r what fine things you could
say for yourself.

_Pala._ You would be very angry, to my knowledge, if I should lose so
much time to say many of them.--By this hand you would!

_Dor._ Fye, Palamede, I am a woman of honour.

_Pala._ I see you are; you have kept touch with your assignation: And
before we part, you shall find that I am a man of honour. Yet I have
one scruple of conscience--

_Dor._ I warrant you will not want some naughty argument, or other, to
satisfy yourself.--I hope you are afraid of betraying your friend?

_Pala._ Of betraying my friend! I am more afraid of being betrayed by
you to my friend. You women now are got into the way of telling first
yourselves: A man, who has any care of his reputation, will be loth to
trust it with you.

_Dor._ O, you charge your faults upon our sex! You men are like cocks;
you never make love, but you clap your wings, and crow when you have
done.

_Pala._ Nay, rather you women are like hens; you never lay, but you
cackle an hour after, to discover your nest.--But I'll venture it for
once.

_Dor._ To convince you that you are in the wrong, I'll retire into the
dark grotto, to my devotion, and make so little noise, that it shall
be impossible for you to find me.

_Pala._ But if I find you--

_Dor._ Ay, if you find me--But I'll put you to search in more corners
than you imagine. [_She runs in, and he after her._

_Enter_ RHODOPHIL _and_ MELANTHA.

_Mel._ Let me die, but this solitude, and that grotto are scandalous;
I'll go no further; besides, you have a sweet lady of your own.

_Rho._ But a sweet mistress, now and then, makes my sweet lady so much
more sweet.

_Mel._ I hope you will not force me?

_Rho._ But I will, if you desire it.

_Pala._ [_Within._] Where the devil are you, madam? 'Sdeath, I begin
to be weary of this hide and seek: If you stay a little longer, till
the fit's over, I'll hide in my turn, and put you to the finding me.
[_He enters, and sees_ RHODOPHIL _and_ MELANTHA.] How! Rhodophil and
my mistress!

_Mel._ My servant, to apprehend me! this is _surprenant au dernier_.

_Rho._ I must on; there's nothing but impudence can help me out.

_Pala._ Rhodophil, how came you hither in so good company?

_Rho._ As you see, Palamede; an effect of pure friendship; I was not
able to live without you.

_Pala._ But what makes my mistress with you?

_Rho._ Why, I heard you were here alone, and could not in civility but
brin