Use honest dealing with a friend and brother.
Believe me, I'm not with my love so blinded,
But can discern your purpose to abuse me.
Quit your pretences to her.

Cast. Grant I do;

You love capitulations, Polydore,

And but upon conditions would oblige me.

330

Pol. You say you've reasons; why are they conceal'd?

Cast. To-morrow I may tell you.

Pol. Why not now?

Cast. It is a matter of such consequence,

As I must well consult ere I reveal.

But pr'ythee cease to think I would abuse thee,

'Till more be known.

Pol. When you, Castalio, cease,
To meet Monimia unknown to me,
And then deny it slavishly, I'll cease
To think Castalio faithless to his friend.
Did not I see you part this very moment?
Cast. It seems you've watch'd me, then ?
Pol. I scorn the office.

Cast. Pr'ythee avoid a thing thou may'st repent.
Pol. That is henceforward making leagues with you.
Cast. Nay, if ye're angry, Polydore, good night.

[Exit.

Pol. Good night, Castalio, if ye're in such haste. He little thinks I've overheard th' appointment; 402 But to his chamber's gone to wait a while, Then come and take possession of my love.

This is the utmost point of all my hopes;
Or now she must, or never can be mine.
O, for a means now, how to counterplot,
And disappoint this happy elder brother:
In every thing we do or undertake

He soars above me, mount what height I can,
And keeps the start he got of me in birth.
Cordelio !

Page. My Lord!

Enter Page.

Pol. Come hither, boy.

Thou hast a pretty, forward, lying face,

And may'st in time expect preferment. Canst thou
Pretend to secrecy, cajole and flatter

Thy master's follies, and assist his pleasures?
Page. My Lord, I could do any thing for you,
And ever be a very faithful boy.

Command, whate'er's your pleasure I'll observe;
Be it to run, or watch, or to convey
A letter to a beauteous lady's bosom;

420

At least, I am not dull, and soon should learn.
Pol. 'Tis pity, then, thou should'st not be employ'd.
Go to my brother, he's in his chamber now,
Undressing, and preparing for his rest:
Find out some means to keep him up
Tell him a pretty story, that may please
His ear; invent a tale, no matter what:
If he should ask of me, tell him I'm gone

awhile;

To bed, and sent you there to know his pleasure,

F

Whether he'll hunt to-morrow. Well said, Polydore,
Dissemble with thy brother! that's one point. [Aside.
But do not leave him till he's in his bed,
Or if he chance to walk again this way,
Follow and do not quit him, but seem fond
To do him little offices of service.
Perhaps at last it may offend him; then
Retire, and wait till I come in. Away:
Succeed in this, and be employ'd again.

440

Page. Doubt not, my lord. He has been always

kind

To me; would often set me on his knee,

Then give me sweetmeats, call me pretty boy,
And ask me what the maids talked of at nights.

wishes.

Pol. Run quickly, then, and prosp'rous be thy [Exit Page. Here I'm alone, and fit for mischief; now To cheat this brother, will't be honest that? I heard the sign she order'd him to give. O, for the art of Proteus, but to change Th' unhappy Polydore to blest Castalio! She's not so well acquainted with him yet, But I may fit her arms as well as he. Then when I'm happily possess'd of more Than sense can think, all loosen'd into joy, To hear my disappointed brother come, And give th' unregarded signal; Oh, What a malicious pleasure will that be;

Just three soft strokes against the chamber door;

But speak not the least word, for if you should, 460

1

It's surely heard, and we are both betray'd.
How I adore a mistress that contrives
With care to lay the business of her joys;
One that has wit to charm the very soul,
And give a double relish to delight!
Blest heav'ns, assist me but in this dear hour,
And my kind stars be but propitious now,
Dispose of me hereafter as you please.
Monimia! Monimia!

[Maid at the window.] Who's there?
Pol. 'Tis I.

Maid. My lord Castalio?

Pol. The same.

How does my love, my dear Monimia ?
Maid. Oh!

[Gives the sign.

She wonders much at your unkind delay;

You've staid so long that at each little noise

The wind but makes, she asks if you are coming.
Pol. Tell her I'm here, and let the door be open'd.

[Maid descends.

Now boast, Castalio, triumph now, and tell
Thyself strange stories of a promis'd bliss.

480

[The door unbolts. It opens! Hah! what means my trembling flesh ? Limbs, do your office, and support me well, Bear me to her, then fail me if you can.

Enter CASTALIO and Page.

[Exit.

Page. Indeed, my lord, 'twill be a lovely morning;

Pray let us hunt.

Cast. Go, you're an idle prattler.

I'll stay at home to-morrow; if your lord

Thinks fit, he may command my hounds.

leave me,

I must to bed.

Page. I'll wait upon your lordship,

If you think fit, and sing you to repose.

Go,

Cast. No, my kind boy, the night is too far wasted;
My senses too are quite disrob'd of thought,
And ready all with me to go to rest.

Good-night. Commend me to my brother.
Page. Oh!

You never heard the last new song I learn'd!
It is the finest, prettiest song indeed,

Of my lord and my lady, you know who, that were

caught

500

Together, you know where. My lord, indeed it is. Cast. You must be whipp'd, youngster, if you get such songs as those are.

What means this boy's impertinence to-night?
Page. Why, what must I sing, pray, my dear lord?
Cast. Psalms, child, psalms.

Page. Oh, dear me! boys that go to school learn psalms :

But pages, that are better bred, sing lampoons.

Cast. Well, leave me. I'm weary.

Page. Oh! but you promis'd me, the last time I told you what colour my lady Monimia's stockings. were of, and that she garter'd them above knee, that you would give me a little horse to go a hunting