_Mask._ Sir, 'tis the easiest thing in nature; you need but speak doubtfully, or keep yourself in general terms, and, for the most part, tell good rather than bad fortune.
_Wild._ And if at any time thou venturest at particulars, have an evasion ready like Lilly; as thus,--It will infallibly happen, if our sins hinder not.--I would undertake, with one of his almanacks, to give very good content to all Christendom, and what good luck fell not out in one kingdom, should in another.
_Mask._ The pleasure on't will be to see how all his customers will contribute to their own deceiving; and verily believe he told them that, which they told him.
_Bel._ Umph! now I begin to taste it; I am like the drunken tinker in the play, a great prince, and never knew it.
_Wild._ A great prince! a great Turk; we shall have thee, within these two days, do grace to the ladies, by throwing out a handkerchief; 'life, I could feast upon thy fragments.
_Bel._ If the women come, you shall be sure to help me to undergo the burden; for, though you make me an astronomer, I am no Atlas, to bear all upon my back. But who are these?
_Enter Musicians, with disguises; and some in their hands._
_Wild._ You know the men, if their masking habits were off; they are the music of our ambassador's retinue. My project is to give our mistress a serenade, this being the last evening of the carnival; and, to prevent discovery, here are disguises for us too.
_Bel._ 'Tis very well; come, Maskall, help on with them, while they tune their instruments.
_Wild._ Strike up, gentlemen; we'll entertain them with a song _a l'Angloise_; pray, be ready with your chorus.
_After the pangs of a desperate lover, When day and night I have sighed all in vain; Ah, what a pleasure it is to discover In her eyes pity, who causes my pain!
When, with unkindness, our love at a stand is, And both have punished ourselves with the pain; Ah, what a pleasure the touch of her hand is! Ah, what a pleasure to press it again!
When the denial comes fainter and fainter, And her eyes give what her tongue does deny; Ah, what a trembling I feel, when I venture! Ah, what a trembling does usher my joy!
When, with a sigh, she accords me the blessing, And her eyes twinkle 'twixt pleasure and pain; Ah, what a joy 'tis, beyond all expressing! Ah, what a joy to hear--shall we again!_