_Lady Brute._ That may be a Mistake in the Translation--Pr'ythee be of my Opinion, _Belinda_; for I'm positive I'm in the right; and if you'll keep up the Prerogative of a Woman, you'll likewise be positive you are in the right, whenever you do any thing you have a mind to. But I shall play the Fool, and jest on, till I make you begin to think I'm in earnest. _Bel._ I shan't take the Liberty, Madam, to think of any thing that you desire to keep a Secret from me. _Lady Brute._ Alas, my Dear, I have no Secrets. My Heart cou'd never yet confine my Tongue. _Bel._ Your Eyes, you mean; for I'm sure I have seen them gadding, when your Tongue has been lock'd up safe enough. _Lady Brute._ My Eyes gadding! Pr'ythee after who, Child? _Bel._ Why, after one that thinks you hate him, as much as I know you love him. _Lady Brute._ _Constant_ you mean. _Bel._ I do so. _Lady Brute._ Lord, what shou'd put such a thing into your Head? _Bel._ That which puts things into most People's Heads, Observation. _Lady Brute._ Why what have you observ'd, in the Name of Wonder? _Bel._ I have observed you blush when you met him; force yourself away from him; and then be out of humour with every thing about you: In a Word, never was poor Creature so spurr'd on by Desire, and so rein'd in with Fear. _Lady Brute._ How strong is Fancy! _Bel._ How weak is Woman! _Lady Brute._ Pr'ythee, Niece, have a better Opinion of your Aunt's Inclination. _Bel._ Dear Aunt, have a better Opinion of your Niece's Understanding. _Lady Brute._ You'll make me angry. _Bel._ You'll make me laugh. _Lady Brute._ Then you are resolv'd to persist? _Bel._ Positively. _Lady Brute._ And all I can say---- _Bel._ Will signify nothing. _Lady Brute._ Tho' I should swear 'twere false-- _Bel._ I should think it true. _Lady Brute._ Then let us both forgive; [_Kissing her._] for we have both offended: I, in making a Secret; you, in discovering it. _Bel._ Good Nature may do much: But you have more Reason to forgive one, than I have to pardon t'other. _Lady Brute._ 'Tis true, _Belinda_, you have given me so many Proofs of your Friendship, that my Reserve has been indeed a Crime: But that you may more easily forgive me, remember, Child, that when our Nature prompts us to a thing our Honour and Religion have forbid us; we wou'd (wer't possible) conceal even from the Soul itself, the Knowledge of the Body's Weakness. _Bel._ Well, I hope, to make your Friend amends, you'll hide nothing from her for the future, tho' the Body shou'd still grow weaker and weaker. _Lady Brute._ No, from this Moment I have no more Reserve; and for a Proof of my Repentance, I own, _Belinda_, I'm in danger. Merit and Wit assault me from without; Nature and Love sollicit me within; my Husband's barbarous Usage piques me to Revenge; and _Satan_, catching at the fair Occasion, throws in my way that Vengeance, which of all Vengeance pleases Women best.