Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a health to the Man,That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.Sir Morg.Where is my LadyMirtilla, Rogues?Sir Mer.And my Mistress, Rascals? For we are resolv’d to shew our selves in Triumph to our Wives and Mistresses.L. Youth.Your Mistress, SirMerlin? mistake not your Mark.Sir Mer.Ha! Art thou there, old Cathedral? Why, thou look’st as magnificiently asold QueenBessin theWestminster-Cupboard.Sir Morg.Lookye asdesee, whenAdamwore a Beard, she was in her Prime, or so,desee.Sings.L. Youth.Sir, you are a saucyJack, and your Father shall correct you.Sir Mer.My Father! my Father’s an old Toast, de see; and I hope to see him hang’d.Sir Row.Here’s a Heathen-Christian! see his Father hang’d!Sir Mer.Ay, hang’d, and all the old Fathers inChristendom. Why, what a Pox shou’d Fathers trouble the World for? when I come to reign in Parliament, I will enact it Felony, for any Father to have so little Grace to live, that has a Son at Years of Discretion.Sir Row.A damn’d Rogue, I’ll disinherit him immediately.L. Blun.Is it so great a Crime, Brother, for a Gentleman to be drunk?Sir Mer.You lye like a Son of a Whore—I have been drinking Confusion to all the Fathers and Husbands inEngland.Sir Morg.How, Sir, Confusion to Husbands! Look ye, de see, Sir, swallow me that Word, or I’ll make you deposit all the conjugal Wine you have drunk.Sir Mer.I deposit all your Wine! Sirrah, you’re a Blunderbuss.Sir Morg.Sirrah, you are a diminutive Bully.Sir Mer.Sirrah, you’re the Whore ofBabylon, and I defy you.Sir Morg.Lookye, de see, I scorn to draw upon a drunken Man, or so, I being sober; but I boldly challenge you into the Cellar, where thou shalt drink till thou renounce thy Character, or talk Treason enough to hang thee, and that’s fair and civil.Sir Mer.Agreed; and when I’m drunk enough to ravish, I’ll cuckold my old Dad, and fight him for his Mistress.Sir Row.I have no Patience; I’ll kill the Dog, because I’ll have the Law on my side—Come on, Sir.Draws, the Ladies run out. SirMerlindraws.Georgeruns in and parts ’em.Geo.Villain! Rascal! What, draw upon thy Father!Sir Row.Pray, Sir, who are you? that I may thank you for my Life.Geo.One, Sir, whose Duty ’twas.Pulls off his Vizard.Sir Row.What, my dearGeorge!—I’ll go and cut off the Intail of my Estate presently, and thou shalt have it all, Boy, thou shalt—Exeunt all butGeorge.Geo.Fortune is still my Friend: Had but Mirtilla been so! I wonder that she sends not to me: my Love’s impatient, and I cannot wait—while the dull Sot is boozing with his Brother-Fools in the Cellar, I’ll softly to the Chamber of my Love—Perhaps she waits me there—Exit.Scene II.A Chamber, and Alcove, discoversMirtillaand PrinceFrederick.Prince.Oh! I am ravish’d with excess of Joy.Mir.Enough, my charming Prince! Oh, you have said enough.Prince.Never, myMirtilla!The Sun that views the World, nor the bright Moon, that favours Lovers Stealths, shall ever see that Hour. Vast, as thy Beauties, are my young Desires; and every new Possession kindles new Flames, soft as thy Eyes, softas thy tender Touches; and e’er the Pantings of my Heart are laid, new Transports, from new Wishes, dance about it, and still remain in Love’s harmonious Order.Kisses and embraces her.EnterGeorge, softly.Geo.This House I know, and this should be her Bed-Chamber, because the best; and yet methought I heard another Voice—but I may be mistaken.Prince.I faint with Pleasure of each tender Clasp; I sigh, and languish, gazing on thy Eyes! and die upon thy Lips, with every Kiss.Geo.Surely I know that Voice! Torments, and Hell!—but ’tis impossible.Aside.Prince.Oh! satisfy my Doubt, my trembling Doubt! Am I belov’d? Have I about me ought engaging to thee, Charmer of my Soul?Geo.It is the Prince.Aside.Mir.Ah, Prince! Canyousuch needless Questions ask, after the Sacrifice which I have made?Geo.Hell take thee for that Falshood.Draws.Mir.Think not the mighty Present of your Jewels, enough to purchase Provinces, has bought one single Sigh, or Wish: No, my dear Prince, you owe ’em all to Love, and your own Charms.Geo.Oh, damn’d, dissembling Jilt!Aside.Prince.No more, no more, my Soul’s opprest with Joy: let me unload it in thy tender Arms, and sigh it out into thy ravishing Bosom.Geo.Death, and Damnation!—I shall forget his Quality and Virtue, forget he was my Friend, or sav’d this Life; and like a River, swell’d with angry Tides, o’erflow those Banks that made the Stream so gay.Mir.Who’s there?—I heard a Voice—Manage?Geo.Yes.Softly.Prince.Approach, thou Confident of all my Joys; approach, and be rewarded—Princetakes his Jewel from his Hat.Geo.Yes, for my excellent Bauding—By Heav’n, I dare not touch his princely Person.Prince.Where art thou? take this Jewel and retire.Gropes for his Hand, gives it him.Geo.E’en my Misfortunes have a sort of Luck; but I’ll withdraw, for fear this Devil about me shou’d raise my too rash Hand against his Life.Exit.Prince.Come, my eternal Pleasure—each Moment of the happy Lover’s Hour, is worth an Age of dull, and common Life.Exeunt into the Alcove, the Scene shuts.Scene III.A Garden by Night still.EnterGeorgewith his Sword in his Hand, as before.Geo.Why do I vainly call for Vengeance down, and have it in my Hand?—By Heav’n, I’ll back—Whither?To kill a Woman, a young perjur’d Woman!—Oh, ye false Fair Ones! shou’d we do you Justice, a universal Ruin wou’d ensue; not one wou’d live to stock the World anew. Who is’t among ye All, ye Fair Deceivers, ye charming Mischiefs to the noble Race, can swear she’s Innocent, without Damnation? No, no, go on—be false—be fickle still: You act but Nature—But, my faithless Friend—where I repose the secrets of my Soul—except this one—Alas! he knew not this:—Why do I blame him then?EnterOlivia, dress’d as before.Oliv.Fire! Fire! Fire!Geo.Olivia’sVoice!—Ha! what art thou? Thy Voice shou’d beOlivia’s, but thy Shape—and yet a Woman is all o’er Disguise.Enter LadyBlunderin her Night-Gown.L. Blun.Fire! Fire! Fire! My Son, my dear SirMorgan.Enter SirRowland, and Servants.Sir Row.A Pox on your Son, and mine to boot; they have set all the Sack-Butts a Flaming in the Cellar, thence the Mischief began.Timothy,Roger,Jeffrey, my Money-Trunks, ye Rogues! my money-Trunks!L. Blun.My Son, goodRoger! my own SirMoggy!Sir Row.The ten thousand Pounds, ye Rascal, in the Iron Trunk, that was to be paid Mr.WelbornforOlivia’sPortion.Exit.L. Blun.Oh my Son! my Son!—run to the Parson,Sam, and let him send the Church-Buckets. Oh, some help! some help!EnterManage.Man.Oh, Heavens! my LadyMirtilla’sChamber’s all on Flame.EnterBritton.Geo.Ha,—the Prince! I had forgot his Danger.Man.Ah! look up, and see how it burns.Geo.Britton, a Million for a Ladder!Man.Blessing on you, Sir, if you dare venture through the House; there lies one in the Fore-Garden.Britt.The Passage is on fire, Sir, you cannot go.Geo.Revenge is vanish’d, and Love takes its place: Soft Love, and mightier Friendship seizes all. I’ll save him, though I perish in the Attempt.Runs out,Brittonafter him.Enter at another Door, SirRowland.L. Blun.A thousand Pound for him that saves SirMorgan!Sir Row.And, do ye hear, let my Rogue lie; I’d rather he should be burnt, than hang’d onTyburnRoad, for murdering his Father.—But where’s BoyGeorge?Enter Men with Trunks.Rog.Safe, Sir, I hope; he was not in the House.Sir Row.So, so, away with these Trunks to my LadyYouthly’sinSouthampton-Square, and tell her we must trouble her to night. Come, Sister, let’s away.Ex. LadyBlunder, and SirRowland.PrinceFrederickandMirtilla, appear at the Window, the Flame behind ’em.Prince.Help, help, and saveMirtilla! Ask any Price, my Life, my Fortune! All!Mir.Oh, Heav’ns, the Flame pursues us as we fly.Prince.No help! Oh Gods, I shall prevent the Flame, and perish by my Fears to see you die!Mir.Alas! Sir, you with ease may save your Life! This Window you may leap, but I want Courage.Prince.No, myMirtilla, if it be thy Fate, I’ll grasp thee, ev’n in Flames, and die with thee.Mir.We die! we die! the Flame takes hold of us.EnterGeorgewith a Ladder, and puts it to the Window.Prince.Ha! some pitying God takes care of us. Haste, haste, my Charmer; Heav’n has sent us Aid.Puts her on the Ladder, she descends intoGeorge’sArms; after her, thePrince.Georgeputs her intoManage’sArms, she faints; he runs up to receive thePrince.Prince.Lejere!dear Man of Luck—Some happy Star reign’d at thy glorious Birth; every thing is prosperous thou espousest.—How fares my Love, the Treasure of my Soul?Man.Only fainting with the Fright, but she recovers.Prince.My Chair there, quickly, that waits for me.