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It was a quatrain—
Carr. It was a quatrain—Quatrain?
Rochester. It was a quatrain—Quatrain? Certes, yes.
Carr.A quatrain! what is that?
Rochester. A quatrain! what is that? 'Tis—like a psalm.
Carr.Ah! then I listen.
Rochester. Ah! then I listen. Give me, my good sir,
Your candid judgment.—"Fair Egeria!"—
Oh! she to whom these verses are addressed
Is Frances called; but that too vulgar name
Would ring too hollow far in gallant verse.
I needs must change it; long I swayed in doubt
'Twixt Gorselidis and Parthenope;
And finally I chose Egeria,
Sweet name of her who was the cherished nymph
Of the sage Numa—legislator he,
And I a member of the Parliament.
That was more fitting. Judged I not aright?
But hearken to the am'rous madrigal:—
[He assumes a seductive and languishing air.
"O fair Egeria! you set my heart aflame!
"Your eyes wherein Don Cupid lights a conqu'ring fire,
"Are glowing mirrors which do concentrate the flame
"Whose rays consume my very soul."
What say you to't?

[Carr, who has listened at first attentively, then with frowning displeasure, springs to his feet in a rage, and overturns the table.

Carr. What say you to't? Damnation! demons! death!
May heaven and the saints forgive my words!
But how can I, unmoved, hear at my side
The torrent of obscenities pour forth!
Avaunt thou, Edomite, Amalekite.
And Midianite!