_Fid._ Revenge! What revenge can you have, sir? Disdain is best revenged by scorn; and faithless love, by loving another, and making her happy with the other's losings. Which, if I might advise-- _Enter_ FREEMAN. _Man._ Not a word more. _Free._ What, are you talking of love yet, captain? I thought you had done with't. _Man._ Why, what did you hear me say? _Free._ Something imperfectly of love, I think. _Man._ I was only wondering why fools, rascals, and desertless wretches, should still have the better of men of merit with all women, as much as with their own common mistress, Fortune. _Free._ Because most women, like Fortune, are blind, seem to do all things in jest, and take pleasure in extravagant actions. Their love deserves neither thanks, nor blame, for they cannot help it: 'tis all sympathy; therefore, the noisy, the finical, the talkative, the cowardly, and effeminate, have the better of the brave, the reasonable, and man of honour; for they have no more reason in their love, or kindness, than Fortune herself. _Man._ Yes, they have their reason. First, honour in a man they fear too much to love; and sense in a lover upbraids their want of it; and they hate anything that disturbs their admiration of themselves; but they are of that vain number, who had rather show their false generosity, in giving away profusely to worthless flatterers, than in paying just debts. And, in short, all women, like fortune (as you say) and rewards, are lost by too much meriting. _Fid._ All women, sir! sure there are some who have no other quarrel to a lover's merit, but that it begets their despair of him. _Man._ Thou art young enough to be credulous; but we-- _Enter_ Sailor. _Sail._ Here are now below, the scolding daggled gentlewoman, and that Major Old--Old--Fop, I think you call him. _Free._ Oldfox:--prithee bid 'em come up, with your leave, captain, for now I can talk with her upon the square, if I shall not disturb you. [_Exit_ Sailor. _Man._ No; for I'll begone. Come, volunteer. _Free._ Nay, pray stay; the scene between us will not be so tedious to you as you think. Besides, you shall see how I rigged my 'squire out, with the remains of my shipwrecked wardrobe; he is under your sea valet-de-chambre's hands, and by this time dressed, and will be worth your seeing. Stay, and I'll fetch my fool. _Man._ No; you know I cannot easily laugh: besides, my volunteer and I have business abroad. [_Exeunt_ MANLY _and_ FIDELIA _on one side_; FREEMAN _on the other._ _Enter_ Major OLDFOX _and_ Widow BLACKACRE. _Wid._ What, nobody here! did not the fellow say he was within? _Old._ Yes, lady; and he may be perhaps a little busy at present; but if you think the time long till he comes, [_Unfolding papers_] I'll read you here some of the fruits of my leisure, the overflowings of my fancy and pen.--[_Aside._] To value me right, she must know my parts.--[_Aloud._] Come--