Page:The Rehearsal - Villiers (1672).djvu/43

 Truncheons, forc'd conceipt, smooth Verse, and a Rant: In fine, if this Scene does not take, I gad, I'l write no more. Come, come in, Mr. a nay, come in as many as you can. Gentlemen, I must desire you to remove a little, for I must fill the Stage.

Smi. Why fill the Stage?

Bayes. O, Sir, because your Heroick Verse never sounds well, but when the Stage is full.

Ay, hold, hold; pray by your leave a little. Look you, Sir, the drift of this Scene is somewhat more than ordinary: for I make 'em both fall out because they are not in love with the same woman.

Smi. Not in love? you mean, I suppose, because they are in love, Mr. Bayes?

Bayes. No, Sir; I say not in love: there's a new conceipt for you. Now speak.

Pret. Since fate, Prince Volscius, has found out the way For our so long'd-for meeting here this day, Lend thy attention to my grand concern.

Vols. I gladly would that story of thee learn; But thou to love dost, Pretty-man, incline: Yet love in thy breast is not love in mine.

Bayes. Antithesis! thine and mine.

Pret. Since love it self's the same, why should it be Diff'ring in you from what it is in me?

Bayes. Reasoning; I gad, I love reasoning in verse.

Vols. Love takes, Cameleon-like, a various dye From every Plant on which it self does lye.

Bayes. Simile!

Pret. Let not thy love the course of Nature fright: Nature does most in harmony delight.

Vols. How weak a Deity would Nature prove Contending with the pow'rful God of Love?