[Transcriber's Note: "The Rover" Parts I and II are separate plays. Part II is a sequel. In transcriptions of original documents, letters printed as superscripts are shown in braces { }. Descriptions of illustrations are given in parentheses ( ). In the original book, all Notes were printed in a block at the end of the volume. For this e-text they have been divided among their respective plays, retaining the distinction between "Notes on the Text" and "Notes: Critical and Explanatory". Errors and anomalies are similarly listed at the end of the section in which they are found: the General Introduction and each of the four plays. Relevant Transcriber's Notes are repeated at the beginning of each section. Students should note that the editorial material (1915) is sometimes significantly at variance with current (2007) Behn scholarship. ] [Illustration: (Portrait of Aphra Behn)] THE WORKS of APHRA BEHN Edited by MONTAGUE SUMMERS VOL. I The Rover (Part I); or, The Banish'd Cavaliers The Rover (Part II); or, The Banish'd Cavaliers The Dutch Lover The Round-Heads; or, The Good Old Cause [Illustration: (Publisher's Device)] LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN STRATFORD-ON-AVON: A. H. BULLEN MCMXV To Francis James, this the first collected edition of Aphra Behn. CONTENTS. Page Preface xiii Introduction xv The Rover (Part I); or, The Banish'd Cavaliers 1 The Rover (Part II); or, The Banish'd Cavaliers 109 The Dutch Lover 215 The Roundheads; or, The Good Old Cause 331 Notes 427 PREFACE. It is perhaps not altogether easy to appreciate the multiplicity ofdifficulties with which the first editor of Mrs. Behn has to cope. Notonly is her life strangely mysterious and obscure, but the rubbish ofhalf-a-dozen romancing biographers must needs be cleared away before wecan even begin to see daylight. Matter which had been for two centuriesaccepted on seemingly the soundest authority is proven false; her familyname itself was, until my recent discovery, wrongly given; the veryquestion of her portrait has its own vexed (and until now unrecognized)dilemmas. In fine there seems no point connected with our firstprofessional authoress which did not call for the nicest investigationand the most incontrovertible proof before it could be accepted withoutsuspicion or reserve. The various collections of her plays and novelswhich appeared in the first half of the eighteenth century give usnothing; nay, they rather cumber our path with the trash of discredited_Memoirs_. Pearson's reprint (1871) is entirely valueless: there is noattempt, however meagre, at editing, no effort to elucidate a singleallusion; moreover, several of the Novels-- and the Poems in theirentirety-- are lacking. I am happy to give (Vol. V) one of the Novels, and that not the least important, _The History of the Nun_, for thefirst time in any collected edition. Poems, in addition to those whichappeared in Mrs. Behn's lifetime, and were never reprinted after, havebeen gathered with great care from many sources (of which some werealmost forgotten). It is hoped that this new issue of Mrs. Behn may prove adequate. Anydifficulties in the editing have been more than amply compensated for bythe interest shown by many friends. Foremost, my best thanks are due toMr. Bullen, whose life-long experience of the minutiæ of editing ourbest dramatic literature, has been ungrudgingly at my servicethroughout, to the no small advantage of myself and my work. Mr. EdmundGosse, C. B. , has shown the liveliest interest in the book from itsinception, and I owe him most grateful recognition for his kindlyencouragement and aid. Nay, more, he did not spare to lend me treasureditems from his library so rich in first, and boasting unique, editionsof Mrs. Behn. Mr. G. Thorn Drury, K. C. , never wearied of answering myenquiries, and in discussion solved many a knotty point. To him I amobliged for the transcript of Mrs. Behn's letter to Waller'sdaughter-in-law, and also the Satire on Dryden. He even gave of hisvaluable time to read through the Memoir and from the superabundance ofhis knowledge made suggestions of the first importance. The unsurpassedlibrary of Mr. T. J. Wise, the well-known bibliographer, was freely atmy disposal. In other cases where I have received any assistance inclearing a difficulty I have made my acknowledgement in the note itself. MEMOIR OF MRS. BEHN. The personal history of Aphra Behn, the first Englishwoman to earn herlivelihood by authorship, is unusually interesting but very difficult tounravel and relate. In dealing with her biography writers at differentperiods have rushed headlong to extremes, and we now find that thependulum has swung to its fullest stretch. On the one hand, we haveprefixed to a collection of the _Histories and Novels_, published in1696, 'The Life of Mrs. Behn written by one of the Fair Sex', a frequently reprinted (and even expanded) compilation crowded withromantic incidents that savour all too strongly of the Italian novella, with sentimental epistolography and details which can but be acceptedcautiously and in part. On the other there have recently appeared tworevolutionary essays by Dr. Ernest Bernbaum of Harvard, 'Mrs. Behn's_Oroonoko_', first printed in _Kittredge Anniversary Papers_, 1913;and-- what is even more particularly pertinent-- 'Mrs. Behn's Biographya Fiction, ' _Publications of the Modern Language Association ofAmerica_, xxviii, 3: both afterwards issued as separate pamphlets, 1913. In these, the keen critical sense of the writer has apparently been sojarred by the patent incongruities, the baseless fiction, nay, the veryfantasies (such as the fairy pavilion seen floating upon the Channel), which, imaginative and invented flotsam that they are, accumulated andwere heaped about the memory of Aphra Behn, that he is apt to regardalmost every record outside those of her residence at Antwerp[1] with asuspicion which is in many cases surely unwarranted and undue. Havingenergetically cleared away the more peccant rubbish, Dr. Bernbaumbecame, it appears to us, a little too drastic, and had he thendiscriminated rather than swept clean, we were better able wholly tofollow the conclusions at which he arrives. He even says that after'1671'[2] when 'she began to write for the stage . .. Such meagrecontemporary notices as we find of her are critical rather thanbiographical'. This is a very partial truth; from extant letters, [3] towhich Dr. Bernbaum does not refer, we can gather much of Mrs. Behn'sliterary life and circumstances. She was a figure of some note, and evenif we had no other evidence it seems impossible that her contemporariesshould have glibly accepted the fiction of a voyage to Surinam and aDutch husband named Behn who had never existed. [Footnote 1: _Kalendar of State Papers, Domestic_, 1666-7. --ed. Mrs. M. A. E. Green (1864). ] [Footnote 2: This is inaccurate. Mrs. Behn's first play, _The Forc'd Marriage_, was produced in December, 1670. ] [Footnote 3: e. G. To Waller's daughter-in-law; to Tonson. Cf. Also the Warrant of 12 August, 1682; the Pindaric to Burnet, &c. ] Ayfara, or Aphara[4] (Aphra), Amis or Amies, the daughter of John andAmy Amis or Amies, was baptized together with her brother Peter in theParish Church of SS. Gregory and Martin, Wye, 10 July, 1640, presumablyby Ambrose Richmore, curate of Wye at that date. [5] Up to this timeAphra's maiden name has been stated to be Johnson, and she is assertedto have been the daughter of a barber, John Johnson. That the name wasnot Johnson (an ancient error) is certain from the baptismal register, wherein, moreover, the 'Quality, Trade, or Profession' is left blank;that her father was a barber rests upon no other foundation than a MS. Note of Lady Winchilsea. [6] Mr. Gosse, in a most valuable article(_Athenæum_, 6 September, 1884), was the first to correct the statementrepeatedly made that Mrs. Behn came from 'the City of Canterbury inKent'. He tells how he acquired a folio volume containing the MS. Poemsof Anne, Countess of Winchilsea, [7] 'copied about 1695 under her eye andwith innumerable notes and corrections in her autograph'. In a certainpoem entitled _The Circuit of Apollo_[8] the following lines occur:-- And standing where sadly he now might descry From the banks of the Stowre the desolate Wye, He lamented for Behn, o'er that place of her birth, And said amongst Women there was not on the earth, Her superior in fancy, in language, or witt, Yet own'd that a little too loosely she writt. [Footnote 4: Aphra now appears on Mrs. Behn's gravestone, and is the accepted form. This is, however, in all probability the third inscription. _The Antiquities of Westminster_ (1711), quoting the inscription, gives Aphara. Sometime in the eighteenth century a certain Thomas Waine restored the inscription and added to the two lines two more:-- Great Poetess, O thy stupendous lays The world admires and the Muses praise. The name was then Aphara. The _Biog. Brit. _, whilst insisting on Aphara as correct and citing the stone as evidence, none the less prints Apharra. Her works usually have Mrs. A. Behn. One Quarto misprints 'Mrs. Anne Behn'. There are, of course, many variants of the name. Afara, and Afra are common. Oldys in his MS. Notes on Langbaine writes Aphra or Aphora, whilst the _Muses Mercury_, September, 1707, has a special note upon a poem by Mrs. Behn to say 'this Poetess' true Name was Apharra. ' Even Aphaw (Behen, in the 1682 warrant, ) and Fyhare (in a petition) occur. ] [Footnote 5: He died in 1642. ] [Footnote 6: The Vicar of Wye, the Rev. Edgar Lambert, in answer to my inquiries courteously writes: 'In company with Mr. C. S. Orwin, whose book, _The History of Wye Church and College_, has just been published, I have closely examined the register and find no mention of "Johnson", nor of the fact that Aphara Amis' father was a "barber". '] [Footnote 7: Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1660-1720), sometime Maid of Honour to Queen Mary of Modena. She had true lyric genius. For a generous appreciation see Gosse, _Gossip in a Library_ (1891). ] [Footnote 8: Then unprinted but now included in the very voluminous edition of Lady Winchilsea's _Poems_, ed. M. Reynolds, Chicago, 1903. ] To these is appended this note: 'Mrs. Behn was Daughter to a Barber, wholiv'd formerly in Wye, a little Market Town (now much decay'd) in Kent. Though the account of her life before her Works pretends otherwise; somePersons now alive Do testify upon their Knowledge that to be herOriginal. ' It is a pity that whilst the one error concerning Aphra'sbirthplace is thus remedied, the mistake as to the nature of herfather's calling should have been initiated. Aphra Amis, then, was born early in July, 1640, at Wye, Kent. When shewas of a tender age the Amis family left England for Surinam; herfather, who seems to have been a relative of Francis, Lord Willoughby ofParham, sometime administrator of several British colonies in the WestIndies, having been promised a post of some importance in thesedependencies. John Amis died on the voyage out, but his widow andchildren necessarily continued their journey, and upon their arrivalwere accommodated at St. John's Hill, one of the best houses in thedistrict. Her life and adventures in Surinam Aphra has herselfrealistically told in that wonderfully vivid narrative, _Oroonoko_. [9]The writer's bent had already shown itself. She kept a journal as manygirls will, she steeped herself in the interminable romances fashionableat that time, in the voluminous _Pharamond_, _Cléopatre_, _Cassandre_, _Ibrahim_, and, above all, _Le Grand Cyrus_, so loved and retailed tothe annoyance of her worthy husband by Mrs. Pepys; with a piece of whichDorothy Osborne was 'hugely pleased'. [Footnote 9: In 'Mrs. Behn's _Oroonoko_' Dr. Bernbaum elaborately endeavours to show that this story is pure fiction. His arguments, in many cases advanced with no little subtlety and precision, do not appear (to me at least) to be convincing. We have much to weigh in the contrary balance: Mrs. Behn's manifest first-hand knowledge of, and extraordinary interest in, colonial life; her reiterated asseverations that every experience detailed in this famous novel is substantially true; the assent of all her contemporaries. It must further be remembered that Aphra was writing in 1688, of a girlhood coloured by and seen through the enchanted mists of a quarter of a century. That there are slight discrepancies is patent; the exaggerations, however, are not merely pardonable but perfectly natural. One of Dr. Bernbaum's most crushing arguments, when sifted, seems to resolve itself into the fact that whilst writing _Oroonoko_ Mrs. Behn evidently had George Warren's little book, _An Impartial Description of Surinam_ (London, 1667), at hand. Could anything be more reasonable than to suppose she would be intimately acquainted with a volume descriptive of her girlhood's home? Again, Dr. Bernbaum bases another line of argument on the assumption that Mrs. Behn's father was a barber. Hence the appointment of such a man to an official position in Surinam was impossible, and, 'if Mrs. Behn's father was not sent to Surinam, the only reason she gives for being there disappears'. We know from recent investigation that John Amis did not follow a barber's trade, but was probably of good old stock. Accordingly, the conclusions drawn by Dr. Bernbaum from this point cannot now be for a moment maintained. ] It was perhaps from the reading of La Calprenède and Mlle de ScudériAphra gained that intimate knowledge of French which served her well andamply in after years during her literary life; at any rate she seemsearly to have realized her dramatic genius and to have begun a playdrawn from one of the most interesting episodes in _Cléopatre_, the lovestory of the Scythian King Alcamène, scenes which, when they had'measured three thousand leagues of spacious ocean', were, nearly aquarter of a century later, to be taken out of her desk and worked upinto a baroque and fanciful yet strangely pleasing tragi-comedy, _TheYoung King_. In Surinam she witnessed the fortunes and fate of the Royal Slave, Oroonoko, of whom she writes (with all due allowance for pardonableexaggeration and purely literary touches), so naturally and feelingly, that 'one of the Fair Sex' with some acerbity makes it her ratherunnecessary business to clear Aphra from any suspicion of a liaison. Itwas Surinam which supplied the cognate material for the vivid comedy, the broad humour and early colonial life, photographic in its realism, of _The Widow Ranter; or, The History of Bacon in Virginia_. Mistakesthere may be, errors and forgetfulness, but there are a thousand toucheswhich only long residence and keen observation could have so deftlycharacterized. We now approach a brief yet important period in Mrs. Behn's life, whichunless we are content to follow (with an acknowledged diffidence and duereservations) the old Memoir and scattered tradition, we find ourselveswith no sure means whatsoever of detailing. It seems probable, however, that about the close of 1663, owing no doubt to the Restoration and thesubsequent changes in affairs, the Amis family returned to England, settling in London, where Aphra, meeting a merchant of Dutch extractionnamed Behn, so fascinated him by her wit and comeliness that he offeredher his hand and fortune. During her married life she is said to havebeen in affluence, and even to have appeared at the gay licentiousCourt, attracting the notice of and amusing the King himself by heranecdotes and cleverness of repartee; but when her husband died, notimpossibly of the plague in the year of mortality, 1665, she foundherself helpless, without friends or funds. In her distress it was tothe Court she applied for assistance; and owing to her cosmopolitanexperience and still more to the fact that her name was Dutch, and thatshe had been by her husband brought into close contact with the Dutch, she was selected as a meet political agent to visit Holland and there beemployed in various secret and semi-official capacities. Thecircumstance that her position and work could never be openly recognizednor acknowledged by the English government was shortly to involve her inmanifold difficulties, pecuniary and otherwise, which eventually led toher perforce abandoning so unstable and unsatisfactory a commission. In the old _History of the Life and Memoirs of Mrs. Behn_ (1696; andwith additions 1698, &c. ), ushered into the world by Charles Gildon, a romance full as amorous and sensational as any novel of the day, hasbeen woven about her sojourn at Antwerp. A 'Spark whom we must call bythe name of _Vander Albert_ of _Utrecht_' is given to Aphra as a ferventlover, and from him she obtains political secrets to be used to theEnglish advantage. He has a rival, an antique yclept Van Bruin, 'a_Hogen Mogen_ . .. _Nestorean_' admirer, and the intrigue becomes fastand furious. On one occasion Albert, imagining he is possessing hismistress, is cheated with a certain Catalina; and again when he hasbribed an ancient duenna to admit him to Aphra's bed, he is surprisedthere by a frolicsome gallant. [10] There are even included five lettersfrom Mrs. Behn and a couple of ridiculous effusions purporting to be VanBruin's. It would seem that all this pure fiction, the sweepings ofAphra's desk, was intended by her to have been worked up into a novel;both letters and narrative are too good to be the unaided composition ofGildon himself, but possibly Mrs. Behn in her after life may haveelaborated and told him these erotic episodes to conceal the squalor andmisery of the real facts of her early Dutch mission. It is proved indeedin aim and circumstance to have been far other. [Footnote 10: Both these incidents are the common property of Italian novelle and our own stage. Although not entirely impossible, they would appear highly suspicious in any connection. ] Her chief business was to establish an intimacy with William Scott, sonof Thomas Scott, the regicide who had been executed 17 October, 1660. This William, who had been made a fellow of All Souls by theParliamentary Visitors of Oxford, and graduated B. C. L. 4 August, 1648, was quite ready to become a spy in the English service and to report onthe doings of the English exiles who were not only holding treasonablecorrespondence with traitors at home and plotting against the King, buteven joining with the Dutch foe to injure their native land. Scott wasextremely anxious for his own pardon and, in addition, eager to earn anymoney he could. Aphra then, taking with her some forty pounds in cash, all she had, setsail with Sir Anthony Desmarces [11] either at the latter end of Julyor early in August, 1666, and on 16 August she writes from Antwerpto say she has had an interview with William Scott (dubbed in hercorrespondence Celadon), even having gone so far as to take coach andride a day's journey to see him secretly. Though at first diffident, heis very ready to undertake the service, only it will be necessary forher to enter Holland itself and reside on the spot, not in Flanders, asColonel Bampfield, who was looked upon as head of the exiled English atthe Hague, watched Scott with most jealous care and a growing suspicion. Aphra, whose letters give a vivid picture of the spy's life with itsrisks and impecuniosity, addresses herself to two correspondents, TomKilligrew and James Halsall, cupbearer to the King. [Footnote 11: He was at Margate 25 July, and at Bruges 7 August. ] On 27 August she was still at Antwerp, and William Scott wrote toher there but did not venture to say much lest the epistle mightmiscarry. He asks for a cypher, a useful and indeed necessary precautionin so difficult circumstances. It was about this time that Mrs. Behnbegan to employ the name of Astrea, which, having its inception in apolitical code, was later to be generally used by her and recognizedthroughout the literary world. Writing to Halsall, she says that she hasbeen unable to effect anything, but she urgently demands that money besent, and confesses she has been obliged even to pawn her ring to paymessengers. On 31 August she writes to Killigrew declaring she can getno answer from Halsall, and explaining that she has twice had todisburse Scott's expenses, amounting in all to £20, out of her ownpocket, whilst her personal debts total another £25 or £30, and livingitself is ten guilders a day. If she is to continue her worksatisfactorily, £80 at least will be needed to pay up all her creditors;moreover, as a preliminary and a token of good faith, Scott's officialpardon must be forwarded without compromise or delay. Scott himself was, it seems, playing no easy game at this juncture, for a certain Carney, resident at Antwerp, 'an unsufferable, scandalous, lying, pratingfellow', piqued at not being able to ferret out the intrigue, had goneso far as to molest poor Celadon and threaten him with death, noising upand down meanwhile the fact of his clandestine rendezvous with Aphra. No money, however, was forthcoming from England, and on 4 September Mrs. Behn writing again to Killigrew tells him plainly that she is reduced togreat straits, and unless funds are immediately provided all her workwill be nugatory and vain. The next letter, dated 14 September, givesHalsall various naval information. On 17 September she is obliged toimportune Killigrew once more on the occasion of sending him a letterfrom Scott dealing with political matters. Halsall, she asserts, willnot return any answer, and although she is only in private lodgings sheis continually being thwarted and vilipended by Carney, 'whose tongueneeds clipping'. Four days later she transmits a five page letter fromScott to Halsall. On 25 September she sends under cover yet anotherletter from Scott with the news of De Ruyter's illness. Silence was heronly answer. Capable and indeed ardent agent as she was, there can be noexcuse for her shameful, nay, criminal, neglect at the hands of thegovernment she was serving so faithfully and well. Her information[12]seems to have been received with inattention and disregard; whether itwas that culpable carelessness which wrecked so many a fair scheme inthe second Charles' days, or whether secret enemies at home steadfastlyimpeded her efforts remains an open question. In any case on 3 Novembershe sends a truly piteous letter to Lord Arlington, Secretary of State, and informs him she is suffering the extremest want and penury. All hergoods are pawned, Scott is in prison for debt, and she herself seems onthe point of going to the common gaol. The day after Christmas Aphrawrote to Lord Arlington for the last time. She asks for a round £100 asdelays have naturally doubled her expenses and she has had to obtaincredit. Now she is only anxious to return home, and she declares that ifshe did not so well know the justness of her cause and complaint, shewould be stark wild with her hard treatment. Scott, she adds, will soonbe free. [13] Even this final appeal obtained no response, and atlength-- well nigh desperate-- Mrs. Behn negotiated in England, from acertain Edward Butler, a private loan of some £150 which enabled her tosettle her affairs and start for home in January, 1667. [Footnote 12: There do not appear to be any grounds for the oft-repeated assertions that Mrs. Behn communicated the intelligence when the Dutch were planning an attack (afterwards carried out) on the Thames and Medway squadrons, and that her warning was scoffed at. ] [Footnote 13: Had he been imprisoned for political reasons it is impossible that there should have been so speedy a prospect of release. ] But the chapter of her troubles was by no means ended. Debt weighed likea millstone round her neck. As the weary months went by and Aphra wasbegging in vain for her salary, long overdue, to be paid, Butler, a harsh, dour man with heart of stone, became impatient and resorted todrastic measures, eventually flinging her into a debtor's prison. Thereare extant three petitions, undated indeed, but which must be referredto the early autumn of 1668, from Mrs. Behn to Charles II. Sadlycomplaining of two years' bitter sufferings, she prays for an order toMr. May[14] or Mr. Chiffinch[15] to satisfy Butler, who declares he willstop at nothing if he is not paid within a week. In a second documentshe sets out the reasons for her urgent claim of £150. Both Mr. Halsalland Mr. Killigrew know how justly it is her due, and she is hourlythreatened with an execution. To this is annexed a letter from the poordistracted woman to Killigrew, which runs as follows:-- Sr. if you could guess at the affliction of my soule you would I am sure Pity me 'tis to morrow that I must submitt my self to a Prison the time being expird & though I indeauerd all day yesterday to get a ffew days more I can not because they say they see I am dallied w{th} all & so they say I shall be for euer: so I can not reuoke my doome I haue cryd myself dead & could find in my hart to break through all & get to y{e} king & neuer rise till he weare pleasd to pay this; but I am sick & weake & vnfitt for yt; or a Prison; I shall go to morrow: But I will send my mother to y{e} king w{th} a Pitition for I see euery body are words: & I will not perish in a Prison from whence he swears I shall not stirr till y{e} uttmost farthing be payd: & oh god, who considers my misery & charge too, this is my reward for all my great promises, & my indeauers. Sr if I have not the money to night you must send me som thing to keepe me in Prison for I will not starue. A. Behn. Endorsed: For Mr. Killigrew this. [Footnote 14: Baptist May, Esq. (1629-98), Keeper of the Privy Purse. ] [Footnote 15: William Chiffinch, confidential attendant and pimp to Charles II. ] [Illustration: (Letter transcribed in body text)] There was no immediate response however, even to this pathetic andheart-broken appeal, and in yet a third petition she pleads that she maynot be left to suffer, but that the £150 be sent forthwith to EdwardButler, who on Lord Arlington's declaring that neither order nor moneyhad been transmitted, threw her straightway into gaol. It does not seem, however, that her imprisonment was long. WhetherKilligrew, of whom later she spoke in warm and admiring terms, touchedat last, bestirred himself on her behalf and rescued her from want andwoe, whether Mrs. Amy Amis won a way to the King, whether help came bysome other path, is all uncertain. In any case the debt was duly paid, and Aphra Behn not improbably received in addition some compensation forthe hardships she had undergone. 'The rest of her Life was entirely dedicated to Pleasure and Poetry; theSuccess in which gain'd her the Acquaintance and Friendship of the mostSensible Men of the Age, and the Love of not a few of differentCharacters; for tho' a Sot have no Portion of Wit of his own, he yet, like old Age, covets what he cannot enjoy. ' More than dubious and idly romancing as the early _Memoirs_ are, nevertheless this one sentence seems to sum up the situation thenceforthpretty aptly, if in altogether too general terms. Once extricated fromthese main difficulties Mrs. Behn no doubt took steps to insure that sheshould not, if it lay in her power, be so situated again. I wouldsuggest, indeed, that about this period, 1669, she accepted theprotection of some admirer. Who he may have been at first, how many morethere were than one, how long the various amours endured, it is idle tospeculate. She was for her period as thoroughly unconventional as manyanother woman of letters has been since in relation to later times andmanners, as unhampered and free as her witty successor, Mrs. De laRiviere Manley, who lived for so long as Alderman Barber's kept mistressand died in his house. Mrs. Behn has given us poetic pseudonyms formany of her lovers, Lycidas, Lysander, Philaster, Amintas, Alexis, and the rest, but these extended over many years, and attempts atidentification, however interesting, are fruitless. [16] [Footnote 16: Amintas repeatedly stands for John Hoyle. In _Our Cabal_, however (_vide_ Vol. VI, p. 160), Hoyle is dubbed Lycidas. ] There has been no more popular mistake, nor yet one more productive, notmerely of nonsense and bad criticism but even of actual malice and evil, than the easy error of confounding an author with the characters hecreates. Mrs. Behn has not been spared. Some have superficially arguedfrom the careless levity of her heroes: the Rover, Cayman, Wittmore, Wilding, Frederick; and again from the delightful insouciance of LadyFancy, Queen Lucy, and the genteel coquette Mirtilla, or the torridpassions of Angelica Bianca, Miranda and la Nuche; that Aphra herselfwas little better, in fact a great deal worse, than a common prostitute, and that her works are undiluted pornography. In her own day, probably for reasons purely political, a noisy cliqueassailed her on the score of impropriety; a little later came Pope withhis jaded couplet The stage how loosely does Astrea tread Who fairly puts all characters to bed; and the attack was reinforced by an anecdote of Sir Walter Scott andsome female relative who, after having insisted upon the great novelistlending her Mrs. Behn, found the _Novels_ and _Plays_ too loose for herperusal, albeit in the heyday of the lady's youth they had been popularenough. As one might expect, Miss Julia Kavanagh, in the mid-Victorianera[17] (_English Women of Letters_ 1863), is sad and sorry at having tomention Mrs. Behn-- 'Even if her life remained pure, [18] it is amplyevident her mind was "tainted to the very core. Grossness was congenialto her. .. . Mrs. Behn's indelicacy was useless and worse than useless, the superfluous addition of a corrupt mind and vitiated taste". ' One canafford to smile at and ignore these modest outbursts, but it is strangeto find so sound and sane a critic as Dr. Doran writing of Aphra Behn asfollows: 'No one equalled this woman in downright nastiness saveRavenscroft and Wycherley. .. . With Dryden she vied in indecency and wasnot overcome. .. . She was a mere harlot, who danced through uncleannessand dared them [the male dramatists] to follow. ' Again, we have that shewas 'a wanton hussy'; her 'trolloping muse' shamefacedly 'wallowed inthe mire'; but finally the historian is bound to confess 'she was neverdull'. [Footnote 17: _The Retrospective Review_, however (Vol. I, November, 1852), has an article, 'Mrs. Behn's Dramatic Writings, ' which warmly praises her comedies. The writer very justly observes that 'they exhibit a brilliance of conversation in the dialogue, and a skill in arranging the plot and producing striking situations, in which she has few equals. ' He frequently insists upon her 'great skill in conducting the intrigue of her pieces', and with no little acumen declares that 'her comedies may be cited as the most perfect models of the drama of the latter half of the seventeenth century. '] [Footnote 18: Which it certainly was not secundum mid-Victorian morals. ] The morality of her plays is _au fond_ that of many a comedy of to-day:that the situations and phrasing in which she presents her amorousintrigues and merry cuckoldoms do not conform with modern exposition ofthese themes we also show yet would not name, is but our surface glossof verbal reticence; we hint, point, and suggest, where she spoke outbroad words, frank and free; the _motif_ is one and the same. If wejudge Mrs. Behn's dramatic output in the only fair way by comparing itlegitimately with the theatre of her age, we simply shall not find thatsuperfluity of naughtiness the critics lead us to expect and deplore. There are not infrequent scenes of Dryden, of Wycherley, of Vanbrugh, Southerne, Otway, Ravenscroft, Shadwell, D'Urfey, Crowne, full as daringas anything Aphra wrote; indeed, in some instances, far more wanton. Particularizing, it has been objected that although in most Restorationcomedies the hero, however