Dor. O, you charge your faults upon our sex!  You men are like cocks; you never make love, but you clap your wings, and crow when you have done.

Pala. Nay, rather you women are like hens; you never lay, but you cackle an hour after, to discover your nest.—­But I’ll venture it for once.

Dor. To convince you that you are in the wrong, I’ll retire into the dark grotto, to my devotion, and make so little noise, that it shall be impossible for you to find me.

Pala. But if I find you—­

Dor. Ay, if you find me—­But I’ll put you to search in more corners than you imagine. [She runs in, and he after her.

  Enter RHODOPHIL and MELANTHA.

Mel. Let me die, but this solitude, and that grotto are scandalous; I’ll go no further; besides, you have a sweet lady of your own.

Rho. But a sweet mistress, now and then, makes my sweet lady so much more sweet.

Mel. I hope you will not force me?

Rho. But I will, if you desire it.

Pala. [Within.] Where the devil are you, madam?  ’Sdeath, I begin to be weary of this hide and seek:  If you stay a little longer, till the fit’s over, I’ll hide in my turn, and put you to the finding me. [He enters, and sees RHODOPHIL and MELANTHA.] How!  Rhodophil and my mistress!

Mel. My servant, to apprehend me! this is surprenant au dernier.

Rho. I must on; there’s nothing but impudence can help me out.

Pala. Rhodophil, how came you hither in so good company?

Rho. As you see, Palamede; an effect of pure friendship; I was not able to live without you.

Pala. But what makes my mistress with you?

Rho. Why, I heard you were here alone, and could not in civility but bring her to you.

Mel. You’ll pardon the effects of a passion which I may now avow for you, if it transported me beyond the rules of bienseance.

Pala. But, who told you I was here? they, that told you that, may tell you more, for aught I know.

Rho. O, for that matter, we had intelligence.

Pala. But let me tell you, we came hither so very privately, that you could not trace us.

Rho. Us! what us? you are alone.

Pala. Us! the devil’s in me for mistaking:—­me, I meant.  Or us, that is, you are me, or I you, as we are friends:  That’s us.

Dor. Palamede, Palamede! [Within.

Rho. I should know that voice; who’s within there, that calls you?

Pala. Faith, I can’t imagine; I believe the place is haunted.

Dor. Palamede, Palamede, all-cocks hidden. [Within.

Pala. Lord, Lord, what shall I do?—­Well, dear friend, to let you see I scorn to be jealous, and that I dare trust my mistress with you, take her back, for I would not willingly have her frighted, and I am resolved to see who’s there; I’ll not be daunted with a bugbear, that’s certain:—­Prithee, dispute it not, it shall be so; nay do not put me to swear, but go quickly:  There’s an effort of pure friendship for you now.