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I meddle with no man's business but my own;
I rise in a morning early, study moderately,
Eat and drink cheerfully, live soberly,

Take my innocent pleasures freely;

So meet with respect, and am not the jest of the family.
Cha. I'm glad you are so happy.

A pleasant fellow this, and may be useful.
Knew you my father, the old Chamont ?

[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.
If thou didst love my father, I could think
Thou wouldst not be an enemy to me.

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.

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"Cha. Nay, but thou'rt an hypocrite; is there not

"one

"Of all thy tribe that's honest? In your schools
"The pride of your superiors make ye slaves;
"Ye all live loathsome, sneaking, servile lives;

"Not free enough to practice gen'rous truth, Though ye pretend to teach it to the world.

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"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.

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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

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Of that great honest man, that gave me being,
Tell me but what thou know'st concerns my honour,
And if I e'er reveal it to thy wrong,

May this good sword ne'er do me right in battle!
May I ne'er know that blessed peace of mind,

That dwells in good and pious men like thee!
Chap. I see your temper's mov'd, and I will trust

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."

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Chap. Then this good day, when all the house was

busy.

When mirth and kind rejoicing fill'd each room,
As I was walking in the grove I met them.

Cha. What met them in the grove together?
Tell me

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 ?
Chap. Not knowing what reception it may find
With old Acasto; may be I was too cautious
To trust the secret from me.

Cha. What's the cause

I cannot guess, though it is my sister's honour,
I do not like this marriage,

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Huddled i'th'dark, and done at too much venture;
The business looks with an unlucky face.

Keep still the secret; for it ne'er shall 'scape me,
Not ev'n to them, the new matched pair. Farewel.
Believe my truth, and know me for thy friend. [Exit.

Enter CASTALIO and MONIMIA.

Cast. Young Chamont and the Chaplain? sure 'tis
they !

No matter what's contrived, or who consulted,
Since my Monimia's mine; though this sad look

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Seems no good boding omen to her bliss;
Else pr'ythee tell me why that look cast down?
Why that sad sigh as if thy heart was breaking?

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;
As the good priest pronounc'd the sacred words,
Passion grew big, and I could not forbear,
Tears drown'd my eyes, and trembling seiz'd my soul.
What should that mean?

Cast. Oh, thou art tender all!

Gentle and kind as sympathising nature!

"When a sad story has been told, I've seen

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"Thy little breasts, with soft compassion swell'd,
"Shove up and down, and heave like dying birds;
"But now let fear be banish'd, think no more
"Of danger; for there's safety in my arms;
"Let them receive thee. Heav'n grows jealous now;
"Sure she's too good for any mortal creature!
"I could grow wild, and praise thee ev'n to madness."
But wherefore do I dally with my bliss?

The night's far spent, and day draws on apace;
To bed, my love, and wake till I come thither.
Pol. So hot, my brother!

Mon. 'Twill be impossible;

[Polydore at the door.

You know your father's chamber's next to mine,
And the least noise will certainly alarm him.
Cast. Impossible! impossible! alas!

Is't possible to live one hour without thee?

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