vicious (even such a mad scrapegrace asDryden's Woodall), is decently noosed up in wedlock when the curtain isabout to fall, Mrs. Behn's Willmore (_Rover II_), Gayman (_The LuckyChance_), Wittmore (_Sir Patient Fancy_) end up without a thought of, save it be jest at, the wedding ring. But even this freedom can be amplyparalleled. In the Duke of Buckingham's clever alteration of _TheChances_ (1682), we have Don John pairing off with the second Constantiawithout a hint of matrimony; we have the intrigue of Bellmour andLaetitia in Congreve's _The Old Bachelor_ (1693), the amours of Hornerin _The Country Wife_ (1675), of Florio and Artall in Crowne's _CityPolitics_ (1683), and many another beside. As for the cavilling crew whocarped at her during her life Mrs. Behn has answered them and she wasthoroughly competent so to do. Indeed, as she somewhat tartly remarkedto Otway on the occasion of certain prudish dames pleasing to takeoffence at _The Soldier's Fortune_, she wondered at the impudence of anyof her sex that would pretend to understand the thing called bawdy. A clique were shocked at her; it was not her salaciousness they objectedto but her success. In December, 1670, Mrs. Behn's first play, [19] _The Forc'd Marriage; or, the Jealous Bridegroom_, was produced at the Duke's Theatre, Lincoln'sInn Field's, with a strong cast. It is a good tragi-comedy of thebastard Fletcherian Davenant type, but she had not hit upon her happiestvein of comedy, which, however, she approached in a much better piece, _The Amorous Prince_, played in the autumn of 1671 by the same company. Both these had excellent runs for their day, and she obtained a firmfooting in the theatrical world. In 1673[20] _The Dutch Lover_[21] wasready, a comedy which has earned praise for its skilful technique. Shehere began to draw on her own experiences for material, and Haunce vanEzel owes not a little to her intimate knowledge of the Hollanders. [Footnote 19: Mr. Gosse in the Dictionary of National Biography basing upon the preface to _The Young King_, says that after knocking in vain for some time at the doors of the theatres with this tragi-comedy that could find neither manager nor publisher, she put it away and wrote _The Forc'd Marriage_, which proved more successful. Dr. Baker follows this, but I confess I cannot see due grounds for any such hypothesis. ] [Footnote 20: The Duke's Company opened at their new theatre, Dorset Garden, 9 November, 1671. ] [Footnote 21: 4to, 1673. Mrs. Behn's accurate knowledge of the theatre and technicalties theatrical as shown in the preface to this early play is certainly remarkable. It is perhaps worth noting that her allusion to the popularity of 1 _Henry IV_ was not included in _Shakspere Allusion-Book_ (ed. Furnivall and Munro, 1909), where it should have found a place. ] These three plays brought her money, friends, and reputation. She wasalready beginning to be a considerable figure in literary circles, andthe first writers of the day were glad of the acquaintance of a womanwho was both a wit and a writer. There is still retailed a vague, persistent, and entirely baseless tradition that Aphra Behn was assistedin writing her plays by Edward Ravenscroft, [22] the well knowndramatist. Mrs. Behn often alludes in her prefaces to the prejudice acarping clique entertained against her and the strenuous efforts thatwere made to damn her comedies merely because they were 'writ by awoman'. Accordingly, when her plays succeeded, this same party, unableto deny such approved and patent merit, found their excuse in spreadinga report that she was not inconsiderably aided in her scenes by anotherhand. Edward Ravenscroft's name stands to the epilogue of _Sir TimothyTawdrey_, and he was undoubtedly well acquainted with Mrs. Behn. TomBrown (I suggest) hints at a known intrigue, [23] but, even if my surmisebe correct, there is nothing in this to warrant the oft repeatedstatement that many of her scenes are actually due to his pen. On theother hand, amongst Aphra's intimates was a certain John Hoyle, a lawyer, well known about the town as a wit. John Hoyle was the son ofThomas Hoyle, Alderman and Lord Mayor of, and M. P. For York, who hangedhimself[24] at the same hour as Charles I was beheaded. In the Gray'sInn Admission Register we have: '1659/60 Feb. 27. John Hoyle son andheir of Thomas H. Late of the city of York, Esq. Deceased. ' Someeighteen years after he was admitted to the Inner Temple: '1678/9 Jan. 26. Order that John Hoyle formerly of Gray's Inn be admitted to thissociety _ad eundem statum_. (_Inner Temple Records_, iii, 131. ) Thereare allusions not a few to him in Mrs. Behn's poems; he is the Mr. J. H. Of _Our Cabal_; and in 'A Letter to Mr. _Creech_ at _Oxford_, Written inthe last great Frost, ' which finds a place in the _Miscellany_ of 1685, the following lines occur:-- To Honest H----le I shou'd have shown ye, A Wit that wou'd be proud t' have known ye; A Wit uncommon, and Facetious, A great admirer of _Lucretius_. There can be no doubt he was on terms of the closest familiarity[25]with Mrs. Behn, and he (if any), not Ravenscroft, assisted her (thoughwe are not to suppose to a real extent) in her plays. There is a veryplain allusion to this in Radcliffe's _The Ramble: News from Hell_(1682):-- Amongst this Heptarchy of Wit The censuring Age have thought it fit, To damn a Woman, 'cause 'tis said The Plays she vends she never made. But that a _Greys Inn_ Lawyer does 'em Who unto her was Friend in Bosom, So not presenting Scarf and Hood New Plays and Songs are full as good. [26] Unfortunately Hoyle was reputed to be addicted to the grossestimmorality, and rumours of a sinister description were currentconcerning him. [27] There is, in fact, printed a letter[28] of Mrs. Behn's wherein she writes most anxiously to her friend stating that thegravest scandals have reached her ears, and begging him to clear himselffrom these allegations. Hoyle was murdered in a brawl 26 May, 1692, andis buried in the vault belonging to the Inner Temple, which ispresumably in the ground attached to the Temple Church. The entry in theRegister runs as follows: 'John Hoyle, esq. , of the Inner Temple wasburied in the vault May ye 29, 1692. ' Narcissus Luttrell in his _Diary_, Saturday, 28 May, 1692, has the following entry: 'Mr. Hoil of the Templeon Thursday night was at a tavern with other gentlemen, and quarrellingwith Mr. Pitts' eldest son about drinking a health, as they came out Mr. Hoil was stabb'd in the belly and fell down dead, and thereon Pittsfled; and the next morning was taken in a disguise and is committed toNewgate. '[29] 30 June, 1692, the same record says: 'This day Mr. Pittswas tryed at the Old Bailey for the murder of Mr. Hoil of the Temple, and the jury found it manslaughter but the next heir has brought anappeal. ' [Footnote 22: In view of the extremely harsh treatment Ravenscroft has met with at the hands of the critics it may be worth while emphasizing Genest's opinion that his 'merit as a dramatic writer has been vastly underrated'. Ravenscroft has a facility in writing, an ease of dialogue, a knack of evoking laughter and picturing the ludicrous, above all a vitality which many a greater name entirely lacks. As a writer of farce, and farce very nearly akin to comedy, he is capital. ] [Footnote 23: _Letters from the Dead to the Living_: The Virgin's [Mrs. Bracegirdle] Answer to Mrs. Behn. 'You upbraid me with a great discovery you chanc'd to make by peeping into the breast of an old friend of mine; if you give yourself but the trouble of examining an old poet's conscience, who went lately off the stage, and now takes up his lodgings in your territories, and I don't question but you'll there find Mrs. _Behn_ writ as often in black characters, and stand as thick in some places, as the names of the generation of _Adam_ in the first of _Genesis_. ' How far credence may be given to anything of Brown's is of course a moot point, but the above passage and much that follows would be witless and dull unless there were some real suggestion of scandal. Moreover, it cannot here be applied to Hoyle, whereas it very well fits Ravenscroft. This letter which speaks of 'the lash of Mr. C----r' must have been written no great time after the publication of Jeremy Collier's _A Short View of the Immorality of the English Stage_ (March, 1698), probably in 1701-2. Ravenscroft's last play, _The Italian Husband_, was produced at Lincoln's Inn Fields in 1697, and he is supposed to have died a year or two later, which date exactly suits the detail given by Brown. Ravenscroft's first play, _Mamamouchi_, had been produced in 1672, and the 'an old poet' would be understood. ] [Footnote 24: This occurrence is the subject of some lines in _The Rump_ (1662): 'On the happy Memory of Alderman Hoyle that hang'd himself. '] [Footnote 25: _The Muses Mercury_, December, 1707, refers to verses made on Mrs. Behn 'and her very good friend, Mr. Hoyle'. ] [Footnote 26: My attention was drawn to these lines by Mr. Thorn Drury, who was, indeed, the first to suggest that Hoyle is the person aimed at. I have to thank him, moreover, for much valuable information on this important point. ] [Footnote 27: cf. Luttrell's _Diary_, February, 1686-7, which records that an indictment for misconduct was actually presented against him at the Old Bailey, but the Grand Jury threw out the bill and he was discharged. The person implicated in the charge against Hoyle seems to have been a poulterer, cf. _A Faithful Catalogue of our Most Eminent Ninnies_, said to have been written by the Earl of Dorset in 1683, or (according to another edition of Rochester's works in which it occurs) 1686. In any case the verses cannot be earlier than 1687. Which made the wiser Choice is now our Strife, _Hoyle_ his he-mistress, or the Prince his wife: Those traders sure will be beiov'd as well, As all the dainty tender Birds they sell. The 'Prince' is George Fitzroy, son of Charles II by the Duchess of Cleveland, who was created Duke of Northumberland and married Catherine, daughter of Robert Wheatley, a poulterer, of Bracknell, Berks; and relict of Robert Lucy of Charlecote, Warwickshire. ] [Footnote 28: _Familiar Letters of Love, Gallantry, etc. _ There are several editions. I have used that of 1718, 2 vols. ] [Footnote 29: In his MS. Commonplace Book (now in the possession of G. Thorn Drury, Esq. , K. C. ), Whitelocke Bulstrode writes:-- '27 May 92. 'M{r} Hoyle of y'e Temple, coming this morning about two of y{e} Clock frõ y{e} Young Divel Tavern, was killed w{th} a sword; He died Instantly: It proceeded frõ a quarrell about Drincking a Health; Killed by M{r} Pitt of Graies Inne y{t} Dranck w{th} them. M{r} Hoyle was an Atheist, a Sodomite professed, a corrupter of youth, & a Blasphemer of Christ. ' The Young (or Little) Devil Tavern was in Fleet Street, on the south side, near Temple Bar, adjoining Dick's Coffee House. It was called Young (or Little) to distinguish it from the more famous house, The Devil (or Old Devil) Tavern, which stood between Temple Bar and the Inner Temple Gate. ] In September, 1676, _The Town Fop_ was acted with applause, and thefollowing year Mrs. Behn was very busy producing two comedies (of whichone is a masterpiece) and one tragedy. _The Debauchee_, which wasbrought out this year at the Duke's House, a somewhat superficial thoughclever alteration of Brome's _Mad Couple Well Match'd_, is no doubt fromher pen. It was published anonymously, 4to, 1677, and all the bestcritics with one accord ascribe it to Mrs. Behn. In the autumn of 1677there was produced by the Duke's Company a version of Middleton's _NoWit, No Help Like a Woman's_, entitled, _The Counterfeit Bridegroom; or, The Defeated Widow_ (4to, 1677); it is smart and spirited. Genest was ofopinion it is Aphra's work. He is probably right, for we know that sherepeatedly made use of Middleton, and internal evidence fully bears outour stage historian. [30] Both _Abdelazer_[31] and _The Town Fop_evidence in a marked degree her intimate knowledge of the earlierdramatists, whilst _The Rover (I)_ is founded on Killigrew. None theless, here she has handled her materials with rare skill, andsuccessfully put new wine into old bottles. The critics, however, beganto attack her on this point, and when _The Rover (I)_ appeared in print(4to 1677), she found it necessary to add a postscript, defending herplay from the charge of merely being '_Thomaso_ alter'd'. With referenceto _Abdelazer_ there is extant a very interesting letter[32] from Mrs. Behn to her friend, Mrs. Emily Price. She writes as follows:-- My Dear, In your last, you inform'd me, that the World treated me as a _Plagiery_, and, I must confess, not with Injustice: But that Mr. _Otway_ shou'd say, my Sex wou'd not prevent my being pull'd to Pieces by the Criticks, is something odd, since whatever Mr. _Otway_ now declares, he may very well remember when last I saw him, I receiv'd more than ordinary Encomiums on my _Abdelazer_, But every one knows Mr. _Otway's_ good Nature, which will not permit him to shock any one of our Sex to their Faces. But let that pass: For being impeach'd of murdering my _Moor_, I am thankful, since, when I shall let the World know, whenever I take the Pains next to appear in Print, of the mighty Theft I have been guilty of; But however for your own Satisfaction, I have sent you the Garden from whence I gather'd, and I hope you will not think me vain, if I say, I have weeded and improv'd it. I hope to prevail on the Printer to reprint _The Lust's Dominion_, &c. , that my theft may be the more publick. But I detain you. I believe I sha'n't have the Happiness of seeing my dear _Amillia_ 'till the middle of _September_: But be assur'd I shall always remain as I am, Yours, A. Behn. [Footnote 30: Betterton's adaption of Marston's _The Dutch Courtezan_, which the actor calls _The Revenge; or, A Match in Newgate_, has sometimes been erroneously ascribed to Mrs. Behn by careless writers. She has also been given _The Woman Turn'd Bully_, a capital comedy with some clever characterization, which was produced at Dorset Garden in June, 1675, and printed without author's name the same year. Both Prologue and Epilogue, two pretty songs, _Oh, the little Delights that a Lover takes_; and _Ah, how charming is the shade_, together with a rollicking catch 'O _London_, wicked _London_-Town!' which is 'to be sung _a l'yvronge_, in a drunken humour', might all well be Mrs. Behn's, and the whole conduct of the play is very like her early manner. Beyond this, however, there is no evidence to suggest it is from her pen. ] [Footnote 31: The overture, act-tunes, incidental music, were composed by Henry Purcell. ] [Footnote 32: _Familiar Letters of Love, Gallantry, etc. _, Vol. I (1718), pp. 31-2. ] _The Rover (I)_ is undoubtedly the best known of Aphra Behn's comedies. It long remained a popular favourite in the theatre, its verve, bustleand wit, utterly defiant of the modest Josephs and qualmy prudes whocensured these lively scenes. Steele has mention of this in an archlyhumorous paper, No. 51, _Spectator_, Saturday, 28 April, 1711. Hepictures a young lady who has taken offence at some negligent expressionin that chastest of ice-cold proprieties, _The Funeral_, and heforthwith more or less seriously proceeds to defend his play by quotingthe example of both predecessors and contemporaries. Amongst thewriters who are 'best skilled in this luscious Way', he informs us that'we are obliged to the Lady who writ _Ibrahim_ [33] for introducing apreparatory Scene to the very Action, when the Emperor throws hisHandkerchief as a Signal for his Mistress to follow him into the mostretired Part of the Seraglio. .. . This ingenious Gentlewoman in thispiece of Baudry refined upon an Author of the same Sex, who in _TheRover_ makes a Country Squire strip to his Holland Drawers. For _Blunt_is disappointed, and the Emperor is understood to go on to theutmost. .. . It is not here to be omitted, that in one of theabove-mentioned Female Compositions the _Rover_ is very frequently senton the same Errand; as I take it above once every Act. This is notwholly unnatural; for, they say, the Men-Authors draw themselves intheir Chief Characters, and the Women-Writers may be allowed the sameLiberty. ' [Footnote 33: _Ibrahim, the Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks_, produced in 1696 (410, 1696), a commendable tragedy by Mrs. Mary Pix, _née_ Griffiths (1666-1720?). The plot is based on Sir Paul Ricaut's continuation of the Turkish history. ] Early in 1678, in either the first or second week of January, _SirPatient Fancy_ was received with great applause. A hint from Brome, morethan a hint from Molière, much wit, vivacity, and cleverness make upthis admirable comedy. Throughout the whole of her career it is amplyevident that Mrs. Behn, an omnivorous reader, kept in constant touchwith and profited by the French literature and theatre of her day. Thedebt of the English stage to France at this period is a fact often notsufficiently acknowledged, but one which it would really be difficult toover-emphasize. No adequate critical knowledge of much of our Englishsong, fiction and drama of the Restoration can be attained without aclose study of their French models and originals. During the latter part of this year Mrs. Behn found time to revise andwrite up the romantic scenes she had composed two decades before as agirl in Surinam, and the result was a tragi-comedy, _The Young King_, which won considerable favour. Produced in March or early April, [34]1679, it was not published till 1683, but a second edition was calledfor in 1698. [35] [Footnote 34: The date is fixed by the Epilogue 'at his R. H. Second exile into Flanders'. The Duke of York sailed for Antwerp 4 March, 1679. He returned in August owing to the King's illness. ] [Footnote 35: This fact sufficiently explodes the quite untenable suggestion that _The Young King_ in earlier days could find neither producer nor publisher. That the quarto did not appear until four years after the play had been seen on the stage is no argument of non-success. Ravenscroft's _Mamamouchi_ was produced early in 1672, and 'continu'd Acting 9 Days with a full house'. It specially delighted the King and Court. It was not printed, however, until 1675. ] In March, _The Feign'd Courtezans_, one of Mrs. Behn's happiest efforts, appeared on the boards of the Duke's House. Not one tittle is borrowed, and its success gives striking proof of the capacity of her unaidedpowers. When printed, the comedy was dedicated in adulatory terms toNell Gwynne. With the great Betterton, handsome Will Smith, Nokes, Underhill, Leigh, an inimitable trio, the famous Mrs. Barry, pretty andpiquante Betty Currer, the beautiful and serenely gracious Mrs. MaryLee, in the cast, it had a perfect galaxy of genius to give it life andtriumph. In 1681 a second part continued the adventures of _The Rover_, andsurprisingly good the sequel is. From 1678 to 1683 were years of the keenest political excitement andunrest. Fomented to frenzy by the murderous villainies of Gates and hisaccomplices, aggravated by the traitrous ambition and rascalities ofShaftesbury, by the deceit and weakness of Monmouth, and the opendisloyalty of the Whiggish crew, party politics and controversy waxedhotter and fiercer until riots were common and a revolution seemedimminent. Fortunately an appeal in a royal declaration to the justice ofthe nation at large allayed the storm, and an overwhelming outburst ofgenuine enthusiasm ensued. Albeit the bill against him was thrown outwith an 'ignoramus' by a packed jury 24 November, 1681, a year later, 28 November, 1682, Shaftesbury found it expedient to escape to Holland. Monmouth, who had been making a regal progress through the country, wasarrested. Shortly after he was bailed out by his political friends, buthe presently fled in terror lest he should pay the penalty of hisfollies and crimes, inasmuch as a true bill for high treason had beenfound against him. It was natural that at such a crisis the stage andsatire (both prose and rhyme), should become impregnated with partyfeeling; and the Tory poets, with glorious John Dryden at their head, unmercifully pilloried their adversaries. In 1682 Mrs. Behn producedthree comedies, two of which are mainly political. _The Roundheads_, a masterly pasquinade, shows the Puritans, near ancestors of the Whigs, in their most odious and veritable colours. _The City Heiress_ lampoonsShaftesbury and his cit following in exquisite caricature. The wit andhumour, the pointed raillery never coarsening into mere invective andzany burlesque, place this in the very front rank of her comedies. [36]_The False Count_, the third play of this year, is non-political, andshe has herein borrowed a suggestion from Molière. It is full ofbrilliant dialogue and point, whilst the situations are truly ludicrousand entertaining. As might well be surmised, _The Roundheads_ and _TheCity Heiress_ were not slow to wake the rancour of the Whigs, who lookedabout for an opportunity of vengeance which they shortly found. On10 August, 1682, there was produced at the Duke's Theatre an anonymoustragedy _Romulus and Hersilia; or, The Sabine War_. It is a vigorousplay of no small merit and attracted considerable attention at thetime. [37] Mrs. Behn contributed both Prologue and Epilogue, the formerbeing spoken by that sweet-voiced blonde, winsome Charlotte Butler, thelatter by Lady Slingsby, who acted Tarpeia. There was matter in theEpilogue which reflected upon the disgraced Duke of Monmouth, for whom, in spite of his known treachery and treasons, Charles still retained thefondest affection. Warm representations were made in high quarters, andthe following warrant was speedily issued:-- Whereas the Lady Slingsby Comoedian and Mrs. Aphaw Behen have by acting and writeing at his Royall Highnesse Theatre committed severall Misdemeanors and made abusive reflections upon persons of Quality, and have written and spoken scandalous speeches without any License or Approbation of those that ought to peruse and authorize the same, These are therefore to require you to take into yo'r Custody the said Lady Slingsby and Mrs. Aphaw Behen and bring them before mee to answere the said Offence, And for soe doeing this shalbe yo'r sufficient Warr't. Given und'r my hand and seale this 12'th day of August, 1682. To Henry Legatt Messenger of His Mat'ties Chamber, etc. [Footnote 36: Gould in _The Play House, a Satyr_, stung by Mrs. Behn's success, derides that clean piece of Wit _The City Heiress_ by chaste _Sappho_ Writ, Where the Lewd Widow comes with Brazen Face, Just seeking from a Stallion's rank Embrace, T' acquaint the Audience with her Filthy Case. Where can you find a Scene for juster Praise, In _Shakespear_, _Johnson_, or in _Fletcher's_ Plays?] [Footnote 37: Publication was delayed. _Brooks' Impartial Mercury_, Friday, 17 Nov. , 1682, advertises: 'To be published on Monday next, the last new play called _Romulus_. ' The 4to is dated 1683. A broad sheet, 1682, gives both Prologue 'spoken by Mrs. Butler, written by Mrs. Behn, ' and Epilogue 'spoken by the Lady Slingsby. ' The 4to gives 'Prologue, spoken by Mrs. Butler, ' 'Epilogue, Writ by Mrs. A. Behn. Spoken by Tarpeia. '] The lines particularly complained of ran as follows: of all Treasons, mine was most accurst; Rebelling 'gainst a KING and FATHER first. A Sin, which Heav'n nor Man can e're forgive; Nor could I _Act_ it with the face to live. . . . . . There's nothing can my Reputation save With all the _True_, the _Loyal_ and the _Brave_; Not my Remorse or death can Expiate With them a Treason 'gainst the KING and State. Coming from the mouth of the perjured Tarpeia they were of course wingedwith point unmistakable. It is not probable, however, that eitherauthoress or actress was visited with anything more than censure and afright. In any case their detention[38] (if brought about) must havebeen very shortliv'd, for the partizans of Monmouth, although noisy andunquiet, were not really strong, and they met with the most effectiveopposition at every turn. [Footnote 38: Curtis' _Protestant Mercury_, August 12-6, 1682, notices that both Lady Slingsby and Mrs. Behn have been ordered into custody in respect of this Epilogue. ] In this same year the Whigs in spite of their utmost efforts signallyfailed to suppress, and could only retard the production of Dryden andLee's excellent tragedy _The Duke of Guise_, first performed 4 December. The play created a furore, and its political purport as a picture of thebaffled intrigues of Shaftesbury in favour of Lucy Walter's overweeningson is obvious, nor is it rendered less so by Dryden's clever andcaustic _Vindication of the Duke of Guise_ (1683). It is interesting tonote that Lady Slingsby, who played the Queen Mother, Catherine de'Medici, in this play, has some very sardonic speeches put in her mouth;indeed, as Henri III aptly remarks, 'she has a cruel wit'. In 1684 were published the famous _Love Letters between a Nobleman andhis Sister_. The letters, supposed to have passed between Forde, LordGrey, [39] and his sister-in-law Lady Henrietta Berkeley, fifth daughterof the Earl, are certainly the work of Mrs. Behn. Romantic andsentimental, with now and again a pretty touch that is almost lyrical inits sweet cadence, they enjoyed the same extraordinary popularity whichvery similar productions have attained at a recent date. A third editionwas called for in 1707. [Footnote 39: Forde, Lord Grey of Werke, Earl of Tankerville, who succeeded to the title in 1675, was married to Lady Mary Berkeley. He eloped, however, with Lady Henrietta Berkley, and great scandal ensued. When he and his minions were brought to trial, 23 November, 1682, his mistress and a number of staunch Whigs boldly accompanied him into court. He was found guilty, but as his friends banded together to resist, something very like a riot ensued. He died 25 June, 1701. Lady Henrietta Berkeley, who never married, survived her lover nine years. ] Mrs. Behn was also busy seeing her poems through the press. The titlepage is dated 1684, and they were issued with a dedication to the Earlof Salisbury. [40] In the same volume is included her gracefultranslation of the Abbé Tallemant's _Le Voyage de l'Isle d'Amour_, entitled, _A Voyage to The Isle of Love_. [Footnote 40: Astrea with her soft gay sighing Swains And rural virgins on the flowery Plains, The lavish Peer's profuseness may reprove Who gave her Guineas for the _Isle of Love_. --_Contemporary Satire_, -- (Harleian MSS. )] The following undated letter (preserved at Bayfordbury) addressed toJacob Tonson, and first published in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, May, 1836, pleads hard for an extra payment of five pounds for her book. Shewrites:-- Deare Mr. Tonson I am mightly obleg{d} to you for y{e} service you have don me to Mr. Dryden; in whose esteeme I wou'd chuse to be rather then any bodys in the world; and I am sure I never, in thought, word, or deed merritted other from him, but if you had heard w{t} was told me, you wou'd have excus'd all I said on that account. Thank him most infinitly for y{e} hon. He offers, and I shall never think I can do any thing that can merritt so vast a glory; and I must owe it all to you if I have it. As for Mr. Creech, I would not have you afflict him w{th} a thing can not now be help'd, so never let him know my resentment. I am troubled for y{e} line that's left out of Dr. Garth, [41] and wish yo{r} man wou'd write it in y{e} margent, at his leasure, to all you sell. As for y{e} verses of mine, I shou'd really have thought 'em worth thirty pound; and I hope you will find it worth 25_l_; not that I shou'd dispute at any other time for 5 pound wher I am so obleeged; but you can not think w{t} a preety thing y{e} Island will be, and w{t} a deal of labor I shall have yet with it: and if that pleases, I will do the 2nd Voyage, w{ch} will compose a little book as big as a novel by it self. But pray speake to yor Bro{r} to advance the price to one 5lb more, 'twill at this time be more then given me, and I vow I wou'd not aske it if I did not really believe it worth more. Alas I wou'd not loose my time in such low gettings, but only since I am about it I am resolv'd to go throw w{th} it tho I shou'd give it. I pray go about it as soone as you please, for I shall finish as fast as you can go on. Methinks y{e} Voyage shou'd com last, as being y{e} largest volume. You know Mr. Couly's Dauid is last, because a large poem, and Mrs. Philips her Plays for y{e} same reason. I wish I had more time, I wou'd ad something to y{e} verses y{t} I have a mind too, but, good deare Mr. Tonson, let it be 5lb more, for I may safly swere I have lost y{e} getting of 50lb by it, tho that's nothing to you, or my satisfaction and humour: but I have been w{th}out getting so long y{t} I am just on y{e} poynt of breaking, espesiall since a body has no creditt at y{e} Playhouse for money as we usd to have, fifty or 60 deepe, or more; I want extreamly or I wo'd not urge this. Yo{rs} A. B. Pray send me y{e} loose papers to put to these I have, and let me know w{ch} you will go about first, y{e} songs and verses or that. Send me an answer to-day. [Footnote 41: This of course cannot be correct, but it is so transcribed. In the transcript of this letter made by Malone, and now in the possession of G. Thorn Drury, Esq. , K. C. , over the word 'Garth's' is written 'Q', and at the foot of the page a note by Mitford says: 'This name seems to have been doubtful in the MSS. ' I have thought it best not to attempt any emendation. ] It is probable that about this date, 1683-4, she penned her little novel_The Adventure of the Black Lady_, and also that excellent extravaganza_The King of Bantam_. [42] Both these and _The Unfortunate Happy Lady_are written as if they had certainly been completed before the death ofCharles II, in which case they must have lain by, MSS, in Mrs. Behn'sdesk. [Footnote 42: Neither of these was printed until eight years after her death. They first appear, each with its separate title page, 1697, bound up in the Third Edition, 'with Large Additions, ' of _All the Histories and Novels, Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs. Behn, Entire in One Volume_, 1698. After Nos. Vii, viii, ix, _Memoirs of the Court of the King of _Bantam_, _The Nun; or, the Perjured Beauty_, _The Adventure of the Black Lady_ follows a note: 'These last three never before published. ' Some superficial bibliographers (e. G. Miss Charlotte E. Morgan in her unreliable monograph, _The English Novel till 1749_) have postulated imaginary editions of 1683-4 for _The Little Black Lady_ and _The King of Bantam_. _The Nun; or, the Perjured Beauty_ is universally confounded with _The History of the Nun_ (_vide_ Vol. V, p. 259, Introduction to that novel) and dated 1689. With reference to _The King of Bantam_ we have in the 1698 collected edition of the Novels the following '_Advertisement to the _Reader_. _ The Stile of the Court of the King of _Bantam_, being so very different from Mrs. _Behn's_ usual way of Writing, it may perhaps call its being genuine in Question; to obviate which Objection, I must inform the Reader, that it was a Trial of Skill upon a Wager, to shew that she was able to write in the Style of the Celebrated _Scarron_, in Imitation of whom 'tis writ, tho' the Story be true. I need not say any thing of the other Two, they evidently confessing their admirable Author. '] The King, at the height of his power, after a short illness, died6 February, 1685, an event that together with the accession of Jamesnaturally evoked a plethora of State Poems, to which flood Mrs. Behncontributed. Her Pindarics rank high amongst the semi-official, complimentary, threnodic or pastoral pseudo-Dithyrambs, of which the agewas so bounteous; but