Accept the challange of those lovely dames,
Who thro' the portal comes with bolder steps
To claim your notice.
(Enter a group of Ladies from the other apartment, who walk slowly across the bottom of the stage, and return to it again. Rez. shrugs up his shoulders, as if unwilling to go.)
1st Gent. (to Rez.) Behold in sable veil a lady comes,
Whose noble air doth challange fancy's skill
To suit it with a countenance as goodly.
(Pointing to Jane De Mon. who now enters in a thick black veil.)
Rez. Yes, this way lies attraction.(To Freb.)
With permission,(Going up to Jane.)
Fair lady, tho' within that envious shroud
Your beauty deigns not to enlighten us,
We bid you welcome, and our beauties here
Will welcome you the more for such concealment.
With the permission of our noble host—
(Taking her hand, and leading her to the front of the stage.)
Jane to Freb. Pardon me this presumption, courteous sir:
I thus appear, (pointing to her veil.) not careless of respect
Unto the gen'rous lady of the feast.
Beneath this veil no beauty shrouded is,
That, now, or pain, or pleasure can bestow.
Within the friendly cover of its shade
