_Clo._ Call me, _Philibert_, or any thing;
And be familiar with me: put on thy Hat, lest any come and see us.
_Guil._ ‘Tis a hard name, but I’ll learn it by heart.
--Well, _Philibert_--What shall we do when we come to Court?
[Puts on his Hat.
Besides eating and drinking, which I shall do in abundance.
_Clo._ We must get each of us a Service:
--But thou art such a Clown.
_Guil._ Nay, say not so, honest _Philibert_: for look ye,
I am much the properer Fellow of the two. [Walks.
_Clo._ Well, try thy fortune; but be sure you never discover
Me, whatever Questions may chance to be asked thee.
_Guil._ I warrant thee, honest Lad, I am true and trusty;
But I must be very familiar with you, you say.
_Clo._ Yes, before Company.
_Guil._ Pray let me begin and practise a little now,
An’t please you, for fear I should not be saucy enough,
When we arrive at Court.
_Clo._ I’ll warrant you you’ll soon learn there.
_Guil._ Oh Lord, _Philibert!_ _Philibert!_ I see a Man a coming
Most deadly fine, let’s run away.
_Clo._ Thus thou hast serv’d me all this night,
There’s not a Bush we come at, but thou start’st thus.
_Guil._ ‘Tis true you are a Lover, and may stay the danger on’t;
But I’ll make sure for one.
_Clo._ It is the Prince, oh Gods! what makes he here?
With Looks disorder’d too; this Place is fit for Death and sad
Despair; the melancholy Spring a sleepy murmur makes,
A proper Consort for departing Souls,
When mix’d with dying Groans, and the thick Boughs
Compose a dismal Roof;
Dark as the gloomy Shades of Death or Graves.
--He comes this way, I’ll hide my self awhile. [Goes behind a Bush.
Enter _Frederick_.
_Fred._ But yet not this, nor my despight to _Laura_,
Shall make me out of love with Life,
Whilst I have youthful Fires about my Heart:
--Yet I must fight with _Curtius_,
And so chastise the Pride of that fond Maid,
Whose saucy Virtue durst controul my Flame.
--And yet I love her not as I do _Cloris_;
But fain I would have overcome that Chastity,
Of which the foolish Beauty boasts so.
_Clo._ _Curtius_, I thank thee, now I do believe thee.
_Guilliam_, if thou seest any fighting anon, [The Prince walks.
Be sure you run out and call some body.
_Guil._ You need not bid me run away, when I once
See them go to that.
Enter _Curtius_.
_Cur._ Sir, I am come as you commanded me.
_Fred._ When you consider what you’ve lately done,
You will not wonder why I sent for you;
And when I mean to fight, I do not use to parly:
Come draw.
_Cur._ Shew me my Enemy, and then if I am slow--
_Fred._ I am he, needst thou one more powerful?
_Cur._ You, Sir! what have I done to make you so?
_Fred._ If yet thou want’st a further proof of it,
Know I’ll dispute my Claim to _Laura_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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