Phor. 'Tis not amiss if she have neither of the extremes.
Cle. What do you intend?
Phor. I mean, neither so ill-favoured as to have no ground for what we say, for there belief will hardly enter; nor so handsome as to have it often spoke to her. For your indifferent beauties are those whom flattery surpriseth, there being so natural a love and opinion of ourselves, that we are adapted to believe that men are rather deceived in us, than abuse us.
Erg. Your limitation takes away much of my answer: but grant all that you say, I have no hope of obtaining my mistress.
Phor. Then thou hast yet a year of happiness: but why, I prythee?
Erg. She is so deserving, she thinks none worthy of her affections, and so can love none.
Phor. You have more cause to doubt that she will never affect you, than that already she is not in love: what, a young handsome lady, that carries the flame of her heart in her cheeks, not have yet seen any one to desire? 'Tis impossible.
Erg. I was of your mind, till I had experience of the contrary.
Phor. Conceit[359] of yourself makes you of the opinion I mentioned. You think 'tis impossible for all men, what you cannot attain to; what arts have you used to gain her?
Cle. He knows none but distilling sighs at the altar of her beauty.