Art. Upon mere fufpicion only?

*Theaf. Beyond difpute he loves her. I know it,

• Artemona; and can one imagine that girl hath virtue

⚫ enough to withstand fuch a propofal?

• AIR XVIII. Moll Peatly.

All hearts are a little frail,

When temptation is rightly apply'd.
What can fhame or fear avail

When we footh both ambition and pride?
All women have power in view:
Then there's pleasure to tempt her too.
• Such a fure attack there's no defying,
• No denying;
Since complying

'Gives her another's due.

-I can't indeed (if you mean that) pofitively affirm, that he hath yet had her.

Art. Then it may be ftill only fufpicion.'

Theaf. I have trufted too my daughter Deidamia with my weakness; that the, by her intimacies and friendAhip with Pyrrha, may get into her fecrets. In short, I have placed her as my fpy about her.That girl

6

(out of good-nature, and to prevent family-difputes) • may deceive me.' She infifts upon it, that I have nothing to fear from Pyrrha; and is fo pofitive in this opinion, that the offers to be answerable for her conduct. Art. Why then, Madam, will you still believe your own jealoufies?

Theaf. All I fay is, that Deidamia may deceive me ; for whatever is in the affair, 'tis impoffible but she must know it; I have it ordered it fo, that he is fcarce eyer from her; they have one and the fame bed-chamber; yet fuch is my distemper, that' I fufpect every body, and can only believe my own imaginations.There must be fome reafon that Deidamia hath not been with me this morning. I am impatient to see her.

6

In the performance, the nineteenth Air is fung here, and this fpeech and fong of Theafpe are transposed to this mark.

AIR

AIR XIX. John Anderfon my Jo.

· Art. Let jealoufy no longer

A fruitlefs fearch purfue;

You make his flame the stronger,

And wake refentment too.
This felf-tormenting care give o'er;
For all you can obtain

Is, what was only doubt before,
To change for real pain.

END of the FIRST ACT.

6 ACT II.

Enter Diphilus and Achilles.

ACHILLES.

'I Am very fenfible, my Lord, of the particular ho

nours that are fhewn me.

Diph. Honours, Madam! Lycomedes is ftill more particular. How happy must that woman be whom he refpects.

Ach. What do you mean, my Lord?

Diph. Let this fpeak both for him and me: the present is worthy him to give, and you to receive. Ach. I have too many obligations already.

Diph. 'Tis in your power, Madam, to return 'em all.

Ach. Thus I return 'em. And, if you dare be ⚫ honest, tell him this ring had been a more honourable ⚫ present to Theafpe.

Diph. 'Tis but an earnest, Madam, of future favours. -When Lycomede's power is yours, I intreat your highnefs not to forget your fervant.

Ach. I fhall remember thee with contempt and ab• horrence.

6

Diph. I beg you, Madam, to confider your prefent fituation. This uncommon diftinction requires a fofter • anfwer.

Ach. I fhall give no other, my Lord.-I dare fay, Diphilus, you think yourself highly honoured by your prefent negotiation.-Is there no office too mean for ambition? Was you not a man of quality, was you not a favourite, the world, my Lord, would call you a pimp, a pandar, a bawd, for this very honourable propofal of yours.

*Diph. What an unmerciful weapon is a woman's tongue!-I beg your highnefs to confine yourself within the bounds of common civility, and to consider who

I am.

Ach. I do confider it, Diphilus, and that makes thee a thousand times the more contemptible.

'AIR XXI. Buttered Peafe.

Shou'd the beast of the noblest race

Act the brute of the lowest class;
• Tell me, which do you think more bafe,

'Or the lion or the afs?

Boaft not then of thy rank or state;

That but fhews thee the meaner flave,
Take thy due then of fcorn and hate,

As thou'rt but the greater knave.

Diph. Though the fex have the privilege of unlimited expreffion, and that a woman's words are not to

• be

be refented; yet a lady, Madam, may be ill-bred. Ladies too are generally paffionate enough without a provocation, fo that a reply at prefent would be unneceffary.

Ach. Are fuch the friends of power?-How unhappy are princes to have their paffions fo very readily put in execution, that they feldom know the benefit of reflection! Go, and for once make your report faithfully and without flattery. [Exit.

Diph. The girl is fo exceffively ill-bred, and fuch an arrant termagant, that I cou'd as foon fall in love with a tigrefs. She hath a handfome face, 'tis true, but in her temper the is a very fury.-But Lycomedes likes her; and 'tis not for me to difpute either his tafte or pleasure.---Notwithstanding the is fuch a fpitfire, 'tis my opinion the thing may still do things of this nature should be always tranfacted in perfon, for there are women fo ridiculously half-modeft, that they are afhamed in words to confent to what, (when a man comes to the point) they will make no difficulties to comply with.'

Enter Lycomedes.

Lycom. Well, Diphilus, in what manner did fhe receive my prefent?

Diph. Tis my opinion, Sir, that the will accept it only from your hands. From me the abfolutely refufes

it.

• AIR XXII. Come open the Door, Sweet Betty.

Lycom. What, must I remain in anguish?
And did not her eyes confent?
No figh, not a bluf, nor languish
That promis'd a kind event!
It must be all affectation,

The tongue hath her heart bely'd;
‹ That oft hath withstood temptation,
When ev'ry thing elfe comply'd.

Lycom. How did the receive you? Did you watch her eyes? What was her behaviour when you first told her I loved her?"

Diph. She feemed to be defparately-difappointed, had not told her fo yourself.'

that you

3

Lycom.

Lycom. But when you preffed it to her

Diph. She had all the refentment and fury of the most complying prude.

Lycom. But did not she foften upon confideration? Diph. She feemed to take it mortally ill of me, that my meddling in the affair had delayed your ma jefty's application.'

Lycom. What no favourable circumftance!

Diph. Nay, I was not in the leaft furprised at her be. haviour. Love at fecond-hand to a lady of her warm conftitution! It was a difappointment, Sir; and flie could not but treat it accordingly. Whatever was my opinion, 'twas my duty, sir, to obey you, but I found just the reception I expected. Apply to her yourself, • Sir; anfwer her wishes, and (if I know any thing of • woman) fhe will then answer yours, and behave herself as fhe ought.

6

Lycom. But, dear Diphilus, I grow more and more impatient.

6

Diph. That too by this time is her cafe.--To fave. the appearances of virtue, the most eafy woman expects a little gentle compulfion, and to be allowed the decency of a little feeble refiftance. For the quiet of ⚫ her own confcience a woman may infift upon acting the part of modefty, and you must comply with her fcruples.---You will have no more trouble but what will heighten the pleasure.'

Lycom. Pyrrha!This is beyond my hopes. Diphilus, lay your hand upon my breaft. Feel how 'heart flutters.

my

Diph. Did Pyrrha feel these affurances of love fhe • would not appear fo thoughtful.

Lycom.' Deidamia too not with her!

less fond of

Diph. She is with the queen, Sir. Lycom. My other daughters, who feem her, are in the garden;' fo all's fafe. Diphilus, and let none, upon pain of my displeasure, prefume to intrude.

Enter Achilles.

-Leave me,

[Exit Diph.

Lycom. Lady Pyrrha, my dear child, why fo thoughtful?

Ach. Thoughts may not be so respectful; they may

C

Le