SCENE II.

EULINUS, HIRILDAS, ROLLANO.

HIR. Well, so: your tongue's your own, though drunk or angry.

ROL. Umh! [_Seals his mouth._

HIR. Speak not a word, upon your life: be dumb.

ROL. Umh! [_Gives him money._

HIR. I'll winch up thy estate. Be Harpocrates.[283]

ROL. Umh!

HIR. Thy fortunes shall be double-gilt. Be midnight.

ROL. Umh!

HIR. An excellent instrument, to be the bawd To his dear lady! But, Rollano, hark; What words, what looks did give my letter welcome?

ROL. Umh!

HIR. Nay, now thy silence is antedated: speak.

ROL. Umh!

HIR. I give thee leave, I say. Speak, be not foolish.

ROL. Then, with your leave, she us'd, upon receipt, No words, but silent joy purpl'd her face; And seeing your name, straight clapp'd it to her heart, To print there a new copy; as she'd say, The words went by her eyes too long a way.

HIR. You told her my conditions, and my oath Of silence, and that only you be used?

ROL. All, sir.

HIR. And that this night----

ROL. Ay, sir.

HIR. You guard the door----

ROL. Ay, sir.

HIR. But I ne'er mean to come.

ROL. No, sir? O wretch! Shall I deceive, when she remains so true?

HIR. No. Thou shalt be true, and she remain deceiv'd. I'll lie, and yet I will not lie. My friend Eulinus, in my shape, shall climb her bed, This is the point. You'll promise all your aid?

ROL. Your servant to command, and then reward.

EUL. We'll draw thee, meteor-like, by our warm favour, Unto the roof and ceiling of the court: We'll raise thee (hold but fast) on fortune's ladder. [_Exit_ ROLLANO. This fellow is a medley of most lewd And vicious qualities: a braggart, yet a coward; A knave, and yet a slave: true to all villany, But false to goodness. Yet now I love him, Because he stands just in the way of love.

HIR. Coz, I commend you to the Cyprian queen, Whilst I attend Diana in the forest: My kinsman Mandubrace and I must try Our greyhounds' speed after a lightfoot hare.

[_Exit_ HIRILDAS.

EUL. O love! whose nerves unite in equal bonds This massy frame! thou cement of the world! By which the orbs and elements agree, By which all living creatures joy to be, And dying live in their posterity. Thy holy raptures warm each noble breast, Sweetly inspiring more soul. Thy delight Surpasses melody, nectar, and all pleasures Of Tempe, and of Tempe's eldest sister, Elysium: a banquet of all the senses! By thy commanding power gods into beasts, And men to gods, are chang'd, as poets say; When sympathy rules, all like what they obey. But love triumphs when man and woman meet In full affection; double vows then fill His sacred shrine. Yet this to me denied More whets my passion: mutual love grows cold. Venus, be thou propitious to my wiles, And laugh at lovers' perjuries and guiles. [_Exit._