[Voices of nightingales.
Dum Philomela canit, spinum sub pectore figit: Crimen ut incestus se meminisse dolet.
Hark, how that ev'ning quire of nightingales
Warble with shrillest notes, pricks at their breasts,
Tereus' incestuous crime; as if't had been
A fact inexpiable: wherein we doubt,
What we should do, if [we] were put unto't.
This is a garden, sure, of great frequent.
Cav. Lucullus nor the Roman Argentine
Had ne'er the like: nor with completer beauties
More gracefully embellish'd: it might be
Styl'd the Spring Garden for variety
Of all delights: balls, treats, and choice invites,
Address'd for amorous parliance; and indeed
To make the bargain up—you know my meaning.
Fri. Thou art a dang'rous beagle. What say you, ladies?
In this perpetual spring-like sweet retire,
To gratify her court'sy and conduct,
Who tender'd these respects: let's have a frolic—
A jovial frolic, till the Platonics come.
Whom we must chide, and with some discontent
Tax for their slowness.
All. The motion's wondrous good;
We all assent to't.
Joc. But in this assent
Scatter such freedom as it may appear
Our fortunes be our own: and that no eye
Of jealousy or parsimonious thrift
Can bound our humour. Let's call up the drawer.
[They ring the bell.
Enter Drawer.
Draw. Your pleasures, madams?