_Cel_. Thank her majesty; but, to confess the truth, my fancy lies partly another way. _Ast_. That's strange: Florimel vows you are already in love with her. _Cel_. She wrongs me horribly; if ever I saw or spoke with this Florimel-- _Ast_. Well, take your fortune, I must leave you. [_Exit_ ASTERIA. _Enter_ FLORIMEL, _sees him, and is running back_. _Cel_. Nay, i'faith I am got betwixt you and home; you are my prisoner, lady bright, till you resolve me one question. [_She makes signs she is dumb_.] Pox, I think, she's dumb: what a vengeance dost thou at court, with such a rare face, without a tongue to answer to a kind question? Art thou dumb indeed? then thou canst tell no tales-- [_Goes to kiss her_. _Flo_. Hold, hold, you are not mad! _Cel_. Oh, my miss in a mask! have you found your tongue? _Flo_. 'Twas time, I think; what had become of me if I had not? _Cel_. Me thinks your lips had done as well. _Flo_. Ay, if my mask had been over 'em, as it was when you met me in the walks. _Cel_. Well; will you believe me another time? Did not I say, you were infinitely handsome? they may talk of Florimel, if they will, but, i'faith, she must come short of you. _Flo_. Have you seen her, then? _Cel_. I look'd a little that way, but I had soon enough of her; she is not to be seen twice without a surfeit. _Flo_. However, you are beholden to her; they say she loves you. _Cel_. By fate she shan't love me: I have told her a piece of my mind already? Pox o' these coming women: They set a man to dinner, before he has an appetite. [FLAVIA _at the door_. _Fla_. Florimel, you are call'd within--[_Exit_. _Cel_. I hope in the lord, you are not Florimel! _Flo_. Ev'n she, at your service; the same kind and coming Florimel, you have described. _Cel_. Why then we are agreed already: I am as kind and coming as you, for the heart of you: I knew, at first, we two were good for nothing but one another. _Flo_. But, without raillery, are you in love? _Cel_. So horribly much, that, contrary to my own maxims, I think, in my conscience, I could marry you. _Flo_. No, no, 'tis not come to that yet; but if you are really in love, you have done me the greatest pleasure in the world. _Cel_. That pleasure, and a better too, I have in store for you. _Flo_. This animal, call'd a lover, I have long'd to see these two years. _Cel_. Sure you walk'd with your mask on all the while; for if you had been seen, you could not have been without your wish. _Flo_. I warrant, you mean an ordinary whining lover; but I must have other proofs of love, ere I believe it. _Cel_. You shall have the best that I can give you. _Flo_. I would have a lover, that, if need be, should hang himself, drown himself, break his neck, poison himself, for very despair: He, that will scruple this, is an impudent fellow if he says he is in love.