you away with it? I love an old man well enough for a Father, but not for a husband.  Paul. 
Pray Cousin let us reason it, such an old man as your Father, or my late husband, would make you an excellent match, come think of it Lucinda, it might prove most proper, his gravity to allay your levity, his cold your heat, as we correct Wine with Water.  Luc. 
Out upon it! I would not have an old man, though he made me a jointure of the Indies, though he built me a house of Silver, and turned a rich stream of golden Tagus to wash my garden walls, though he could afford me Cleopatra's draughts every morning, I should find out another Antony.  Paul. 
O brave Girl, had you rather venture a young man's frolicks?  Luc. 
Yes, rather than to lie by an old man, 'tis lying with a Coffin, and I am sure you had rather lie by a certain young man than my father.  Pau. 
Why do you think so Cousin? an old man is a very wise bosom friend, whom long use of life has polished, from whom you may learn the wisest rules to methodise yourself.  Luc. 
Very good, you advise me to marry an old man, that is to say an history incarnate, true Annals writ upon a Skeleton; and what then, go to bed with this rotten Chronicle? no he shall lie covered with Cobwebs first. I don't intend to embalm matrimonial mummy, to spoil the Apothecary's trade, and fill my Closet with galley-pots.  [Enter Nuar. Nua. 
Madam, Signior Paulo desires to speak with you.  Pau. 
Well, I will go wait upon my Cousin, 'tis to give my approbation to the design of his music he presents us with to night at Supper. Cousin farewell, and think more charitably of an Old husband.  [Ex. Paulina. Nuarc. 
Antonio is just come to the back door, and I have got my Mistress luckily away.  Lucinda. 
Pray bring him into this walk pray make haste, and I will give you the best gown I have.  Nuar. 
I go, I go to serve you both.  [Ex. Nuarcha. Lucin. 
I know there is no danger of the Widows marrying my Father, though she carries it so demurely; she has a greater longing after my dear Antonio, and my love is not without some hope; for though he seems to court the Widow, yet his looks and words may be as well interpreted to me, I wish my supposition proves true.  Enter Antonio with Nuarcha to Lucinda. Ant. 
Madam, this happiness you confer upon me is more than any past or future service can repay: pray Madam let me know the honour of your commands, that I may express some thanks by readiness to obey them.  Lucin. 
Sir you shall know them presently, they concern both you and myself: good Nuarcha, oblige me in observing my Cousin and Father's motion, that I may not be surprised talking with Antonio.  Nuar. 
Well, dear heart, I will, I go most willingly, for a hundred to one but they will talk about my mistress's affection to Antonio, which amorous discourse will so heat my desires, that they will exceed moderation: well goodly Couple Farewell, I dare trust you both.  Ant. 
Ah Lucinda, give me leave to speak, and whilst there is time to undeceive you, by all that is good you should believe: you are the design of my true love, and the Widow but the Shadow of the Picture to cheat the eyes of the beholder.  Lucin. 
Antonio, you mistake, I am not she you mean, I am Lucinda and not the Widow, 'tis she has ever had the appearance of your love by words and actions, which bid her judge it real. But I wish with all my heart he means what he speaks.  [Aside. Ant. 
Let this propitious hour be for ever blessed, in affording me time to express my heart.  Lucin. 
Well, well, you are a merry man to whet your discourse on me, against my Cousins coming.  Ant. 
Madam, do you think I want eyes and ears to distinguish the beauty, and wit of Lucinda?  Luc. 
But to be serious, the only way to procure your Widow, is by keeping off my Father; who to speak dutifully of him seems in the Autumn of his life to pretend a second Spring: I will assure you your Rival is very brisk with her; therefore pray Court your Widow to the purpose, and give her greater assurance of you, that my Father may be diverted from clapping me into a Nunnery; and that is the end of my giving you this trouble. Would to God I could tell him plainly that I love him.  [aside. Ant. 
Oh Lucinda, be not so cruel as to condemn me to new pains: for this falsehood of pretended love is as great a torment to me, as a mistake in you; rather command me to own my love before your Father, and the Widow.  Lucin. 
No, pray Court on, upon discovery Lucinda must forthwith march into a Nunnery, I believe you will hardly free her from it without her Portion.  Ant. 
Dearest Lucinda do not think so basely of your Lover, that the spirit of his love so much delights in dross and earth. I love not Lucinda as the Heiress of her Father; but for the inestimable dowry of her Virtue and Beauty: I have enough left me by my Ancestors, and fortune would be prodigal, to grant me Lucinda to command me and it.  Lucin. 
These words will make be believe former passages, that he is real, I must confess. [aside.— Well, you are a pleasant man, yet I think it would prove better for me to think of a Nunnery, and its happy quiet, than of launching into a troublesome world, and Domestic Employment, if it were not for one thing—  Ant. 
What is that Lucinda?  Lucin. 
Why it must out— if it were not for— my Antonio.  Ant. 
Oh pronounce those blessed words again, lest it passes for a dream of happiness.  Luc. 
Nay, I am glad 'tis out, but if it had not been for fear of Nunnery and Haircloth, I had held out longer: yet you must Court the Widow, as you used to do, the next time you see her.  Ant. 
For heaven sake do not relapse, I am weary of the cheat: I must acknowledge the truth, this unkindness suggests as if you did not love me; for Lovers like the Deity hate to have their dues offered to an Idol.  Lucin. 
But as you love me, continue it for a while, I warrant you for some handsome Plot to discover all in a little time.  Enter Nuarcha. Nuar. 
Madam, your Father and my Lady are coming, pray set yourself in order.  Enter Paulo and Paulina. Paulo. 
How now! what do I see? is not that a young man, and that my daughter?  Nuar. 
Yes Sir, and a handsome young man too, he happened to come by when the Garden door was open, and being delighted with the beauty of the place, I invited him in, as one not unknown to my Lady.  Paulin. 
Good Sir be disturbed at nothing, he is a Gentleman of my acquaintance, I am glad that any thing here has obliged his stay: and that my Cousin was here so luckily to entertain him.  Anto. 
Madam, I need not fear to come off in the old Gentleman's opinion, having so good an Advocate.  Paulo. 
Umph, Advocate, and old Gentleman! no more old Gentleman than yourself, for years do not bring age, but debauchery of youths and such Jacks as you are. Come Saucebox, can you jump as I can? come, the old Gentleman, as you call him, shall try your activity.  [he jumps. Ant. 
How zealously this old Gentleman, like some sort of lovers, acts one thing and is another, declaiming against youth, yet mistaking its gayety!  Paulo. 
Young fellow there— leave off your prating, and try if your back can bear jumping as mine does: prithee sweet Widow don't mind his prating, but observe this trial of skill.  Lucin. 
Pray Madam, speak to my Father to have a care of straining.  Paulo. 
How is that, you Saucy baggage? abuse your Father's back to his face, that was one cause of bringing you into the world? get you gone you undutiful slut, to abuse the spring of your being.  Anto. 
Madam, what must your influence and virtue be, which can thus change nature, and metamorphize old age into brisk youth?  Paulin. 
But the victory is greater which conquers the stronger, and settles wandering youth within the sober bounds of constancy.  Paulo. 
Come troublesome Companion, if you will have all prating and no jumping, pray leave this Lady and prattle with that young Flirt there. I'll warrant her I shall punish her within few days for impiously throwing dirt upon my back.  Ant. 
Madam, since at this time this old Gentleman will be your only Guardian, pardon me if I am forced to play the hypocrite.  Paulo. 
Well Ragmanners forbear your flouting, or you shall take what follows. And be satisfied that this Lady is otherwise disposed of.  Ant. 
Lucinda, it certainly foretells good luck that I have so easily obtained your Father's consent to Court you.  Lucin. 
But what would become of us if either of them imagined the plot betwixt us?  Ant. 
Faith, I will directly discover it.  Lucin. 
Yes, yes, throw me into a Nunnery▪ and then see how you can get me out: pray at this time break up company, lest it seems too much familiarity at first sight, I will contrive to see you again before midnight.  Ant. 
Well, I will obey you in all things— Madam I must beg your pardon for my rude intrusion, and yours Ancient Sir, if I have given you any occasion of trouble.  Paulo. 
Well Sir, we thank you as much for your room as your company— Ancient say you?— Widow pray give him his farewell.  Paulina. 
Antonio, I am sorry my circumstances will not permit me to discover how much I value you: but be assured that you shall be always welcome to any place, which calls me Mistress.  Anto. 
Madam, your most obedient Servant, I wish I might in this place plainly express the truth of my affection. With your Father's good leave Lucinda let me be esteemed your most faithful Servant.  Exit Ant. Paulin. 
Paulo, what think you of him, is he not a most accomplished Gentleman?  Paulo. 
No, no,— very indifferent,— a mere flash, come put him out of your head. Let's go in, the air grows cold.  [Exeunt Omnes.  

ACT III.  
SCENE ay▪  Enter Marcello, Circumstantio in the Town. Circ. 
MY Master has I must confess above my merits honoured me with a Commission to wait upon you and kiss your noble hands, the which Province I embrace with an eminent Exaltation of joy, since you are a person of such illustrious honour that Florence scarce contains your equal, I am sure not your Superior, which is no small symptom of my Master's piercing wit and more distinguishing Judgement, that have made so Excellent a choice.  Marc. 
You'll never leave your Rhetoric.  Cir. 
The subject needs it not, your vast merits afford so ample a Field of Discourse, that with Excessive pleasure I could wander in those delightful paths, but at the present I am too strictly bound by my Masters too hasty expectation of my too quick Return.  Mar. 
Prithee to the point if you be in haste, for I am so.  Cir. 
I shall be brief, for brevity, though I must confess it does too often obstruct the ravishing torrents of an eloquent▪ and charming tongue, yet in quick dispatch of business I hold it necessary, and therefore I shall proceed.  Mar. 
I must be gone else, what would Antonio have?  Cir. 
You being a person strictly allied to him by firm necessitude, and bound to him by the indissoluble knot of an inviolable Friendship, and being a person to whom he is multis nominibus obstrictus.  Mar. 
What would he have with me?  Cir. 
He being also a person embarrassed with an amorous Intrigue, well may I say embarrassed for res est 〈◊〉 plena timoris amor, as the Poet sings sweetly, But Antonio being a person—  Mar. 
— That would speak with me, when and where?  Cir. 
I shall inform you, he being a person who not only having great proclivity to that amorous passion, but being driven by the violence of her beauty whose Image he wears upon his heart, she being a person—  Mar. 
— 'Ounds is she a person too, nay then Farewell.  Cir. 
Hold good Sir, and hear the end.  Mar. 
'Sdeath you will never come to an end.  Cir. 
She being a person—  Mar. 
— I will not stay if she be a person.  Cir. 
I am astonished Sir at your impatience, would you have me speak vulgarly and abruptly, and in haste like a Nursekeeper that is sent for Aquavitae?  Mar. 
I am going out of Town, I shall return and wait upon your Master to morrow.  Cir. 
Hear me first, I shall be concise, for I am a person—  Mar. 
— You a person? nay then farewell▪ a pox on your person.  Enter Marcello 's man Albricio. Albric. 