—Enter Chair; he puts her, andManageinto it.EnterOlivia.Carry ’em to Mr.Welborn’s, to my Lodgings there, and then return to me; for I am wondrous faint, and cannot walk.Oliv.Ha! by my Life, my Man!Prince.But if I might impose so much,Lejere, upon thy Friendship, I beg thou wouldst see her safely carry’d to my Lodgings atWelborn’s.Geo.You shall command me, Sir.Exeunt Chair,GeorgeandBritton.Oliv.You seem not well, Sir, pray repose upon my Arm a while.Prince.I thank you, Sir, indeed I am not well.Oliv.Methinks I find a Pleasure but in touching him—Wou’d I cou’d see his Face by all this fatal Light.EnterConstableand Watch.Const.So, so, the Fire abates, the Engines play’d rarely, and we have Ten Guineas here, Neighbours, to watch about the House; for where there’s Fire, there’s Rogues—Hum, who have we here?—How now, Mr.—Hum, what have you got under your Arm there, ha? Take away this Box of Jewels.SirMorgan,andSirMerlin, creeping out of the Cellar Window.Ha, who have we here creeping out of the Cellar-Window? more Rogues!Sir Mer.Sirrah! you’re a Baud, Sirrah! and for a Tester will wink at the Vices of the Nation, Sirrah! Call men of the best Quality Rogues! that have stood for Knights of the Shire, and made the Mobile drunk, Sirrah!Const.We cry you Mercy, Sir, we did not know your Worships.Sir Morg.Lookye, de see, here’s a Crown for you; carry us to the next Tavern, and we’ll make thee, and all thy Mirmidons, as drunk as a Boat in a Storm.Oliv.Sir, I find you have Interest with these arbitrary Tyrants of the Parish; pray will you bail me, and this Gentleman?Sir Mer.What,Endimion! my LadyMirtilla’sPage? He lent me Money to Night at the Basset-Table; I’ll be bound Hand and Foot for him, Mr. Constable, and, gad, we’ll all to the Tavern, anddrink up the Sun, Boys.Oliv.Yonder Gentleman too has receiv’d some hurt by the Fire, and must go home, Sir; but you must restore him the Box, Mr. Constable.Sir Morg.Ay, ay, lookye, de see, return the Gentleman all; they’re Gentlemen, and our intimate Friends, d’ye see.ExeuntPrince, andOlivia.Enter aServant.Const.Stand: Who goes there?Sir Morg.Philip—Lookye, d’ye see, he shall along with us to the Tavern.Serv.SirMorgan, I came to seek you: your Lady Mother sent me back on purpose; she has spoil’d her Beauty with crying for you.Sir Morg.And wash’d off all her Paint?—Or so, de see! Gad sa’ me,Philip, this is ill Luck. Come, let us go drink down Sorrow.Serv.Being sent of such an Errand, as your Safety, Sir, I dare not stay and drink now, before I’ve satisfy’d your Mother.Sir Mer.Not drink! I charge you in the King’s Name, Mr. Constable, bring him along.TheConstableand Watch seize him.Sings.Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a Health to the Man,That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.Exeunt.ACT IV.Scene I.ThePrince’sLodgings.Enter Page with Lights, sets ’em on the Table.Ex.EnterMirtilla, led by Mrs.Manage.Mir.Ha! where am I,Manage?Man.Heav’n be thanked, Madam, at the Prince’s Lodgings.Mir.What happy Star conducted us, and sav’d us from the Fury of the Flames?Man.Those whose Influence are always gracious to your Ladyship.Mir.But where’s the Prince? where’s my illustrious Lover?Man.Waiting the Return of the Chair, Madam.Mir.But myEndimion?—IsEndimionsafe?Man.Madam, he is: I saw him in the Garden.Mir.Then perish all the rest—Go send to search him out, and let him instantly be brought to me—Hah—Lejere.EnterGeorge.Geo.Baud, stand aside—and do your Office yonder—Puts awayManage.Why are you frighted, Madam, because I’m not the Lover you expected?Mir.What Lover! be witness, Heaven—Geo.That thou art false, false as the insatiate Seas, that smiling tempt the vain Adventurer, whom flattering, far from any saving there, swell their false Waves to a destructive Storm.Mir.Why all this mighty Rage?—Because I disappointed you to night?Geo.No, by Heaven, I dully cou’d have waited for the Hour; have hop’d, and wish’d, and languish’d out an Age. But, ohMirtilla! Oh thou perjur’d Fair!—But vanish all the Softness of my Soul, I will be satirical.A Plague, a Torment, to your fickle Sex,Those smiling, sighing, weeping Hypocrites.Mir.And can you think my Flight is criminal? because I sav’d this worthless Life—for you—Geo.What Innocence adorns her Tongue, and Eyes! while Hell and Furies give her Heart its motion. You know not where you are?Mir.Perhaps I do not.Geo.Swear, for thou’rt damn’d already, and by what black Degrees I will unfold: When first I saw this gay, this glorious Mischief, though nobly born, ’twas hid in mean Obscurity; the shining Viper lay half dead with Poverty, I took it up, and laid it next my Heart, fed it, and call’d its faded Beauties back.Mir.Confess’d; And what of this?Geo.Confirm’d you mine, by all the Obligations Profuseness cou’d invent, or Love inspire.Mir.And yet at your Return you found me marry’d to another.Geo.Death and Hell! that was not yet the worst: You flatter’d me with some Pretence of Penitence; but on the Night, the dear destructive Night, you rais’d my Hopes to all distracting Love cou’d wish—that very Night—Oh, let me rave and die, and never think that Disappointment o’er!Mir.What, you saw me courted at the Ball, perhaps.Geo.Perhaps I saw it in your Chamber too. Breathless and panting, with new-acted Joys, the happy Lover lay—OhMirtilla!Mir.Nay, if he knows it, I’ll deny’t no more.Aside.Geo.There is no Honesty in all thy Kind.Mir.Or if there be, those that deal in’t are weary of their Trade. But where’s the mighty Crime?Geo.No, I expect thou shouldst out-face my Eyes, out-swear my Hearing, and out-lye my Senses.—The Prince! the Prince! thou faithless dear destruction.Mir.The Prince! good Heaven! Is all this Heat for him?Geo.Thou own’st the Conquest then?Mir.With as much Vanity as thou wouldst do, if thou hadst won his Sword: Hast thou took care wisely to teach me all the Arts of Life, and dost thou now upbraid my Industry? Look round the World, and thou shalt see,Lejere, Ambition still supplies the place of Love. The worn-out Lady, that can serve your Interest, you swearhas Beauties that out-charms Fifteen; and for the Vanity of Quality, you feign and languish, lye, protest, and flatter—All Things in Nature cheat, or else are cheated.Geo.Well said; take off thy Veil, and shew the Jilt.Mir.You never knew a Woman thrive so well by real Love, as by Dissimulation: This has a thousand Arts and Tricks to conquer; appears in any Shape, in any Humour; can laugh or weep, be coy or play, by turns, as suits the Lover best, while simple Love has only one Road of Sighs and Softness; these toLejereare due: But all my Charms, and Arts of gay dissembling, are for the credulous Prince.—Ha—he’s here!—and with him the dear Youth that has enslav’d me, who triumphs o’er the rest.Aside.Enter PrinceFrederick,Oliviafollowing, seesMirtilla, and withdraws.Oliv.Ha!Mirtilla, and my Brother here? Oh, how I long to see that Stranger’s Face.Aside.Prince.Mirtilla, thou Charmer of Life’s dull and tedious Hours, how fares thy Heart? Dwells any Pantings there, but those that Love, and his dear Joys create?Mir.Or if there do, you shou’d excuse it now.Geo.How many Devils reign in beauteous Woman!Prince.My dearLejere, congratulate my Joys; take all my Friendship thou—but thou my Soul. Come, come, my Friend, let us retire together; I’ll give thee leave to gaze upon my Heaven, and feed on all the Sweets that Friendship may: But all the rest of the vast Store is mine.Man.Madam,Endimionis already here.Aside to her.Mir.Thou hast reviv’d me—Let him wait my Call.ExitPrincewithMirtilla,Georgegoes out, and peeps at the Door.Oliviacomes forward.Oliv.Spite, Spite, and dire Revenge seize my fond Soul!—Oh, that I were a Man, a loose leud Man; how easily wou’d I rob him of her Heart, and leave him but the shadow of Enjoyment!Re-enterGeorge.Geo.Now, my dear Sister, if thou ever lov’dst me, revenge thy Brother on this perjur’d Woman, and snatch her from this gallant Rival’s Arms. She loves thee—Dissemble thou to love again; meet her Advances with an equal Ardour, and when thou hast wound her up to dalliance, I’ll bring the Prince a witness of her Shame.Oliv.But what if he shou’d kill me—Geo.I’ll take care of that.Oliv.Then e’er the morning dawns, you shall behold it: She languishes to see me, and I wait on purpose for her Commands.Geo.As I cou’d wish: Be sure to act the Lover well.Exit.Oliv.As well as I can act it.EnterWelborn, habited as last.That all Mankind are damn’d, I’m positive; at least all Lovers are.Wel.What have we here? the Spark that rally’d me about a Woman at the Ball to night? Who is it, Sir, you curse so heartily.Oliv.Ha, how beautiful he is—how many Charms dwell in that lovely Face—Aside.’Tis you I curse.Wel.Gad, I thank you for that, you were kinder to night, when you told me of a fine Woman that was in love with me.Oliv.Why, what have you to do with Woman-kind?Wel.A pretty civil Question; has the Lady that sent you a mind to be inform’d.Oliv.Or if she had, you’re not at leisure now, you are taken up, Sir, with another Beauty. Did not you swear, never to speak to Woman-kind, till I had brought her, I told you, sigh’d for you?Wel.Right, and I have kept my word religiously.Oliv.The Devil you have, witness the JoyMirtillagave your Soul: Even