Achilles. An Opera - Act 1

ACT I.

SCENE, The Palace .

Scene I.

THETIS, ACHILLES.

T HETIS .

B EFORE I leave you, Child, I must insist upon your Promise, that you will never discover yourself without my Leave. Don't look upon it as capricious Fondness, nor think (because 'tis a Mother's Advice) that in Duty to yourself you are oblig'd not to follow it.
Ach. But my Character! my Honour! — Wou'd you have your Son live with Infamy? — On the first Step of a young Fellow depends his Character for Life. — I beg you, Goddess, to dispense with your Commands.
Thet. Have you then no Regard to my Presentiment? I can't bear the Thoughts of your going, for I know that odious Siege of Troy wou'd be the Death of thee.
Ach. Because you have the natural Fears of a Mother, wou'd you have me insensible that I have the Heart of a Man? The World, Madam, must look upon my absconding in this Manner, and at this particular Juncture, as infamous Cowardice.

AIR I. A Clown in Flanders once there was.

What's Life? No Curse is more severe,
Than bearing Life with Shame.
Is this your Fondness? this your Care?
O give me Death with Fame.
Thet. Keep your Temper, Achilles . — 'Tis both impious and undutiful to call my Prescience in question.
Ach. Pardon me, Goddess, for had you, like other Mothers, been a meer Woman only, I shou'd have taken the Liberty of other Sons, and shou'd (as 'tis my Duty) have heard your Advice, and follow'd my own.
Thet. I positively shall not be easy, Child, unless you give me your Word and Honour. — You know my Commands.
Ach. My word, Madam, I can give you; but my Honour is already sacrific'd to my Duty. That I gave you when I submitted to put on this Woman's Habit.
Thet. Believe me, Achilles , I have a tender Regard for your Honour, as well as Life. — By preventing your running head-long to your Destiny, I preserve you for future Glory. Therefore, Child, I once more insist upon your solemn Promise.
Ach. Was I a Woman (as I appear to be) I cou'd without Difficulty give you a Promise to have the Pleasure of breaking it; but when I promise, my Life is pledg'd for the Performance. — Your Commands, Madam, are sacred. — Yet I intreat you, Goddess, to consider the ignominious Part you make me act. — In obeying you, I prove my self unworthy of you.
Thet. My will, Achilles , is not to be controverted. Your Life depends upon your Duty; and positively, Child, you shall not go to this Siege.

AIR II. Gudgeon 's Song.

Why thus am I held at Defiance?
A Mother, a Goddess obey!
Will Men never practice Compliance,
Till Marriage hath taught 'em the Way?
Ach. But why must I lead the Life of a Woman? why was I stolen away from my Preceptor? Was I not as safe under the Care of Chiron? — I know the Love he had for me; I feel his Concern; and I dare swear that good Creature is now so distress'd for the Loss of me, that he will quite founder himself with galloping from Place to Place to look after me.
Thet. I'll hear no more. Obey, and seek to know no further. — Can you imagine that I wou'd have taken all this Trouble to have lodg'd you under the Protection of Lycomedes , if I had not seen the absolute Necessity of it?
Ach. Were I allow'd to follow my Inclinations, what wou'd you have to fear? — I shou'd do my Duty, and die with Honour. — Was I to live an Age, I cou'd do no more.
Thet. You are so very obstinate, that really, Child, there's no enduring you. — Your Impatience seems to forget that I am a Goddess: Have I not degraded my self into the Character of a distress'd Grecian Princess? 'Tis owing to my Artifice and Insinuation that we have the Protection of the King of Scyros . Have I not won Lycomedes his Friendship and Hospitality to that degree as to place you, without the least Suspicion, among his Daughters? — And for what, dear Achilles? — Your Safety and future Fame requir'd it.
Ach. 'Tis impossible, Madam, to bear it much longer. — My Words, my Actions, my aukward Behaviour, must one Day inevitably discover me. — I had been safer under the Tuition of Chiron .
Thet. Hath not the Prophet Calchas persuaded the Confederates that the Success of their Expedition against Troy depends upon your being among 'em? Have they not Emissaries and Spies almost every where in search of you? 'Tis here only, and in this Disguise, that I can believe you out of the Reach of Suspicion. — You have so much Youth, and such a Bloom, that there is no Man alive but must take you for a Woman. What I am most afraid of is, that when you are among the Ladies you shou'd be so little Master of your Passions as to find your self a Man.

