Destructive, damnable, deceitful woman! Woman, to man first as a blessing given; When innocence and love were in their prime. Happy awhile in Paradise they lay; But quickly woman long'd to go astray: Some foolish new adventure needs must prove, And the first devil she saw, she chang'd her love: To his temptations lewdly she inclin'd Her soul, and for an apple damn'd mankind.[exeunt. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. A CHAMBER. Enter Castalio. Cas. Wish'd morning's come! And now upon the plains, And distant mountains, where they feed their flocks, The happy shepherds leave their homely huts, And with their pipes proclaim the new-born day. There's no condition sure so curs'd as mine—— Monimia! O Monimia! Enter Monimia and Florella. Mon. I come! I fly to my ador'd Castalio's arms, My wishes' lord. May every morn begin Like this; and, with our days, our loves renew! Cas. Oh—— Mon. Art thou not well, Castalio? Come, lean Upon my breast, and tell me where's thy pain. Cas. 'Tis here—'tis in my head—'tis in my heart— 'Tis every where: it rages like a madness, And I most wonder how my reason holds. No more, Monimia, of your sex's arts: They're useless all—I'm not that pliant tool; I know my charter better——I am man, Obstinate man, and will not be enslav'd! Mon. You shall not fear't; indeed, my nature's easy: I'll ever live your most obedient wife! Nor ever any privilege pretend Beyond your will; for that shall be my law;— Indeed, I will not. Cas. Nay, you shall not, madam; By yon bright heaven, you shall not: all the day I'll play the tyrant, and at night forsake thee; Nay, if I've any too, thou shalt be made Subservient to my looser pleasures; For thou hast wrong'd Castalio. Mon. Oh, kill me here, or tell me my offence! I'll never quit you else; but, on these knees, Thus follow you all day, till they're worn bare, And hang upon you like a drowning creature. Castalio!—— Cas. Away!——Last night! last night!—— Mon. It was our wedding night. Cas. No more!—Forget it! Mon. Why! do you then repent? Cas. I do. Mon. O heaven! And will you leave me thus?—Help! help! Florella! [Castalio drags her to the door, breaks from her, and exit. Help me to hold this yet lov'd, cruel man! Castalio!—Oh! how often has he sworn, Nature should change—the sun and stars grow dark, Ere he would falsify his vows to me! Make haste, confusion, then! Sun, lose thy light! And, stars, drop dead with sorrow to the earth, For my Castalio's false! False as the wind, the waters, or the weather! Cruel as tigers o'er their trembling prey! I feel him in my breast; he tears my heart, And at each sigh he drinks the gushing blood! Must I be long in pain? Enter Chamont. Cham. In tears, Monimia! Mon. Whoe'er thou art, Leave me alone to my belov'd despair! Cham. Lift up thy eyes, and see who comes to cheer thee!