Classic Poem

ACT. I. SCEN. I.

Cosmeta, Pandena, (Rhodia between them) busily discoursing in the Myrtle Grove . Cos .

And if you see not Women plead, and judge,
Raise, and depress, reward, and punish, carry
Things how they please, and turn the Politique dore
Upon new hindges very shortly, never
Beleeve the Oracle. Rhod
Could I see't twould prove
An Antidote against old Age, and make me.
Grow younger still without Expence or Art. Pan .
You sin past pardon Rhodia , if you doubt it. Cos .
The plot's most firm and strong. Pan .
The Means advis'd. Cosm .
The carriage hitherto successefull; we
Gain daily to our side. Rhod .
Doe they come in? Pan .
As to a Marriage; Offer money, Plate,
Jewels, and Garments, nay the Images
Of their Male-Gods. Cosm .
The very name of Rule
Raises their Blouds, and makes 'em throw their Wealth
Away as heartily, as if they were
Young Heires, or old Philosophers. Rhod .
Why then,
There's one care sav'd Cosmeta . Cosm .
What's that pray? Rhod .
I was preparing strong Preservatives
Against our Lords came home, for fear of fainting
At their Arrivall. Pan .
They'd have smelt indeed
Of Labour, Sweat, Dust, Man, and Victory. Cosm .
And such grosse Rustick sents, that a Court nose
Without the patience of a Stoick, could not
Have possibly endur'd them. Rhod .
I believe
They'd have encreas'd the Bill, and some would weekly
Have dy'd of the Lords Return from the Cretan War:
What growth's your Plot of Madam? Cosm .
O it ripens
Past expectation! See, Besides our selves
Eleven Court-Ladies on the Roll already;
Hyantha then sends word, that ten, or twelve
Very substantiall Countrey-Ladies have
Subscrib'd three days ago. Pan .
My Province here,
The City-wives, swarm in, strive, and make means
Who shall command their Husbands first. Cosm .
And then
Of Countrey Gentlewomen, and their eldest daughters,
More than can write their Names; 'Tis now past danger. Rhod .
But, Madam, how'l you gain the men at home? Cos .
For that brace & half of Courtiers there, Ganyctor ,
Lerinus , and Iringus , they are mine,
Fast in the Net, if I but pitch it only. Rhod .
Look where they come, pray sweare 'em presently.