it needed the supreme genius of a Drydensustainedly to instil lyric fire and true poetry into these hybridforms. [43] The nadir is sounded by the plumbeous productions ofShadwell, Nahum Tate, and 'Persons of Quality'. Aphra's _Pindarick onthe Death of Charles II_ ran through two editions in 1685, and her _Poemto the Queen Dowager Catherine_ was published the same year. James IIwas crowned on St. George's Day, and she greeted her new monarch and oldpatron with a _Poem on the Happy Coronation of His Sacred Majesty_. A little later she published a _Miscellany_ of poems by various hands:amongst whom were Etheredge, Edmund Arwaker, Henry Crisp, and Otway, including not a few from her own pen, 'Together with Reflections onMorality, or Seneca Unmasqued. Translated from the Maximes of the Dukede la Rochefoucauld', a number of clever apophthegms tersely turned. [Footnote 43: Swift, although he amply fulfilled Dryden's famous prophecy, 'Cousin Swift, you will never be a Pindaric poet', was doubtless thinking of these Pindarics when in _The Battle of the Books_ he wrote: 'Then _Pindar_ slew ----, and ----, and _Oldham_, and ----, and _Afra_ the _Amazon_ light of foot. '] The following note, [44] however, affords ample evidence that at thisjuncture, maugre her diligence and unremitting toils, she was far frombeing in easy circumstances:-- 'Where as I am indebted to Mr. Bags the sum of six pownd for the payment of which Mr. Tonson has obleged him self. Now I do here by impowre Mr. Zachary Baggs, in case the said debt is not fully discharged before Michaelmas next, to stop what money he shall hereafter have in his hands of mine, upon the playing my first play till this aforesaid debt of six pownd be discharged. Witness my hand this 1st August, --85. A. Behn. ' [Footnote 44: First published in _The Gentleman's Magazine_, May, 1836. ] Early in 1686 a frolicksome comedy of great merit, _The Lucky Chance_, was produced by her at the Theatre Royal, the home of the UnitedCompanies. A Whiggish clique, unable to harm her in any other way, banded together to damn the play and so endeavoured to raise a pudichubbub, that happily proved quite ineffective. _The Lucky Chance_, whichcontends with _The Rover (I)_, and _The Feign'd Courtezans_ for thehonour of being Mrs. Behn's highest flight of comic genius, has scenesadmittedly wantoning beyond the bounds of niggard propriety, but all arealive with a careless wit and a brilliant humour that prove quiteirresistible. Next appeared those graceful translations from deBonnecorse's _La Montre . .. Seconde partie contenant La Boëte et LeMiroir_, which she termed _The Lover's Watch_ and _The Lady'sLooking-Glass_. In 1687 the Duke of Albemarle's voyage to Jamaica[45] to take up thegovernment in the West Indies gave occasion for a Pindaric, but we onlyhave one dramatic piece from Mrs. Behn, _The Emperor of the Moon_, a capital three act farce, Italian in sentiment and origin. For somelittle time past her health had begun to trouble her. [46] Her threeyears of privation and cares had told upon her physically, and sincethen, 'forced to write for bread and not ashamed to own it, ' she hadspared neither mind nor bodily strength. Graver symptoms appeared, butyet she found time to translate from Fontenelle his version of VanDale's _De Oraculis Ethnicorum_ as _The History of Oracles and theCheats of the Pagan Priests_, a book of great interest. There was alsopublished in 1687 an edition in stately folio of _Æesop's Fables withhis Life in English, French and Latin_, 'illustrated with One hundredand twelve Sculptures' and 'Thirty One New Figures representing hisLife', by Francis Barlow, the celebrated draughtsman of birds andanimals. Each plate to the Life has a quatrain appended, and each fablewith its moral is versified beneath the accompanying picture. In hisbrief address to the Reader Barlow writes: 'The Ingenious Mrs. A. Behnhas been so obliging as to perform the English Poetry, which in shortcomprehends the Sense of the Fable and Moral; Whereof to say much wereneedless, since it may sufficiently recommend it self to all Persons ofUnderstanding. ' To this year we further assign the composition of nofewer than four novels, _The Unfortunate Bride_, _The Dumb Virgin_, _TheWandering Beauty_, _The Unhappy Mistake_. She was working at highpressure, and 1688 still saw a tremendous literary output. Waller haddied 21 October, 1687, at the great age of eighty-one, and her ElegiacOde to his Memory begins:-- How to thy Sacred Memory, shall I bring (Worthy thy Fame) a grateful Offering? I, who by Toils of Sickness, am become Almost as near as thou art to a Tomb? While every soft and every tender strain Is ruffl'd, and ill-natur'd grown with Pain. [Footnote 45: Christopher Monck, second Duke of Albermarle, was appointed Governor-General of Jamaica, 26 November, 1687. He died there early in the following autumn. ] [Footnote 46: '_Sappho_ famous for her Gout and Guilt, ' writes Gould in _The Poetess, a Satyr_. ] This she sent to his daughter-in-law with the following letter[47]:-- Madam, At such losses as you have sustain'd in that of yo{r} Glorious ffather in Law M{r}. Waller, the whole world must wait on your sighs & mournings, tho' we must allow yours to be the more sensible by how much more (above your Sex) you are Mistriss of that Generous Tallent that made him so great & so admird (besids what we will allow as a Relation) tis therfore at your ffeet Madam we ought to lay all those Tributary Garlands, we humbler pretenders to the Muses believe it our Duty to offer at his Tombe-- in excuse for mine Madam I can only say I am very ill & have been dying this twelve month, that they want those Graces & that spiritt w{ch} possible I might have drest em in had my health & dulling vapors permitted me, howeuer Madam they are left to your finer judgment to determin whether they are worthy the Honour of the Press among those that cellibrat M{r}. Wallers great fame, or of being doomed to the fire & whateuer you decree will extreamly sattisfy Madam yo{r} most Devoted & most Obeadient Seruant A. BEHN. I humbly beg pardon for my yll writing Madam for tis with a Lame hand scarce able to hold a pen. [Footnote 47: Now published for the first time by the courtesy of G. Thorn Drury, Esq. , K. C. , who generously obliged me with a transcript of the original. ] Her weakness, lassitude, and despondency are more than apparent; yetbravely buckling to her work, and encouraged by her success withFontenelle, she Englished with rare skill his _Theory of the System ofSeveral New Inhabited Worlds_, prefixing thereto a first-rate 'Essay onTranslated Prose. ' She shows herself an admirable critic, broad-minded, with a keen eye for niceties of style. _The Fair Jilt_ (licensed17 April, 1688), [48] _Oroonoko_, and _Agnes de Castro_, followed inswift succession. She also published _Lycidus, a Voyage from the Islandof Love_, returning to the Abbé Tallemant's dainty preciosities. On10 June, James Francis Edward, Prince of Wales, was born at St. James'sPalace, and Mrs. Behn having already written a _Congratulatory Poem_[49]to Queen Mary of Modena on her expectation of the Prince, was ready witha Poem on his Happy Birth. [Footnote 48: In the original edition of _The Fair Jilt_ (1688), we have advertised: 'There is now in the Press, _Oroonoko; or, The History of the Royal Slave_. Written by Madam _Behn_. '] [Footnote 49: In the second edition (1688), of this _Congratulatory Poem_ to Queen Mary of Modena we have the following advertisement:-- 'On Wednesday next will be Published the most Ingenious and long Expected History of _Oroonoko; or, the Royal Slave_. By Mrs. _Behn_. '] One of the most social and convivial of women, a thorough Tory, wellknown to Dryden, Creech, Otway and all the leading men of her day, warmhelper and ally of every struggling writer, Astrea began to becompletely overpowered by the continual strain, the unremittent tax uponboth health and time. Overworked and overwrought, in the early months of1689 she put into English verse the sixth book (_of Trees_) fromCowley's _Sex Libri Plantarum_ (1668). Nahum Tate undertook Books IV andV and prefaced the translation when printed. As Mrs. Behn knew no Latinno doubt some friend, perhaps Tate himself, must have paraphrased theoriginal for her. She further published _The Lucky Mistake_ and _TheHistory of the Nun; or, The Fair Vow Breaker_, [50] licensed 22 October, 1688. On the afternoon of 12 February, Mary, wife of William of Orange, had with great diffidence landed at Whitehall Stairs, and Mrs. Behncongratulated the lady in her Poem _To Her Sacred Majesty Queen Mary onher Arrival in England_. One regrets to find her writing on such anoccasion, and that she realized the impropriety of her conduct is clearfrom the reference to the banished monarch. But she was weary, depressed, and ill, and had indeed for months past been racked withincessant pain. An agonizing complication of disorders now gave scanthope of recovery. It is in the highest degree interesting to note thatduring her last sickness Dr. Burnet, a figure of no little importance atthat moment, kindly enquired after the dying woman. The Pindaric inwhich she thanks him, and which was printed March, 1689, proved the lastpoem she herself saw through the press. At length exhausted naturefailed altogether, and she expired 16 April, 1689, the end hastened by asad lack of skill in her physician. She is buried in the east cloistersof Westminster Abbey. A black marble slab marks the spot. On it aregraven 'Mrs. Aphra Behn Dyed April, 16, A. D. 1689, ' and two lines, 'madeby a very ingenious Gentleman tho' no Poet':--[51] Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality. [52] [Footnote 50: The title page has 1689, but it was possibly published late in 1688. ] [Footnote 51: Traditionally said to be John Hoyle. ] [Footnote 52: Sam Briscoe, the publisher, in his Dedicatory Epistle to _Familiar Letters of Love, Gallantry, etc. _ (2 vols. , 1718), says: 'Had the rough Days of K. _Charles_ II _newly recover'd from the Confusion of a Civil War_, or the tempestuous Time of _James_ the Second, had the same _Sence of Wit_ as our _Gentlemen_ now appear to have, the first Impressions of _Milton's Paradise Lost_ had never been sold for _Waste Paper_; the Inimitable _Hudibras_ had never suffered the Miseries of a Neglected Cavalier; _Tom Brown_ the merriest and most diverting'st man, had never expir'd so neglected; Mr. _Dryden_'s Religion would never have lost him his _Pension_; or Mrs. _Behn_ ever had but _two Lines_ upon her _Grave-stone_. '] 'She was of a generous and open Temper, something passionate, veryserviceable to her Friends in all that was in her Power; and couldsooner forgive an Injury, than do one. She had Wit, Honour, Good-Humour, and Judgment. She was Mistress of all the pleasing Arts of Conversation, but us'd 'em not to any but those who love Plain-dealing. ' So she comesbefore us. A graceful, comely woman, [53] merry and buxom, with brownhair and bright eyes, candid, sincere, a brilliant conversationalist indays when conversation was no mere slipshod gabble of slang but cut andthrust of poignant epigram and repartee; warm-hearted, perhaps toowarm-hearted, and ready to lend a helping hand even to the mostundeserving, a quality which gathered all Grub Street round her door. Ata period when any and every writer, mean or great, of whatsoever meritor party, was continually assailed with vehement satire and acridlampoons, lacking both truth and decency, Aphra Behn does not come offscot-free, nobody did; and upon occasion her name is amply vilified byher foes. There are some eight ungenerous lines with a side reference tothe 'Conquests she had won' in Buckingham's _A Trial of the Poets forthe Bays_, and a page or two of insipid spiritless rhymes, _The FemaleLaureat_, find a place in _State Poems_. The same collection contains_A Satyr on the Modern Translators_. 'Odi Imitatores servum pecus, ' &c. By Mr. P----r, [54] 1684. It begins rather smartly:-- Since the united Cunning of the Stage, Has balk'd the hireling Drudges of the Age; Since _Betterton_ of late so thrifty 's grown, Revives Old Plays, or wisely acts his own; the modern poets Have left Stage-practice, chang'd their old Vocations, Atoning for bad Plays with worse Translations. In some instances this was true enough, but when the writer attacksDryden he becomes ridiculous and imprecates May he still split on some unlucky Coast, And have his Works or Dictionary lost: That he may know what _Roman Authors_ mean, No more than does our blind Translatress _Behn_, [55] The Female Wit, who next convicted stands, Not for abusing _Ovid's_ verse but _Sand's_: She might have learn'd from the ill-borrow'd Grace, (Which little helps the Ruin of her Face) That Wit, like Beauty, triumphs o'er the Heart When more of Nature's seen, and less of Art: Nor strive in _Ovid's_ Letters to have shown As much of Skill, as Lewdness in her own. Then let her from the next inconstant Lover, Take a new Copy for a second Rover. Describe the Cunning of a jilting Whore, From the ill Arts herself has us'd before; Thus let her write, but _Paraphrase_ no more. These verses are verjuiced, unwarranted, unfair. Tom Brown too in his_Letters from the Dead to the Living_ has a long epistle 'From worthyMrs. Behn the Poetess, to the famous Virgin Actress, ' (Mrs. Bracegirdle), in which the Diana of the stage is crudely rallied. 'TheVirgin's Answer to Mrs. Behn' contains allusions to Aphra's intriguewith some well-known dramatic writer, perhaps Ravenscroft, and speaks ofmany an other amour beside. But then for a groat Brown would have provedBarbara Villiers a virgin, and taxed Torquemada with unorthodoxy. Brownhas yet another gird at Mrs. Behn in his _The Late Converts Exposed, or the Reason of Mr. Bays's Changing his Religion &c. _ Considered in aDialogue (1690, a quarto tract; and reprinted in a Collection of Brown's_Dialogues_, 8vo, 1704). Says Eugenius: 'You may remember Mr. Bays, howthe famed _Astrea_, once in her Life-time unluckily lighted upon such aSacred Subject, and in a strange fit of Piety, must needs attempt aParaphrase on the Lord's Prayer. But alas poor Gentlewoman! She hadscarce travell'd half way, when _Cupid_ served her as the Cut-Purse didthe Old Justice in _Bartholmew_ Fair, tickled her with a Straw in herEar, and then she could not budge one foot further, till she had humblyrequested her Maker to grant her a private Act of Toleration for alittle Harmless Love, otherwise called Fornication. ' There is a marginalnote to this passage: 'Mrs. _Behn's_ Miscell. Printed by _Jos. Hindmarsh_. ' In _a Letter from the Dead Thomas Brown to the LivingHeraclitus_ (1704), a sixpenny tract, this wag is supposed to meet Mrs. Behn in the underworld, and anon establishes himself on the mostfamiliar terms with his 'dear _Afra_'; they take, indeed, 'anextraordinary liking to one another's Company' for 'good Conversation isnot so overplentiful in these Parts. ' A bitterer attack yet, _An Epistleto Julian_ (c. 1686-7), paints her as ill, feeble, dying:-- Doth that lewd Harlot, that Poetick Quean, Fam'd through _White Fryars_, you know who I mean, Mend for reproof, others set up in spight, To flux, take glisters, vomits, purge and write. Long with a Sciatica she's beside lame, Her limbs distortur'd, Nerves shrunk up with pain, And therefore I'll all sharp reflections shun, Poverty, Poetry, Pox, are plagues enough for one. In truth, Aphra Behn's life was not one of mere pleasure, but a hardstruggle against overwhelming adversity, a continual round of work. We cannot but admire the courage of this lonely woman, who, poor andfriendless, was the first in England to turn to the pen for alivelihood, and not only won herself bread but no mean position in theworld of her day and English literature of all time. For years her nameto a new book, a comedy, a poem, an essay from the French, was a word toconjure with for the booksellers. There are anecdotes in plenty. Sometrue, some not so reliable. She is said to have introduced milk-punchinto England. [56] We are told that she could write a page of a novel ora scene of a play in a room full of people and yet hold her own in talkthe while. [57] Her popularity was enormous, and edition after edition ofher plays and novels was called for. [Footnote 53: 'She was a most beautiful woman, and a more excellent poet'. Col. Colepeper. _Adversaria_, Vol. Ii (Harleian MSS. )] [Footnote 54: This piece finds a place in the unauthorised edition of Prior's Poems, 1707, a volume the poet himself repudiated. In the Cambridge edition of Prior's _Works_ (1905-7), reason is given, however, to show that the lines are certainly Prior's, and that he withdrew this and other satires (says Curll, the bookseller), owing to 'his great Modesty'. The Horatian tag (Epistles i, xiv, 19) is of course 'O Imitatores servum pecus'. ] [Footnote 55: In his _Preface Concerning Ovid's Epistles_ affixed to the translation of the _Heroides_ (_Ovid's Epistles_), 'by Several Hands' (1680), Dryden writes: 'The Reader will here find most of the Translations, with some little Latitude or variation from the Author's Sence: That of _Oenone_ to _Paris_, is in Mr. Cowley's way of Imitation only. I was desir'd to say that the Author who is of the _Fair Sex_, understood not _Latine_. But if she does not, I am afraid she has given us occasion to be asham'd who do. '] [Footnote 56: 'Old Mr. John Bowman, the player, told me that Mrs. Behn was the First Person he ever knew or heard of who made the Liquor call'd Milk Punch. ' --Oldys; MS. Note in Langbaine. In a tattered MS. Recipe book, the compilation of a good housewife named Mary Rockett, and dated 1711, the following directions are given how to brew this tipple. 'To make Milk Punch. Infuse the rinds of 8 Lemons in a Gallon of Brandy 48 hours then add 5 Quarts of Water and 2 pounds of Loaf Sugar then Squize the Juices of all the Lemons to these Ingredients add 2 Quarts of new milk Scald hot stirring the whole till it crudles grate in 2 Nutmegs let the whole infuse 1 Hour then refine through a flannel Bag. '] [Footnote 57: 'She always Writ with the greatest ease in the world, and that in the midst of Company, and Discourse of other matters. I saw her my self write _Oroonoko_, and keep her own in Discoursing with several then present in the Room. ' --Gildon: _An Account of the Life of the Incomparable Mrs. Behn_, prefixed to _The Younger Brother_ (4to 1696). Southerne says, with reference to _Oroonoko_, 'That she always told his Story, more feelingly than she writ it. '] In 1690, there was brought out on the stage a posthumous comedy, _TheWidow Ranter_. [58] But without her supervision, it was badly cast, thescript was mauled, and it failed. In 1696 Charles Gildon, who posed asher favourite protégé (and edited her writings), gave _The YoungerBrother_. He had, however, himself tampered with the text. The actorsdid it scant justice and it could not win a permanent place in thetheatrical repertory. In May, 1738, _The Gentleman's Magazine_ published_The Apotheosis of Milton_, a paper, full of interest, which ran throughseveral numbers. It is a Vision, in which the writer, having fallenasleep in Westminster Abbey, is conducted by a Genius into a spacioushall, 'sacred to the Spirits of the Bards, whose Remains are buried, orwhose Monuments are erected within this Pile. To night an Assembly ofthe greatest Importance is held upon the Admission of the Great Miltoninto this Society. ' The Poets accordingly appear either in the habitswhich they were wont to wear on earth, or in some suitable attire. Wehave Chaucer, Drayton, Beaumont, Ben Jonson, and others who are wellparticularized, but when we get to the laureates and critics of a laterperiod there are some really valuable touches. In 1738 there must havebeen many alive who could well remember Dryden, Shadwell, Otway, Prior, Philips, Sheffield Duke of Buckinghamshire, Dennis, Atterbury, Lee, Congreve, Rowe, Addison, Betterton, Gay. In the course of his remarksthe guide exclaims to the visitor: 'Observe that Lady dressed in theloose _Robe de Chambre_ with her Neck and Breasts bare; how much Fire inher Eye! what a passionate Expression in her Motions; And how muchAssurance in her Features! Observe what an Indignant Look she bestows onthe President [Chaucer], who is telling her, _that none of her Sex hasany Right to a Seat there_. How she throws her Eyes about, to see if shecan find out any one of the Assembly who inclines to take her Part. No!not one stirs; they who are enclined in her favour are overawed, and therest shake their Heads; and now she flings out of the Assembly. Thatextraordinary Woman is _Afra Behn_. ' The passage is not impertinent, even though but as showing how early condemnatory tradition had begun toincrustate around Astrea. Fielding, however, makes his Man of the Worldtell a friend that the best way for a man to improve his intellect andcommend himself to the ladies is by a course of Mrs. Behn's novels. Withthe oncoming of the ponderous and starched decorum of the third George'sreign her vogue waned apace, but she was still read and quoted. On 12December, 1786, Horace Walpole writes to the Countess of Upper Ossory, 'I am going to Mrs. Cowley's new play, [59] which I suppose is as_instructive_ as the _Marriage of Figaro_, for I am told it approachesto those of Mrs. Behn in Spartan delicacy; but I shall see Miss Farren, who, in my poor opinion is the first of all actresses. ' Sir Walter Scottadmired and praised her warmly. But the pinchbeck sobriety of latertimes was unable to tolerate her freedom. She was condemned in no smallstill voice as immoral, loose, scandalous; and writer after writer, leaving her unread, reiterated the charge till it passed into a bywordof criticism, and her works were practically taboo in literature, a typeand summary of all that was worst and foulest in Restoration days. Theabsurdities and falsity or this extreme are of course patent now, and itwas inevitable the recoil should come. [Footnote 58: It is ushered in by one 'G. J. Her friend'. This was almost certainly George Jenkins. ] [Footnote 59: _The School for Greybeards_, produced at Drury Lane, 25 November, 1786. It owes much of its business to _The Lucky Chance_. See the Theatrical History of that comedy (Vol. Iii, p. 180). Miss Farren acted Donna Seraphina, second wife of Don Alexis, one of the Greybeards. She also spoke the epilogue. ] It is a commonplace to say that her novels are a landmark in the historyof fiction. Even Macaulay allowed that the best of Defoe was 'in norespect. .. Beyond the reach of Afra Behn'. Above all _Oroonoko_ can betraced directly and indirectly, perhaps unconsciously, in many adescendant. Without assigning her any direct influence on Wilberforce, much of the feeling of this novel is the same as inspired HarrietBeecher Stowe. She has been claimed to be the literary ancestress ofBernardin de Saint-Pierre and Chateaubriand; nor is it any exaggerationto find Byron and Rousseau in her train. Her lyrics, it has been wellsaid, are often of 'quite bewildering beauty', but her comediesrepresent her best work and she is worthy to be ranked with the greatestdramatists of her day, with Vanbrugh and Etheredge; not so strong asWycherley, less polished than Congreve. Such faults as she has areobviously owing to the haste with which circumstances compelled her towrite her scenes. That she should ever recover her pristine reputationis of course, owing to the passing of time with its change of manners, fashions, thought and style, impossible. But there is happily everyindication that-- long neglected and traduced-- she will speedilyvindicate for herself, as she is already beginning to do, her rightfulclaim to a high and honourable place in our glorious literature. THE TEXT. The text of the dramatic work is primarily based upon the edition of1724, four volumes, by far the best and most reliable edition of thecollected theatre. Each play, however, has been carefully collated withthe original quartos, some of which are of excessive rarity, and if, inthe case of any divergence, the later reading is preferred, reason whyis given in the Textual Notes upon that specific passage. To theDramatis Personae are in each case added those characters which hithertowere negligently omitted: I have, further, consistently numbered thescenes and supplied (where necessary) the locales. In the order of theplays the 1724 edition has been followed as preserving the traditionaland accepted arrangement. The only change herein made is thetransferring of _The Emperor of the Moon_ from Vol. IV to Vol. Ill, andthe placing of _The Amorous Prince_ before _The Widow Ranter_, so thatthe two posthumous plays may thus be found in their due order togetherat the end of Vol. IV. With regard to metrical division, I have (unless a special note on anyone particular line draws attention to the contrary) in this difficultmatter followed the first quartos, as at this point 1724 proves not sosatisfactory, and prints much as prose which the earlier separateeditions give as verse. A notable instance may be found in _The AmorousPrince_. To the above rule I adhere so strictly as even not to divideinto lines several scenes in _The Widow Ranter_ and _The YoungerBrother_ which are palpably blank verse, but yet which are not so set inthe quartos of 1690 and 1696. I felt that the metrical difficulties andkindred questions involved were so capable of almost infinitevariations, that to attempt a new and decisive text in this matter wouldnot merely be hazardous but also unproductive of any real benefit orultimately permanent result. The valuable Dedications and Prefaces, never before given in thecollected editions, are here reprinted for the first time from theoriginals. With regard to the novels the first separate edition has inevery case been collated. When impossible, however, so to do (as in theexception of _Oroonoko_), the earliest accessible text has been taken, and if any difficulty arose, all editions of any value whatsoever werelikewise consulted. For _La Montre_ (_The Lover's Watch_), the originaledition of 1686 was used. Any difference in text which has been adoptedfrom later editions is duly noted in the textual apparatus to thatpiece. The Poems have in every case been printed from the first-- whichare generally the only-- editions. Where they appeared as broadsides, these, when traceable, have been collated. THE PORTRAITS OF MRS. BEHN. Of Mrs. Behn there exist three portraits, one by Mary Beale, a second byJohn Riley, and the third by Sir Peter Lely. The Beale portrait has been engraved: 'Aphra Behn. From a Picture byMary Beale in the collection of His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. Drawnby T. Uwins. Engraved by J. Fittler, A. R. A. London. 1 March, 1822. Published by W. Walker, 8 Grays Inn Square. ' The original oil paintingwas purchased at the Stow Sale in 1848 (No. 57 in the sale catalogue), by J. S. Caldwell, a literary antiquarian, Linley Wood, Staffordshire. A letter which I wrote to _The Times Literary Supplement_ (26 November, 1914) on the subject of these portraits brought me a most courteouspermission from Major-General F. C. Heath Caldwell, the present owner ofLinley Wood, to view the picture. With regard to the well-known and most frequently reproduced portrait byRiley, this, engraved by R. Wise, figures as frontispiece to _TheUnfortunate Bride_ (title page, 1700, and second title page, 1698). It is also given before the _Novels_ (1696, 1698, and other editions). Engraved by B. Cole, the same portrait fronts the _Plays_, 4 vols. , 1724, and the _Novels_, 2 vols. , 1735. It again appears 'H. R. Cook, Sculp. ', published 1 August, 1813, by I. W. H. Payne, when it wasincluded as an illustration to the _Lady's Monthly Museum_. The portrait by Sir Peter Lely, which is reproduced as frontispiece tothis edition of Mrs. Behn, was exhibited at the South KensingtonPortrait Exhibition of 1866 by Philip Howard, Esq. , of Corby Castle, thehead of the Corby branch of the Howard family. The portrait of Mrs. Behn which appears as frontispiece to the _Plays_, 2 vols. , 1716, is none other than Christina of Sweden from SebastianBourdon's drawing now in the Louvre. A so-called portrait of Mrs. Behn, 'pub. Rob't Wilkinson', no date, is of no value, being, at best, a bad pastiche from some very poorengraving. * * * * * * * * * Errors and Irregularities: General Introduction even such a mad scrapegrace as Dryden's Woodall _text unchanged_the Duke's Theatre, Lincoln's Inn Field's _all apostrophes in original_[Footnote 21. ]. .. Knowledge of the / theatre and technicalties theatrical _text unchanged_ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE ROVER; OR, THE BANISH'D CAVALIERS. PART I. [Transcriber's Note: Entrances and bracketed stage directions were printed in _italics_, with proper names in roman type. The overall _italic_ markup has been omitted for readability. ] ARGUMENT. During the exile of Charles II a band of cavaliers, prominent amongstwhom are Willmore (the Rover), Belvile, Frederick, and Ned Blunt, findthemselves at Naples in carnival time. Belvile, who at a siege atPampluna has rescued a certain Florinda and her brother Don Pedro, nowloves the lady, and the tender feeling is reciprocated. Florinda'sfather, however, designs her for the elderly Vincentio, whilst herbrother would have her marry his friend Antonio, son to the Viceroy. Florinda, her sister Hellena (who is intended for the veil), theircousin Valeria, and duenna Callis surreptitiously visit the carnival, all in masquerade, and there encounter the cavaliers. Florinda arrangesto meet Belvile that night at her garden-gate. Meanwhile a picture ofAngelica Bianca, a famous courtezan, is publicly exposed, guarded bybravos. Antonio and Pedro dispute who shall give the 1000 crowns shedemands, and come to blows. After a short fray Willmore, who has boldlypulled down the picture, is admitted to the house, and declares hislove, together with his complete inability to pay the price sherequires. Angelica, none the less, overcome with passion, yields to him. Shortly after, meeting Hellena in the street, he commences an ardentcourtship, which is detected by the jealous Angelica, who has followedhim vizarded. Florinda that night at the garden-gate encountersWillmore, who, having been toping in the town, is far from sober, andher cries at his advances attract her brother and servants, whom sheeludes by escaping back to the house. After a brawl, Willmore has toendure the reproaches of Belvile, who has appeared on the scene. Duringtheir discussion Antonio makes as about to enter Angelica's house beforewhich they are, and Willmore, justling him to one side, wounds him. He falls, and the officers who run up at the clash of swords, arrestBelvile, who has returned at the noise, as the assailant, conveying himby Antonio's orders to the Viceroy's palace. Antonio, in the course ofconversation, resigns Florinda to his rival, and Belvile, disguised asAntonio, obtains Florinda from Don Pedro. At this moment Willmoreaccosts him, and the Spaniard perceiving his mistake, soon takes hissister off home. Angelica next comes in hot pursuit of Willmore, butthey are interrupted by Hellena, dressed as a boy, who tells a tale ofthe Rover's amour with another dame and so rouses the jealous courtezanto fury, and the twain promptly part quarrelling. Florinda, meanwhile, who has escaped from her brother, running into an open house to evadedetection, finds herself in Ned Blunt's apartments. Blunt, who issitting half-clad, and in no pleasant mood owing to his having beentricked of clothes and money and turned into the street by a commoncyprian, greets her roughly enough, but is mollified by the present of adiamond ring. His friends and Don Pedro, come to laugh at his sorrycase, now force