Ast. But you cannot marry both?
Cel. No, nor either of them, I trust in Heaven: but I can keep them company; I can sing and dance with them, and treat them; and that, I take it, is somewhat better than musty marrying them. Marriage is poor folks' pleasure, that cannot go to the cost of variety; but I am out of danger of that with these two, for I love them so equally, I can never make choice between them. Had I but one mistress, I might go to her to be merry, and she, perhaps, be out of humour; there were a visit lost: But here, if one of them frown upon me, the other will be the more obliging, on purpose to recommend her own gaiety; besides a thousand things that I could name.
Ast. And none of them to any purpose.
Cel. Well, if you will not be cruel to a poor lover, you might oblige me, by carrying me to their lodgings.
Ast. You know I am always busy about the queen.
Cel. But once or twice only; 'till I am a little flushed in my acquaintance with other ladies, and have learned to prey for myself. I promise you I'll make all the haste I can to end the trouble, by being in love somewhere else.
Ast. You would think it hard to be denied now?
Cel. And reason good. Many a man hangs himself for the loss of one mistress: How do you think, then, I should bear the loss of two; especially in a court, where, I think, beauty is but thin sown?
Ast. There's one Florimel, the queen's ward, a new beauty, as wild as you, and a vast fortune.
Cel. I am for her before the world. Bring me to her, and I'll release you of your promise for the other two.