SCANDAL
Good night, good Mr Foresight; and I hope Mars and Venus will be in conjunction;—while your wife and I are together.
MRS FORESIGHT
Well; and what use do you hope to make of this project? You don't think that you are ever like to succeed in your design upon me?
SCANDAL
Yes, faith I do; I have a better opinion both of you and myself than to despair.
MRS FORESIGHT
Did you ever hear such a toad? Hark'ee, devil: do you think any woman honest?
SCANDAL
Yes, several, very honest; they'll cheat a little at cards, sometimes, but that's nothing.
MRS FORESIGHT
Pshaw! but virtuous, I mean?
SCANDAL
Yes, faith, I believe some women are virtuous too; but 'tis as I believe some men are valiant, through fear. For why should a man court danger or a woman shun pleasure?
MRS FORESIGHT
Oh, monstrous! What are conscience and honour?
SCANDAL
Why, honour is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic thief; and he that would secure his pleasure must pay a tribute to one and go halves with t'other. As for honour, that you have secured, for you have purchased a perpetual opportunity for pleasure.
MRS FORESIGHT
An opportunity for pleasure?
SCANDAL
Ay, your husband, a husband is an opportunity for pleasure: so you have taken care of honour, and 'tis the least I can do to take care of conscience.
MRS FORESIGHT
And so you think we are free for one another?
SCANDAL
Yes, faith I think so; I love to speak my mind.
MRS FORESIGHT
Why, then, I'll speak my mind. Now as to this affair between you and me. Here you make love to me; why, I'll confess it does not displease me. Your person is well enough, and your understanding is not amiss.
SCANDAL
I have no great opinion of myself, but I think I'm neither deformed nor a fool.
MRS FORESIGHT
But you have a villainous character: you are a libertine in speech, as well as practice.
SCANDAL
Come, I know what you would say: you think it more dangerous to be seen in conversation with me than to allow some other men the last favour; you mistake: the liberty I take in talking is purely affected for the service of your sex. He that first cries out stop thief is often he that has stol'n the treasure. I am a juggler, that act by confederacy; and if you please, we'll put a trick upon the world.
MRS FORESIGHT
Ay; but you are such an universal juggler, that I'm afraid you have a great many confederates.
MRS FORESIGHT
Oh, fie—I'll swear you're impudent.
SCANDAL
I'll swear you're handsome.
MRS FORESIGHT
Pish, you'd tell me so, though you did not think so.
SCANDAL
And you'd think so, though I should not tell you so. And now I think we know one another pretty well.
