Hip. Dare you make all this good, you have said of your master?

Asca. Yes, and as much more of myself to you. Hip. I defy you upon't, as my lady's second. Asca. As my master's, I accept it. The time? Hip. Six this evening.

Asca. The place?

Hip. At this grate.

Asca. The weapons?

Hip. Hands, and it may be lips.

Asca. Tis enough: Expect to hear from me. [They withdraw, and whisper to their Principals. After the whisper,

Fred. [To LUCRETIA.] Madam, I am glad I know my enemy; for since it is impossible to see, and not admire you, the name of Lucretia is the best excuse for my defeat.

Luc. Persons, like prince Frederick, ought not to assault religious houses, or to pursue chastity and virtue to their last retreat.

Fred. A monastery is no retreat for chastity; 'tis only a hiding place for bad faces, where they are thrust in crowds together, like heaps of rubbish out of the way, that the world may not be peopled with deformed persons: And that such, who are out of play themselves, may pray for a blessing on their endeavours, who are getting handsome children, and carrying on the work for public benefit.

Luc. Then you would put off heaven with your leavings, and use it like them, who play at cards alone; take the courts for yourselves, and give the refuse to the gentlemen.

Fred. You mistake me, madam; I would so contrive it, that heaven and we might be served at once. We have occasion for wit and beauty; now piety and ugliness will do as well for heaven: that plays at one game, and we at another; and there

fore heaven may make its hand with the same cards that we put out.

Luc. I could easily convince you, if the argument concerned me; but I am one of those, whom, for want of wit and beauty, you have condemned to religion; and therefore am your humble servant, to pray for your handsome wife and children.

Fred. Heaven forbid, madam, that I should condemn you, or indeed any handsome woman, to be religious! No, madam; the occasions of the world are great and urgent for such as you; and, for my part, I am of opinion, that it is as great a sin for a beauty to enter into a nunnery, as for an ugly woman to stay out of it.

Luc. The cares of the world are not yet upon you; but as soon as ever you come to be afflicted with sickness, or visited with a wife, you'll be content I should pray for you.

Fred. Any where rather than in a cloyster; for, truly, I suppose, all your prayers there will be how to get out of it; and, upon that supposition, madam, I am come to offer you my service for your redemption. Come, faith, be persuaded, the church shall lose nothing by it: I'll take you out, and put in two or three crooked apostles in your place.

[Bell rings within.

Luc. Hark, the bell rings; I must leave you: 'tis a summons to our devotion.

Fred. Will you leave me for your prayers, madam? You may have enough of them at any time, but remember you cannot have a man so easily.

Luc. Well, I'll say my beads for you, and that's but charity; for I believe I leave you in a most deplorable condition. [Exeunt Women. Fred. Not deplorable neither, but a little altered : If I could be in love, as I am sure I cannot, it

should be with her, for I like her conversation strangely.

Asca. Then, as young as I am, sir, I am beforehand with you; for I am in love already. I would fain make the first proof of my manhood upon a nun: I find I have a mighty grudging to holy flesh.

Fred. I'll ply Lucretia again, as soon as ever her devotion's over. Methinks these nuns divide their time most admirably; from love to prayers, from prayers to love; that is, just so much sin, just so much godliness.

Asca. Then I can claim that sister's love by merit. Half man, half boy; for her half flesh, half spirit. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Street.

AURELIAN and CAMILLO.

Aur. I'll proceed no farther, if Benito goes: I know his folly will produce some mischief.

Cam. But Violetta desired me, in her note, to bring him, on purpose to pass the time with her woman, Beatrix.

Aur. That objection's easily removed: I'll supply Benito's place; the darkness will prevent discovery; and, for my discourse, I'll imitate the half wit and patched breeding of a valet de chambre.

Cam. But how shall we get rid of him?
Aur. Let me alone for that.

Enter BENITO.

Ben. Come, are we ready, gallants? The clock's upon the stroke of eight.

Aur. But we have altered our resolution; we go another way to-night.

Ben. I hope you have not broke my assignation? Aur. Why do you hope so?

Ben. Because my reputation is engaged in't: I've stipulated, upon mine honour, that you shall come. Aur. I shall beat you, if you follow me. Go, sirrah, and adjourn to the great looking-glass, and let me hear no more from you till to-morrow morning.

Ben. Sir, my fidelity, and, if I may be so vain, my discretion, may stand you in some stead. ·

Aur. Well, come along then; they are brave fellows, who have challenged us; you shall have fighting enough, sir.

Ben. How, sir, fighting?

Aur. You may escape with the loss of a leg, or an arm, or some such transitory limb.

Ben. No, sir; I have that absolute obedience to your commands, that I will bridle my courage, and stay at home.

[Exit. Cam. You took the only way to be rid of him. There's the wall; behind yon pane of it we'll set the ladder.

up

ra.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.—A Night-piece of a Garden.

Enter LAURA and VIOLETTA.

Vio. Remember your waiting-woman's part, Lau

Lau. I warrant you, I'll wait on you by night, as well as I governed you by day.

Vio. Hark, I hear footsteps; and now, methinks, I see something approaching us.

Lau. They are certainly the men whom we expect.

Enter AURELIAN and CAMILLO.

Cam. I hear womens' voices.

Aur. We are right, I warrant you.
Cam. Violetta, my love!

Vio. My dear Camillo!

Cam. Speak those words again; my own name never sounded so sweetly to me, as when you spoke it, and made me happy by adding dear to it,

Vio. Speak softly then; I have stolen these few minutes from my watchful uncle and my sister, and they are as full of danger as they are of love. Something within me checks me too, and says, I was too forward in venturing thus to meet you.

Cam. You are too fearful rather; and fear's the greatest enemy to love.

Vio. But night will hide my blushes, when I tell you, I love you much, or I had never trusted my virtue and my person in your hands.

Cam. The one is sacred, and the other safe; but this auspicious minute is our first of near converse. May I not hope that favour, which strangers, in civility, may claim, even from the most reserved?

[Kisses her hand.

Vio. I fear you'll censure me. Cam. Yes, as the blest above tax heaven for making them so happy. [They walk farther off. Aur. [Stepping towards LAURA]. Damsel of darkness, advance, and meet my flames!

Lau. [Stepping forward.] Right trusty valet, heard, but yet unseen, I have advanced one step on reputation.

Aur. Now, by laudable custom, I am to love thee vehemently.

Lau. We should do well to see each other first: You know 'tis ill taking money without light.

Aur. O, but the coin of love is known by the