Mon. Methinks The scene's quite alter'd; I am not the same; Mon. Where, Florella? where ? Is he returning? To my chamber lead; From the unhallow'd view of common eyes. 80 [Exit Mon. and Maid. SCENE II. A Chamber. Enter CASTALIO. Cast. Wish'd morning's come! And now upon the plains And distant mountains, where they feed their flocks, And with their pipes proclaim the new-born day. "And dress the grateful glebe, that yields him fruits. G "The beasts that under the warm hedges slept, The cheerful birds too, on the tops of trees, 100 I'm marry'd! 'Sdeath! I'm sped. How like a dog Enter MONIMIA and MAID. Mon. I come, I fly to my ador'd Castalio's arms, My wishes, lord. May ev'ry morn begin Like this; and with our days our loves renew. Cast. I am [Looking languishingly on him. -Oh Well satisfy'd, that thou art Mon. What speak: Art thou not well, Castalio? Come, lean Upon my breast, and tell me where's thy pain. Cast. 'Tis here; 'tis in my head; 'tis in my heart; 'Tis every where it rages like a madness; And I most wonder how my reason holds. "Nay, wonder not, Monimia: the slave "You thought you had secur'd within my breast, "Is grown a rebel, and has broke his chain, 121 "And now he walks there like a lord at large. "Mon. Am I not then your wife, your lov'd Monimia? "I once was so, or I've most strangely dream'd. "What ails my love? "Cast. Whate'er thy dreams have been, "Thy waking thoughts ne'er meant Castalio well." I know my charter better-I am man, Mon. You shall not fear't: indeed my nature's easy; I'll ever live your most obedient wife! Nor ever any privilege pretend Beyond your will: for that shall be my law : Indeed I will not. Cast. Nay, you shall not, madam; All the day By yon bright heav'n you shall not. Mon. No more; Oh, kill me here, or tell me my offence, I'll never quit you else; but on these knees, Thus follow you all day, 'till they're worn bare, 140 And hang upon you like a drowning creature. Cast. Away! last night, last night Mon. It was our wedding night. Cast. No more; forget it. Mon. Why, do you then repent? Cast. I do. Mon. O, Heaven! And will you leave me thus? help, help, Florella! [He drags her to the door, breaks from her, and exit. Help me to hold this yet lov'd cruel man. Oh, my heart breaks-I'm dying. Oh-" stand off; "I'll not indulge this woman's weakness; still "Chaf'd and fomented let my heart swell on, ""Till with its injuries it burst, and shake "With the dire blow this prison to the earth. "Maid. What sad mistake has been the cause of this ?" Mon. Castalio! Oh! how often has he swore, Nature should change, the sun and stars grow dark, Ere he would falsify his vows to me! Make haste, confusion, then; sun, lose thy light, "Maid. Unhappy day!" Mon. False as the wind, the waters, or the weather; Cruel as tigers o'er their trembling prey : I feel him in my breast, he tears my heart, Must I be long in pain? [Sits down.] [Exit Florella. Enter CHAMONT. Cha. In tears, Monimia ! Mon. Whoe'er thou art, Leave me alone to my belov'd despair. 180 Cha. Lift up thy eyes, and see who comes to cheer thee. Tell me the story of thy wrongs, and then See if my soul has rest, 'till thou hast justice. Cha. Yes, Monimia, if thou think'st That I deserve the name, I am thy brother. Cha. Hah! Name me that name again! my soul's on fire Mon. Indeed, Chamont, There's nothing in it but the fault of nature; I know not why. Cha. You use me ill, Monimia ; And I might think, with justice, most severely 202 |