I meddle with no man's business but my own; Take my innocent pleasures freely; So meet with respect, and am not the jest of the family. A pleasant fellow this, and may be useful. [Aside. Chap. I did, and was most sorry when we lost him. Cha. Why, didst thou love him? Chap. Ev'ry body lov'd him; besides he was my master's friend. Cha. I could embrace thee for that very notion. Chap. I can be no man's foe. Cha. Then pr'ythee tell me, Think'st thou the lord Castalio loves my sister? "Nay, never start. Come, come, I know thy office 66 Opens thee all the secrets of the family. “Then if thou'rt honest, use this freedom kindly.” Chap. Love your sister! Cha. Ay, love her. Chap. Sir, I never ask'd him, "And wonder you should ask it me. 201 "Cha. Nay, but thou'rt an hypocrite; is there not "one "Of all thy tribe that's honest? In your schools "Not free enough to practice gen'rous truth, Though ye pretend to teach it to the world. 66 "Chap. I would deserve a better thought from you. "Cha. If thou wouldst have me not contemn thy "office "And character, think all thy brethren knaves, "Thy trade a cheat, and thou its worst professor, "Inform me; for I tell thee, priest, I'll know.” Chap. Either he loves her, or he much has wrong'd her. Cha. How! wrong'd her? Have a care, for this may lay A scene of mischief to undo us all. But tell me, wrong'd her, saidst thou? Chap. Ay, sir, wrong'd her. 220 Cha. This is a secret worth a monarch's fortune: What shall I give thee for't? Thou dear physician Of sickly souls, unfold this riddle to me, And comfort mine Chap. I would hide nothing from you willingly. "Cha. Nay, then again thou'rt honest. Would'st "thou tell me? "Chap. Yes, if I durst. “Cha. Why, what affrights thee ? "Chap. You do. "Who are not to be trusted with the secret. "Cha. Why, I am no fool. "Chap. So indeed you say. "Cha. Pr'ythee be serious then. "Chap. You see I am so, "And hardly shall be mad enough to-night "To trust you with my ruin. "Cha. Art thou then "So far concern'd in't? What has been thy office? "Carse on that formal steady villain's face! "Just so do all bawds look: nay, bawds, they say, "Can pray upon occasion, talk of heav'n, "Turn up their goggling eye-balls, rail at vice, "Dissemble, lie, and preach like any priest. "Art thou a bawd? Chap. Sir, I'm not often us'd thus. "Cha. Be just then. "Cha. So I shall be to the trust "That's laid upon me." Cha. By the reverenced soul 241 Of that great honest man, that gave me being, May this good sword ne'er do me right in battle! That dwells in good and pious men like thee! you. Cha. Wilt thou? Chap. I will; but if it ever 'scape you Cha. It never shall. "Chap. Swear then. "Cha. I do, by all "That's dear to me, by th' honour of my name, "And by that power I serve, it never shall." 260 Chap. Then this good day, when all the house was busy. When mirth and kind rejoicing fill'd each room, Cha. What met them in the grove together? How, walking, standing, sitting, lying, hah! Chap. I, by their own appointment, met them there, Receiv'd their marriage-vows, and join'd their hands. Cha. How! marry'd! Chap. Yes, sir. Cha. Then my soul's at peace. But why would you so long delay to give it ? Cha. What's the cause I cannot guess, though it is my sister's honour, 280 Huddled i'th'dark, and done at too much venture; Keep still the secret; for it ne'er shall 'scape me, Enter CASTALIO and MONIMIA. Cast. Young Chamont and the Chaplain? sure 'tis No matter what's contrived, or who consulted, 1 Seems no good boding omen to her bliss; Mon. Castalio, I am thinking what we've done. The heavenly powers were sure displeas'd to-day; For at the ceremony as we stood, And as your hand was kindly join'd with mine; Cast. Oh, thou art tender all! Gentle and kind as sympathising nature! "When a sad story has been told, I've seen 300 "Thy little breasts, with soft compassion swell'd, The night's far spent, and day draws on apace; Mon. 'Twill be impossible; [Polydore at the door. You know your father's chamber's next to mine, Is't possible to live one hour without thee? |