University of Virginia Library

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Chrysolina, Marionetta, as in their Chamber.
Mar.

How did you like our last entertainment, Sister?

Chrys.

Indifferently well; I love that same Gentleman,
Signior Becabunga: he is none of your ranting young
Gallants, but a sober youth as is in all Florence.

Mar.

'Tis true, but yet—

Chrys.

—What—don't you love him, Sister? you are a
fool if you let such a fair occasion slip—such a fine Woodcock is
not start every day:—he hath a great Estate, Sister, remember
that.

Mar.

'Tis all true—

Chrys.

I, and he will not readily spend it; his Tutor, Manduco,
hath bred him very sparingly—honest man, I protest he is
an honest man:—yea, a very honest man.

Mar.

He is indeed—

Chrys.

And then, Sister, you may have a very contented life
with him; he is a good-natur'd, sweet youth, he will give you
all your will, and I'l assure you that is a great property in a man.

Mar.

—And what think you of your own Suitor, Pantaloni,
all this while?

Enter Cassio, Leonardo, quietly.
Chrys.

Why—I know not what I shall
say of him yet.

Mar. discovers them.
Mar.

Goodness! how came they here?

Chrys. starts back, amazed.
Leon.

Nay, my pretty Daphne, fly not my
embraces, I know we have surprised you now.

Cass.

What pretty intrigue of love was the object of your discourse,
pray let us be sharers with you in your entertainment.

Leon.

My life for't, you were devising some stratagem, how to
crosse the designs of some affectionat Votary: you have no pity
on our Sex now a dayes, Ladies.

Cass.

None, indeed, if you were not visible in this age, then we
should not love: but, when we once conceive flames of affection

for you, in lieu of fomenting us in our delights, you make love a
disease to us by your unmercifull nicety, which deprives us altogether
of your conversation: this is sad, Ladies; trust me 'tis
sad.

Mar.

You wrong our Sex, Sir.

Chrys.

But, d'you hear, Sir, seriously I intreat you would forbear
such visits; for, you will but give people occasion to talk of
what we never thought on.

Mar.

And besides, Sir, those who challenge power over us will
be offended at this entertainment: we intreat you then, Gentlemen,
to leave us.

Cass.
(to Mar.)

Farewell then, cruel beauty, but do not imagine
such a harsh repulse will stop the current of my
boundless love; absence shall never prove so fatal: but
while my breath shall demonstrate that I live, this
heart, this speech and this hand shall demonstrate that
I love you. Farewell bright star of my fancy.

Exit.
Leon.
(to Chrys.)

Such a fair Lady cannot be so cruel, I will not
take this answer as a repulse, but rather construe it the
most favourable way. Farewell, time, I hope, shall
melt the severity of your resolutions.

Exit.
Chrys.

Farewell my ranting gamsters, we are not meat for your
mouths.—What foolish people have we in our house, Sister, to
admit them Gentlemen?—why, they came in upon us while we
were serious.

Mar.

Yes, Sister, and if one of us had been commenting on the
Piss-pot, it had been all one to them, when doors are left open.

Chrys.

And knowing that our friends cannot endure them, they
should, at least, in conscience, have denied them access. O! how I
shall baffle them same wenches that did not look to our Chamber
door better.

Mar.

I protest, Sister, we must marry quickly, otherwayes we
shall be constantly infested with such importunate Suitors; and
that, in my opinion, is no great pleasure to a woman, it distracts
their spirits, me thinks.

Chrys.

You say right, Sister, wee shall never be well, untill
we be even well marryed.

Exeunt.