AIR III. Did you ever hear of a galant Sailor. Ach.

The Woman always in Temptation,
Must do what Nature bids her do;
Our Hearts feel equal Palpitation,
For we've unguarded Minutes too.
By Nature greedy,
When lank and needy,
Within your Fold the Wolf confine;
Then bid the Glutton
Not think of Mutton;
Can you persuade him not to dine?
Thet. Now, dear Child, let me beg you to be discreet. — I have some Sea-Affairs that require my Attendance, which (much against my Will) oblige me for a time to leave you to your own Conduct.

Scene II.

Thetis, Achilles, Artemona.

Art. The Princesses, Lady Pyrrha , have been sitting at their Embroidery above a Quarter of an Hour, and are perfectly miserable for want of you.
Thet. Pyrrha is so very unhandy, and so monstrously aukward at her Needle, that I know she must be diverting. Her passion for Romances (as you must have observ'd in other Girls) took her off from every Part of useful Education.
Ach. For the many Obligations I have to the Princesses, I should (no doubt) upon all Occasions shew my self ready to be the But of their Ridicule. — 'Tis a Duty that all great People expect from (what they call) their Dependants.
Art. How can you, Lady Pyrrha , misinterpret a Civility? I know they have a Friendship, an Esteem for you; and have a Pleasure in instructing you.
Thet. For Heaven's sake, Pyrrha , let not your captious Temper run away with your Good-manners. You cannot but be sensible of the King's and their Civilities, both to you and me. — How can you be so horridly out of Humour?
Ach. All I mean, Madam, is; that when People are sensible of their own Defects, they are not the proper Objects of Ridicule.
Thet. You are so very touchy, Pyrrha , that there is no enduring you. — How can you be so unsociable a Creature as to deny a Friend the Liberty of laughing at your little Follies and Indiscretions? For what do you think Women keep Company with one another?
Ach. Because they hate one another, despise one another, and seek to have the Pleasure of seeing and exposing one another's Faults and Follies.
Thet. Now, dear Pyrrha , tell me, is Work a thing you pique yourself upon? Suppose too they shou'd smile at an Absurdity in your Dress, it could not be such a Mortification as if (like most Women) you had made it the chief Business of your Life?
Art. Don't they treat one another with equal Familiarity?
Ach. But a Reply from me (whatever was the Provocation) might be look'd upon as impertinent. I hate to be under the Restraint of Civility when I am ill-us'd.
Art. Will you allow me, Madam, to make your Excuses to the Princesses? — The Occasion of your Highness's leaving her, I see, troubles her. — Perhaps I may interrupt Conversation.
Thet. 'Tis astonishing, Child, how you can have so little Complaisance. This sullen Behaviour of your's must be disagreeable. I hope, Madam, she is not always in this way?
Art. Never was any Creature more entertaining! Such Spirits, and so much Vivacity! The Princesses are really fond of her to Distraction. — The most chearful Tempers are liable to the Spleen, and 'tis an Indulgence that one Woman owes to another.
Ach. The Spleen, Madam, is a Female Frailty that I have no Pretensions to, nor any of its Affections.

AIR IV. Si vous vous moquez de nous.

