University of Virginia Library

SCENE, III.

Enter Florimel, sees him, and is running back.
Cel.

Nay 'faith I am got betwixt you and home, you are my pris'ner,
Lady bright, till you resolve me one question.

She signs.
She is dumb.
Pox; I think she's dumb: what a vengeance dost thou at Court, with
such a rare face, without a tongue to answer to a kind question.
Art thou dumb indeed, then, thou canst tell no tales,—goes to
kiss her.

Flor.

Hold, hold, you are not mad!

Cel.

Oh, my miss in a Masque! have you found your tongue?

Flor.

'Twas time, I think; what had become of me, if I had not?

Cel.

Methinks your lips had done as well.

Flor.

I, if my Masque had been over 'em, as it was when you met
me in the walks.

Cel.

Well; will you believe me another time? did not I say you
were infinitely handsome: they may talk of Florimel, if they will,
but i'faith she must come short of you.

Flor.

Have you seen her, then?

Cel.

I look'd a little that way, but I had soon enough of her, she
is not to be seen twice without a surfeit.

Flor.

However you are beholding to her, they say she loves you.

Cel.

By fate she shan'not love me: I have told her a piece of my
mind already: pox o'these coming women: they set a man to dinner
before he has an appetite.

[Flavia at the door.

Florimel you are call'd within.—

[Exit
Cel.

I hope in the Lord you are not Florimel;

Flor.

Ev'n she at your service; the same kind and coming Florimel
you have describ'd:

Cel.

Why then we are agreed already, I am as kind and coming
as you for the heart of you: I knew at first we two were good for nothing
but one another.

Flor.

But, without raillery, are you in Love?

Cel.

So horribly much, that contrary to my own Maxims, I think
in my conscience I could marry you.

Flor.

No, no, 'tis not come to that yet: but if you are really in
love you have done me the greatest pleasure in the world.

Cel.

That pleasure, and a better too I have in store for you.

Flor.

This Animal call'd a Lover I have long'd to see these two
years.

Cel.

Sure you walk'd with your mask on all the while, for if you
had been seen, you could not have been without your wish.

Flor.

I warrant you mean an ordinary whining Lover; but I must
have other proofs of love ere I believe it.

Cel.

You shall have the best that I can give you.

Flor.

I would have a Lover, that if need be, should hang himself,
drown himself, break his neck, or poyson himself for very despair: he
that will scruple this is an impudent fellow if he sayes he is in love.

Cel.

Pray, Madam, which of these four things would you
have your Lover do? for a man's but a man, he cannot hang, and
drown, and break his neck, and poyson himself, altogether.

Flor,

Well then, because you are but a beginner, and I would not
discourage you, any one of these shall serve your turn in a fair way.

Cel.

I am much deceiv'd in those eyes of yours, if a Treat, a Song,
and the Fiddles, be not a more acceptable proof of love to you, then
any of those Tragical ones you have mentioned.

Flor.

However you will grant it is but decent you should be pale, and
lean, and melancholick to shew you are in love: and that I shall require
of you when I see you next.

Cel.

When you see me next? why you do not make a Rabbet of
me, to be lean at 24 hours warning? in the mean while we burn daylight,
loose time and love.

Flor.

Would you marry me without consideration?

Cel.

To choose, by heaven, for they that think on't, twenty to
one would never do it, hang forecast; to make sure of one, good night
is as much in reason as a man should expect from this ill world.

Flor.

Methinks a few more years and discretion would do well: I
do not like this going to bed so early; it makes one so weary before
morning.

Cel.

That's much as your pillow is laid before you go to sleep.

Flor.

Shall I make a proposition to you? I will give you a whole
year of probation to love me in; to grow reserv'd, discreet, sober and
faithful, and to pay me all the services of a Lover.—

Cel.

And at the end of it you'll marry me?

Flor.

If neither of us alter our minds before.—

Cel.

By this light a necessary clause. but if I pay in all the foresaid
services before the day, you shall be obliged to take me sooner
into mercy.

Flor.

Provided if you prove unfaithful, then your time of a Twelve-month
to be prolong'd; so many services I will bate you so many
dayes or weeks; so many faults I will add to your 'Prentiship,
so much more: And of all this I onely to be Judg.