ers; for I find she loves
me better than Palamede, only because he's to be her husband. There's
something of antipathy in the word _marriage_ to the nature of love:
marriage is the mere ladle of affection, that cools it when 'tis never
so fiercely boiling over.

_Pala._ Dear Rhodophil, I must needs beg your pardon; there is an
occasion fallen out which I had forgot: I cannot be at court to-night.

_Rho._ Dear Palamede, I am sorry we shall not have one course together
at the herd; but I find your game lies single: Good fortune to you
with your mistress. [_Exit._

_Pala._ He has wished me good fortune with his wife; there's no sin in
this then, there's fair leave given. Well, I must go visit the sick; I
cannot resist the temptations of my charity. O what a difference will
she find betwixt a dull resty husband and a quick vigorous lover! He
sets out like a carrier's horse, plodding on, because he knows he
must, with the bells of matrimony chiming so melancholy about his
neck, in pain till he's at his journey's end; and, despairing to get
thither, he is fain to fortify imagination with the thoughts of
another woman: I take heat after heat, like a well-breathed courser,
and--But hark, what noise is that? Swords! [_Clashing of swords
within._] Nay, then, have with you. [_Exit_ PALA.

_Re-enter_ PALAMEDE, _with_ RHODOPHIL; _and_ DORALICE _in man's
habit._

_Rho._ Friend, your relief was very timely, otherwise I had been
oppressed.

_Pala._ What was the quarrel?

_Rho._ What I did was in rescue of this youth.

_Pala._ What cause could he give them?

_Dor._ The cause was nothing but only the common cause of fighting in
masquerades: They were drunk, as I was sober.

_Rho._ Have they not hurt you?

_Dor._ No; but I am exceeding ill with the fright on't.

_Pala._ Let's lead him to some place, where he may refresh himself.

_Rho._ Do you conduct him then.

_Pala._ [_Aside._] How cross this happens to my design of going to
Doralice! for I am confident she was sick on purpose that I should
visit her. Hark you, Rhodophil, could not you take care of the
stripling? I am partly engaged to-night.

_Rho._ You know I have business; but come, youth, if it must be so.

_Dor._ to _Rho._ No, good sir, do not give yourself that trouble; I
shall be safer, and better pleased with your friend here.

_Rho._ Farewell, then; once more I wish you a good adventure.