When a Woman sullen sits,
And wants Breath to conquer Reason,
Always these affected Fits
Are in Season:
Since 'tis in her Disposition,
Make her be her own Physician. Nay, dear Madam, you shall not go without me. — — Though I have my particular Reasons to be out of Humour, I cannot be deficient in Good-manners.
Art. I know they would take it mortally ill if they thought your Complaisance had put yourself under the least Restraint.
Ach. I can't forgive myself for my Behaviour. — — You must excuse me. Madam; for Absence in Conversation is an Incivility that I am but too liable to.
Art. You know we all rally you upon your being in Love, as that is one of its most infallible Symptoms.
Thet. I charge you, upon my Blessing; — as you expect Fame, Glory, Immortality, obey me.

Scene III.

Thetis.

As for his Face, his Air, his Figure, I am not under the least Apprehension; all my Concern is from the Impetuosity of his Temper. — Yet, after all, why shou'd I fear a Discovery? for Women have the same Passions, though they employ 'em upon different Objects.

AIR V. A Minuet.

Man's so touchy, a Word that's injurious
Wakes his Honour; he's sudden as Fire.
Woman kindles, and is no less furious
For her Trifles, or any Desire.
Man is testy,
Or sour, or resty,
If balk'd of Honours, or Pow'r, or Pelf.
Woman's Passions can no less molest ye,
And all for Reasons she keeps to her self. He is sudden, he is impatient. What then? Are Women less so? Ask almost all Servants what they know of their Mistresses. — He is wilful, testy, and untractable. Can't Thousands of Husbands say as much of their Wives? Then as for his Obstinacy — that can never show him less a Woman. But he hath not that Command of his Tongue I cou'd wish him: He is too vehement, too severe in his Expressions. In this Particular, indeed, few Women take equal Liberties to one another's Faces, but they make ample Amends for it behind each other's Backs; so that, with all these Infirmities of Man, he may with the least Conduct very well pass for a fine-spirited Woman. — This Reflexion hath cur'd my Anxiety, and will make me believe him secure.

Scene IV.

Thetis, Lycomedes.

Thet. 'Tis with the utmost Gratitude that I return your Majesty Thanks for the Honours and hospitable Favours shewn to me and my Daughter.
Lycom. You wou'd oblige me more, Madam, if your Affairs wou'd allow you to accept 'em longer.
Thet. I have presum'd, Sir, to trespass further on your Generosity, in leaving my Daughter under your Protection. — I hope Pyrrha 's Behaviour will deserve it.

AIR VI. To you, my Dear, and to no other.

Must then, alas, the fondest Mother
Desert her child? Lycom.
— — — Ah, why this Tear?
She'll in Theaspe find another;
In me paternal Love and Care. Had you taken her with you, my Daughters wou'd have been miserable beyond Expression. Theirs and her Education shall be the same.
Thet. I beg you, Sir, not to regard my Gratitude like the common Obligations of Princes; for neither Time nor Interest can ever cancel it.
Lycom. Affairs of Consequence may require your Presence. Importunity upon these Occasions is troublesome and unhospitable. — I ask no Questions, Madam, because I choose not to pry into Secrets.
Thet. I can only thank, and rely upon your Majesty's Goodness. — My Duty to the Queen, Sir, calls me hence to own my Obligations, and receive her Commands.

Scene V.

Lycomedes, Diphilus.

Lycom. The Princess Calisia hath taken her Leave; she is but just gone out of the Room.
Diph. That Pyrrha , Sir, was a most delicious Piece.
Lycom. With all her little vixen Humours, to my Taste she is infinitely agreeable.
Diph. Your parting with her, Sir, in this easy manner, is astonishing. One too so excessively fond of you!
Lycom. Parting with her, Diphilus !
Diph. But no Prince alive hath so great a Command of his Passions.
Lycom. Dear Diphilus , let me understand you.
Diph. To my Knowledge you might have had her.
Lycom. Can I believe thee?
Diph. I really thought the Queen began to be a little uneasy, and, for the Quiet of the Family (since she is gone) I must own I am heartily glad of it.

AIR VII. John went suiting unto Joan .

