an, and found her foul, I should discover, to my cost, she had been
shot in.

_Dor._ But if you left her clean, and found her only rusty, you would
discover, to your shame, she was only so for want of shooting.

_Pala._ Rhodophil, you know me too well to imagine I speak for fear;
and therefore, in consideration of our past friendship, I will tell
you, and bind it by all things holy, that Doralice is innocent.

_Rho._ Friend, I will believe you, and vow the same for your Melantha;
but the devil on't is, how shall we keep them so?

_Pala._ What dost think of a blessed community betwixt us four, for
the solace of the women, and relief of the men? Methinks it would be a
pleasant kind of life: Wife and husband for the standing dish, and
mistress and gallant for the desert.

_Rho._ But suppose the wife and mistress should both long for the
standing dish, how should they be satisfied together?

_Pala._ In such a case they must draw lots; and yet that would not do
neither, for they would both be wishing for the longest cut.

_Rho._ Then I think, Palamede, we had as good make a firm league, not
to invade each other's propriety.

_Pala._ Content, say I. From henceforth let all acts of hostility
cease betwixt us; and that, in the usual form of treaties, as well by
sea as land, and in all fresh waters.

_Dor._ I will add but one _proviso_, that whoever breaks the league,
either by war abroad, or neglect at home, both the women shall revenge
themselves by the help of the other party.

_Rho._ That's but reasonable. Come away, Doralice; I have a great
temptation to be sealing articles in private.

_Pala._ Hast thou so? [_Claps him on the shoulder._

"Fall on, Macduff,
And cursed be he that first cries, Hold, enough."

_Enter_ POLYDAMAS, PALMYRA, ARTEMIS, ARGALEON: _After them_ EUBULUS
_and_ HERMOGENES, guarded.

_Palm._ Sir, on my knees I beg you--

_Poly._ Away, I'll hear no more.

_Palm._ For my dead mother's sake; you say you loved her,
And tell me I resemble her. Thus she
Had begged.

_Poly._ And thus I had denied her.

_Palm._ You must be merciful.

_Arga._ You must be constant.

_Poly._ Go, bear them to the torture; you have boasted
You have a king to head you; I would know
To whom I must resign.

_Eub._ This is our recompence
For serving thy dead queen.

_Herm._ And education
Of thy daughter.

_Arga._ You are too modest, in not naming all
His obligations to you: Why d