University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Flamette, Pamphilus.
Pam.
Fair Nymph, might I be so bold (I pray)
To request the time o'th' day of you?

Fla.
With all my heart Sir, take what time you will,
It shall be any thing o'th' clock you please, for me.

Pam.
La ye there now?
There's never a Sextons wife in all Cypres
Could answer you more courteously.—Lets see,
What's next now? pox on't, we young practitioners
Of complement, and dabblers in Love,
When once w'ar out of our leggs & faces, are presently out
Of our discourse,—I, it shall be so—
And how, and how have you done Faith since I saw you last?

Fla.
Most methodical! how d'ee, and whats a clock?
I'll wager with any one now, next is, what News?
Or somewhat about the Weather; the ordinary
Discourse of those who can discourse of nothing:
And when (I pray) was it you saw me last?

Pam.
Why in Plato's great year, don't you remember it?
When just after such an encounter as this, I took
You by the hand, and kissing it, offered
To lead you just into such another Grove as this.

Fla.
Just no such matter,—pray pray Sir stay,
Sure you do n't remember well?

Pam.
Most perfectly,
By the same token I offer'd to salute you too.

[she puts him by.
Fla.
I knew you were quite wide,
And out Sir, I?—not me I can assure you.

Pam.
You cann't deny't I'm sure;
Think, think, and you must needs remember it,
I do as perfectly as if't were but to day—
And how I told you, having so fair an opportunity,
But lose it, and you'd never have the like agen.

Fla.
Wider and wider still from my remembrance.

Pam.
And that such kind offers from such kind youths as I,
Came not every day;—and I added too withall,
That I assur'd my self the Nymphs of this Countrie
Were so well learn'd, their Husbands on the mariage night before
Could teach 'um nothing, but what they knew

Fla.
Bless me! I never heard
[aside.]
Man talk a this manner.

Pam.
And for your particular,
I durst be sworn first time y'ad Liberty,
After fourteen to walk abroad alone,
Returning home, you found that you had left
Som such odd toys, as your Scarf, your Mask, & gloves,
And perhaps your Maiden-head, behind ye too.

Fla.
Thanks Love, thou hast redeem'd me—
She spies some coming.
Oh! cry mercy Sir.
Now I remember it
Perfectly well: Lord what a Treacherous
Memory have I!

Pam.
Oh d'ye so? I knew you would at last—
Now she's mine own, I'm sure on't.

Fla.
By the same token, just
As you talk'd thus wildly and licentiously
Philostrates, Love's sovereign Pontif, and
Governour o'th' Isle past by.

Pam.
Mas, and I think
Yonder he comes indeed.

Fla.
When I
Addressing me to him, and complaining of
Your unworthy rudeness, he presently
Invited you most honourably to dance
To a certain sprighly Instrument, call'd a Whip,
Worth a hundred of your Pochets and Violins
To make such Gallants as you to frisk and caper.

Pam.
I remember nothing of all this now—
But beshrow me I begin to fear, next Plato's great year
I shall indeed, if I tarry longer here.

Exiturus
Fla.
Hark ye, hark ye Sir,
Now I can tell you what time o'th' day 'tis too.

Pam.
I know it now, I thank you, well enough,
'tis time for me to be gon as I take it.

Exit.
Fla.
Farewell then my
Platonique Lover, and a fair riddance—But to
My businesse. I wonder where all

The Nymphs are, that none of them appears. I must
go seek 'um out.