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255 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT iv
beauty, when it grafted roses on a briar. You are the reflection
of Heaven in a pond, and he that leaps at you is
sunk. You arc all white, a sheet of lovely, spotless paper,
when you first are born; but you are to be scrawled and
blotted by every goose's quill. I know you; for I loved a
woman, and loved her so long, that I found out a strange
thing; I found out what a woman was good for.
Tat. Ay, prithee, what's that?
Vol. Why, to keep a secret.
Tat. O Lord!
Val. 0, exceeding good to keep a secret: for though she
should tell, yet she is not to be believed.
Tat. Ha! good again, faith.
Val. I would have music.—Sing me the song that I like.
SONG
I tell thee, Charmion, could I time retrieve,
And could again begin to love and live,
To you I should my earliest offering give;
I know, my eyes would lead my heart to you,
And I should all my vows and oaths renew;
But, to be plain, I never would be true.
For by our weak and weary truth I find,
Love hates to centre in a point assigned;
But runs with joy the circle of the mind:
Then never let us chain what should be free,
But for relief of cither sex agree:
Since women love to change, and so do we.
Val. No more, for I am melancholy. [Walks musing.
Jer. [Aside to SCANDAL,] I'll do't, sir.
Scan. Mr. Foresight, we had best leave him. He may
grow outrageous, and do mischief.
Fore. I will be directed by you.
/cr, [Aside to Mrs. FRAIL.] You'll meet, madam? I'll take
care everything shall be ready.
Mrs. Frail. Thou shalt do what thou wilt; in short, I will
deny thee nothing.
Tat. [To ANGELICA.] Madam, shall I wait upon you?
Ang. No, I'll stay with him; Mr. Scandal will protect me.