big, and I could not forbear:
Tears drown'd my eyes, and trembling seiz'd my soul.
What should that mean?

_Cas._ O, thou art tender all!
Gentle and kind as sympathising nature!

_Re-enter Polydore, unobserved._

But wherefore do I dally with my bliss?
The night's far spent, and day draws on apace;
To bed, my love, and wake till I come thither.

_Mon._ 'Twill be impossible:
You know your father's chamber's next to mine,
And the least noise will certainly alarm him.

_Cas._ No more, my blessing.
What shall be the sign?
When shall I come? for to my joys I'll steal,
As if I ne'er had paid my freedom for them.

_Mon._ Just three soft strokes upon the chamber door,
And at that signal you shall gain admittance:
But speak not the least word; for, if you should,
'Tis surely heard, and all will be betray'd.

_Cas._ Oh! doubt it not, Monimia; our joys
Shall be as silent as the ecstatic bliss
Of souls, that by intelligence converse.
Away, my love! first take this kiss. Now, haste:
I long for that to come, yet grudge each minute past.
My brother wand'ring too so late this way! [_exit Mon._

_Pol._ Castalio!

_Cas._ My Polydore, how dost thou?
How does our father? is he well recover'd?

_Pol._ I left him happily repos'd to rest:
He's still as gay as if his life was young.
But how does fair Monimia?

_Cas._ Doubtless, well:
A cruel beauty, with her conquest pleas'd,
Is always joyful, and her mind in health.

_Pol._ Is she the same Monimia still she was?
May we not hope she's made of mortal mould?

_Cas._ She's not woman else:
Though I'm grown weary of this tedious hoping;
We've in a barren desart stray'd too long.

_Pol._ Yet may relief be unexpected found,
And love's sweet manna cover all the field.
Met ye to-day?

_Cas._ No; she has still avoided me;
I wish I'd never meddled with the matter,
And would enjoin thee, Polydore----

_Pol._ To what?

_Cas._ To leave this peevish beauty to herself.

_Pol._ What, quit my love? as soon I'd quit my post
In fight, and like a coward run away.
No, by my stars, I'll chase her till she yields
To me, or meets her rescue in another.

_Cas._ But I have wond'rous reasons on my side,
That would persuade thee, were they known.

_Pol._ Then speak 'em:
What are they? Came ye to her window here
To learn 'em now? Castalio, have a care;
Use honest dealing with a friend and brother.
Believe me, I'm not with my love so blinded,
But can discern your purpose to ab