I am much mistaken Sir, if your unknown Mistress be not coming this way— and if it be she, I saw her come out of Lorenzo's house: She's here.  Enter Julia and Governess. Mar. 
What do I hear? Madam I know your person.  
And yet I know not what to call you,  
Unless it be Lorenzo's Mistress.  julia. 
Jealousy is sometimes a sign of great love,  
But always of little wit.  Mar. 
I see then you will own it.  
Has my so violent passion deserved your scorn?  julia. 
Jealous and angry too! nay then I'm sure  
You are fast enough i'th' toil.  Mar. 
Lorenzo has employed you then  
To set your beauteous snares to draw me in.  
Then prey on me. This is most exquisite revenge  julia. 
You are confident I am Lorenzo's Mistress,  
Because the Lady who spoke to him to day▪  
Is yours.  Mar. 
On my honour I know her not,  
But I am sure, you came but now  
Out of Lorenzo's house.  Cir. 
Shall I not accomplish my Embassy to you?  Mar. 
Pox on thee, begone Impertinent.— Albricio know the  
Tools Message if you can find it out.  julia. 
What luck is this he should discover it—  [aside. 
I visited his Sister who was bred in the  
Same Nunnery with me, and whom I love  
Equally with myself.  Mar. 
If this be all, I may be happy yet.  julia. 
Lorenzo is the man on earth I would not have,  
I hate his stubborn and inveterate humour,  
If he were sole Monarch of the Universe  
I would not marry him, but if my too forward  
Care of you will make you jealous, you  
Shall have less of it hereafter.  Mar. 
O say not so, I had rather my good Angel  
Should neglect me, and hover about my  
Enemy.  julia. 
Were there no other man in Florence, he  
Should never have my love.  
A Bark that's tossed by Tempests on a Rock  
Were safer than a woman cast on him.  Mar. 
Dear beauteous vision, for yet I know not  
What to call you, I am convinced  
You would refuse his love, and were I sure  
You would accept of mine.  julia. 
You are not sure I am worthy of it.  Marc. 
Thou art worthy of the love of Princes.  
The greatest Hero that the earth e'er bare  
In thee might meet the end of all ambition.  julia. 
Suppose I were one of Lorenzo's Kindred.  Mar. 
Wert thou his Sister, I would headlong fly  
Into thy Arms, though he were at my back  
Ready to give me the malicious blow  
He long has wished me.  jul. 
How I admire and love his generous nature!  [aside. Mar. 
By this plain declaration I deserve  
Thou shouldst reveal thyself, and make me happy.  
For whosoever thou art, by Heaven I swear  
My life and love to thee shall end together.  
I am sure thou'rt good, for nature would not slubber so  
To place an evil mind in such a body.  julia. 
Your Generosity has so obliged me  
That the next meeting which I will contrive  
As soon as may be, you shall know my name:  
Let it suffice at present to inform you  
My virtue is unquestioned, and my birth  
And fortune too may claim the good Marcello.  Mar. 
Life of my soul, here let me seal my vows.  Cir. 
The Naturalists observe—  Albr. 
— What have I to do with your Naturals, what would your Master have with mine?  Cir. 
I am confounded, that I should draw my breath in so unlearned an Age!  Albr. 
Where is your Master?  Cir. 
I cannot say affirmatively what place does circumscribe him, I suppose you hold with Aristotle, that locus est superficies.  Albr. 
Pox on Aristotle, where's your Master?  Cir. 
Paulina's Mansion did contain him locally, for Corpus must always be in loco, that's certain, but at this present point of time I can only say indefinitely he is not at home.  Albr. 
Farewell, a pox of this stuff. Sir, I cannot understand one Sentence that he says.  julia. 
I see Lorenzo coming up that street.  
Now if you would have me believe one word  
You speak: avoid him quickly.  Mar. 
I am all obedience, Joy of my life farewell.  Cir. 
Will you not lend your ears for one small moment?  Mar. 
Damn you impertinent Rascal.  [Exeunt Julia, Marcello and Albricio. Cir. 
The world is envious of my parts I see,  
There's no man truly honoured while he lives.  
I will write something, Quod nec Iovis ira nec ignis,  
And then I'll die and purchase true renown.  [Ex. Circ. Enter Camilla and Govern. in the Town. Cam. 
Dissuade me not, I am resolved to venture  
Through all the dangers Cowards can imagine.  Gou. 
Consult your honour and my safety Madam  
As gentle as Marcello is, he would revenge  
Your love adventures upon me.  Cam. 
Fear not.  
I will protect thee and defend his life,  
Or perish with him, 'tis no time to 〈◊〉  
With his or with my loved Lorenzo's safety.  
I'll save my honour too, or lose my life.  
Go to Lorenzo's house, and let him know  
I am here to speak with him.  Gou. 
Consider Madam.  Cam. 
I prithee lay thy tedious wisdom by,  
We must have desperate remedies for this ill.  
If thou'dst preserve my life, I do conjure thee  
To do as I appoint thee.  Enter Lorenzo and Vincentio. Gou. 
Here he comes.  
Put a strict guard upon your honour now  
And let not love find out its weaknesses.  Cam. 
My honour's safe, he sees me not.  [aside. Lor. 
Revenge,  
Thou art my Deity, to thee I pay  
My vows and off rings, Oh cursed Marcello  
To morrows Sun shall see thy treacherous heart  
Throbbing within this hand. Oh Heaven who's this?  
My Genius come to stop the lawful rage  Cam. puts herself before him. 
Of this avenging Arm? It is her shape  
The motion too of her Celestial body.  Vinc. 
I know her by her Governess my Mistress.  Lor. 
Fair unknown Saint of all my vows, to thee  
The dear protectress of my life and fortune  
I humbly kneel, and from thy powerful doom  
Expect my life or death. If thou'lt be kind,  
I will look down upon and pity Kings,  
If not, the miserablest slave may pity me.  Vinc. speaks to her Governess kneeling. Vinc. 
Fair unknown Saint of all my vows, to thee  
I humbly kneel Protectress of my fate,  
Put up this Cloud and shine upon thy servant.  Gou. 
Whose Fool art thou?  Vinc. 
I am Lorenzo's, pray whose Fool art thou?  
It is a secret I would gladly know.  Gou. 
I shall never be thy Fool, that is, thy wife.  Vin. 
Break, break distracted heart, there is no cure.  Cam. 
Sir, you ask pity of me who needs it more.  Lor. 
Pray mock me not, such beauty stand in need  
Of pity? 'tis impossible, you may  
Give law to all that see you, and those wretches  
That once could disobey you aught to be  
Cast out from all human Society,  
And left to the company of Bears and Wolves.  Cam. 
Oh were these words the dictates of your heart,  
I should be happy.  Lor. 
By all the joys of Heaven  
They are, I swear on your fair hand, except  
You intercede for vile Marcello's life,  
There's no command of yours I'd not obey,  
I'd singly stand a breach, leap into fire  
Or mount a billow when the foaming Sea  
Is most enraged with tempests: I for you  
Would scorn all danger, but the loss of honour  
I cannot bear.  Cam. 
Nor could I ere esteem  
One that would hazard that; but to be just  
And honourable, you should end this feud.  
'Tis the most brutal custom of our Country  
For Families to fight they know not why:  
Beasts are more civil, for they never quarrel  
But for necessity of nature: Good Marcello  
Is willing to contract a Friendship with you,  
And would on that condition give his Sister  
Who's young, and they who have seen her say she's fair,  
And all conclude her rich and virtuous,  
This Sister he would give in marriage to you.  Lor. 
How! marry one of his accursed Race?  
I'd sooner take one sick of the Plague and keep  
My Nuptials in a Pest-house. There's no yoke  
Which the most savage Tyrant could impose  
I would not sooner bow my servile neck to.  Cam. 
Ah what hope  
Poor lost Camilla now remains for thee!  [aside. Lor. 
But for the life of base Marcello Madam  
You are the most improper Orator,  
Can a scorned Lover hear his cruel Mistress  
Pleading for his successful, hated Rival,  
And not be more enraged against him for't?  Cam. 
He never yet by words or signs made love  
To me upon my honour.— Heaven I fear  
I shall reveal too much.  [aside. Lor. 
It is too plain you love him. Oh Devil  
With what patience can I reflect on that  
And let him live an hour?  Cam▪ 
He has my esteem because I think him generous,  
And he's beside a Friend to our Family,  
My love he ne'er shall have: But 'tis as plain  
You have a Mistress who stayed his arm from you.  Lor. 
No Lady e'er could touch my heart but you,  
May Thunder strike me dead if e'er I loved  
Before I saw your all commanding beauty,  
Which I am resolved to perish, or deserve,  
If all the service of my life can do it.  Cam. 
If you desire to make me credit you,  
Meet not Marcello in the wood to morrow.  Lor. 
Ha, has his fear made him betray the place.  
And time of Assignation, where I was  
T' enjoy my enemy? What riddle's this?  
Can you be so concerned, and yet not love him?  Cam. 
It is your safety Sir which I consult,  
Make me not blush to tell the cause of this.  Lor. 
If this be true, as I will ne'er distrust  
The words so fair a mouth as yours shall utter,  
Say but the cause is love, and tell me who  
You are.— let my lips dwell upon this hand for ever.  Cam. 
My birth and fortune equal yours,  
My honour's yet unblemished in a ●●ught.  
If I can love a man on earth 'tis you.  Gou. 
Madam, this is too much, we must be gone.  Lor. 
Peace Screech-owl, or by Heaven I'll strike thee dead  
With Curses. Oh let me hear those Sacred words  
Once more, that I may think I dream not.  Cam. 
I have said too much to one who loves so little.  Lor. 
Little!— the virtuous love not heaven so much.  
They know as little of it too, as I  
Of you my Heaven.  Gou. 
Thou art as impertinent and as inquisitive with me as thy hot-headed Master is with my Mistress.  Vinc. 
Perhaps you may be as handsome, and I may have as much reason. Oh let thy splendid face break out upon me sweet, and I will be as full of raptures as my Master.  Gou. 
You'll soon be satisfied, as for example.  [she puts up her veil. Vinc. 
Benedicite, I am satisfied thou hast punished me enough. By heaven a Succubus: Thou Scarecrow to preserve that goodly fruit.  Gou. 
Saucy fellow, I hope my face deserves better than yours.  Vinc. 
If e'er I trouble thee with love again, mayst thou confound me, and consent.  Cam. 
Grant me but this request, and on my honour  
Next interview which shall be sudden, you  
Shall know my name.  Lor. 
How is my nature lost, how soft I'm grown!  
By heaven I cannot disappoint my enemy,  
And yet by all the sacred powers above  
I never can deny thee aught.— But yet my honour.  Cam. 
False Braves alone are jealous of their honour,  
The true are still assured they cannot lose it.  
Or grant me this, or I'll conclude you love  
So little, 'twill not be worth my seeing you again,  
And I will ne'er attempt it.  Lor. 
Say not so.  
My life, my honour, all I have is yours,  
You shall dispose of all, and I'll obey you.  
