The judge, before whom you then stood accused, I should acquit you.

Cleo. Will you then confirm

That love and jealousy, though of different natures, Mast of necessity be twins; the younger Created only to defeat the elder,

And spoil him of his birthright ? 'tis not well.
But being to part, I will not chide, I will not;
Nor with one syllable or tear, express

How deeply I am wounded with the arrows
Of your distrust: but when that you shall hear,
At your return, how I have born myself,
And what an austere penance I take on me,
To satisfy your doubts; when, like a Vestal,
I shew you, to your shame, the fire still burning,
Committed to my charge by true affection,
The people joining with you in the wonder ;
When, by the glorious splendour of my sufferings,
The prying eyes of jealousy are struck blind,
The monster too that feeds on fears, e'en starv'd
For want of seeming matter to accuse me;
Expect, Leosthenes, a sharp reproof
From my just anger.

Leost. What will you do?

Cleo. Obey me,

Or from this minute you are a stranger to me;
And do't without reply. All-seeing sun,
Thou witness of my innocence, thus I close
Mine eyes against thy comfortable light,
'Till the return of this distrustful man!
Now bind them sure;-nay, do't: [He binds her
eyes with her scarf.] If, uncompell'd,
I loose this knot, until the hands that made it

And spoil him of his birthright ?] This is a happy allusion to the history of Jacob and Esau.. It is the more so, for being void of all profaneness; to which, indeed, Massinger had no tendency.

Be pleased to untie it, may consuming plagues
Fall heavy on me! pray you guide me to your lips.
This kiss, when you come back, shall be a virgin
To bid you welcome; nay, I have not done yet:

,
I will continue dumb, and, you once gone,
No accent shall come from me.

Now to my
chamber,
My tomb, if you miscarry : there I'll spend
My hours in silent mourning, and thus much
Shall be reported of me to my glory,
And you confess it, whether I live or die,
My chastity triumphs o'er your jealousy. (Exeunt.

SCENE II.

The same.

A Room in Cleon's House.

Enter Asorus, driving in GRACCUĻO. Asot. You slave! you dog! down, cur.

Grac. Hold, good young master, For pity's sake!

Asot. Now am I in my kingdom :-
Who says I am not valiant? I begin
To frown again : quake, villain !

Grac. So I do, sir;
Your looks are agues to me.

Asot. Are they so, sir !
Slight, if I had them at this bay that flout me,
And say I look like a sheep and an ass, I'd make

them
Feel that I am a lion.
Grac. Do not roar, sir,
you are a valiant beast: but do

you

know Why you use me thus ? Asot. I'll beat thee a little more

As

Then study for a reason.

O! I have it:

One brake a jest on me, and then I swore, (Because I durst not strike him,) when I came home,

That I would break thy head.

Grac. Plague on his mirth!" I am sure I mourn for't.

Asot. Remember too, I charge you,

To teach my horse good manners yet; this

morning,

As I rode to take the air, the untutor❜d jade

Threw me, and kick'd me.

Grac. I thank him for't.

Asot. What's that?

[Aside.

Grac. I say, sir, I will teach him to hold his

heels,

If you will rule your fingers.

Asot. I'll think upon't.

Grac. I am bruised to jelly: better be a dog, Than slave to a fool or coward.

Asot. Here's my mother,

Enter CORISCA and ZANTHIA.

[Aside.

She is chastising too: how brave we live,
That have our slaves to beat, to keep us in breath.

When we want exercise!

Coris. Careless harlotry,

[Striking her.

Look to't; if a curl fall, or wind or sun

Take my complexion off, I will not leave
One hair upon thine head.

5 Grac. Plague on his mirth.] This is marked as a side speech by the modern editors; it is spoken, however, to Asotus: and alludes to what he calls a jest in the preceding line. It is worth observing that the editor of the second quarto frequently varies the exclamations of the first, and always for the worse: thus Plague! is uniformly turned into P-x! Coxeter and Mr. M. Mason follow him.

Grac. Here's a second show Of the family of pride !

[Aside. Coris. Fie on these wars ! I'm starv'd for want of action; not a gamęster left To keep a woman play. If this world last A little longer with us, ladies must study Some new-found mystery to cool one another, We shall burn to cinders else. I have heard there

have been Such arts in a long vacation; would they were Reveald to me! they have made my doctor, too, Physician to the army : he was used To serve the turn at a pinch; but I am now Quite unprovided.

Asot. My mother-in-law is, sure, At her devotion.

Coris. There are none but our slaves left, Nor are they to be trusted. Some great women, Which I could name, in a dearth of visitants, Rather than be idle, have been glad to play At small game; but I am so queasy-stomach'd, And from my youth have been so used to dainties, I cannot taste such gross meat. Some that are

hungry
Draw on their shoemakers, and take a fall
From such as mend mats in their galleries;
Or when a tailor settles a petticoat on,
Take measure of his bodkin; fie upon't!
'Tis base; for my part, I could rather lie with
A gallant's breeches, and conceive upon them,
Than stoop so low.

Asot. Fair madam, and my mother.
Coris. Leave the last out, it smells rank of the

country, And shews coarse breeding ; your true courtier

knows not His niece, or sister, from another woman,

If she be apt and cunning.-I could tempt now
This fool, but he will be so long a working !
Then he's my husband's son :-the fitter to
Supply his wants; I have the way already,
I'll try if it will take.-When were you with
Your mistress, fair Cleora ?

Asot. Two days sithence;
But she's so coy, forsooth, that ere I can
Speak a penn'd speech I have bought and studied

for her, Her woman calls her away.

Coris. Here's a dull thing! But better taught, I hope. -Send off your man,

Asot. Sirrah, begone.

Grac. This is the first good turn She ever did me.

[Aside, and exit. Coris. We'll have a scene of mirth; I must not have you shamed for want of practice. I stand here for Čleora, and, do you hear, minion, That you may tell her what her woman should do, Repeat the lesson over that I taught you, When my young lord came to visit me: if

you miss In a syllable or posture

Zant. I am perfect.
Asot. Would I were so! I fear I shall be out.
Coris. If you are, I'll help you in. Thus I walk

musing :
You are to enter, and, as you pass by,
Salute my woman;-be but bold enough,
You'll speed, I warrant you. Begin.

Asot. Have at it-
Save thee, sweet heart! a kiss.

Zant. Venus forbid, sir,
I should presume to taste your honour's lips
Before my lady.

Coris. This is well on both parts,