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Pala. But if I find you

Dor. Ay, if you find me-But I'll put you to search in more corners than you imagine.

[She runs in, and he after her.

Enter RHODOPHIL and MELANTHA.

Mel. Let me die, but this solitude, and that grotto are scandalous; I'll go no further; besides, you have a sweet lady of your own.

Rho. But a sweet mistress, now and then, makes my sweet lady so much more sweet. Mel. I hope you will not force me? Rho. But I will, if you desire it.

Pala. [Within.] Where the devil are you, madam? 'Sdeath, I begin to be weary of this hide and seek: If you stay a little longer, till the fit's over, I'll hide in my turn, and put you to the finding me. [He enters, and sees RHODOPHIL and MELANTHA.] How! Rhodophil and my mistress!

Mel. My servant, to apprehend me! this is surprenant au dernier.

Rho. I must on; there's nothing but impudence can help me out.

Pala. Rhodophil, how came you hither in so good company?

Rho. As you see, Palamede; an effect of pure friendship; I was not able to live without you.

Pala. But what makes my mistress with you? Rho. Why, I heard you were here alone, and could not in civility but bring her to you.

Mel. You'll pardon the effects of a passion which I may now avow for you, if it transported me beyond the rules of bienseance.

Pala. But, who told you I was here? they, that told you that, may tell you more, for aught I know. Rho. O, for that matter, we had intelligence. Pala. But let me tell you, we came hither so very privately, that you could not trace us.

Rho. Us! what us? you are alone.

Pala. Us! the devil's in me for mistaking:-me, I meant. Or us, that is, you are me, or I you, as we are friends: That's us.

Dor. Palamede, Palamede!

[Within. Rho. I should know that voice; who's within there, that calls you?

Pala. Faith, I can't imagine; I believe the place is haunted.

Dor. Palamede, Palamede, all-cocks hidden,

[Within.

Pala. Lord, Lord, what shall I do?-Well, dear friend, to let you see I scorn to be jealous, and that I dare trust my mistress with you, take her back, for I would not willingly have her frighted, and I am resolved to see who's there; I'll not be daunted with a bugbear, that's certain :-Prithee, dispute it not, it shall be so; nay do not put me to swear, but go quickly: There's an effort of pure friendship for

you now.

Enter DORALICE, and looks amazed, seeing them. Rho. Doralice! I am thunder-struck to see you here.

Pala. So am I! quite thunder-struck. Was it you, that called me within?-I must be impudent. Rho. How came you hither, spouse?

Pala. Ay, how came you hither? And, which is more, how could you be here without my knowledge?

Dor. [To her husband.] O, gentlemen, have I caught you i'faith! have I broke forth in ambush upon you! I thought my suspicions would prove

true.

Rho. Suspicions! this is very fine, spouse! Prithee, what suspicions?

Dor. O, you feign ignorance: Why, of you and

Melantha; here have I staid these two hours, waiting with all the rage of a passionate, loving wife, but infinitely jealous, to take you two in the manner; for hither I was certain you would come.

Rho. But you are mistaken, spouse, in the occasion; for we came hither on purpose to find Palamede, on intelligence he was gone before.

Pala. I'll be hanged then, if the same party, who gave you intelligence I was here, did not tell your wife you would come hither. Now I smell the malice on't on both sides.

Dor. Was it so, think you? nay, then, I'll confess my part of the malice too. As soon as ever I spied my husband and Melantha come together, I had a strange temptation to make him jealous in revenge; and that made me call Palamede, Palamede! as though there had been an intrigue be

tween us.

Mel. Nay, I avow, there was an appearance of an intrigue between us too.

Pala. To see how things will come about! Rho. And was it only thus, my dear Doralice? [Embrace.

Dor. And did I wrong n'own Rhodophil, with a false suspicion? [Embracing him. Pala. [Aside.] Now I am confident we had all four the same design: 'Tis a pretty odd kind of game this, where each of us plays for double stakes : This is just thrust and parry with the same motion; I am to get his wife, and yet to guard my own mistress. But I am vilely suspicious, that, while I conquer in the right wing, I shall be routed in the left; for both our women will certainly betray their party, because they are each of them for gaining of two, as well as we; and I much fear,

If their necessities and ours were known, They have more need of two, than we of one. [Exeunt, embracing one another.

ACT IV. SCENE I.

Enter LEONIDAS, musing; AMALTHEA, following him.

Amal. Yonder he is; and I must speak or die;
And yet 'tis death to speak: yet he must know
I have a passion for him, and may know it
With a less blush; because to offer it

To his low fortunes, shows I loved before,
His person, not his greatness.

Leon. First scorned, and now commanded from the court!

The king is good; but he is wrought to this
By proud Argaleon's malice.

What more disgrace can love and fortune join
To inflict upon one man? I cannot now
Behold my dear Palmyra: She, perhaps, too,
Is grown ashamed of a mean ill-placed love.
Amal. Assist me, Venus, for I tremble when
I am to speak, but I must force myself. [Aside.
Sir, I would crave but one short minute with you,
And some few words.

Leon. The proud Argaleon's, sister!

[Aside.

Aside.

Amal. Alas! it will not out; Shame stops my

mouth.

Pardon my error, sir; I was mistaken,

And took you for another.

Leon. In spite of all his guards, I'll see Palmyra;

Though meanly born, I have a kingly soul.

[Aside.

Amal. I stand upon a precipice, where fain I would retire, but love still thrusts me on: Now I grow bolder, and will speak to him. [Aside. Sir, 'tis indeed to you that I would speak,

And if

Leon. O, you are sent to scorn my fortunes?
Your sex and beauty are your privilege;
But should your brother-

Amal. Now he looks angry, and I dare not speak. I had some business with you, sir,

But 'tis not worth your knowledge.

Leon. Then 'twill be charity to let me mourn My griefs alone, for I am much disordered.

Amal. "Twill be more charity to mourn them with you:

Heaven knows I pity you.

Leon. Your pity, madam,

Is generous, but 'tis unavailable.

Amal. You know not till 'tis tried.

Your sorrows are no secret; you

A crown, and mistress.

Leon. Are not these enough?

have lost

Hang two such weights on any other soul,
And see if it can bear them.

Amal. More; you are banished, by my brother's

means,

And ne'er must hope again to see your princess;
Except as prisoners view fair walks and streets,
And careless passengers going by their grates,
To make them feel the want of liberty.
But, worse than all,

The king this morning has enjoined his daughter
To accept my brother's love.

Leon. Is this your pity?

You aggravate my griefs, and print them deeper, In new and heavier stamps.

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