University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter a Gentleman walking over the Stage hastily: after him, Florimel, and Flavia Masqued.
Fla.

Phormio, Phormio, you will not leave us—

Gent.

In faith I have a little business—

Exit Gentle.

Cel.

Cannot I serve you in the Gentlemans room, Ladies?

Fla.

Which of us would you serve?

Cel.

Either of you, or both of you.

Fla.

Why, could you not be constant to one?

Cel.

Constant to one! I have been a Courtier, a Souldier, and a
Traveller, to good purpose, if I must be constant to one; give
me some Twenty, some Forty, some a Hundred Mistresses, I have
more Love than any one woman can turn her to.

Flor.

Bless us, let us be gone Cousin; we two are nothing in his
hands.

Cel.

Yet for my part, I can live with as few Mistresses as any man:
I desire no superfluities; onely for necessary change or so; as I shift
my Linnen.

Flor.

A pretty odd kind of fellow this: he fits my humour rarely:—

[aside.
Fla.

You are as unconstant as the Moon:

Flor.

You wrong him, he's as constant as the Sun; he would see
all the world round in 24 hours.

Cel.

'Tis very true, Madam, but, like him, I would visit and away.

Flor.

For what an unreasonable thing it were to stay long, be
troublesome, and hinder a Lady of a fresh Lover.

Cel.

A rare Creature this!—besides Madam, how like a fool
a man looks, when after all his eagerness of two Minutes before,
he shrinks into a faint kiss and a cold complement.
Ladies both, into your hands I commit my selfe; share me betwixt
you.

Fla.

I'll have nothing to do with you, since you cannot be constant
to one.

Cel.

Nay, rather then loose either of you, I'll do more;
I'll be constant to an 100 of you: or, (if you will needs fetter me to
one,) agree the matter between your selves; and the most handsome
take me.

Flor.

Though I am not she, yet since my Masque's down, and
you cannot convince me, have a good faith of my Beauty, and for
once I take you for my servant.

Cell.

And for once, I'll make a blind bargain with you: strike
hands; is't a Match Mistriss?

Flor.

Done Servant:

Cel.

Now I am sure I have the worst on't: for you see the worst of
me, and that I do not of you till you shew your face:—
Yet now I think on't, you must be handsome.—

Flor.

What kind of Beauty do you like?

Cel.

Just such a one as yours.

Flor.

What's that?

Cel.

Such an Ovall face, clear skin, hazle eyes, thick brown Eye-browes,
and Hair as you have for all the world.

Fla.

But I can assure you she has nothing of all this.

Cel.

Hold thy peace Envy; nay I can be constant an I set on't.

Flor.

'Tis true she tells you.

Cel.

I, I, you may slander your self as you please; then you
have,—let me see.

Flor.

I'll swear you shan'not see.—

Cel.

A turn'd up Nose: that gives an air to your face: Oh, I find
I am more and more in love with you! a full neather-lip, an out-mouth,
that makes mine water at it: the bottom of your cheeks a
little blub, and two dimples when you smile: for your stature 'tis
well, and for your wit 'twas given you by one that knew it had
been thrown away upon an ill face; come you are handsome, there's
no denying it:

Flor.

Can you settle your spirits to see an ugly face, and not be
frighted, I could find in my heart to lift up my Masque and disabuse you.

Cel.

I defie your Masque, would you would try the experiment:

Flor.

No, I won'not; for your ignorance is the Mother of your
devotion to me.

Cel.

Since you will not take the pains to convert me I'll make bold

to keep my faith: a miserable man I am sure you have made me.

Fla.

This is pleasant.

Cel.

It may be so to you but it is not to me; for ought I see, I am
going to be the most constant Maudlin.—

Flor.

'Tis very well, Celadon, you can be constant to one you have
never seen; and have forsaken all you have seen.

Cel.

It seems you know me then: well, if thou shou'dst prove one
of my cast Mistresses I would use thee most damnably, for offering
to make me love thee twice.

Flor.

You are i'th' right: an old Mistriss or Servant is an old
Tune, the pleasure on't is past, when we have once learnt it.

Fla.

But what woman in the world would you wish her like?

Cel.

I have heard of one Florimel the Queens Ward, would she
were as like her for Beauty, as she is for Humour.

Fla.

Do you hear that Cousin:

(to Flor. aside)
Flor.

Florimell's not handsome: besides she's unconstant; and only
loves for some few days,

Cel.

If she loves for shorter time then I, she must love by Winter
daies and Summer nights ifaith:

Flor.

When you see us together you shall judge: in the mean time
adieu sweet servant.

Cel.

Why you won'not be so inhumane to carry away my heart
and not so much as tell me where I may hear news on't?

Flor.

I mean to keep it safe for you; for if you had it, you would bestow
it worse: farwell, I must see a Lady:

Cel.

So must I too, if I can pull off your Masque—

Flor.

You will not be so rude, I hope;

Cel.

By this light but I will:

Flor.

By this leg but you shan not:

Exeunt Flor. & Flavia running.