now you were all Transport, all Extasy of Love; by Heaven, you had forgot you brought me in, and past triumphant inMirtilla’sArms, Love in your Heart, and Pleasure in your Eyes.Wel.Ay, sure he mistakes me for the amorous Prince, and thus, perhaps, has mistook me all the Night: I must not undeceive him.Aside.Whate’er you saw, I have a Heart unwounded, a Heart that never soundly loved, a little scratch it got the other day by a young Beauty in theMall, her Name I know not, but I wish’d to know it, and dogg’d her Coach, I sigh’d a little after her, but since ne’er saw the lovely Vision.Oliv.Sure this was I.Aside.What Livery had she, Sir?Wel.That I took notice of, ’twas Green and Gold—Since that, I trifle now and then with Love, to chase away this Image, and that’s all.Oliv.Ha, now I view him well, ’tis the same handsome Fellow that entertain’d us in theMalllast Thursday.Wel.Come, Sir, ’tis late, please you to take a Bed with me to Night, where we’ll beget a better Understanding.Oliv.A better than you imagine—’Sdeath, to bed with him, I tremble at the thought—Sir, I do not love a Bedfellow.Wel.Sir, I have lent my Lodgings to a Stranger of Quality, or I wou’d offer you a single Bed—but for once you may dispense with a Bedfellow.Oliv.I will not put you to that trouble, Sir.Wel.Do you design to make me your Friend, and use me with Ceremony? Who waits there?Enter Footman.Oliv.’Slife, what shall I do? I cou’d even consent, to prevent his going toMirtilla—besides, I have no home to go to—Wel.Come, no more Scruples—here—a Night-Gown and a Cap for the Gentleman.Oliv.What shall I do?—I have a little urgent Business, Sir.Wel.If there be absolute necessity, I’ll see you to your Lodgings.Oliv.Oh, by no means, Sir. ’Sdeath, whither can I go?Wel.Why do you pause? Deal freely with me, Sir, I hope you do not take me for a Lover of my own Sex— Come, come to bed.Oliv.Go you, Sir, I’ll sit and read by you till Day.Wel.’Sdeath, Sir, d’ye think my bed’s infectious?Oliv.I shall betray my Sex in my denial, and that at last I can but do if Necessity compel me to’t.Aside.Go on, Sir, you have shamed me.Exeunt.EnterPrinceandGeorge.Prince.And thus thou hast my whole Adventure out, short was the Conquest, but the Joys are lasting.Geo.I am glad on’t, Sir.Prince.Why dost wear a Cloud upon thy brows, when Love’s gay Sunshine dances in my Eyes? If thou’rt her Lover too, I pity thee; her solemn Vows breath’d in the height of Love, disarm meof thy hopes, if Friendship wou’d permit thee.Geo.I do not think it, Sir—Prince.Not think it, not think that she has sworn!Geo.Yes, doubtless, Sir—she’s prodigal of Vows, and I dare swear, by all she’s sworn by, she’ll break ’em all: She has less Faith than all the fickle Sex, uncertain and more wanton than the Winds, that spare no Births of Nature in their wild course, from the tall Cedar to the Flowers beneath, butruffle, ravish, and ruinall.Prince.I speak of myMirtilla.Geo.Why, so do I—of yours, of mine, or any Man’sMirtilla.Prince.Away, she that with force of Love can sigh and weep—Geo.This very she, has all the while dissembled! Such Love she deals to every gaudy Coxcomb, how will she practice then upon a Hero?Prince.Away, it cannot be.Geo.By all your Friendship to me, Sir, ’tis truth.Prince.Racksand Tortures!—let her have made of me a mere Example, by whom the cozen’d World might have grown wise: No matter, then I had been pleas’d, though cullyed—Why hast thou ruined my Repose with Truths that carry more Damnation than a Lye? But Oh—thou art my Friend, and I forgive thee.Geo.Sir, I have done, and humbly ask your Pardon.Offers to go.Prince.Stay, stay,Lejere,—if she be false, thou’rt all the World has left me; and I believe—but canst thou prove this to me?Geo.Perhaps I may before the Morning’s dawn.Prince.Ha, prove it here—here, in this very House!Geo.Ay, here, Sir.Prince.What, in my Lodgings will she receive her Spark—by Heaven, were he the darling Son of a Monarch, an Empire’s Hope, and Joy of all the Fair, he shou’d not live to rifle me of Peace.—Come, shew me this destin’d Victim to my Rage.Geo.No, my Revenge is only comical—If you wou’d see how Woman can dissemble, come on, and follow me.Prince.What, disturb her Rest! Didst thou not see her fainting with the Fatigues this Night had given her, and begg’d me I would leave her to Repose?Geo.Yes, and wonder’d at her Art; and when you begg’d to watch by her Bed-side, with what dear Promises she put you off; while every word fellfeeblyfrom her Tongue, as if’t had been her last, so very sick she was—tillyou were gone—Hark—a Door opens—I will obscure the Lights.Puts away the Lights.EnterOlivia.They retire a little.Oliv.Was ever Maid sonear to beingundone? Oh Heavens! in bed with the dear Man I love, ready to be betray’d by every Sigh.Georgepeeps.Geo.’TisOlivia.EnterManagegroping.Man.I left him here—what, by dark?Endimion, young, handsome Sir, where are you?CallsOlivia.Geo.Do you hear that, Sir?Man.Oh, are you here?—Runs againstOlivia.Oliv.’Slife, ’tisManage—how shall I escape?—Aside.Man.Come, Sir, my LadyMirtillahas dismiss’d her troublesome Lovers, for your more agreeable Company.Geo.D’ye hear that, Sir?Man.Come softly on, Sir, and follow me.Oliv.I’m all Obedience—She cannot ravish me, and that’s a Comfort.Aside, going out.Prince.Oh,Lejere—can this be possible? Can there be such a Woman?Geo.Follow him, Sir, and see—Prince.See what!—be witness of her Infamy? Hell! Hell, and all the Fires of Lust possess her! when she’s so old and leud, all Mankind shun her.—I’ll be a Coward in my own dire Revenge, and use no manly Mercy.—But oh, I faint, I faint with Rage and Love, which like two meeting Tides, swell into Storms.—Bear me a minute to my Couch within.Geo.What have I done! now I repent my Rashness.Exeunt.Scene II.Draws off, discoversMirtillaat her Toylet, dress’d.EnterManage, leadingOliviain asEndymion, who falls atMirtilla’sFeet, whilst she’s there, sings a Song; she takes him up.Mir.Rise,—When Lovers are alone they pardon Ceremony.—I sent for you to end the Night with me; say—how shall we employ it?Oliv.I’ll sigh, and gaze upon your lovely Face.Mir.Nothing but sigh, and gaze; we shall grow dull.Oliv.I’ll tell you Tales of Love, and sing you Songs.Mir.Thy Voice, ’tis true, can charm a thousand ways; but Lovers time their Joys, these for the Day, those for the lovely Night. And when they would be silently in love, have Musick of soft Sighs and gentler Whispers.Oliv.Oh, Love inspires all this—What shall I do?Aside.Mir.Nay, think not because I sent for you alone, while Night and Silence favour Lovers Stealths, to take advantage of my yielding Heart.Oliv.I wou’d to Heaven she were in earnest now.A Noise. EnterManage.Man.Oh, hide your Favourite, Madam—do you hear.Mir.A jealous Lover only, comes in such a Storm—Dear, to my Heart, whose Safety is my Life. Submit to be conceal’d—but where—Oh Heavens, he comes—’Tis for you I fear—They search for a place.Man.He comes—Mir.Here, let my Train secure you—Till now I never found the right Use of long Trains and Farthingals.She kneels,Man.puts her Train overOlivia.EnterPrinceandGeorge, at the Door.Geo.’Sdeath, you have made these Pauses and Alarms to give her time to jilt you.Prince.Pray Heaven she do—I’d not be undeceiv’d for all the Sun surveys.Enters.Mir.My Lord the Prince! now you are kind indeed.Goes and embraces him.—hah! what means this Unconcern?Prince.I thought I’ad left you sick, extremely sick.Mir.And are you griev’d to find my Health return?Prince.No, wondrous glad of it. You’re mighty gay,Mirtilla, much in Glory.Mir.Can he, who lays his Fortune at my Feet, think me too glorious for his Arms and Eyes?Geo.Fifty to one the Gipsy jilts him yet.Aside.Prince.Pray Heaven she lyes but handsomly—Aside.—for mine,Mirtilla! Ha—ha—Mir.Am I not yours? You cannot doubt my Vows.Geo.She’ll do’t, and make me love her anew for her rare dexterity at dissembling.Prince.I left you wearied, going to your Bed, but find you at your Toylet gayly dress’d, as if some Conquest you design’d e’er morning.Mir.Manage, Sir, from the Fire, secur’d these Trifles, and I was trying several Dresses on; that this slight Beauty that you say has charm’d you, might, when you saw it next, complete the Conquest.Geo.And that thou wilt, if Flattery can do’t.Prince.Now, were she guilty, as I’m sure she’s not, this Softness would undo me, and appease me.Mir.You seem as if you doubted what I say.This while,Oliviagets off unseen.By all the Powers—Prince.Hold, I scorn to need an Oath to fix my Faith; Oh! thou art all divine, and canst not err.Embraces her.Curs’d be the Tongue that dares profane thy Virtue, and curs’d the listning Fool that dares believe it.Geo.What a poor, wretched, baffled thing is Man, by feebler Woman aw’d and made a Coxcomb!Mir.Durst any one traduce my Virtue, Sir, and is it possible that you could hear it?