CYNT. Well, if the devil should assist her, and your plot miscarry--

MEL. Ay, what am I to trust to then?

CYNT. Why, if you give me very clear demonstration that it was the
devil, I'll allow for irresistible odds. But if I find it to be only
chance, or destiny, or unlucky stars, or anything but the very devil, I'm
inexorable: only still I'll keep my word, and live a maid for your sake.

MEL. And you won't die one, for your own, so still there's hope.

CYNT. Here's my mother-in-law, and your friend Careless; I would not
have 'em see us together yet.

SCENE II.

CARELESS _and_ LADY PLYANT.

LADY PLYANT. I swear, Mr. Careless, you are very alluring, and say so
many fine things, and nothing is so moving to me as a fine thing. Well,
I must do you this justice, and declare in the face of the world, never
anybody gained so far upon me as yourself. With blushes I must own it,
you have shaken, as I may say, the very foundation of my honour. Well,
sure, if I escape your importunities, I shall value myself as long as I
live, I swear.

CARE. And despise me. [_Sighing_.]

LADY PLYANT. The last of any man in the world, by my purity; now you
make me swear. O gratitude forbid, that I should ever be wanting in a
respectful acknowledgment of an entire resignation of all my best wishes
for the person and parts of so accomplished a person, whose merit
challenges much more, I'm sure, than my illiterate praises can
description.

CARE. [_In a whining tone_.] Ah heavens, madam, you ruin me with
kindness. Your charming tongue pursues the victory of your eyes, while
at your feet your poor adorer dies.

LADY PLYANT. Ah! Very fine.

CARE. [_Still whining_.] Ah, why are you so fair, so bewitching fair? O
let me grow to the ground here, and feast upon that hand; O let me press
it to my heart, my trembling heart: the nimble movement shall instruct
your pulse, and teach it to alarm desire. (Zoons, I'm almost at the end
of my cant, if she does not yield quickly.) [_Aside_.]

LADY PLYANT. O that's so passionate and fine, I cannot hear. I am not
safe if I stay, and must leave you.

CARE. And must you leave me! Rather let me languish out a wretched
life, and breath my soul beneath your feet. (I must say the same thing
over again, and can't help it.) [_Aside_.]

LADY PLYANT. I swear I'm ready to languish too! O my honour! Whither
is it going? I protest you have given me the palpitation of the h