I will not meet him, though I had much rather  
See him in opposition with his Sword  
Than have the fairest Lady but yourself  
Within my arms in dalliance.  Cam. 
Strange passion of revenge! and I'll not trust it.  
I have another way yet to prevent their meeting.  
Since you are pleased to promise you'll not meet,  
I take my leave for a short space of time.  Lor. 
Why should we ever part?  Cam. 
It must be now.  Lor. 
First let me kiss thy hand, once more, again, again,  
Why should I ever leave it?  Cam. 
Farewell my good Lorenzo, I was saying Dear Lorenzo.  
Hold, if you dog me, I'll never see you more.  Vinc. ready to dog her. Gou. 
Farewell Todpool, Toad, Monkey.  Vinc. 
Farewell Hag, Nightmare, Scarecrow, Malkin, etc.  [Ex. Cam. Gou. Lor. 
Heaven, with what pangs she leaves my soul!  
That in its last flight will not leave my body  
In half so bad.  
Methinks she tears my heartstrings, as she goes,  
I feel her pulling at'em. But what, have  
I promised not to meet my enemy;  
To lose my honour and revenge for one  
I know not? I was not myself, my madness  
Made it. Perhaps she may be one  
That's prostituted to the vile Marcello.  
By heaven I lie, it cannot be, she is  
Divine, the Saints we pray to are not half  
So beautiful, or holy.  [Enter a Messenger with a Letter. Mess. 
Are you Lorenzo?  Lor. 
I am.  Mess. 
Marcello sends you this, I lie, but 'tis no matter, I am well paid for lying, and I believe 'tis for pimping too.  [aside. Lor. 
reads. My mind is changed, and I will meet this night at eight by the Great Oak in the neighbouring wood, 'tis Moonlight. If I hear not from you, I will conclude that you consent to it.  Marcello. Mess. 
What answer Sir?  Lor. 
There needs none, there's something for you.  [Ex. Mess. 
Lucky above my wishes,  
I only promised not to meet to morrow,  
I am free, and I will haste to my revenge.  [Enter Julia. 
Sister whither are you going?  julia. 
No farther, I came to meet you at your coming in.  Lor. 
julia I have news for you.  julia. 
What's that dear Brother?  Lor. 
I have appointed time and place to meet  
My mortal enemy Marcello, and suddenly  
All our vexatious Quarrels will be ended.  
I know the bravery of thy spirit makes thee  
Hate that cursed race, and 〈…〉  
With me.  julia. 
Heaven send a good end.  Lor. 
Do not distrust my courage or my fortune.  julia. 
When and where, is this meeting to be?  
Oh my Marcello!  [aside. Lor. 
Ha, she sighs, I must not trust her tenderness,  
Inquire no more, 'twill not be long.  julia. 
I see a paper in his pocket, perhaps it contains  
The appointment: forgive my theft.  [aside. 
When e'er you meet may heaven preserve my  [To him. 
Dearest brother.  She embraces him and takes the note out of his pocket. Lor. 
Thanks my julia, let's in.  julia 
reads. What's this? To night in the neighbouring wood by the great Oak. Heaven, how shall I find this out.— Hold, I shall be observed.  [Ex. Lorenzo and julia. Enter Antonio and Lucinda in Paulina's house. Ant. 
Think Madam if Paulina discovers my deceit, how we shall be defeated, what e'er my tongue may utter, my eyes will tell her plainly whom I love.  Luc. 
We women are vain enough to interpret all to our advantage, as perhaps I do when I believe you.  Ant. 
To put you out of doubt, this night I will contrive your escape, and to morrow a Priest and you may make me happy, I have sent to my Friend Marcello to be in readiness, in hope that I might persuade you to this reasonable proposal.  Luc. 
Is it reasonable then to run away with a Gentleman at the second Interview?  Ant. 
Rather than to be clapped into a Nunnery before the third Interview.  Luc. 
'Tis fit we should try men's tempers first, and what they can bear, be coy, and use them scurvily beforehand, for they are sure to use us so afterwards.  Ant. 
Our Italian Marriages are made for interest, but mine with you would be for love, and to assure you of it, I could wish you were a Beggar.  Luc. 
I am like to be little better, if I marry without my Father's consent, and he'll not give it because his paying a good portion to me may be an objection of the Widow against his Marriage.  Ant. 
Ah Madam, I would have you come all love and no money into my Arms. Our Italian Ladies in love matters use to be so wise to consider that opportunities are but few, think of a perpetual prison, Hair-smocks, Midnight Prayers, lying on Mats alone, Green Sickness, and continual Chalk-eating.  Luc. 
These are terrible things, and you being less terrible, I cast myself upon you.  Ant. 
My dear incomparable Lucinda!  Luc. 
None of your raptures, those are always short-lived affections, that show themselves that way.  Ant. 
My love is as immortal as my soul. [Enter Circ. Oh here's my Man, what news?  Cir. 
As soon as I had received the honour of your Command, I did forthwith repair with all the haste that was decent for a Florentine of that Gravity and Education that I pretend to, to the house of Don Marcello, which I soon found at that time did not circumscribe its Master: the noble Pater Familias being lately sallied forth upon some important affair, which at that particle of time urged his absence from his own Mansion—  Ant. 
Thou eternal Rogue, the presence of my Mistress saves thy life.  Cir. 
But to proceed, departing from this Mansion almost in despair  Ant. 
Rogue—  Cir. 
Of any opportunity that might present itself of my encountering with the noble Gentleman to whom my Embassy was then addressed—  Ant. 
Villain—  Cir. 
I applied myself to a more gentle and deliberate motion, uncertain where I should guide my wandering steps to the attaining of my wished for end.  Luc. 
Most eloquent impertinence!  Cir. 
And though I must confess with anxiety enough duly weighing the emergency of your occasions, yet I could not retain myself from reflecting with pity on the erring and illiterate vulgar: who wanting the unspeakable benefit of education and literature were little better than so many two-legged beasts wandering up and down within the several walks of this fair Urbane Forest.  Ant. 
Dog, Rogue; incorrigible Rascal, there's a reward for your Damned Rhetoric.  Cir. 
Alas Sir, these unseemly blows do you more harm than me, in as much as they betray your want of Philosophy.  Ant. 
Again Villain.  [beats him again. Cir. 
Are these the Guerdons due to eloquence, which might most justly claim its wreaths of Laurel?  Ant. 
Of Laurel! wreaths of Indian Cane, which thus Sir I confer upon you.  Luc. 
Hold Sir, he is distracted, this is not the way to cure him, let him be bled and dieted.  Cir. 
Is she barbarous too?  Ant. 
Madam, I ask your pardon for the rudeness his impertinence provokes me to; but sirrah tell me what Marcello said to you or by Heaven I'll kill you.  Cir. 
I had indeed at last post varios casus, post tor dis●rimin● reru●, a vision of Marcello, but he whether possessed with more important thoughts, or rather diverted by an encounter with a Nymph, who is a person—  Ant. 
Well Dog, I shall not know, be gone and see my face no more.  Enter Albricio. Albr. 
Sir, I beg pardon for intruding thus upon you, but my Master not being able to find out your man's meaning has sent me to know what service you would command him.  Ant. 
Desire him if possible to put off his Journey into the Country to night: for I have a business of the greatest consequence in the world to me, which will require his assistance.  Albr. 
I will tell him instantly.  [Ex. Albricio. Cir. 
What a vulgar and illiterate Fellow's this!  Ant. 
Now Madam, with the assistance of Marcello we safely shall escape, but do you hear Rogue, see me no more as Master.  Enter Nuarcha. Nuar. 
You are always cruel to my Circumstantio, who is a man of such excellent parts you are not worthy of him: I'll not be kind to you if you use him thus: in the mean time my Lady desires your company to atone for that of Signior Paulo's.  Luc. 
I have such a design which I will tell you of, as I'll secure you shall break the marriage, I'll go first, do you follow.  Ant. 
I will Madam.  Ex. Lucinda and Antonio. Cir. 
I will take every occasion by the forelock, whereby I may express my grateful resentments and my services within the narrow Sphere of my Activity.  Nuar. 
I must confess I love men of activity, but at the present I will conduct you where we may in a Corner hear. Paulo's Music, and confer about our mutual affections.  Enter Paulo and Paulina. Paulina. 
You are indeed the gayest young Gentleman of your age that I have met with.  Paulo. 
Age, pox of age, your young washy fellows are all Jades, I am tough and will hold out the matrimonial Journey: young Rogues like tender plants whither presently, but I like a Bay tree am green and flourish all the Winter. Here's a Body of Iron.  Paulina. 
And a face of brass.  [aside. Paulo. 
Faith Widow I shall be brisk with thee, I wish thou mayest be able to sustain my vigour. Hem, hem, here are lungs for thee, Ha Widow, I am in the flower of my age, come faith let's be merry— fa, lafoy, lafoy, la.  

Ah how I love thee my Widow,  
Ah how I love thee my dear!  
Of Rivals I soon would be rid ho  
If thou wouldst but gracious appear.  
Ah how I love, etc.   
I made this myself, faith I did.  Enter Lucinda and after Antonio Paulina. 
Very good, is there no more?  Paulo. 
Ah how I love my Paulina  
Ah far beyond each living thing.  
Honest Paulo would make her his Queen a  
If Paulo were once but ● King.  
Ah how I love, etc.  
Hum, ●●h, what say you?  Paulo. 
O, excellent.  Paulo. 
Ha! What a Devil does this young Rogue here?  Ant. 
I am bold again to come and kiss your hands, Lovers like Ghosts, will always haunt the place where their Treasure is.  Pauli. 
In the time I would not speak to any man, you did seek occasions to express a generous Passion. I was not then, nor am I now insensible of your Flame.  Paulo. 
Ha, Flame! Who's that has a flame for my Widow? I'll burn him in his own Flame, and make a Martyr of him. dam— God, Young Fellow, I'll make thee smoke.  Pauli. 
Though, he being here, 'tis no time for Discourse, Yet, I assure you, you shall not find me ungrateful.  Paulo. 
Do you know I pretend to this Lady? and that 'tis dangerous to be a Rival to Paulo del Campo.  Ant. 
No indeed neither. Alas, old Gentleman, by those white Hairs I see you have one foot in the Grave, and should not think of a young Lady.  Paulo. 
Sir, I would have you know I was white at two and twenty; What can you do? What are you good for? Hem, hem; there's Lungs boy; I'll spit with you for Twenty pound: what can you do? can you vault or dance, Fa, lafoy, lafoy, la? I can.  [He dances. Ant. 
Fie, Sir, 'tis unbecoming your Gravity to dance, you are Old, and being Wise should be reserved, lest you should be found to be otherwise.  Paulo. 
Old! Thou art a decrepit young Fellow; Widow, have a care of young Sparks; all the Youth of this last Generation are but half-Gotten, born with the Rickets, knocked in the Cradle, starved at Nurse, basely Educated, neither with Sense, Learning, or Manners, and grow up at last to be feeble, foolish, positive, confident, idle, debauched Fellows, full of Mercury, and empty of Brains, and of no Use in the Dukedom.  Ant. 
Have a care of an old man, with whom you will have the Name of a Wife, but the Office of a Nurse.  Paulo. 
