No More Learning

_Cham. _ Confirm me so, and make this fair one mine:
I am unpractis'd in the trade of courtship,
And know not how to deal love out with art:
Onsets in love seem best like those in war,
Fierce, resolute, and done with all the force;
So I would open my whole heart at once,
And pour out the abundance of my soul.

_Acas. _ What says Serina? canst thou love a soldier?
One born to honour, and to honour bred?
One that has learn'd to treat e'en foes with kindness,
To wrong no good man's fame, nor praise himself?

_Ser. _ Oh! name not love, for that's ally'd to joy;
And joy must be a stranger to my heart,
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.

_Acas. _ Chamont, pursue her, conquer, and possess her,
And, as my son, a third of all my fortune
Shall be thy lot.
Chamont, you told me of some doubts that press'd you:
Are you yet satisfy'd that I'm your friend?

_Cham. _ My lord, I would not lose that satisfaction,
For any blessing I could wish for:
As to my fears, already I have lost them:
They ne'er shall vex me more, nor trouble you.

_Acas. _ I thank you.
My friends, 'tis late:
Now my disorder seems all past and over,
And I, methinks, begin to feel new health.

_Cas. _ Would you but rest, it might restore you quite.

_Acas. _ Yes, I'll to bed; old men must humour weakness.
Good night, my friends! Heaven guard you all! Good night!
To-morrow early we'll salute the day,
Find out new pleasures, and renew lost time.
[_exeunt all but Chamont and Chaplain. _

_Cham. _ If you're at leisure, sir, we'll waste an hour:
'Tis yet too soon to sleep, and t'will be charity
To lend your conversation to a stranger.

_Chap. _ Sir, you're a soldier?

_Cham. _ Yes.

_Chap. _ I love a soldier;
And had been one myself, but that my parents
Would make me what you see me.

_Cham. _ Have you had long dependance on this family?

_Chap. _ I have not thought it so, because my time's
Spent pleasantly. My lord's not haughty nor imperious,
Nor I gravely whimsical; he has good nature.
His sons too are civil to me, because
I do not pretend to be wiser than they are;
I meddle with no man's business but my own,
So meet with respect, and am not the jest of the family.

_Cham. _ 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.

_Cham. _ Why, didst thou love him?

_Chap. _ Ev'ry body lov'd him; besides, he was my patron's friend.

_Cham. _ 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.

_Cham. _ Then pr'ythee, tell me;
Think'st thou the lord Castalio loves my sister?

_Chap. _ Love your sister?

_Cham. _ Ay, love her.

_Chap. _ Either he loves her, or he much has wrong'd her.

_Cham. _ 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.

_Cham. _ This is a secret worth a monarch's fortune:
What shall I give thee for't? thou dear physician
Of sickly wounds, unfold this riddle to me,
And comfort mine----

_Chap. _ I would hide nothing from you willingly.

_Cham. _ By the reverenc'd 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.

_Cham. _ Wilt thou?

_Chap. _ I will; but if it ever 'scape you----

_Cham. _ It never shall.

_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.

_Cham. _ What, met them in the grove together?

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

_Cham. _ How! married?

_Chap. _ Yes, sir.

_Cham. _ 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.

_Cham. _ What's the cause
I cannot guess, though 'tis my sister's honour,
I do not like this marriage,
Huddled i'the 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 e'en to them, the new-match'd pair. Farewel!
Believe the truth, and know me for thy friend. [_exeunt. _

_Re-enter Castalio, with Monimia. _

_Cas. _ Young Chamont and the chaplain! sure 'tis they!
No matter what's contriv'd, or who consulted,
Since my Monimia's mine; though this sad look
Seems no good boding omen to our 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?

_Cas. _ O, thou art tender all!
Gentle and kind as sympathising nature!

_Re-enter Polydore, unobserved. _

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.

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

_Cas. _ 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 should,
'Tis surely heard, and all will be betray'd.

_Cas. _ Oh! doubt it not, Monimia; our joys
Shall be as silent as the ecstatic bliss
Of souls, that by intelligence converse.
Away, my love! first take this kiss. Now, haste:
I long for that to come, yet grudge each minute past.
My brother wand'ring too so late this way! [_exit Mon. _

_Pol. _ Castalio!

_Cas. _ 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 was young.
But how does fair Monimia?

_Cas. _ 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 mould?

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

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

_Cas. _ No; she has still avoided me;
I wish I'd never meddled with the matter,
And would enjoin thee, Polydore----

_Pol. _ To what?

_Cas. _ 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.

_Cas. _ But I have wond'rous reasons on my side,
That would 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.
You say you've reasons: why are they conceal'd?

_Cas. _ To-morrow I may tell you.

_Pol. _ Why not now?

_Cas. _ 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 I not see you part this very moment?

_Cas. _ It seems you've watch'd me, then?

_Pol. _ I scorn the office.

_Cas. _ Pr'ythee avoid a thing thou may'st repent.

_Pol. _ That is, henceforward making league with you.

_Cas. _ 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:
But to his chamber's gone to wait awhile,
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.
Oh, 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!

_Re-enter Page. _

_Page. _ My lord!

_Pol. _ Come hither, boy!
Thou hast a pretty, forward, lying face,
And may'st in time expect preferment. Canst thou
Pretend to secresy, 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:
At least, I am not dull, and soon should learn.

_Pol. _ 'Tis pity then thou shouldst 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 awhile:
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
To bed, and sent you there to know his pleasure,
Whether he'll hunt to-morrow.
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.

_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 talk'd of at nights.

