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.
I ask'd her of my way, which she inform'd me;
Then crav'd my charity, and bade me hasten
To save a sister: at that word I started!

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,
Which he this day appointed to complete,
And make himself by holy marriage mine.

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. Oh, then, Monimia, art thou dearer to me
Than all the comforts ever yet blest man.
But let not marriage bait thee to thy ruin.
Trust not a man; we are by nature false,
Dissembling, subtile, cruel, and unconstant.
When a man talks of love, with caution trust him;
But if he swears, he'll certainly deceive thee.
I charge thee let no more Castalio sooth thee;
Avoid it, as thou would'st preserve the peace
Of a poor brother, to whose soul thou'rt precious.
Mon. I will.

Cha. Appear as cold, when next you meet, as great

ones

320

When merit begs; then shalt thou see how soon
His heart will cool, and all his pains grow easy. [Exit.
Mon. Yes, I will try him; torture him severely;
For, oh, Castalio! thou too much hast wrong'd me,
In leaving me to Polydore's ill usage.

He comes; and for once, oh, love, stand neuter,
Whilst a hard part's perform'd! for I must 'tempt
Wound his soft nature, though my heart aches for't.

[Exit.

Enter CASTALIO.

Cast. Monimia, Monimia!

She's gone;

And seem'd to part with anger in her eyes;
I am a fool, and she has found my weakness;
She uses me already like a slave

Fast bound in chains, to be chastis'd at will.
'Twas not well done to trifle with my brother;
I might have trusted him with all the secret,
Open'd my silly heart, and shewn it bare.-
But then he loves her too; but not like me:
I am a doating honest slave, design'd

For bondage, marriage bonds, which I have sworn
To wear. It is the only thing I e'er
Hid from his knowledge; and he'll sure forgive
The first transgression of a wretched friend,
Betray'd to love, and all its little follies.

Enter POLYDORE and PAGE at the Door.

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[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:
Sir, 'tis your office; do't, and bring me word. [Exit Pol.

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,
And I, methinks, am savage and forlorn;
Thy presence only 'tis can make me blest,
Heal my unquiet mind, and tune my soul.

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.
Cast. 'Tis I have been to blame, and only I;
False to my brother, and unjust to thee.
For, oh! he loves thee too, and this day own'd it,
Tax'd me with mine, and claim'd a right above me.
Mon. And was your love so very tame, to shrink;
Or rather than lose him, abandon me?

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Cast. I, knowing him precipitate and rash,
To calm his heat, and to conceal my happiness,
Seem'd to comply with his unruly will ;

Talk'd as he talk'd, and granted all he ask'd;
Lest he in rage might have our loves betray'd,
And I for ever had Monimia lost.

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
I ever thought her dove-like, soft, and kind.
Who trusts his heart with woman's surely lost.
You were made fair on purpose to undo us,
While greedily we snatch th' alluring bait,
And ne'er distrust the poison that it hides.

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:
A lofty aspect given him for command,
Easily soften'd when he would betray.

Like conqu❜ring tyrants, you our breasts invade,
While you are pleas'd to forage for a while;
But soon you find new conquests out, and leave
The ravag'd province ruinate and waste.

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 !