Part 79 (1/2)

[_They go towards their Ladies._

FLO. Madam!

FRI. We were mad dames indeed, should we give freedom to such injurious favourites.

CAR. This is stormy language; I ever thought our late neglect would nettle them.

[_Aside._

FRI. You can affront us, sir, and with your wit Take a deep draught of Lethe and forget!

FLO. Forget! 'Slid, I did ne'er affront you.

FRI. No?

Nor with a screw'd contemptuous look pa.s.s by us When we were at our treat? and with a scorn Not only slight us, but impeach our fame?

FLO. I call the heavens to witness, never I!

FRI. Perfidious wretch! this did I hear and see, And such records cannot deluded be.

Your words, sir, are regist'red.

FLO. Pray, let's hear them.

FRI. You begun first with what your ulcerous flesh, If I be not deceiv'd, infected is.

[_The Favourites, as they appeared to their half-bodies in the preceding scene: so the deserted Knights become spectators of those public affronts done them by their Ladies: only presenting themselves, and so withdrawing._

HUS. Hah, hah, hah! how neatly be these widgeons catcht in their own springes!

TRILLO _from the gallery_.

Bravely continued, Timon, as I live; Each subtle strain deserves a laurel sprig.

FRI. ”Pox on these overacting prost.i.tutes They sate mine appet.i.te.”

CAR. What might I say, That should disrelish Madam Caveare?

CAV. You rant it bravely, sir. ”Fancy so fed Begets a surfeit ere it gets to bed.”

JUL. You, Palisado, stand more resolute; ”Ere I Platonic turn or Confidant, Or an officious servant to a puss Whose honour lies at stake, let me become A scorn to my relations.”

JOC. ”Or when I”

(Thus I deblazon you, base Salibrand) ”Engage my person, like a profess'd bolt To vindicate a mistress, who for sale Would set her soul at hazard, may my grave Be in the kennel, and the scavenger The penman of my epitaph.”

MED. ”Or I”

(Thus you renounce your Medlar, Don Morisco) ”Embrace a monkey for a ma.s.s of treasure.”