How your Patience had been try'd,
Had this haughty Dame comply'd!
What's a Mistress and a Wife?
Joy for Moments; Plague for Life.
Lycom. I am not so unhappy, Diphilus . — Her Mother hath left her to my Care.
Diph. Just as I wish'd.
Lycom. Wou'd she had taken her with her!
Diph. It might have been better. For beyond dispute, Sir, both you and the Queen wou'd have been easier.
Lycom. Why did she trust her to me?
Diph. There cou'd be but one Reason.
Lycom. I cannot answer for myself.
Diph. 'Twas upon that very Presumption you was trusted.
Lycom. Wou'd I could believe thee!
Diph. 'Tis an apparent manifest Scheme, Sir, and you wou'd disappoint both Mother and Daughter if your Majesty did not betray your Trust. — You love her, Sir, you say.
Lycom. To Distraction, Diphilus .
Diph. And was the betraying a Trust ever as yet an Obstacle to that Passion? What wou'd you have a Mother do more upon such an Occasion? Ladies of her Rank cannot transact an Affair of this kind, but with some Decorum .
Lycom. But you can never suppose Pyrrha knows any thing of the Matter.
Diph. Why not, Sir?
Lycom. From me she cannot; for I have never as yet made any downright Professions.
Diph. There lies the true Cause of her Thoughtfulness; 'tis nothing but Anxiety, for fear her Scheme shou'd not take place; for, no doubt, her Mother hath instructed her not to be too forward, to make you more so — Believe me, Sir, you will have no Difficulties in this Affair, but those little ones that every Woman knows how to practice to quicken a Lover.
Lycom. Be it as it will, Diphilus , I must have her.
Diph. Had I been acquainted with your Pleasure sooner, your Majesty by this time had been tir'd of her. — How happy shall I make her, if I may have the Honour of your Majesty's commands to hint your Passion to her!
Lycom. Never did Eyes receive a Passion with such Coldness, such Indifference!

AIR VIII. Groom's Complaint.

Whene'er my Looks have spoke Desire,
I sigh'd, I gaz'd in vain;
No Glance confess'd her secret Fire;
And Eyes the Heart explain.
Diph. Though 'tis what she wishes, what she longs for, what she sighs for, Respect and Awe are a Restraint upon her Eyes as well as Tongue. I have often told you, Sir, she dares not understand you; she dares not believe herself so happy.
Lycom. This Ring, Diphilus . — I must leave the rest to your Discretion.
Diph. There may be a manner in giving it her, a little Hint or so — but the Present will speak for itself; 'tis the most successful Advocate of Love, and never wants an Interpreter.
Lycom. Say every thing for me, Diphilus ; for I feel I cannot speak for myself.
Diph. Cou'd I be as successful in all my other Negotiations! Yet there may be Difficulties, for, if I mistake not, the Lady hath something of the Coquette about her; and what Self-Denial will not those Creatures suffer to give a Lover Anxiety!

AIR IX. O'er Bogie.

Observe the wanton Kitten's Play,
Whene'er a Mouse appears;
You there the true Coquette survey
In all her flirting Airs:
Now pawing,
Now clawing,
Now in fond Embrace
Till 'midst her Freaks,
He from her breaks,
Steals off, and bilks the Chase.
Lycom. Dear Diphilus , what do you mean? I never saw a Woman so little of that Character.
Diph. Pardon me, Sir; your Situation is such, that you can never see what Mankind really are. In your Presence every one is acting a Part; no one is himself, and was it not for the Eyes and Tongues of your faithful Servants, how little wou'd your Subjects be known to you! Though she is so prim and reserv'd before you, she is never at a Loss for Airs to draw all the young flirting Lords of the Court about her.
Lycom. Beauty must always have its Followers.
Diph. If I mistake not, General Ajax too (who is sent to solicit your Quota for the Trojan War) hath another Solicitation more at heart. — — But suppose she had ten thousand Lovers; a Woman's prevalent Passion is Ambition, which must answer your Ends. — — The Queen is coming this way, and her Commands may detain me. — I go, Sir, to make Pyrrha the happiest Creature upon Earth.

