That I have shewn this weakness.--Let me go, Where I may blush alone;-- [_Going, and looking back on him._ But come not you, Lest I should spoil you with excess of fondness, And let you love again. [_Exit_ ALCMENA. _Jup._ Forbidding me to follow, she invites me:-- This is the mould of which I made the sex: I gave them but one tongue, to say us nay; And two kind eyes to grant.--Be sure that none Approach, to interrupt our privacy. [_To_ MERC. [_Exit_ JUPITER _after_ ALCMENA. MERCURY _and_ PHÆDRA _remain_. _Merc._ Your lady has made the challenge of reconciliation to my lord: here's a fair example for us two, Phædra. _Phæd._ No example at all, Sosia; for my lady had the diamonds beforehand, and I have none of the gold goblet. _Merc._ The goblet shall be forthcoming, if thou wilt give me weight for weight. _Phæd._ Yes, and measure for measure too, Sosia; that is, for a thimble-full of gold, a thimble-full of love. _Merc._ What think you now, Phædra? Here's a weighty argument of love for you. [_Pulling out the Goblet in a case from under his Cloak._ _Phæd._ Now Jupiter, of his mercy, let me kiss thee, O thou dear metal! [_Taking it in both hands._ _Merc._ And Venus, of her mercy, let me kiss thee, dear, dear Phædra! _Phæd._ Not so fast, Sosia; there's a damned proverb in your way,--"Many things happen betwixt the cup and the lip," you know. _Merc._ Why, thou wilt not cheat me of my goblet? _Phæd._ Yes, as sure as you would cheat me of my maidenhead: I am yet but just even with you, for the last trick you played me. And, besides, this is but a bare retaining fee; you must give me another before the cause is opened. _Merc._ Shall I not come to your bed-side to-night? _Phæd._ No, nor to-morrow night neither; but this shall be my sweetheart in your place: 'tis a better bedfellow, and will keep me warmer in cold weather. [_Exit_ PHÆDRA. MERCURY _alone_. _Merc._ Now, what's the god of wit in a woman's hand? This very goblet I stole from Gripus; and he got it out of bribes, too. But this is the common fate of ill-gotten goods, that, as they came in by covetousness, they go out by whoring.-- _Enter_ AMPHITRYON. Oh, here's Amphitryon again; but I'll manage him above in the balcony [_Exit_ MERCURY. _Amph._ Not one of those, I looked for, to be found, As some enchantment hid them from my sight! Perhaps, as Sosia says, 'tis witchcraft all. Seals may be opened, diamonds may be stolen; But how I came, in person, yesterday, And gave that present to Alcmena's hands, That which I never gave, nor ever came,-- O there's the rock on which my reason splits! Would that were all! I fear my honour, too. I'll try her once again;--she may be mad;-- A wretched remedy; but all I have, To keep me from despair.