_San._ Then foot it featly; that you may say hereafter you remember when your mother was first married, and danced at her wedding. _Carl._ Hold a little;--you may remember too, Madam Bride, that I promised you an epithalamium. 'Twas meant a satire; but fortune has turned it to a jest. I have given it to the musicians, and brought them along with me; strike up, gentlemen. [_The Dance is first, then the Song, the last Words of which are sung while the Company is going out, and the Musick plays before them._ SONG. BY MR CONGREVE. I. _How happy's the husband, whose wife has been tried! Not damned to the bed of an ignorant bride! Secure of what's left, he ne'er misses the rest, But where there's enough, supposes a feast; So, foreknowing the cheat, He escapes the deceit, And, in spite of the curse, resolves to be blest._ II. _If children are blessings, his comfort's the more, Whose spouse has been known to be fruitful before; And the boy that she brings ready made to his hand, May stand him instead, for an heir to his land, Should his own prove a sot, When he's lawfully got, As whene'er 'tis so, if he don't I'll be hanged._ SONG FOR A GIRL. I. _Young I am, and yet unskilled How to make a lover yield: How to keep, or how to gain, When to love, and when to feign._ II. _Take me, take me, some of you, While I yet am young and true; Ere I can my soul disguise, Heave my breasts, and roll my eyes._ III. _Stay not till I learn the way, How to lie, and to betray: He that has me first is blest, For I may deceive the rest._ IV. _Could I find a blooming youth, Full of love, and full of truth, Brisk, and of a jaunty mien, I should long to be fifteen._ [Exeunt. _A Royal Chamber is discovered by drawing the former Scene_; VERAMOND, GARCIA, XIMENA, VICTORIA CELIDEA, _with a full Train of Courtiers and Guards: amongst the Crowd_, RAMIREZ _disguised with some of his Party_. _Vera._ [_To_ VICT.] No more delays, but go. _Xim._ This is inhuman, To press her to a marriage made by force. At least allow yourself and her this day, That each of you may think, and one may change. _Vera._ You mean, the times or accidents may change, And leave her for Alphonso. _Xim._ Your enemies are but without your gates, And soon they may return: Forbear for fear. _Vera._ The sooner then I must prevent the effect of their return. What now remains, but to complete my vows, And sacrifice to vengeance! _Xim._ Your own daughter! _Vera._ Even her, myself, and all the world together. _Vict._ Can you refuse me one poor day to live?