University of Virginia Library

Scena, 6.

The Dutchess Cleora, Althea after.
Duc.
And are you sure
he went to Erminia's?

Cle.
Sure Madam 'twas so appointed,
and Althea was to have the introducing him.

Duc.
Did I not tell you
he had some secret haunt?
I knew it I, there's no deceiving me.—
See this dissembling boy, you shall sooner finde
Spring without flowers,
and Autumn without fruit,
then without loving thoughts, a youthful minde,
'tis the proper fruit, and flowers of the season.

Enter Althea.
Al.
So I have brought him to my Lady,
who was nothing nigh so much offended and
surpriz'd with it as I imagined.—
Who's here the Duchess?

Duc.
And Althea too
must be their Bawd! that old Hag, that Witch,
go seek her out, and bring her hither strait;
if she conceal their secret meetings,
tortures shall inforce it from her.

Alt.
Ha! she has heard
it seems of the Dukes visiting my Lady,
I'd best confess it e're she put me to the torture;
I'm melancholly enough to lye in bed alone,
and apprehend this lying on the rack
a far more melancholly business; besides
I know not how my bones
will hold out, beshrew me.

Cleo.
She's here Madam.

Al.
Indeed I must confess,
speak this trembling.
and't like your Highness he visits my Lady sometimes.

Duc.
Oh do's he so!

Alt.
But I can't help it,
there's no keeping him out.

Duc.
Is he so hot upon it?

Alt.
But this I can assure your Highness,
'tis much against my will
and against my Ladies too.

Duc.
Worser and worser, I cod pardon him
to prefer her love to mine; but to prefer
even her neglect unto my love, is such
an indignity, such a neglect of me
I never shall forgive.