Queen.  Cousin, no more; my resolution’s past Which fate shall never alter.

Phil.  Then I am once more happy;
For, since none must possess her, I am pleased
With my own choice, and will desire no more: 
For multiplying wishes is a curse. 
That keeps the mind still painfully awake.

Queen.  Celadon. 
Your care and loyalty have this day obliged me;
But how to be acknowledging, I know not,
Unless you give the means.

Cel.  I was in hope your majesty had forgot me; therefore, if you please, madam, I’ll only beg a pardon for having taken up arms once to-day against you; for I have a foolish kind of conscience, which I wish many of your subjects had, that will not let me ask a recompence for my loyalty, when I know I have been a rebel.

Queen.  Your modesty shall not serve the turn; ask something.

Cel.  Then I beg, madam, you will command Florimel never to be friends with me.

Flo.  Ask again; I grant that without the queen:  But why are you afraid on’t?

Cel.  Because I am sure, as soon as ever you are, you’ll marry me.

Flo.  Do you fear it?

Cel.  No, ’twill come with a fear.

Flo.  If you do, I will not stick with you for an oath.

Cel.  I require no oath till we come to church:  and then after the priest, I hope; for I find it will be my destiny to marry thee.

Flo.  If ever I say a word after the black gentleman for thee, Celadon—­

Cel.  Then, I hope, you’ll give me leave to bestow a faithful heart elsewhere.

Flo.  Ay, but if you would have one, you must bespeak it, for I am sure you have none ready made.

Cel.  What say you, shall I marry Flavia?

Flo.  No, she’ll be too cunning for you.

Cel.  What say you to Olinda, then? she’s tall, and fair, and bonny.

Flo.  And foolish, and apish, and fickle.

Cel.  But Sabina there’s pretty, and young, and loving, and innocent.

Flo.  And dwarfish, and childish, and fond, and flippant:  If you marry her sister, you will get may-poles; and if you marry her, you will get fairies to dance about them.

Cel.  Nay, then, the case is clear, Florimel; if you take ’em all from me, ’tis because you reserve me for yourself.

Flo.  But this marriage is such a bugbear to me! much might be if we could invent but any way to make it easy.

Cel.  Some foolish people have made it uneasy, by drawing the knot faster than they need; but we that are wiser will loosen it a little.

Flo.  ’Tis true, indeed, there’s some difference betwixt a girdle and a halter.

Cel.  As for the first year, according to the laudable custom of new-married people, we shall follow one another up into chambers, and down into gardens, and think we shall never have enough of one another.  So far ’tis pleasant enough, I hope.