—Then perish all the Beauties you have flatter’d.Tears her Head-things.Prince.Come to my Arms, thou Charmer of my Soul! and if one spark of Jealousy remain, one of those precious Tears shall quench the Crime—Oh, come, and let me lead thee to thy Bed, and breathe new Vows into thy panting Bosom.Leads her off, she looks back onGeorgeand smiles.Geo.Now all the Plagues of injur’d Lovers wreck thee; ’Sdeath, where has she hidOlivia? or how am I deceiv’d?—’Tis Day, and with it new Invention rise to damn this Woman to the sin of Shame; break all the Chains that hold the princely Youth, and sink her with her fancy’d Power and Vanity.Exit.Scene III.Changes to LadyYouthly’s.Enter SirRowlandhalf dress’d, LadyBlunderin an Undress, LadyYouthlyin her morning-dress,Teresiaand Mr.Twang.Sir Row.Morrow, my LadyYouthly, and thank you for my Night’s Lodging—You are as early up as if it had been your Wedding-day.L. Youth.Truly, SirRowland, that I intend.Sir Row.But where’s the Bride-groom, Madam?EnterRoger.How now,Roger, what, no news yet ofGeorge?Rog.Alas! none, Sir, none, till the Rubbish be removed.Sir Row.Rubbish—What—what, isGeorgebecome the Rubbish of the World then?Weeps.Twang.Why, Man is but Dust, as a Man may say, Sir.L. Blun.But are you sure,Roger, my Jewel, my SirMoggyescap’d?Rog.The Watch drew him out of the Cellar-window, Madam.L. Youth.How, Mr.Twang, the young Gentleman burnt—Oh—Falls in a Chair.Ter.Alas! my Grandmother faints with your ill News.—Good SirRowland, comfort her, and dry your Eyes.Sir Row.Burnt, Madam! No, no, only the House fell on him, or so—Feigns Chearfulness, and speaks to LadyYouthly.L. Youth.How! the House fell on him—Oh!Sir Row.Ah, Madam, that’s all; why, the young Rogue hasa Back like an Elephant—’twill bear a Castle, Madam.L. Youth.Alas, good Man: What a Mercy ’tis, Mr.Twang, to have a Back like an Elephant!L. Blun.Of what wonderful Use it is upon occasion—Sir Row.Ay—but—but I shall never see him more, Back nor Breast.Weeps.Twang.Good Sir, discomfort not my Lady—Consider Man’s a Flower—Sir Row.Ay, butGeorgewas such a Flower! He was, Mr.Twang, he was the very Pink of Prentices. Ah! what a rare rampant Lord Mayor he wou’d have made! And what a swinging Sheriff—Cries.Ter.What, cry, so near your Wedding-day, Sir Rowland?Sir Row.Well, if he be gone—Peace be with him: and, ’Ifaks, Sweet-heart, we’ll marry, and beget new Sons and Daughters—but—but I shall ne’er beget anotherGeorge.Cries.Ter.This is but a Scurvy Tune for your hymenical Song, Sir.Sir Row.Alas! Mrs.Teresia, my Instrument is untun’d, and good for nothing now but to be hung upon the Willows.Cry within.Murder, Murder, Murder!Enter Footman.SirMerlinwith his Sworddrawn, and SirMorgan.Sir Row.What’s here, my Rogue?Twang.What’s the matter, Gentlemen, that ye enter the House in this hostile manner?Sir Morg.What, Mr.Twang, de see!Sir Mer.Ay, ay—stand by Divinity—and know, that we, the Pillars of the Nation, are come, de see—to ravish.L. Blun.Oh, my dear Sir Morgan.Embraces him.Sir Morg.I do not intend to ravish, like aJew, in my own Tribe—L. Youth.What say they, Mr.Twang, ravish? Oh, save my Honour—lead me to my Bed-Chamber, where, if they dare venture to come, they come upon their Peril.Twangleads her out. SirMorgangoes toTer.Sir Mer.Old Fellow, do’st hear? SirPandarusofTroy, deliver me myCressida, de see, peacefully, or I am resolved to bear her offVi & Armis.L. Blun.Sweet Nephew, retire, we are just upon making your Peace.Sir Mer.Ha—Old QueenGwiniver, without her Ruff on?SirMerlintakes hold of her to bear her off;she cries out: SirRowlanddraws upon him. As they are going to fight,Georgeenters.Geo.Is there a Man in Nature’s Race so vile, dares lift a guilty Hand against his Father?Sir Mer.Father me no Fathers; I fight forTeresia, my lawfully begotten Spouse.Geo.That I once called you Brother, saves your Life; therefore resign your Sword here at his reverend Feet.Sir Mer.Sirrah, you lye, Sirrah—Geo.There, drag away this Brute.Disarms him. To the Footman.Sir Mer.Rogues, Dogs, bring Mrs.Teresiaalong with you.Ter.Sure this is my fine Fellow—and yet the very same that’s to be married to my Grandmother; nor can that City Habit hide the Gentleman.Georgespeaks this while with his Father, who embraces him.Sir Morg.Burnt, say you, Mrs.Teresia, de see—my LadyMirtillaburnt! Nay, then, ’tis time to go to sleep, get sober, and marry again.Goes out.Sir Row.Enough, my Boy, enough; thou deserv’st my whole Estate, and thou shalt have it, Boy—This day thou shalt marry the Widow, and I her Grand-child. I’ll to my Lawyers, and settle all upon thee instantly.Goes out.Geo.How, marry to day—Old Gentleman, you must be cozen’d; and, Faith, that goes against my Conscience—Ha, the Fair, the YoungTeresiathere—When a man’s bent upon Wickedness, the Devil never wants an Opportunity to present him with, that she shou’d be in my way now—Fair Creature, are you resolv’d to be my Mother-in-law?Ter.As sure as you to be my Grandfather, Sir—And see—the News of your being come, has rais’d my Grandmother.EnterLettice,my Lady’s maid, and LadyYouthly.Geo.A Pox upon her, her Ghost had been less frightful.Ter.I cou’d have spar’d her now too; but see she advances as swift as Time.Geo.And as old: What shall I do? I dye to speak with you—L. Youth.Where—where’s this Young Welcome Gentleman—Oh, are you here, Sir—She sees him not, but runs upon him.Lettice, takeTeresia, and get you to your Chamber, she has her Trinkets to get ready against the Wedding anon, for we’ll make but one work of both.Ter.Ay, ’twill save Charges, Madam—L. Youth.Ay, ay, get you gone, Lovers sometimes wou’d be private.Geo.Heark ye—leave me not to her mercy, by Love, if you do, I’ll follow you to your Chamber.Ter.Leave you! No, hang me if I do, till I have told you a piece of my mind, for I find there’s no dallying.L. Youth.Well, Sir, I have finish’d the Great Work.Geo.I wish you had—Teresia, once you made me hope you did not hate me.L. Youth.What says he,Teresia?Ter.He says, he hopes you do not hate him, Madam.L. Youth.No, by my Troth, Sir; I feel something for you, I have not felt before.Geo.Not these Threescore Years, I dare swear—You have too much Wit,Teresia, to have been only pleas’d with the Embroider’d Coat, and Gawdy Plume, when still the man’s the same.L. Youth.What says he, Embroider’d Coat and Plume?Ter.He hopes your Ladyship likes him ne’er the worse, for being without those Fopperies.L. Youth.Marry do I not, I love not this over-finery in a Husband; those Fellows that dress, think so well of themselves, they never mind their Wives.Geo.Are you so dull,Teresia, not to see, this Habit was put on, only to get an Opportunity to tell you my Passion?L. Youth.Tell me of his Passion! was it so, alas, good Young Man—Well, well, I’ll defer your Joys no longer, this Night shall make you happy, Mr.Twangshall join us, Sir.Geo.A blessed hearing—You see, Charming Maid, how very short a space there is between this and the hast’ning hour; stand not on Virgin Niceties, but answer me, our time admits of no Consideration.Ter.I have not been this Four and Twenty hours a Lover, to need Considering; as soon as you had my Heart, you had my Consent, and that was the first moment I saw you at theBasset-Table.Geo.Ha! at the Basset-Table!Ter.Yes, I was the frank Youth that lent you Money—but no more—your Time and Place.L. Youth.What are you prating to him there?Ter.He doubts your Love, Madam, and I’m confirming it.L. Youth.Alas, good Gentleman!—anon I’ll convince him—for in the Ev’ning, Sir, the Priest shall make us one.Geo.Ah, Madam, I cou’d wish ’twere not so long defer’d, for sure I love you like a sighing Swain, and as a Proof of it, I have here prepar’d an Emblem of my Love in a Dance of Country Lovers, when Passion is sincere.L. Youth.Good-lack-a-day, indeed you’re so obliging: But pray let us have the Dance.Dance.L. Youth.Very pretty indeed. Come, good Gentleman, don’t droop, don’t droop; come, hold up your Head—you may be allow’d one kiss beforehand.Geo.Kisses her.Oh, what a pestilential Blast was there!Aside.L. Youth.Come, come,Teresia, come with me.Geo.toTeresia.I’ll send a Chair to your Back-gate anon, that shall wait you on the Field-side, and bring you whither I shall appoint. Get ready instantly.Ter.And if I fail, may I be eternally damn’d to the Embraces of old Age.Exeunt all butGeorge.Geo.Mirtilla, thus thy Scorn I will out-brave, And let my Father the kind Cheat forgive;
Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a health to the Man,That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.
Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a health to the Man,
That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.
Sir Morg.Where is my LadyMirtilla, Rogues?
Sir Mer.And my Mistress, Rascals? For we are resolv’d to shew our selves in Triumph to our Wives and Mistresses.
L. Youth.Your Mistress, SirMerlin? mistake not your Mark.
Sir Mer.Ha! Art thou there, old Cathedral? Why, thou look’st as magnificiently asold QueenBessin theWestminster-Cupboard.
