SCENE II.

_Enter_ PALAMEDE _and_ RHODOPHIL, _with Vizor Masques in their Hands, and Torches before them._

_Pala._ We shall have noble sport to-night, Rhodophil; this masquerading is a most glorious invention.

_Rho._ I believe it was invented first by some jealous lover, to discover the haunts of his jilting mistress; or, perhaps, by some distressed servant, to gain an opportunity with a jealous man's wife.

_Pala._ No, it must be the invention of a woman, it has so much of subtilty and love in it.

_Rho._ I am sure 'tis extremely pleasant; for to go unknown, is the next degree to going invisible.

_Pala._ What with our antic habits and feigned voices,--_Do you know me?_ and--_I know you,_--methinks we move and talk just like so many overgrown puppets.

_Rho._ Masquerade is only vizor-mask improved; a heightening of the same fashion.

_Pala._ No, masquerade is vizor-mask in debauch, and I like it the better for't: for, with a vizor-mask, we fool ourselves into courtship, for the sake of an eye that glanced; or a hand that stole itself out of the glove sometimes, to give us a sample of the skin: But in masquerade there is nothing to be known, she's all _terra incognita_; and the bold discoverer leaps ashore, and takes his lot among the wild Indians and savages, without the vile consideration of safety to his person, or of beauty, or wholesomeness in his mistress.

_Enter_ BELIZA.

_Rho._ Beliza, what make you here?

_Bel._ Sir, my lady sent me after you, to let you know, she finds herself a little indisposed; so that she cannot be at court, but is retired to rest in her own apartment, where she shall want the happiness of your dear embraces to night.

_Rho._ A very fine phrase, Beliza, to let me know my wife desires to lie alone.

_Pala._ I doubt, Rhodophil, you take the pains sometimes to instruct your wife's woman in these elegancies.

_Rho._ Tell my dear lady, that since I must be so unhappy as not to wait on her to-night, I will lament bitterly for her absence. 'Tis true I shall be at court, but I will take no divertisement there; and when I return to my solitary bed, if I am so forgetful of my passion as to sleep, I will dream of her; and betwixt sleep and waking, put out my foot towards her side, for midnight consolation; and, not finding her, I will sigh, and imagine myself a most desolate widower.

_Bel._ I shall do your commands, sir. [_Exit._

_Rho._ [_Aside._] She's sick as aptly for my purpose, as if she had contrived it so. Well, if ever woman was a help-mate for man, my spouse is so; for within this hour I received a note from Melantha, that she would meet me this evening in masquerade, in boys' habit, to rejoice with me before she entered into fetters; for I find she loves me better than Palamede, only because he's to be her husband. There's something of antipathy in the word _marriage_ to the nature of love: marriage is the mere ladle of affection, that cools it when 'tis never so fiercely boiling over.

_Pala._ Dear Rhodophil, I must needs beg your pardon; there is an occasion fallen out which I had forgot: I cannot be at court to-night.

_Rho._ Dear Palamede, I am sorry we shall not have one course together at the herd; but I find your game lies single: Good fortune to you with your mistress. [_Exit._

_Pala._ He has wished me good fortune with his wife; there's no sin in this then, there's fair leave given. Well, I must go visit the sick; I cannot resist the temptations of my charity. O what a difference will she find betwixt a dull resty husband and a quick vigorous lover! He sets out like a carrier's horse, plodding on, because he knows he must, with the bells of matrimony chiming so melancholy about his neck, in pain till he's at his journey's end; and, despairing to get thither, he is fain to fortify imagination with the thoughts of another woman: I take heat after heat, like a well-breathed courser, and--But hark, what noise is that? Swords! [_Clashing of swords within._] Nay, then, have with you. [_Exit_ PALA.

_Re-enter_ PALAMEDE, _with_ RHODOPHIL; _and_ DORALICE _in man's habit._

_Rho._ Friend, your relief was very timely, otherwise I had been oppressed.

_Pala._ What was the quarrel?

_Rho._ What I did was in rescue of this youth.

_Pala._ What cause could he give them?

_Dor._ The cause was nothing but only the common cause of fighting in masquerades: They were drunk, as I was sober.

_Rho._ Have they not hurt you?

_Dor._ No; but I am exceeding ill with the fright on't.

_Pala._ Let's lead him to some place, where he may refresh himself.

_Rho._ Do you conduct him then.

_Pala._ [_Aside._] How cross this happens to my design of going to Doralice! for I am confident she was sick on purpose that I should visit her. Hark you, Rhodophil, could not you take care of the stripling? I am partly engaged to-night.

_Rho._ You know I have business; but come, youth, if it must be so.

_Dor._ to _Rho._ No, good sir, do not give yourself that trouble; I shall be safer, and better pleased with your friend here.

_Rho._ Farewell, then; once more I wish you a good adventure.

_Pala._ Damn this kindness! now must I be troubled with this young rogue, and miss my opportunity with Doralice. [_Exit_ RHO. _alone;_ PALA. _with_ DOR.