Page:She-Gallants.djvu/17

 Mel. You Men interpret every thing with vanity to your selves.

Cons. Alas, Madam, take away Hope and Vanity, you kill us; they are the Cordials that kind Nature has provided for our Comfort upon all occasions of Disgrace and Discouragement.

Dor. If Vanity could keep you alive, the Men of this Age are so stock'd, they would be Immortal.

Dia. Really, Sister, we give our Lover too many occasions to feed his Vanity, see how plump and ruddy it keeps him.

Mel. Let us resolve then for the future, to be seen only in frowns.

Dia. Till we make him look like a Lover in earnest.

Mir. A Lover in earnest would be a strange sight indeed.

Dor. As strange as many other things that are often discours'd of, but never seen.

Dia. Love is the pretence of all Mankind, as common in their Mouths,

Mir. As Snush in their Noses;

Dor. But is never to be found in their Hearts.

Mel. Besides, Men are grown such self-enamour'd things, that they neither like nor love any thing but themselves.

Cons. And what is the whole World sway'd by, but self-affection; the Courtier sides with the great Man in hopes of Preferment; the great Man is diligent about his Prince, because he rises by him; and there is scarce a Priest who serves God, but for the sake of a Benefice.

Dor. Pray, are not your Lovers the same? for when a Man pretends a Passion; what is it he intends but to content his own Desires? You seek not to give, but to receive Pleasure, and that you call Love.—Love of your selves, indeed.

Mir. The Friendship, Loyalty, Religion, and Love of Men serve only to cover private Ends.

Dia. And the Virtues of Mankind are all but Vices in disguise.

Cons. Very smart and satyrical; 'tis pity Ladies, but this humour of Bitterness were encouraged; what say you to an extempore Lampoon by word of Mouth upon the whole Mall?

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