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25 So sweet and sound——

Diph.What's that?

Amin.Your sister frets This morning; and does turn her eyes upon me, As people on their headsman. She does chafe, And kiss, and chafe again, and clap my cheeks; She's in another world.

Diph.Then I had lost: I was about to lay You had not got her maidenhead to-night.

Amin.Ha! he does not mock me? You'd lost indeed; I do not use to bungle.

Cle.You do deserve her.

Amin.I laid my lips to hers, and that wild breath, That was so rude and rough to me last night, Was sweet as April.—I'll be guilty too, If these be the effects.

Enter MELANTIUS.

Mel.Good day, Amintor! for, to me, the name Of brother is too distant: We are friends. And that is nearer.

Amin.Dear Melantius! Let me behold thee. Is it possible?

Mel.What sudden gaze is this?

Amin.'Tis wond'rous strange!

Mel.Why does thine eye desire so strict a view Of that it knows so well? There's nothing here That is not thine.

Amin.I wonder, much, Melantius, To see those noble looks, that make me think How virtuous thou art: And, on the sudden, 'Tis strange to me thou shouldst have worth and honour; Or not be base, and false, and treacherous, And every ill. But——

Mel.Stay, stay, my friend; I fear this sound will not become our loves. No more; embrace me.

Amin.Oh, mistake me not: I know thee to be full of all those deeds That we frail men call good; but, by the course Of nature, thou shouldst be as quickly changed As are the winds; dissembling as the sea, That now wears brows as smooth as virgins' be, Tempting the merchant to invade his face, And in an hour calls his billows up, And shoots 'em at the sun, destroying all He carries on him.—Oh, how near am I To utter my sick thoughts!

Mel.But why, my friend, should I be so by nature?

Amin.I have wed thy sister, who hath virtuous thoughts Enough for one whole family; and it is strange That you should feel no want.

Mel.Believe me, this compliment's too cunning for me. Diph.