POLYDORE, his sons. Servant. WOMEN. CHAMONT, a young soldier of fortune, brother to MONIMIA, the Orphan, left under the guardian Monimia. ERNESTO. PAULING. ship of old Acasto. SERINA, Acasto's daughter. FLORELLA, Monimia's woman. Enter PAULINO and ERNESTO. Paul. Tis strange, Ernesto, this severity Should still reign powerful in Acasto's mind, To hate the court, where he was bred and lived, All honours heaped on him, that power could give. Ern. Tis true, he hither came a private gentleman, But young and brave, and of a family VOL. I. Paul. It was his virtue at first made me serve him; He is the best of masters and of friends: I know he has lately been invited thither, Yet still he keeps his stubborn purpose; crics I doubt there's deep resentment in his mind, Ern. Has he not reason? When, for what he had borne, Long, hard, and painful toil, he might have claimed Y Ern. Oh! I have heard him wanton in his praise, Speak things of him might charm the ears of en vy. Paul. Oh, may he live, till Nature's self grows old, And from her womb no more can bless the earth! Ern. No; he has two sons, that were ordained to be As well his virtues' as his fortune's heirs. Paul. They're both of nature mild, and full of sweetness; They came twins from the womb, and still they live, As if they would go twins, too, to the grave: Ern. Never was parent in an offspring hap- He has a daughter too, whose blooming age Paul. And as there is a friendship 'twixt the brethren, So has her infant nature chosen too A faithful partner of her thoughts and wishes, Paul. The same, the daughter of the brave He was our lord's companion in the wars; Where such a wondrous friendship grew between them, As only death could end. Chamont's estate To seek a fortune, or a noble fate; Ern. They both have forward, generous, ac- "Tis daily their petition to their father, Paul. Oh, that's a royal sport! Enter CASTALIO, POLYDORE, and Page. Has been to-day much better for the danger; Cast. Ay, then, my brother, my friend, Polydore, Like Perseus mounted on his winged steed, Came on, and down the dangerous precipice leap'd, To save Castalio. 'Twas a godlike act! · Pol. But, when I came, I found you conqueror. Oh, my heart danced to see your danger past! The heat and fury of the chase was cold, And I had nothing in my mind but joy. Cast. So, Polydore, methinks, we might in war Rush on together; thou shouldst be my guard, And I be thine; what is it could hurt us then?. Now half the youth of Europe are in arms, How fulsome must it be to stay behind, And die of rank diseases here at home? Pol. No! let me purchase in my youth re nown, To make me loved and valued, when I am old; Has taken himself a surfeit of the world, Pol. Castalio, I have doubts within my heart, Pol. Nay, I'll conjure you too, By all the strictest bonds of faithful friendship, Pol. And should I chance to touch it nearly, bear it With all the sufferance of a tender friend. The fair Monimia. Is your heart at peace? Pol. Suppose you should not, brother? Pol. That would sound too roughly Twixt friends and brothers, as we two are. Pol. In one of us it may be. What if I love her? Cast. Then I must inform you. I loved her first, and cannot quit the claim, But will preserve the birth-right of my passion. Pol. You will ?..· Cast. I will. . Pol. No more, I've done. Cast. Why not? Pol. I told you I had done: But you, Castalio, would dispute it. Not with my Polydore; though I must own Pol. Yet you will break this friendship. Pol. But for a toy you would, a woman's toy; Unjust Castalio! Cast. Prithee, where's my Cast. Yes. t fault? Pol. It is an elder brother's duty so To propagate his family and name: Pol. Who shall possess the estate you leave? If he survives me; if not, my king, Who may bestow it again on some brave man, Cast. By yon heaven, I love My Polydore beyond all worldly joys; Cast. No matter whose. ”།་ ༧༠ Pol. Were you not with her privately last night? Cast. I was, and should have met her here again; But the opportunity shall now be thine; To weary pilgrims, or to misers gold, For if ye, powers, have happiness in store, When ye would shower down joys on Polydore, In one great blessing all your bounty send, Mon. So soon returned from hunting? This fair day Seems as if sent to invite the world abroad. Mon. Sure some ill fate's upon me. You would not have yours die and