t the height of your
ambition to get a player for your mistress.

_Rho._ [_embracing_ MELANTHA.] O dear young bully thou hast tickled
him with a _repartee_, i'faith.

_Mel._ You are one of those that applaud our country plays, where
drums, and trumpets, and blood, and wounds, are wit.

_Rho._ Again, my boy? Let me kiss thee most abundantly.

_Dor._ You are an admirer of the dull French poetry, which is so thin,
that it is the very leaf-gold of wit, the very wafers and whip'd cream
of sense, for which a man opens his mouth, and gapes, to swallow
nothing: And to be an admirer of such profound dulness, one must be
endowed with a great perfection of impudence and ignorance.

_Pala._ Let me embrace thee most vehemently.

_Mel._ I'll sacrifice my life for French poetry. [_Advancing._

_Dor._ I'll die upon the spot for our country wit.

_Rho._ [_to_ MELANTHA.] Hold, hold, young Mars! Palamede, draw back
your hero.

_Pala._ 'Tis time; I shall be drawn in for a second else at the wrong
weapon.

_Mel._ O that I were a man, for thy sake!

_Dor._ You'll be a man as soon as I shall.

_Enter a Messenger to_ RHODOPHIL.

_Mess._ Sir, the king has instant business with you;
I saw the guard drawn up by your lieutenant,
Before the palace-gate, ready to march.

_Rho._ 'Tis somewhat sudden; say that I am coming. [_Exit Messenger._
Now, Palamede, what think you of this sport?
This is some sudden tumult; will you along?

_Pala._ Yes, yes, I will go; but the devil take me if ever I was less
in humour. Why the pox could they not have staid their tumult till
to-morrow? Then I had done my business, and been ready for them. Truth
is, I had a little transitory crime to have committed first; and I am
the worst man in the world at repenting, till a sin be thoroughly
done: But what shall we do with the two boys?

_Rho._ Let them take a lodging in the house, 'till the business be
over.

_Dor._ What, lie with a boy? For my part, I own it, I cannot endure to
lie with a boy.

_Pala._ The more's my sorrow, I cannot accommodate you with a better
bed-fellow.

_Mel._ Let me die, if I enter into a pair of sheets with him that
hates the French.

_Dor._ Pish, take no care for us, but leave us in the streets; I
warrant you, as late as it is, I'll find my lodging as well as any
drunken bully of them all.

_Rho._ I'll light in mere revenge, and wreak my passion,
On all that spoil this hopeful assignation. [_