_Joh._ You are much fallen off, let me tell you, from the fury of your first embrace. _Ant._ I confess I was somewhat too furious at first, but you will forgive the transport of my passion; now I have considered it better, I have a qualm of conscience. _Joh._ Of conscience! why, what has conscience to do with two young lovers that have opportunity? _Ant._ Why, truly, conscience is something to blame for interposing in our matters: but how can I help it, if I have a scruple to betray my master? _Joh._ There must be something more in't; for your conscience was very quiet when you took me for Morayma. _Ant._ I grant you, madam, when I took you for his daughter; for then I might have made you an honourable amends by marriage. _Joh._ You Christians are such peeking sinners! you tremble at a shadow in the moonshine. _Ant._ And you Africans are such termagants, you stop at nothing. I must be plain with you,--you are married, and to a holy man, the head of your religion: go back to your chamber; go back, I say, and consider of it for this night, as I will do on my part: I will be true to you, and invent all the arguments I can to comply with you; and who knows but at our next meeting the sweet devil may have more power over me? I am true flesh and blood, I can tell you that for your comfort. _Joh._ Flesh without blood, I think thou art; or, if any, it is as cold as that of fishes. But I'll teach thee, to thy cost, what vengeance is in store for refusing a lady who has offered thee her love.--Help, help, there! will nobody come to my assistance? _Ant._ What do you mean, madam? for heaven's sake, peace; your husband will hear you; think of your own danger, if you will not think of mine. _Joh._ Ungrateful wretch, thou deservest no pity!--Help, help, husband, or I shall be ravished! the villain will be too strong for me! Help, help, for pity of a poor distressed creature! _Ant._ Then I have nothing but impudence to assist me: I must drown her clamour, whatever comes on't. [_He takes out his Flute, and plays as loud as he can possibly, and she continues crying out._ _Enter the_ MUFTI, _in his Night-gown, and two Servants._ _Muf._ O thou villain, what horrible impiety art thou committing! what, ravishing the wife of my bosom!--Take him away; ganch him[5], impale him, rid the world of such a monster! [_Servants seize him._ _Ant._ Mercy, dear master, mercy! hear me first, and after, if I have deserved hanging, spare me not. What have you seen to provoke you to this cruelty? _Muf._ I have heard the outcries of my wife; the bleatings of the poor innocent lamb.--Seen nothing, sayst thou? If I see the lamb lie bleeding, and the butcher by her with his knife drawn, and bloody, is not that evidence sufficient of the murder? I come too late, and the execution is already done.