Pol. Nay, I'll conjure you too; By all the strictest bonds of faithful friendship, As you would purge you of your sins to Heav'n. 120 Pol. And should I chance to touch it nearly, bear it With all the suff'rance of a tender friend. Cast. As calmly as the wounded patient bears The artist's hand that minister's his cure. Pol. That's kindly said. You know oùr father's ward, The fair Monimia. Is your heart at peace? Is it so guarded that you could not love her? Cast. Suppose I should? Pol. Suppose you should not, brother? Pol. That would sound too roughly 'Twixt friends and brothers, as we two are. Cast. Is love a fault? Pol. In one of us it may be. What if I love her? Cast. Then I must inform you I lov'd her first, and cannot quit the claim, But will preserve the birth-right of my passion. Pol. You will. Cast. I will. Pol. No more, I've done. Cast. Why not? Pol. I told you I had done : But you, Castalio, would dispute it. 140 Cast. No; Not with my Polydore; though I must own Pol. But for a toy you would, a woman's toy; Cast. Pr'ythee, where's my fault ? Pol. You love Monimia. Cast. Yes. Pol. And you would kill me, If I'm your rival. Cast. No, sure we're such friends, So much one man, that our affections too Cast. Love her still; Win and enjoy her. Pol. Both of us cannot. Cast. No matter 160 Whose chance it prove; but let's not quarrel for❜t. Pol. You would not wed Monimia, would you Cast. Wed her! No; were she all desire could wish, as fair As would the vainest of her sex be thought, With wealth beyond what woman's pride could waste, And take a wife to mortify withal. Pol. It is an elder brother's duty so To propagate his family and name: You would not have yours die and buried with you? Cast. Mere vanity, and silly dotage all. leave? No, let me live at large, and when I die- If he survives me; if not, my king, Who may bestow't again on some brave man, Cast. By yon Heav'n, I love My Polydore beyond all worldly joys; Cast. No matter whose. 200 Pol. Were you not with her privately last night? Cast. I was, and should have met her here again ; But th' opportunity shall now be thine; Myself will bring thee to the scene of love : Urge all thy pow'rs to make thy passion prosper : Pol. Heaven blast me if I do. Cast. If't prove thy fortune, Polydore, to conquer, (For thou hast all the arts of soft persuasion) Trust me, and let me know thy love's success, That I may ever after stifle mine. Pol. Though she be dearer to my soul than rest To weary pilgrims, or to misers gold, To great men pow'r, or wealthy cities pride, 220 [Exeunt Castalio and Polydore. Enter MONIMIA. Mon. So soon return'd from hunting? This fair day Seems as if sent to invite the world abroad. Pass'd not Castalio and Polydore this way? Page. Madam, just now. Mon. Sure some ill fate's upon me. My foolish heart; and, like a tender child, Page. Madam, I'd serve you with my soul: "Mon. Oh, men! for flatt'ry and deceit renown'd! "Thus, when y'are young, ye learn it all like him, "'Till as your years increase, that strengthens too, "T'undo pour maids, and make our ruin easy." Tell me, Cordelio, for thou oft hast heard Their friendly converse, and their bosom secrets; Sometimes, at least, have they not talk'd of me? Page. Oh, madam, very wickedly they have talk'd! But I am afraid to name it; for, they say, Boys must be whipp'd that tell their master's secrets. 260 Mon. Fear not, Cordelio; it shall ne'er be known; I'll furnish thee with all thy harmless sports, |