their way into the chamber, and Florinda, whom herbrother finally resigns to Belvile, is discovered. She is straightwayunited to her lover by a convenient priest. Willmore is then surprisedby the apparition of Angelica, who, loading him with bitter reproachesfor his infidelity, is about to pistol him, when she is disarmed byAntonio, and accordingly parts in a fury of jealous rage, to give placeto Hellena who adroitly secures her Rover in the noose of matrimony. SOURCE. The entire plan and many details of both parts of _The Rover_ are takenopenly and unreservedly from Tom Killigrew's _Thomaso, or The Wanderer_, an unacted comedy likewise in two parts, published for the first time inhis collected works by Henry Herringman (folio, 1663-4). It is to benoticed, however, that whilst Killigrew's work is really one long playof ten closely consecutive acts, the scene of which is continually laidin Madrid, without any break in time or action, Mrs. Behn, on the otherhand, admirably contrives that each separate part of _The Rover_ iscomplete and possesses perfect unity in itself, the locale beingrespectively, and far more suitably, in two several places, Naples andMadrid, rather than confined to the latter city alone. Mrs. Behn, moreover, introduces new characters and a new intrigue in her secondpart, thus not merely sustaining but even renewing the interest which in_Thomaso_ jades and flags most wearily owing to the author's prolixityand diffuseness. Killigrew, a royalist to the core, participated in the protracted exileof Charles II, and devoting this interim to literature, wrote _Thomaso_whilst at Madrid, probably about the year 1654-5. Although undeniablyinteresting in a high degree, and not ill written, it shares in no smallmeasure the salient faults of his other productions, boundless andneedless verbosity, slowness of action, unconscionable length. For all its wit and cleverness, such blemishes would, without trenchantcutting, have been more than sufficient to prohibit it from any actualperformance, and, indeed, _Thomaso_ may be better described as adramatic romance than a comedy intended for the boards. Clumsy andgargantuan speeches, which few actors could have even memorized, andnone would have ventured to utter on the stage, abound in every scene. This lack of technical acumen (unless, as may well be the case, Killigrew wrote much of these plays without any thought of presentation)is more than surprising in an author so intimately connected with thetheatre and, after the Restoration, himself manager of the King'sCompany. Nor is _Thomaso_ without its patent plagiarisms. Doubtless no small partis simply autobiographical adventuring, but, beside many a reminiscenceof the later Jacobeans, Killigrew has conveyed entire passages andlyrics wholesale without attempt at disguise. Thus the song, 'Comehither, you that love, ' Act ii, Scene 3, is from Fletcher's _Captain_, Act iv, the scene in Lelia's chamber. Again, the procedure and orationsof Lopus the mountebank are but the flimsiest alterations of _Volpone_, Act ii, Scene I, nor could Killigrew change Jonson for anything but theworse. He has even gone so far as to name his quack's spouse Celia, a distinct echo of Corvino's wife. In dealing with these two plays Mrs. Behn has done a great deal morethan merely fit the pieces for the stage. Almost wholly rewriting them, she has infused into the torpid dialogue no small portion of wit andvivacity, whilst the characters, prone to devolve into little betterthan prosy and wooden marionettes, with only too apparent wires, aregiven life, vigour movement, individuality and being. In fact she hasmade the whole completely and essentially her own. In some cases thesame names are retained. We find Phillipo, Sancho, Angelica Bianca, Lucetta, Callis, in Killigrew. But as Willmore is a different thingaltogether to Thomaso, so Ned Blunt is an infinitely more entertainingfigure than his prototype Edwardo. Amongst other details Killigrew, oddly and stupidly enough, gives his English gentlemen foreignnames:-- Thomaso, Ferdinando, Rogero, Harrigo[*]. This jar is dulycorrected in _The Rover_. [Footnote *: There is a strange commixture here. The character is familiarly addressed as 'Hal', the scene is Madrid, and he rejoices in the Milanese (not Italian) nomenclature Arrigo = Henry in that dialect. ] Mrs. Behn has further dealt with the Lucetta intrigue in a far moremasterly way than Killigrew's clumsily developed episode. In _Thomaso_it occupies a considerable space, and becomes both tedious and brutallyunpleasant. The apt conclusion of the amour in _The Rover_ with Blunt'sparlous mishap is originally derived from Boccaccio, Second Day, Novel 5, where a certain Andreuccio finds himself in the same unsavourypredicament as the Essex squireen. However, even this was by no meansnew to the English stage. In _Blurt Master Constable_, Lazarillo deTormes, at the house of the courtezan Imperia, meets with precisely thesame accident, Act iii, Scene 3, Act iv, Scenes 2 and 3, and it isprobable that Mrs. Behn did not go directly to the _Decameron_ but drewupon Middleton, of whom she made very ample use on another occasion, borrowing for _The City Heiress_ no small portion of _A Mad World, MyMasters_, and racily reproducing in extenso therefrom Sir BounteousProgress, Dick Folly-Wit, the mock grandee, and that most excellent ofall burglaries good enough for Fielding at his best. In dealing with _Thomaso_ Astrea did not hesitate, with manifestadvantage, to transfer incidents from Part II to Part I, and vice versa. Correcting, pruning, augmenting, enlivening, rewriting, she may indeed(pace the memory of the merry jester of Charles II) be well said to haveclothed dry bones with flesh, and to have given her creation a witty andsupple tongue. THEATRICAL HISTORY. The first part of _The Rover_ was produced at the Duke's House, DorsetGardens, in the summer of 1677, and licensed for printing on 2 July ofthe same year. It met, as it fully deserved, with complete success, andremained one of the stock plays of the company. Smith, the originalWillmore, and the low comedian Underhill as Blunt were especiallyrenowned in their respective rôles. Another famous Willmore was WillMountford, of whom Dibdin relates, 'When he played Mrs. Behn's dissolutecharacter of The Rover, it was remarked by many, and particularly byQueen Mary, that it was dangerous to see him act, he made vice soalluring. ' Amongst the more notable representations of the eighteenth century wefind:-- _Drury Lane; 18 February, 1703. _ Willmore by Wilks; Hellena, Mrs. Oldfield; repeated on 15 October of the same year. _Haymarket; 20January, 1707. _ Willmore by Verbruggen; Blunt, Underhill; Hellena, Mrs. Bracegirdle; Angelica, Mrs. Barry; Florinda, Mrs. Bowman. _Drury Lane;22 April, 1708. _ Willmore by Wilks; Blunt, Estcourt; Frederick, Cibber;Hellena, Mrs. Oldfield; Angelica, Mrs. Barry; Florinda, Mrs. Porter. _Drury Lane; 30 December, 1715. _ Willmore, Wilks; Blunt, Johnson;Hellena, Mrs. Mountfort; Angelica, Mrs. Porter. _Drury Lane; 6 March, 1716. _ Don Pedro, Quin; Frederick, Ryan; Florinda, Mrs. Horton. _Lincoln's Inn Fields; 5 April, 1725. _ 'Never acted there. ' Performedfor Ryan's benefit. Willmore, Ryan; Belvile, Quin; Blunt, Spiller;Hellena, Mrs. Bullock; Angelica, Mrs. Parker. _Covent Garden;9 November, 1748. _ Willmore, Ryan; Blunt, Bridgewater; Hellena, Mrs. Woffington; Angelica, Mrs. Horton. To make this performance moreattractive there was also presented 'a musical entertainment', entitled, _Apollo and Daphne_, which had been originally produced at Lincoln's InnFields in 1726. _Covent Garden; 19 February, 1757. _ 'Not acted twentyyears. ' Willmore, Smith; Belvile, Ridout; Frederick, Clarke; DonAntonio, Dyer; Blunt, Shuter; Hellena, Mrs. Woffington; Angelica, Mrs. Hamilton; Florinda, Mrs. Elmy. This, the latest revival, was performedwith considerable expense, and proved successful, being repeated no lessthan ten times during the season. Wilkinson says that Shuter acted Bluntvery realistically, and, as the stage directions of Act iii require, stripped to his very drawers. On 8 March, 1790, J. P. Kemble presented at Drury Lane a pudibondalteration of _The Rover_, which he dubbed _Love in Many Masks_ (8vo, 1790). It was well received, and acted eight times; in the followingseason once. Willmore was played by Kemble himself; Belvile, Wroughton;Blunt, Jack Bannister; Stephano, Suett; Hellena, Mrs. Jordan; Angelica, Mrs. Ward; Florinda, Mrs. Powell; Valeria, Mrs. Kemble; Lucetta, MissTidswell. It is not entirely worthless from a purely technical point ofview, but yet very modest and mediocre. As might well be surmised, theraciness and spirit of _The Rover_ entirely evaporate in the insipidityof emasculation. This is the last recorded performance of Mrs. Behn'sbrilliant comedy in any shape. THE ROVER; or, the Banish'd Cavaliers. PART I. PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality. _Wits, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel's_ Drops were never more cry'd down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal. _ _If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn'd, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate. Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit. Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err. Some write correct indeed, but then the whole (Bating their own dull Stuff i'th' Play) is stole: As Bees do suck from Flowers their Honey-dew, So they rob others, striving to please you. _ _Some write their Characters genteel and fine, But then they do so toil for every Line, That what to you does easy seem, and plain, Is the hard issue of their labouring Brain. And some th' Effects of all their Pains we see, Is but to mimick good Extempore. Others by long Converse about the Town, Have Wit enough to write a leud Lampoon, But their chief Skill lies in a Baudy Song. In short, the only Wit that's now in Fashion Is but the Gleanings of good Conversation. As for the Author of this coming Play, I ask'd him what he thought fit I should say, In thanks for your good Company to day: He call'd me Fool, and said it was well known, You came not here for our sakes, but your own. New Plays are stuff'd with Wits, and with Debauches, That croud and sweat like Cits in _May_-day Coaches. _ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. Don _Antonio_, the Vice-Roy's Son, Mr. _Jevorne_. Don _Pedro_, a Noble _Spaniard_, his Friend, Mr. _Medburne_. _Belvile_, an _English_ Colonel in love with _Florinda_, Mr. _Betterton_. _Willmore_, the _ROVER_, Mr. _Smith_. _Frederick_, an _English_ Gentleman, and Friend to _Belvile_ and _Blunt_, Mr. _Crosbie_. _Blunt_, an _English_ Country Gentleman, Mr. _Underhill_. _Stephano_, Servant to Don _Pedro_, Mr. _Richards_. _Philippo_, _Lucetta's_ Gallant, Mr. _Percival_. _Sancho_, Pimp to _Lucetta_, Mr. _John Lee_. _Risky_ and _Sebastian_, two Bravoes to _Angelica_. _Diego_, Page to Don _Antonio_. Page to _Hellena_. Boy, Page to _Belvile_. _Blunt's_ Man. Officers and Soldiers. WOMEN. _Florinda_, Sister to Don _Pedro_, Mrs. _Betterton_. _Hellena_, a gay young Woman design'd for a Nun, and Sister to _Florinda_, Mrs. _Barrey_. _Valeria_, a Kinswoman to _Florinda_, Mrs. _Hughes_. _Angelica Bianca_, a famous Curtezan, Mrs. _Gwin_. _Moretta_, her Woman, Mrs. _Leigh_. _Callis_, Governess to _Florinda_ and _Hellena_, Mrs. _Norris_. _Lucetta_, a jilting Wench, Mrs. _Gillow_. Servants, other Masqueraders, Men and Women. SCENE _Naples_, in Carnival-time. ACT I. SCENE I. _A chamber. _ Enter _Florinda_ and _Hellena_. _Flor. _ What an impertinent thing is a young Girl bred in a Nunnery! Howfull of Questions! Prithee no more, _Hellena_; I have told thee morethan thou understand'st already. _Hell. _ The more's my Grief; I wou'd fain know as much as you, whichmakes me so inquisitive; nor is't enough to know you're a Lover, unlessyou tell me too, who 'tis you sigh for. _Flor. _ When you are a Lover, I'll think you fit for a Secret of thatnature. _Hell. _ 'Tis true, I was never a Lover yet-- but I begin to have ashreud Guess, what 'tis to be so, and fancy it very pretty to sigh, andsing, and blush and wish, and dream and wish, and long and wish to seethe Man; and when I do, look pale and tremble; just as you did when myBrother brought home the fine _English_ Colonel to see you-- what do youcall him? Don _Belvile_. _Flor. _ Fie, _Hellena_. _Hell. _ That Blush betrays you-- I am sure 'tis so-- or is it Don_Antonio_ the Vice-Roy's Son?-- or perhaps the rich old Don _Vincentio_, whom my father designs for your Husband?-- Why do you blush again? _Flor. _ With Indignation; and how near soever my Father thinks I am tomarrying that hated Object, I shall let him see I understand betterwhat's due to my Beauty, Birth and Fortune, and more to my Soul, than toobey those unjust Commands. _Hell. _ Now hang me, if I don't love thee for that dear Disobedience. I love Mischief strangely, as most of our Sex do, who are come to lovenothing else-- But tell me, dear _Florinda_, don't you love that fine_Anglese_?-- for I vow next to loving him my self, 'twill please me mostthat you do so, for he is so gay and so handsom. _Flor. _ _Hellena_, a Maid design'd for a Nun ought not to be so curiousin a Discourse of Love. _Hell. _ And dost thou think that ever I'll be a Nun? Or at least tillI'm so old, I'm fit for nothing else. Faith no, Sister; and that whichmakes me long to know whether you love _Belvile_, is because I hope hehas some mad Companion or other, that will spoil my Devotion; nay I'mresolv'd to provide my self this Carnival, if there be e'er a handsomFellow of my Humour above Ground, tho I ask first. _Flor. _ Prithee be not so wild. _Hell. _ Now you have provided your self with a Man, you take no Care forpoor me-- Prithee tell me, what dost thou see about me that is unfit forLove-- have not I a world of Youth? a Humour gay? a Beauty passable?a Vigour desirable? well shap'd? clean limb'd? sweet breath'd? and Senseenough to know how all these ought to be employ'd to the best Advantage:yes, I do and will. Therefore lay aside your Hopes of my Fortune, by mybeing a Devotee, and tell me how you came acquainted with this_Belvile_; for I perceive you knew him before he came to _Naples_. _Flor. _ Yes, I knew him at the Siege of _Pampelona_, he was then aColonel of _French_ Horse, who when the Town was ransack'd, noblytreated my Brother and my self, preserving us from all Insolencies; andI must own, (besides great Obligations) I have I know not what, thatpleads kindly for him about my Heart, and will suffer no other toenter-- But see my Brother. Enter _Don Pedro_, _Stephano_, with a Masquing Habit, and _Callis_. _Pedro. _ Good morrow, Sister. Pray, when saw you your Lover Don_Vincentio_? _Flor. _ I know not, Sir-- _Callis_, when was he here? for I consider itso little, I know not when it was. _Pedro. _ I have a Command from my Father here to tell you, you ought notto despise him, a Man of so vast a Fortune, and such a Passion foryou-- _Stephano_, my things-- [Puts on his Masquing Habit. _Flor. _ A Passion for me! 'tis more than e'er I saw, or had a desireshould be known-- I hate _Vincentio_, and I would not have a Man so dearto me as my Brother follow the ill Customs of our Country, and make aSlave of his Sister-- And Sir, my Father's Will, I'm sure, you maydivert. _Pedro. _ I know not how dear I am to you, but I wish only to be rank'din your Esteem, equal with the _English_ Colonel _Belvile_-- Why do youfrown and blush? Is there any Guilt belongs to the Name of thatCavalier? _Flor. _ I'll not deny I value _Belvile_: when I was expos'd to suchDangers as the licens'd Lust of common Soldiers threatned, when Rage andConquest flew thro the City-- then _Belvile_, this Criminal for my sake, threw himself into all Dangers to save my Honour, and will you not allowhim my Esteem? _Pedro. _ Yes, pay him what you will in Honour-- but you must considerDon _Vincentio's_ Fortune, and the Jointure he'll make you. _Flor. _ Let him consider my Youth, Beauty and Fortune; which ought notto be thrown away on his Age and Jointure. _Pedro. _ 'Tis true, he's not so young and fine a Gentleman as that_Belvile_-- but what Jewels will that Cavalier present you with? thoseof his Eyes and Heart? _Hell. _ And are not those better than any Don _Vincentio_ has broughtfrom the _Indies_? _Pedro. _ Why how now! Has your Nunnery-breeding taught you to understandthe Value of Hearts and Eyes? _Hell. _ Better than to believe _Vincentio_ deserves Value from anywoman-- He may perhaps encrease her Bags, but not her Family. _Pedro. _ This is fine-- Go up to your Devotion, you are not design'd forthe Conversation of Lovers. _Hell. _ Nor Saints yet a while I hope. [Aside. ] Is't not enough you makea Nun of me, but you must cast my Sister away too, exposing her to aworse confinement than a religious Life? _Pedro. _ The Girl's mad-- Is it a Confinement to be carry'd into theCountry, to an antient Villa belonging to the Family of the_Vincentio's_ these five hundred Years, and have no other Prospect thanthat pleasing one of seeing all her own that meets her Eyes-- a fineAir, large Fields and Gardens, where she may walk and gather Flowers? _Hell. _ When? By Moon-Light? For I'm sure she dares not encounter withthe heat of the Sun; that were a Task only for Don _Vincentio_ and his_Indian_ Breeding, who loves it in the Dog-days-- And if these be herdaily Divertisements, what are those of the Night? to lie in a wideMoth-eaten Bed-Chamber with Furniture in Fashion in the Reign of King_Sancho_ the First; the Bed that which his Forefathers liv'd and dy'din. _Pedro. _ Very well. _Hell. _ This Apartment (new furbisht and fitted out for the young Wife)he (out of Freedom) makes his Dressing-room; and being a frugal and ajealous Coxcomb, instead of a Valet to uncase his feeble Carcase, hedesires you to do that Office-- Signs of Favour, I'll assure you, andsuch as you must not hope for, unless your Woman be out of the way. _Pedro. _ Have you done yet? _Hell. _ That Honour being past, the Giant stretches it self, yawns andsighs a Belch or two as loud as a Musket, throws himself into Bed, andexpects you in his foul Sheets, and e'er you can get your self undrest, calls you with a Snore or two-- And are not these fine Blessings to ayoung Lady? _Pedro. _ Have you done yet? _Hell. _ And this man you must kiss, nay, you must kiss none but himtoo-- and nuzle thro his Beard to find his Lips-- and this you mustsubmit to for threescore Years, and all for a Jointure. _Pedro. _ For all your Character of Don _Vincentio_, she is as like tomarry him as she was before. _Hell. _ Marry Don _Vincentio_! hang me, such a Wedlock would be worsethan Adultery with another Man: I had rather see her in the _Hostel deDieu_, to waste her Youth there in Vows, and be a Handmaid to Lazers andCripples, than to lose it in such a Marriage. _Pedro. _ You have consider'd, Sister, that _Belvile_ has no Fortune tobring you to, is banisht his Country, despis'd at home, and pity'dabroad. _Hell. _ What then? the Vice-Roy's Son is better than that Old Sir Fisty. Don _Vincentio_! Don _Indian_! he thinks he's trading to _Gambo_ still, and wou'd barter himself (that Bell and Bawble) for your Youth andFortune. _Pedro. _ _Callis_, take her hence, and lock her up all this Carnival, and at Lent she shall begin her everlasting Penance in a Monastery. _Hell. _ I care not, I had rather be a Nun, than be oblig'd to marry asyou wou'd have me, if I were design'd for't. _Pedro. _ Do not fear the Blessing of that Choice-- you shall be a Nun. _Hell. _ Shall I so? you may chance to be mistaken in my way ofDevotion-- A Nun! yes I am like to make a fine Nun! I have an excellentHumour for a Grate: No, I'll have a Saint of my own to pray to shortly, if I like any that dares venture on me. [Aside. _Pedro. _ _Callis_, make it your Business to watch this wild Cat. As foryou, _Florinda_, I've only try'd you all this while, and urg'd myFather's Will; but mine is, that you would love _Antonio_, he is braveand young, and all that can compleat the Happiness of a gallantMaid-- This Absence of my Father will give us opportunity to free youfrom _Vincentio_, by marrying here, which you must do to morrow. _Flor. _ To morrow! _Pedro. _ To morrow, or 'twill be too late-- 'tis not my Friendship to_Antonio_, which makes me urge this, but Love to thee, and Hatred to_Vincentio_-- therefore resolve upon't to morrow. _Flor. _ Sir, I shall strive to do, as shall become your Sister. _Pedro. _ I'll both believe and trust you-- Adieu. [Ex. _Ped. _ and _Steph. _ _Hell. _ As become his Sister!-- That is, to be as resolved your way, as he is his-- [_Hell. _ goes to _Callis_. _Flor. _ I ne'er till now perceiv'd my Ruin near, I've no Defence against _Antonio's_ Love, For he has all the Advantages of Nature, The moving Arguments of Youth and Fortune. _Hell. _ But hark you, _Callis_, you will not be so cruel to lock me upindeed: will you? _Call. _ I must obey the Commands I hate-- besides, do you consider whata Life you are going to lead? _Hell. _ Yes, _Callis_, that of a Nun: and till then I'll be indebted aWorld of Prayers to you, if you let me now see, what I never did, theDivertisements of a Carnival. _Call. _ What, go in Masquerade? 'twill be a fine farewell to the World Itake it-- pray what wou'd you do there? _Hell. _ That which all the World does, as I am told, be as mad as therest, and take all innocent Freedom-- Sister, you'll go too, will younot? come prithee be not sad-- We'll out-wit twenty Brothers, if you'llbe ruled by me-- Come put off this dull Humour with your Clothes, andassume one as gay, and as fantastick as the Dress my Cousin _Valeria_and I have provided, and let's ramble. _Flor. _ _Callis_, will you give us leave to go? _Call. _ I have a youthful Itch of going my self. [Aside. ] --Madam, if Ithought your Brother might not know it, and I might wait on you, for bymy troth I'll not trust young Girls alone. _Flor. _ Thou see'st my Brother's gone already, and thou shalt attend andwatch us. Enter _Stephano_. _Steph. _ Madam, the Habits are come, and your Cousin Valeria is drest, and stays for you. _Flor. _ 'Tis well-- I'll write a Note, and if I chance to see _Belvile_, and want an opportunity to speak to him, that shall let him know whatI've resolv'd in favour of him. _Hell. _ Come, let's in and dress us. [Exeunt. SCENE II. _A Long Street. _ Enter _Belvile_, melancholy, _Blunt_ and _Frederick_. _Fred. _ Why, what the Devil ails the Colonel, in a time when all theWorld is gay, to look like mere Lent thus? Hadst thou been long enoughin _Naples_ to have been in love, I should have sworn some such Judgmenthad befall'n thee. _Belv. _ No, I have made no new Amours since I came to Naples. _Fred. _ You have left none behind you in Paris. _Belv. _ Neither. _Fred. _ I can't divine the Cause then; unless the old Cause, the want ofMony. _Blunt. _ And another old Cause, the want of a Wench-- Wou'd not thatrevive you? _Belv. _ You're mistaken, _Ned_. _Blunt_ Nay, 'Sheartlikins, then thou art past Cure. _Fred. _ I have found it out; thou hast renew'd thy Acquaintance with theLady that cost thee so many Sighs at the Siege of _Pampelona_-- poxon't, what d'ye call her-- her Brother's a noble _Spaniard_-- Nephew tothe dead General-- _Florinda_-- ay, _Florinda_-- And will nothing servethy turn but that damn'd virtuous Woman, whom on my Conscience thoulov'st in spite too, because thou seest little or no possibility ofgaining her? _Belv. _ Thou art mistaken, I have Interest enough in that lovelyVirgin's Heart, to make me proud and vain, were it not abated by theSeverity of a Brother, who perceiving my Happiness-- _Fred. _ Has civilly forbid thee the House? _Belv. _ 'Tis so, to make way for a powerful Rival, the Vice-Roy's Son, who has the advantage of me, in being a Man of Fortune, a _Spaniard_, and her Brother's Friend; which gives him liberty to make his Court, whilst I have recourse only to Letters, and distant Looks from herWindow, which are as soft and kind as those which Heav'n sends down onPenitents. _Blunt. _ Hey day! 'Sheartlikins, Simile! by this Light the Man is quitespoil'd-- _Frederick_, what the Devil are we made of, that we cannot bethus concern'd for a Wench?-- 'Sheartlikins, our _Cupids_ are like theCooks of the Camp, they can roast or boil a Woman, but they have none ofthe fine Tricks to set 'em off, no Hogoes to make the Sauce pleasant, and the Stomach sharp. _Fred. _ I dare swear I have had a hundred as young, kind and handsom asthis _Florinda_; and Dogs eat me, if they were not as troublesom to mei'th' Morning as they were welcome o'er night. _Blunt. _ And yet, I warrant, he wou'd not touch another Woman, if hemight have her for nothing. _Belv. _ That's thy Joy, a cheap Whore. _Blunt. _ Why, 'dsheartlikins, I love a frank Soul-- When did you everhear of an honest Woman that took a Man's Mony? I warrant 'em goodones-- But, Gentlemen, you may be free, you have been kept so poor withParliaments and Protectors, that the little Stock you have is not worthpreserving-- but I thank my Stars, I have more Grace than to forfeit myEstate by Cavaliering. _Belv. _ Methinks only following the Court should be sufficient toentitle 'em to that. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, they know I follow it to do it no good, unlessthey pick a hole in my Coat for lending you Mony now and then; which isa greater Crime to my Conscience, Gentlemen, than to the Common-wealth. Enter _Willmore_. _Will. _ Ha! dear _Belvile_! noble Colonel! _Belv. _ _Willmore_! welcome ashore, my dear Rover!-- what happy Windblew us this good Fortune? _Will. _ Let me salute you my dear _Fred_, and then command me-- How is'thonest Lad? _Fred. _ Faith, Sir, the old Complement, infinitely the better to see mydear mad _Willmore_ again-- Prithee why camest thou ashore? and where'sthe Prince? _Will. _ He's well, and reigns still Lord of the watery Element-- I mustaboard again within a Day or two, and my Business ashore was only toenjoy my self a little this Carnival. _Belv. _ Pray know our new Friend, Sir, he's but bashful, a rawTraveller, but honest, stout, and one of us. [Embraces _Blunt_. _Will. _ That you esteem him, gives him an Interest here. _Blunt. _ Your Servant, Sir. _Will. _ But well-- Faith I'm glad to meet you again in a warm Climate, where the kind Sun has its god-like Power still over the Wine andWoman. -- Love and Mirth are my Business in _Naples_; and if I mistakenot the Place, here's an excellent Market for Chapmen of my Humour. _Belv. _ See here be those kind Merchants of Love you look for. Enter several Men in masquing Habits, some playing on Musick, others dancing after; Women drest like Curtezans, with Papers pinn'd to their Breasts, and Baskets of Flowers in their Hands. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, what have we here! _Fred. _ Now the Game begins. _Will. _ Fine pretty Creatures! may a stranger have leave to look andlove?-- What's here-- _Roses for every Month!_ [Reads the Paper. _Blunt. _ Roses for every Month! what means that? _Belv. _ They are, or wou'd have you think they're Curtezans, who herein_Naples_ are to be hir'd by the Month. _Will. _ Kind and obliging to inform us-- Pray where do these Roses grow?I would fain plant some of 'em in a Bed of mine. _Wom. _ Beware such Roses, Sir. _Will. _ A Pox of fear: I'll be bak'd with thee between a pair of Sheets, and that's thy proper Still, so I might but strow such Roses over me andunder me-- Fair one, wou'd you wou'd give me leave to gather at yourBush this idle Month, I wou'd go near to make some Body smell of it allthe Year after. _Belv. _ And thou hast need of such a Remedy, for thou stinkest of Tarand Rope-ends, like a Dock or Pesthouse. [The Woman puts herself into the Hands of a Man, and _Exit_. _Will. _ Nay, nay, you shall not leave me so. _Belv. _ By all means use no Violence here. _Will. _ Death! just as I was going to be damnably in love, to have herled off! I could pluck that Rose out-of his Hand, and even kiss the Bed, the Bush it grew in. _Fred. _ No Friend to Love like a long Voyage at Sea. _Blunt. _ Except a Nunnery, _Fred_. _Will. _ Death! but will they not be kind, quickly be kind? Thou know'stI'm no tame Sigher, but a rampant Lion of the Forest. _Two Men drest all over with Horns of several sorts, making Grimaces atone another, with Papers pinn'd on their Backs, advance from the fartherend of the Scene. _ _Belv. _ Oh the fantastical Rogues, how they are dress'd! 'tis a Satiragainst the whole Sex. _Will. _ Is this a Fruit that grows in this warm Country? _Belv. _ Yes: 'Tis pretty to see these _Italian_ start, swell, and stabat the Word _Cuckold_, and yet stumble at Horns on every Threshold. _Will. _ See what's on their Back-- _Flowers for every Night. _ [Reads. --Ah Rogue! And more sweet than Roses of ev'ry Month! This is a Gardinerof _Adam's_ own breeding. [They dance. _Belv. _ What think you of those grave People?-- is a Wake in _Essex_half so mad or extravagant? _Will. _ I like their sober grave way, 'tis a kind of legal authoriz'dFornication, where the Men are not chid for't, nor the Women despis'd, as amongst our dull _English_; even the Monsieurs want that part of goodManners. _Belv. _ But here in _Italy_ a Monsieur is the humblest best-bredGentleman-- Duels are so baffled by Bravo's that an age shews not one, but between a _Frenchman_ and a Hang-man, who is as much too hard forhim on the Piazza, as they are for a _Dutchman_ on the new Bridge-- Butsee another Crew. Enter _Florinda_, _Hellena_, and _Valeria_, drest like Gipsies; _Callis_ and _Stephano_, _Lucetta_, _Phillippo_ and _Sancho_ in Masquerade. _Hell. _ Sister, there's your _Englishman_, and with him a handsom properFellow-- I'll to him, and instead of telling him his Fortune, try myown. _Will. _ Gipsies, on my Life-- Sure these will prattle if a Man crosstheir Hands. [Goes to _Hellena_] --Dear pretty (and I hope) young Devil, will you tell an amorous Stranger what Luck he's like to have? _Hell. _ Have a care how you venture with me, Sir, lest I pick yourPocket, which will more vex your _English_ Humour, than an _Italian_Fortune will please you. _Will. _ How the Devil cam'st thou to know my Country and Humour? _Hell. _ The first I guess by a certain forward Impudence, which does notdisplease me at this time; and the Loss of your Money will vex you, because I hope you have but very little to lose. _Will. _ Egad Child, thou'rt i'th' right; it is so little, I dare notoffer it thee for a Kindness-- But cannot you divine what other thingsof more value I have about me, that I would more willingly part with? _Hell. _ Indeed no, that's the Business of a Witch, and I am but a Gipsyyet-- Yet, without looking in your Hand, I have a parlous Guess, 'tissome foolish Heart you mean, an inconstant _English_ Heart, as littleworth stealing as your Purse. _Will. _ Nay, then thou dost deal with the Devil, that's certain-- Thouhast guess'd as right as if thou hadst been one of that Number it haslanguisht for-- I find you'll be better acquainted with it; nor can youtake it in a better time, for I am come from Sea, Child; and _Venus_ notbeing propitious to me in her own Element, I have a world of Love instore-- Wou'd you would be good-natur'd, and take some on't off myHands. _Hell. _ Why-- I could be inclin'd that way-- but for a foolish Vow I amgoing to make-- to die a Maid. _Will. _ Then thou art damn'd without Redemption; and as I am a goodChristian, I ought in charity to divert so wicked a design-- thereforeprithee, dear Creature, let me know quickly when and where I shall beginto set a helping hand to so good a Work. _Hell. _ If you should prevail with my tender Heart (as I begin to fearyou will, for you have horrible loving Eyes) there will be difficultyin't that you'll hardly undergo for my sake. _Will. _ Faith, Child, I have been bred in Dangers, and wear a Sword thathas been employ'd in a worse Cause, than for a handsom kind Woman-- Namethe Danger-- let it be any thing but a long Siege, and I'll undertakeit. _Hell. _ Can you storm? _Will. _ Oh, most furiously. _Hell. _ What think you of a Nunnery-wall? for he that wins me, must gainthat first. _Will. _ A Nun! Oh how I love thee for't! there's no Sinner like a youngSaint-- Nay, now there's no denying me: the old Law had no Curse (to aWoman) like dying a Maid; witness _Jephtha's_ Daughter. _Hell. _ A very good Text this, if well handled; and I perceive, FatherCaptain, you would impose no severe Penance on her who was inclin'd toconsole her self before she took Orders. _Will. _ If she be young and handsom. _Hell. _ Ay, there's it-- but if she be not-- _Will. _ By this Hand, Child, I have an implicit Faith, and dare ventureon thee with all Faults-- besides, 'tis more meritorious to leave theWorld when thou hast tasted and prov'd the Pleasure on't; then 'twill bea Virtue in thee, which now will be pure Ignorance. _Hell. _ I perceive, good Father Captain, you design only to make me fitfor Heaven-- but if on the contrary you should quite divert me from it, and bring me back to the World again, I should have a new Man to seek Ifind; and what a grief that will be-- for when I begin, I fancy I shalllove like any thing: I never try'd yet. _Will. _ Egad, and that's kind-- Prithee, dear Creature, give me Creditfor a Heart, for faith, I'm a very honest Fellow-- Oh, I long to comefirst to the Banquet of Love; and such a swinging Appetite I bring-- Oh, I'm impatient. Thy Lodging, Sweetheart, thy Lodging, or I'm a dead man. _Hell. _ Why must we be either guilty of Fornication or Murder, if weconverse with you Men?