Wilt thou not change a young, hot-headed, crazy Wencher, for a sound, solid, sober Husband?  Luc. 
One that will keep home, and Sup at home, and after Bed well-warmed, and wrought-Cap aired, his Posset-drink turned off, enters his Bed, coughs thrice, and goes to sleep.  Paulo. 
Well Jade to a Nunnery to morrow. Had not a man better be sober and civil, and go on a Carrier's pace, than make a Post-horse of a Wife?  Ant. 
What can those Embers, those Ashes of Love be good for?  Pauli. 
A prudent, stayed man in years, makes a good Husband.  Paulo. 
Witness my old Friend Ferdinand, your late Husband.  Ant. 
He was of middle Age; but is it fit for this young Lady to nurse up Children with long Beards, and Infants of three Feet, to have a Deaths-head by her instead of a Husband every night?  Paulo. 
Dost thou hear, canst thou fight, Sa, sa, sa?  Pauli. 
Hold, that I forbid.  Luc. 
Heaven deliver me from an old man to my Husband, 'twould grieve me to hear him groan all night for the Gravel, or for the Gout, wrapped in Flannel for his Rheums and Aches, and in the morning to see my Maid sweep away six ounces of my Husband's Lungs with a Besom.  Paulo. 
I shall provide you Iron bars instead of a Wedding Ring, Huswife.  Luc. 
Nay, not that my Father is such a one, but an old Husband is good for nothing but for a Wife to foretell change of Wether by.  Paulo. 
Will you wrestle a Fall with me, Boy, Scoundrel?  He mimics wrestling. Ant. 
A Human weatherglass, a Flesh Barometer, what, take a Husband for an Almanac, the common mark for all Influences; now Taurus hurts his neck, and Pisces makes his feet catch cold.  Paulo. 
Young Fellow, Hast thou paid thy Surgeon? I warrant thou art so full of Quicksilver, that all the Gold in the Room is discoloured with the Atoms that fly from thee. Mind him not, Widow, he's a young, silly, flashy Fellow: be wise, Widow.  Pauli. 
I warrant you, I'll do what's best for myself.  Paulo. 
Nay then, I am thine own, thy hand Widow.  
Young Fellow, despair and hang thyself.— Hark,  Fiddles flourish within. 
Now my music's ready, Widow, pray mind my  
Music, 'Tis very good Music, in troth.  

SONGS. DANCE.  Basse 
Let Fools consume themselves with fruitless care,  Recit. 
And with fond hopes search after empty things,  
But Beggars with their Love are happier far,  
Than are, without it, the most mighty Kings.  1 Treble 
Let all the World beside go pine,  
And sigh, and weep, and groan,  2 Treble 
To dismal Griefs their Breasts resign,  
And with sad, sad Accents moan.  Chorus 2 Trebles and a Basse. 
Lover's shall laugh while they shall whine.  1 Treble 
Fools for its self will Treasure prize,  
Some dazzling Greatness blinds.  2 Treble 
Beauty alone can charm our Eyes,  
And Love delight our Minds.  Chorus of 3. 

Beauty alone can etc.   

What is the Use of Wealth or Power  
By which they men subdue,  
If not in order to gain more  
To vanquish Women too.  
If not &c.   

Beauty's the Sum of all Delight,  
Without Love Life were vain.  
Th' ambitious Toil, the valiant Fight,  
For these, for these King's Reign.  
Th' Ambitious etc.   

They who on these fix their Desires  
Go right in Nature's way,  
All others are but wandering Fires  
That lead Mankind astray.  
All others etc.    Pauli. 
'tis very fine, now let's to Supper.  Paulo. 
Prithee send away that Puppy with a Flea in his Ear.  Pauli. 
By no Means, he is a civil Person, Antonio, your Company too.  Paulo. 
Civil person? a Puppy, a Flash, a Vapour, a Butterfly. Well I'll rout him.  Exeunt Omnes.  

ACT IU.  
SCENE I.  Enter Circumstantio and Nuarcha. [He Kisses her first very formally. Circum. 
THERE's Nectar and Ambrosia on thy Lips, enough for Men and Gods to surfeit on.  Nuar. 
Good lack a day! but since our Hearts are now made one, what rests but that a Priest to morrow may make us one flesh too.  Cir. 
That would be Joy beyond my Oratory to express, but my Affairs being yet tempestuous, let me take Harbour in old Paulo's Service, and then we will consummate. Antonio with whom I lived to advise and cultivate him with some politer Arts, being too obdurate to receive Impressions, I have discarded utterly, I did even now insinuate this to Signior Paulo.  Nuar. 
Let me alone, I'll do your Business with old Paulo.  Cir. 
The Church's Seal shall then confirm our mutual Loves, but I will perish ere I will throw all my good Parts away on her.  [Aside Enter Paulina and Antonio. Pauli. 
While Paulo is in Discourse with his Daughter, we have some time that's free from Interruption.  Anto. 
My Affections I have at large expressed already, and since the Beauteous Creature understands me fully, I hope she will not cast away a faithful Lover.  Pauli. 
I for my part shall never Delight in Cruelty.  Enter Paulo and Lucinda. Paulo. 
Prithee my dear Widow, send this impertinent young Fellow away, I wonder how thou canst suffer him.  Pauli. 
Give me leave to retire a Moment, and I will give him such an Answer, as shall make him press me further in this matter.  Paulo. 
Do so my Dear, and let him go home and hang himself.  Nuar. 
Sir this Gentleman who is a great Scholard, and has the most eloquent Tongue, a Tongue tipped with Silver, has a mind to serve you.  Paulo. 
I understand as much from himself, and in Troth I take him to be a very pretty Fellow.  Cir. 
I sucked my Education and my Literature much from Imitation, and much from Padua, bred with the ignorant Antonio, who never knew enough to value me; I did—  Paulo. 
Introth a very pretty Fellow, hast thou a Certificate from thy Master?  Cir. 
Behold here it is in prom●in.  Paulo. 
These are to certify you, that Circumstantio Paulo reads. served me several years, but I was forced to part with him, for a certain immoderate Guilt he has of impertinent Eloquence.  Antonio. 
Oh foolish young Fellow! what does he hate Eloquence? I honour it, and do receive thee as a Jewel, but canst thou write as well as thou canst speak?  Cir. 
My Style in writing is much more neat, terse, and polite, than indeliberate speaking can be, which you soon will find, if you please to fix on this occasional Reflection which Meltetique Paper contains some small Diversion of my Thoughts.  Paulo. 
Good Faith he speaks gallantly.  [Paulo reads. Nuar. 
Beyond mortal men!  
Upon a Magpie sucking of an Hen's Egg, rare I faith, I love these pretty things of Witt.  
After the too enticing Charms of a soft and downy Repose, walking abroad one Morning with the beauteous and excellent Clarinda, most noble Theophilus, just as blushing Aurora had left the Bosom of the Deep, and the Sun had with infant Beams begun to smile upon, and dally with the various Beauties of the Spring, and had guilded and adorned the verdant Meads it chanced that our wandering and indeterminate Steps conducted us into one soe●●eld and bespangled with Flowers, so beauteous and so fragrant, that we were in Doubt, whether our Sight or smelling was 〈…〉 with Excess of Pleasure: and all the while the little innocent Choristers of the Spring, chanted forth their pretty and melodious Carols to welcome in Clarinda and the Morning, when lo! on a sudden divinely thus the Nymph broke Silence. Behold most noble Cunophilus, a Beauty in these Meads, which Flora herself would blush at and be proud of, behold how Nature's pretty Wildness does exceed all the feeble Endeavours of emulous Art, when her Speech was on the sudden interrupted by the clamorous Importunity of a pretty chattering Animal, which by its Colour did seem to be of the Dominican Order among the Fowl, and was in Brief a Magpie. At first we considered whether Joy or Anger or what Passion it might be, had surprised the chequered Fowl, and caused its sudden Ecstasy, when lo! hard by we spied that garrulous and domestic Bird, vulgarly called a Hen, which soon became more loud and sonorous than the other. The Cause of which we soon perceived to be a sudden Joy it had conceived for its safe and happy Delivery of an oviparous Production, which no sooner had the unopining Bird deserted; but its false and chattering Neighbour leaped hastily on the forsaken Birth. And after making a little Fracture on the too brittle Defence, (I mean the Shell) the greedy immoral and voracious Fowl did in a Moment absorb all the precious liquour it contained.  Paulo. 
Come my dear sweet Widow, have you given that foolish Fellow his Answer?  Enter Paulina, Antonio, and Lucinda. Pauli. 
He knows what he must trust to.  Lucin. 
Now go about your Business, the size of the Statue fits you exactly.  Anto. 
As it were made for me, I can conceal myself within its Hollowness.  Lucin. 
You will turn them to Statues ere you have done.  Anto. 
Madam I humbly kiss your Hands, Old Gentleman your Servant.  Paulo. 
Farewell young Coxcomb.  [Exit. Anto. Lucin. 
'Tis time now to retire, 'tis my Cousin's Bedtime.  Paulo. 
Let me but see my old-Friend's Statue first.  Lucin. 
I'll draw the Curtain, are you ready Antonio, Anto. within.] I am.  Navar. 
Bless me what is the Matter? The Candles burn blue, Oh Heaven I am afraid of Spirits!  Pauli. 
They do burn blue, what's the matter?  Cir. 
The Tapers shine with a sulphurous Flame, and shed a sickly and unusual Light.  Lucin. 
Heaven what will become of us!  Paulo. 
I will turn the Statue, Circumstantio stand by me, art a Scholar, the Statue stirs.  Cir. 
I am possessed with panic Fear.  Anton. 
in the Statue.] Paulo, Paulo, Paulo.  Nuar. 
Ah my dear Circumstantio.  [She runs into his Arms. Pauli. 
Heaven defend us, what Prodigy is this.  Paulo. 
O Lord forgive me my Sins, good Widow pray for me, have you some Holy water to cool the Spirits Courage?  Lucin. 
Rather ask hot water to increase your own.  Pauli. 
Alas! we are helpless Women, you are a Man, a good old man, if you were a young man laden with Sins, you might with Reason fear: Pray speak to it.  Ant. 
Paulo, Paulo, Paulo.  Paulo. 
Speak reverend Spirit, speak whence com'st thou, whence art thou, and what disturbs thy Quiet?  Anto. 
My Soul commanded for old Paulo's Good,  
Against his Sins informs this carved Wood,  
I for some years enjoyed that Woman's Bed,  
And bound the lovely Living to the Dead;  
For which I was to Purgatory sent,  
To expiate my Crime 〈◊〉 punishment.  
But if you long for better or for worse,  
You should have made a Matrimonial Nurse  
Of some old Widow, who in Country Town,  
From Salves and Waters has obtained Renown.  
She best might fit your Cap, and spitting Sheet,  
And ply the Panting Pigeons to your Feet.  
She could with Skill your strengthening Plaster spread,  
And by back door relieve your aching head.  
Yet Heaven is better pleased if you should live  
A Widower, and your Lucinda give  
Into some young man's Arms, for that would be  
In Virtue best for her, and l●st for thee.  Paulo. 
