can find out another. 'Tis a pretty time we women have on't, to
be made widows while we are married. Our husbands think it reasonable
to complain, that we are the same, and the same to them, when we have
more reason to complain, that they are not the same to us. Because
they cannot feed on one dish, therefore we must be starved. 'Tis
enough that they have a sufficient ordinary provided, and a table
ready spread for them: If they cannot fall too, and eat heartily, the
fault is theirs; and 'tis pity, methinks, that the good creature
should be lost, when many a poor sinner would be glad on't.

_Enter_ MELANTHA _and_ ARTEMIS _to her._

_Mel._ Dear, my dear, pity me, I am so _chagrin_ to day, and have had
the most signal affront at court! I went this afternoon to do my
devoir to princess Amalthea, found her, conversed with her, and helped
to make her court some half an hour; after which, she went to take the
air, chose out two ladies to go with her, that came in after me, and
left me most barbarously behind her.

_Arte._ You are the less to be pitied, Melantha, because you subject
yourself to these affronts, by coming perpetually to court, where you
have no business nor employment.

_Mel._ I declare, I had rather of the two be rallied nay, _mal
traitee_ at court, than be deified in the town; for, assuredly,
nothing can be so _ridicule_ as a mere town lady.

_Dor._ Especially at court. How I have seen them crowd and sweat in
the drawing-room on a holiday-night! For that's their time to swarm
and invade the presence. O, how they catch at a bow, or any little
salute from a courtier, to make show of their acquaintance! and,
rather than be thought to be quite unknown, they court'sy to one
another; but they take true pains to come near the circle, and press
and peep upon the princess, to write letters into the country how she
was dressed, while the ladies, that stand about, make their court to
her with abusing them.

_Arte._ These are sad truths, Melantha; and therefore I would e'en
advise you to quit the court, and live either wholly in the town, or,
if you like not that, in the country.

_Dor._ In the country! nay, that's to fall beneath the town, for they
live upon our offals here. Their entertainment of wit is only the
remembrance of what they had when they were last in town;--they live
this year upon the last year's knowledge, as their cattle do all
night, by chewing the cud of what they eat in the afternoon.

_M