HOMEWARE: Surely the old fox, In all I have read, is wiser than the young: And if there is a game for fox to play, Old fox plays cunningest. ASTRAEA: Why fox? Oh! uncle, You make my heart beat with your mystery; I never did love riddles. Why sit they Awaiting me, and looking terrible? HOMEWARE: It is reported of an ancient folk Which worshipped idols, that upon a day Their idol pitched before them on the floor ASTRAEA: Was ever so ridiculous a tale! HOMEWARE To call the attendant fires to account Their elders forthwith sat . . . ASTRAEA: Is there no prayer Will move you, uncle Homeware? HOMEWARE: God-daughter, This gentleman for you I have proposed As husband. ASTRAEA: Arden! we are lost. ARDEN: Astraea! Support him! Though I knew not his design, It plants me in mid-heaven. Would it were Not you, but I to bear the shock. My love! We lost, you cry; you join me with you lost! The truth leaps from your heart: and let it shine To light us on our brilliant battle day And victory ASTRAEA: Who betrayed me! HOMEWARE: Who betrayed? Your voice, your eyes, your veil, your knife and fork; Your tenfold worship of your widowhood; As he who sees he must yield up the flag, Hugs it oath-swearingly! straw-drowningly. To be reasonable: you sent this gentleman Referring him to me . . . . ASTRAEA: And that is false. All's false. You have conspired. I am disgraced. But you will learn you have judged erroneously. I am not the frail creature you conceive. Between your vision of life's aim, and theirs Who presently will question me, I cling To theirs as light: and yours I deem a den Where souls can have no growth. HOMEWARE: But when we touched The point of hand-pressings, 'twas rightly time To think of wedding ties? ASTRAEA: Arden, adieu! (She rushes into house.) SCENE VIII ARDEN, HOMEWARE ARDEN: Adieu! she said. With her that word is final.