Oh! I am wounded to the Heart with fear. Oh! I dissolve, I die. Has it done speaking?  Nuar. 
Yes sure Sir.  Paulo. 
I thought my old Friend and School-fellow Ferdinand would not have served me so: What, dissuade me from taking a short Lease of his own House? but what must be, must be.  Nuar. 
Nay, many times it made mouths, and grinned at me, as my old Master used to do in his Fits of the Colic, yet I never ventured to speak of it till now.  Paulo. 
Well, Paulina, there is a man baulked, I had a zealous Passion for you, and, with the Statues leave, no old man could deserve more than myself; but since a Plenipotentiary comes to forbid the Banes, I must submit. In troth it breaks my heart, it is a hard trial to my Flesh and Blood, I cannot forbear weeping; the fire within makes my Heart boil over. Widow, in troth, I designed you for my comfort, my Bosom Friend, in troth I love you, but what Heaven pleases: In troth I did love you, and hanged you on my Heartstrings, but no more of that: farewell, sweet Marriage, it mu●●e henceforth one in a Bed, be the Wether never so cold.  Nuar. 
Alas, I pity this poor old Gentleman.  Paulo. 
Well, Widow, my Heart glows still, I have not yet conquered myself, in troth I loved you, but must love no more.  Pauli. 
O yes, you must not deny your Charity, your Friendship and good Wishes upon occasion, as heretofore.  Paulo. 
Oh, Widow, remember Paulo, this has been a sad surprise to my poor loving Soul, I shall never forget it, but farewell, I am not well, Widow, I must now take my leave, perchance I may see you no more, this kiss shows that in troth I loved you.  Pauli. 
Good night to you, Sir, I hope a good sleep and the sure knowledge of the Care Heaven has for you, may settle this disturbance, but I shall not suddenly recover it.  Lut. 
Madam, It were better to let him compose himself a little in my Chamber before he goes, Pray Sir do.  Pauli. 
I think nothing better; or if he pleases to stay all night. (I am almost dead with fear) Lucinda, thou shalt lie with me, and thy Father shall lie in thy Chamber.  Paulo. 
With all my heart, sweet Widow, and Circumstantio, thou shalt lie with me. Widow, in troth I loved you, in troth I did, sweet Widow.  Pauli. 
Let's to our Chambers from this frightful place.  Exeunt. Enter Camilla in the Wood Cam. 
This is the tree, and this the appointed place  
Where my dear Brother is to meet Lorenzo.  
Both I would save, or die for both; oh Love,  
How much thy Torments overcome thy Sweets!  
And yet nothing can be so terrible  
Or full of Danger which thy Proselytes  
Will not for thee encounter: I am transformed  
From Woman to a man, a fearful Maid  
Grows bold, and dares by the Moons sickly light  
T' expose herself alone. Here comes  
One this way, sure it is he, my Sex returns,  
And I am fearful. How this will end, Heaven knows.  Loren. 
This is the time when Death and my Revenge  
Shall have their Sacrifice. Were it my Fate,  
As I believe it cannot be, to fall  
Under Marcello's Sword, I'd bleed contentedly,  
Doing my best to vindicate my Fame,  
And Death is better far than withering Honour.  
The oppressed Indian did not more abhor  
The place where Spaniards were, than I this Earth  
Where vile Marcello triumphs. Who art thou?  
I did expect to meet another man.  
Does cowardly Marcello send you to beg his Life?  Cam. 
He scorns the thought of it: he'll be just to his word.  
'Twas I that wrote the Note to change the time,  
Being one of his House, I came to speak with thee.  Lor. 
Being one of his House, I am come luckily.  
To kill thee.  
I came with as much joy to meet my Enemy  
As Bridegrooms go to bed. Rash youth,  
This great Disparity will make me blush.  
Nature has not made thee for fight, but rather  
Has shaped thee for my Lady's Page; but yet since  
His base Blood runs in thy Veins, I'll let it out.  Cam. 
First, let us parley and perhaps you'll find  
Not so much cause as you imagine.  Lor. 
Death! Parley with my Sword in my hand,  
And with one of Marcello's cursed Race.  
Draw.—  Cam. 
I will not draw, till you have heard me speak.  Lor. 
I'll make thee draw. Take that young Fool,  He striketh Cam. 
For daring to provoke me thus with trifling,  
And when thou fightest I'll give thee more  She draws, he wounds her slightly. 
For being of that hated Family.  Cam. 
No. Thou hast done enough to one who was before so deeply wounded. Heaven preserve Lorenzo.  [She faints. Lor. 
What do I hear? the Youth did bless me sure  
Just as he fainted, the small Wound torments me,  
And Gratitude returns it on myself.  
I'll chafe his Temples to recover him,  
Nothing but Fear has made this Agony.  
Oh Heaven and Earth, forgive me! 'tis a Woman.  
Ha! my unknown Mistress! wretched, damned Lorenzo,  
Thou art cursed to all Eternity.  
Earth swallow me, and let me be forgot.  
She's gone, she's gone: Was ever Mortal yet  
So cursed as I? feel a Hell within me,  
And all the Furies are raging there; O Speak,  
My Saint, my Goddess, speak, look up, Is there  
No help of Mercy?  Cam. 
Lorenzo censure not my Modesty,  
'Twas Love to you; and care of good Marcello  
That brought me hither, this Wound was kindly given,  
There is no other Cure for those my Breast  
Received from you before: for I could never  
Have enjoyed Lorenzo.  Lor. 
What Riddle's this?  
She faints again, Oh dearest Creature stay,  
One Moment stay, the penitent 〈◊〉  
Will wait upon there.  Cam. 
Oh! no but if you can  [She revives. 
Forgive and love one of Marcello's House,  
Let me conjure you by my dying Words,  
To love Marcello for my Sake.  Lor. 
She's gone again, Oh Guardian Angel stay,  
And hasten not away your lovely Charge  
In Flesh as much Angelic as thyself.  
Is there no Hopes, weep Oh ye Heavens, and give  
Water to sprinkle on her Face, weep thou  
Wretched Lorenzo, but thy Tears are hot  
Like thy accursed Rage. There is hard by  
A Sovereign Fountain famous for its Cures,  
I'll run and fetch some of its Water.  [Exit hastily. Enter Julia in Man's Habit. julia. 
This sure is the fatal place of Assignation,  
Where the two furious Combatants will meet,  
Where I like the renowned Sabin Woman,  
With Cries, dishevelled Hair, and Floods of Tears  
Will strive to close their mortal Enmity.  
Hard by there dwells an honest Countryman  
Whom I have gained to give me safe Retreat,  
And rest for some few Hours, if Sleep can bind  
The Sense where so much weighty Care doth dwell.  
Oh blessed Inhabitants of Cottages!  
Oh that I had been born some rural Girl,  
To have fed my Father's Flocks with cheerful Thoughts  
As impolluted as the Crystal Streams!  
There if some Flame had warmed my tender Heart  
With good Assurance I might own my Pain.  Cam. 
Oh! Oh! Oh!  julio. 
Speak, what art thou? For I can ask no more.  Cam. 
Help who ere thou art, alas I am robbed,  
And wounded in this Wood  jul. 
How robbed? Heaven how I quake!  Cam. 
Yes worthy Sir, in Charity  
Convey me hence or else I faint again.  jul. 
How my Limbs tremble, I scarce have Strength  
Enough to help you. Hard by my Chariot stands,  
I will convey you to a safe Retreat.  Cam. 
Thanks noble Sir.  
Savage Lorenzo couldst thou wound me, and  
Then leave me, I'll never see the more.  jul. 
Come lean on me.  Ex. Julia and Camilla. Enter Lorenzo. Lor. 
With too much Hast I missed my Way, and stayed  
Too long, so much has my Misfortune  
Confounded all my Faculties, Oh my Saint  
Go not without me, hah, what is she gone?  
I left her here: she's dead, and Angels have  
Conveyed away her sacred Corpse, too good  
For Worms to feed on, or has Heaven suffered  
This lovely Creature to recover Life  
Without my Help, who did commit this Crime?  
Oh cursed Wretch damned beyond Repentance!  
Art thou awake, dost thou behold these Trees?  
Or dost thou see the bright Moon's silver Beams?  
Oh hide thy Face, for thou shouldst be eclipsed  
In Horror of this Sin.  
If Fables feign man for ill Nature  
Derived from fiery Flints and stubborn Rocks,  
From what hard Metaphor shall fancy draw  
Parents fit for Lorenzo: what Floods, what Seas  
Can cleanse these bloody hands: if she be  
On Earth I'll find her out, if in the other  
World I'll follow her, but Ah! alas, I ne'er shall see  
That happy Place: this Sin will weigh me down.  Ex. Lorenzo. Enter Marcello with two or three Servants in the Town. Mar. 
This is the place Albricio, where my Friend Antonio appointed us to be.  Albri. 
I wonder Sir he is not yet come.  Mar. 
The time seems fit for our Adventure, the Moon is civil, and is just gone down. Who is there?  Ant. 
Your Friend Antonio.  Enter Antonio with Servants. Mar. 
Well my dear Friend, let's on, and good Luck to our Enterprise.  Ant. 
I am ashamed of engaging my best Friend in any thing of this Hazard, but I had none whom so entirely I could trust as you.  Mar. 
You honour me with your Confidence, but injure me, if you think I can value Danger, where my Friend is concerned: he that will not embrace the Perils Friendship draws upon it, ought never to enjoy the Pleasures it brings with it.  Ant. 
I know you are a generous Friend, and The Clock strikes twelve. the World knows you are a brave Enemy. Hark the Clock strikes, 'tis twelve, 'tis my time, good Luck dear Friend.  Mar. 
Fear not, 'tis a noble Cause.  Ant. 
Servants stand under the House, while Lucinda sings in the Window. you secure the Door, and I go in— hark by Heavens an Angel's Voice! 'Tis Lucinda's, this is a Quality I never knew: now for my Sign.  [He strikes upon his Sword Hilt. Luci. 
I hear the Sign, lie by my Lute.  [She descends, Mar. and Ant. go in. Paulina. 
within. Lucinda where art thou? Foolish Girl,  
Go to Bed— ha, there is some Body in the House,  
Nuarcha rise— ring the Bell, Thief's, Thiefs.  The Scene changes to the Hall in the House. Luci. 
I have set my Cabinet of Jewels here in the Hall, I'll take that and away.  Pauli. 
Rings.] Thiefs, Thief's Lucinda, where's Lucinda?  Luci. 
Oh ill Fortune! the house is alarmed, they are coming towards us, the Attempt without doing the thing would undo me.  Ant. 
Let's away, we are strong enough to defend the Attempt and Action too.  Luc. 
No, they will raise the Town, when they miss me, my Father is in the House too, stand you here let your Friend secure the Door. Mind what I do, and be ready for your Cue. They come.  Enter Paulina, Nuarcha, and Servants. Pauli. 
Thiefs, Thiefs, search every Hole.  Luc. 
