 | The Amorovs Warre |  |
SCÆNA VII.
Theagines, Meleager, To them Menalippe, Marthesia.Theag:
Why here be three new Captaines now, who make
The Right use of the Warre. Spend their Assaults
On such soft, harmelesse, yeilding Things, as Ladies,
And keepe Themselves in Spangles, with the pay
Of their poore Souldiers.
Mel:
It appeares to me
Strange what Designe should cast these Amazons
Upon our shore. I hope they have no Aime
To take Advantage of our fight; or keepe
Themselves Spectatours 'till both Armies have
Weaken'd Themselves, and then ore'come the Victours.
I would be loath to have if said in story,
We were subdu'd by Women with one Breast.
And it would trouble me to see my selfe
Led Captive; And transported to a Land
Where I must propagate at the mercy of
Those who did take me prisoner; And get Children
By th'night, and taske, upon my Conquerours.
Theag.
Beleiv't their project is lesse politicke.
You heare the Errand they come for is to
Lye with us in our Land.
Mel:
Still 'tis strange
They should so quickly open, And reveale
Themselves so easy, so prepared, as these
Three make 'em.
Theag:
Pray Heaven, my Lord, our Ladies
Show not themselves as easy, and as pliant,
Ith' other Campe. 'Tis true indeed, their case
Is not the same. They've had no Dearth of Husbands,
Which shou'd invite 'em to require Releife
From th'Enemy. But if they should conclude
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Be, to give something they can spare, and we
Not misse, we cannot helpe it if they show
Themselves good patriots; And preferre their Countrey
Before our private Interests; or their
More private Honesties.
Mel:
True; 'Tis but loosing
A little Honour for the publique Good;
And Honours but a Word; We shall not be
Impoverisht by the losse. All parts in Women
Are like their lippes; And lippes you know are Springs.
If a whole Army quench their Thirst there, still
As much is left as taken; The first stocke
Ent. Menal. Marth.
Remaines entire.
Theag.
My Lord, Behold; what say
You to a Message now?
Mel:
I'me now confirm'd.
Men:
Are you my Lord Theagines?
Theag:
Yes Lady.
Marth:
And you my Lord Meleager?
Mel:
'Tis my name—.
Men:
Y'are oth' Bedchamber to th'King?
Mel:
We are so.
They have had good Intelligence.
Marth:
Our Ladies
Hearing y'are noble, and delighting much
In persons valiant, and of great Action, (as
They are informed you are) will take it for
An honour, if you will vouchsafe to be
Oth' Bedchamber to them too, for the space
Of a short visit.
Men.
They say they doe long,
Long, very much t'impart a businesse to you.
Thea:
You doe not know what 'tis?
Men.
Sir, it requires
The secrecy of their Tents to know it.
Mel:
When
Pray, is the time they'd be at leisure, Ladies,
For us to waite upon 'em?
Marth:
At all times, Sir,
They say you cannot erre. Onely they will
Tak't as the greater favour, If to beguile
The tedious houres with discourse of the Ancients,
And the Comparison of Womens deeds,
With those of Men, you will divide your Nights,
Sometimes with them.
Men:
But cheifly, they desire
You would now come along with us.
Thea.
My Lord,
What would come on't if we Two should suppose
Our selves unmarried? Our Wives when we next meet,
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Finde us whole Husbands.
Mel:
I am resolv'd to make
Use of the Opportunity. The worst
That can befall us, if our Ladies know it,
Is to seale mutuall pardons.
Theag:
Come, Ladies, you
Shall be our Clue to guide us.
Men:
We will lead you
Into a pleasing Labarynth.
Mel:
'Twill be
Our wish to be lost in such Company.
| The Amorovs Warre | |