.
No more, Monimia, of your sex's arts:
They're useless all--I'm not that pliant tool;
I know my charter better----I am man,
Obstinate man, and will not be enslav'd!

_Mon._ You shall not fear't; indeed, my nature's easy:
I'll ever live your most obedient wife!
Nor ever any privilege pretend
Beyond your will; for that shall be my law;--
Indeed, I will not.

_Cas._ Nay, you shall not, madam;
By yon bright heaven, you shall not: all the day
I'll play the tyrant, and at night forsake thee;
Nay, if I've any too, thou shalt be made
Subservient to my looser pleasures;
For thou hast wrong'd Castalio.

_Mon._ Oh, kill me here, or tell me my offence!
I'll never quit you else; but, on these knees,
Thus follow you all day, till they're worn bare,
And hang upon you like a drowning creature.
Castalio!----

_Cas._ Away!----Last night! last night!----

_Mon._ It was our wedding night.

_Cas._ No more!--Forget it!

_Mon._ Why! do you then repent?

_Cas._ I do.

_Mon._ O heaven!
And will you leave me thus?--Help! help! Florella!

[_Castalio drags her to the door, breaks from her, and exit._

Help me to hold this yet lov'd, cruel man!
Castalio!--Oh! how often has he sworn,
Nature should change--the sun and stars grow dark,
Ere he would falsify his vows to me!
Make haste, confusion, then! Sun, lose thy light!
And, stars, drop dead with sorrow to the earth,
For my Castalio's false!
False as the wind, the waters, or the weather!
Cruel as tigers o'er their trembling prey!
I feel him in my breast; he tears my heart,
And at each sigh he drinks the gushing blood!
Must I be long in pain?

_Enter Chamont._

_Cham._ In tears, Monimia!

_Mon._ Whoe'er thou art,
Leave me alone to my belov'd despair!

_Cham._ Lift up thy eyes, and see who comes to cheer thee!
Tell me the story of thy wrongs, and then
See if my soul has rest, till thou hast justice.

_Mon._ My brother!

_Cham._ Yes, Monimia, if thou think'st
That I deserve the name, I am thy brother.

_Mon._ O Castalio!

_Cham._ Ha!
Name me that name again! my soul's on fire
Till I know all!--There's meaning in that name:--
I know he is thy husband; therefore, trust me
With the following truth.

_Mon._ Indeed, Chamont,
There's nothing in it but the fault of nature:
I'm often thus seiz'd suddenly with grief,
I know not why.

_Cham._ You use me ill, Monimia;
And I might think, with justice, most severely
Of this unfaithful dealing with your brother.

_Mon