Sir Morg.Lookye asdesee, whenAdamwore a Beard, she was in her Prime, or so,desee.Sings.
L. Youth.Sir, you are a saucyJack, and your Father shall correct you.
Sir Mer.My Father! my Father’s an old Toast, de see; and I hope to see him hang’d.
Sir Row.Here’s a Heathen-Christian! see his Father hang’d!
Sir Mer.Ay, hang’d, and all the old Fathers inChristendom. Why, what a Pox shou’d Fathers trouble the World for? when I come to reign in Parliament, I will enact it Felony, for any Father to have so little Grace to live, that has a Son at Years of Discretion.
Sir Row.A damn’d Rogue, I’ll disinherit him immediately.
L. Blun.Is it so great a Crime, Brother, for a Gentleman to be drunk?
Sir Mer.You lye like a Son of a Whore—I have been drinking Confusion to all the Fathers and Husbands inEngland.
Sir Morg.How, Sir, Confusion to Husbands! Look ye, de see, Sir, swallow me that Word, or I’ll make you deposit all the conjugal Wine you have drunk.
Sir Mer.I deposit all your Wine! Sirrah, you’re a Blunderbuss.
Sir Morg.Sirrah, you are a diminutive Bully.
Sir Mer.Sirrah, you’re the Whore ofBabylon, and I defy you.
Sir Morg.Lookye, de see, I scorn to draw upon a drunken Man, or so, I being sober; but I boldly challenge you into the Cellar, where thou shalt drink till thou renounce thy Character, or talk Treason enough to hang thee, and that’s fair and civil.
Sir Mer.Agreed; and when I’m drunk enough to ravish, I’ll cuckold my old Dad, and fight him for his Mistress.
Sir Row.I have no Patience; I’ll kill the Dog, because I’ll have the Law on my side—Come on, Sir.
Draws, the Ladies run out. SirMerlindraws.Georgeruns in and parts ’em.
Geo.Villain! Rascal! What, draw upon thy Father!
Sir Row.Pray, Sir, who are you? that I may thank you for my Life.
Geo.One, Sir, whose Duty ’twas.Pulls off his Vizard.
Sir Row.What, my dearGeorge!—I’ll go and cut off the Intail of my Estate presently, and thou shalt have it all, Boy, thou shalt—
Exeunt all butGeorge.
Geo.Fortune is still my Friend: Had but Mirtilla been so! I wonder that she sends not to me: my Love’s impatient, and I cannot wait—while the dull Sot is boozing with his Brother-Fools in the Cellar, I’ll softly to the Chamber of my Love—Perhaps she waits me there—
Exit.
Prince.Oh! I am ravish’d with excess of Joy.
Mir.Enough, my charming Prince! Oh, you have said enough.
Prince.Never, myMirtilla!
The Sun that views the World, nor the bright Moon, that favours Lovers Stealths, shall ever see that Hour. Vast, as thy Beauties, are my young Desires; and every new Possession kindles new Flames, soft as thy Eyes, softas thy tender Touches; and e’er the Pantings of my Heart are laid, new Transports, from new Wishes, dance about it, and still remain in Love’s harmonious Order.Kisses and embraces her.
EnterGeorge, softly.
Geo.This House I know, and this should be her Bed-Chamber, because the best; and yet methought I heard another Voice—but I may be mistaken.
Prince.I faint with Pleasure of each tender Clasp; I sigh, and languish, gazing on thy Eyes! and die upon thy Lips, with every Kiss.
Geo.Surely I know that Voice! Torments, and Hell!—but ’tis impossible.Aside.
Prince.Oh! satisfy my Doubt, my trembling Doubt! Am I belov’d? Have I about me ought engaging to thee, Charmer of my Soul?
Geo.It is the Prince.Aside.
Mir.Ah, Prince! Canyousuch needless Questions ask, after the Sacrifice which I have made?
Geo.Hell take thee for that Falshood.Draws.
Mir.Think not the mighty Present of your Jewels, enough to purchase Provinces, has bought one single Sigh, or Wish: No, my dear Prince, you owe ’em all to Love, and your own Charms.
Geo.Oh, damn’d, dissembling Jilt!Aside.
Prince.No more, no more, my Soul’s opprest with Joy: let me unload it in thy tender Arms, and sigh it out into thy ravishing Bosom.
Geo.Death, and Damnation!—
I shall forget his Quality and Virtue, forget he was my Friend, or sav’d this Life; and like a River, swell’d with angry Tides, o’erflow those Banks that made the Stream so gay.
Mir.Who’s there?—I heard a Voice—Manage?
Geo.Yes.Softly.
Prince.Approach, thou Confident of all my Joys; approach, and be rewarded—Princetakes his Jewel from his Hat.
Geo.Yes, for my excellent Bauding—By Heav’n, I dare not touch his princely Person.
Prince.Where art thou? take this Jewel and retire.Gropes for his Hand, gives it him.
Geo.E’en my Misfortunes have a sort of Luck; but I’ll withdraw, for fear this Devil about me shou’d raise my too rash Hand against his Life.Exit.
Prince.Come, my eternal Pleasure—each Moment of the happy Lover’s Hour, is worth an Age of dull, and common Life.
Exeunt into the Alcove, the Scene shuts.
EnterGeorgewith his Sword in his Hand, as before.
Geo.Why do I vainly call for Vengeance down, and have it in my Hand?—By Heav’n, I’ll back—Whither?To kill a Woman, a young perjur’d Woman!—Oh, ye false Fair Ones! shou’d we do you Justice, a universal Ruin wou’d ensue; not one wou’d live to stock the World anew. Who is’t among ye All, ye Fair Deceivers, ye charming Mischiefs to the noble Race, can swear she’s Innocent, without Damnation? No, no, go on—be false—be fickle still: You act but Nature—But, my faithless Friend—where I repose the secrets of my Soul—except this one—Alas! he knew not this:—Why do I blame him then?
EnterOlivia, dress’d as before.
Oliv.Fire! Fire! Fire!
Geo.Olivia’sVoice!—Ha! what art thou? Thy Voice shou’d beOlivia’s, but thy Shape—and yet a Woman is all o’er Disguise.
Enter LadyBlunderin her Night-Gown.
L. Blun.Fire! Fire! Fire! My Son, my dear SirMorgan.
Enter SirRowland, and Servants.
Sir Row.A Pox on your Son, and mine to boot; they have set all the Sack-Butts a Flaming in the Cellar, thence the Mischief began.Timothy,Roger,Jeffrey, my Money-Trunks, ye Rogues! my money-Trunks!
L. Blun.My Son, goodRoger! my own SirMoggy!
Sir Row.The ten thousand Pounds, ye Rascal, in the Iron Trunk, that was to be paid Mr.WelbornforOlivia’sPortion.Exit.
L. Blun.Oh my Son! my Son!—run to the Parson,Sam, and let him send the Church-Buckets. Oh, some help! some help!
EnterManage.
Man.Oh, Heavens! my LadyMirtilla’sChamber’s all on Flame.
EnterBritton.
Geo.Ha,—the Prince! I had forgot his Danger.
Man.Ah! look up, and see how it burns.
Geo.Britton, a Million for a Ladder!
Man.Blessing on you, Sir, if you dare venture through the House; there lies one in the Fore-Garden.
Britt.The Passage is on fire, Sir, you cannot go.
Geo.Revenge is vanish’d, and Love takes its place: Soft Love, and mightier Friendship seizes all. I’ll save him, though I perish in the Attempt.Runs out,Brittonafter him.
Enter at another Door, SirRowland.
L. Blun.A thousand Pound for him that saves SirMorgan!
Sir Row.And, do ye hear, let my Rogue lie; I’d rather he should be burnt, than hang’d onTyburnRoad, for murdering his Father.—But where’s BoyGeorge?
Enter Men with Trunks.
Rog.Safe, Sir, I hope; he was not in the House.
Sir Row.So, so, away with these Trunks to my LadyYouthly’sinSouthampton-Square, and tell her we must trouble her to night. Come, Sister, let’s away.Ex. LadyBlunder, and SirRowland.
PrinceFrederickandMirtilla, appear at the Window, the Flame behind ’em.
Prince.Help, help, and saveMirtilla! Ask any Price, my Life, my Fortune! All!
Mir.Oh, Heav’ns, the Flame pursues us as we fly.
Prince.No help! Oh Gods, I shall prevent the Flame, and perish by my Fears to see you die!
Mir.Alas! Sir, you with ease may save your Life! This Window you may leap, but I want Courage.
Prince.No, myMirtilla, if it be thy Fate, I’ll grasp thee, ev’n in Flames, and die with thee.
Mir.We die! we die! the Flame takes hold of us.
EnterGeorgewith a Ladder, and puts it to the Window.
Prince.Ha! some pitying God takes care of us. Haste, haste, my Charmer; Heav’n has sent us Aid.
Puts her on the Ladder, she descends intoGeorge’sArms; after her, thePrince.Georgeputs her intoManage’sArms, she faints; he runs up to receive thePrince.
Prince.Lejere!dear Man of Luck—Some happy Star reign’d at thy glorious Birth; every thing is prosperous thou espousest.—How fares my Love, the Treasure of my Soul?
Man.Only fainting with the Fright, but she recovers.
Prince.My Chair there, quickly, that waits for me.—
Enter Chair; he puts her, andManageinto it.
EnterOlivia.
Carry ’em to Mr.Welborn’s, to my Lodgings there, and then return to me; for I am wondrous faint, and cannot walk.
Oliv.Ha! by my Life, my Man!
Prince.But if I might impose so much,Lejere, upon thy Friendship, I beg thou wouldst see her safely carry’d to my Lodgings atWelborn’s.
