Ast.  But you cannot marry both?

Cel.  No, nor either of them, I trust in Heaven:  but I can keep them company; I can sing and dance with them, and treat them; and that, I take it, is somewhat better than musty marrying them.  Marriage is poor folks’ pleasure, that cannot go to the cost of variety; but I am out of danger of that with these two, for I love them so equally, I can never make choice between them.  Had I but one mistress, I might go to her to be merry, and she, perhaps, be out of humour; there were a visit lost:  But here, if one of them frown upon me, the other will be the more obliging, on purpose to recommend her own gaiety; besides a thousand things that I could name.

Ast.  And none of them to any purpose.

Cel.  Well, if you will not be cruel to a poor lover, you might oblige me, by carrying me to their lodgings.

Ast.  You know I am always busy about the queen.

Cel.  But once or twice only; ’till I am a little flushed in my acquaintance with other ladies, and have learned to prey for myself.  I promise you I’ll make all the haste I can to end the trouble, by being in love somewhere else.

Ast.  You would think it hard to be denied now?

Cel.  And reason good.  Many a man hangs himself for the loss of one mistress:  How do you think, then, I should bear the loss of two; especially in a court, where, I think, beauty is but thin sown?

Ast.  There’s one Florimel, the queen’s ward, a new beauty, as wild as you, and a vast fortune.

Cel.  I am for her before the world.  Bring me to her, and I’ll release you of your promise for the other two.

Enter a Page.

Page.  Madam, the queen expects you.

Cel.  I see you hold her favour; adieu, sister:—­you have a little emissary there, otherwise I would offer you my service.

Ast.  Farewell, brother; think upon Florimel.

Cel.  You may trust my memory for a handsome woman:  I’ll think upon her, and the rest too; I’ll forget none of them. [Exit ASTERIA.

SCENE II.

Enter a Gentleman walking over the stage hastily; After him FLORIMEL and FLAVIA masked.

Fla.  Phormio!  Phormio! you will not leave us?

Gent.  In faith, I have a little business.

[Exit Gent.

Cel.  Cannot I serve you in the gentleman’s room, ladies?

Fla.  Which of us would you serve?

Cel.  Either of you, or both of you.

Fla.  Why, could you not be constant to one?

Cel.  Constant to one!—­I have been a courtier, a soldier, and a traveller, to good purpose, if I must be constant to one:  Give me some twenty, some forty, some a hundred mistresses!  I have more love than any woman can turn her to.