_Dor._ But if you left her clean, and found her only rusty, you would discover, to your shame, she was only so for want of shooting. _Pala._ Rhodophil, you know me too well to imagine I speak for fear; and therefore, in consideration of our past friendship, I will tell you, and bind it by all things holy, that Doralice is innocent. _Rho._ Friend, I will believe you, and vow the same for your Melantha; but the devil on't is, how shall we keep them so? _Pala._ What dost think of a blessed community betwixt us four, for the solace of the women, and relief of the men? Methinks it would be a pleasant kind of life: Wife and husband for the standing dish, and mistress and gallant for the desert. _Rho._ But suppose the wife and mistress should both long for the standing dish, how should they be satisfied together? _Pala._ In such a case they must draw lots; and yet that would not do neither, for they would both be wishing for the longest cut. _Rho._ Then I think, Palamede, we had as good make a firm league, not to invade each other's propriety. _Pala._ Content, say I. From henceforth let all acts of hostility cease betwixt us; and that, in the usual form of treaties, as well by sea as land, and in all fresh waters. _Dor._ I will add but one _proviso_, that whoever breaks the league, either by war abroad, or neglect at home, both the women shall revenge themselves by the help of the other party. _Rho._ That's but reasonable. Come away, Doralice; I have a great temptation to be sealing articles in private. _Pala._ Hast thou so? [_Claps him on the shoulder._ "Fall on, Macduff, And cursed be he that first cries, Hold, enough." _Enter_ POLYDAMAS, PALMYRA, ARTEMIS, ARGALEON: _After them_ EUBULUS _and_ HERMOGENES, guarded. _Palm._ Sir, on my knees I beg you-- _Poly._ Away, I'll hear no more. _Palm._ For my dead mother's sake; you say you loved her, And tell me I resemble her. Thus she Had begged. _Poly._ And thus I had denied her. _Palm._ You must be merciful. _Arga._ You must be constant. _Poly._ Go, bear them to the torture; you have boasted You have a king to head you; I would know To whom I must resign. _Eub._ This is our recompence For serving thy dead queen. _Herm._ And education Of thy daughter. _Arga._ You are too modest, in not naming all His obligations to you: Why did you Omit his son, the prince Leonidas? _Poly._ That imposture I had forgot; their tortures shall be doubled. _Herm._ You please me; I shall die the sooner. _Eub._ No; could I live an age, and still be racked, I still would keep the secret. [_As they are going off,_ _Enter_ LEONIDAS, _guarded._ _Leon._ Oh, whither do you hurry innocence! If you have any justice, spare their lives; Or, if I cannot make you just, at least I'll teach you to more purpose to be cruel. _Palm._ Alas, what does he seek!