Cropt this fair rose, and rifled all its sweetness, Acast. You talk to me in parables, Chamont, Needs no disguise nor ornament. Be plain. Cha. Your son Acast. I've two; and both, I hope, have honour. Cha. I hope so too—but Acast. Speak. Cha. I must inform you, Once more, Castalio! Acast. Still Castalio! Cha. Yes. Your son Castalio has wrong'd Monimia. Acast. Hah! wrong'd her? Cha. Marry'd her. Acast. I'm sorry for't. Cha. Why sorry? By yon blest heav'n, there's not a lord But might be proud to take her to his heart. Cha. You dare not, by the gods You dare not; all your family combin'd In one damn'd falsehood to outdo Castalio, Dare not deny't. Acast. How has Castalio wrong'd her? 360 Cha. Ask that of him. I say, my sister's wrong'd: Monimia, my sister, born as high And noble as Castalio-Do her justice, Shall make this dwelling horrible to nature. Take him to your closet, and there teach him manners. Acast. You shall have justice. Cha. Nay, I will have justice. Who'll sleep in safety that has done me wrong? The cause of this; I beg you (to preserve Acast. I will. Cha. 'Till then, farewel Acast. Farewel, proud boy. Monimia ! Mon. My lord. Acast. You are my daughter. 308 [Exit. Mon. I am, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe to own me. Acast. When you'll complain to me, I'll prove a fa ther. Mon. Now I'm undone for ever. Is there so wretched as Monimia? First by Castalio cruelly forsaken; [Exit. Who on earth I've lost Acasto now: his parting frowns 400 Is framing mischiefs too, for ought I know, I would not be the cause of one man's death To reign the empress of the earth; nay, more, My dear unkind Castalio! Enter POLYDOre. Pol. Monimia weeping! "So morning dews on new-blown roses lodge, "By the sun's am'rous heat to be exhal'd." I come, my love, to kiss all sorrow from thee, What mean these sighs? And why thus beats thy heart? Mon. Let me alone to sorrow. 'Tis a cause None e'er shall know but it shall with me die. Pol. Happy, Monimia, he to whom these sighs, I know your heart was never meant for me, Pol. Nay, wonder not; last night I heard His oaths, your vows, and to my torment saw 420 Your wild embraces; heard the appointment made, Wilt thou be sworn, my love? wilt thou be ne'er Mon. Banish such fruitless hopes! H Have you swore constancy to my undoing? Will you be ne'er my friend again? Pol. What means my love? Mon. Away; what meant my lord Last night? Pol. Is that a question now to be demanded? I hope Monimia was not much displeas'd. Mon. Was it well done to treat me like a prostitute? T'assault my lodging at the dead of night, And threaten me if I deny'd admittance- Pol. By those eyes It was the same: I spent my time much better; 440 I tell thee, ill-natur'd fair-one, I was posted To more advantage, on a pleasant hill Of springing joy, and everlasting sweetness. Pol. Where is the danger near me? Mon. I fear you're on a rock will wreck your quiet, And drown your soul in wretchedness for ever; A thousand horrid thoughts crowd on my memory. Will you be kind, and answer me one question ? Pol. I'll trust thee with my life; on those soft breasts Breathe out the choicest secrets of my heart, Till I had nothing in it left but love. Mon. Nay, I'll conjure you by the gods and angels, By th' honour of your name, that's most concern'd, To tell me, Polydore, and tell me truly, Where did you rest last night? Pol. Within thy arms I triumph'd: rest had been my foe. Mon. 'Tis done [She faints. Pol. She faints! No help! who waits? A curse 460 Upon my vanity, that could not keep The secret of my happiness in silence. Let mischiefs multiply! Let ev'ry hour And grow a curser of the works of nature! Mon. Oh, Polydore, if all The friendship e'er you vow'd to good Castalio Your brother, you've undone yourself and me. Pol. Which way can ruin reach the man that's rich, As I am, in possession of thy sweetness? Mon. Oh! I'm his wife. Pol. What says Monimia hah! "Speak that again." 481 Mon. I am Castalio's wife. Pol. His marry'd, wedded wife? |