Oh Madam have a Care whither you go; I was singing and playing upon my Lute, I broke a String and came down for my string-Box which I had left in a lower Room, and there I met the Ghost of your former Husband, Signior Ferdinand, I cried out, swooned with the Fright, and your Coming has revived me: For Heaven's sake to your Chamber, Madam give me the Candle, Oh it burns blue again.  [Lucinda drops the Candle, the Women shriek, and run about in Confusion. Ant. 
Paulo, Paulo, Paulo,  Pauli. 
Ah Heaven bless us.  Lucin. 
Now dear Antonio your hand,  
Oh Misfortune, another Light.  Enter Paulo with a naked Sword, Circumstantio with a Candle. Cir. 
What may these Disorders portend!  Paulo. 
Where are these Theives, Rogues, I'll cut them off in the middle.  Ant. 
Paulo, Paulo, Paulo.  [They cry out, the Ghost, again. Paulo. 
Ah, Ah, Benedicite.  He le's fall his Sword, crosses himself and mambles Prayers. Circumstantio lets fall the Light. Anto. 
Paulo, Paulo, Paulo.  Pauli. 
Lights there, Lights.  Ant. 
Thou must thy amorous Passion quite forgo;  
Or suffer dire avenging Flames below.  Paulo. 
Oh, Oh, ever honoured Ghost, I have done with my Love, I do not care for thy Widow now, I can't abide her, a Pox on her for me, I hate her mortally, I prithee let me rest, the Devil take her for me.  Ant. 
Now all to bed, quiet repose to take,  
No more shall you b'affrighted for my sake.  Luc. 
Now Antonio slip away.  Ant. 
A thousand blessings on thy Wit and Beauty.  Mar. 
Go on boldly, I'll make good the Rear carry her to my house, my Sister shall wait on her  Exeunt Ant. Luc. [Marc. and after, all the rest groping. Enter Camilla and Julia. The Scene a Wood Cam. 
How much I am indebted, worthy Sir,  
To you, in this my great extremity!  
My Heart with thanks conceives, and bears me witness  
That I shall always pay my gratitude.  
Could I but know the kind Author of these  
Favours, and hope to be esteemed his Friend.  jul. 
Sir, I shall endeavour to promote our  
Lucky Friendship and mutual knowledge,  
After you have reposed some time.  Cam. 
Oh Sir!  
It is in vain for me to wish for rest  
This night, or indeed for ever: but I hope  
Providence in mercy designs few days  
For one whom it decreed unfortunate;  
The morning Sun will tell me whether Life  
Be worth my Care.  jul. 
Alas, I pity you  
For I feel grief to make me sensible.  
I would resemblance might allay our pain;  
For I as little value Life as you.  
My Fortune likewise in this World depends  
Upon good Omens, when the Sun shall rise.  Cam. 
Your Virtue cannot fail of good success  
To crown the goodness you have showed to me,  
But I shall beg of Heaven to keep you free  
From my dire Circumstance, howsoe'er  
My Lot falls out, may yours (resembling you)  
Be kind and fair.  jul. 
Still I deplore you more,  
Our Fates appear so parallel, yet here  
I vow, for your son ' thoughts and tender wishes,  
A Friendship firm as Destiny, since you  
Please to ask it, with fervent zeal to serve  
A Friend, which cannot wrong that Sacred name.  [They embrace. Cam. 
Dear Sir, You make me long for Life, and love  
My grief, because in that alone I must  
Pretend to equal you, blessed be this Grove  
Where first we meet, blessed be this silent Night  
Where we two Friends contracted Friendship first.  
These few happy Minutes shall be an Age  
To me, and when cold Death (perhaps to Night)  
Shall shut my Eyes, I may with Reason say,  
This close of Life, has fully recompensed  
Its sad Beginning, and in Confidence  
Of our true Friendship, I will tell my Friend  
The great Secret of my Soul, who I am,  
And why I hither came.  jul. 
You will excel.  
As you deserve, and teach me what I ought  
To do, begin my Friend, and whilst you make  
Your sad Relation, I will sigh for you,  
And you shall do the same for me.  Cam. 
Dear Friend  
You may remember when you saw me first  
I told you that I was robbed and wounded  
And so I was: but 'twas by Love. My Heart  
Was stolen and wounded, by such a Thief  
Whose Charms are irresistible, let not  
My following Words stagger our Friendship,  
I am a Woman.  jul. 
Still may your Words add  
Fresh Delight, and so am I; no less robbed  
And wounded than yourself: but what  
Occasion drew my Friend this way to Night?  Cam. 
I cannot speak for Joy, I came to save  
The Life of one I prize above the World,  
And he loves me as much, you may know him  
When I call him Marcello.  jul. 
Oh my Death!  
What do I hear? julia thou art lost  
for ever!  Cam. 
What says my Friend?  jul. 
Only remembering what sad Accidents  
Lovers undergo.  Cam. 
'Tis most true. This Marcello  
Has promised to morrow morning to fight  
His deadly Enemy, called Lorenzo,  
And in that fatal place where you found me;  
To quench their Hate in Blood, my Death would be  
A pleasure to save their Lives, to morrow  
I am resolved to meet them there, Dear Friend,  
Will you be there and help me?  jul. 
'Tis too true,  
My new Friend is turned my Rival, and such  
A Rival, whose great merits, my small worth  [aside. 
Dares not pretend to balance. Now I am  
Truly wretched, bound in my Soul to love  
My Death, and bless my Executioner.  Cam. 
Friend, you do not mind me, you seem disturbed,  
Are you not well?  jul. 
Never so ill before.  Cam. 
Forbid it, gentle Heaven, where lies your grief?  jul. 
A murdering pain at your last words surprised  
My Vitals: 'tis impossible for me  
To last out long. Now pointed Tortures shoot  
Through every part, oh! give me some relief,  
For you are she must help me.  Cam. 
Oh, teach me  
But the means, and I will die to serve you.  jul. 
I only beg of you to give your Friend  
Some Physic, the best for my Distemper,  
I have it here about me.  Cam. 
Blessed Fortune!  
Come give it me, by all that's good I will  
Most faithfully apply it.  jul. 
Here, kill me  [She draws her Sword. 
This is my Cure, remember your promise,  
Start not, it must be so,  
If you love yourself or me: By my Death  
You shall remove your Rival, and confirm  
Your Monarchy in Love. Oh! that I had  
Never seen your Face, or else had never  
Heard your Story. My Fever makes me mad,  
Pray let me blood.  Cam. 
Perdition seize me first—  
Oh, my pernicious Fate! put up your Sword.  
Can you not love me still?  jul. 
Yes, after Death.  Cam. 
And not in Life. Why do you talk of Death?  
There is no danger in your Love, 'tis I  
Am lost: Yet I could still love you.  jul. 
Farewell.  
You break your Oath, and are no more my Friend;  
You love to keep me on the Rack: be gone—  
And give me not new Torments by your stay.  
When the Day dawns, expect me at the Tree  
Where both must die, because you killed not me.  Exit. Cam. 
Hurried with rage, she will not hear me speak,  
Oh, that my hated Life might sooner end,  
To ease my pains, and cure my pensive Friend.  
For what good Omens can attend my love,  
Since Friendship does so unsuccessful prove?  Exit.  

ACT V.  
SCENE I.  The Scene discovers Julia sleeping under a Tree. Enter Marcello. Marc. 
I Lately saw my Friend Antonio  
Made happy in the Marriage of his  
Dear Lucinda, which by comparison  
Discovers what a Wretch I am: condemned  
To pains and fatal Errors; till Death shall free  
Me, or my Enemy. And in this Wood  
I must expect him and the Sun together.  
These Summer days are good Types of Man's Life,  
For the most part through Heat insufferable,  
T● Morning and the Evening best for Use  
And Pleasure, but yet how short! whilst Manhood  
Like Mid-day-hours, too much ferments our blood,  
And gives long Fevers from our eager Passions.  julia. 
O stay, O stay!  [She cries out in her sleep. Mar. 
Who is this that invokes  
My pity? a most lovely Youth! sleeping  
And yet disturbed; sure he is full of Grief:  
For in his ugly Dream he sighs and weeps  julia. 
O, Why has sleep  
Forsook me! Why could it not last for ever?  
Sleep had compassion on me, and by Dreams  
Deluded all my Sorrows. My fair Rival  
Just now was very kind, she smiled and seemed  
To give me Joy, I sighed and cried, because  
She fled before she told me how.  Marc. 
By Heaven the Voice of my fair unknown Mistress,  
It hath performed Lorenzo's will, and pierced  
My heart: each syllable did stab  
And burn me in the passage.  julia. 
'Tis now the break of Day, a fatal Morning!  
But I will sing my Troubles to these Woods.  

SONG.  

'Tis too severe, ye Powers, that Love,  
The Noblest Object of the Mind,  
Should now so fatal be,  
That the sole pleasure of Mankind,  
And the chief joy of those above,  
Should be a Curse to me.  
Why should the spiteful Stars contrive  
That in such Torments I should live?  
That I should love the Man that must hate me,  
And still pursue impossibility.   

Ah, fatal Love! like other fire,  
Thy Heat to Objects does impart  
Most different Effects,  
Whilst thou dost melt thy soft desire,  
Thou harden'st my Marcello's heart,  
Till he my Love neglects.  
Thy Godhead I with Faith have served,  
And have not this from thee deserved  
Yet, though to me his heart no love can give,  
He still might let me in Lorenzo live.    Marc. 
Sure my Mistress then is Sister to Lorenzo.  julia. 
Alas! who is there? who are you?  Marc. 
Madam, it is your Creature.  [He kneels. julia. 
Who are you? you frighted me.  Mar. 
O hear  
With Patience, and forgive my crime, I am  
Marcello, your Foe Marcello, guilty  
Of Death, yet begging Life.  julia. 
'Tis he, blessed Heavens!  
It proved a happy fright— Rise Marcello,  
And let Lorenzo's Sister kneel to you:  
Can you forgive my Brother's daring rage?  
And hide some Crimes for headstrong Nature's sake,  
Some, for a wretched Sister, some for one  
That loves you; Pardon this bold confession  
From her that became bold to save you both.  Mar. 
Oh Balsam to my wounds! by Providence  
That brought me hither, my Love, my Dear, my Soul.  
'Tis you have saved my Life and Fortunes, You  
Can bring eternal Quiet to my Mind.  
By Heaven I value Life only for you,  
And love you far above it.  
Consider Sir before you speak, I am  
Lorenzo's Sister.  Mar. 
And I'll be for ever  
Lorenzo's Friend, I can no more fight with him  
Than with my Father, were he now alive.  
I'll meet him unarmed and catch him with Arms  
Of Friendship, sure he cannot hurt the breast  
Which you blessed Image guards.  julia. 
The time draws near  
Which proves my Happiness, and your Virtue.  
Marcello how can your appear so cruel  
With false Hope to deceive a harmless Maid?  
You'll find a much more potent Guard to save you,  
My charming Rival, she expects you there,  
She will preserve you safe from Injury.  Mar. 
Oh! Madam be not cruel in mistrusting me,  julia. 
Nothing in Nature is so wild, but grows  
Gentle before her, and lays down its Fierceness  
At her feet, nay she makes me love her, who  
Have most Cause to hate her, and when I had  
Her in my Power, I had no Power to hurt her.  Mar. 
