When you're in danger. May Chamont's good fortune
Render him lovely to some happier maid !
Whilst I at friendly distance see him blest,
Praise the kind gods, and wonder at his virtues.
Acast. Chamont, pursue her, conquer and possess

her,
And, as my son, a third of all

my

fortune
Shall be thy lot.
But keep thy eyes from wand'ring, man of frailty.
Beware the dangerous beauty of the wanton;
Shun their enticements; ruin like a vulture
Waits on their conquests: falsehood too's their busi-

ness,
They put false beauty off to all the world,
Use false endearments to the fools that love 'em, 140
And when they marry, to their silly husbands,
They bring false virtue, broken fame and fortune.

Mon. Hear ye that, my Lord ?
Pol. Yes, my fair monitor, old men always talk thus.
Acast. Chamont, you told me of some doubts that

press'd you,
Are you yet satisfy'd that I'm your

friend?
Cha. My lord, I would not lose that satisfaction
For any blessing I could wish for.
As to my fears, already I have lost 'em;
They ne'er shall vex me more, nor trouble you.

Acast. I thank you. Daughter you must do so too.
My friends, 'tis late ;
Now my disorder seems all past and over,
And, I, methinks, begin to feel new health.

Cast. Would you but rest, it might restore you quite. Acast. Yes, I'll to bed; old men must humour

weakness : Let me have music then, to lull and chase This melancholy thought of death away. Good-night, my friends; Heav'n guard ye all! good

night! To-morrow early we'll salute the day,

160 Find out new pleasures, and redeem lost time.

[Exeunt all but Chamont and Chaplain. Cha. Hist, hist, Sir Gravity, a word with you. Chap. With me,

sir 1 Cha. If you're at leisure, sir, we'll waste an hour. 'Tis yet too soon to sleep, and 'twill be charity To lend your conversation to a stranger.

Chap. Sir, you're a soldier ?
Cha. Yes.

Chap. I love a soldier.
And had been one myself, but that my parents
Would make me what you see me: yet I'm honest,
For all I wear black.

Cha. And that's a wonder. Have

you had long dependence on this family? Chap. I have not thought it so, because my time's Spent pleasantly. My lord's not haughty nor im

perious, Nor I gravely whimsical ; he has good-nature, And I have manners. His sons too are civil to me, because I do not pretend to be wiser than they are. 180

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. [Aside.
Knew you my father, the old Chamont?

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 prythee tell me, Think'st thou the lord Castalio loves my sister? “Nay, never start. Come, come, I know thy office

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.

“ Cha. Nay, but thou’rt an hypocrite; is there not

201

cone

“ 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.

“ 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. 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

(6 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. Priythee be serious then.
“ Chap. You see I am so,

220

Turn up

" 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 ? “ Curse 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,

241 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 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 youCha. It never shall. “ Chap. Swear then.

260 “ 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.”