Esop. In trying if a good Example will reclaim her, as an ill one has debauch'd her. Live private, and avoid Scandal.
Amin. Never speak it; I can no more retire, than I can go to Church twice on a Sunday.
Esop. What, your youthful Blood boils in your Veins, I'll warrant?
Amin. I have Warmth enough to endure the Air, old Gentleman. I need not shut myself up in a House these twenty Years.
Esop. [Aside.] She takes a long Lease of Lewdness: She'll be an admirable Tenant to Lust.
Amin. [Walking hastily to and fro.] People think when a Woman is turn'd Forty, she's old enough to turn out of the World: But I say, when a Woman is turn'd Forty, she's old enough to have more Wit. The most can be said is, her Face is the worse for wearing: I'll answer for all the rest of her Fabrick. The Men wou'd be to be pity'd, by my troth, wou'd they, if we shou'd quit the Stage, and leave 'em nothing but a parcel of young pert Sluts, that neither know how to speak Sense, nor keep themselves clean. But, don't let 'em fear, we a'n't going yet——[Esop stares upon her, and as she turns from him, runs off the Stage.] How now! What left alone! An unmannerly Piece of Deformity! Methinks he might have had Sense enough to have made Love to me. But I have found Men strangely dull for the last ten or twelve Years: Sure they'll mend in Time, or the World won't be worth living in.
For let Philosophers say all they can,
The Source of Women's Joys is plac'd in Man.
[Exit.
Enter Learchus and Euphronia, Doris following at a Distance.
Lear. [To Euph.] I must tell you, Mistress, I'm too mild with you; Parents shou'd never intreat their Children, nor will I hereafter. Therefore, in a Word, let Esop be lov'd, let Oronces be hated; let one be a Peacock, let t'other be a Bat: I'm Father, you are Daughter; I command, and you shall obey.