t yet I will be brave, I will
resist in spite of Inclinations, Stars, or Devils.

_Will._ Strive not, fair Creature, with the Net that holds you, you'll
but intangle more. Alas! you must submit and be undone.

_La Nu._ Damn your false Art-- had he but lov'd me too, it had excus'd
the Malice of my Stars.

_Will._ Indeed, his Love is doubtful; for here-- I trace him in a new
pursuit-- which if you can this Night prevent, perhaps you fix him.

_La Nu._ Hah, pursuing a new Mistress! there thou hast met the little
Resolution I had left, and dasht it into nothing-- but I have vow'd
Allegiance to my Interest-- Curse on my Stars, they cou'd not give me
Love where that might be advanc'd-- I'll hear no more.
[Gives him Money.

Enter Shift.

_Shift._ Sir, there are several Strangers arriv'd, who talk of the old
Oracle. How will you receive 'em?

_Will._ I've business now, and must be excus'd, a while.-- Thus far--
I'm well; but I may tell my Tale so often o'er, till, like the Trick of
Love, I spoil the pleasure by the repetition.-- Now I'll uncase, and see
what Effects my Art has wrought on _La Nuche_, for she's the promis'd
Good, the Philosophick Treasure that terminates my Toil and Industry.
Wait you here.
[Ex. _Will._

Enter _Ariadne_ in Mens Clothes, with _Lucia_ so drest, and other
Strangers.

_Aria._ How now, Seignior Operator, where's this renowned Man of Arts
and Sciences, this Don of Wonders?-- hah! may a Man have a Pistole's
Worth or two of his Tricks? will he shew, Seignior?

_Shift._ Whatever you dare see, Sir.

_Aria._ And I dare see the greatest Bug-bear he can conjure up,
my Mistress's Face in a Glass excepted.

_Shift._ That he can shew, Sir, but is now busied in weighty Affairs
with a Grandee.

_Aria._ Pox, must we wait the Leisure of formal Grandees and Statesmen--
ha, who's this?-- the lovely Conqueress of my Heart, _La Nuche._
[Goes to her, she is talking with _Aurel._

_La Nu._ What foolish thing art thou?

_Aria._ Nay, do not frown, nor fly; for if you do, I must arrest you,
fair one.

_La Nu._ At whose Suit, pray?

_Aria._ At Love's-- you have stol'n a Heart of mine, and us'd it
scurvily.

_La Nu._ By what marks do you know the Toy, that I may be no longer
troubled with it?

_Aria._ By a fresh Wound, which toucht by her that gave it bleeds anew,
a Heart all over kind and amorous.

_La Nu._ When was this pretty Robbery committed?

_Ana._ To day, most sacr