Joc. Know, then, judicious consuls,
These arms are forc'd t' enwreathe a shapeless mass
Of all deformity, a bear unlick'd:
One whom Thersites, that disfigur'd Greek,
So far excell'd in native lineaments,
Proportion, feature, and complexion
(All rare attractives to the eye of love),
As amorous Narcissus in his prime
Surpass'd the roughest sylvan that the woods
E'er nurs'd or harbour'd. Yet enjoin'd am I
To hug this centaur, who appears to me
A prodigy in Nature.
All.'Tis a fate
Exacts compassion, and deserves redress.
Flo. Such a complete and exquisite beauty
Accomplish'd in all parts!
Car.Nay, qualifi'd
With rarity of arts to make her sex
With pious emulation to admire
Her choice perfections——
Pal.And all these obscur'd,
Soil'd, sullied, perish'd by th' immeriting touch
Of a misshapen boor!
Sal.Such precious gems,
Set in ignoble metals, cannot choose
But much detract from th' native graceful lustre,
Which they retain'd, by means of that base ore
Impales their orient splendour.
Mor.This is nothing
To th' injury her lineage may receive
From his deformity.
Til.I must confess
That threat'neth much of danger: yet I read not
That Vulcan's poult foot or his smutted look
Black'ned with Lemnian sea-coal, brought the issue
Begot by Venus, if he any got,
To change their amorous physnomy.
Mor. He may thank
Mars for that active courtesy, or it had
Disfigur'd much his spurious progeny.
Flo. Well, madam, we compassionate your choice
In your Sir Gregory Shapeless, and shall find
A quick receipt to cure your discontent
With a new-moulded and more pleasing feature
Than your sad fate enjoys. Repose, till we
Have run through all your griefs, and felt your pulses.