Enter PHILOTIS.

Phil. Oh, sir, you are happily met; I was coming to find you.

Pala. From your lady.  I hope.

Phil. Partly from her; but more especially from myself:  She has just now received a letter from her father, with an absolute command to dispose herself to marry you to-morrow.

Pala. And she takes it to the death?

Phil. Quite contrary:  The letter could never have come in a more lucky minute; for it found her in an ill-humour with a rival of yours, that shall be nameless, about the pronunciation of a French word.

Pala. Count Rhodophil? never disguise it, I know the amour:  But I hope you took the occasion to strike in for me?

Phil. It was my good fortune to do you some small service in it; for your sake I discommended him all over,—­clothes, person, humour, behaviour, every thing; and, to sum up all, told her, it was impossible to find a married man that was otherwise; for they were all so mortified at home with their wives’ ill humours, that they could never recover themselves to be company abroad.

Pala. Most divinely urged!

Phil. Then I took occasion to commend your good qualities; as the sweetness of your humour, the comeliness of your person, your good mein, your valour; but, above all, your liberality.

Pala. I vow to Gad I had like to have forgot that good quality in myself, if thou hadst not remembered me of it:  Here are five pieces for thee.

Phil. Lord, you have the softest hand, sir, it would do a woman good to touch it:  Count Rhodophil’s is not half so soft; for I remember I felt it once, when he gave me ten pieces for my new-years-gift.

Pala. O, I understand you, madam; you shall find my hand as soft again as Count Rhodophil’s:  There are twenty pieces for you.  The former was but a retaining fee; now I hope you’ll plead for me.

Phil. Your own merits speak enough.  Be sure only to ply her with French words, and I’ll warrant you’ll do your business.  Here are a list of her phrases for this day:  Use them to her upon all occasions and foil her at her own weapon; for she’s like one of the old Amazons, she’ll never marry, except it be the man who has first conquered her.

Pala. I’ll be sure to follow your advice:  But you’ll forget to further my design.

Phil. What, do you think I’ll be ungrateful?—­But however, if you distrust my memory, put some token on my finger to remember it by:  That diamond there would do admirably.

Pala. There ’tis; and I ask your pardon heartily for calling your memory into question:  I assure you I’ll trust it another time, without putting you to the trouble of another token.

  Enter PALMYRA and ARTEMIS.

Art. Madam, this way the prisoners are to pass; Here you may see Leonidas.