-- And is there no difference between leave tolove me, and leave to lie with me? _Will. _ Faith, Child, they were made to go together. _Lucet. _ Are you sure this is the Man? [Pointing to _Blunt_. _Sancho. _ When did I mistake your Game? _Lucet. _ This is a stranger, I know by his gazing; if he be brisk he'llventure to follow me; and then, if I understand my Trade, he's mine:he's _English_ too, and they say that's a sort of good natur'd lovingPeople, and have generally so kind an opinion of themselves, that aWoman with any Wit may flatter 'em into any sort of Fool she pleases. _Blunt. _ 'Tis so-- she is taken-- I have Beauties which my false Glassat home did not discover. [She often passes by _Blunt_ and gazes on him; he struts, and cocks, and walks, and gazes on her. _Flor. _ This Woman watches me so, I shall get no Opportunity to discovermy self to him, and so miss the intent of my coming-- But as I wassaying, Sir-- by this Line you should be a Lover. [Looking in his Hand. _Belv. _ I thought how right you guess'd, all Men are in love, or pretendto be so-- Come, let me go, I'm weary of this fooling. [Walks away. _Flor. _ I will not, till you have confess'd whether the Passion that youhave vow'd _Florinda_ be true or false. [She holds him, he strives to get from her. _Belv. _ _Florinda_! [Turns quick towards her. _Flor. _ Softly. _Belv. _ Thou hast nam'd one will fix me here for ever. _Flor. _ She'll be disappointed then, who expects you this Night at theGarden-gate, and if you'll fail not-- as let me see the other Hand-- youwill go near to do-- she vows to die or make you happy. [Looks on Callis, who observes 'em. _Belv. _ What canst thou mean? _Flor. _ That which I say-- Farewel. [Offers to go. _Belv. _ Oh charming Sybil, stay, complete that Joy, which, as it is, will turn into Distraction!-- Where must I be? at the Garden-gate? Iknow it-- at night you say-- I'll sooner forfeit Heaven than disobey. Enter _Don Pedro_ and other Masquers, and pass over the Stage. _Call. _ Madam, your Brother's here. _Flor. _ Take this to instruct you farther. [Gives him a Letter, and goes off. _Fred. _ Have a care, Sir, what you promise; this may be a Trap laid byher Brother to ruin you. _Belv. _ Do not disturb my Happiness with Doubts. [Opens the Letter. _Will. _ My dear pretty Creature, a Thousand Blessings on thee; still inthis Habit, you say, and after Dinner at this Place. _Hell. _ Yes, if you will swear to keep your Heart, and not bestow itbetween this time and that. _Will. _ By all the little Gods of Love I swear, I'll leave it with you;and if you run away with it, those Deities of Justice will revenge me. [Ex. All the Women except Lucetta. _Fred. _ Do you know the Hand? _Belv. _ 'Tis _Florinda's_. All Blessings fall upon the virtuous Maid. _Fred. _ Nay, no Idolatry, a sober Sacrifice I'll allow you. _Belv. _ Oh Friends! the welcom'st News, the softest Letter!-- nay, youshall see it; and could you now be serious, I might be made the happiestMan the Sun shines on. _Will. _ The Reason of this mighty Joy. _Belv. _ See how kindly she invites me to deliver her from the threaten'dViolence of her Brother-- will you not assist me? _Will. _ I know not what thou mean'st, but I'll make one at any Mischiefwhere a Woman's concerned-- but she'll be grateful to us for the Favour, will she not? _Belv. _ How mean you? _Will. _ How should I mean? Thou know'st there's but one way for a Womanto oblige me. _Belv. _ Don't prophane-- the Maid is nicely virtuous. _Will. _ Who pox, then she's fit for nothing but a Husband; let her e'engo, Colonel. _Fred. _ Peace, she's the Colonel's Mistress, Sir. _Will. _ Let her be the Devil; if she be thy Mistress, I'll serveher-- name the way. _Belv. _ Read here this Postscript. [Gives him a Letter. _Will. _ [Reads. ] _At Ten at night-- at the Garden-Gate-- of which, if Icannot get the Key, I will contrive a way over the Wall-- come attendedwith a Friend or two. _-- Kind heart, if we three cannot weave a Stringto let her down a Garden-Wall, 'twere pity but the Hangman wove one forus all. _Fred. _ Let her alone for that: your Woman's Wit, your fair kind Woman, will out-trick a Brother or a Jew, and contrive like a Jesuit inChains-- but see, _Ned Blunt_ is stoln out after the Lure of a Damsel. [Ex. _Blunt_ and _Lucet. _ _Belv. _ So he'll scarce find his way home again, unless we get him cry'dby the Bell-man in the Market-place, and 'twou'd sound prettily-- a lost_English_ Boy of Thirty. _Fred. _ I hope 'tis some common crafty Sinner, one that will fit him;it may be she'll sell him for _Peru_, the Rogue's sturdy and would workwell in a Mine; at least I hope she'll dress him for our Mirth; cheathim of all, then have him well-favour'dly bang'd, and turn'd out nakedat Midnight. _Will. _ Prithee what Humour is he of, that you wish him so well? _Belv. _ Why, of an _English_ Elder Brother's Humour, educated in aNursery, with a Maid to tend him till Fifteen, and lies with hisGrand-mother till he's of Age; one that knows no Pleasure beyond ridingto the next Fair, or going up to _London_ with his right WorshipfulFather in Parliament-time; wearing gay Clothes, or making honourableLove to his Lady Mother's Landry-Maid; gets drunk at a Hunting-Match, and ten to one then gives some Proofs of his Prowess-- A pox upon him, he's our Banker, and has all our Cash about him, and if he fail we areall broke. _Fred. _ Oh let him alone for that matter, he's of a damn'd stingyQuality, that will secure our Stock. I know not in what Danger it wereindeed, if the Jilt should pretend she's in love with him, for 'tis akind believing Coxcomb; otherwise if he part with more than a Piece ofEight-- geld him: for which offer he may chance to be beaten, if she bea Whore of the first Rank. _Belv. _ Nay the Rogue will not be easily beaten, he's stout enough;perhaps if they talk beyond his Capacity, he may chance to exercise hisCourage upon some of them; else I'm sure they'll find it as difficult tobeat as to please him. _Will. _ 'Tis a lucky Devil to light upon so kind a Wench! _Fred. _ Thou hadst a great deal of talk with thy little Gipsy, coud'stthou do no good upon her? for mine was hard-hearted. _Will. _ Hang her, she was some damn'd honest Person of Quality, I'msure, she was so very free and witty. If her Face be but answerable toher Wit and Humour, I would be bound to Constancy this Month to gainher. In the mean time, have you made no kind Acquaintance since you cameto Town?-- You do not use to be honest so long, Gentlemen. _Fred. _ Faith Love has kept us honest, we have been all fir'd with aBeauty newly come to Town, the famous _Paduana_ _Angelica Bianca_. _Will. _ What, the Mistress of the dead _Spanish_ General? _Belv. _ Yes, she's now the only ador'd Beauty of all the Youth in_Naples_, who put on all their Charms to appear lovely in her sight, their Coaches, Liveries, and themselves, all gay, as on a Monarch'sBirth-Day, to attract the Eyes of this fair Charmer, while she has thePleasure to behold all languish for her that see her. _Fred. _ 'Tis pretty to see with how much Love the Men regard her, andhow much Envy the Women. _Will. _ What Gallant has she? _Belv. _ None, she's exposed to Sale, and four Days in the Week she'syours-- for so much a Month. _Will. _ The very Thought of it quenches all manner of Fire in me-- yetprithee let's see her. _Belv. _ Let's first to Dinner, and after that we'll pass the Day as youplease-- but at Night ye must all be at my Devotion. _Will. _ I will not fail you. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. _The Long Street. _ Enter _Belvile_ and _Frederick_ in Masquing-Habits, and _Willmore_ in his own Clothes, with a Vizard in his Hand. _Will. _ But why thus disguis'd and muzzl'd? _Belv. _ Because whatever Extravagances we commit in these Faces, our ownmay not be oblig'd to answer 'em. _Will. _ I should have chang'd my Eternal Buff too: but no matter, mylittle Gipsy wou'd not have found me out then: for if she should changehers, it is impossible I should know her, unless I should hear herprattle-- A Pox on't, I cannot get her out of my Head: Pray Heaven, ifever I do see her again, she prove damnable ugly, that I may fortify myself against her Tongue. _Belv. _ Have a care of Love, for o' my conscience she was not of aQuality to give thee any hopes. _Will. _ Pox on 'em, why do they draw a Man in then? She has play'd withmy Heart so, that 'twill never lie still till I have met with some kindWench, that will play the Game out with me-- Oh for my Arms full ofsoft, white, kind-- Woman! such as I fancy _Angelica_. _Belv. _ This is her House, if you were but in stock to get admittance;they have not din'd yet; I perceive the Picture is not out. Enter _Blunt_. _Will. _ I long to see the Shadow of the fair Substance, a Man may gazeon that for nothing. _Blunt. _ Colonel, thy Hand-- and thine, _Fred_. I have been an Ass, a deluded Fool, a very Coxcomb from my Birth till this Hour, andheartily repent my little Faith. _Belv. _ What the Devil's the matter with thee _Ned_? _Blunt. _ Oh such a Mistress, _Fred_, such a Girl! _Will. _ Ha! where? _Fred. _ Ay where! _Blunt. _ So fond, so amorous, so toying and fine! and all for sheerLove, ye Rogue! Oh how she lookt and kiss'd! and sooth'd my Heart frommy Bosom. I cannot think I was awake, and yet methinks I see and feelher Charms still-- _Fred. _-- Try if she have not left the Taste of herbalmy Kisses upon my Lips-- [Kisses him. _Belv. _ Ha, ha, ha! _Will. _ Death Man, where is she? _Blunt. _ What a Dog was I to stay in dull _England_ so long-- How have Ilaught at the Colonel when he sigh'd for Love! but now the little Archerhas reveng'd him, and by his own Dart, I can guess at all his Joys, which then I took for Fancies, mere Dreams and Fables-- Well, I'mresolved to sell all in _Essex_, and plant here for ever. _Belv. _ What a Blessing 'tis, thou hast a Mistress thou dar'st boast of;for I know thy Humour is rather to have a proclaim'd Clap, than a secretAmour. _Will. _ Dost know her Name? _Blunt. _ Her Name? No, 'sheartlikins: what care I for Names?-- She's fair, young, brisk and kind, even to ravishment: and what a Poxcare I for knowing her by another Title? _Will. _ Didst give her anything? _Blunt. _ Give her!-- Ha, ha, ha! why, she's a Person of Quality-- That'sa good one, give her! 'sheartlikins dost think such Creatures are to bebought? Or are we provided for such a Purchase? Give her, quoth ye? Whyshe presented me with this Bracelet, for the Toy of a Diamond I us'd towear: No, Gentlemen, _Ned Blunt_ is not every Body-- She expects meagain to night. _Will. _ Egad that's well; we'll all go. _Blunt. _ Not a Soul: No, Gentlemen, you are Wits; I am a dull CountryRogue, I. _Fred. _ Well, Sir, for all your Person of Quality, I shall be very gladto understand your Purse be secure; 'tis our whole Estate at present, which we are loth to hazard in one Bottom: come, Sir, unload. _Blunt. _ Take the necessary Trifle, useless now to me, that am belov'dby such a Gentlewoman-- 'sheartlikins Money! Here take mine too. _Fred. _ No, keep that to be cozen'd, that we may laugh. _Will. _ Cozen'd!-- Death! wou'd I cou'd meet with one, that wou'd cozenme of all the Love I cou'd spare to night. _Fred. _ Pox 'tis some common Whore upon my Life. _Blunt. _ A Whore! yes with such Clothes! such Jewels! such a House! suchFurniture, and so attended! a Whore! _Belv. _ Why yes, Sir, they are Whores, tho they'll neither entertain youwith Drinking, Swearing, or Baudy; are Whores in all those gay Clothes, and right Jewels; are Whores with great Houses richly furnisht withVelvet Beds, Store of Plate, handsome Attendance, and fine Coaches, areWhores and errant ones. _Will. _ Pox on't, where do these fine Whores live? _Belv. _ Where no Rogue in Office yclep'd Constables dare give 'em laws, nor the Wine-inspired Bullies of the Town break their Windows; yet theyare Whores, tho this _Essex_ Calf believe them Persons of Quality. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, y'are all Fools, there are things about this_Essex_ Calf, that shall take with the Ladies, beyond all your Wits andParts-- This Shape and Size, Gentlemen, are not to be despis'd; my Wastetolerably long, with other inviting Signs, that shall be nameless. _Will. _ Egad I believe he may have met with some Person of Quality thatmay be kind to him. _Belv. _ Dost thou perceive any such tempting things about him, shouldmake a fine Woman, and of Quality, pick him out from all Mankind, tothrow away her Youth and Beauty upon, nay, and her dear Heart too?--no, no, _Angelica_ has rais'd the Price too high. _Will. _ May she languish for Mankind till she die, and be damn'd forthat one Sin alone. Enter two Bravoes, and hang up a great Picture of _Angelica's_, against the Balcony, and two little ones at each side of the Door. _Belv. _ See there the fair Sign to the Inn, where a Man may lodge that'sFool enough to give her Price. [_Will. _ gazes on the Picture. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, Gentlemen, what's this? _Belv. _ A famous Curtezan that's to be sold. _Blunt. _ How! to be sold! nay then I have nothing to say to her-- sold!what Impudence is practis'd in this Country?-- With Order and DecencyWhoring's established here by virtue of the Inquisition-- Come let's begone, I'm sure we're no Chapmen for this Commodity. _Fred. _ Thou art none, I'm sure, unless thou could'st have her in thyBed at the Price of a Coach in the Street. _Will. _ How wondrous fair she is-- a Thousand Crowns a Month-- by Heavenas many Kingdoms were too little. A plague of this Poverty-- of which Ine'er complain, but when it hinders my Approach to Beauty, which Virtuene'er could purchase. [Turns from the Picture. _Blunt. _ What's this?-- [Reads] _A Thousand Crowns a Month!_ --'Sheartlikins, here's a Sum! sure 'tis a mistake. --Hark you, Friend, does she take or give so much by the Month! _Fred. _ A Thousand Crowns! Why, 'tis a Portion for the _Infanta_. _Blunt. _ Hark ye, Friends, won't she trust? _Brav. _ This is a Trade, Sir, that cannot live by Credit. _Enter _Don Pedro_ in Masquerade, follow'd by _Stephano_. _ _Belv. _ See, here's more Company, let's walk off a while. [_Pedro_ Reads. [Exeunt _English_. Enter _Angelica_ and _Moretta_ in the Balcony, and draw a Silk Curtain. _Ped. _ Fetch me a Thousand Crowns, I never wish to buy this Beauty at aneasier Rate. [Passes off. _Ang. _ Prithee what said those Fellows to thee? _Brav. _ Madam, the first were Admirers of Beauty only, but nopurchasers; they were merry with your Price and Picture, laught at theSum, and so past off. _Ang. _ No matter, I'm not displeas'd with their rallying; their Wonderfeeds my Vanity, and he that wishes to buy, gives me more Pride, than hethat gives my Price can make me Pleasure. _Brav. _ Madam, the last I knew thro all his disguises to be Don _Pedro_, Nephew to the General, and who was with him in _Pampelona_. _Ang. _ Don _Pedro_! my old Gallant's Nephew! When his Uncle dy'd, heleft him a vast Sum of Money; it is he who was so in love with me at_Padua_, and who us'd to make the General so jealous. _Moret. _ Is this he that us'd to prance before our Window and take suchcare to shew himself an amorous Ass? if I am not mistaken, he is thelikeliest Man to give your Price. _Ang. _ The Man is brave and generous, but of an Humour so uneasy andinconstant, that the victory over his Heart is as soon lost as won;a Slave that can add little to the Triumph of the Conqueror: butinconstancy's the Sin of all Mankind, therefore I'm resolv'd thatnothing but Gold shall charm my Heart. _Moret. _ I'm glad on't; 'tis only interest that Women of our Professionought to consider: tho I wonder what has kept you from that generalDisease of our Sex so long, I mean that of being in love. _Ang. _ A kind, but sullen Star, under which I had the Happiness to beborn; yet I have had no time for Love; the bravest and noblest ofMankind have purchas'd my Favours at so dear a Rate, as if no Coin butGold were current with our Trade-- But here's Don _Pedro_ again, fetchme my Lute-- for 'tis for him or Don _Antonio_ the Vice-Roy's Son, thatI have spread my Nets. Enter at one Door Don _Pedro_, and _Stephano_; Don _Antonio_ and _Diego_ [his page], at the other Door, with People following him in Masquerade, antickly attir'd, some with Musick: they both go up to the Picture. _Ant. _ A thousand Crowns! had not the Painter flatter'd her, I shouldnot think it dear. _Pedro. _ Flatter'd her! by Heaven he cannot. I have seen the Original, nor is there one Charm here more than adorns her Face and Eyes; all thissoft and sweet, with a certain languishing Air, that no Artist canrepresent. _Ant. _ What I heard of her Beauty before had fir'd my Soul, but thisconfirmation of it has blown it into a flame. _Pedro. _ Ha! _Pag. _ Sir, I have known you throw away a Thousand Crowns on a worseFace, and tho y' are near your Marriage, you may venture a little Lovehere; _Florinda_-- will not miss it. _Pedro. _ Ha! _Florinda!_ Sure 'tis _Antonio_. [aside. _Ant. _ _Florinda_! name not those distant Joys, there's not one thoughtof her will check my Passion here. _Pedro. _ _Florinda_ scorn'd! and all my Hopes defeated of the Possessionof _Angelica_! [A noise of a Lute above. _Ant. _ gazes up. ] Her Injuriesby Heaven he shall not boast of. [Song to a Lute above. SONG. _When _Damon_ first began to love, He languisht in a soft Desire, And knew not how the Gods to move, To lessen or increase his Fire, For _Cælia_ in her charming Eyes_ _Wore all Love's Sweet, and all his Cruelties. _ II. _But as beneath a Shade he lay, Weaving of Flow'rs for _Cælia's_ Hair, She chanc'd to lead her Flock that way, And saw the am'rous Shepherd there. She gaz'd around upon the Place, And saw the Grove (resembling Night) To all the Joys of Love invite, _ _Whilst guilty Smiles and Blushes drest her Face. At this the bashful Youth all Transport grew, And with kind Force he taught the Virgin how To yield what all his Sighs cou'd never do. _ _Ant. _ By Heav'n she's charming fair! [_Angelica_ throws open the Curtains, and bows to _Antonio_, who pulls off his Vizard, and bows and blows up Kisses. _Pedro_ unseen looks in his Face. _Pedro. _ 'Tis he, the false _Antonio_! _Ant. _ Friend, where must I pay my offering of Love? [To the _Bravo_. ]My Thousand Crowns I mean. _Pedro. _ That Offering I have design'd to make, And yours will come too late. _Ant. _ Prithee be gone, I shall grow angry else, And then thou art not safe. _Pedro. _ My Anger may be fatal, Sir, as yours; And he that enters here may prove this Truth. _Ant. _ I know not who thou art, but I am sure thou'rt worth my killing, and aiming at _Angelica_. [They draw and fight. Enter _Willmore_ and _Blunt_, who draw and part 'em. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, here's fine doings. _Will. _ Tilting for the Wench I'm sure-- nay gad, if that wou'd win her, I have as good a Sword as the best of ye-- Put up-- put up, and takeanother time and place, for this is design'd for Lovers only. [They all put up. _Pedro. _ We are prevented; dare you meet me to morrow on the _Molo_? For I've a Title to a better quarrel, That of _Florinda_, in whose credulous Heart Thou'st made an Int'rest, and destroy'd my Hopes. _Ant. _ Dare? I'll meet thee there as early as the Day. _Pedro. _ We will come thus disguis'd, that whosoever chance to get thebetter, he may escape unknown. _Ant. _ It shall be so. [Ex. _Pedro_ and _Stephano_. ] Who shou'd thisRival be? unless the _English_ Colonel, of whom I've often heard Don_Pedro_ speak; it must be he, and time he were removed, who lays a Claimto all my Happiness. [_Willmore_ having gaz'd all this while on the Picture, pulls down a little one. _Will. _ This posture's loose and negligent, The sight on't wou'd beget a warm desire In Souls, whom Impotence and Age had chill'd. --This must along with me. _Brav. _ What means this rudeness, Sir?-- restore the Picture. _Ant. _ Ha! Rudeness committed to the fair _Angelica_!-- Restore thePicture, Sir. _Will. _ Indeed I will not, Sir. _Ant. _ By Heav'n but you shall. _Will. _ Nay, do not shew your Sword; if you do, by this dear Beauty--I will shew mine too. _Ant. _ What right can you pretend to't? _Will. _ That of Possession which I will maintain-- you perhaps have 1000Crowns to give for the Original. _Ant. _ No matter, Sir, you shall restore the Picture. _Ang. _ Oh, _Moretta_! what's the matter? [_Ang. _ and _Moret. _ above. _Ant. _ Or leave your Life behind. _Will. _ Death! you lye-- I will do neither. _Ang. _ Hold, I command you, if for me you fight. [They fight, the Spaniards join with _Antonio_, _Blunt_ laying on like mad. They leave off and bow. _Will. _ How heavenly fair she is!-- ah Plague of her Price. _Ang. _ You Sir in Buff, you that appear a Soldier, that first began thisInsolence. _Will. _ 'Tis true, I did so, if you call it Insolence for a Man topreserve himself; I saw your charming Picture, and was wounded: quitethro my Soul each pointed Beauty ran; and wanting a Thousand Crowns toprocure my Remedy, I laid this little Picture to my Bosom-- which if youcannot allow me, I'll resign. _Ang. _ No, you may keep the Trifle. _Ant. _ You shall first ask my leave, and this. [Fight again as before. Enter _Belv. _ and _Fred. _ who join with the English. _Ang. _ Hold; will you ruin me?-- _Biskey_, _Sebastian_, part them. [The _Spaniards_ are beaten off. _Moret. _ Oh Madam, we're undone, a pox upon that rude Fellow, he's seton to ruin us: we shall never see good days, till all these fightingpoor Rogues are sent to the Gallies. Enter _Belvile_, _Blunt_ and _Willmore_, with his shirt bloody. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, beat me at this Sport, and I'll ne'er wear Swordmore. _Belv. _ The Devil's in thee for a mad Fellow, thou art always one at anunlucky Adventure. -- Come, let's be gone whilst we're safe, and rememberthese are _Spaniards_, a sort of People that know how to revenge anAffront. _Fred. _ You bleed; I hope you are not wounded. [To _Will. _ _Will. _ Not much:-- a plague upon your Dons, if they fight no betterthey'll ne'er recover _Flanders_. -- What the Devil was't to them that Itook down the Picture? _Blunt. _ Took it! 'Sheartlikins, we'll have the great one too; 'tis oursby Conquest. -- Prithee, help me up, and I'll pull it down. -- _Ang. _ Stay, Sir, and e'er you affront me further, let me know how youdurst commit this Outrage-- To you I speak, Sir, for you appear like aGentleman. _Will. _ To me, Madam?-- Gentlemen, your Servant. [_Belv. _ stays him. _Belv. _ Is the Devil in thee? Do'st know the danger of entring the houseof an incens'd Curtezan? _Will. _ I thank you for your care-- but there are other matters in hand, there are, tho we have no great Temptation. -- Death! let me go. _Fred. _ Yes, to your Lodging, if you will, but not in here. -- Damn thesegay Harlots-- by this Hand I'll have as sound and handsome a Whore for aPatacoone. -- Death, Man, she'll murder thee. _Will. _ Oh! fear me not, shall I not venture where a Beauty calls?a lovely charming Beauty? for fear of danger! when by Heaven there'snone so great as to long for her, whilst I want Money to purchase her. _Fred. _ Therefore 'tis loss of time, unless you had the thousand Crownsto pay. _Will. _ It may be she may give a Favour, at least I shall have thepleasure of saluting her when I enter, and when I depart. _Belv. _ Pox, she'll as soon lie with thee, as kiss thee, and sooner stabthan do either-- you shall not go. _Ang. _ Fear not, Sir, all I have to wound with, is my Eyes. _Blunt. _ Let him go, 'Sheartlikins, I believe the Gentle-woman meanswell. _Belv. _ Well, take thy Fortune, we'll expect you in the next Street. --Farewell Fool, -- farewell-- _Will. _ B'ye Colonel-- [Goes in. _Fred. _ The Rogue's stark mad for a Wench. [Exeunt. SCENE II. _A Fine Chamber. _ Enter _Willmore_, _Angelica_, and _Moretta_. _Ang. _ Insolent Sir, how durst you pull down my Picture? _Will. _ Rather, how durst you set it up, to tempt poor amorous Mortalswith so much Excellence? which I find you have but too well consulted bythe unmerciful price you set upon't. -- Is all this Heaven of Beautyshewn to move Despair in those that cannot buy? and can you think theeffects of that Despair shou'd be less extravagant than I have shewn? _Ang. _ I sent for you to ask my Pardon, Sir, not to aggravate yourCrime. -- I thought I shou'd have seen you at my Feet imploring it. _Will. _ You are deceived, I came to rail at you, and talk such Truths, too, as shall let you see the Vanity of that Pride, which taught you howto set such a Price on Sin. For such it is, whilst that which is Love'sdue is meanly barter'd for. _Ang. _ Ha, ha, ha, alas, good Captain, what pity 'tis your edifyingDoctrine will do no good upon me-- _Moretta_, fetch the Gentleman aGlass, and let him survey himself, to see what Charms he has, -- andguess my Business. [Aside in a soft tone. _Moret. _ He knows himself of old, I believe those Breeches and he havebeen acquainted ever since he was beaten at _Worcester_. _Ang. _ Nay, do not abuse the poor Creature. -- _Moret. _ Good Weather-beaten Corporal, will you march off? we have noneed of your Doctrine, tho you have of our Charity; but at present wehave no Scraps, we can afford no kindness for God's sake; in fine, Sirrah, the Price is too high i'th' Mouth for you, therefore troop, I say. _Will. _ Here, good Fore-Woman of the Shop, serve me, and I'll be gone. _Moret. _ Keep it to pay your Landress, your Linen stinks of theGun-Room; for here's no selling by Retail. _Will. _ Thou hast sold plenty of thy stale Ware at a cheap Rate. _Moret. _ Ay, the more silly kind Heart I, but this is an Age whereinBeauty is at higher Rates. -- In fine, you know the price of this. _Will. _ I grant you 'tis here set down a thousand Crowns a Month-- Baud, take your black Lead and sum it up, that I may have a Pistole-worth ofthese vain gay things, and I'll trouble you no more. _Moret. _ Pox on him, he'll fret me to Death:-- abominable Fellow, I tellthee, we only sell by the whole Piece. _Will. _ 'Tis very hard, the whole Cargo or nothing-- Faith, Madam, my Stock will not reach it, I cannot be your Chapman. -- Yet I haveCountrymen, in Town, Merchants of Love, like me; I'll see if they'l putfor a share, we cannot lose much by it, and what we have no use for, we'll sell upon the _Friday's_ Mart, at-- _Who gives more?_ I amstudying, Madam, how to purchase you, tho at present I am unprovided ofMoney. _Ang. _ Sure, this from any other Man would anger me-- nor shall he knowthe Conquest he has made-- Poor angry Man, how I despise this railing. _Will. _ Yes, I am poor-- but I'm a Gentleman, And one that scorns this Baseness which you practise. Poor as I am, I would not sell my self, No, not to gain your charming high-priz'd Person. Tho I admire you strangely for your Beauty, Yet I contemn your Mind. --And yet I wou'd at any rate enjoy you; At your own rate-- but cannot-- See here The only Sum I can command on Earth; I know not where to eat when this is gone: Yet such a Slave I am to Love and Beauty, This last reserve I'll sacrifice to enjoy you. --Nay, do not frown, I know you are to be bought, And wou'd be bought by me, by me, For a mean trifling Sum, if I could pay it down. Which happy knowledge I will still repeat, And lay it to my Heart, it has a Virtue in't, And soon will cure those Wounds your Eyes have made. --And yet-- there's something so divinely powerful there-- Nay, I will gaze-- to let you see my Strength. [Holds her, looks on her, and pauses and sighs. By Heaven, bright Creature-- I would not for the World Thy Fame were half so fair as is thy Face. [Turns her away from him. _Ang. _ His words go thro me to the very Soul. [Aside. ] --If you havenothing else to say to me. _Will. _ Yes, you shall hear how infamous you are-- For which I do not hate thee: But that secures my Heart, and all the Flames it feels Are but so many Lusts, I know it by their sudden bold intrusion. The Fire's impatient and betrays, 'tis false-- For had it been the purer Flame of Love, I should have pin'd and languished at your Feet, E'er found the Impudence to have discover'd it. I now dare stand your Scorn, and your Denial. _Moret. _ Sure she's bewitcht, that she can stand thus tamely, and hearhis saucy railing. -- Sirrah, will you be gone? _Ang. _ How dare you take this liberty?