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SCENE il THE DOUBLE-DEALER 141<br />
with Cynthia; that did my business; that convinced your<br />
aunt I might be trusted, since it was as much my interest as<br />
hers to break the match: then, she thought my jealousy<br />
might qualify me to assist her in her revenge; and, in short,<br />
in that belief, told me the secrets of her heart. At length<br />
we made this agreement, if I accomplish her designs (as I<br />
told you before) she has engaged to put Cynthia with all<br />
her fortune into my power.<br />
Mel. She is most gracious in her favour!—Well, and dear<br />
Jack, how hast thou contrived?<br />
Mask. I would not have you stay to hear it now; for<br />
I don't know but she may come this way; I am to meet<br />
her anon; after that, I'll tell you the whole matter; be here<br />
in this gallery an hour hence, by that time I imagine our<br />
consultation may be over.<br />
Mel. I will; till then success attend thee. [Exit.<br />
Mask. Till then, success will attend me; for when I meet<br />
you, I meet the only obstacle to my fortune.— Cynthia, let<br />
thy beauty gild my crimes; and whatsoever I commit of<br />
treachery or deceit, shall be imputed to me as a merit.—<br />
Treachery! what treachery? love cancels all the bonds of<br />
friendship, and sets men right upon their first foundations.<br />
—Duty to kings, piety to parents, gratitude to benefactors,<br />
and fidelity to friends, are different and particular tics:<br />
but the name of rival cuts 'em all asunder, and is a general<br />
acquittance. Rival is equal, and love like death, a universal<br />
leveller of mankind. Ha! but is there not such a thing as<br />
honesty? Yes, and whosoever has it about him bears an<br />
enemy in his breast: for your honest man, as I take it, is<br />
that nice scrupulous conscientious person, who will cheat<br />
nobody but himself: surh another roxcomb as vmir wise<br />
man, who is too hard for all thr world, and will be made<br />
a fool of by nobody but himself: ha! ha' ha! well, for<br />
wisdom and honesty, give me cunning and hvorv-risy; oh,<br />
'tis such a pleasure to an^le for fair-faced fonls! Then that<br />
hungry gudgeon credulity will bite at anything.—Why,<br />
let me see, I have the same face, the same words and<br />
accents, when I speak what I do think, and when I speak<br />
what I do not think—the very same—and dear dissimulation<br />
is the only art not to be known from nature.<br />
Why will mankind be fools, and be deceived?<br />
And why are friends rmd lovers' oaths believed ?<br />
When each who searches strictly his own mind,<br />
May so much fraud and power of baseness find. \Exit.
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