Geo.You shall command me, Sir.Exeunt Chair,GeorgeandBritton.
Oliv.You seem not well, Sir, pray repose upon my Arm a while.
Prince.I thank you, Sir, indeed I am not well.
Oliv.Methinks I find a Pleasure but in touching him—Wou’d I cou’d see his Face by all this fatal Light.
EnterConstableand Watch.
Const.So, so, the Fire abates, the Engines play’d rarely, and we have Ten Guineas here, Neighbours, to watch about the House; for where there’s Fire, there’s Rogues—Hum, who have we here?—How now, Mr.—Hum, what have you got under your Arm there, ha? Take away this Box of Jewels.SirMorgan,andSirMerlin, creeping out of the Cellar Window.
Ha, who have we here creeping out of the Cellar-Window? more Rogues!
Sir Mer.Sirrah! you’re a Baud, Sirrah! and for a Tester will wink at the Vices of the Nation, Sirrah! Call men of the best Quality Rogues! that have stood for Knights of the Shire, and made the Mobile drunk, Sirrah!
Const.We cry you Mercy, Sir, we did not know your Worships.
Sir Morg.Lookye, de see, here’s a Crown for you; carry us to the next Tavern, and we’ll make thee, and all thy Mirmidons, as drunk as a Boat in a Storm.
Oliv.Sir, I find you have Interest with these arbitrary Tyrants of the Parish; pray will you bail me, and this Gentleman?
Sir Mer.What,Endimion! my LadyMirtilla’sPage? He lent me Money to Night at the Basset-Table; I’ll be bound Hand and Foot for him, Mr. Constable, and, gad, we’ll all to the Tavern, anddrink up the Sun, Boys.
Oliv.Yonder Gentleman too has receiv’d some hurt by the Fire, and must go home, Sir; but you must restore him the Box, Mr. Constable.
Sir Morg.Ay, ay, lookye, de see, return the Gentleman all; they’re Gentlemen, and our intimate Friends, d’ye see.ExeuntPrince, andOlivia.
Enter aServant.
Const.Stand: Who goes there?
Sir Morg.Philip—Lookye, d’ye see, he shall along with us to the Tavern.
Serv.SirMorgan, I came to seek you: your Lady Mother sent me back on purpose; she has spoil’d her Beauty with crying for you.
Sir Morg.And wash’d off all her Paint?—Or so, de see! Gad sa’ me,Philip, this is ill Luck. Come, let us go drink down Sorrow.
Serv.Being sent of such an Errand, as your Safety, Sir, I dare not stay and drink now, before I’ve satisfy’d your Mother.
Sir Mer.Not drink! I charge you in the King’s Name, Mr. Constable, bring him along.TheConstableand Watch seize him.
Sings.
Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a Health to the Man,That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.
Wise Coxcombs be damn’d, here’s a Health to the Man,
That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.
Exeunt.
Enter Page with Lights, sets ’em on the Table.Ex.
EnterMirtilla, led by Mrs.Manage.
Mir.Ha! where am I,Manage?
Man.Heav’n be thanked, Madam, at the Prince’s Lodgings.
Mir.What happy Star conducted us, and sav’d us from the Fury of the Flames?
Man.Those whose Influence are always gracious to your Ladyship.
Mir.But where’s the Prince? where’s my illustrious Lover?
Man.Waiting the Return of the Chair, Madam.
Mir.But myEndimion?—IsEndimionsafe?
Man.Madam, he is: I saw him in the Garden.
Mir.Then perish all the rest—Go send to search him out, and let him instantly be brought to me—Hah—Lejere.
EnterGeorge.
Geo.Baud, stand aside—and do your Office yonder—Puts awayManage.
Why are you frighted, Madam, because I’m not the Lover you expected?
Mir.What Lover! be witness, Heaven—
Geo.That thou art false, false as the insatiate Seas, that smiling tempt the vain Adventurer, whom flattering, far from any saving there, swell their false Waves to a destructive Storm.
Mir.Why all this mighty Rage?—Because I disappointed you to night?
Geo.No, by Heaven, I dully cou’d have waited for the Hour; have hop’d, and wish’d, and languish’d out an Age. But, ohMirtilla! Oh thou perjur’d Fair!—But vanish all the Softness of my Soul, I will be satirical.
A Plague, a Torment, to your fickle Sex,Those smiling, sighing, weeping Hypocrites.
A Plague, a Torment, to your fickle Sex,
Those smiling, sighing, weeping Hypocrites.
Mir.And can you think my Flight is criminal? because I sav’d this worthless Life—for you—
Geo.What Innocence adorns her Tongue, and Eyes! while Hell and Furies give her Heart its motion. You know not where you are?
Mir.Perhaps I do not.
Geo.Swear, for thou’rt damn’d already, and by what black Degrees I will unfold: When first I saw this gay, this glorious Mischief, though nobly born, ’twas hid in mean Obscurity; the shining Viper lay half dead with Poverty, I took it up, and laid it next my Heart, fed it, and call’d its faded Beauties back.
Mir.Confess’d; And what of this?
Geo.Confirm’d you mine, by all the Obligations Profuseness cou’d invent, or Love inspire.
Mir.And yet at your Return you found me marry’d to another.
Geo.Death and Hell! that was not yet the worst: You flatter’d me with some Pretence of Penitence; but on the Night, the dear destructive Night, you rais’d my Hopes to all distracting Love cou’d wish—that very Night—Oh, let me rave and die, and never think that Disappointment o’er!
Mir.What, you saw me courted at the Ball, perhaps.
Geo.Perhaps I saw it in your Chamber too. Breathless and panting, with new-acted Joys, the happy Lover lay—OhMirtilla!
Mir.Nay, if he knows it, I’ll deny’t no more.Aside.
Geo.There is no Honesty in all thy Kind.
Mir.Or if there be, those that deal in’t are weary of their Trade. But where’s the mighty Crime?
Geo.No, I expect thou shouldst out-face my Eyes, out-swear my Hearing, and out-lye my Senses.—The Prince! the Prince! thou faithless dear destruction.
Mir.The Prince! good Heaven! Is all this Heat for him?
Geo.Thou own’st the Conquest then?
Mir.With as much Vanity as thou wouldst do, if thou hadst won his Sword: Hast thou took care wisely to teach me all the Arts of Life, and dost thou now upbraid my Industry? Look round the World, and thou shalt see,Lejere, Ambition still supplies the place of Love. The worn-out Lady, that can serve your Interest, you swearhas Beauties that out-charms Fifteen; and for the Vanity of Quality, you feign and languish, lye, protest, and flatter—All Things in Nature cheat, or else are cheated.
Geo.Well said; take off thy Veil, and shew the Jilt.
Mir.You never knew a Woman thrive so well by real Love, as by Dissimulation: This has a thousand Arts and Tricks to conquer; appears in any Shape, in any Humour; can laugh or weep, be coy or play, by turns, as suits the Lover best, while simple Love has only one Road of Sighs and Softness; these toLejereare due: But all my Charms, and Arts of gay dissembling, are for the credulous Prince.—Ha—he’s here!—and with him the dear Youth that has enslav’d me, who triumphs o’er the rest.Aside.
Enter PrinceFrederick,Oliviafollowing, seesMirtilla, and withdraws.
Oliv.Ha!Mirtilla, and my Brother here? Oh, how I long to see that Stranger’s Face.Aside.
Prince.Mirtilla, thou Charmer of Life’s dull and tedious Hours, how fares thy Heart? Dwells any Pantings there, but those that Love, and his dear Joys create?
Mir.Or if there do, you shou’d excuse it now.
Geo.How many Devils reign in beauteous Woman!
Prince.My dearLejere, congratulate my Joys; take all my Friendship thou—but thou my Soul. Come, come, my Friend, let us retire together; I’ll give thee leave to gaze upon my Heaven, and feed on all the Sweets that Friendship may: But all the rest of the vast Store is mine.
Man.Madam,Endimionis already here.Aside to her.
Mir.Thou hast reviv’d me—Let him wait my Call.
ExitPrincewithMirtilla,Georgegoes out, and peeps at the Door.Oliviacomes forward.
Oliv.Spite, Spite, and dire Revenge seize my fond Soul!—Oh, that I were a Man, a loose leud Man; how easily wou’d I rob him of her Heart, and leave him but the shadow of Enjoyment!
Re-enterGeorge.
Geo.Now, my dear Sister, if thou ever lov’dst me, revenge thy Brother on this perjur’d Woman, and snatch her from this gallant Rival’s Arms. She loves thee—Dissemble thou to love again; meet her Advances with an equal Ardour, and when thou hast wound her up to dalliance, I’ll bring the Prince a witness of her Shame.
Oliv.But what if he shou’d kill me—
Geo.I’ll take care of that.
Oliv.Then e’er the morning dawns, you shall behold it: She languishes to see me, and I wait on purpose for her Commands.
Geo.As I cou’d wish: Be sure to act the Lover well.Exit.
Oliv.As well as I can act it.
EnterWelborn, habited as last.
That all Mankind are damn’d, I’m positive; at least all Lovers are.
Wel.What have we here? the Spark that rally’d me about a Woman at the Ball to night? Who is it, Sir, you curse so heartily.
Oliv.Ha, how beautiful he is—how many Charms dwell in that lovely Face—Aside.
’Tis you I curse.
Wel.Gad, I thank you for that, you were kinder to night, when you told me of a fine Woman that was in love with me.
Oliv.Why, what have you to do with Woman-kind?
Wel.A pretty civil Question; has the Lady that sent you a mind to be inform’d.
Oliv.Or if she had, you’re not at leisure now, you are taken up, Sir, with another Beauty. Did not you swear, never to speak to Woman-kind, till I had brought her, I told you, sigh’d for you?