_Pol. _ Run quickly then, and prosp'rous be thy wishes.
Here I'm alone, and fit for mischief. [_exit Page. _
I heard the sign she order'd him to give.
"Just three soft strokes against the chamber door;
But speak not the least word, for, if you should,
It's surely heard, and we are both betray'd. "
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! [_gives the sign. _

_Flo. _ [_At the window. _] Who's there?

_Pol. _ 'Tis I.

_Flo. _ My lord Castalio?

_Pol. _ The same.
How does my love, my dear Monimia?

_Flo. _ Oh!
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.
[_Florella withdraws. _

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

_Re-enter Castalio and Page. _

_Page. _ Indeed, my lord, 'twill be a lovely morning:
Pray, let us hunt.

_Cas. _ Go, you're an idle prattler:
I'll stay at home to-morrow; if your lord
Thinks fit, he may command my hounds. Go, leave me:
I must to bed.

_Page. _ I'll wait upon your lordship,
If you think fit, and sing you to repose.

_Cas. _ No, my kind boy.
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
Together, you know where. My lord, indeed it is.

_Cas. _ You must be whipp'd, youngster, if you get such songs as those are.
What means this boy's impertinence to-night? [_aside. _

_Page. _ Why, what must I sing, pray, my dear lord?

_Cas. _ Psalms, child, psalms.

_Page. _ O dear me! boys that go to school learn psalms;
But pages, that are better bred, sing lampoons.

_Cas. _ Well, leave me; I'm weary.

_Page. _ Indeed, my lord, I can't abide to leave you.

_Cas. _ Why, wert thou instructed to attend me?

_Page. _ No, no, indeed, my lord, I was not.
But I know what I know.

_Cas. _ What dost thou know? ----'Sdeath! what can all this mean? [_aside. _

_Page. _ Oh! I know who loves somebody.

_Cas. _ What's that to me, boy?

_Page. _ Nay, I know who loves you too.

_Cas. _ That's a wonder! pr'ythee, tell it me.

_Page. _ 'Tis--'tis--I know who--but will
You give me the horse, then?

_Cas. _ I will, my child.

_Page. _ It is my lady Monimia, look you; but don't you tell her I told
you: she'll give me no more playthings then. I heard her say so, as she
lay abed, man.

_Cas. _ Talk'd she of me when in her bed, Cordelio?

_Page. _ Yes; and I sung her the song you made too; and she did so sigh,
and look with her eyes!

_Cas. _ Hark! what's that noise?
Take this; be gone, and leave me.
You knave, you little flatterer, get you gone. [_ex. Page. _
Surely it was a noise, hist! ----only fancy;
For all is hush'd, as nature were retir'd.
'Tis now, that, guided by my love, I go
To take possession of Monimia's arms.
Sure Polydore's by this time gone to bed. [_knocks. _
She hears me not? sure, she already sleeps!
Her wishes could not brook so long delay,
And her poor heart has beat itself to rest. [_knocks. _
Once more----

_Flo. _ [_at the window_] Who's there,
That comes thus rudely to disturb our rest?

_Cas. _ 'Tis I.

_Flo. _ Who are you? what's your name?

_Cas. _ Suppose the lord Castalio.

_Flo. _ I know you not.
The lord Castalio has no business here.

_Cas. _ Ha! have a care! what can this mean?
Whoe'er thou art, I charge thee, to Monimia fly:
Tell her I'm here, and wait upon my doom.

_Flo. _ Whoe'er you are, you may repent this outrage:
My lady must not be disturb'd. Good night!

_Cas. _ She must! tell her, she shall; go, I'm in haste,
And bring her tidings from the state of love.

_Flo. _ Sure the man's mad!

_Cas. _ Or this will make me so.
Obey me, or, by all the wrongs I suffer,
I'll scale the window and come in by force,
Let the sad consequence be what it will!
This creature's trifling folly makes me mad!

_Flo. _ My lady's answer is, you may depart.
She says she knows you: you are Polydore,
Sent by Castalio, as you were to-day,
T'affront and do her violence again.

_Cas. _ I'll not believe't.

_Flo. _ You may, sir.

_Cas. _ Curses blast thee!

_Flo. _ Well, 'tis a fine cool ev'ning! and I hope
May cure the raging fever in your blood!
Good night.

_Cas. _ And farewell all that's just in woman!
This is contriv'd, a study'd trick, to abuse
My easy nature, and torment my mind!
'Tis impudence to think my soul will bear it!
Let but to-morrow, but to-morrow, come,
And try if all thy arts appease my wrong;
Till when, be this detested place my bed; [_lies down. _
Where I will ruminate on woman's ills,
Laugh at myself, and curse th' inconstant sex.
Faithless Monimia! O Monimia!

_Enter Ernesto. _

_Ern. _ Either
My sense has been deluded, or this way
I heard the sound of sorrow; 'tis late night,
And none, whose mind's at peace, would wander now.

_Cas. _ Who's there?

_Ern. _ Castalio! --My lord, why in this posture,
Stretch'd on the ground? your honest, true, old servant,
Your poor Ernesto, cannot see you thus.
Rise, I beseech you.

_Cas. _ Oh, leave me to my folly.

_Ern. _ I can't leave you,
And not the reason know of your disorders.
Remember how, when young, I in my arms
Have often borne you, pleas'd you in your pleasures,
And sought an early share in your affection.
Do not discard me now, but let me serve you.

_Cas. _ Thou canst not serve me.

_Ern. _ Why?

_Cas. _ Because my thoughts
Are full of woman; thou, poor wretch, art past them.

_Ern. _ I hate the sex.

_Cas.