_D._ What is this, St. Nicholas? _N._ I beg Sir Gregory judge ’twixt me and Frederick. My lady Laura, having dropped her glove, He picks it up, and would return it to her; 250 Which I forbid, claiming the privilege As her accepted lover. _D._ A mighty question. Who can determine it? _T._ That can I. The lady Should drop the other, and let each have one. _D._ St. Nicholas would claim both, Sir Solomon. (_To F._). Give me the glove. I thank you much; and now I offer better matter for discussion: The chairs were set on purpose. Let all be seated. Laura, take back thy glove; and sit thou there. 259 You, Frederick, on my right. (_To R._) ’Tis what I call The Muses’matinée. These morning hours, Which others waste, we may devote to wisdom, And solve some learned question, as was done In ancient Athens; where, as Plato shows, Nothing was more admired than dialogues In science and philosophy. I will hold Such an assembly: we will each in turn Make answer to the question I propose. And that shall be of love. I’ll question why Love is called bitter-sweet. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────── _DIANA_ _TRISTRAM Stands_ _LAURA_ _FREDERICK_ _NICHOLAS_ _GREGORY_ _RICHARD_ _N._ Now, by my heart, 270 A pretty question. May I speak the first? _D._ In turn, in turn. Hark, if I put it thus, What is love’s chiefest pain? How think you, Frederick? The speech lies with Ricardo, as our guest. _R._ Am I to answer? _D._ Ay, sir: you must tell What, in your judgment, is love’s chiefest pain. _R._ ’Tis well, my lady, I am not one of those, Who, when they would speak wisely, go about To weigh their pros and cons; in doing which They but confess their common thoughts are folly, Which they must mask. I have a steady mind, 281 Which thinking cannot mend: and well I know The greatest pain in love is when a man Hath loved a lady most deservedly, And been most undeservedly refused; Yet, spite of her contempt, is silly-true, And wastes his days. This is the pain of love; Or if another can be shewn to match, I forfeit claim to wisdom in such matters. 289 _D._ Very well said, sir, if your speech be taken To include the parallel, the equal pain Of any woman who thus loves a man. What say you, Frederick?