Wel.Right, and I have kept my word religiously.
Oliv.The Devil you have, witness the JoyMirtillagave your Soul: Even now you were all Transport, all Extasy of Love; by Heaven, you had forgot you brought me in, and past triumphant inMirtilla’sArms, Love in your Heart, and Pleasure in your Eyes.
Wel.Ay, sure he mistakes me for the amorous Prince, and thus, perhaps, has mistook me all the Night: I must not undeceive him.Aside.
Whate’er you saw, I have a Heart unwounded, a Heart that never soundly loved, a little scratch it got the other day by a young Beauty in theMall, her Name I know not, but I wish’d to know it, and dogg’d her Coach, I sigh’d a little after her, but since ne’er saw the lovely Vision.
Oliv.Sure this was I.Aside.
What Livery had she, Sir?
Wel.That I took notice of, ’twas Green and Gold—Since that, I trifle now and then with Love, to chase away this Image, and that’s all.
Oliv.Ha, now I view him well, ’tis the same handsome Fellow that entertain’d us in theMalllast Thursday.
Wel.Come, Sir, ’tis late, please you to take a Bed with me to Night, where we’ll beget a better Understanding.
Oliv.A better than you imagine—’Sdeath, to bed with him, I tremble at the thought—Sir, I do not love a Bedfellow.
Wel.Sir, I have lent my Lodgings to a Stranger of Quality, or I wou’d offer you a single Bed—but for once you may dispense with a Bedfellow.
Oliv.I will not put you to that trouble, Sir.
Wel.Do you design to make me your Friend, and use me with Ceremony? Who waits there?
Enter Footman.
Oliv.’Slife, what shall I do? I cou’d even consent, to prevent his going toMirtilla—besides, I have no home to go to—
Wel.Come, no more Scruples—here—a Night-Gown and a Cap for the Gentleman.
Oliv.What shall I do?—I have a little urgent Business, Sir.
Wel.If there be absolute necessity, I’ll see you to your Lodgings.
Oliv.Oh, by no means, Sir. ’Sdeath, whither can I go?
Wel.Why do you pause? Deal freely with me, Sir, I hope you do not take me for a Lover of my own Sex— Come, come to bed.
Oliv.Go you, Sir, I’ll sit and read by you till Day.
Wel.’Sdeath, Sir, d’ye think my bed’s infectious?
Oliv.I shall betray my Sex in my denial, and that at last I can but do if Necessity compel me to’t.Aside.
Go on, Sir, you have shamed me.Exeunt.
EnterPrinceandGeorge.
Prince.And thus thou hast my whole Adventure out, short was the Conquest, but the Joys are lasting.
Geo.I am glad on’t, Sir.
Prince.Why dost wear a Cloud upon thy brows, when Love’s gay Sunshine dances in my Eyes? If thou’rt her Lover too, I pity thee; her solemn Vows breath’d in the height of Love, disarm meof thy hopes, if Friendship wou’d permit thee.
Geo.I do not think it, Sir—
Prince.Not think it, not think that she has sworn!
Geo.Yes, doubtless, Sir—she’s prodigal of Vows, and I dare swear, by all she’s sworn by, she’ll break ’em all: She has less Faith than all the fickle Sex, uncertain and more wanton than the Winds, that spare no Births of Nature in their wild course, from the tall Cedar to the Flowers beneath, butruffle, ravish, and ruinall.
Prince.I speak of myMirtilla.
Geo.Why, so do I—of yours, of mine, or any Man’sMirtilla.
Prince.Away, she that with force of Love can sigh and weep—
Geo.This very she, has all the while dissembled! Such Love she deals to every gaudy Coxcomb, how will she practice then upon a Hero?
Prince.Away, it cannot be.
Geo.By all your Friendship to me, Sir, ’tis truth.
Prince.Racksand Tortures!—let her have made of me a mere Example, by whom the cozen’d World might have grown wise: No matter, then I had been pleas’d, though cullyed—Why hast thou ruined my Repose with Truths that carry more Damnation than a Lye? But Oh—thou art my Friend, and I forgive thee.
Geo.Sir, I have done, and humbly ask your Pardon.Offers to go.
Prince.Stay, stay,Lejere,—if she be false, thou’rt all the World has left me; and I believe—but canst thou prove this to me?
Geo.Perhaps I may before the Morning’s dawn.
Prince.Ha, prove it here—here, in this very House!
Geo.Ay, here, Sir.
Prince.What, in my Lodgings will she receive her Spark—by Heaven, were he the darling Son of a Monarch, an Empire’s Hope, and Joy of all the Fair, he shou’d not live to rifle me of Peace.—Come, shew me this destin’d Victim to my Rage.
Geo.No, my Revenge is only comical—If you wou’d see how Woman can dissemble, come on, and follow me.
Prince.What, disturb her Rest! Didst thou not see her fainting with the Fatigues this Night had given her, and begg’d me I would leave her to Repose?
Geo.Yes, and wonder’d at her Art; and when you begg’d to watch by her Bed-side, with what dear Promises she put you off; while every word fellfeeblyfrom her Tongue, as if’t had been her last, so very sick she was—tillyou were gone—Hark—a Door opens—I will obscure the Lights.Puts away the Lights.
EnterOlivia.They retire a little.
Oliv.Was ever Maid sonear to beingundone? Oh Heavens! in bed with the dear Man I love, ready to be betray’d by every Sigh.Georgepeeps.
Geo.’TisOlivia.
EnterManagegroping.
Man.I left him here—what, by dark?Endimion, young, handsome Sir, where are you?CallsOlivia.
Geo.Do you hear that, Sir?
Man.Oh, are you here?—Runs againstOlivia.
Oliv.’Slife, ’tisManage—how shall I escape?—Aside.
Man.Come, Sir, my LadyMirtillahas dismiss’d her troublesome Lovers, for your more agreeable Company.
Geo.D’ye hear that, Sir?
Man.Come softly on, Sir, and follow me.
Oliv.I’m all Obedience—
She cannot ravish me, and that’s a Comfort.Aside, going out.
Prince.Oh,Lejere—can this be possible? Can there be such a Woman?
Geo.Follow him, Sir, and see—
Prince.See what!—be witness of her Infamy? Hell! Hell, and all the Fires of Lust possess her! when she’s so old and leud, all Mankind shun her.—I’ll be a Coward in my own dire Revenge, and use no manly Mercy.—But oh, I faint, I faint with Rage and Love, which like two meeting Tides, swell into Storms.—Bear me a minute to my Couch within.
Geo.What have I done! now I repent my Rashness.
Exeunt.
EnterManage, leadingOliviain asEndymion, who falls atMirtilla’sFeet, whilst she’s there, sings a Song; she takes him up.
Mir.Rise,—When Lovers are alone they pardon Ceremony.—I sent for you to end the Night with me; say—how shall we employ it?
Oliv.I’ll sigh, and gaze upon your lovely Face.
Mir.Nothing but sigh, and gaze; we shall grow dull.
Oliv.I’ll tell you Tales of Love, and sing you Songs.
Mir.Thy Voice, ’tis true, can charm a thousand ways; but Lovers time their Joys, these for the Day, those for the lovely Night. And when they would be silently in love, have Musick of soft Sighs and gentler Whispers.
Oliv.Oh, Love inspires all this—What shall I do?Aside.
Mir.Nay, think not because I sent for you alone, while Night and Silence favour Lovers Stealths, to take advantage of my yielding Heart.
Oliv.I wou’d to Heaven she were in earnest now.
A Noise. EnterManage.
Man.Oh, hide your Favourite, Madam—do you hear.
Mir.A jealous Lover only, comes in such a Storm—Dear, to my Heart, whose Safety is my Life. Submit to be conceal’d—but where—Oh Heavens, he comes—’Tis for you I fear—They search for a place.
Man.He comes—
Mir.Here, let my Train secure you—Till now I never found the right Use of long Trains and Farthingals.She kneels,Man.puts her Train overOlivia.
EnterPrinceandGeorge, at the Door.
Geo.’Sdeath, you have made these Pauses and Alarms to give her time to jilt you.
Prince.Pray Heaven she do—I’d not be undeceiv’d for all the Sun surveys.Enters.
Mir.My Lord the Prince! now you are kind indeed.Goes and embraces him.
—hah! what means this Unconcern?
Prince.I thought I’ad left you sick, extremely sick.
Mir.And are you griev’d to find my Health return?
Prince.No, wondrous glad of it. You’re mighty gay,Mirtilla, much in Glory.
Mir.Can he, who lays his Fortune at my Feet, think me too glorious for his Arms and Eyes?
Geo.Fifty to one the Gipsy jilts him yet.Aside.
Prince.Pray Heaven she lyes but handsomly—Aside.
—for mine,Mirtilla! Ha—ha—
Mir.Am I not yours? You cannot doubt my Vows.
Geo.She’ll do’t, and make me love her anew for her rare dexterity at dissembling.
Prince.I left you wearied, going to your Bed, but find you at your Toylet gayly dress’d, as if some Conquest you design’d e’er morning.
Mir.Manage, Sir, from the Fire, secur’d these Trifles, and I was trying several Dresses on; that this slight Beauty that you say has charm’d you, might, when you saw it next, complete the Conquest.
Geo.And that thou wilt, if Flattery can do’t.
Prince.Now, were she guilty, as I’m sure she’s not, this Softness would undo me, and appease me.
Mir.You seem as if you doubted what I say.This while,Oliviagets off unseen.
By all the Powers—
Prince.Hold, I scorn to need an Oath to fix my Faith; Oh! thou art all divine, and canst not err.Embraces her.
Curs’d be the Tongue that dares profane thy Virtue, and curs’d the listning Fool that dares believe it.
