Chapter 51

_Enter_ CELADON _and_ ASTERIA, _meeting each other, he in a riding habit; they embrace_.

_Cel_. Dear Asteria!--

_Ast_. My dear brother, welcome! A thousand welcomes! Methinks, this year, you have been absent, has been so tedious:--I hope, as you have made a pleasant voyage, so you have brought your good humour back again to court?

_Cel_. I never yet knew any company I could not be merry in, except it were an old woman's.

_Ast_. Or at a funeral.

_Cel_. Nay, for that you shall excuse me; for I was never merrier than I was at a creditor's of mine, whose book perished with him. But what new beauties have you at court? How do Melissa's two fair daughters?

_Ast_. When you tell me which of them you are in love with, I'll answer you.

_Cel_. Which of them, naughty sister! what a question's there? With both of them; with each and singular of them.

_Ast_. Bless me!--You are not serious?

_Cel_. You look, as if it were a wonder to see a man in love. Are they not handsome?

_Ast_. Ay; but both together--

_Cel_. Ay, and both asunder; why, I hope there are but two of them; the tall singing and dancing one, and the little innocent one?

_Ast_. But you cannot marry both?

_Cel_. No, nor either of them, I trust in Heaven: but I can keep them company; I can sing and dance with them, and treat them; and that, I take it, is somewhat better than musty marrying them. Marriage is poor folks' pleasure, that cannot go to the cost of variety; but I am out of danger of that with these two, for I love them so equally, I can never make choice between them. Had I but one mistress, I might go to her to be merry, and she, perhaps, be out of humour; there were a visit lost: But here, if one of them frown upon me, the other will be the more obliging, on purpose to recommend her own gaiety; besides a thousand things that I could name.

_Ast_. And none of them to any purpose.

_Cel_. Well, if you will not be cruel to a poor lover, you might oblige me, by carrying me to their lodgings.

_Ast_. You know I am always busy about the queen.

_Cel_. But once or twice only; 'till I am a little flushed in my acquaintance with other ladies, and have learned to prey for myself. I promise you I'll make all the haste I can to end the trouble, by being in love somewhere else.

_Ast_. You would think it hard to be denied now?

_Cel_. And reason good. Many a man hangs himself for the loss of one mistress: How do you think, then, I should bear the loss of two; especially in a court, where, I think, beauty is but thin sown?

_Ast_. There's one Florimel, the queen's ward, a new beauty, as wild as you, and a vast fortune.

_Cel_. I am for her before the world. Bring me to her, and I'll release you of your promise for the other two.

_Enter a Page_.

_Page_. Madam, the queen expects you.

_Cel_. I see you hold her favour; adieu, sister:--you have a little emissary there, otherwise I would offer you my service.

_Ast_. Farewell, brother; think upon Florimel.

_Cel_. You may trust my memory for a handsome woman: I'll think upon her, and the rest too; I'll forget none of them. [_Exit_ ASTERIA.