Who, without spleen, could see a hot-brained atheist, Thanking a surly doctor for his sermon ? Or a grave counsellor meet a smooth young lord, Squeeze him by the hand, and praise his good complexion? Pol. Courts are the places, where best manners flourish; Where the deserving ought to rise, and fools Make shew. Why should I vex and chafe my spleen, To see a gaudy coxcomb shine, when I Acast. Who merit, ought indeed to rise in the But no wise man, that's honest, should expect it. What man of sense wold rack his generous mind, To practise all the base formalities And forms of business? force a grave starched face, When he is a very libertine in his heart? Seem not to know this or that man in public, When privately perhaps they meet together, And lay the scene of some brave fellow's ruin? Such things are done. Cast. Your lordship's wrongs have been So great, that you with justice may complain; But suffer us, whose minds ne'er felt younger Fortune's deceits, to court her as she's fair. Were she a common mistress, kind to all, Her worth would cease, and half the world grow idle. Acast. Go to, ye are fools, and know me not; Long since, to bear, revenge, or scorn my wrongs, You both would fain be great, and to that end Corruption, envy, discontent, and faction, Yet now pine under want, whilst selfish slaves, That e'en would cut their throats, whom now they fawn on, Like deadly locusts, eat the honey up, Methinks I would be busy. Pol. So would I, Not loiter out my life at home, and know men; Learn how to value merit, though in rags, In gentle dreams, and satisfied my soul Acast. Young soldier, you have not only studi→ ed war, Courtship, I see, has been your practice too, And thank the lord, that wronged me, for his fa- | One fate surprised them, and one grave received He needs not any servants such as you. Serve him! he merits more than man can do! He could not do a wrong. How would you serve Cast. I would serve him with my fortune here at home, And serve him with my person in his wars," Pol. Die for him, As every true-born loyal subject ought. them; My father, with his dying breath, bequeathed Then pressed me close, and, as she observed my Kissed them away. Said she, 'Chamont, my son, By this, and all the love I ever shewed thee, Kissed me again; so blessed us, and expired. Acast. It speaks an honest nature. Cha. The friend heaven raised was you; you took her up An infant, to the desart world exposed, Acast. Let me embrace you both. Now, by And proved another parent, the souls Of my brave ancestors, I am truly happy! Ye shall have business, when your master wants You cannot serve a nobler: I have served him; His right, even in the face of rank rebellion; I rushed, and clove the rebel to the chine. Enter Servant. Serv. My lord, the expected guests are just arrived. Acast. Go you, and give them welcome and reception. [Exeunt Castalio, Polydore, Serina, &c. Cha. My lord, I stand in need of your assist ance In something, that concerns my peace and honour. So freely, friendly, we conversed together. Your bounty shewn to what I hold most dear, Acast. Prithee no more of that, it grates my nature. Cha. When our dear parents died, they died together, Acast. I have not wronged her. Cha. My lord, my nature's jealous, and you'll Acast. Go on. Cha. Great spirits bear misfortunes hardly. Acast. I cannot guess your drift; Cha. No, but I fear her weakness Within my reach, though it should touch my na- In my own offspring, by the dear remembrance Cha. I thank you from my soul. [Exit. Cha. Fear nothing; I will shew myself a bro- | With different coloured rags, black, red, white, ther, Cha. Then you'll remember too, he was a man, He could not have forgiven it to himself, You have soiled this gem, and taken from its value, How will you account with me? Mon. I challenge envy, Cha. I'll tell thee, then; three nights ago, as I My bed shook under me, the curtains started, I found my weapon had the arras pierced, yellow, To any but Castalio Cha. But Castalio! Mon. Still will you cross the line of my dis Yes, I confess, that he has won my soul Cha. Art thou then spotless? Hast thou still preserved Thy virtue white, without a blot, untainted? Mon. When I'm unchaste may Heaven reject my prayers! Or more, to make me wretched, may you know it! Enter CASTALIO. Cast. Monimia, Monimia ! -She's gone; Fast bound in chains, to be chastised at will. Enter POLYDORE and Page at the door. Pol. Here place yourself, and watch my brother thoroughly. If he should chance to meet Monimia, make [Exit Pol. Enter MONIMIA and CASTALIO. Cast. Monimia, my angel! 'twas not kind To leave me like a turtle here alone, To droop and mourn the absence of my mate. When thou art from me, every place is desert, And I, methinks, am savage and forlorn; Thy presence only 'tis can make me blest, Heal my unquiet mind, and tune my soul. Mon. Oh, the bewitching tongues of faithless men! 'Tis thus the false hyæna makes her moan, To draw the pitying traveller to her den. Your sex are so, such false dissemblers all, With sighs and plaints ye entice poor women's hearts, And all, that pity you, are made your prey. Cast. What means my love? Oh, how have I deserved This language, from the sovereign of my joys? Mon. Oh, you are false, Castalio, most forsworn! Attempt no farther to delude my faith; My heart is fixed, and you shall shake it no more. 'Twas poorly done, unworthy of yourself! And I can never think you meant me fair. Cast. Is this Monimia? surely no; till now I ever thought her dove-like, soft, and kind. Who trusts his heart with woman is surely lost. You were made fair on purpose to undo us, While greedily we snatch the alluring bait, And ne'er distrust the poison, that it hides. Mon. When love ill-placed would find a means to break Cast. It never wants pretences or excuse. Mon. Man therefore was a lord-like creature made, Rough as the winds, and as inconstant too; A lofty aspect given him for command, Cast. Who can hear this and bear an equal mind! Since you will drive me from you, I must go; But, oh, Monimia! When thou hast banished me, No creeping slave, though tractable and dull Mon. Castalio, stay! we must not part. I find My rage ebbs out, and love flows in apace. These little quarrels, love must needs forgive, They rouse up drowsy thoughts, and wake the soul. Oh! charm me with the music of thy tongue! I'm ne'er so blest, as when I hear thy vows, And listen to the language of thy heart. The rebel played, and scarce could be contained. Page. Oh, 'twas wondrous pretty! Page, My lord! Pol. Go to your chamber, and prepare your lute: Find out some song to please me, that describes Enter Servant. His eyes distorted grew; his visage pale; Acast. Support me; give me air; I'll yet reco ver. 'Twas but a slip decaying nature made; Serv. My lord, I've searched, as you commanded, all the house; Acust. Not to be found! then where are all I hope they'll pardon an unhappy fault Enter CASTALIO and MONIMIA. Cast. Angels preserve my dearest father's life, Bless it with long uninterrupted days! Oh, may he live till time itself decay, "Till good men wish him dead, or I offend him! Acast. Thank you, Castalio; give me both your hands, I And bear me up; I'd walk. So, now, methinks, Cast. My lord, your chaplain. Acast. Let the good man enter. Enter Chaplain. Chap. Heaven guard your lordship, and restore Acast. I have provided for thee, if I die. Serv. Oh, the unhappiest tidings tongue e'er Only to sweet Monimia I have bequeathed Pol. The matter! Serv. Oh! your father, my good master, Ten thousand crowns; a little portion for her, Be not less friends because you are brothers; shun The man that's singular; his mind's unsound, |