-- Withdraw. [To _Moret. _] --Pray, tell me, Sir, are not you guilty of the same mercenary Crime? When aLady is proposed to you for a Wife, you never ask, how fair, discreet, or virtuous she is; but what's her Fortune-- which if but small, youcry-- She will not do my business-- and basely leave her, tho shelanguish for you. -- Say, is not this as poor? _Will. _ It is a barbarous Custom, which I will scorn to defend in ourSex, and do despise in yours. _Ang. _ Thou art a brave Fellow! put up thy Gold, and know, That were thy Fortune large, as is thy Soul, Thou shouldst not buy my Love, Couldst thou forget those mean Effects of Vanity, Which set me out to sale; and as a Lover, prize My yielding Joys. Canst thou believe they'l be entirely thine, Without considering they were mercenary? _Will. _ I cannot tell, I must bethink me first-- ha, Death, I'm going tobelieve her. [Aside. _Ang. _ Prithee, confirm that Faith-- or if thou canst not-- flatter me alittle, 'twill please me from thy Mouth. _Will. _ Curse on thy charming Tongue! dost thou return My feign'd Contempt with so much subtilty? [Aside. Thou'st found the easiest way into my Heart, Tho I yet know that all thou say'st is false. [Turning from her in a Rage. _Ang. _ By all that's good 'tis real, I never lov'd before, tho oft a Mistress. --Shall my first Vows be slighted? _Will. _ What can she mean? [Aside. _Ang. _ I find you cannot credit me. [In an angry tone. _Will. _ I know you take me for an errant Ass, An Ass that may be sooth'd into Belief, And then be us'd at pleasure. --But, Madam I have been so often cheated By perjur'd, soft, deluding Hypocrites, That I've no Faith left for the cozening Sex, Especially for Women of your Trade. _Ang. _ The low esteem you have of me, perhaps May bring my Heart again: For I have Pride that yet surmounts my Love. [She turns with Pride, he holds her. _Will. _ Throw off this Pride, this Enemy to Bliss, And shew the Power of Love: 'tis with those Arms I can be only vanquisht, made a Slave. _Ang. _ Is all my mighty Expectation vanisht? --No, I will not hear thee talk, -- thou hast a Charm In every word, that draws my Heart away. And all the thousand Trophies I design'd, Thou hast undone-- Why art thou soft? Thy Looks are bravely rough, and meant for War. Could thou not storm on still? I then perhaps had been as free as thou. _Will. _ Death! how she throws her Fire about my Soul! [Aside. --Take heed, fair Creature, how you raise my Hopes, Which once assum'd pretend to all Dominion. There's not a Joy thou hast in store I shall not then command: For which I'll pay thee back my Soul, my Life. Come, let's begin th' account this happy minute. _Ang. _ And will you pay me then the Price I ask? _Will. _ Oh, why dost thou draw me from an awful Worship, By shewing thou art no Divinity? Conceal the Fiend, and shew me all the Angel; Keep me but ignorant, and I'll be devout, And pay my Vows for ever at this Shrine. [Kneels, and kisses her Hand. _Ang. _ The Pay I mean is but thy Love for mine. --Can you give that? _Will. _ Intirely-- come, let's withdraw: where I'll renew my Vows, -- andbreathe 'em with such Ardour, thou shall not doubt my Zeal. _Ang. _ Thou hast a Power too strong to be resisted. [Ex. _Will. _ and _Angelica_. _Moret. _ Now my Curse go with you-- Is all our Project fallen to this?to love the only Enemy to our Trade? Nay, to love such a Shameroon, avery Beggar; nay, a Pirate-Beggar, whose Business is to rifle and begone, a No-Purchase, No-Pay Tatterdemalion, an _English_ Piccaroon; aRogue that fights for daily Drink, and takes a Pride in being loyallylousy-- Oh, I could curse now, if I durst-- This is the Fate of mostWhores. _Trophies, which from believing Fops we win, Are Spoils to those who cozen us again. _ ACT III. SCENE I. _A Street. _ Enter _Florinda_, _Valeria_, _Hellena_, in Antick different Dresses from what they were in before, _Callis_ attending. _Flor. _ I wonder what should make my Brother in so ill a Humour: I hopehe has not found out our Ramble this Morning. _Hell. _ No, if he had, we should have heard on't at both Ears, and havebeen mew'd up this Afternoon; which I would not for the World shouldhave happen'd-- Hey ho! I'm sad as a Lover's Lute. _Val. _ Well, methinks we have learnt this Trade of Gipsies as readily asif we had been bred upon the Road to _Loretto_: and yet I did so fumble, when I told the Stranger his Fortune, that I was afraid I should havetold my own and yours by mistake-- But methinks _Hellena_ has been veryserious ever since. _Flor. _ I would give my Garters she were in love, to be reveng'd uponher, for abusing me-- How is't, _Hellena_? _Hell. _ Ah!-- would I had never seen my mad Monsieur-- and yet for allyour laughing I am not in love-- and yet this small Acquaintance, o myConscience, will never out of my Head. _Val. _ Ha, ha, ha-- I laugh to think how thou art fitted with a Lover, a Fellow that, I warrant, loves every new Face he sees. _Hell. _ Hum-- he has not kept his Word with me here-- and may be takenup-- that thought is not very pleasant to me-- what the Duce should thisbe now that I feel? _Val. _ What is't like? _Hell. _ Nay, the Lord knows-- but if I should be hanged, I cannot chusebut be angry and afraid, when I think that mad Fellow should be in lovewith any Body but me-- What to think of my self I know not-- Would Icould meet with some true damn'd Gipsy, that I might know my Fortune. _Val. _ Know it! why there's nothing so easy; thou wilt love thiswandring Inconstant till thou find'st thy self hanged about his Neck, and then be as mad to get free again. _Flor. _ Yes, _Valeria_; we shall see her bestride his Baggage-horse, andfollow him to the Campaign. _Hell. _ So, so; now you are provided for, there's no care taken of poorme-- But since you have set my Heart a wishing, I am resolv'd to knowfor what. I will not die of the Pip, so I will not. _Flor. _ Art thou mad to talk so? Who will like thee well enough to havethee, that hears what a mad Wench thou art? _Hell. _ Like me! I don't intend, every he that likes me shall have me, but he that I like: I shou'd have staid in the Nunnery still, if I hadlik'd my Lady Abbess as well as she lik'd me. No, I came thence, not (asmy wise Brother imagines) to take an eternal Farewel of the World, butto love and to be belov'd; and I will be belov'd or I'll get one of yourMen, so I will. _Val. _ Am I put into the Number of Lovers? _Hell. _ You! my Couz, I know thou art too good natur'd to leave us inany Design: Thou wou't venture a Cast, tho thou comest off a Loser, especially with such a Gamester-- I observ'd your Man, and your willingEars incline that way; and if you are not a Lover, 'tis an Art soonlearnt-- that I find. [Sighs. _Flor. _ I wonder how you learnt to love so easily, I had a thousandCharms to meet my Eyes and Ears, e'er I cou'd yield; and 'twas theknowledge of _Belvile's_ Merit, not the surprising Person, took mySoul-- Thou art too rash to give a Heart at first sight. _Hell. _ Hang your considering Lover; I ne'er thought beyond the Fancy, that 'twas a very pretty, idle, silly kind of Pleasure to pass ones timewith, to write little, soft, nonsensical Billets, and with greatdifficulty and danger receive Answers; in which I shall have my Beautyprais'd, my Wit admir'd (tho little or none) and have the Vanity andPower to know I am desirable; then I have the more Inclination that way, because I am to be a Nun, and so shall not be suspected to have any suchearthly Thoughts about me-- But when I walk thus-- and sigh thus--they'll think my Mind's upon my Monastery, and cry, how happy 'tis she'sso resolv'd!-- But not a Word of Man. _Flor. _ What a mad Creature's this! _Hell. _ I'll warrant, if my Brother hears either of you sigh, he cries(gravely)-- I fear you have the Indiscretion to be in love, but takeheed of the Honour of our House, and your own unspotted Fame; and so heconjures on till he has laid the soft-wing'd God in your Hearts, orbroke the Birds-nest-- But see here comes your Lover: but where's myinconstant? let's step aside, and we may learn something. [Go aside. Enter _Belvile_, _Fred. _ and _Blunt_. _Belv. _ What means this? the Picture's taken in. _Blunt. _ It may be the Wench is good natur'd, and will be kind _gratis_. Your Friend's a proper handsom Fellow. _Belv. _ I rather think she has cut his Throat and is fled: I am mad heshould throw himself into Dangers-- Pox on't, I shall want him tonight-- let's knock and ask for him. _Hell. _ My heart goes a-pit a-pat, for fear 'tis my Man they talk of. [Knock, _Moretta_ above. _More. _ What would you have? _Belv. _ Tell the Stranger that enter'd here about two Hours ago, thathis Friends stay here for him. _Moret. _ A Curse upon him for _Moretta_, would he were at the Devil--but he's coming to you. [Enter _Wilmore_. _Hell. _ I, I, 'tis he. Oh how this vexes me. _Belv. _ And how, and how, dear Lad, has Fortune smil'd? Are we to breakher Windows, or raise up Altars to her! hah! _Will. _ Does not my Fortune sit triumphant on my Brow? dost not see thelittle wanton God there all gay and smiling? have I not an Air about myFace and Eyes, that distinguish me from the Croud of common Lovers? ByHeav'n, _Cupid's_ Quiver has not half so many Darts as her Eyes-- Ohsuch a _Bona Rota_, to sleep in her Arms is lying in Fresco, allperfum'd Air about me. _Hell. _ Here's fine encouragement for me to fool on. [Aside. _Will. _ Hark ye, where didst thou purchase that rich Canary we drankto-day? Tell me, that I may adore the Spigot, and sacrifice to the Butt:the Juice was divine, into which I must dip my Rosary, and then blessall things that I would have bold or fortunate. _Belv. _ Well, Sir, let's go take a Bottle, and hear the Story of yourSuccess. _Fred. _ Would not _French_ Wine do better? _Will. _ Damn the hungry Balderdash; cheerful Sack has a generous Virtuein't, inspiring a successful Confidence, gives Eloquence to the Tongue, and Vigour to the Soul; and has in a few Hours compleated all my Hopesand Wishes. There's nothing left to raise a new Desire in me-- Comelet's be gay and wanton-- and, Gentlemen, study, study what you want, for here are Friends, -- that will supply, Gentlemen, -- hark! what acharming sound they make-- 'tis he and she Gold whilst here, shall begetnew Pleasures every moment. _Blunt. _ But hark ye, Sir, you are not married, are you? _Will. _ All the Honey of Matrimony, but none of the Sting, Friend. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, thou'rt a fortunate Rogue. _Will. _ I am so, Sir, let these inform you. -- Ha, how sweetly theychime! Pox of Poverty, it makes a Man a Slave, makes Wit and Honoursneak, my Soul grew lean and rusty for want of Credit. _Blunt. _ 'Sheartlikins, this I like well, it looks like my luckyBargain! Oh how I long for the Approach of my Squire, that is to conductme to her House again. Why! here's two provided for. _Fred. _ By this light y're happy Men. _Blunt. _ Fortune is pleased to smile on us, Gentlemen, -- to smile on us. Enter _Sancho_, and pulls _Blunt_ by the Sleeve. They go aside. _Sancho. _ Sir, my Lady expects you-- she has remov'd all that mightoppose your Will and Pleasure-- and is impatient till you come. _Blunt. _ Sir, I'll attend you-- Oh the happiest Rogue! I'll take noleave, lest they either dog me, or stay me. [Ex. With _Sancho_. _Belv. _ But then the little Gipsy is forgot? _Will. _ A Mischief on thee for putting her into my thoughts; I had quiteforgot her else, and this Night's Debauch had drunk her quite down. _Hell. _ Had it so, good Captain? [Claps him on the Back. _Will. _ Ha! I hope she did not hear. _Hell. _ What, afraid of such a Champion! _Will. _ Oh! you're a fine Lady of your word, are you not? to make a Manlanguish a whole day-- _Hell. _ In tedious search of me. _Will. _ Egad, Child, thou'rt in the right, hadst thou seen what amelancholy Dog I have been ever since I was a Lover, how I have walktthe Streets like a _Capuchin_, with my Hands in my Sleeves-- Faith, Sweetheart, thou wouldst pity me. _Hell. _ Now, if I should be hang'd, I can't be angry with him, hedissembles so heartily-- Alas, good Captain, what pains you havetaken-- Now were I ungrateful not to reward so true a Servant. _Will. _ Poor Soul! that's kindly said, I see thou bearest a Conscience--come then for a beginning shew me thy dear Face. _Hell. _ I'm afraid, my small Acquaintance, you have been staying thatswinging stomach you boasted of this morning; I remember then my littleCollation would have gone down with you, without the Sauce of a handsomFace-- Is your Stomach so quesy now? _Will. _ Faith long fasting, Child, spoils a Man's Appetite-- yet if youdurst treat, I could so lay about me still. _Hell. _ And would you fall to, before a Priest says Grace? _Will. _ Oh fie, fie, what an old out-of-fashion'd thing hast thou nam'd?Thou could'st not dash me more out of Countenance, shouldst thou shew mean ugly Face. _Whilst he is seemingly courting _Hellena_, enter _Angelica_, _Moretta_, _Biskey_, and _Sebastian_, all in Masquerade: _Ang. _ sees _Will. _ and starts. _ _Ang. _ Heavens, is't he? and passionately fond to see another Woman? _Moret. _ What cou'd you expect less from such a Swaggerer? _Ang. _ Expect! as much as I paid him, a Heart intire, Which I had pride enough to think when e'er I gave It would have rais'd the Man above the Vulgar, Made him all Soul, and that all soft and constant. _Hell. _ You see, Captain, how willing I am to be Friends with you, tillTime and Ill-luck make us Lovers; and ask you the Question first, ratherthan put your Modesty to the blush, by asking me: for alas, I know youCaptains are such strict Men, severe Observers of your Vows to Chastity, that 'twill be hard to prevail with your tender Conscience to marry ayoung willing Maid. _Will. _ Do not abuse me, for fear I should take thee at thy word, andmarry thee indeed, which I'm sure will be Revenge sufficient. _Hell. _ O' my Conscience, that will be our Destiny, because we are bothof one humour; I am as inconstant as you, for I have considered, Captain, that a handsom Woman has a great deal to do whilst her Face isgood, for then is our Harvest-time to gather Friends; and should I inthese days of my Youth, catch a fit of foolish Constancy, I were undone;'tis loitering by day-light in our great Journey: therefore declare, I'll allow but one year for Love, one year for Indifference, and oneyear for Hate-- and then-- go hang your self-- for I profess myself thegay, the kind, and the inconstant-- the Devil's in't if this won'tplease you. _Will. _ Oh most damnably!-- I have a Heart with a hole quite thro ittoo, no Prison like mine to keep a Mistress in. _Ang. _ Perjur'd Man! how I believe thee now! [Aside. _Hell. _ Well, I see our Business as well as Humours are alike, yours tocozen as many Maids as will trust you, and I as many Men as haveFaith-- See if I have not as desperate a lying look, as you can have forthe heart of you. [Pulls off her Vizard; he starts. --How do you like it, Captain? _Will. _ Like it! by Heav'n, I never saw so much Beauty. Oh the Charms ofthose sprightly black Eyes, that strangely fair Face, full of Smiles andDimples! those soft round melting cherry Lips! and small even whiteTeeth! not to be exprest, but silently adored!-- Oh one Look more, andstrike me dumb, or I shall repeat nothing else till I am mad. [He seems to court her to pull off her Vizard: she refuses. _Ang. _ I can endure no more-- nor is it fit to interrupt him; for if Ido, my Jealousy has so destroy'd my Reason, -- I shall undo him--Therefore I'll retire. And you _Sebastian_ [To one of her Bravoes]follow that Woman, and learn who 'tis; while you tell the Fugitive, Iwould speak to him instantly. [To the other Bravo. [Exit. [This while _Flor. _ is talking to _Belvile_, who stands sullenly. _Fred. _ courting Valeria. _Val. _ Prithee, dear Stranger, be not so sullen; for tho you have lostyour Love, you see my Friend frankly offers you hers, to play with inthe mean time. _Belv. _ Faith, Madam, I am sorry I can't play at her Game. _Fred. _ Pray leave your Intercession, and mind your own Affair, they'llbetter agree apart; he's a model Sigher in Company, but alone no Womanescapes him. _Flor. _ Sure he does but rally-- yet if it should be true-- I'll tempthim farther-- Believe me, noble Stranger, I'm no common Mistress-- andfor a little proof on't-- wear this Jewel-- nay, take it, Sir, 'tisright, and Bills of Exchange may sometimes miscarry. _Belv. _ Madam, why am I chose out of all Mankind to be the Object ofyour Bounty? _Val. _ There's another civil Question askt. _Fred. _ Pox of's Modesty, it spoils his own Markets, and hinders mine. _Flor. _ Sir, from my Window I have often seen you; and Women of Qualityhave so few opportunities for Love, that we ought to lose none. _Fred. _ Ay, this is something! here's a Woman!-- When shall I be blestwith so much kindness from your fair Mouth?-- Take the Jewel, Fool. [Aside to _Belv. _ _Belv. _ You tempt me strangely, Madam, every way. _Flor. _ So, if I find him false, my whole Repose is gone. [Aside. _Belv. _ And but for a Vow I've made to a very fine Lady, this Goodnesshad subdu'd me. _Fred. _ Pox on't be kind, in pity to me be kind, for I am to thrive herebut as you treat her Friend. _Hell. _ Tell me what did you in yonder House, and I'll unmasque. _Will. _ Yonder House-- oh-- I went to-- a-- to-- why, there's a Friendof mine lives there. _Hell. _ What a she, or a he Friend? _Will. _ A Man upon my Honour! a Man-- A She Friend! no, no, Madam, youhave done my Business, I thank you. _Hell. _ And was't your Man Friend, that had more Darts in's Eyes than_Cupid_ carries in a whole Budget of Arrows? _Will. _ So-- _Hell. _ Ah such a _Bona Roba_: to be in her Arms is lying in _Fresco_, all perfumed Air about me-- Was this your Man Friend too? _Will. _ So-- _Hell. _ That gave you the He, and the She-- Gold, that begets youngPleasures. _Will. _ Well, well, Madam, then you see there are Ladies in the World, that will not be cruel-- there are, Madam, there are-- _Hell. _ And there be Men too as fine, wild, inconstant Fellows as yourself, there be, Captain, there be, if you go to that now-- therefore I'mresolv'd-- _Will. _ Oh! _Hell. _ To see your Face no more-- _Will. _ Oh! _Hell. _ Till to morrow. _Will. _ Egad you frighted me. _Hell. _ Nor then neither, unless you'l swear never to see that Ladymore. _Will. _ See her!-- why! never to think of Womankind again? _Hell. _ Kneel, and swear. [Kneels, she gives him her hand. _Hell. _ I do, never to think-- to see-- to love-- nor lie with any butthy self. _Hell. _ Kiss the Book. _Will. _ Oh, most religiously. [Kisses her Hand. _Hell. _ Now what a wicked Creature am I, to damn a proper Fellow. _Call. _ Madam, I'll stay no longer, 'tis e'en dark. [To _Flor. _ _Flor. _ However, Sir, I'll leave this with you-- that when I'm gone, youmay repent the opportunity you have lost by your modesty. [_Gives him the Jewel, which is her Picture, and Ex. He gazes after her. _ _Will. _ 'Twill be an Age till to morrow, -- and till then I will mostimpatiently expect you-- Adieu, my dear pretty Angel. [Ex. All the Women. _Belv. _ Ha! _Florinda's_ Picture! 'twas she her self-- what a dull Dogwas I? I would have given the World for one minute's discourse withher. -- _Fred. _ This comes of your Modesty, -- ah pox on your Vow, 'twas ten toone but we had lost the Jewel by't. _Belv. _ _Willmore_! the blessed'st Opportunity lost!-- _Florinda_, Friends, _Florinda_! _Will. _ Ah Rogue! such black Eyes, such a Face, such a Mouth, suchTeeth, -- and so much Wit! _Belv. _ All, all, and a thousand Charms besides. _Will. _ Why, dost thou know her? _Belv. _ Know her! ay, ay, and a Pox take me with all my Heart for beingmodest. _Will. _ But hark ye, Friend of mine, are you my Rival? and have I beenonly beating the Bush all this while? _Belv. _ I understand thee not-- I'm mad-- see here-- [Shews the Picture. _Will. _ Ha! whose Picture is this? --'tis a fine Wench. _Fred. _ The Colonel's Mistress, Sir. _Will. _ Oh, oh, here-- I thought it had been another Prize-- come, come, a Bottle will set thee right again. [Gives the Picture back. _Belv. _ I am content to try, and by that time 'twill be late enough forour Design. _Will. _ Agreed. _Love does all day the Soul's great Empire keep, But Wine at night lulls the soft God asleep. _ [Exeunt. SCENE II. __Lucetta's_ House. _ Enter _Blunt_ and _Lucetta_ with a Light. _Luc. _ Now we are safe and free, no fears of the coming home of my oldjealous Husband, which made me a little thoughtful when you came infirst-- but now Love is all the business of my Soul. _Blunt. _ I am transported-- Pox on't, that I had but some fine things tosay to her, such as Lovers use-- I was a Fool not to learn of _Fred_, a little by Heart before I came-- something I must say. -- [_Aside. _]'Sheartlikins, sweet Soul, I am not us'd to complement, but I'm anhonest Gentleman, and thy humble Servant. _Luc. _ I have nothing to pay for so great a Favour, but such a Love ascannot but be great, since at first sight of that sweet Face and Shapeit made me your absolute Captive. _Blunt. _ Kind heart, how prettily she talks! Egad I'll show her Husbanda _Spanish_ Trick; send him out of the World, and marry her: she'sdamnably in love with me, and will ne'er mind Settlements, and sothere's that say'd. [Aside. _Luc. _ Well, Sir, I'll go and undress me, and be with you instantly. _Blunt. _ Make haste then, for 'dsheartlikins, dear Soul, thou canst notguess at the pain of a longing Lover, when his Joys are drawn within thecompass of a few minutes. _Luc. _ You speak my Sense, and I'll make haste to provide it. [Exit. _Blunt. _ 'Tis a rare Girl, and this one night's enjoyment with her willbe worth all the days I ever past in Essex. -- Would she'd go with meinto _England_, tho to say truth, there's plenty of Whores therealready. -- But a pox on 'em they are such mercenary prodigal Whores, that they want such a one as this, that's free and generous, to give 'emgood Examples:-- Why, what a House she has! how rich and fine! Enter _Sancho_. _Sancho. _ Sir, my Lady has sent me to conduct you to her Chamber. _Blunt. _ Sir, I shall be proud to follow-- Here's one of her Servantstoo: 'dsheartlikins, by his Garb and Gravity he might be a Justice ofPeace in _Essex_, and is but a Pimp here. [Exeunt. _The Scene changes to a Chamber with an Alcove-Bed in it, a Table, &c. _Lucetta_ in Bed. Enter _Sancho_ and _Blunt_, who takes the Candle of _Sancho_ at the Door. _ _Sanch. _ Sir, my Commission reaches no farther. _Blunt. _ Sir, I'll excuse your Complement:-- what, in Bed, my sweetMistress? _Luc. _ You see, I still out-do you in kindness. _Blunt. _ And thou shall see what haste I'll make to quit scores-- oh theluckiest Rogue! [Undresses himself. _Luc. _ Shou'd you be false or cruel now! _Blunt. _ False, 'Sheartlikins, what dost thou take me for a _Jew_? aninsensible Heathen, -- A Pox of thy old jealous Husband: and he weredead, egad, sweet Soul, it shou'd be none of my fault, if I did notmarry thee. _Luc. _ It never shou'd be mine. _Blunt. _ Good Soul, I'm the fortunatest Dog! _Luc. _ Are you not undrest yet? _Blunt. _ As much as my Impatience will permit. [Goes towards the Bed in his Shirt and Drawers. _Luc. _ Hold, Sir, put out the Light, it may betray us else. _Blunt. _ Any thing, I need no other Light but that of thine Eyes!--'sheartlikins, there I think I had it. [Aside. [Puts out the Candle, the Bed descends, he gropes about to find it. --Why-- why-- where am I got? what, not yet?-- where are you sweetest?--ah, the Rogue's silent now-- a pretty Love-trick this-- how she'll laughat me anon!-- you need not, my dear Rogue! you need not! I'm all on afire already-- come, come, now call me in for pity-- Sure I'm enchanted!I have been round the Chamber, and can find neither Woman, nor Bed--I lockt the Door, I'm sure she cannot go that way; or if she cou'd, theBed cou'd not-- Enough, enough, my pretty Wanton, do not carry the Jesttoo far-- Ha, betray'd! Dogs! Rogues! Pimps! help! help! [Lights on a Trap, and is let down. Enter _Lucetta_, _Philippo_, and _Sancho_ with a Light. _Phil. _ Ha, ha, ha, he's dispatcht finely. _Luc. _ Now, Sir, had I been coy, we had mist of this Booty. _Phil. _ Nay when I saw 'twas a substantial Fool, I was mollified; butwhen you doat upon a Serenading Coxcomb, upon a Face, fine Clothes, anda Lute, it makes me rage. _Luc. _ You know I never was guilty of that Folly, my dear _Philippo_, but with your self-- But come let's see what we have got by this. _Phil. _ A rich Coat!-- Sword and Hat!-- these Breeches too-- are welllin'd!-- see here a Gold Watch!-- a Purse-- ha! Gold!-- at least twohundred Pistoles! a bunch of Diamond Rings; and one with the FamilyArms!-- a Gold Box!-- with a Medal of his King! and his Lady Mother'sPicture!-- these were sacred Reliques, believe me!-- see, the Wastebandof his Breeches have a Mine of Gold!-- Old Queen _Bess's_. We have aQuarrel to her ever since _Eighty Eight_, and may therefore justify theTheft, the Inquisition might have committed it. _Luc. _ See, a Bracelet of bow'd Gold, these his Sister ty'd about hisArm at parting-- but well-- for all this, I fear his being a Strangermay make a noise, and hinder our Trade with them hereafter. _Phil. _ That's our security; he is not only a Stranger to us, but to theCountry too-- the Common-Shore into which he is descended, thou know'st, conducts him into another Street, which this Light will hinder him fromever finding again-- he knows neither your Name, nor the Street whereyour House is, nay, nor the way to his own Lodgings. _Luc. _ And art not thou an unmerciful Rogue, not to afford him one Nightfor all this?-- I should not have been such a _Jew_. _Phil. _ Blame me not, _Lucetta_, to keep as much of thee as I can to myself-- come, that thought makes me wanton, -- let's to Bed, -- Sancho, lock up these. _This is the Fleece which Fools do bear, Design'd for witty Men to sheer. _ [Exeunt. _The Scene changes, and discovers _Blunt_, creeping out of a Common Shore, his Face, &c. , all dirty. _ _Blunt. _ Oh Lord! [Climbing up. ] I am got out at last, and (which is aMiracle) without a Clue-- and now to Damning and Cursing, -- but if thatwould ease me, where shall I begin? with my Fortune, my self, or theQuean that cozen'd me-- What a dog was I to believe in Women! OhCoxcomb-- ignorant conceited Coxcomb! to fancy she cou'd be enamour'dwith my Person, at the first sight enamour'd-- Oh, I'm a cursedPuppy, 'tis plain, Fool was writ upon my Forehead, she perceiv'd it, --saw the _Essex_ Calf there-- for what Allurements could there be in thisCountenance? which I can indure, because I'm acquainted with it-- Oh, dull silly Dog! to be thus sooth'd into a Cozening! Had I been drunk, Imight fondly have credited the young Quean! but as I was in my rightWits, to be thus cheated, confirms I am a dull believing _English_Country Fop. -- But my Comrades! Death and the Devil, there's the worstof all-- then a Ballad will be sung to Morrow on the _Prado_, to a lousyTune of the enchanted Squire, and the annihilated Damsel-- But _Fred_, that Rogue, and the Colonel, will abuse me beyond all Christianpatience-- had she left me my Clothes, I have a Bill of Exchange at homewou'd have sav'd my Credit-- but now all hope is taken from me-- Well, I'll home (if I can find the way) with this Consolation, that I am notthe first kind believing Coxcomb; but there are, Gallants, many suchgood Natures amongst ye. _And tho you've better Arts to hide your Follies, Adsheartlikins y'are all as errant Cullies. _ SCENE III. _The Garden, in the Night. _ Enter _Florinda_ undres'd, with a Key, and a little Box. _Flor. _ Well, thus far I'm in my way to Happiness; I have got my selffree from _Callis_; my Brother too, I find by yonder light, is gone intohis Cabinet, and thinks not of me: I have by good Fortune got the Key ofthe Garden Back-door, -- I'll open it, to prevent _Belvile's_ knocking, --a little noise will now alarm my Brother. Now am I as fearful as a youngThief. [Unlocks the Door. ] --Hark, -- what noise is that?-- Oh, 'twas theWind that plaid amongst the Boughs. -- _Belvile_ stays long, methinks--it's time-- stay-- for fear of a surprize, I'll hide these Jewels inyonder Jessamin. [She goes to lay down the Box. Enter _Willmore_ drunk. _Will. _ What the Devil is become of these Fellows, _Belvile_ and_Frederick_? They promis'd to stay at the next corner for me, but whothe Devil knows the corner of a full Moon?-- Now-- whereabouts am I?--hah-- what have we here? a Garden!-- a very convenient place to sleepin-- hah-- what has God sent us here?-- a Female-- by this light, aWoman; I'm a Dog if it be not a very Wench. -- _Flor. _ He's come!-- hah-- who's there? _Will. _ Sweet Soul, let me salute thy Shoe-string. _Flor. _ 'Tis not my _Belvile_-- good Heavens, I know him not. -- Who areyou, and from whence come you? _Will. _ Prithee-- prithee, Child-- not so many hard Questions-- let itsuffice I am here, Child-- Come, come kiss me. _Flor. _ Good Gods! what luck is mine? _Will. _ Only good luck, Child, parlous good luck-- Come hither, -- 'tis adelicate shining Wench, -- by this Hand she's perfum'd, and smells likeany Nosegay. -- Prithee, dear Soul, let's not play the Fool, and losetime, -- precious time-- for as Gad shall save me, I'm as honest a Fellowas breathes, tho I am a little disguis'd at present. -- Come, I say, --why, thou may'st be free with me, I'll be very secret. I'll not boastwho 'twas oblig'd me, not I-- for hang me if I know thy Name. _Flor. _ Heavens! what a filthy beast is this! _Will. _ I am so, and thou oughtst the sooner to lie with me for thatreason, -- for look you, Child, there will be no Sin in't, because 'twasneither design'd nor premeditated; 'tis pure Accident on both sides--that's a certain thing now-- Indeed should I make love to you, andyou vow Fidelity-- and swear and lye till you believ'd and yielded--Thou art therefore (as thou art a good Christian) oblig'd in Conscienceto deny me nothing. Now-- come, be kind, without any more idle prating. _Flor. _ Oh, I am ruin'd-- wicked Man, unhand me. _Will. _ Wicked! Egad, Child, a Judge, were he young and vigorous, andsaw those Eyes of thine, would know 'twas they gave the first blow-- thefirst provocation. -- Come, prithee let's lose no time, I say-- this is afine convenient place. _Flor. _ Sir, let me go, I conjure you, or I'll call out. _Will. _ Ay, ay, you were best to call Witness to see how finely youtreat me-- do. -- _Flor. _ I'll cry Murder, Rape, or any thing, if you do not instantly letme go. _Will. _ A Rape! Come, come, you lye, you Baggage, you lye: What, I'llwarrant you would fain have the World believe now that you are not soforward as I. No, not you, -- why at this time of Night was yourCobweb-door set open, dear Spider-- but to catch Flies?-- Hah come-- orI shall be damnably angry. -- Why what a Coil is here. -- _Flor. _ Sir, can you think-- _Will. _ That you'd do it for nothing? oh, oh, I find what you'd beat-- look here, here's a Pistole for you-- here's a work indeed--here-- take it, I say. -- _Flor. _ For Heaven's sake, Sir, as you're a Gentleman-- _Will. _ So-- now-- she would be wheedling me for more-- what, you willnot take it then-- you're resolv'd you will not. -- Come, come, take it, or I'll put it up again; for, look ye, I never give more. -- Why, hownow, Mistress, are you so high i'th' Mouth, a Pistole won't down withyou?-- hah-- why, what a work's here-- in good time-- come, nostruggling, be gone-- But an y'are good at a dumb Wrestle, I'm for ye, --look ye, -- I'm for ye. -- [She struggles with him. Enter _Belvile_ and _Frederick_. _Bel. _ The Door is open, a Pox of this mad Fellow, I'm angry that we'velost him, I durst have sworn he had follow'd us. _Fred. _ But you were so hasty, Colonel, to be gone. _Flor. _ Help, help, -- Murder!-- help-- oh, I'm ruin'd. _Belv. _ Ha, sure that's _Florinda's_ Voice. [Comes up to them. ] --A Man!Villain, let go that Lady. [A noise. [_Will. _ turns and draws, _Fred. _ interposes. _Flor. _ _Belvile!_ Heavens! my Brother too is coming, and 'twill beimpossible to escape. -- _Belvile_, I conjure you to walk under myChamber-window, from whence I'll give you some instructions what todo-- This rude Man has undone us. [Exit. _Will. _ _Belvile!_ Enter _Pedro_, _Stephano_, and other Servants with Lights. _Ped. _ I'm betray'd; run, _Stephano_, and see if _Florinda_ be safe. [Exit _Steph. _ So whoe'er they be, all is not well, I'll to _Florinda's_ Chamber. [They fight, and _Pedro's_ Party beats 'em out; going out, meets _Stephano_. _Steph. _ You need not, Sir, the poor Lady's fast asleep, and thinks noharm: I wou'd not wake her, Sir, for fear of frightning her with yourdanger. _Ped. _ I'm glad she's there-- Rascals, how came the Garden-Door open? _Steph. _ That Question comes too late, Sir: some of my Fellow-ServantsMasquerading I'll warrant. _Ped. _ Masquerading! a leud Custom to debauch our Youth-- there'ssomething more in this than I imagine. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. _Changes to the Street. _ Enter _Belvile_ in Rage, _Fred. _ holding him, and _Willmore_ melancholy. _Will. _ Why, how the Devil shou'd I know _Florinda_? _Belv. _ Ah plague of your ignorance! if it had not been _Florinda_, mustyou be a Beast?