L. Ful.  Imagination all!

Gay.  But for the amorous Devil, the old Proserpine.—­

L. Ful.  Ay, she—­what said she?—­

Gay.  Not a word:  Heaven be prais’d, she was a silent Devil—­but she was laid in a Pavilion, all form’d of gilded Clouds, which hung by Geometry, whither I was conveyed, after much Ceremony, and laid in Bed with her; where with much ado, and trembling with my Fears—­I forc’d my Arms about her.

L. Ful.  And sure that undeceiv’d him. [Aside.

Gay.  But such a Carcase ’twas—­deliver me—­so rivell’d, lean and rough—­a Canvas Bag of wooden Ladles were a better Bed-fellow.

L. Ful.  Now though I know that nothing is more distant than I from such a Monster—­yet this angers me.  Death! cou’d you love me and submit to this?

Gay.  ’Twas that first drew me in—­
The tempting Hope of Means to conquer you,
Wou’d put me upon any dangerous Enterprize: 
Were I the Lord of all the Universe,
I am so lost in Love,
For one dear Night to clasp you in my Arms,
I’d lavish all that World—­then die with Joy.

L. Ful.  ’Slife, after all to seem deform’d, old, ugly—­
                                         [Walking in a fret.

Gay.  I knew you would be angry when you heard it.
                     [He pursues her in a submissive posture.

Enter Sir Cautious, Bearjest, Noisey and Bredwel.

Sir Cau.  How, what’s here?—­my Lady with the Spark that courted her last Night?—­hum—­with her again so soon?—­Well, this Impudence and Importunity undoes more City-Wives than all their unmerciful Finery.

Gay.  But, Madam—­

L. Ful.  Oh, here’s my Husband—­you’d best tell him your Story—­what makes him here so soon?—­ [Angry.

Sir Cau.  Me his Story!  I hope he will not tell me he’as a mind to cuckold me.

Gay.  A Devil on him, what shall I say to him?

L. Ful.  What, so excellent at Intrigues, and so dull at an Excuse?
          
                                                    [Aside.

Gay.  Yes, Madam, I shall tell him—­

Enter Bellmour.

L. Ful.—­Is my Lady at leisure for a Visit, Sir?

Bel.  Always to receive your Ladyship.

[She goes out.

Sir Cau.  With me, Sir, wou’d you speak?

Gay.  With you, Sir, if your name be Fulbank.

Sir Cau.  Plain Fulbank! methinks you might have had a Sirreverence,
under your Girdle, Sir; I am honoured with another Title, Sir—­
                                       [Goes talking to the rest.

Gay.  With many, Sir, that very well become you—­
                                  [Pulls him a little aside. 
I’ve something to deliver to your Ear.