Rho. [Aside.] She’s sick as aptly for my purpose, as if she had contrived it so.  Well, if ever woman was a help-mate for man, my spouse is so; for within this hour I received a note from Melantha, that she would meet me this evening in masquerade, in boys’ habit, to rejoice with me before she entered into fetters; for I find she loves me better than Palamede, only because he’s to be her husband.  There’s something of antipathy in the word marriage to the nature of love:  marriage is the mere ladle of affection, that cools it when ’tis never so fiercely boiling over.

Pala. Dear Rhodophil, I must needs beg your pardon; there is an occasion fallen out which I had forgot:  I cannot be at court to-night.

Rho. Dear Palamede, I am sorry we shall not have one course together at the herd; but I find your game lies single:  Good fortune to you with your mistress. [Exit.

Pala. He has wished me good fortune with his wife; there’s no sin in this then, there’s fair leave given.  Well, I must go visit the sick; I cannot resist the temptations of my charity.  O what a difference will she find betwixt a dull resty husband and a quick vigorous lover!  He sets out like a carrier’s horse, plodding on, because he knows he must, with the bells of matrimony chiming so melancholy about his neck, in pain till he’s at his journey’s end; and, despairing to get thither, he is fain to fortify imagination with the thoughts of another woman:  I take heat after heat, like a well-breathed courser, and—­But hark, what noise is that?  Swords! [Clashing of swords within.] Nay, then, have with you. [Exit PALA.

  Re-enter PALAMEDE, with RHODOPHIL; and DORALICE in man’s
  habit.

Rho. Friend, your relief was very timely, otherwise I had been oppressed.

Pala. What was the quarrel?

Rho. What I did was in rescue of this youth.

Pala. What cause could he give them?

Dor. The cause was nothing but only the common cause of fighting in masquerades:  They were drunk, as I was sober.

Rho. Have they not hurt you?

Dor. No; but I am exceeding ill with the fright on’t.

Pala. Let’s lead him to some place, where he may refresh himself.

Rho. Do you conduct him then.

Pala. [Aside.] How cross this happens to my design of going to Doralice! for I am confident she was sick on purpose that I should visit her.  Hark you, Rhodophil, could not you take care of the stripling?  I am partly engaged to-night.

Rho. You know I have business; but come, youth, if it must be so.

Dor. to Rho. No, good sir, do not give yourself that trouble; I shall be safer, and better pleased with your friend here.