Volume Iii Part 135 (1/2)

_Kep_. What are you?

_Scar_. Two neighbouring Princes to your vast Dominion.

_Har_. Knights of the Sun, our honourable t.i.tles, And fight for that fair Mortal, _Mopsophil_.

_Mop_. Bless us!--my two precious Lovers, I'll warrant; well, I had better take up with one of them, than lie alone to Night.

_Scar_. Long as two Rivals we have lov'd and hop'd, Both equally endeavour'd, and both fail'd.

At last by joint Consent, we both agreed To try our t.i.tles by the Dint of Lance, And chose your Mightiness for Arbitrator.

_Kep_. The Emperor gives Consent.

[_They both all arm'd--with gilded Lances and s.h.i.+elds of Black, with golden Suns painted. The Musick plays a fighting Tune. They fight at Barriers, to the Tune_.--Harlequin _is often foil'd, but advances still; at last_ Scaramouch _throws him, and is Conqueror; all give Judgment for him_.

_Kep_. The Emperor p.r.o.nounces you are Victor.-- [_To_ Scar.

_Doct_. Receive your Mistress, Sir, as the Reward of your undoubted Valour-- [_Presents_ Mopsophil.

_Scar_. Your humble Servant, Sir, and _Scaramouch_ returns you humble Thanks. [_Puts off his Helmet_.

_Doct_. Ha,--_Scaramouch_!

[_Bawls out, and falls in a Chair. They all go to him_.

My Heart misgives me--Oh, I am undone and cheated every way.

[_Bawling out_.

_Kep_. Be patient, Sir, and call up all your Virtue, You're only cur'd, Sir, of a Disease That long has reign'd over your n.o.bler Faculties.

Sir, I am your Physician, Friend and Counsellor; It was not in the Power of Herbs or Minerals, Of Reason, common Sense, and right Religion, To draw you from an Error that unmann'd you.

_Doct_. I will be patient, Gentlemen, and hear you.

--Are not you _Ferdinand_?

_Kep_. I am,--and these are Gentlemen of Quality, That long have lov'd your Daughter and your Niece; _Don Cinthio_ this, and this is _Don Charmante_, The Vice-Roy's Nephews both.

Who found as Men--'twas impossible to enjoy 'em, And therefore try'd this Stratagem.

_Cin_. Sir, I beseech you, mitigate your Grief, Although indeed we are but mortal Men, Yet we shall love you, serve you, and obey you.

_Doct_. Are not you then the Emperor of the Moon?

And you the Prince of _Thunderland_?

_Cin_. There's no such Person, Sir.

These Stories are the Fantoms of mad Brains, To puzzle Fools withal--the Wise laugh at 'em-- Come, Sir, you shall no longer be impos'd upon.

_Doct_. No Emperor of the Moon, and no Moon World!

_Char_. Ridiculous Inventions.

If we 'ad not lov'd you you'ad been still impos'd on; You had brought a Scandal on your learned Name, And all succeeding Ages had despis'd it.

[Doct. _leaps up_.

_Doct_. Burn all my Books and let my study blaze, Burn all to Ashes, and be sure the Wind Scatter the vile contagious monstrous Lyes.

--Most n.o.ble Youths--you've honour'd me with your Alliance, and you, and all your Friends, a.s.sistances in this glorious Miracle, I invite to Night to revel with me.--Come all and see my happy Recantation of all the Follies, Fables have inspir'd till now. Be pleasant to repeat your Story, to tell me by what kind degrees you cozen'd me.