JULIO.

Shepherd, we thank you, and assure yourself, if ever it lies in our Power to serve you, you shall not find us mere Court-Promisers.

HILLARIO.

Why aye now, Compliments will serve well enough for Grace after Meat, look ye; but before, faith, they are the worst Things that ever were invented. Sad Custom: Sad Custom.

FLORINDA.

Are there not some Strangers, Shepherd, that live retir'd in some solitary Part of the Forest?

SHEPHERD.

Aye, Madam, the old Duke of Liege, good Gentleman, that was banish'd by his Brother, with his Companions, lives in a Cave about a Mile off.

JULIO.

Aye, poor Gentleman, we have heard of him; how does he pass his Time in his Retirement?

SHEPHERD.

Hunting, for the generality, furnishes him with both Food and Exercise; there's seldom a Morning passes, but you shall see the good old Man up, and after a Stag, an Hour or two before Sun-rise.

HILLARIO.

What Company has he with him here?

SHEPHERD.

Why, there's one Antonio, and two, or three more merry Fellows, that are always with him.—And then there's one Marcellus, I think they call him, a melancholy Sort of a Fellow;—he's a great Woman-hater, and a Philosopher too, I think they say.

HILLARIO.

How d'ye know?

SHEPHERD.

Why, he reads much;—

HILLARIO.

Good.

SHEPHERD.

Thinks more;—

HILLARIO.

Good still.

SHEPHERD.

Eats little, sleeps less, and speaks least of all.

HILLARIO.

All good.

SHEPHERD.

And if he sees a Woman—

FLORINDA.

What then, Shepherd?

SHEPHERD.

He runs away, shuts himself up in his Cave, and prays for an Hour, or two after.

JULIO, HILLARIO.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

FLORINDA.

Oh the Brute! I'm resolv'd to take a Revenge upon him in Behalf of the whole Sex.

HILLARIO.

So, so, here's like to be fine Work, if you once come at him; well, I say no more.

FLORINDA.

Where is this Marcellus to be found, Shepherd?

SHEPHERD.

About an Hour hence, he generally walks this Way; if you will then, I'll bring you where you may see him.

JULIO.

Do so, Shepherd, and in the mean Time here's for thy Civility, (gives him Money.) Do you know of any Farm to be let, or sold in this Neighbourhood?

SHEPHERD.

Marry, as good a one, as any in the Forest, hard by here, down by the Brook;—'twas old Corin's, but he's gone, poor-Soul; he died, let me see, it's a Month ago, I think, come Wednesday.

JULIO.

Do you bargain for it then, and we'll be answerable for whatever you agree upon.

FLORINDA.

Do Brother, I like the Place much, and cou'd spend my Life in't.

JULIO.

Come, Shepherd, we'll take a little Turn about your Gardens, if you will, and then—

HILLARIO.

Hey for the Philosopher.

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