52 Chap. Then this good day, when all the house was

busy.
When mirth and kind rejoicing fill'd each room,
As I was walking in the grove I met them.
Cha. What! met them in the grove together ?

Tell me
How, walking, standing, sitting, lying, hah!

Chap. I, by their own appointment, met them there, Receiv'd their marriage-vows, and join'd their hands.

Cha. How I marry'd !
Chap. Yes, sir.

Cha. Then my soul's at peace,
But why would you so long delay to give it?

Chap. Not knowing what reception it may find
With old Acasto; may be I was too cautious
To trust the secret from me.

Cha. What's the cause
I cannot guess, though it is my sister's honour,
I do not like this marriage,

280
Huddled i'th’dark, and done at too much venture ;
The business looks with an unlucky face.
Keep still the secret; for it ne'er shall 'scape me,
Not ev'n to them, the new matched pair. Farewel.
Believe my truth, and know me for thy friend. [Exit.

Enter CASTALIO and MONIMIA. Cast. Young Chamont and the Chaplain ? sure 'tis

they! No matter what's contrived, or who consulted, Since my Monimia's mine; though this sad look

Seems no good boding omen to her bliss;
Else pr’ythee tell me why that look cast down?
Why that sad sigh as if thy heart was breaking ?

Mon. Castalio, I am thinking what we've done.
The heavenly powers were sure displeas'd to-day ;
For at the ceremony as we stood,
And as your hand was kindly join’d with mine;
As the good priest pronounc'd the sacred words,
Passion grew big, and I could not forbear,
Tears drown'd my eyes, and trembling seiz'd my soul.
What should that mean?
Cast. Oh, thou art tender all !

300 Gentle and kind as sympathising nature! “ When a sad story has been told, I've seen

Thy little breasts, with soft compassion swell’d, “Shove up and down, and heave like dying birds ; “ But now let fear be banish'd, think no more “Of danger; for there's safety in my arms; “ Let them receive thee. Heav'n grows jealous now; “ Sure she's too good for any

mortal creature ! “ I could grow wild, and praise thee ev'n to madness." But wherefore do I dally with my bliss ? The night's far spent, and day draws on apace; To bed, my love, and wake till I come thither.

Pol. So hot, my brother ! [Polydore at the door.

Mon. 'Twill be impossible ;
You know your father's chamber's next to mine,
And the least noise will certainly alarm him.

Cast. Impossible ! impossible! alas !
Is't possible to live one hour without thee?

“ Let me behold those eyes; they'll tell me truth. “ Hast thou no longing? art thou still the same 320 “ Cold, icy virgin : No; thou’rt alter'd quite : “ Haste, haste to bed, and let loose all thy wishes."

Mon. 'Tis but one night, my lord; I pray be ruld.

Cast. Try if thou'st power to stop a flowing tide, Or in a tempest make the seas be calm; And when that's done, I'll conquer my desires. No more, my blessing. What shall be the sign? When shall I come? for to my joys I'll steal, As if I ne'er had paid my freedom for them.

Mon. Just three soft strokes upon the chamber door; And at that signal you shall gain admittance : But speak not the least word; for if you shou’d, 'Tis surely heard, and all will be betray'd.

Cast. Oh! doubt it not, Monimia; our joys Shall be as silent as the ecstatic bliss Of souls, that by intelligence converse. Immortal pleasures shall our senses drown, Thought shall be lost, and ev'ry power dissolv'd. Away, my love; “ first take this kiss. Now haste.” I long for that to come, yet grudge each minute past.

[Exit Mon. My brother wand'ring too so late this way! 341

Pol. Castalio !

Cast. My Polydore, how dost thou ?
How does our father? Is he well recover'd ?

Pol. I left him happily repos’d to rest;
He's still as gay as if his life were young.
But how does fair Monimia ?

360

Cast. Doubtless, well : | A cruel beauty, with her conquest pleas’d, Is always joyful, and her mind in health.

Pol. Is she the same Monimia still she was?
May we not hope she's made of mortal mold?

Cast. She's not woman else:
Though I'm grown weary of this tedious hoping;
We've in a barren desert stray'd too long.

Pol. Yet may relief be unexpected found,
And love's sweet manna cover all the field.
Met ye to-day?

Cast. No; she has still avoided me :
Her brother too is jealous of her grown.
And has been hinting something to my father.
I wish I'd never meddled with the matter :
And would enjoin thee, Polydore-

Pol. To what?
Cast. To leave this peevish beauty to herself.

Pol. What, quit my love? As soon I'd quit my post
In fight, and, like a coward, run away.
No, by my stars I'll chase her till she yields
To me, or meets her rescue in another.
Cast. Nay, she has beauty that might shake the

leagues
Of mighty kings, and set the world at odds :
But I have wond'rous reasons on my side,
That wou'd persuade thee, were they known.

Pol. Then speak ’em:
What are they? Came ye to her window here,
To learn 'em now? Castalio, have a care;

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.

380
Cast. Grant I do;
You love capitulations, Polydore,
And but upon conditions would oblige me.
Pol. You say you've reasons; why are they con-

ceal'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; 408
But to his chamber's gone to wait a while,
Then come and take possession of mylove.