1 Serv.  Nor I; ’twould save the process of a tedious
passion,
A long law-suit of love, which quite consumes
An honest lover, ere he gets possession: 
I would come plump, and fresh, and all my self,
Served up to my bride’s bed like a fat fowl,
Before the frost of love had nipped me through. 
I look on wives as on good dull companions,
For elder brothers to sleep out their time with;
All, we can hope for in the marriage-bed,
Is but to take our rest; and what care I,
Who lays my pillow for me?

Enter a Poet with verses.

1 Serv.  Now, what’s your business, friend?

Poet.  An epithalamium, to the noble bridegrooms.

1 Serv.  Let me see; what’s here? as I live, [Takes it. 
Nothing but downright bawdry:  Sirrah, rascal,
Is this an age for ribaldry in verse;
When every gentleman in town speaks it
With so much better grace, than thou canst write it? 
I’ll beat thee with a stave of thy own rhymes.

Poet.  Nay, good sir—­[Runs off, and Exit.

2 Serv.  Peace, they are here.

[Enter Don RODORICK, Don MANUEL, JULIA, and Company.

1 Serv.  My lord looks sullenly, and fain would hide it.

2 Serv.  Howe’er he weds Don Manuel’s sister, yet I fear he’s hardly reconciled to him.

Jul.  I tremble at it still.

Rod.  I must confess
Your danger great; but, madam, since ’tis past,
To speak of it were to renew your fears. 
My noble brother, welcome to my breast. 
Some, call my sister; say, Don Manuel,
Her bridegroom, waits.

Man.  Tell her, in both the houses There now remains no enemy but she.

Rod.  In the mean time let’s dance; madam, I hope You’ll grace me with your hand.—­

[Enter LEONORA, woman to ANGELINA; takes the two men aside.

Leon.  O sir, my lady Angelina—­

Rod.  Why comes she not?

Leon.  Is fallen extremely sick.

Both.  How?

Leon.  Nay, trouble not yourselves too much; These fits are usual with her, and not dangerous.

Rod.  O rarely counterfeited. [Aside.

Man.  May not I see her?

Leon.  She does, by me, deny herself that honour. [As she speaks, steals a note into his hand. 
I shall return, I hope, with better news;
In the mean time she prays, you’ll not disturb
The company. [Exit LEONORA.

Rod.  This troubles me exceedingly.

Man.  A note put privately into my hand
By Angelina’s woman?  She’s my creature: 
There’s something in’t; I’ll read it to myself.—­
[Aside.

Rod.  Brother, what paper’s that?

Man.  Some begging verses, Delivered me this morning on my wedding.