Geo.What a poor, wretched, baffled thing is Man, by feebler Woman aw’d and made a Coxcomb!
Mir.Durst any one traduce my Virtue, Sir, and is it possible that you could hear it?—Then perish all the Beauties you have flatter’d.Tears her Head-things.
Prince.Come to my Arms, thou Charmer of my Soul! and if one spark of Jealousy remain, one of those precious Tears shall quench the Crime—Oh, come, and let me lead thee to thy Bed, and breathe new Vows into thy panting Bosom.Leads her off, she looks back onGeorgeand smiles.
Geo.Now all the Plagues of injur’d Lovers wreck thee; ’Sdeath, where has she hidOlivia? or how am I deceiv’d?—’Tis Day, and with it new Invention rise to damn this Woman to the sin of Shame; break all the Chains that hold the princely Youth, and sink her with her fancy’d Power and Vanity.
Exit.
Enter SirRowlandhalf dress’d, LadyBlunderin an Undress, LadyYouthlyin her morning-dress,Teresiaand Mr.Twang.
Sir Row.Morrow, my LadyYouthly, and thank you for my Night’s Lodging—You are as early up as if it had been your Wedding-day.
L. Youth.Truly, SirRowland, that I intend.
Sir Row.But where’s the Bride-groom, Madam?
EnterRoger.
How now,Roger, what, no news yet ofGeorge?
Rog.Alas! none, Sir, none, till the Rubbish be removed.
Sir Row.Rubbish—What—what, isGeorgebecome the Rubbish of the World then?Weeps.
Twang.Why, Man is but Dust, as a Man may say, Sir.
L. Blun.But are you sure,Roger, my Jewel, my SirMoggyescap’d?
Rog.The Watch drew him out of the Cellar-window, Madam.
L. Youth.How, Mr.Twang, the young Gentleman burnt—Oh—Falls in a Chair.
Ter.Alas! my Grandmother faints with your ill News.—Good SirRowland, comfort her, and dry your Eyes.
Sir Row.Burnt, Madam! No, no, only the House fell on him, or so—Feigns Chearfulness, and speaks to LadyYouthly.
L. Youth.How! the House fell on him—Oh!
Sir Row.Ah, Madam, that’s all; why, the young Rogue hasa Back like an Elephant—’twill bear a Castle, Madam.
L. Youth.Alas, good Man: What a Mercy ’tis, Mr.Twang, to have a Back like an Elephant!
L. Blun.Of what wonderful Use it is upon occasion—
Sir Row.Ay—but—but I shall never see him more, Back nor Breast.Weeps.
Twang.Good Sir, discomfort not my Lady—Consider Man’s a Flower—
Sir Row.Ay, butGeorgewas such a Flower! He was, Mr.Twang, he was the very Pink of Prentices. Ah! what a rare rampant Lord Mayor he wou’d have made! And what a swinging Sheriff—Cries.
Ter.What, cry, so near your Wedding-day, Sir Rowland?
Sir Row.Well, if he be gone—Peace be with him: and, ’Ifaks, Sweet-heart, we’ll marry, and beget new Sons and Daughters—but—but I shall ne’er beget anotherGeorge.Cries.
Ter.This is but a Scurvy Tune for your hymenical Song, Sir.
Sir Row.Alas! Mrs.Teresia, my Instrument is untun’d, and good for nothing now but to be hung upon the Willows.
Cry within.Murder, Murder, Murder!
Enter Footman.SirMerlinwith his Sworddrawn, and SirMorgan.
Sir Row.What’s here, my Rogue?
Twang.What’s the matter, Gentlemen, that ye enter the House in this hostile manner?
Sir Morg.What, Mr.Twang, de see!
Sir Mer.Ay, ay—stand by Divinity—and know, that we, the Pillars of the Nation, are come, de see—to ravish.
L. Blun.Oh, my dear Sir Morgan.Embraces him.
Sir Morg.I do not intend to ravish, like aJew, in my own Tribe—
L. Youth.What say they, Mr.Twang, ravish? Oh, save my Honour—lead me to my Bed-Chamber, where, if they dare venture to come, they come upon their Peril.Twangleads her out. SirMorgangoes toTer.
Sir Mer.Old Fellow, do’st hear? SirPandarusofTroy, deliver me myCressida, de see, peacefully, or I am resolved to bear her offVi & Armis.
L. Blun.Sweet Nephew, retire, we are just upon making your Peace.
Sir Mer.Ha—Old QueenGwiniver, without her Ruff on?
SirMerlintakes hold of her to bear her off;she cries out: SirRowlanddraws upon him. As they are going to fight,Georgeenters.
Geo.Is there a Man in Nature’s Race so vile, dares lift a guilty Hand against his Father?
Sir Mer.Father me no Fathers; I fight forTeresia, my lawfully begotten Spouse.
Geo.That I once called you Brother, saves your Life; therefore resign your Sword here at his reverend Feet.
Sir Mer.Sirrah, you lye, Sirrah—
Geo.There, drag away this Brute.Disarms him. To the Footman.
Sir Mer.Rogues, Dogs, bring Mrs.Teresiaalong with you.
Ter.Sure this is my fine Fellow—and yet the very same that’s to be married to my Grandmother; nor can that City Habit hide the Gentleman.Georgespeaks this while with his Father, who embraces him.
Sir Morg.Burnt, say you, Mrs.Teresia, de see—my LadyMirtillaburnt! Nay, then, ’tis time to go to sleep, get sober, and marry again.Goes out.
Sir Row.Enough, my Boy, enough; thou deserv’st my whole Estate, and thou shalt have it, Boy—This day thou shalt marry the Widow, and I her Grand-child. I’ll to my Lawyers, and settle all upon thee instantly.Goes out.
Geo.How, marry to day—Old Gentleman, you must be cozen’d; and, Faith, that goes against my Conscience—Ha, the Fair, the YoungTeresiathere—When a man’s bent upon Wickedness, the Devil never wants an Opportunity to present him with, that she shou’d be in my way now—Fair Creature, are you resolv’d to be my Mother-in-law?
Ter.As sure as you to be my Grandfather, Sir—And see—the News of your being come, has rais’d my Grandmother.
EnterLettice,my Lady’s maid, and LadyYouthly.
Geo.A Pox upon her, her Ghost had been less frightful.
Ter.I cou’d have spar’d her now too; but see she advances as swift as Time.
Geo.And as old: What shall I do? I dye to speak with you—
L. Youth.Where—where’s this Young Welcome Gentleman—Oh, are you here, Sir—She sees him not, but runs upon him.
Lettice, takeTeresia, and get you to your Chamber, she has her Trinkets to get ready against the Wedding anon, for we’ll make but one work of both.
Ter.Ay, ’twill save Charges, Madam—
L. Youth.Ay, ay, get you gone, Lovers sometimes wou’d be private.
Geo.Heark ye—leave me not to her mercy, by Love, if you do, I’ll follow you to your Chamber.
Ter.Leave you! No, hang me if I do, till I have told you a piece of my mind, for I find there’s no dallying.
L. Youth.Well, Sir, I have finish’d the Great Work.
Geo.I wish you had—Teresia, once you made me hope you did not hate me.
L. Youth.What says he,Teresia?
Ter.He says, he hopes you do not hate him, Madam.
L. Youth.No, by my Troth, Sir; I feel something for you, I have not felt before.
Geo.Not these Threescore Years, I dare swear—You have too much Wit,Teresia, to have been only pleas’d with the Embroider’d Coat, and Gawdy Plume, when still the man’s the same.
L. Youth.What says he, Embroider’d Coat and Plume?
Ter.He hopes your Ladyship likes him ne’er the worse, for being without those Fopperies.
L. Youth.Marry do I not, I love not this over-finery in a Husband; those Fellows that dress, think so well of themselves, they never mind their Wives.
Geo.Are you so dull,Teresia, not to see, this Habit was put on, only to get an Opportunity to tell you my Passion?
L. Youth.Tell me of his Passion! was it so, alas, good Young Man—Well, well, I’ll defer your Joys no longer, this Night shall make you happy, Mr.Twangshall join us, Sir.
Geo.A blessed hearing—You see, Charming Maid, how very short a space there is between this and the hast’ning hour; stand not on Virgin Niceties, but answer me, our time admits of no Consideration.
Ter.I have not been this Four and Twenty hours a Lover, to need Considering; as soon as you had my Heart, you had my Consent, and that was the first moment I saw you at theBasset-Table.
Geo.Ha! at the Basset-Table!
Ter.Yes, I was the frank Youth that lent you Money—but no more—your Time and Place.
L. Youth.What are you prating to him there?
Ter.He doubts your Love, Madam, and I’m confirming it.
L. Youth.Alas, good Gentleman!—anon I’ll convince him—for in the Ev’ning, Sir, the Priest shall make us one.
Geo.Ah, Madam, I cou’d wish ’twere not so long defer’d, for sure I love you like a sighing Swain, and as a Proof of it, I have here prepar’d an Emblem of my Love in a Dance of Country Lovers, when Passion is sincere.
L. Youth.Good-lack-a-day, indeed you’re so obliging: But pray let us have the Dance.Dance.
L. Youth.Very pretty indeed. Come, good Gentleman, don’t droop, don’t droop; come, hold up your Head—you may be allow’d one kiss beforehand.
Geo.Kisses her.Oh, what a pestilential Blast was there!Aside.
L. Youth.Come, come,Teresia, come with me.
Geo.toTeresia.I’ll send a Chair to your Back-gate anon, that shall wait you on the Field-side, and bring you whither I shall appoint. Get ready instantly.
Ter.And if I fail, may I be eternally damn’d to the Embraces of old Age.
Exeunt all butGeorge.
Geo.Mirtilla, thus thy Scorn I will out-brave, And let my Father the kind Cheat forgive;