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Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 02 of 10

SCENA IV.

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Enter Antigonus, and Menippus, above.

Men. I saw her coming out.

Ant. Who waits upon her?

Men. Timon, Charinthus, and some other Gentlemen, By me appointed.

Ant. Where's your wife?

Men. She's ready To entertain her here Sir; and some Ladies Fit for her lodgings.

Ant. How shews she in her trim now?

Men. Oh most divinely sweet.

Ant. Prethee speak softly. How does she take her coming?

Men. She bears it bravely; But what she thinks—For Heaven sake Sir preserve me— If the Prince chance to find this.

Ant. Peace ye old fool; She thinks to meet him here.

Men. That's all the Project.

Ant. Was she hard to bring?

Men. No she believ'd it quickly, And quickly made her self fit, the Gown a little, And those new things she has not been acquainted with, At least in this place, where she liv'd a prisoner, Troubled and stirr'd her mind. But believe me Sir, She has worn as good, they sit so apted to her; And she is so great a Mistris of disposure: Here they come now: but take a full view of her.

Enter Celia, Timon, Charinthus, and Gent.

Ant. How cheerfully she looks? how she salutes all? And how she views the place? she is very young sure: That was an admirable smile, a catching one, The very twang of Cupids bow sung in it: She has two-edg'd eyes, they kill o' both sides.

Men. She makes a stand, as though she would speak.

Ant. Be still then.

Cel. Good Gentlemen, trouble your selves no further, I had thought sure to have met a noble friend here.

Tim. Ye may meet many Lady.

Cel. Such as you are I covet few or none, Sir.

Char. Will you walk this way, And take the sweets o'th' garden? cool and close, Lady.

Cel. Methinks this open air's far better, tend ye that way Pray where's the woman came along?

Char. What woman?

Cel. The woman of the house I lay at.

Tim. Woman? Here was none came along sure.

Cel. Sure I am catcht then: Pray where's the Prince?

Char. He will not be long from ye, We are his humble Servants.

Cel. I could laugh now, To see how finely I am cozen'd: yet I fear not, For sure I know a way to scape all dangers.

Tim. Madam, your lodgings lye this way.

Cel. My Lodgings? For Heaven sake Sir, what office do I bear here?

Tim. The great commander of all hearts.

Enter Leucippe, and Ladies.

Cel. You have hit it. I thank your sweet heart for it. Who are these now?

Char. Ladies that come to serve ye.

Cel. Well consider'd, Are you my Servants?

Lady. Servants to your pleasures.

Cel. I dare believe ye, but I dare not trust ye: Catch'd with a trick? well, I must bear it patiently: Methinks this Court's a neat place: all the people Of so refin'd a size—

Tim. This is no poor Rogue.

Leu. Were it a Paradise to please your fancy, And entertain the sweetness you bring with ye.

Cel. Take breath; You are fat, and many words may melt ye, This is three Bawdes beaten into one; bless me Heaven, What shall become of me? I am i'th' pitfall: O' my conscience, this is the old viper, and all these little ones Creep every night into her belly; do you hear plump servant And you my little sucking Ladies, you must teach me, For I know you are excellent at carriage, How to behave my self, for I am rude yet: But you say the Prince will come?

Lady. Will flie to see you.

Cel. For look you if a great man, say the King now Should come and visit me?

Men. She names ye.

Ant. Peace fool.

Cel. And offer me a kindness, such a kindness.

Leu. I, such a kindness.

Cel. True Lady such a kindness, What shall that kindness be now?

Leu. A witty Lady, Learn little ones, learn.

Cel. Say it be all his favour.

Leu. And a sweet saying 'tis.

Cel. And I grow peevish?

Leu. You must not be negleftfull.

Cel. There's the matter, There's the main doctrine now, and I may miss it, Or a kind handsom Gentleman?

Leu. You say well.

Cel. They'I count us basely bred.

Leu. Not freely nurtur'd.

Cel. I'le take thy counsel.

Leu. 'Tis an excellent woman.

Cel. I find a notable volum here, a learned one; Which way? for I would fain be in my chamber; In truth sweet Ladies, I grow weary; fie, How hot the air beats on me!

Lady. This way Madam.

Cel. Now by mine honour, I grow wondrous faint too.

Leu. Your fans sweet Gentlewomen, your fans.

Cel. Since I am fool'd, I'le make my self some sport, though I pay dear for't. [Ex.

Men. You see now what a manner of woman she is Sir.

Ant. Thou art an ass.

Men. Is this a fit love for the Prince:

Ant. A coxcombe: Now by my crown a daintie wench, a sharp wench, And/a matchless Spirit: how she jeer'd 'em? How carelesly she scoff'd 'em? use her nobly; I would I had not seen her: wait anon, And then you shall have more to trade upon. [Exeunt.

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