I've search'd, as you commanded, all the house; He and Monimia are not to be found. Acast. Not to be found! then where are all my friends? 'Tis well; I hope they'll pardon an unhappy fault Death could not come in a more welcome hour; Enter CASTALIO and MONIMIA. Cast. Angels preserve my dearest father's life, Bless it with long uninterupted days! Oh, may he live till time itself decay, 'Till good men wish him dead, or I offend him! 60 Acast. Thank you, Castalio; give me both your hands, And bear me up, I'd walk.—So, now methinks, Supported by the pillars he had rais’d. Cast. My lord, your chaplain. Acast. Let the good man enter. Enter Chaplain. Chap. Heav'n guard your lordship, and restore your health. Acast. I have provided for thee, if I die. No fawning! 'tis a scandal to thy office. My sons, as thus united ever live; And for th' estate you'll find when I am dead, I have divided it betwixt you both, Equally parted, as you shar'd my love; 80 Be not less friends because you're brothers; "shun "The man that's singular, his mind's unsound, "His spleen o'erweighs his brains; but above all, "Avoid the politic, the factious fool, "The busy, buzzing, talking, harden'd knave, "The quaint smooth rogue, that sins against his rea "Calls saucy loud suspicion, public zeal, "And mutiny, the dictates of his spirit: "If you have children, never give them knowledge, "And laugh you out on't. Never shew religion, "Except you mean to pass for knaves of conscience, "And cheat believing fools that think ye honest.” Enter SERINA. Ser. My father! E 100 Acast. My heart's darling! Ser. Let my knees Fix to the earth. Ne'er let my eyes have rest, For thou'rt a wond'rous extract of all goodness, Enter CHAMONT. Cha. My Lord, may't prove not an unlucky omen. Many I see are waiting round about you, And I am come to ask a blessing too! Cha. Where? Acast. In all thy wishes. Cha. Confirm me so, and make this fair one mine; I am unpractis'd in the trade of courtship, And know not how to deal love out with art: 120 Acast. What says Serina? Canst thou love a soldier ? One born to honour, and to honour bred? One that has learn'd to treat e'en foes with kindness To wrong no good man's fame, nor praise himself? Ser. Oh! name not love, for that's ally'd to joy, And joy must be a stranger to my heart, When you're in danger. May Chamont's good fortune Praise the kind gods, and wonder at his virtues. And, as my son, a third of all my fortune Shall be thy lot. But keep thy eyes from wand'ring, man of frailty. They put false beauty off to all the world, Use false endearments to the fools that love 'em, 140 Pol. Yes, my fair monitor, old men always talk thus. Acast. Chamont, you told me of some doubts that press'd you, Are you yet satisfy'd that I'm your friend? Cha. My lord, I would not lose that satisfaction For any blessing I could wish for. As to my fears, already I have lost 'em; They ne'er shall vex me more, nor trouble you. Acast. I thank you. Daughter you must do so too. My friends, 'tis late; Now my disorder seems all past and over, And, I, methinks, begin to feel new health. Cast. Would you but rest, it might restore you quite. Acast. Yes, I'll to bed; old men must humour weakness: Let me have music then, to lull and chase Good-night, my friends; Heav'n guard ye all! goodnight! To-morrow early we'll salute the day, Find out new pleasures, and redeem lost time. 160 [Exeunt all but Chamont and Chaplain. Cha. Hist, hist, Sir Gravity, a word with you. Chap. With me, sir! Cha. If you're at leisure, sir, we'll waste an hour. 'Tis yet too soon to sleep, and 'twill be charity To lend your conversation to a stranger. Cha. Yes. Chap. I love a soldier. And had been one myself, but that my parents Would make me what you see me: yet I'm honest, For all I wear black. Cha. And that's a wonder. Have you had long dependence on this family? Chap. I have not thought it so, because my time's Spent pleasantly. My lord's not haughty nor imperious, Nor I gravely whimsical; he has good-nature, His sons too are civil to me, because I do not pretend to be wiser than they are. 180 |