Dor. The only way to keep us new to one another is never to enjoy, as they keep grapes, by hanging them upon a line; they must touch nothing, if you would preserve them fresh.

Pala. But then they wither, and grow dry in the very keeping; however, I shall have a warmth for you, and an eagerness, every time I see you; and, if I chance to out-live Melantha—­

Dor. And if I chance to out-live Rhodophil—­

Pala. Well, I’ll cherish my body as much as I can, upon that hope.  ’Tis true, I would not directly murder the wife of my bosom; but, to kill her civilly, by the way of kindness, I’ll put as fair as another man:  I’ll begin to-morrow night, and be very wrathful with her; that’s resolved on.

Dor. Well, Palamede, here’s my hand, I’ll venture to be your second wife, for all your threatenings.

Pala. In the mean time I’ll watch you hourly, as I would the ripeness of a melon; and I hope you’ll give me leave now and then to look on you, and to see if you are not ready to be cut yet.

Dor. No, no, that must not be, Palamede, for fear the gardener should come and catch you taking up the glass.

  Enter RHODOPHIL.

Rho. [Aside.] Billing so sweetly! now I am confirmed in my suspicions; I must put an end to this ere it go farther—­[To DORALICE.] Cry you mercy, spouse, I fear I have interrupted your recreations.

Dor. What recreations?

Rho. Nay, no excuses, good spouse; I saw fair hand conveyed to lip, and prest, as though you had been squeezing soft wax together for an indenture.  Palamede, you and I must clear this reckoning:  why would you have seduced my wife?

Pala. Why would you have debauched my mistress?

Rho. What do you think of that civil couple, that played at a game, called Hide and Seek, last evening in the grotto?

Pala. What do you think of that innocent pair, who made it their pretence to seek for others, but came, indeed, to hide themselves there?

Rho. All things considered, I begin vehemently to suspect, that the young gentleman I found in your company last night, was a certain youth of my acquaintance.

Pala. And I have an odd imagination, that you could never have suspected my small gallant, if your little villainous Frenchman had not been a false brother.

Rho. Further arguments are needless; draw off; I shall speak to you now by the way of bilbo. [Claps his hand to his sword.

Pala. And I shall answer you by the way of Dangerfield[2].
                                             [Claps his hand on his.

Dor. Hold, hold; are not you two a couple of mad fighting fools, to cut one another’s throats for nothing?

Pala. How for nothing?  He courts the woman I must marry.