This is wondrous strange! by all my present  
And my future Hopes, I understand you not.  
My Breast now feels its Virgin-Flames, which ne'er  
Can be extinguished.  (hasten from you julia. 
Time gives us leave to talk no more, but bids me  
To the fatal place, where I soon shall meet  
You, but I charge you if you love me now,  
Do not pursue me too close.  Exit julia. Mar. 
When you command I will obey even Ruin.  
Now by my strange Captivity I prove  
My former Sins against the Power of Love:  
In sharpest Tortures without Hopes to gain  
Through so much Doubt, an end of so much Pain.  Exit. Scene turns to Paulina's House Enter Paulo and Paulina. Paulo. 
Now Widow 'tis clear, what is become of my most undutiful Baggage, and yours too, if Heaven and the Statue had so pleased. It seems your Skip-Jack Antonio was about the House, for he was seen by your Coachman as he thinks, to go out of the Door in her Company.  Pauli. 
'Tis very strange, and it vexes me no less than it does you, what should be the meaning of it? But if Antonio is concerned in it, without Doubt Circumstantio and the Officers may discover them.  Paulo. 
The Meaning of it is plain now upon second Thoughts, but if your civil Antonio be concerned in it, cannot you guests that no young Wench runs out at Midnight with a young Fellow, but she has a mind to eat Flesh with the Friars Leave? I pray God it proves no worse. I ever told you Widow, that these young Fellows were never without their Rogues Tricks.  Pauli. 
He has raised a strong Jealousy in my Head, which I never thought of before.  [Aside. Enter Nuarcha. Paulo. 
Well Mistress Nuarcha what News of my Daughter? have the Officers and Circumstantio discovered where she may be?  Nuar. 
Sir, Circumstantio is just returned to give us an Account, Having been all night about it.  Enter Circumstantio. Paulo. 
Well good Circumstantio let me beg of thee to be as brief as thou canst, what is become of my confounded Daughter?  Cir. 
Ah Sir exerce Patientiam, for my Relation do●● require it above Mode and Figure.  Paulo. 
I know it will, but prithee at this time be very plain.  Cir. 
What Sir, shall it be said that Circumstantio speaks without Embroidery.  Pauli. 
Ah! Good Circumstantio oblige me so far, as to tell me if you have found her, and in whose company.  Cir. 
Well, Madam, If I must do violence to myself and Rhetoric, and take a sorrowful farewell for some time of my familiar Tropes, it shall be the less injurious to my Reputation, since 'tis in obedience to the Commands of so hyperbolic a Lady, to whom my depositions bear a particular respect.  Paulo. 
I charge you to tell forthwith what you can say of my Daughter, where she is, and what is become of the Off-Officers, upon the penalty of a Quarter's Wages; dost hear Fellow? though I love Eloquence very well, yet now 'tis very unnecessary in these Circumstances.  Cir. 
Ah, gentle Sir! May Heaven forgive the rashness of your Expression: what, can Eloquence be unnecessary? but to imitate some well-designing Poet, I shall begin in the middle of my Story, and declare the former part in some succeeding Narrative.  Paulo. 
Pox on you, you will distract me, what is become of my Daughter?  Cir. 
Gentle Madam and ungentle Sir, to come to the so much desired Proposition. Your Daughter I declare categorically is no more Lucinda, she is changed, she is altered, she is metamorphosed.  Paulo. 
How! What dost thou mean thou man of Ambiguity? How changed?  Cir. 
Yes reverend Sir, she is changed, there is a Transmutation, or rather a Transcorporation.  Paulo. 
Into what, good Circumstantio?  Nuar. 
Yes, yes, do you think this Ghost came for nothing?  Paulo. 
But prithee, young Fellow, explain thyself.  Cir. 
What Mortal, endued with natural prescience could have had prospect of this most affecting alteration in the beginning, or à parte ante as the Schoolmen sweetly phrase it. O most occult Antonio, I must confess I never did rightly conceive thy Antoneity.  Pauli. 
He names Antonio and makes me almost mad with Fear.  Paulo. 
Prithee Fellow do not distract me, at your Peril.  Nuar. 
Good honey Circumstantio, discover your meaning for Love's sake.  Cir. 
Forbear your Arms of Concupiscence, Pace vestra dixisse liceat, there is a Change, Lucinda is changed, Antonio is changed. Proh Deum atque hominum fidem!  Paulo. 
Dost thou hear Fellow, God I will not suffer thee longer.  Nuar. 
Ah prithee dear Bird save thy Nuarcha's Longing.  Cir. 
Why then Quaeso animos Advertite, they are neither He nor She, but both from henceforth, by the Application of a Friar, Antonio and Lucinda are fastened together about the Middle, and here they are.  Enter Antonio and Lucinda. Antonio. 
Sir in all Duty I desire your Blessing.  Lucinda. 
And I beg your Blessing on us both.  They kneel to Paulo. Pauli. 
O most false of Mankind!  [Aside. Paulo. 
What do you mean you impudent Runagate, what Change is this?  Lucinda. 
Sir it is for better for worse. This Gentleman is my Husband, I am glad with all my Heart that he has rescued me from a Nunnery, which terrified me as much as the Ghost did you.  Paulo. 
Out upon thee, thou incontinent profane Baggage, what think of Marriage in that very Moment, when the dead declaimed against it?  Lucinda. 
Yes Sir they dissuaded you, but I thank them I found good Friends in Purgatory, and took the first Opportunity to obey their Counsel.  Pauli. 
How dar'st thou look me in the Face, thou base perfidious man?  Ant. 
Madam, I blush, I must confess after my Falsehood to behold your Face, but my violent Love to Lucinda (since by no other Means I could approach her) forced me to it.  Pauli. 
Was I a fit Property? must I be thus abused?  Antonio. 
You might have perceived the Love I seemed to make to you was all the while addressed to her: pardon the Extravagance of my Love, for next to my Lucinda, there's not one on Earth I have more Honour for, and if all the Service of my Life can but atone my Crime with you, I then shall die contented.  Pauli. 
Think not false Wretch I'll honour thee so much as to be angry, I cast thee from my Heart and Memory, and spoil thy Triumph, O thou base Companion of my Solitude, and Partner of my Secrets false Lucinda.  Exit Paulina Paulo. 
Widow I thank thee for being so angry in my Concern, it shows thou lovest me, Pox on the Ghost I say, what gone on a sudden— come hither you young Fellow, that will be my Son whither I will or no? How durst you marry my Daughter— ha— well sauce Box since you have her, and I can't take her from you, here take her,— but do you mark me, As her Mother gave her me— naked— without a penny of Portion, since your Stomach is so good, you shall eat your Meat for me without any Sauce, in troth—  Ant. 
Sir, I am contented.  Lucind. 
I hope Sir, you will give me a Wedding Dinner.  Paulo. 
Yes, perhaps I may give you a Wedding Dinner, since you have rid me of so much trouble in finding another Keeper. Ah! what a happy man had I been if the Ghost of old impertinent Ferdinand had not been giving Advice to night, freed of my skittish Daughter, and in an hopeful way for my Widow, but the Will of Heaven be done.  Nuar. 
A right Godly old Gentleman!  Paulo. 
Well, I will pluck up my old courage, and give consolation to the disturbed Widow.  Exit Paulo. Nuar. 
Madam, Heaven bless this happy change to you; indeed you have surprised us very much.  Lucind. 
I thank you, good Nuarcha. I hope your change will come suddenly.  Nuar. 
When the accomplished Circumstantio pleases.  Cir. 
Sir, Injuriarum remedium est oblivio. May Hymen and Venus look propitiously upon you, and confer upon you Infinity—  Ant. 
Thanks, good Circumstantio, no more Speeches to night, I beseech you. Come, dear Lady and Mistress, your hand.  Lucind. 
Here, dear Lord and Master, with my Heart to boot.  Exeunt. The Scene turns to the Wood and Tree. Enter Camilla. Cam. 
How my Heart beats, and calls up my Passions,  
My Hope, my Fear, my Love, my Jealousy.  Enter Julia. jul. 
You are here before me—  Cam. 
I am here to serve you, and to assure you  
I am that Friend I once pretended, and  
Am here to give you to the hand of him  
I love, and beg one favour for so rich  
〈…〉.  julia. 
Ah, my charming Sophister!  
You know your Beauty's strength, and so would put  
The Prize upon too unequal Combat.  
I in this Cause can fight, and boldly die.  
Injurious Rival, draw thy Sword, and free  [She draws. 
Me or thyself from Jealousy and pain.  Enter Marcello. Mar. 
A●, Madam, why do you unsheathe your Sword,  
When Life 〈◊〉 Death depend upon your Eyes?  julia. 
O 〈◊〉 Marcello, there you mean these words;  
On those Eyes Life and Death depend— oh, turn  
A way, and look not on her, for that face  
Will make you FALSE, if you be not already!  Mar. 
Sure I should know that Face— Camilla,  Can. 
Even she,  
Who changed her Habit to preserve Marcello.  Mar. 
Camilla, How I love thee for this Action!  [He embraces her. julia. 
Marcello, Can you so soon  
Deride your Vows and me?  Mar. 
Mistake me not.  
My happiness, when you know her to be  
My virtuous Sister, you will love with me.  julia. 
Ten thousand Blessings on that name, it gives  
Me Heaven on Earth. O pardon me, my Friend!  
O pardon fierce Lorenzo's unknown Sister,  [She runs to her. 
And place her in the state from whence she fell.  Cam. 
O Joys which Angels fell! O blessed Brother!  
By such an unexpounded Miracle,  
I could hold my dearest Friend for ever  
In my Arm●, 〈…〉 (with Reason)  
Would not chide.  Mar. 
I will thus embrace you both,  
And with these two impenetrable Shields  
Will meet Lorenzo.  Enter Lorenzo. julia. 
Such unexpected Joy must hurt  
Like Grief.  Loren. 
The Sun ne'er shined on such a Wretch as me,  
My Mistress wounded, nay, for aught I know  
Killed by this hand, and the sweet Body lost.  
My Strength decays, and Life feels Winter in  
My chilly Veins: a Child would now disarm me.  
How d●● I meet Marcello at this time?  
How does his Genius baffle mine?  
Weary of Life and sick of my few Minutes?  
I needs must bow beneath his just Revenge.  Mar. 
See Lorenzo approaches, but he does seem  
To have more of Sorrow than of Anger in him.  Loren. 
What do my wretched Eyes behold?  
My Mistress in Marcello's Arms?  
Giving my Foe by Looks, and hand her Heart.  
O stabbing Object! placed there to complete  
My Sorrows. Now it is time to die, but not  
Without Marcello's Company. That Sigh  
Boils up my Blood within me, and swells my Rage  
Like a swift Torrent beyond Banks and Bounds,  
I will speak and turn him to an Eunuch.  
Marcello view this Sword, whose Sight may i'll  
Thy hot Desire, what canst thou think of Love  
In Death, how dar'st thou touch that Beauty  
Which only I must worship?  
Draw short lived Wretch and try thy feeble Right.  Cam. 
