Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/131

Recall'd, caress'd, chid and disgrac'd again;
And say what maid of spirit would forego
The bliss of one to exercise it thus?
O! I can bear ill treatment like a lamb!

4th Mask. (beating him.)
Well, bear it then, thou hast deserv'd it well.

Ros. 'Zounds, lady! do not give such heavy blows;
I'm not your husband, as belike you guess.

5th Mask. Come lover, I enlist thee for my swain;
Therefore good lady, do forbear your blows,
Nor thus assume my rights.

Ros. Agreed. Wilt thou a gracious mistress prove?

5th Mask. Such as thou wouldst, such as thy genius suits;
For since of universal scope it is,
All women's humour shalt thou find in me.
I'll gently soothe thee with such winning smiles—
To nothing sink thee with a scornful frown:
Teize thee with peevish and affected freaks;
Caress thee, love thee, hate thee, break thy pate:
But still between the whiles I'll careful be,
In feigned admiration of thy parts,
Thy shape, thy manners, or thy graceful mien,
To bind thy giddy soul with flatt'ry's charm;
For well thou knowst that flatt'ry ever is
The tickling spice, the pungent seasoning
Which makes this motley dish of monstrous scraps
So pleasing to the dainty lover's taste.