of detecting this perjured man, I am content to stay abroad.

Lop. But withal, you must permit me to tell you, madam, that it is but just I should have some share in a heart, which I endeavour to redeem: In the law of arms, you know that they, who pay the ransom, have right to dispose of the prisoner.

Aur. The prize is so very inconsiderable, that 'tis not worth the claiming.

Lop. If I thought the boon were small, I would not importune my princess with the asking it: But since my life depends upon the grant

Cam. Ma'am, I must needs tell your la'ship, that Don Lopez has deserved you, for he has acted all along like a cavalier, and more for your interest than his own. Besides, ma'am, Don Melchor is as poor as he is false: For my part, I shall never endure to call him master.

Aur. Don Lopez, go along with me. I can promise nothing, but I swear I will do my best to disengage my heart from this furious tender, which I have for him.

Cam. If I had been a man, I could never have forsaken you: Ah those languishing casts, ma'am ; and that pouting lip of your la'ship, like a cherrybough, weighed down with the weight of fruit!

Aur. And that sigh too, I think, is not altogether disagreeable; but something charmante and mignonne. Cam. Well, Don Lopez, you'll be but too happy. Lop. If I were once possessor

Enter BELLAMY and THEODOSIA.

Theo. O we are surprised.

Bel. Fear nothing, madam; I think, I know them: Don Lopez ?

Lop. Our famous astrologer, how come you here? Bel. I am infinitely happy to have met you with

Donna Aurelia, that you may do me the favour to satisfy this lady of a truth, which I can scarce persuade her to believe.

Lop. I am glad our concernments are so equal; for I have the like favour to ask from Donna Theodosia.

Theo. Don Lopez is too noble to be refused any thing within my power; and I am ready to do him any service, after I have asked my cousin, if ever Don Melchor pretended to her?

Aur. Tis the very question which I was furiously resolved to have asked of you.

Theo. I must confess he has made some professions to me: And withal, I will acknowledge my own weakness so far as to tell you, I have given way he should often visit me, when the world believed him absent.

Aur. O cavalier astrologer, how have you betrayed me! did you not assure me, that Don Melchor's tender and inclination was for me only?

Bel. I had it from his star, madam, I do assure you; and if that twinkled false, I cannot help it. The truth is, there's no trusting the planet of an inconstant man; he was moving to you when I looked on it, and if since it has changed the course, I am not to be blamed for it.

Lop. Now, madam, the truth is evident. And for this cavalier, he might easily be deceived in Melchor; for I dare affirm it to you both, he never knew to which of you he was most inclined: For he visited one, and writ letters to the other.

Bel. to Theo. Then, madam, I must claim your promise, (since I have discovered to you that Don Melchor is unworthy of your favours) that you would make me happy, who, amongst my many imperfections, can never be guilty of such a falsehood. Theo. If I have been deceived in Melchor, whom

I have known so long, you cannot reasonably expect, I should trust you at a day's acquaintance.

Bel. For that, madam, you may know as much of me in a day, as you can in all your life: All my humours circulate like my blood, at farthest within twenty-four hours. I am plain and true, like all my countrymen; you see to the bottom of me as easily, as you do to the gravel of a clear stream in

autumn.

Lop. You plead so well, sir, that I desire you would speak for me too: My cause is the same with yours, only it has not so good an advocate.

Aur. Since I cannot make myself happy, I will have the glory to felicitate another: and, therefore, I declare, I will reward the fidelity of Don Lopez.

Theo. All that I can say at present is, that I will never be Don Melchor's: The rest, time and your service must make out.

Bel. I have all I can expect, to be admitted as eldest servant; as preferment falls, I hope you will remember my seniority.

Cam. Ma'am, Don Melchor.

Aur. Cavaliers, retire a little; we shall see to which of us he will make his court.

[The men withdraw.

Enter Dox MELCHOR.

Don Melchor, I thought you had been a-bed before this time.

Mel. Fair Aurelia, this is a blessing beyond expectation, to see you again so soon.

Aur. What important business brought you hither?

Mel. Only to make my peace with you before I slept. You know you are the saint to whom I pay my devotions.

Aur. And yet it was beyond your expectances to meet me? This is furiously incongruous.

Theo. [advancing.] Don Melchor, whither were you bound so late?

Mel. What shall I say? I am so confounded, that I know not to which of them I should excuse myself. [Aside. Theo. Pray answer me truly to one question: Did you ever make any addresses to my cousin?

Mel. Fie, fie, madam, there's a question indeed. Aur. How, monster of ingratitude! can you deny the declaration of your passion to me?

Mel. I say nothing, madam.

Theo. Which of us is it, for whom you are concerned?

Mel. For that, madam, you must excuse me; I have more discretion than to boast a lady's favour. Aur. Did you counterfeit an address to me?

Mel. Still I say nothing, madam; but I will satisfy either of you in private; for these matters are too tender for public discourse.

Enter LOPEZ and BELLAMY hastily, with their
swords drawn.

Bellamy and Lopez! This is strange!

Lop. Ladies, we would not have disturbed you, but as we were walking to the garden door, it opened suddenly against us, and we confusedly saw, by moon-light, some persons entering, but who they were we know not.

Bel. You had best retire into the garden-house, and leave us to take our fortunes, without prejudice to your reputations.

Enter WILDBLOOD, MASKALL, JACINTHA, and BEATRIX.

Wild. [To Jacintha entering.] Do not fear, madam, I think I heard my friend's voice.

Bel. Marry hang you, is it you that have given us this hot alarm?

Wild. There's more in it than you imagine; the whole house is up: For seeing you two, and not knowing you, after I had entered the garden-door, I made too much haste to get out again, and have left the key broken in it. With the noise, one of the servants came running in, whom I forced back; and, doubtless, he is gone for company, for you may see lights running through every chamber.

Theo. Jac. What will become of us?

Bel. We must have recourse to our former resolution. Let the ladies retire into the garden-house. And, now I think on it, you gentlemen shall go in with them, and leave me and Maskall to bear the brunt of it.

Mask. Me, sir! I beseech you let me go in with the ladies too; dear Beatrix, speak a good word for me! I protest 'tis more out of love to thy company than for any fear I have.

Bel. You dog, I have need of your wit and counsel. We have no time to deliberate. Will you stay, sir?

[TO MASKALL.

[TO MELCHOR.

Mask. No, sir, 'tis not for my safety.

Bel. Will you in, sir?

Mel. No, sir, 'tis not for my honour, to be assisting to you I'll to Don Alonzo, and help to revenge the injury you are doing him.

Bel. Then we are lost, I can do nothing.

Wild. Nay, an you talk of honour, by your leave, sir. I hate your Spanish honour, ever since it spoiled our English plays, with faces about and t'other

side.

[Falls upon him and throws him down. Mel. What do you mean, you will not murder me? Must valour be oppressed by multitudes?