Scene VI.

Lycomedes, Theaspe.

Theas. I think the Princess Calista might as well have taken her Daughter with her. — That Girl is so intolerably forward, that I cannot imagine such Conversation can possibly be of any great Advantage to your Daughters Education.
Lycom. You seem of late to have taken an Aversion to the Girl. She hath Spirit and Vivacity, but not more than is becoming the Sex; and I never saw any thing in her Behaviour but what was extremely modest.
Theas. For Heaven's sake, Sir, allow me to believe my own Eyes. Her Forwardness must give the Fellows some Encouragement, or there wou'd not be that intolerable Flutter about her. — But perhaps she hath some Reasons to be more upon her Guard before you.
Lycom. How can you be so unreasonably censorious?
Theas. I can see her Faults, Sir. I see her as a Woman sees a Woman.
The Men, it seems, think the aukward Creature handsome.

AIR X. Dutch Skipper. First Part. Lycom.

When a Woman's censorious,
And attacks the meritorious;
In the Scandal she shews her own malicious Thought.
If real Guilt she blames,
Then Pride her Heart inflames;
And she fansies she 's better for another's Fault.
Thus seeking to disclose
The Slips of Friends and Foes,
By her Envy she does herself alone, expose.
Nay, dear Child, your attacking her in this peevish way can be nothing but downright Antipathy.
Theas. Nay, dear Sir, your defending her in this feeling manner can be nothing but downright Partiality.
Lycom. I own myself partial to Distress, and I see her in that Circumstance.
Theas. But there are other Reasons that may make a man Partial.

AIR XI. Dutch Skipper. Second Part.

As you, Sir, are my Husband, no doubt you're prone
To turn each new Face
To a Wife's Disgrace;
And for no other Cause, but that she's your own;
Nay, Sir, 'tis an evident Case.
'Tis strange that all Husbands should prove so blind,
That a Wife's real Merits they ne'er can find,
Tho' they strike all the rest of Mankind.
Lycom. How can you be so ridiculous? By these Airs, Madam, you would have me believe you are jealous.
Theas. Whence had you this contemptible Opinion of me? Jealous! If I was so I have a Spirit above owning it. I wou'd never heighten your Pleasure by letting you have the Satisfaction of knowing I was uneasy.
Lycom. Let me beg you my Dear, to keep your Temper.
Theas. Since I have been so unguarded as to own it: give me leave to tell you, Sir, that was I of a lower Rank it wou'd keep you in some Awe, because you wou'd then know I cou'd take my Revenge.
Lycom. You forget your Duty, Child.
Theas. There is a Duty too due from a Husband.
Lycom. How can you give way to these Passions?
Theas. Because you give way to yours.
Lycom. But to be so unreasonably jealous!
Theas. Unreasonably! Wou'd it were so!

AIR XII. Black Joke. Lycom.

Then must I bear eternal Strife,
Both Night and Day put in mind of a Wife,
By her Pouts, Spleen, and passionate Airs! Theas.
D'ye think I'll bear eternal Slight,
And not complain when I'm robb'd of my Right?
Call you this, Sir, but whimsical Fears? Lycom.
Can nought then still this raging Storm? Theas.
Yes. What you promis'd if you wou'd perform. Lycom.
Pr'ythee teaze me no more. Theas.
I can never give o'er,
Till I find you as fond and as kind as before. Lycom.
Will you ne'er ask
A possible Task?
Wou'd you have me so unhospitable as to deny her my Protection?
Theas. 'Tis not, Sir, that I presume to controul you in your Pleasures. — — Yet you might, methinks, have shew'd that Tenderness for me to have acted with a little more Reserve. Women are not so blind as Husbands imagine. — Were there no other Circumstances, — your Coolness to me, your Indifference. — How I despise my self for this Confession! — Pardon me, Sir, Love made me thus indiscreet.