-- a Brute, a senseless Swine? _Will. _ Well, Sir, you see I am endu'd with Patience-- I can bear-- thoegad y're very free with me methinks, -- I was in good hopes the Quarrelwou'd have been on my side, for so uncivilly interrupting me. _Belv. _ Peace, Brute, whilst thou'rt safe-- oh, I'm distracted. _Will. _ Nay, nay, I'm an unlucky Dog, that's certain. _Belv. _ Ah curse upon the Star that rul'd my Birth! or whatsoever otherInfluence that makes me still so wretched. _Will. _ Thou break'st my Heart with these Complaints; there is no Starin fault, no Influence but Sack, the cursed Sack I drank. _Fred. _ Why, how the Devil came you so drunk? _Will. _ Why, how the Devil came you so sober? _Belv. _ A curse upon his thin Skull, he was always before-hand that way. _Fred. _ Prithee, dear Colonel, forgive him, he's sorry for his fault. _Belv. _ He's always so after he has done a mischief-- a plague on allsuch Brutes. _Will. _ By this Light I took her for an errant Harlot. _Belv. _ Damn your debaucht Opinion: tell me, Sot, hadst thou so muchsense and light about thee to distinguish her to be a Woman, andcould'st not see something about her Face and Person, to strike an awfulReverence into thy Soul? _Will. _ Faith no, I consider'd her as mere a Woman as I could wish. _Belv. _ 'Sdeath I have no patience-- draw, or I'll kill you. _Will. _ Let that alone till to morrow, and if I set not all right again, use your Pleasure. _Belv. _ To morrow, damn it. The spiteful Light will lead me to no happiness. To morrow is _Antonio's_, and perhaps Guides him to my undoing;-- oh that I could meet This Rival, this powerful Fortunate. _Will. _ What then? _Belv. _ Let thy own Reason, or my Rage instruct thee. _Will. _ I shall be finely inform'd then, no doubt; hear me, Colonel--hear me-- shew me the Man and I'll do his Business. _Belv. _ I know him no more than thou, or if I did, I should not need thyaid. _Will. _ This you say is _Angelica's_ House, I promis'd the kind Baggageto lie with her to Night. [Offers to go in. Enter _Antonio_ and his Page. _Ant. _ knocks on the Hilt of his Sword. _Ant. _ You paid the thousand Crowns I directed? _Page. _ To the Lady's old Woman, Sir, I did. _Will. _ Who the Devil have we here? _Belv. _ I'll now plant my self under _Florinda's_ Window, and if I findno comfort there, I'll die. [Ex. _Belv. _ and _Fred. _ Enter _Moretta_. _Moret. _ Page! _Page. _ Here's my Lord. _Will. _ How is this, a Piccaroon going to board my Frigate! here's oneChase-Gun for you. [Drawing his Sword, justles _Ant. _ who turns and draws. They fight, _Ant. _ falls. _Moret. _ Oh, bless us, we are all undone! [Runs in, and shuts the Door. _Page. _ Help, Murder! [_Belvile_ returns at the noise of fighting. _Belv. _ Ha, the mad Rogue's engag'd in some unlucky Adventure again. Enter two or three Masqueraders. _Masq. _ Ha, a Man kill'd! _Will. _ How! a Man kill'd! then I'll go home to sleep. [Puts up, and reels out. _Ex. _ Masquers another way. _Belv. _ Who shou'd it be! pray Heaven the Rogue is safe, for all myQuarrel to him. [As _Belvile_ is groping about, enter an Officer and six Soldiers. _Sold. _ Who's there? _Offic. _ So, here's one dispatcht-- secure the Murderer. _Belv. _ Do not mistake my Charity for Murder: I came to his Assistance. [Soldiers seize on _Belvile_. _Offic. _ That shall be tried, Sir. -- St. _Jago_, Swords drawn in theCarnival time! [Goes to _Antonio_. _Ant. _ Thy Hand prithee. _Offic. _ Ha, Don _Antonio_! look well to the Villain there. -- How is't, Sir? _Ant. _ I'm hurt. _Belv. _ Has my Humanity made me a Criminal? _Offic. _ Away with him. _Belv. _ What a curst Chance is this! [Ex. Soldiers with _Belv. _ _Ant. _ This is the Man that has set upon me twice-- carry him to myApartment till you have further Orders from me. [To the Officer. Ex. _Ant. _ led. ACT IV. SCENE I. _A fine Room. _ _Discovers _Belvile_, as by Dark alone. _ _Belv. _ When shall I be weary of railing on Fortune, who is resolv'dnever to turn with Smiles upon me?-- Two such Defeats in one Night--none but the Devil and that mad Rogue could have contriv'd to haveplagued me with-- I am here a Prisoner-- but where?-- Heaven knows-- andif there be Murder done, I can soon decide the Fate of a Stranger in aNation without Mercy-- Yet this is nothing to the Torture my Soul bowswith, when I think of losing my fair, my dear _Florinda_. -- Hark-- myDoor opens-- a Light-- a Man-- and seems of Quality-- arm'd too. -- Nowshall I die like a Dog without defence. Enter _Antonio_ in a Night-Gown, with a Light; his Arm in a Scarf, and a Sword under his Arm: He sets the Candle on the Table. _Ant. _ Sir, I come to know what Injuries I have done you, that couldprovoke you to so mean an Action, as to attack me basely, withoutallowing time for my Defence. _Belv. _ Sir, for a Man in my Circumstances to plead Innocence, wouldlook like Fear-- but view me well, and you will find no marks of aCoward on me, nor any thing that betrays that Brutality you accuse meof. _Ant. _ In vain, Sir, you impose upon my Sense, You are not only he who drew on me last Night, But yesterday before the same House, that of _Angelica_. Yet there is something in your Face and Mein-- _Belv. _ I own I fought to day in the defence of a Friend of mine, withwhom you (if you're the same) and your Party were first engag'd. Perhaps you think this Crime enough to kill me, But if you do, I cannot fear you'll do it basely. _Ant. _ No, Sir, I'll make you fit for a Defence with this. [Gives him the Sword. _Belv. _ This Gallantry surprizes me-- nor know I how to use thisPresent, Sir, against a Man so brave. _Ant. _ You shall not need; For know, I come to snatch you from a Danger That is decreed against you; Perhaps your Life, or long Imprisonment: And 'twas with so much Courage you offended, I cannot see you punisht. _Belv. _ How shall I pay this Generosity? _Ant. _ It had been safer to have kill'd another, Than have attempted me: To shew your Danger, Sir, I'll let you know my Quality; And 'tis the Vice-Roy's Son whom you have wounded. _Belv. _ The Vice-Roy's Son! Death and Confusion! was this Plague reserved To compleat all the rest?-- oblig'd by him! The Man of all the World I would destroy. [Aside. _Ant. _ You seem disorder'd, Sir. _Belv. _ Yes, trust me, Sir, I am, and 'tis with pain That Man receives such Bounties, Who wants the pow'r to pay 'em back again. _Ant. _ To gallant Spirits 'tis indeed uneasy; --But you may quickly over-pay me, Sir. _Belv. _ Then I am well-- kind Heaven! but set us even, That I may fight with him, and keep my Honour safe. [Aside. --Oh, I'm impatient, Sir, to be discounting The mighty Debt I owe you; command me quickly-- _Ant. _ I have a Quarrel with a Rival, Sir, About the Maid we love. _Belv. _ Death, 'tis _Florinda_ he means-- That Thought destroys my Reason, and I shall kill him-- [Aside. _Ant. _ My Rival, Sir. Is one has all the Virtues Man can boast of. _Belv. _ Death! who shou'd this be? [Aside. _Ant. _ He challeng'd me to meet him on the _Molo_, As soon as Day appear'd; but last Night's quarrel Has made my Arm unfit to guide a Sword. _Belv. _ I apprehend you, Sir, you'd have me kill the Man That lays a claim to the Maid you speak of. --I'll do't-- I'll fly to do it. _Ant. _ Sir, do you know her? _Belv. _ --No, Sir, but 'tis enough she is admired by you. _Ant. _ Sir, I shall rob you of the Glory on't, For you must fight under my Name and Dress. _Belv. _ That Opinion must be strangely obliging that makes You think I can personate the brave _Antonio_, Whom I can but strive to imitate. _Ant. _ You say too much to my Advantage. Come, Sir, the Day appears that calls you forth. Within, Sir, is the Habit. [Exit _Antonio_. _Belv. _ Fantastick Fortune, thou deceitful Light, That cheats the wearied Traveller by Night, Tho on a Precipice each step you tread, I am resolv'd to follow where you lead. [Exit. SCENE II. _The Molo. _ Enter _Florinda_ and _Callis_ in Masques, with _Stephano_. _Flor. _ I'm dying with my fears; _Belvile's_ not coming, As I expected, underneath my Window, Makes me believe that all those Fears are true. [Aside. --Canst thou not tell with whom my Brother fights? _Steph. _ No, Madam, they were both in Masquerade, I was by when theychalleng'd one another, and they had decided the Quarrel then, but wereprevented by some Cavaliers; which made 'em put it off till now-- but Iam sure 'tis about you they fight. _Flor. _ Nay then 'tis with _Belvile_, for what other Lover have I thatdares fight for me, except _Antonio_? and he is too much in favour withmy Brother-- If it be he, for whom shall I direct my Prayers to Heaven? [Aside. _Steph. _ Madam, I must leave you; for if my Master see me, I shall behang'd for being your Conductor. -- I escap'd narrowly for the Excuse Imade for you last night i'th' Garden. _Flor. _ And I'll reward thee for't-- prithee no more. [Exit. Steph. Enter Don _Pedro_ in his Masquing Habit. _Pedro. _ _Antonio's_ late to day, the place will fill, and we may beprevented. [Walk about. _Flor. _ _Antonio_! sure I heard amiss. [Aside. _Pedro. _ But who would not excuse a happy Lover. When soft fair Arms confine the yielding Neck; And the kind Whisper languishingly breathes, Must you be gone so soon? Sure I had dwelt for ever on her Bosom. --But stay, he's here. Enter _Belvile_ drest in _Antonio's_ Clothes. _Flor. _ 'Tis not _Belvile_, half my Fears are vanisht. _Pedro. _ _Antonio!_-- _Belv. _ This must be he. [Aside. ] You're early, Sir, -- I do not use tobe out-done this way. _Pedro. _ The wretched, Sir, are watchful, and 'tis enough You have the advantage of me in _Angelica_. _Belv. _ _Angelica!_ Or I've mistook my Man! Or else _Antonio_, Can he forget his Interest in _Florinda_, And fight for common Prize? [Aside. _Pedro. _ Come, Sir, you know our terms-- _Belv. _ By Heaven, not I. [Aside. ] --No talking, I am ready, Sir. [Offers to fight. _Flor_. Runs in. _Flor. _ Oh, hold! whoe'er you be, I do conjure you hold. If you strike here-- I die-- [To _Belv. _ _Pedro. _ _Florinda!_ _Belv. _ _Florinda_ imploring for my Rival! _Pedro. _ Away, this Kindness is unseasonable. [Puts her by, they fight; she runs in just as _Belv. _ disarms _Pedro_. _Flor. _ Who are you, Sir, that dare deny my Prayers? _Belv. _ Thy Prayers destroy him; if thou wouldst preserve him. Do that thou'rt unacquainted with, and curse him. [She holds him. _Flor. _ By all you hold most dear, by her you love, I do conjure you, touch him not. _Belv. _ By her I love! See-- I obey-- and at your Feet resign The useless Trophy of my Victory. [Lays his sword at her Feet. _Pedro. _ _Antonio_, you've done enough to prove you love _Florinda. _ _Belv. _ Love _Florinda_! Does Heaven love Adoration, Pray'r, or Penitence? Love her! here Sir, -- your Sword again. [Snatches up the Sword, and gives it him. Upon this Truth I'll fight my Life away. _Pedro. _ No, you've redeem'd my Sister, and my Friendship. _Belv. _ Don _Pedro_! [He gives him _Flor. _ and pulls off his Vizard to shew his Face, and puts it on again. _Pedro. _ Can you resign your Claims to other Women, And give your Heart intirely to _Florinda_? _Belv. _ Intire, as dying Saints Confessions are. I can delay my happiness no longer. This minute let me make _Florinda_ mine: _Pedro. _ This minute let it be-- no time so proper, This Night my Father will arrive from _Rome_, And possibly may hinder what we propose. _Flor. _ Oh Heavens! this Minute! [Enter Masqueraders, and pass over. _Belv. _ Oh, do not ruin me! _Pedro. _ The place begins to fill; and that we may not be observ'd, do you walk off to St. _Peter's_ Church, where I will meet you, andconclude your Happiness. _Belv. _ I'll meet you there-- if there be no more Saints Churches in_Naples_. [Aside. _Flor. _ Oh stay, Sir, and recall your hasty Doom: Alas I have not yet prepar'd my Heart To entertain so strange a Guest. _Pedro. _ Away, this silly Modesty is assum'd too late. _Belv. _ Heaven, Madam! what do you do? _Flor. _ Do! despise the Man that lays a Tyrant's Claim To what he ought to conquer by Submission. _Belv. _ You do not know me-- move a little this way. [Draws her aside. _Flor. _ Yes, you may even force me to the Altar, But not the holy Man that offers there Shall force me to be thine. [_Pedro_ talks to _Callis_ this while. _Belv. _ Oh do not lose so blest an opportunity! See-- 'tis your _Belvile_-- not _Antonio_, Whom your mistaken Scorn and Anger ruins. [Pulls off his Vizard. _Flor. _ _Belvile!_ Where was my Soul it cou'd not meet thy Voice, And take this knowledge in? [As they are talking, enter _Willmore_ finely drest, and _Frederick_. _Will. _ No Intelligence! no News of _Belvile_ yet-- well I am the mostunlucky Rascal in Nature-- ha!-- am I deceiv'd-- or is it he-- look, _Fred_. -- 'tis he-- my dear _Belvile_. [Runs and embraces him. _Belv. _ Vizard falls out on's Hand. _Belv. _ Hell and Confusion seize thee! _Pedro. _ Ha! _Belvile!_ I beg your Pardon, Sir. [Takes _Flor. _ from him. _Belv. _ Nay, touch her not, she's mine by Conquest, Sir. I won her by mySword. _Will. _ Did'st thou so-- and egad, Child, we'll keep her by the Sword. [Draws on _ Pedro_, _Belv. _ goes between. _Belv. _ Stand off. Thou'rt so profanely leud, so curst by Heaven, All Quarrels thou espousest must be fatal. _Will. _ Nay, an you be so hot, my Valour's coy, And shall be courted when you want it next. [Puts up his Sword. _Belv. _ You know I ought to claim a Victor's Right, [To Pedro. But you're the Brother to divine _Florinda_, To whom I'm such a Slave-- to purchase her, I durst not hurt the Man she holds so dear. _Pedro. _ 'Twas by _Antonio's_, not by _Belvile's_ Sword, This Question should have been decided, Sir: I must confess much to your Bravery's due, Both now, and when I met you last in Arms. But I am nicely punctual in my word, As Men of Honour ought, and beg your Pardon. --For this Mistake another Time shall clear. --This was some Plot between you and Belvile: But I'll prevent you. [Aside to _Flor. _ as they are going out. [_Belv. _ looks after her, and begins to walk up and down in a Rage. _Will. _ Do not be modest now, and lose the Woman: but if we shall fetchher back, so-- _Belv. _ Do not speak to me. _Will. _ Not speak to you!-- Egad, I'll speak to you, and will beanswered too. _Belv. _ Will you, Sir? _Will. _ I know I've done some mischief, but I'm so dull a Puppy, that Iam the Son of a Whore, if I know how, or where-- prithee inform myUnderstanding. -- _Belv. _ Leave me I say, and leave me instantly. _Will. _ I will not leave you in this humour, nor till I know my Crime. _Belv. _ Death, I'll tell you, Sir-- [Draws and runs at _Will. _ he runs out; _Belv. _ after him, _Fred. _ interposes. Enter _Angelica_, _Moretta_, and _Sebastian_. _Ang. _ Ha-- _Sebastian_-- Is not that _Willmore_? haste, haste, andbring him back. _Fred. _ The Colonel's mad-- I never saw him thus before; I'll after 'em, lest he do some mischief, for I am sure _Willmore_ will not draw on him. [Exit. _Ang. _ I am all Rage! my first desires defeated For one, for ought he knows, that has no Other Merit than her Quality, -- Her being Don _Pedro's_ Sister-- He loves her: I know 'tis so-- dull, dull, insensible-- He will not see me now tho oft invited; And broke his Word last night-- false perjur'd Man! --He that but yesterday fought for my Favours, And would have made his Life a Sacrifice To've gain'd one Night with me, Must now be hired and courted to my Arms. _Moret. _ I told you what wou'd come on't, but _Moretta's_ an old doatingFool-- Why did you give him five hundred Crowns, but to set himself outfor other Lovers? You shou'd have kept him poor, if you had meant tohave had any good from him. _Ang. _ Oh, name not such mean Trifles. -- Had I given him all My Youth has earn'd from Sin, I had not lost a Thought nor Sigh upon't. But I have given him my eternal Rest, My whole Repose, my future Joys, my Heart; My Virgin Heart. _Moretta_! oh 'tis gone! _Moret. _ Curse on him, here he comes; How fine she has made him too! Enter _Willmore_ and _Sebast. _ _Ang. _ turns and walks away. _Will. _ How now, turn'd Shadow? Fly when I pursue, and follow when I fly! _Stay gentle Shadow of my Dove, _ [Sings. _And tell me e'er I go, Whether the Substance may not prove A fleeting Thing like you. _ There's a soft kind Look remaining yet. [As she turns she looks on him. _Ang. _ Well, Sir, you may be gay; all Happiness, all Joys pursue youstill, Fortune's your Slave, and gives you every hour choice of newHearts and Beauties, till you are cloy'd with the repeated Bliss, whichothers vainly languish for-- But know, false Man, that I shall bereveng'd. [Turns away in a Rage. _Will. _ So, 'gad, there are of those faint-hearted Lovers, whom such asharp Lesson next their Hearts would make as impotent as Fourscore-- poxo' this whining-- my Bus'ness is to laugh and love-- a pox on't; I hateyour sullen Lover, a Man shall lose as much time to put you in Humournow, as would serve to gain a new Woman. _Ang. _ I scorn to cool that Fire I cannot raise, Or do the Drudgery ofyour virtuous Mistress. _Will. _ A virtuous Mistress! Death, what a thing thou hast found out forme! why what the Devil should I do with a virtuous Woman?-- a fort ofill-natur'd Creatures, that take a Pride to torment a Lover. Virtue isbut an Infirmity in Women, a Disease that renders even the handsomungrateful; whilst the ill-favour'd, for want of Solicitations andAddress, only fancy themselves so. -- I have lain with a Woman ofQuality, who has all the while been railing at Whores. _Ang. _ I will not answer for your Mistress's Virtue, Tho she be young enough to know no Guilt: And I could wish you would persuade my Heart, 'Twas the two hundred thousand Crowns you courted. _Will. _ Two hundred thousand Crowns! what Story's this?-- whatTrick?-- what Woman?-- ha. _Ang. _ How strange you make it! have you forgot the Creature youentertain'd on the Piazza last night? _Will. _ Ha, my Gipsy worth two hundred thousand Crowns!-- oh how I longto be with her-- pox, I knew she was of Quality. [Aside. _Ang. _ False Man, I see my Ruin in thy Face. How many vows you breath'd upon my Bosom, Never to be unjust-- have you forgot so soon? _Will. _ Faith no, I was just coming to repeat 'em-- but here's a Humourindeed-- would make a Man a Saint-- Wou'd she'd be angry enough to leaveme, and command me not to wait on her. [Aside. Enter _Hellena_, drest in Man's Clothes. _Hell. _ This must be _Angelica_, I know it by her mumping Matronhere-- Ay, ay, 'tis she: my mad Captain's with her too, for all hisswearing-- how this unconstant Humour makes me love him:-- pray, goodgrave Gentlewoman, is not this _Angelica_? _Moret. _ My too young Sir, it is-- I hope 'tis one from Don _Antonio_. [Goes to _Angelica_. _Hell. _ Well, something I'll do to vex him for this. [Aside. _Ang. _ I will not speak with him; am I in humour to receive a Lover? _Will. _ Not speak with him! why I'll be gone-- and wait your idlerminutes-- Can I shew less Obedience to the thing I love so fondly? [Offers to go. _Ang. _ A fine Excuse this-- stay-- _Will. _ And hinder your Advantage: should I repay your Bounties soungratefully? _Ang. _ Come hither, Boy, -- that I may let you see How much above the Advantages you name I prize one Minute's Joy with you. _Will. _ Oh, you destroy me with this Endearment. [Impatient to be gone. --Death, how shall I get away?-- Madam, 'twill not be fit I should beseen with you-- besides, it will not be convenient-- and I've a Friend--that's dangerously sick. _Ang. _ I see you're impatient-- yet you shall stay. _Will. _ And miss my Assignation with my Gipsy. [Aside, and walks about impatiently. _Hell. _ Madam, [_Moretta_ brings _Hellena_, who addresses her self to _Angelica_. You'l hardly pardon my Intrusion, When you shall know my Business; And I'm too young to tell my Tale with Art: But there must be a wondrous store of Goodness Where so much Beauty dwells. _Ang. _ A pretty Advocate, whoever sent thee, --Prithee proceed-- Nay, Sir, you shall not go. [To _Will. _ who is stealing off. _Will. _ Then shall I lose my dear Gipsy for ever. --Pox on't, she stays me out of spite. [Aside. _Hell. _ I am related to a Lady, Madam, Young, rich, and nobly born, but has the fate To be in love with a young _English_ Gentleman. Strangely she loves him, at first sight she lov'd him, But did adore him when she heard him speak; For he, she said, had Charms in every word, That fail'd not to surprize, to wound, and conquer-- _Will. _ Ha, Egad I hope this concerns me. [Aside. _Ang. _ 'Tis my false Man, he means-- wou'd he were gone. This Praise will raise his Pride and ruin me-- Well, Since you are so impatient to be gone, I will release you, Sir. [To _Will. _ _Will. _ Nay, then I'm sure 'twas me he spoke of, this cannot be theEffects of Kindness in her. [Aside. --No, Madam, I've consider'd better on't, And will not give you cause of Jealousy. _Ang. _ But, Sir, I've-- business, that-- _Will. _ This shall not do, I know 'tis but to try me. _Ang. _ Well, to your Story, Boy, -- tho 'twill undo me. [Aside. _Hell. _ With this Addition to his other Beauties, He won her unresisting tender Heart, He vow'd and sigh'd, and swore he lov'd her dearly; And she believ'd the cunning Flatterer, And thought her self the happiest Maid alive: To day was the appointed time by both, To consummate their Bliss; The Virgin, Altar, and the Priest were drest, And whilst she languisht for the expected Bridegroom, She heard, he paid his broken Vows to you. _Will. _ So, this is some dear Rogue that's in love with me, and this waylets me know it; or if it be not me, she means some one whose place Imay supply. [Aside. _Ang. _ Now I perceive The cause of thy Impatience to be gone, And all the business of this glorious Dress. _Will. _ Damn the young Prater, I know not what he means. _Hell. _ Madam, In your fair Eyes I read too much concern To tell my farther Business. _Ang. _ Prithee, sweet Youth, talk on, thou may'st perhaps Raise here a Storm that may undo my Passion, And then I'll grant thee any thing. _Hell. _ Madam, 'tis to intreat you, (oh unreasonable!) You wou'd not see this Stranger; For if you do, she vows you are undone, Tho Nature never made a Man so excellent; And sure he'ad been a God, but for Inconstancy. _Will. _ Ah, Rogue, how finely he's instructed! [Aside. ] --'Tis plainsome Woman that has seen me _en passant. _ _Ang. _ Oh, I shall burst with Jealousy! do you know the Man you speakof?-- _Hell. _ Yes, Madam, he us'd to be in Buff and Scarlet. _Ang. _ Thou, false as Hell, what canst thou say to this? [To _Will. _ _Will. _ By Heaven-- _Ang. _ Hold, do not damn thy self-- _Hell. _ Nor hope to be believ'd. [He walks about, they follow. _Ang. _ Oh, perjur'd Man! Is't thus you pay my generous Passion back? _Hell. _ Why wou'd you, Sir, abuse my Lady's Faith? _Ang. _ And use me so inhumanly? _Hell. _ A Maid so young, so innocent-- _Will. _ Ah, young Devil! _Ang. _ Dost thou not know thy Life is in my Power? _Hell. _ Or think my Lady cannot be reveng'd? _Will. _ So, so, the Storm comes finely on. [Aside. _Ang. _ Now thou art silent, Guilt has struck thee dumb. Oh, hadst thou still been so, I'd liv'd in safety. [She turns away and weeps. _Will. _ Sweetheart, the Lady's Name and House-- quickly: I'm impatientto be with her. -- [Aside to _Hellena_, looks towards _Angel. _ to watch her turning; and as she comes towards them, he meets her. _Hell. _ So now is he for another Woman. [Aside. _Will. _ The impudent'st young thing in Nature! I cannot persuade him out of his Error, Madam. _Ang. _ I know he's in the right, -- yet thou'st a Tongue That wou'd persuade him to deny his Faith. [In Rage walks away. _Will. _ Her Name, her Name, dear Boy-- [Said softly to _Hell. _ _Hell. _ Have you forgot it, Sir? _Will. _ Oh, I perceive he's not to know I am a Stranger to his Lady. [Aside. --Yes, yes, I do know-- but-- I have forgot the-- [_Angel. _ turns. --By Heaven, such early confidence I never saw. _Ang. _ Did I not charge you with this Mistress, Sir? Which you denied, tho I beheld your Perjury. This little Generosity of thine has render'd back my Heart. [Walks away. _Will. _ So, you have made sweet work here, my little mischief; Look your Lady be kind and good-natur'd now, or I shall have but a cursed Bargain on't. [_Ang. _ turns towards them. --The Rogue's bred up to Mischief, Art thou so great a Fool to credit him? _Ang. _ Yes, I do; and you in vain impose upon me. --Come hither, Boy-- Is not this he you speak of? _Hell. _ I think-- it is; I cannot swear, but I vow he has just suchanother lying Lover's look. [_Hell. _ looks in his Face, he gazes on her. _Will. _ Hah! do not I know that Face?-- By Heaven, my little Gipsy! what a dull Dog was I? Had I but lookt that way, I'd known her. Are all my hopes of a new Woman banisht? [Aside. --Egad, if I don't fit thee for this, hang me. --Madam, I have found out the Plot. _Hell. _ Oh Lord, what does he say? am I discover'd now? _Will. _ Do you see this young Spark here? _Hell. _ He'll tell her who I am. _Will. _ Who do you think this is? _Hell. _ Ay, ay, he does know me. -- Nay, dear Captain, I'm undone if youdiscover me. _Will. _ Nay, nay, no cogging; she shall know what a precious Mistress Ihave. _Hell. _ Will you be such a Devil? _Will. _ Nay, nay, I'll teach you to spoil sport you will not make. --This small Ambassador comes not from a Person of Quality, as youimagine, and he says; but from a very errant Gipsy, the talkingst, pratingst, cantingst little Animal thou ever saw'st. _Ang. _ What news you tell me! that's the thing I mean. _Hell. _ Wou'd I were well off the place. -- If ever I go aCaptain-hunting again. -- [Aside. _Will. _ Mean that thing? that Gipsy thing? thou may'st as well bejealous of thy Monkey, or Parrot as her: a German Motion were worth adozen of her, and a Dream were a better Enjoyment, a Creature ofConstitution fitter for Heaven than Man. _Hell. _ Tho I'm sure he lyes, yet this vexes me. [Aside. _Ang. _ You are mistaken, she's a Spanish Woman Made up of no such dull Materials. _Will. _ Materials! Egad, and she be made of any that will eitherdispense, or admit of Love, I'll be bound to continence. _Hell. _ Unreasonable Man, do you think so? [Aside to him. _Will. _ You may Return, my little Brazen Head, and tell your Lady, thattill she be handsom enough to be belov'd, or I dull enough to bereligious, there will be small hopes of me. _Ang. _ Did you not promise then to marry her? _Will. _ Not I, by Heaven. _Ang. _ You cannot undeceive my fears and torments, till you have vow'dyou will not marry her. _Hell. _ If he swears that, he'll be reveng'd on me indeed for all myRogueries. _Ang. _ I know what Arguments you'll bring against me, Fortune andHonour. _Will. _ Honour! I tell you, I hate it in your Sex; and those that fancythemselves possest of that Foppery, are the most impertinentlytroublesom of all Woman-kind, and will transgress nine Commandments tokeep one: and to satisfy your Jealousy I swear-- _Hell. _ Oh, no swearing, dear Captain-- [Aside to him. _Will. _ If it were possible I should ever be inclin'd to marry, itshould be some kind young Sinner, one that has Generosity enough to givea favour handsomely to one that can ask it discreetly, one that has Witenough to manage an Intrigue of Love-- oh, how civil such a Wench is, toa Man than does her the Honour to marry her. _Ang. _ By Heaven, there's no Faith in any thing he says. Enter _Sebastian_. _Sebast. _ Madam, _Don Antonio_-- _Ang. _ Come hither. _Hell. _ Ha, _Antonio_! he may be coming hither, and he'll certainlydiscover me, I'll therefore retire without a Ceremony. [Exit _Hellena_. _Ang. _ I'll see him, get my Coach ready. _Sebast. _ It waits you, Madam. _Will. _ This is lucky: what, Madam, now I may be gone and leave you tothe enjoyment of my Rival? _Ang. _ Dull Man, that canst not see how ill, how poor That false dissimulation looks-- Be gone, And never let me see thy cozening Face again, Lest I relapse and kill thee. _Will. _ Yes, you can spare me now, -- farewell till you are in a betterHumour-- I'm glad of this release-- Now for my Gipsy: For tho to worse we change, yet still we find New Joys, New Charms, in a new Miss that's kind. [Ex. _Will. _ _Ang. _ He's gone, and in this Ague of My Soul The shivering Fit returns; Oh with what willing haste he took his leave, As if the long'd for Minute were arriv'd, Of some blest Assignation. In vain I have consulted all my Charms, In vain this Beauty priz'd, in vain believ'd My eyes cou'd kindle any lasting Fires. I had forgot my Name, my Infamy, And the Reproach that Honour lays on those That dare pretend a sober passion here. Nice Reputation, tho it leave behind More Virtues than inhabit where that dwells, Yet that once gone, those virtues shine no more. --Then since I am not fit to belov'd, I am resolv'd to think on a Revenge On him that sooth'd me thus to my undoing. [Exeunt. SCENE III. _A Street. _ Enter _Florinda_ and _Valeria_ in Habits different from what they have been seen in. _Flor. _ We're happily escap'd, yet I tremble still. _Val. _ A Lover and fear! why, I am but half a one, and yet I haveCourage for any Attempt. Would _Hellena_ were here. I wou'd fain havehad her as deep in this Mischief as we, she'll fare but ill else Idoubt. _Flor. _ She pretended a Visit to the Augustine Nuns, but I believe someother design carried her out, pray Heavens we light on her. --Prithee what didst do with Callis? _Val. _ When I saw no Reason wou'd do good on her, I follow'd her intothe Wardrobe, and as she was looking for something in a great Chest, I tumbled her in by the Heels, snatcht the Key of the Apartment whereyou were confin'd, lockt her in, and left her bauling for help. _Flor. _ 'Tis well you resolve to follow my Fortunes, for thou darestnever appear at home again after such an Action. _Val. _ That's according as the young Stranger and I shall agree-- But toour business-- I deliver'd your Letter, your Note to _Belvile_, when Igot out under pretence of going to Mass, I found him at his Lodging, andbelieve me it came seasonably; for never was Man in so desperate aCondition. I told him of your Resolution of making your escape to day, if your Brother would be absent long enough to permit you; if not, dierather than be _Antonio's_. _Flor. _ Thou shou'dst have told him I was confin'd to my Chamber upon myBrother's suspicion, that the Business on the _Molo_ was a Plot laidbetween him and I. _Val. _ I said all this, and told him your Brother was now gone to hisDevotion, and he resolves to visit every Church till he find him; andnot only undeceive him in that, but caress him so as shall delay hisreturn home. _Flor. _ Oh Heavens! he's here, and _Belvile_ with him too. [They put on their Vizards. Enter Don _Pedro_, _Belvile_, _Willmore_; _Belvile_ and Don _Pedro_ seeming in serious Discourse. _Val. _ Walk boldly by them, I'll come at a distance, lest he suspect us. [She walks by them, and looks back on them. _Will. _ Ha! A Woman! and of an excellent Mien! _Ped. _ She throws a kind look back on you. _Will. _ Death, tis a likely Wench, and that kind look shall not be castaway-- I'll follow her. _Belv. _ Prithee do not. _Will. _ Do not! By Heavens to the Antipodes, with such an Invitation. [She goes out, and _Will. _ follows her. _Belv. _ 'Tis a mad Fellow for a Wench. Enter _Fred. _ _Fred. _ Oh Colonel, such News. _Belv. _ Prithee what? _Fred. _ News that will make you laugh in spite of Fortune. _Belv. _ What, _Blunt_ has had some damn'd Trick put upon him, cheated, bang'd, or clapt? _Fred. _ Cheated, Sir, rarely cheated of all but his Shirt and Drawers;the unconscionable Whore too turn'd him out before Consummation, so thattraversing the Streets at Midnight, the Watch found him in this_Fresco_, and conducted him home: By Heaven 'tis such a slight, and yetI durst as well have been hang'd as laugh at him, or pity him; he beatsall that do but ask him a Question, and is in such an Humour-- _Ped. _ Who is't has met with this ill usage, Sir? _Belv. _ A Friend of ours, whom you must see for Mirth's sake. I'llimploy him to give _Florinda_ time for an escape. [Aside. _Ped. _ Who is he? _Belv. _ A young Countryman of ours, one that has been educated at soplentiful a rate, he yet ne'er knew the want of Money, and 'twill be agreat Jest to see how simply he'll look without it. For my part I'lllend him none, and the Rogue knows not how to put on a borrowing Face, and ask first. I'll let him see how good 'tis to play our parts whilst Iplay his-- Prithee, _Fred. _ do go home and keep him in that posture tillwe come. [Exeunt. Enter _Florinda_ from the farther end of the Scene, looking behind her. _Flor. _ I am follow'd still-- hah-- my Brother too advancing this way, good Heavens defend me from being seen by him. [She goes off. Enter _Willmore_, and after him _Valeria_, at a little distance. _Will. _ Ah! There she sails, she looks back as she were willing to beboarded, I'll warrant her Prize. [He goes out, _Valeria_ following. Enter _Hellena_, just as he goes out, with a Page. _Hell. _ Hah, is not that my Captain that has a Woman in chase?