O Dear Lorenzo pacify your Wrath  
Towards Marcello for his Sister Sake,  She lays hold on him, and kneels. 
Who loves you and came here to tell you so,  
Camilla will not rise nor let you go,  
Unless you promise Peace.  julia, 
O dear Brother,  
Imitate my tender Mother's Mildness  She lays hold of him, and kneels. 
And be not altogether the Picture  
Of my furious Father: For Julia's Sake  
Whom you have often said you dearly loved,  
Proffer and take Marcellus Amity,  
For he loves me, and I love him as much.  Cam. 
Speak gently, and do not kill your Lover,  julia. 
O calm your Breast, and then you'll give us Comfort.  Lor. 
I am amazed at this surprising Sight!  
And this strange Riddle of Happiness! it is  
My lovely Mistress, with my much loved Sister,  
But how these Impossibilities should meet  
My mind cannot unfold! O Providence!  
How dark are all thy ways? And yet how kind?  
Doubling all Favours by their great Surprise.  
O! rise good Angels both, and pardon this  
Forgetfulness. Such Wonder takes away  
My Sense, alas forbear your Fears, the Storm  
Within my Breast is now laid on a sudden,  
My Soul is altered, or a new one given,  
O let me go, ye Glories of your Sex  
Who have atoned the Sins, all Women kind  
As ever yet committed. Forgive my Faults  
Marcello, for my beloved Sister's sake,  
I embrace you with the same Zeal as Friends  
Meet after Storms and Battles, O Marcello  
Wipe away past Records, and take your Friend  
Regenerated.  Mar. 
Brother Lorenzo  
Let me plead in your words: Remember not  
Marcello as he was, but as he is.  
And when you think of him, at the same time  
Think of his happy Sister good Camilla.  Cam. 
Yes happy indeed in such kind Brothers,  
This place though we must leave it now, deserves  
Its Consecration, and should be yearly  
Visited. But now how shall we get home,  
For the bright day recalls my Sex to mind?  jul. 
I brought a Coach last Night with me to serve  
One of you, who for his Wounds might use it.  Mar. 
Still you deserve more thanks, it may bring  
Us to my Cousin Paulina's where both may change  
Their Habits.  Cam. 
Well mentioned, and as we go  
Explain our Stories, and their strange Success.  Lor. 
Beauteous Camilla, canst thou pardon one  
So barbarous, so inhuman as I was?  
To wound my Mistress, Oh, this cursed Arm!  
But, had I known my Saint, I sooner would  
Have torn my Heart out. On my knees I beg  
Your Mercy, the Damned have not suffered worse pains  
Than all this night have wracked my tortured Breast.  Cam. 
Rise, dear Lorenzo, it was but a scratch by a mistake,  
I know it.  Lor. 
I went to fetch some Water from your Fountain,  
And I had lost you: then my Pangs—  Cam. 
No more, this happy Agreement has healed all,  
And every one had a worse wound than this.  Lor. 
In Nature as in Form thou art an Angel.  
All Griefs and Enmities far hence remove,  
And let us consecrate the rest of Life to Love.  [Exeunt. Enter Circumstantio, and after him Nuarcha. Nuar. 
My dear and constant Circumstantio, I am glad I have met you.  Cir. 
Why? what Novel, or Business of importance do you bring?  Nuar. 
The greatest of my Life; I have been seeking of you all over the House, being stirred up by the good and happy Example of Lucinda, and your late Master Antonio, to confirm my happiness, and I shall endeavour to make it yours by the mouth of a Priest, this sweet inviting Morning.  Cir. 
'Tis a very ill juncture for so weighty an Affair. Abi— & suspend te.  Nuar. 
Well, Delight of my Eyes, I admire you, though I understand you not; but dearest Dear, what do you mean by this?  Cir. 
Mrs. Nuarcha, you are a Person upon whom I design to bestow—  Nuar. 
A thousand Blessings on my most lovely Love—  [She embraces him. Cir. 
Forbear, I say, and cool this amorous Flame. To be short, and to affect Laconic brevity, Mrs. Nuarcha, as I was saying, you a Person that I am forbidden to marry.  Nuar. 
Oh! where shall a poor Maid find Fidelity, if Circumstantio prove unfaithful?  Cir. 
Hear me, I say, and with pricked up Ear attend to my Ratiocination.  Nuar. 
I will hear nothing but Marriage. O unfortunate Maid, to place confidence in man!  Cir. 
Cease your objurgatory Language. For, Heac commemoratio, quasi exprobratio est; I have a great Respect for you; but for several reasons am much deterred from Marriage. Ask the performance of any Command rather than this Entreaty of necessitous Conjunction Copulative.  Nuarc. 
I will ask nothing but Marriage—  Cir. 
Put a Bridle I say upon your immoderate desire.  
Here comes your Lady with other Company.  Enter Paulo, Paulina, Antonio, Lucinda. Paulo. 
Well, Widow, I am glad to hear your Noble Resolution, not to concern yourself with Mankind, and I rest pretty well satisfied, that since I could not have you, that no Body else shall. Widow, I believe it is for my sake— Ha,— Widow! yet we might comfort one another by the by, the Ghost did not forbid that.  Pauli. 
It's a very hard thing to find your Constancy without your Years, I believe Sir; and therefore I bid Marriage farewell.  Paulo. 
Yes, yes, and so will I take my leave of Marriage, 'tis time for me, in troth widow: but I shall always take delight to visit you now and then, Widow, and take a caper or two in your Parlour— Ha, Widow,— that, I presume, my old Friend Ferdinand will admit of.  Pauli. 
You take a prudent course, Sir, I shall follow your Example, be Mistress of myself; free from the Treachery of any Governor.  Paulo. 
Widow, in troth I rejoice at this bravery of Spirit, and in token of it I jump for joy.  [He jumps. Luc. 
Antonio, Your Widow bears her loss of you with great indifference.  Ant. 
You see, Lucinda, how small your prize is.  Luc. 
I value it the more because I shall possess you absolutely without fear of a Rival.  Paulo. 
Well, This new Son of mine, Antonio, puts me in mind of myself, when I was at his Years, I had my tricks then as well as the best of them. I was once in the mind to have stolen that Baggages Mother just so from her Father's House, when he made a dispute with me about Articles. Since the Widows Resolution has thus pleased me, my good nature returns; I will forgive him. Come hither, Antonio.—  Ant. 
Sir, Your pleasure.  Paulo. 
Sirrah, you are a Wag, a very Wag, I believe, but I forgive you. Come hither, Hussy,— you are a Wag too, so there's Wag for Wag— Get you together in God's Name; and remember, Antonio, when thou mak'st me a Grandfather, I will settle a good Estate upon the little Raseal.  Anton. 
S●●, I will deserve your Favours by my Industry.  Paulo. 
Well, you are a Wag introth.  Enter Nuarcha. Nuar. 
Oh, Madam, I bring you the strangest News, beyond belief. Your Cozen Marcello, and Lorenzo, with two other young Gentlemen, are coming up.  Ant. 
How●  〈◊〉. 
'Tis impossible!  Enter Marcello, Lorenzo, Camilla and Julia. Mar▪ 
I hope Cousin Paulina, that you will easily excuse me for this early Trouble, when I have told you its Occasion, and the solid Happiness that is befallen me and my Family; These two in men's clothes, are the perpetual Ornaments of your Sex, this is julia my adored Mistress, Sister to my beloved Friend Lorenzo; this is my Sister Camilla most happy in her Lorenzo's Love.  Pauli. 
This Surprise is as welcome as 'tis wonderful, and does no less astonish us than the strong Accidents that have happened to us on our side last night; but in Civility I should refer my ask Questions to our better Leisure, and at present wish nothing but continual Joy to my Cousins.  Cam. 
Oh! Cousin I am this Morning the happiest Woman in the World, who was last Night the most unfortunate.  julia. 
And give me Leave to be your Sister even in both Extremities of good and bad Fortune.  Lucin. 
May Heaven continue every day like this.  Anton. 
Marcello you amaze your glad Friend with the Strangeness of your Story, who most rejoices that Heaven rewarded you so soon with Love, for assisting him in his.  Marc. 
I succeeded the better in being any way serviceable to you and your Lucinda, pray know the worthy Lorenzo.  Ant. 
Lorenzo shall always command my Life, since he calls Marcello Brother.  Lorenzo. 
After the name of Lorenzo's Brother, I cannot find any more pleasing than that of Friend to Antonio.  Cir. 
The Learned observe that the mind of man in great Passions of Joy and Grief cannot curiously attend the Eloquence of Speaking. Ergo, I will defer my complimental Entertainment, till I have woven my Thoughts into an Epithalamium.  Paulo. 
In Troth this Sight is almost as strange as our Apparition to night, and silences me almost as much. The Devil take the Ghost for me, that all should speed in the Flesh but I and the Widow. Well, what must be, must be. Yet I am heartily pleased for two Reasons, first, to see these old Quarrels between two good Families so handsomely ended. And then that my Son in Law carries himself so prettily amongst amongst. In Troth I find he is a pretty Fellow, and in Troth you are all pretty Fellows, and may you all live to be as lusty as I am, at my years— Hem— There's your Lungs in Troth.  [He Hems. Mar. 
Antonio you have a merry Father in Law, but Cousin Paulina, let me beg you to assist our Mistresses in changing of their Habits as soon as you can, and let me beg the same Favour of Lucinda.  Lucinda. 
Marcello has laid such an Obligation upon me, that I can never deny him any thing.  Loren. 
I would most willingly see dear Camilla in a Woman's Dress, for in this she still seems to upbraid my last Night's Inhumanity.  Pauli. 
Well Gentleman you shall be forthwith obliged whilst my Cousin's in Recompense shall relate us their Stories.  Marc. 
Thanks good Paulina, and in the mean time Antonio and we will explain to one another what has happened.  
For in such Happiness 'tis new Delight,  
To tell the joys of this successful Night.  [Exeunt. 
FINIS.   

EPILOGUE  
Written by Mr. Shadwel▪ Spoken by Mrs. Barry.  
OH! How severe is our poor Poet's Fate!  
Who in this barren Trade begins so late.  
True Wit's no longer currant, 'tis cried down,  
And all your half-wits into knavery grown.  
Those who once loved the Stage, are now in years,  
And leave good Poets for dull Pamphleteers;  
Nay, for the worst of Rascals, Libelers.  
In none of these will the young Sparks delight,  
They never read, and scorn all those that write.  
They only come the Boxes to survey,  
Laugh, roar, and bawl, but never hear the Play.  
In Monkey's tricks they pass the time away,  
At least, the Poet hopes, th've done to day.  
The Graver sort, he's sure, have so much Sense,  
That they'll ne'er damn him for his first Offence.  
He may take warning, and fling off this Itch,  
That does poor Poet's Hearts so much bewitch,  
And, in a duller way, drudge and grow rich.  
Ye have no hardened Malefactor here;  
He ne'er before did at this Bar appear.  
If he should suffer, the first time he's in,  
'Twere hard, as for a Girl, fresh, at sixteen,  
To meet, at the first Venture, the mishap  
To lose her Maidenhead, and get a Clap.