The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02
Dryden, John
English literature
_Flo_. Bless us! let us be gone, cousin: We two are nothing in
his hands.
_Cel_. Yet, for my part, I can live with as few mistresses as any
man. I desire no superfluities; only for necessary change or so, as I
shift my linen.
_Flo_. A pretty odd kind of fellow this; he fits my humour
rarely. [_Aside_.
_Fla_. You are as inconstant as the moon.
_Flo_. You wrong him, he's as constant as the sun; he would see
all the world in twenty-four hours.
_Cel_. 'Tis very true, madam; but, like him, I would visit, and
away.
_Flo_. For what an unreasonable thing it were, to stay long, be
troublesome, and hinder a lady of a fresh lover.
_Cel_. A rare creature this! [_Aside_]--Besides, madam, how
like a fool a man looks, when, after all his eagerness of two minutes
before, he shrinks into a faint kiss, and a cold compliment.--Ladies
both, into your hands I commit myself; share me betwixt you.
_Fla_. I'll have nothing to do with you, since you cannot be
constant to one.
_Cel_. Nay, rather than lose either of you, I'll do more; I'll be
constant to an hundred of you. Or, if you will needs fetter me to one,
agree the matter between yourselves; and the most handsome take me.
_Flo_. Though I am not she, yet since my mask is down, and you
cannot convince me, have a good faith of my beauty, and for once I
take you for my servant.
_Cel_. And for once I'll make a blind bargain with you. Strike
hands; is't a match, mistress?
_Flo_. Done, servant.
_Cel_. Now I am sure I have the worst on't: For you see the worst
of me, and that I do not of you, 'till you shew your face.--Yet, now I
think on't, you must be handsome.
_Flo_. What kind of beauty do you like?
_Cel_. Just such a one as yours.
_Flo_. What's that?
_Cel_. Such an oval face, clear skin, hazel eyes, thick brown
eye-brows, and hair as you have, for all the world.
_Fla_. But I can assure you, she has nothing of all this.
_Cel_. Hold thy peace, envy; nay, I can be constant an I set
on't.
_Flo_. 'Tis true she tells you.
_Cel_. Ay, ay, you may slander yourself as you please: Then you
have,--let me see.
_Flo_. Ill swear, you shall not see.
_Cel_. A turned up nose, that gives an air to your face:--Oh,
I find I am more and more in love with you!--a full nether lip, an
out-mouth, that makes mine water at it; the bottom of your cheeks a
little blub, and two dimples when you smile: For your stature, 'tis
well; and for your wit, 'twas given you by one that knew it had been
thrown away upon an ill face.--Come, you're handsome, there's no
denying it.
_Flo_. Can you settle your spirits to see an ugly face, and not
be frighted? I could find in my heart to lift up my mask, and disabuse
you.
_Cel_. I defy your mask:--Would you would try the experiment!
_Flo_. No, I won't; for your ignorance is the mother of your
devotion to me.
_Cel_. Since you will not take the pains to convert me, I'll make
bold to keep my faith. A miserable man, I am sure, you have made me.
_Fla_. This is pleasant.
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