Phi. He that's best hors'd, that is, best friended, gets
in soonest; and then all he has to do is to laugh at those
that are behind. Shall we help you, my lord?
Ors. Prithee, do. Stay! To be in view's to be in30
favour, is it not?
Phi. Right; and he that has a strong faction against him,
hunts upon a cold scent, and may in time come to a loss.
Ors. Here's one rides two miles about, while another
leaps a ditch, and is in before him.35
Phi. Where note, the indirect way's the nearest!
Ors. Good again!
Phi. And here's another puts on, and falls into a
quagmire, that is, follows the court, till he has spent all;
for your court quagmire is want of money—there a man is40
sure to stick, and then not one helps him out, if they do
not laugh at him.
1 Court. What think you of him that hunts after my
rate, and never sees the deer?
2 Court. Why, he is like some young fellow that follows45
the court, and never sees the king.
Ors. To spur a horse, till he is tired, is
Phi. To importune a friend till he weary of you.
Ors. For then, upon the first occasion, y'are thrown
off, as I was now.50
Phi. This is nothing to the catching of your horse,
Orsames.
Ors. Thou sayest true: I think he is no transmigrated
philosopher, and therefore not likely to be taken with
morals. Gentlemen, your help! the next, I hope, will55
be yours; and then 'twill be my turn.[Exeunt
Enter again, married, Thersames and Aglaura, with Priest
Ther. Fear not, my dear! if, when love's diet was
Bare looks, and those stol'n too, he yet did thrive,
What then will he do now, when every night
Will be a feast, and every day fresh revelry?60
Agl. Will he not surfeit, when he once shall come
To grosser fare, my lord, and so grow sick?
And love once sick, how quickly it will die!
Ther. Ours cannot; 'tis as immortal as the things
That elemented it, which were our souls:65
Nor can they e'er impair in health for what
These holy rites do warrant us to do,