AIR XIII. Ye Shepherds and Nymphs.

Theaspe weeping .

O Love, plead my Pardon, nor plead it in vain ;
'Twas you that was jealous, 'twas you was in Pain;
Yet why should you speak? To what Purpose or End
I must be unhappy if Love can offend.
Yet was ever a Design of this kind so manifest, so bare-fac'd!

AIR XIV. The Goddesses.

Theaspe angry .

To what a Pitch is Man profuse,
And all for ostentatious Pride!
Ev'n Misses are not kept for Use,
But for mere Show, and nought beside.
For might a Wife speak out,
She cou'd prove beyond all doubt,
With more than enough he was supply'd.
The Princess Calista hath shewn an uncommon Confidence in your Majesty.
The Woman, no doubt, depends upon it, that her Daughter's Charms are not to be resisted.
Lycom. Nay, dear Child, don't be scandalous.

AIR XV. Joan 's Placket.

Reputations hack'd and hew'd,
Can never be mended again,
Yet nothing stints the tattling Prude,
Who joys in another's Pain.
Thus while she rends
Both Foes and Friends,
By both she 's torn in twain.
Reputations hack'd and hew'd,
Can never be mended again.
Theas. You are in so particular a manner oblig'd to her, that I am not surpris'd at your taking her Part.
Lycom. But, dear Madam, why at present is all this violent Fluster?
Theas. Ask your own Heart, ask your own Conduct. Those can best inform you. — 'Twou'd have been more obliging if Pyrrha and you had kept me out of this impudent Secret. — You know, Sir, I have Reason.
Lycom. If one Woman's Virtue depended upon another's Suspicions, where shou'd we find a Woman of Common Modesty! Indeed, Child, I think you injure her; I believe her virtuous.
Theas. When a Man hath ruin'd a Woman, he thinks himself oblig'd in Honour to stand up for her Reputation.
Lycom. If you will believe only your own unaccountable Suspicions, and are determin'd not to hear Reason. I must leave you to your perverse Humours. What wou'd you have me say? What wou'd you have me do?
Theas. Shew your Hospitality (as you call it) to me, and put that Creature out of the Palace.
Lycom. I have a greater Regard to yours and my own Quiet, than ever to comply with the extravagant Passions of a jealous Woman.
Theas. You have taken then your Resolutions, I find; and I am sentenc'd to Neglect. — — Did ever a Woman marry but with the Probability of having at least one Man in her Power? — What a wretched Wife am I!
Lycom. Jealousy from a Wife, even to a Man of Quality, is now look'd upon as Ill-manners, though the Affair be never so publick. — But without a Cause! — I beg you, Madam, to say no more upon this Subject.
Theas. Though you, Sir, may think her fit Company for you; methinks the very same Reasons might tell you that she is not so very reputable a Companion for your Daughters.
Lycom. Since a passionate Woman will only believe herself, I must leave you, Madam, to enjoy your Obstinacy. I know but that way of putting an end to the Dispute.

AIR XVI. We've cheated the Parson, &c .

Though Woman's glib Tongue, when her Passions are fir'd,
Eternally go, a Man's Ear can be tir'd.
Since Woman will have both her Word and her Way,
I yield to your Tongue; but my Reason obey.
I obey,
Nothing say,
Since Woman will have both her Word and her Way.

SCENE VII.

Theaspe.

Theas. Wou'd I had been more upon the Reserve! But Husbands are horridly provoking; they know the Frailty of the Sex, and never fail to take the Advantage of our Passions to make us expose ourselves by Contradiction. — Artemona .

SCENE VIII.

Theaspe, Artemona.

