Flo.  But after that, when we begin to live like husband and wife, and never come near one another—­what then, sir?

Cel.  Why, then, our only happiness must be to have one mind, and one will, Florimel.

Flo.  One mind, if thou wilt, but pr’ythee let us have two wills; for I find one will be little enough for me alone.  But how, if those wills should meet and clash, Celadon?

Cel.  I warrant thee for that; husbands and wives keep their wills far enough asunder for ever meeting.  One thing let us be sure to agree on, that is, never to be jealous.

Flo.  No; but e’en love one another as long as we can; and confess the truth when we can love no longer.

Cel.  When I have been at play, you shall never ask me what money I have lost.

Flo.  When I have been abroad, you shall never enquire who treated me.

Cel. Item, I will have the liberty to sleep all night, without your interrupting my repose for any evil design whatsoever.

Flo. Item, Then you shall bid me goodnight before you sleep.

Cel.  Provided always, that whatever liberties we take with other people, we continue very honest to one another.

Flo.  As far as will consist with a pleasant life.

Cel.  Lastly, whereas the names of husband and wife hold forth nothing, but clashing and cloying, and dulness and faintness, in their signification; they shall be abolished for ever betwixt us.

Flo.  And instead of those, we will be married by the more agreeable names of mistress and gallant.

Cel.  None of my privileges to be infringed by thee, Florimel, under the penalty of a month of fasting nights.

Flo.  None of my privileges to be infringed by thee, Celadon, under the penalty of cuckoldom.

Cel.  Well, if it be my fortune to be made a cuckold, I had rather thou should’st make me one, than any one in Sicily; and, for my comfort, I shall have thee oftener than any of thy servants.

Flo.  Look ye now, is not such a marriage as good as wenching, Celadon?

Cel.  This is very good; but not so good, Florimel.

Queen.  Now set we forward to the assembly.—­You promise, cousin, your consent?

Lys.  But most unwillingly.

Queen.  Philocles, I must beg your voice too.

Phil.  Most joyfully I give it.

Lys.  Madam, but one word more;—­
Since you are so resolved,
That you may see, bold as my passion was,
’Twas only for your person, not your crown;
I swear no second love
Shall violate the flame I had for you,
But, in strict imitation of your oath,
I vow a single life.

Queen.  Now, my Asteria, my joys are full; [To ASTERIA. 
The powers above, that see
The innocent love I bear to Philocles,
Have given its due reward; for by this means
The right of Lysimantes will devolve
Upon Candiope:  and I shall have
This great content, to think, when I am dead,
My crown may fall on Philocles’s head. [Exeunt.