So there was nothing of a piece about her. Her lower weeds were all o'er coarsely patch'd With diff'rent colour'd rags, black, red, white, yellow, And seem'd to speak variety of wretchedness. 280 Mon. The common cheat of beggars, every day They flock about our doors, pretend to gifts Of prophecy, and telling fools their fortunes. Cha. Oh! but she told me such a tale, Monimia, As in it bore great circumstance of truth; Castalio and Polydore, my sister. Mon. Hah! Cha. What, alter'd! does your courage fail you! Now, by my father's soul, the witch was honest. Answer me, if thou hast not lost to them Thy honour at a sordid game? Mon. I will, I must, so hardly my misfortune loads me, That both have offer'd me their loves most true. Cha. And 'tis as true too, they have both undone thee. Mon. Though they both with earnest vows Have prest my heart, if e'er in thought I yielded To any but Castalio Cha. But Castalio! Mon. Still will you cross the line of my discourse. Yes, I confess that he has won my soul 301 By gen'rous love, and honourable vows, Cha. Art thou then spotless? Hast thou still preserv'd Thy virtue white, without a blot, untainted? Mon. When I'm unchase may Heav'n reject my pray'rs ! Or more, to make me wretched, may you know it! Cha. Appear as cold, when next you meet, as great ones 320 When merit begs; then shalt thou see how soon He comes; and for once, oh, love, stand neuter, [Exit. Enter CASTALIO. Cast. Monimia, Monimia! She's gone; And seem'd to part with anger in her eyes; Fast bound in chains, to be chastis'd at will. For bondage, marriage bonds, which I have sworn Enter POLYDORE and PAGE at the Door. 340 [Exit. Pol. Here place yourself, and watch my brother thoroughly. If he should chance to meet Monimia, make Just observation on each word and action; Pass not one circumstance without remark: 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, 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 y'entice poor women's hearts, And all that pity you are made your prey. 361 Cast. What means my love? Oh, how have I deserv'd This language from the sov'reign of my joys? Stop, stop those tears, Monimia, for they fall, Like baneful dew from a distempered sky; I feel 'em chill me to my very heart. Mon. Oh, you are false, Castalio, most forsworn! Attempt no farther to delude my faith; My heart is fixt, and you shall shak't no more. Cast. Who told you so? What ill-bred villain durst Profane the sacred business of my love? Mon. Your brother, knowing on what terms I'm here, The unhappy object of your father's charity, Licentiously discours'd to me of love, And durst affront me with his brutal passion. 281 Cast. I, knowing him precipitate and rash, Talk'd as he talk'd, and granted all he ask'd; Mon. Could you then? did you? can you own it too? 'Twas poorly done, unworthy of yourself! And I can never think you meant me fair. Cast. Is this Monimia? surely no; till now Mon. When love ill-plac'd 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: Like conqu❜ring tyrants, you our breasts invade, If so, Castalio, you have serv'd my heart, I find that desolation's settled there, And I shall ne'er recover peace again. Cast. Who can hear this and bear an equal mind ! |