Volume Xiv Part 66 (1/2)
_After the third sound_--
PROLOGUE.
_Madams, you're welcome; though our poet show A severe brow, it is not meant to you.
Your virtues, like your features, they are such, They neither can be priz'd nor prais'd too much: Lov'd and admir'd wheres'ever you are known, Scorning to mix Platonics with your own: Sit with a pleasing silence, and take view Of forms vermillion'd in another hue.
Who make free traffic of their nuptial bed, As if they had of fancy surfeited: Who come not here to hear our comic scenes, But to complete imaginary dreams With realler conceptions. If you mind them, Their new loves stand before, old loves behind them: And from that prospect this_ impresa _read, Rich pearls show best when they are set in lead.
Such be your blameless beauties, which comply With no complexion but a native dye, Apt for a spousal hug, and, like rich ore, Admit one choice impression and no more.
Those faces only merit our esteem, Seem what they be, and be the same they seem.
For they who beauty clothe with borrow'd airs, May well disclaim them, being none of theirs.
Here shall you see Nature adorn'd with skill, And if this do not please, sure, nothing will._
ACT II., SCENE 1.
_Enter two_ BOYS.
1ST BOY. Room, room for the ladies of the new dress.
2D BOY. Thou styles them rightly, Tim; for they have played the snakes, and put off their old slough. New brooms sweep clean.
Frosty age and youth suit not well together. These _bona-robas_ must sate their appet.i.tes with fresh cates, or their sharp attractive stomachs will be quickly cloyed.
1ST BOY. True, Nick; hadst thou known their nightly quartering as well as I have done, thou wouldst hold them rare coy-ducks for retrieving new game, and storing their lobbies upon all adventures.
2D BOY. Why, Tim, art thou one of that covey?
1ST BOY. Let it suffice thee, wag, I know all their f.a.garies[111]
to a hair. I have not played such a truant in my place as to become their pee-dee[112] during all the time of their restraint, and not to attain the principles of a puisne bolt: a faithful secret pimp deserves his constant pay.
2D BOY. But, in good sadness, resolve me: were these dainty Dabrides ever in restraint?
1ST BOY. As close cooped up, believe it, as any parachitoes ever were. Only they a.s.sumed to their pretended aggrievances to exclaim against their hard fortunes in being matched with such impotent and defective husbands; and now they have, by long flickering and strong favourites, got out o' th' cage, and wrought themselves into alimony.
2D BOY. Uds! so will their dainty fingers tug in alum-work?
1ST BOY. What an ignorant puppy thou art! This is no alum-work, but such a calcinated metal as it will run like quicksilver over all their husbands' domains, and in very short time make a quick despatch of all his Long-acre.
2D BOY. Trust me, Tim, these be mad-mettled girls, brave braches to breed on!
1ST BOY. What a wanton monkey is this? He's but newly bred, and he can talk of wenches breeding! Well, thou wilt grow a c.o.c.k of th' game if thy pen-feathered youth mount to't. But silence, wag; the she-myrmidons are entering the stage, and I am p.r.i.c.ked out for the chorus.
SCENE II.
_Enter six Ladies fantastically habited, in a wanton and pleasant posture: pa.s.sing over the stage, they are encountered by six amorous complimental Servants, every one singling forth his mistress for discourse._
2D BOY. What humorous tomboys be these?
1ST BOY. The only gallant Messalinas of our age. That love-spotted ermine is Madam Fricase, a woman of a rampant spirit; a confident pretender to language; and, for the Latin, she makes herself as familiar with the breach of Priscian's head as if it were her husband's.