buried with I fear its harm, and fain would have it back. you? Cast. Mere vanity, and silly dotage all. No, let me live at large, and when I die Come near, Cordelio. I must chide you, sir. Page. Why, madam, have I done you any wrong? Mon. I never see you now; you have been | The pleasure, not the pangs of his desire. Sat by my bed, and sung me pretty songs; you: Will you oblige me? Shall I see you oftener? Page. Madam, I'd serve you with my soul : Thus, when ye are young, ye learn it all, like him, But I am afraid to name it; for, they say, crets. Mon. Fear not, Cordelio; it shall ne'er be For I'll preserve the secret as 'twere mine. I'll furnish thee with all thy harmless sports, Mon. Inform me how thou hast heard Page. With all the tenderness of love; Page. Not to quarrel for you. Mon. I would not have them; by my dearest I would not be the argument of strife. Page. Yes, to seek you, madam. Mon. Am I then grown so cheap, just to be A common stake, a prize for love in jest? Page. The fault was Polydore's. Castalio played with love, and smiling shewed Mon. Then I am ruined! If Castalio's false, Where is there faith and honour to be found? Ye gods, that guard the innocent, and guide The weak, protect, and take me to your care. Oh, but I love him! There's the rock will wreck me! Why was I made with all my sex's softness, Enter CASTALIO and POLYDORE. He comes, the conqueror comes! lie still, my heart, And learn to bear thy injuries with scorn. Cast. Madam, my brother begs he may have To tell you something, that concerns you nearly. Cast. Madam? Mon. Have you purposed To abuse me palpably? What means this usage? Why am I left with Polydore alone? Cast. He best can tell you. Business of im portance Calls me away; I must attend my father. Cast. But for a moment. Mon. It has been otherwise; the time has been, When business might have staid, and I been heard. Cast. I could for ever hear thee; but this time Matters of such odd circumstances press me, That I must go [Exit. Mon. Then go, and, if it be possible, for ever. Well, my lord Polydore, I guess your business, And read the ill-natured purpose in your eyes. Pol. If to desire you more than misers wealth, Or dying men an hour of added life; If softest wishes, and a heart more true Than ever suffered yet for love disdained, Speak an ill nature, you accuse me justly. Mon. Talk not of love, my lord! I must not hear it. Pol. Who can behold such beauty and be silent? Desire first taught us words. Man, when crea ted, At first alone long wandered up and down, Strange pleasures filled his eyes, and fired his heart, Unloosed his tongue, and his first talk was love. Mon. The first created pair indeed were They were the only objects of each other, A thousand more, why need you talk to me? On those dear eyes; for every glance they send ment. Mon. How can you labour thus for my undoing? I must confess, indeed, I owe you more Pol. 'Twas heaven ordained it so, to make me happy. Hence with this peevish virtue! 'tis a cheat, Mon. Here on my knees, by Heaven's blest If you persist, I ne'er henceforth will see you, SCENE I. Now smile, then frown; now sorrowful, then glad; Now pleased, now not; and all you know not why! Virtue you affect; inconstancy's your practice; I own my sex's follies; I have them all. As wildness and most rude neglect could make To cringe thus, fawn, and flatter for a pleasure, And brought in wanton wishes to her heart, ACT II. A Saloon-Enter ACASTO, CASTALIO, and Po LYDORE. Acast. To-DAY has been a day of glorious sport. When you, Castalio, and your brother left me, Forth from the thickets rushed another boar, So large, he seemed the tyrant of the woods, With all his dreadful bristles raised up high, They seemed a grove of spears upon his back; Foaming, he came at me, where I was posted, Best to observe which way he'd lead the chase,' Whetting his huge large tusks, and gaping wide, As if he already had me for his prey; Till brandishing my well-poised javelin high, With this bold executing arm, I struck The ugly, brindled monster to the heart. Cast. The actions of your life were always wondrous. Acast. No flattery, boy! an honest man cant live by it; It is a little sneaking art, which knaves Acust. 'Tis, next to money, current there; him; The grave dull fellow of small business soothes The humourist, and will needs admire his wit. |