Art. Madam.
Theas. Is that Creature, that (what do you call her) that Princess gone?
Art. Yes, Madam.
Theas. Why did not she take that awkward Thing, her Daughter, with her?
Art. The Advantages she might receive in her Education, might be an Inducement to leave her.
Theas. Might that be an Inducement?
Art. Besides, in her present Circumstance, it might be inconvenient to take her Daughter with her.
Theas. Can't you find out any other Reason for leaving her?
Art. Your Courtesy, Madam; your Hospitality.
Theas. No other Reason!
Art. No other Reason? — —
Theas. Wou'd I cou'd believe there was no other!
Art. 'Tis not for me to pry into your Majesty's Secrets.
Theas. I hate a Girl that is so intolerably forward.
Art. I never observ'd any thing but those little Liberties that Girls of her Age will take, when they are among themselves. — Perhaps those particular Distinctions the Princesses shew her, may have made her too familiar. — I am not, Madam, an Advocate for her Behaviour.
Theas. A Look so very audacious! Now the filthy Men, who love every thing that is impudent, call that Spirit. — But there are, Artemona , some particular distinctions from a certain Person, who of late hath been very particular to me, that might indeed make her too familiar.
Art. Heaven forbid!
Theas. How precarious is the Happiness of a Wife, when it is in the Power of every new Face to destroy it! — Now, dear Artemona , tell me sincerely, don't you, from what you yourself have observed, think I have Reason to be uneasy?
Art. That I have observ'd!
Theas. Dear Artemona , don't frighten thyself. — I am not accusing you but talking to you as a Friend.

AIR XVII. Fairy Elves. Art.

O guard your Hours from Care,
Of Jealousy beware;
For she with fancy'd Sprites,
Herself torments and frights.
Thus she frets, and pines, and grieves,
Raising Fears that she believes.
Theas. I hate myself too for having so much Condescension and Humility as to be jealous. 'Tis flattering the Man that uses one ill; and 'tis wanting the natural Pride that belongs to the Sex. What a wretched, mean, contemptible Figure is a jealous Woman! How have I expos'd myself!
Art. Your Majesty is safe in the Confidence repos'd in me.
Theas. That is not the Case, Artemona. Lycomedes knows I am unhappy. I have own'd it, and was so unguarded as to accuse him.
Art. Upon mere Suspicion only?
Theas. Beyond Dispute he loves her. I know it, Artemona ; and can one imagine that Girl hath Virtue enough to withstand such a Proposal.

AIR XVIII. Moll Peatly .

All Hearts are a little frail
When Temptation is rightly apply'd.
What can Shame or Fear avail
When we sooth both Ambition and Pride?
All Women have Power in view;
Then there 's Pleasure to tempt her too.
Such a sure Attack there's no defying,
No denying;
Since complying
Gives her another's Due.
— — I can't indeed (if you mean that) positively affirm that he hath yet had her.
Art. Then it may be still only Suspicion.
Theas. I have trusted too my Daughter Deidamia with my Weakness; that she, by her Intimacies and Friendship with Pyrrha , may get into her Secrets. In short, I have plac'd her as my Spy about her. That Girl (out of Good-nature, and to prevent Family-disputes) may deceive me. She insists upon it, that I have nothing to fear from Pyrrha ; and is so positive in this Opinion, that she offers to be answerable for her Conduct.
Art. Why then, Madam, will you still believe your own Jealousies?
Theas. All I say is, that Deidamia may deceive me; for whatever is in the Affair, 'tis impossible but she must know it; I have order'd it so that she is scarce ever from her; they have one and the same Bed-Chamber; yet such is my Distemper, that I suspect every Body, and can only believe my own Imaginations. — There must be some Reason that Deidamia hath not been with me this Morning. — — I am impatient to see her.

AIR XIX. John Anderson my Jo . Art.

Let Jealousy no longer
A fruitless Search pursue;
You make his Flame the Stronger,
And wake Resentment too.
This self-tormenting Care give o'er;
For all you can obtain
Is, what was only Doubt before,
To change for real Pain.
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