Char. Most possible, Sir; they will court you, their whole delight is to immortalize—Alexander was begot by a Salamander, that visited his Mother in the form of a Serpent, because he would not make King Philip jealous; and that famous Philosopher Merlin was begotten on a Vestal Nun, a certain King’s Daughter, by a most beautiful young Salamander; as indeed all the Heroes, and Men of mighty Minds are.
Doct. Most excellent!
Char. The Nymph Egeria, inamour’d on Numa Pompilius, came to him invisible to all Eyes else, and gave him all his Wisdom and Philosophy. Zoroaster, Trismegistus, Apuleius, Aquinius, Albertus Magnus, Socrates and Virgil had their Zilphid, which the Foolish call’d their Daemon or Devil. But you are wise, Sir.
Doct. But do you imagine, Sir, they will fall in love with an old Mortal?
Char. They love not like the Vulgar, ‘tis the immortal Part they doat upon.
Doct. But, Sir, I have a Niece and Daughter which I love equally, were it not possible they might be immortaliz’d?
Char. No doubt on’t, Sir, if they be pure and chaste.
Doct. I think they are, and I’ll take care to keep ‘em so; for I confess, Sir, I would fain have a Hero to my Grandson.
Char. You never saw the Emperor of the Moon, Sir, the mighty Iredonozar?
Doct. Never, Sir; his Court I have, but ‘twas confusedly too.