University of Virginia Library

The third Scœne.

Enter Art-love by the right Scœne.
Artl.

Mistresse Tongall, you are delighting your selfe
with these new erections.

Tong.

Faire erections are pleasing things.

Artl.

Indeed they are faire ones, and their uniformity
addes much to their beauty.

Tong.

How like you the Balconee's? They set off a
Ladies person well, when she presents her selfe to the view

of gazing passengers. Artificiall fucations are not discern'd
at distance.

Artl.

Pray which is Sir Generous Worthie's house?

Tong.

Your desires (I believe) are bent towards his
faire Daughter. Let me ayd you: my neighbour-hood
hath interested me in her acquaintance; I can make way;
and truely Mr. Art-love I like you so well, that (were she
worthy) you should have my daughter Iynnye. But doe
you love Mistris Dorothy?

Artl.
I have seene her beauty, and her nimble eyes
Have shot a fire into me, that inflame's
My cold desires. I that have resisted
Th'assaults of passion to a perfect conquest;
And call'd it (justly too) the height of folly
To give that wanton Power the attribute
Of a false Deity: I, that have out-gone
Th'example of Zenocrates, am captiv'd;
But by a Beauty, such as would review
Heat in the frozen bosome of an Anchorite,
Who hath spent his age even to decrepitnesse
In such austerities as would mortifie
The strongest pamperd wantonnesse. I covet
A good successe, but faile in't. Never yet
Could I be blest with opportunity
To shew her my desires, and to try
The fortune of perswasion.

Tong.

And would you not use me! hath so long practise
in match-making made me politicke to contrive, and
my conversation with your selfe and the rest of the Wits
made me complementall, and doe you thinke I cannot facilitate
your entrance to Mistris Dorothy?

Artl.
Should I be fortunate in my attempts
To win her liking; should my person please her,
Or that annexion to my better part
Of education, yet the disparitie
Betwixt our states, checks me from hoping
That the designe can prosper. The lighter fire
Nere mixeth with the earth, but to confusion:
Or from their severall natures bringing forth
Events prodigious.

Tong.

Why, you are an Heyre to a thousand pound a
yeare. An officious lye may be dispens't with.

Artl.
But simple honesty
Clad in the naked livery of truth
Is a most glorious vertue, that preserves
White innocence unstain'd with falshood.
Good meanes as well as good intention
Must make an act good.

Tong.

If you have such a tender conscience, so religiously
scrupulous, you'l never be a Politician.

Artl.
Let those that study mischiefe
To satisfie their sensualties
Practise such wickednesse. I'de not abuse
A noble goodnes to possesse the Indies.

Tong.

But heere's one will, and I must ayd him int.
Mr. Littleword.