_Ern._ Castalio!--My lord, why in this posture, Stretch'd on the ground? your honest, true, old servant, Your poor Ernesto, cannot see you thus. Rise, I beseech you.
_Ern._ I can't leave you, And not the reason know of your disorders. Remember how, when young, I in my arms Have often borne you, pleas'd you in your pleasures, And sought an early share in your affection. Do not discard me now, but let me serve you.
_Cas._ Because my thoughts Are full of woman; thou, poor wretch, art past them.
_Cas._ Then I'm thy friend, Ernesto! [_rises._ I'd leave the world for him that hates a woman! Woman, the fountain of all human frailty! What mighty ills have not been done by woman? Who was't betray'd the capitol?--a woman! Who lost Mark Antony the world?--a woman! Who was the cause of a long ten years' war, And laid at last old Troy in ashes?--Woman! Destructive, damnable, deceitful woman! Woman, to man first as a blessing given; When innocence and love were in their prime. Happy awhile in Paradise they lay; But quickly woman long'd to go astray: Some foolish new adventure needs must prove, And the first devil she saw, she chang'd her love: To his temptations lewdly she inclin'd Her soul, and for an apple damn'd mankind. [_exeunt._
_Cas._ Wish'd morning's come! And now upon the plains, And distant mountains, where they feed their flocks, The happy shepherds leave their homely huts, And with their pipes proclaim the new-born day. There's no condition sure so curs'd as mine---- Monimia! O Monimia!
_Mon._ I come! I fly to my ador'd Castalio's arms, My wishes' lord. May every morn begin Like this; and, with our days, our loves renew!
_Mon._ Art thou not well, Castalio? Come, lean Upon my breast, and tell me where's thy pain.
_Cas._ 'Tis here--'tis in my head--'tis in my heart-- 'Tis every where: it rages like a madness, And I most wonder how my reason holds. No more, Monimia, of your sex's arts: They're useless all--I'm not that pliant tool; I know my charter better----I am man, Obstinate man, and will not be enslav'd!
_Mon._ You shall not fear't; indeed, my nature's easy: I'll ever live your most obedient wife! Nor ever any privilege pretend Beyond your will; for that shall be my law;-- Indeed, I will not.
