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244 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT III
they were such as you;—men who consulted the stars, and
were observers of omens.—Solomon was wise, but how?—
by his judgment in astrology:—so says Pineda in his third
book and eighth chapter.
Fore. You are learned, Mr. Scandal!
Scan. A trifler—but a lover of art.—And the wise men of
the East owed their instruction to a star, which is rightly
observed by Gregory the Great in favour of astrology! And
Albertus Magnus makes it the most valuable science:
because (says he) it teaches us to consider the causation of
causes, in the causes of things.
Fore. I protest I honour you, Mr. Scandal:—I did not
think you had been read in these matters.—Few young men
are inclined—
Scan. I thank my stars that have inclined me.—But I
fear this marriage, and making over this estate, this transferring
of a rightful inheritance, will bring judgments
upon us. I prophesy it, and I would not have the fate
of Cassandra, not to be believed. Valentine is disturbed,
what can be the cause of that? and Sir Sampson is hurried
on by an unusual violence.—I fear he does not act wholly
from himself; methink he does not look as he used to do.
Fore. He was always of an impetuous nature.—But as
to this marriage, I have consulted the stars, and all appearances
are prosperous.
Scan. Come, come, Mr. Foresight, let not the prospect of
worldly lucre carry you beyond your judgment, nor against
your conscience:—you are not satisfied that you act justly.
Fore. How?
Scan. You are not satisfied, I say.—I am loath to discourage
you—but it is palpable that you are not satisfied.
Fore. How does it appear, Mr. Scandal? I think I am
verv well satisfied.
Scan. Either you suffer yourself to deceive yourself; or
you do not know yourself.
Fore. Pray explain yourself.
Scan. Do you sleep well o' nights?
Fore. Very well.
Scan. Are you certain? you do not look so.
Fore. I am in health, I think.
Scan. So was Valentine this morning; and looked just so.
Fore. How! am I altered any way? I don't perceive it.