_Phil._ Quite contrary: The letter could never have come in a more lucky minute; for it found her in an ill-humour with a rival of yours, that shall be nameless, about the pronunciation of a French word. _Pala._ Count Rhodophil? never disguise it, I know the amour: But I hope you took the occasion to strike in for me? _Phil._ It was my good fortune to do you some small service in it; for your sake I discommended him all over,--clothes, person, humour, behaviour, every thing; and, to sum up all, told her, it was impossible to find a married man that was otherwise; for they were all so mortified at home with their wives' ill humours, that they could never recover themselves to be company abroad. _Pala._ Most divinely urged! _Phil._ Then I took occasion to commend your good qualities; as the sweetness of your humour, the comeliness of your person, your good mein, your valour; but, above all, your liberality. _Pala._ I vow to Gad I had like to have forgot that good quality in myself, if thou hadst not remembered me of it: Here are five pieces for thee. _Phil._ Lord, you have the softest hand, sir, it would do a woman good to touch it: Count Rhodophil's is not half so soft; for I remember I felt it once, when he gave me ten pieces for my new-years-gift. _Pala._ O, I understand you, madam; you shall find my hand as soft again as Count Rhodophil's: There are twenty pieces for you. The former was but a retaining fee; now I hope you'll plead for me. _Phil._ Your own merits speak enough. Be sure only to ply her with French words, and I'll warrant you'll do your business. Here are a list of her phrases for this day: Use them to her upon all occasions and foil her at her own weapon; for she's like one of the old Amazons, she'll never marry, except it be the man who has first conquered her. _Pala._ I'll be sure to follow your advice: But you'll forget to further my design. _Phil._ What, do you think I'll be ungrateful?--But however, if you distrust my memory, put some token on my finger to remember it by: That diamond there would do admirably. _Pala._ There 'tis; and I ask your pardon heartily for calling your memory into question: I assure you I'll trust it another time, without putting you to the trouble of another token. _Enter_ PALMYRA _and_ ARTEMIS. _Art._ Madam, this way the prisoners are to pass; Here you may see Leonidas. _Palm._ Then here I'll stay, and follow him to death. _Enter_ MELANTHA, _hastily._ _Mel._ O, here's her highness! Now is my time to introduce myself, and to make my court to her, in my new French phrases. Stay, let me read my catalogue--_Suite_, _figure_, _chagrin_, _naivete_, and _let me die_, for the parenthesis of all. _Pala._ [_Aside._] Do, persecute her; and I'll persecute thee as fast in thy own dialect.