Pa. A good Night, say you, I wish you would give me what you wish me.

Ma. Soft and fair, you are a little too hasty.

Pa. Must I not carry nothing of you along with me?

Ma. This sweet Ball; it will cheer your Heart.

Pa. But give me a Kiss too.

Ma. No, I have a Mind to keep my Maidenhead for you entire and untouch’d.

Pa. Will a Kiss take any Thing from your Virginity?

Ma. Will you give me leave to kiss other Folks?

Pa. No, by no Means, I’d have my Kisses kept for myself.

Ma. Well, I’ll keep ’em for you:  But there is another Reason why I dare not give you a Kiss, as Things are at present.

Pa. What is that?

Ma. You say your Soul is gone out of your Body into mine, so that there is but very little left.  I am afraid that in Kissing, the little that is left in you, should jump out of you into me, and so you should be quite dead.  Shake Hands as a Pledge of my Love, and so farewell.  Do you see that you manage the Matter vigorously, and I’ll pray to God in the mean Time, that whatsoever be done, may be for both our good.

The VIRGIN AVERSE TO MATRIMONY.

The ARGUMENT.

A Virgin averse to Matrimony, will needs be a Nun.  She is dissuaded from it, and persuaded to moderate her Inclination in that Matter, and to do nothing against her Parents Consent, but rather to marry.  That Virginity may be maintain’d in a conjugal Life.  The Monks Way of living in Celibacy is rally’d.  Children, why so call’d.  He abhors those Plagiaries who entice young Men and Maids into Monasteries, as though Salvation was to be had no other Way; whence it comes to pass, that many great Wits are as it were buried alive.

EUBULUS, CATHERINE.

Eub. I am glad with all my Heart, that Supper is over at last, that we may have an Opportunity to take a Walk, which is the greatest Diversion in the World.

Ca. And I was quite tir’d of sitting so long at Table.

Eu. How green and charming does every Thing in the World look! surely this is its Youth.

Ca. Ay, so it is.

Eu. But why is it not Spring with you too?

Ca. What do you mean?

Eu. Because you look a little dull.

Ca. Why, don’t I look as I use to do?

Eu. Shall I show you how you look?

Ca. With all my Heart.

Eu. Do you see this Rose, how it contracts itself, now towards Night?

Ca. Yes, I do see it:  And what then?

Eu. Why, just so you look.

Ca. A very fine Comparison.

Eu. If you won’t believe me, see your own Face in this Fountain here.  What was the Meaning you sat sighing at Supper so?