_Dap._ For want of your favour rather, sweet ladies. _L. Flip._ [_Aside._] That's Dapperwit, false villain! but he must not know I am here. If he should, I should lose his thrice agreeable company, and he would run from me as fast as from the bailiffs. [_To_ LYDIA.] What! you will not talk with 'em, I hope? _Lyd._ Yes, but I will. _L. Flip._ Then you are a Park-woman certainly, and you will take it kindly if I leave you. _Lyd._ No, you must not leave me. _L. Flip._ Then you must leave them. _Lyd._ I'll see if they are worse company than you, first. _L. Flip._ Monstrous impudence!--will you not come? [_Pulls_ LYDIA. _Vin._ Nay, madam, I never suffer any violence to be used to a woman but what I do myself: she must stay, and you must not go. _L. Flip._ Unhand me, you rude fellow! _Vin._ Nay, now I am sure you will stay and be kind; for coyness in a woman is as little sign of true modesty, as huffing in a man is of true courage. _Dap._ Use her gently, and speak soft things to her. _Lyd._ [_Aside._] Now do I guess I know my coxcomb.--[_To_ DAPPERWIT.] Sir, I am extremely glad I am fallen into the hands of a gentleman that can speak soft things; and this is so fine a night to hear soft things in;--morning, I should have said. _Dap._ It will not be morning, dear madam, till you pull off your mask.--[_Aside._] That I think was brisk. _Lyd._ Indeed, dear sir, my face would frighten back the sun. _Dap._ With glories more radiant than his own.--[_Aside._] I keep up with her, I think. _Lyd._ But why would you put me to the trouble of lighting the world, when I thought to have gone to sleep? _Dap._ You only can do it, dear madam, let me perish! _Lyd._ But why would you (of all men) practise treason against your friend Phœbus, and depose him for a mere stranger? _Dap._ I think she knows me. [_Aside._ _Lyd._ But he does not do you justice, I believe; and you are so positively cock-sure of your wit, you would refer to a mere stranger your plea to the bay-tree. _Dap._ She jeers me, let me perish! [_Aside._ _Vin._ Dapperwit, a little of your aid; for my lady's invincibly dumb. _Dap._ Would mine had been so too! [_Aside._ _Vin._ I have used as many arguments to make her speak, as are requisite to make other women hold their tongues. _Dap._ Well, I am ready to change sides.--Yet before I go, madam, since the moon consents now I should see your face, let me desire you to pull off your mask; which to a handsome lady is a favour, I'm sure. _Lyd._ Truly, sir, I must not be long in debt to you for the obligation; pray let me hear you recite some of your verses; which to a wit is a favour, I'm sure. _Dap._ Madam, it belongs to your sex to be obliged first; pull off your mask, and I'll pull out my paper.--[_Aside._] Brisk again, of my side. _Lyd._ 'Twould be in vain, for you would want a candle now. _Dap._ [_Aside._] I dare not make use again of the lustre of her face.--[_To_ LYDIA.] I'll wait upon you home then, madam.