LADY FROTH. Well, I swear, Mr. Brisk, you understood astronomy like an
old Egyptian.
BRISK. Not comparably to your ladyship; you are the very Cynthia of the
skies, and queen of stars.
LADY FROTH. That's because I have no light but what's by reflection from
you, who are the sun.
BRISK. Madam, you have eclipsed me quite, let me perish. I can't answer
that.
LADY FROTH. No matter. Hark 'ee, shall you and I make an almanac
together?
BRISK. With all my soul. Your ladyship has made me the man in't
already, I'm so full of the wounds which you have given.
LADY FROTH. O finely taken! I swear now you are even with me. O
Parnassus, you have an infinite deal of wit.
SIR PAUL. So he has, gads-bud, and so has your ladyship.
SCENE XXII.
[_To them_] LADY PLYANT, CARELESS, CYNTHIA.
LADY PLYANT. You tell me most surprising things; bless me, who would
ever trust a man? Oh my heart aches for fear they should be all
deceitful alike.
CARE. You need not fear, madam, you have charms to fix inconstancy
itself.
LADY PLYANT. O dear, you make me blush.
LORD FROTH. Come, my dear, shall we take leave of my lord and lady?
CYNT. They'll wait upon your lordship presently.
LADY FROTH. Mr. Brisk, my coach shall set you down.
ALL. What's the matter? [_A great shriek from the corner of the
stage_.]
SCENE XXIII.
[_To them_] LADY TOUCHWOOD _runs out affrighted_, _my lord after her_,
_like a parson_.
LADY TOUCH. Oh, I'm betrayed. Save me, help me!
LORD TOUCH. Now what evasion, strumpet?
LADY TOUCH. Stand off, let me go.
LORD TOUCH. Go, and thy own infamy pursue thee. You stare as you were
all amazed,--I don't wonder at it,--but too soon you'll know mine, and
that woman's shame.
SCENE the last.
LORD TOUCHWOOD, LORD FROTH, LADY FROTH, LADY PLYANT, SIR PAUL, CYNTHIA,
MELLEFONT, MASKWELL, MELLEFONT _disguised in a parson's habit and pulling
in_ MASKWELL.
MEL. Nay, by heaven you shall be seen. Careless, your hand. Do you
hold down your head? Yes, I am your chaplain, look in the face of your
injured friend; thou wonder of all falsehood.
LORD TOUCH. Are you silent, monster?
MEL. Good heavens! How I believed and loved this man! Take him hence,
for he's a disease to my sight.
LORD TOUCH. Secure that manifold villain. [_Servants seize him_.]
CARE. Miracle of ingratitude!
BRISK. This is all very surprising, let me perish.
LADY FROTH. You know I told you Saturn looked a little more angry than
usual.
LORD TOUCH. We'll think of punishment at leisure, but let me hasten to
do justice in rewarding virtue and wronged innocence. Nephew, I hope I
have your pardon, and Cynthia's.
MEL. We are your lordship's creatures.
LORD TOUCH. And be each other's comfort. Let me join your hands.
Unwearied nights, and wishing days attend you both; mutual love, lasting
health, and circling joys, tread round each happy year of your long
lives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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