-- 'tisnot _Angelica. _ Boy, follow those People at a distance, and bring me anAccount where they go in. -- I'll find his Haunts, and plague him everywhere. -- ha-- my Brother! [Exit Page. [_Bel. _ _Wil. _ _Ped. _ cross the Stage: _Hell. _ runs off. _Scene changes to another Street. Enter _Florinda_. _ _Flor. _ What shall I do, my Brother now pursues me. Will no kind Power protect me from his Tyranny? --Hah, here's a Door open, I'll venture in, since nothing can be worsethan to fall into his Hands, my Life and Honour are at stake, and myNecessity has no choice. [She goes in. Enter _Valeria_, and _Hellena's_ Page peeping after _Florinda_. _Pag. _ Here she went in, I shall remember this House. [Exit Boy. _Val. _ This is _Belvile's_ Lodgings; she's gone in as readily as if sheknew it-- hah-- here's that mad Fellow again, I dare not venture in--I'll watch my Opportunity. [Goes aside. Enter _Willmore_, gazing about him. _Will. _ I have lost her hereabouts-- Pox on't she must not scape me so. [Goes out. _Scene changes to _Blunt's_ Chamber, discovers him sitting on a Couchin his Shirt and Drawers, reading. _ _Blunt. _ So, now my Mind's a little at Peace, since I have resolv'dRevenge-- A Pox on this Taylor tho, for not bringing home the Clothes Ibespoke; and a Pox of all poor Cavaliers, a Man can never keep a spareSuit for 'em; and I shall have these Rogues come in and find me naked;and then I'm undone; but I'm resolv'd to arm my self-- the Rascals shallnot insult over me too much. [Puts on an old rusty Sword and Buff-Belt. ]--Now, how like a Morrice-Dancer I am equipt-- a fine Lady-like Whore tocheat me thus, without affording me a Kindness for my Money, a Pox lighton her, I shall never be reconciled to the Sex more, she has made me asfaithless as a Physician, as uncharitable as a Churchman, and asill-natur'd as a Poet. O how I'll use all Women-kind hereafter! whatwou'd I give to have one of 'em within my reach now! any Mortal thing inPetticoats, kind Fortune, send me; and I'll forgive thy last Night'sMalice-- Here's a cursed Book too, (a Warning to all young Travellers)that can instruct me how to prevent such Mischiefs now 'tis too late. Well 'tis a rare convenient thing to read a little now and then, as wellas hawk and hunt. [Sits down again and reads. Enter to him _Florinda_. _Flor. _ This House is haunted sure, 'tis well furnisht and no livingthing inhabits it-- hah-- a Man! Heavens how he's attir'd! sure 'tissome Rope-dancer, or Fencing-Master; I tremble now for fear, and yet Imust venture now to speak to him-- Sir, if I may not interrupt yourMeditations-- [He starts up and gazes. _Blunt. _ Hah-- what's here? Are my wishes granted? and is not that a sheCreature? Adsheartlikins 'tis! what wretched thing art thou-- hah! _Flor. _ Charitable Sir, you've told your self already what I am; a verywretched Maid, forc'd by a strange unlucky Accident, to seek a safetyhere, and must be ruin'd, if you do not grant it. _Blunt. _ Ruin'd! Is there any Ruin so inevitable as that which nowthreatens thee? Dost thou know, miserable Woman, into what Den ofMischiefs thou art fall'n? what a Bliss of Confusion?-- hah-- dost notsee something in my looks that frights thy guilty Soul, and makes theewish to change that Shape of Woman for any humble Animal, or Devil? forthose were safer for thee, and less mischievous. _Flor. _ Alas, what mean you, Sir? I must confess your Looks havesomething in 'em makes me fear; but I beseech you, as you seem aGentleman, pity a harmless Virgin, that takes your House for Sanctuary. _Blunt. _ Talk on, talk on, and weep too, till my faith return. Do, flatter me out of my Senses again-- a harmless Virgin with a Pox, asmuch one as t'other, adsheartlikins. Why, what the Devil can I not besafe in my House for you? not in my Chamber? nay, even being naked toocannot secure me. This is an Impudence greater than has invaded meyet. -- Come, no Resistance. [Pulls her rudely. _Flor. _ Dare you be so cruel? _Blunt. _ Cruel, adsheartlikins as a Gally-slave, or a _Spanish_ Whore:Cruel, yes, I will kiss and beat thee all over; kiss, and see thee allover; thou shalt lie with me too, not that I care for the Injoyment, butto let you see I have ta'en deliberated Malice to thee, and will berevenged on one Whore for the Sins of another; I will smile and deceivethee, flatter thee, and beat thee, kiss and swear, and lye to thee, imbrace thee and rob thee, as she did me, fawn on thee, and strip theestark naked, then hang thee out at my Window by the Heels, with a Paperof scurvey Verses fasten'd to thy Breast, in praise of damnableWomen-- Come, come along. _Flor. _ Alas, Sir, must I be sacrific'd for the Crimes of the mostinfamous of my Sex? I never understood the Sins you name. _Blunt. _ Do, persuade the Fool you love him, or that one of you can bejust or honest; tell me I was not an easy Coxcomb, or any strangeimpossible Tale: it will be believ'd sooner than thy false Showers orProtestations. A Generation of damn'd Hypocrites, to flatter my veryClothes from my back! dissembling Witches! are these the Returns youmake an honest Gentleman that trusts, believes, and loves you?-- But ifI be not even with you-- Come along, or I shall-- [Pulls her again. Enter _Frederick_. _Fred. _ Hah, what's here to do? _Blunt. _ Adsheartlikins, _Fred_. I am glad thou art come, to be aWitness of my dire Revenge. _Fred. _ What's this, a Person of Quality too, who is upon the Ramble tosupply the Defects of some grave impotent Husband? _Blunt. _ No, this has another Pretence, some very unfortunate Accidentbrought her hither, to save a Life pursued by I know not who, or why, and forc'd to take Sanctuary here at Fools Haven. Adsheartlikins to meof all Mankind for Protection? Is the Ass to be cajol'd again, think ye?No, young one, no Prayers or Tears shall mitigate my Rage; thereforeprepare for both my Pleasure of Enjoyment and Revenge, for I am resolvedto make up my Loss here on thy Body, I'll take it out in kindness and inbeating. _Fred. _ Now, Mistress of mine, what do you think of this? _Flor. _ I think he will not-- dares not be so barbarous. _Fred. _ Have a care, _Blunt_, she fetch'd a deep Sigh, she is inamour'dwith thy Shirt and Drawers, she'll strip thee even of that. There are ofher Calling such unconscionable Baggages, and such dexterous Thieves, they'll flea a Man, and he shall ne'er miss his Skin, till he feels theCold. There was a Country-man of ours robb'd of a Row of Teeth whilst hewas sleeping, which the Jilt made him buy again when he wak'd-- You see, Lady, how little Reason we have to trust you. _Blunt. _ 'Dsheartlikins, why, this is most abominable. _Flor. _ Some such Devils there may be, but by all that's holy I am nonesuch, I entered here to save a Life in danger. _Blunt. _ For no goodness I'll warrant her. _Fred. _ Faith, Damsel, you had e'en confess the plain Truth, for we areFellows not to be caught twice in the same Trap: Look on that Wreck, a tight Vessel when he set out of Haven, well trim'd and laden, and seehow a Female Piccaroon of this Island of Rogues has shatter'd him, andcanst thou hope for any Mercy? _Blunt. _ No, no, Gentlewoman, come along, adsheartlikins we must bebetter acquainted-- we'll both lie with her, and then let me alone tobang her. _Fred. _ I am ready to serve you in matters of Revenge, that has a doublePleasure in't. _Blunt. _ Well said. You hear, little one, how you are condemn'd bypublick Vote to the Bed within, there's no resisting your Destiny, Sweetheart. [Pulls her. _Flor. _ Stay, Sir, I have seen you with _Belvile_, an _English_Cavalier, for his sake use me kindly; you know how, Sir. _Blunt. _ _Belvile_! why, yes, Sweeting, we do know _Belvile_, and wishhe were with us now, he's a Cormorant at Whore and Bacon, he'd have aLimb or two of thee, my Virgin Pullet: but 'tis no matter, we'll leavehim the Bones to pick. _Flor. _ Sir, if you have any Esteem for that _Belvile_, I conjure you totreat me with more Gentleness; he'll thank you for the Justice. _Fred. _ Hark ye, _Blunt_, I doubt we are mistaken in this matter. _Flor. _ Sir, If you find me not worth _Belvile's_ Care, use me as youplease; and that you may think I merit better treatment than youthreaten-- pray take this Present-- [Gives him a Ring: He looks on it. _Blunt. _ Hum-- A Diamond! why, 'tis a wonderful Virtue now that lies inthis Ring, a mollifying Virtue; adsheartlikins there's more persuasiveRhetorick in't, than all her Sex can utter. _Fred. _ I begin to suspect something; and 'twou'd anger us vilely to betruss'd up for a Rape upon a Maid of Quality, when we only believe weruffle a Harlot. _Blunt. _ Thou art a credulous Fellow, but adsheartlikins I have no Faithyet; why, my Saint prattled as parlously as this does, she gave me aBracelet too, a Devil on her: but I sent my Man to sell it to day forNecessaries, and it prov'd as counterfeit as her Vows of Love. _Fred. _ However let it reprieve her till we see _Belvile_. _Blunt. _ That's hard, yet I will grant it. Enter a Servant. _Serv. _ Oh, Sir, the Colonel is just come with his new Friend and a_Spaniard_ of Quality, and talks of having you to Dinner with 'em. _Blunt. _ 'Dsheartlikins, I'm undon-- I would not see 'em for the World:Harkye, _Fred_, lock up the Wench in your Chamber. _Fred. _ Fear nothing, Madam, whate'er he threatens, you're safe whilstin my Hands. [Ex. _Fred. _ and _Flor. _ _Blunt. _ And, Sirrah-- upon your Life, say-- I am not at home-- or thatI am asleep-- or-- or any thing-- away-- I'll, prevent them coming thisway. [Locks the Door and Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I. _Blunt's Chamber. _ _After a great knocking as at his Chamber-door, enter _Blunt_ softly, crossing the Stage in his Shirt and Drawers, as before. _ _Ned, Ned Blunt, Ned Blunt. _ [Call within. _Blunt. _ The Rogues are up in Arms, 'dsheartlikins, this villainous_Frederick_ has betray'd me, they have heard of my blessed Fortune. _Ned Blunt, Ned, Ned_-- [and knocking within. _Belv. _ Why, he's dead, Sir, without dispute dead, he has not been seento day; let's break open the Door-- here-- Boy-- _Blunt. _ Ha, break open the Door! 'dsheartlikins that mad Fellow will beas good as his word. _Belv. _ Boy, bring something to force the Door. [A great noise within at the Door again. _Blunt. _ So, now must I speak in my own Defence, I'll try what Rhetorickwill do-- hold-- hold, what do you mean, Gentlemen, what do you mean? _Belv. _ Oh Rogue, art alive? prithee open the Door, and convince us. _Blunt. _ Yes, I am alive, Gentlemen-- but at present a little busy. _Belv. _ How! _Blunt_ grown a man of Business! come, come, open, andlet's see this Miracle. [within. _Blunt. _ No, no, no, no, Gentlemen, 'tis no great Business-- but--I am-- at-- my Devotion, -- 'dsheartlikins, will you not allow a mantime to pray? _Belv. _ Turn'd religious! a greater Wonder than the first, thereforeopen quickly, or we shall unhinge, we shall. [within. _Blunt. _ This won't do-- Why, hark ye, Colonel; to tell you the plainTruth, I am about a necessary Affair of Life. -- I have a Wench withme-- you apprehend me? the Devil's in't if they be so uncivil as todisturb me now. _Will. _ How, a Wench! Nay, then we must enter and partake; noResistance, -- unless it be your Lady of Quality, and then we'll keep ourdistance. _Blunt. _ So, the Business is out. _Will. _ Come, come, lend more hands to the Door, -- now heavealtogether-- so, well done, my Boys-- [Breaks open the Door. Enter _Belvile_, _Willmore_, _Fred. _ _Pedro_ and _Belvile's_ Page: _Blunt_ looks simply, they all laugh at him, he lays his hand on his Sword, and conies up to _Willmore_. _Blunt. _ Hark ye, Sir, laugh out your laugh quickly, d'ye hear, and begone, I shall spoil your sport else; 'dsheartlikins, Sir, I shall-- theJest has been carried on too long, -- a Plague upon my Taylor-- [Aside. _Will. _ 'Sdeath, how the Whore has drest him! Faith, Sir, I'm sorry. _Blunt. _ Are you so, Sir? keep't to your self then, Sir, I advise you, d'ye hear? for I can as little endure your Pity as his Mirth. [Lays his Hand on's Sword. _Belv. _ Indeed, _Willmore_, thou wert a little too rough with _NedBlunt's_ Mistress; call a Person of Quality Whore, and one so young, sohandsome, and so eloquent!-- ha, ha, ha. _Blunt. _ Hark ye, Sir, you know me, and know I can be angry; have acare-- for 'dsheartlikins I can fight too-- I can, Sir, -- do you markme-- no more. _Belv. _ Why so peevish, good _Ned_? some Disappointments, I'llwarrant-- What! did the jealous Count her Husband return just in thenick? _Blunt. _ Or the Devil, Sir, -- d'ye laugh? [They laugh. ] Look ye, settleme a good sober Countenance, and that quickly too, or you shall know_Ned Blunt_ is not-- _Belv. _ Not every Body, we know that. _Blunt. _ Not an Ass, to be laught at, Sir. _Will. _ Unconscionable Sinner, to bring a Lover so near his Happiness, a vigorous passionate Lover, and then not only cheat him of hisMoveables, but his Desires too. _Belv. _ Ah, Sir, a Mistress is a Trifle with _Blunt_, he'll have a dozenthe next time he looks abroad; his Eyes have Charms not to be resisted:There needs no more than to expose that taking Person to the view of theFair, and he leads 'em all in Triumph. _Ped. _ Sir, tho I'm a stranger to you, I'm ashamed at the rudeness of myNation; and could you learn who did it, would assist you to make anExample of 'em. _Blunt. _ Why, ay, there's one speaks sense now, and handsomly; and letme tell you Gentlemen, I should not have shew'd my self like aJack-Pudding, thus to have made you Mirth, but that I have revengewithin my power; for know, I have got into my possession a Female, whohad better have fallen under any Curse, than the Ruin I design her:'dsheartlikins, she assaulted me here in my own Lodgings, and haddoubtless committed a Rape upon me, had not this Sword defended me. _Fred. _ I knew not that, but o' my Conscience thou hadst ravisht her, had she not redeem'd her self with a Ring-- let's see't, _Blunt_. [_Blunt_ shews the Ring. _Belv. _ Hah!-- the Ring I gave _Florinda_ when we exchang'd ourVows!-- hark ye, _Blunt_-- [Goes to whisper to him. _Will. _ No whispering, good Colonel, there's a Woman in the case, no whispering. _Belv. _ Hark ye, Fool, be advis'd, and conceal both the Ring and theStory, for your Reputation's sake; don't let People know what despis'dCullies we _English_ are: to be cheated and abus'd by one Whore, andanother rather bribe thee than be kind to thee, is an Infamy to ourNation. _Will. _ Come, come, where's the Wench? we'll see her, let her be whatshe will, we'll see her. _Ped. _ Ay, ay, let us see her, I can soon discover whether she be ofQuality, or for your Diversion. _Blunt. _ She's in _Fred's_ Custody. _Will. _ Come, come, the Key. [To _Fred. _ who gives him the Key, they are going. _Belv. _ Death! what shall I do?-- stay, Gentlemen-- yet if I hinder 'em, I shall discover all-- hold, let's go one at once-- give me the Key. _Will. _ Nay, hold there, Colonel, I'll go first. _Fred. _ Nay, no Dispute, _Ned_ and I have the property of her. _Will. _ Damn Property-- then we'll draw Cuts. [_Belv. _ goes to whisper_Will. _] Nay, no Corruption, good Colonel: come, the longest Swordcarries her. -- [They all draw, forgetting Don _Pedro_, being a Spaniard, had the longest. _Blunt. _ I yield up my Interest to you Gentlemen, and that will beRevenge sufficient. _Will. _ The Wench is yours-- (_To _Ped. __) Pox of his _Toledo_, I hadforgot that. _Fred. _ Come, Sir, I'll conduct you to the Lady. [Ex. _Fred. _ and _Ped. _ _Belv. _ To hinder him will certainly discover-- [Aside. ] Dost know, dullBeast, what Mischief thou hast done? [_Will. _ walking up and down out of Humour. _Will. _ Ay, ay, to trust our Fortune to Lots, a Devil on't, 'twasmadness, that's the Truth on't. _Belv. _ Oh intolerable Sot! Enter _Florinda_, running masqu'd, _Pedro_ after her, _Will. _ gazing round her. _Flor. _ Good Heaven, defend me from discovery. [Aside. _Pedro. _ 'Tis but in vain to fly me, you are fallen to my Lot. _Belv. _ Sure she is undiscover'd yet, but now I fear there is no way tobring her off. _Will. _ Why, what a Pox is not this my Woman, the same I follow'd butnow? [_Ped. _ talking to _Florinda_, who walks up and down. _Ped. _ As if I did not know ye, and your Business here. _Flor. _ Good Heaven! I fear he does indeed-- [Aside. _Ped. _ Come, pray be kind, I know you meant to be so when you enter'dhere, for these are proper Gentlemen. _Will. _ But, Sir-- perhaps the Lady will not be impos'd upon, she'llchuse her Man. _Ped. _ I am better bred, than not to leave her Choice free. Enter _Valeria_, and is surprized at the Sight of Don _Pedro_. _Val. _ Don _Pedro_ here! there's no avoiding him. [Aside. _Flor. _ _Valeria_! then I'm undone-- [Aside. _Val. _ Oh! have I found you, Sir-- [To _Pedro_, running to him. ] --Thestrangest Accident-- if I had breath-- to tell it. _Ped. _ Speak-- is _Florinda_ safe? _Hellena_ well? _Val. _ Ay, ay, Sir-- _Florinda_-- is safe-- from any fears of you. _Ped. _ Why, where's _Florinda_?-- speak. _Val. _ Ay, where indeed, Sir? I wish I could inform you, -- But to holdyou no longer in doubt-- _Flor. _ Oh, what will she say! [Aside. _Val. _ She's fled away in the Habit of one of her Pages, Sir-- but_Callis_ thinks you may retrieve her yet, if you make haste away; she'lltell you, Sir, the rest-- if you can find her out. [Aside. _Ped. _ Dishonourable Girl, she has undone my Aim-- Sir-- you see mynecessity of leaving you, and I hope you'll pardon it: my Sister, I know, will make her flight to you; and if she do, I shall expect sheshould be render'd back. _Belv. _ I shall consult my Love and Honour, Sir. [Ex. _Ped. _ _Flor. _ My dear Preserver, let me imbrace thee. [To _Val. _ _Will. _ What the Devil's all this? _Blunt. _ Mystery by this Light. _Val. _ Come, come, make haste and get your selves married quickly, foryour Brother will return again. _Belv. _ I am so surpriz'd with Fears and Joys, so amaz'd to find youhere in safety, I can scarce persuade my Heart into a Faith of what Isee-- _Will. _ Harkye, Colonel, is this that Mistress who has cost you so manySighs, and me so many Quarrels with you? _Belv. _ It is-- Pray give him the Honour of your Hand. [To _Flor. _ _Will. _ Thus it must be receiv'd then. [Kneels and kisses her Hand. ] Andwith it give your Pardon too. _Flor. _ The Friend to _Belvile_ may command me anything. _Will. _ Death, wou'd I might, 'tis a surprizing Beauty. [Aside. _Belv. _ Boy, run and fetch a Father instantly. [Ex. _Boy_. _Fred. _ So, now do I stand like a Dog, and have not a Syllable to pleadmy own Cause with: by this Hand, Madam, I was never thorowly confoundedbefore, nor shall I ever more dare look up with Confidence, till you arepleased to pardon me. _Flor. _ Sir, I'll be reconcil'd to you on one Condition, that you'llfollow the Example of your Friend, in marrying a Maid that does not hateyou, and whose Fortune (I believe) will not be unwelcome to you. _Fred. _ Madam, had I no Inclinations that way, I shou'd obey your kindCommands. _Belv. _ Who, _Fred. _ marry; he has so few Inclinations for Womankind, that had he been possest of Paradise, he might have continu'd there tothis Day, if no Crime but Love cou'd have disinherited him. _Fred. _ Oh, I do not use to boast of my Intrigues. _Belv. _ Boast! why thou do'st nothing but boast; and I dare swear, wer'tthou as innocent from the Sin of the Grape, as thou art from the Apple, thou might'st yet claim that right in _Eden_ which our first Parentslost by too much loving. _Fred. _ I wish this Lady would think me so modest a Man. _Val. _ She shou'd be sorry then, and not like you half so well, and Ishou'd be loth to break my Word with you; which was, That if your Friendand mine are agreed, it shou'd be a Match between you and I. [She gives him her Hand. _Fred. _ Bear witness, Colonel, 'tis a Bargain. [Kisses her Hand. _Blunt. _ I have a Pardon to beg too; but adsheartlikins I am so out ofCountenance, that I am a Dog if I can say any thing to purpose. [To _Florinda_. _Flor. _ Sir, I heartily forgive you all. _Blunt. _ That's nobly said, sweet Lady-- _Belvile_, prithee present herher Ring again, for I find I have not Courage to approach her my self. [Gives him the Ring, he gives it to _Florinda_. Enter _Boy_. _Boy. _ Sir, I have brought the Father that you sent for. _Belv. _ 'Tis well, and now my dear _Florinda_, let's fly to compleatthat mighty Joy we have so long wish'd and sigh'd for. -- Come, _Fred. _you'll follow? _Fred. _ Your Example, Sir, 'twas ever my Ambition in War, and must be soin Love. _Will. _ And must not I see this juggling Knot ty'd? _Belv. _ No, thou shalt do us better Service, and be our Guard, lest Don_Pedro's_ sudden Return interrupt the Ceremony. _Will. _ Content; I'll secure this Pass. [Ex. _Bel. _ _Flor. _ _Fred. _ and _Val. _ Enter _Boy_. _Boy. _ Sir, there's a Lady without wou'd speak to you. [To _Will. _ _Will. _ Conduct her in, I dare not quit my Post. _Boy. _ And, Sir, your Taylor waits you in your Chamber. _Blunt. _ Some comfort yet, I shall not dance naked at the Wedding. [Ex. _Blunt_ and _Boy_. Enter again the Boy, conducting in _Angelica_ in a masquing Habit and a Vizard, _Will. _ runs to her. _Will. _ This can be none but my pretty Gipsy-- Oh, I see you can followas well as fly-- Come, confess thy self the most malicious Devil inNature, you think you have done my Bus'ness with _Angelica_-- _Ang. _ Stand off, base Villain-- [She draws a Pistol and holds to his Breast. _Will. _ Hah, 'tis not she: who art thou? and what's thy Business? _Ang. _ One thou hast injur'd, and who comes to kill thee for't. _Will. _ What the Devil canst thou mean? _Ang. _ By all my Hopes to kill thee-- [Holds still the Pistol to his Breast, he going back, she following still. _Will. _ Prithee on what Acquaintance? for I know thee not. _Ang. _ Behold this Face!-- so lost to thy Remembrance! And then call all thy Sins about thy Soul, And let them die with thee. [Pulls off her Vizard. _Will. _ _Angelica!_ _Ang. _ Yes, Traitor. Does not thy guilty Blood run shivering thro thy Veins? Hast thou no Horrour at this Sight, that tells thee, Thou hast not long to boast thy shameful Conquest? _Will. _ Faith, no Child, my Blood keeps its old Ebbs and Flows still, and that usual Heat too, that cou'd oblige thee with a Kindness, had Ibut opportunity. _Ang. _ Devil! dost wanton with my Pain-- have at thy Heart. _Will. _ Hold, dear Virago! hold thy Hand a little, I am not now at leisure to be kill'd-- hold and hear me-- Death, I think she's in earnest. [Aside. _Ang. _ Oh if I take not heed, My coward Heart will leave me to his Mercy. [Aside, turning from him. --What have you, Sir, to say?-- but should I hear thee, Thoud'st talk away all that is brave about me: [Follows him with the Pistol to his Breast. And I have vow'd thy Death, by all that's sacred. _Will. _ Why, then there's an end of a proper handsom Fellow, that mighthave liv'd to have done good Service yet:-- That's all I can say to't. _Ang. _ Yet-- I wou'd give thee-- time for Penitence. [Pausingly. _Will. _ Faith, Child, I thank God, I have ever took care to lead a good, sober, hopeful Life, and am of a Religion that teaches me to believe, I shall depart in Peace. _Ang. _ So will the Devil: tell me How many poor believing Fools thou hast undone; How many Hearts thou hast betray'd to ruin! -- Yet these are little Mischiefs to the Ills Thou'st taught mine to commit: thou'st taught it Love. _Will. _ Egad, 'twas shreudly hurt the while. _Ang. _ --Love, that has robb'd it of its Unconcern, Of all that Pride that taught me how to value it, And in its room a mean submissive Passion was convey'd, That made me humbly bow, which I ne'er did To any thing but Heaven. --Thou, perjur'd Man, didst this, and with thy Oaths, Which on thy Knees thou didst devoutly make, Soften'd my yielding Heart-- And then, I was a Slave-- Yet still had been content to've worn my Chains, Worn 'em with Vanity and Joy for ever, Hadst thou not broke those Vows that put them on. --'Twas then I was undone. [All this while follows him with a Pistol to his Breast. _Will. _ Broke my Vows! why, where hast thou lived? Amongst the Gods! For I never heard of mortal Man, That has not broke a thousand Vows. _Ang. _ Oh, Impudence! _Will. _ _Angelica_! that Beauty has been too long tempting, Not to have made a thousand Lovers languish, Who in the amorous Favour, no doubt have sworn Like me; did they all die in that Faith? still adoring? I do not think they did. _Ang. _ No, faithless Man: had I repaid their Vows, as I did thine, I wou'd have kill'd the ungrateful that had abandon'd me. _Will. _ This old General has quite spoil'd thee, nothing makes a Womanso vain, as being flatter'd; your old Lover ever supplies the Defects ofAge, with intolerable Dotage, vast Charge, and that which you callConstancy; and attributing all this to your own Merits, you domineer, and throw your Favours in's Teeth, upbraiding him still with the Defectsof Age, and cuckold him as often as he deceives your Expectations. Butthe gay, young, brisk Lover, that brings his equal Fires, and can giveyou Dart for Dart, he'll be as nice as you sometimes. _Ang. _ All this thou'st made me know, for which I hate thee. Had I remain'd in innocent Security, I shou'd have thought all Men were born my Slaves; And worn my Pow'r like Lightning in my Eyes, To have destroy'd at Pleasure when offended. --But when Love held the Mirror, the undeceiving Glass Reflected all the Weakness of my Soul, and made me know, My richest Treasure being lost, my Honour, All the remaining Spoil cou'd not be worth The Conqueror's Care or Value. --Oh how I fell like a long worship'd Idol, Discovering all the Cheat! Wou'd not the Incense and rich Sacrifice, Which blind Devotion offer'd at my Altars, Have fall'n to thee? Why woud'st thou then destroy my fancy'd Power? _Will. _ By Heaven thou art brave, and I admire thee strangely. I wish I were that dull, that constant thing, Which thou woud'st have, and Nature never meant me: I must, like chearful Birds, sing in all Groves, And perch on every Bough, Billing the next kind She that flies to meet me; Yet after all cou'd build my Nest with thee, Thither repairing when I'd lov'd my round, And still reserve a tributary Flame. --To gain your Credit, I'll pay you back your Charity, And be oblig'd for nothing but for Love. [Offers her a Purse of Gold. _Ang. _ Oh that thou wert in earnest! So mean a Thought of me, Wou'd turn my Rage to Scorn, and I shou'd pity thee, And give thee leave to live; Which for the publick Safety of our Sex, And my own private Injuries, I dare not do. Prepare-- [Follows still, as before. --I will no more be tempted with Replies. _Will. _ Sure-- _Ang. _ Another Word will damn thee! I've heard thee talk too long. [She follows him with a Pistol ready to shoot: he retires still amaz'd. Enter Don _Antonio_, his Arm in a Scarf, and lays hold on the Pistol. _Ant. _ Hah! _Angelica!_ _Ang. _ _Antonio!_ What Devil brought thee hither? _Ant. _ Love and Curiosity, seeing your Coach at Door. Let me disarm youof this unbecoming Instrument of Death. -- [Takes away the Pistol. ]Amongst the Number of your Slaves, was there not one worthy the Honourto have fought your Quarrel? --Who are you, Sir, that are so very wretched To merit Death from her? _Will. _ One, Sir, that cou'd have made a better End of an amorousQuarrel without you, than with you. _Ant. _ Sure 'tis some Rival-- hah-- the very Man took down her Pictureyesterday-- the very same that set on me last night-- Blestopportunity-- [Offers to shoot him. _Ang. _ Hold, you're mistaken, Sir. _Ant. _ By Heaven the very same! --Sir, what pretensions have you to this Lady? _Will. _ Sir, I don't use to be examin'd, and am ill at all Disputes butthis-- [Draws, _Anton. _ offers to shoot. _Ang. _ Oh, hold! you see he's arm'd with certain Death: [To _Will. _ --And you, _Antonio_, I command you hold, By all the Passion you've so lately vow'd me. Enter Don _Pedro_, sees Antonio, and stays. _Ped. _ Hah, _Antonio_! and _Angelica_! [Aside. _Ant. _ When I refuse Obedience to your Will, May you destroy me with your mortal Hate. By all that's Holy I adore you so, That even my Rival, who has Charms enough To make him fall a Victim to my Jealousy, Shall live, nay, and have leave to love on still. _Ped. _ What's this I hear? [Aside. _Ang. _ Ah thus, 'twas thus he talk'd, and I believ'd. [Pointing to _Will. _ --_Antonio_, yesterday, I'd not have sold my Interest in his Heart, For all the Sword has won and lost in Battle. --But now to show my utmost of Contempt, I give thee Life-- which if thou would'st preserve, Live where my Eyes may never see thee more, Live to undo some one, whose Soul may prove So bravely constant to revenge my Love. [Goes out, _Ant. _ follows, but _Ped. _ pulls him back. _Ped. _ _Antonio_-- stay. _Ant. _ Don _Pedro_-- _Ped. _ What Coward Fear was that prevented thee From meeting me this Morning on the _Molo_? _Ant. _ Meet thee? _Ped. _ Yes me; I was the Man that dar'd thee to't. _Ant. _ Hast thou so often seen me fight in War, To find no better Cause to excuse my Absence? --I sent my Sword and one to do thee Right, Finding my self uncapable to use a Sword. _Ped. _ But 'twas _Florinda's_ Quarrel that we fought, And you to shew how little you esteem'd her, Sent me your Rival, giving him your Interest. --But I have found the Cause of this Affront, But when I meet you fit for the Dispute, --I'll tell you my Resentment. _Ant. _ I shall be ready, Sir, e'er long to do you Reason. [Exit _Ant. _ _Ped. _ If I cou'd find _Florinda_, now whilst my Anger's high, I think Ishou'd be kind, and give her to _Belvile_ in Revenge. _Will. _ Faith, Sir, I know not what you wou'd do, but I believe thePriest within has been so kind. _Ped. _ How! my Sister married? _Will. _ I hope by this time she is, and bedded too, or he has not mylongings about him. _Ped. _ Dares he do thus? Does he not fear my Pow'r? _Will. _ Faith not at all. If you will go in, and thank him for theFavour he has done your Sister, so; if not, Sir, my Power's greater inthis House than yours; I have a damn'd surly Crew here, that will keepyou till the next Tide, and then clap you an board my Prize; my Shiplies but a League off the _Molo_, and we shall show your Donship adamn'd _Tramontana_ Rover's Trick. Enter _Belvile_. _Belv. _ This Rogue's in some new Mischief-- hah, _Pedro_ return'd! _Ped. _ Colonel _Belvile_, I hear you have married my Sister. _Belv. _ You have heard truth then, Sir. _Ped. _ Have I so? then, Sir, I wish you Joy. _Belv. _ How! _Ped. _ By this Embrace I do, and I glad on't. _Belv. _ Are you in earnest? _Ped. _ By our long Friendship and my Obligations to thee, I am. Thesudden Change I'll give you Reasons for anon. Come lead me into mySister, that she may know I now approve her Choice. [Exit _Bel. _ with _Ped. _ [_Will. _ goes to follow them. Enter _Hellena_ as before in Boy's Clothes, and pulls him back. _Will. _ Ha! my Gipsy-- Now a thousand Blessings on thee for thisKindness. Egad, Child, I was e'en in despair of ever seeing thee again;my Friends are all provided for within, each Man his kind Woman. _Hell. _ Hah! I thought they had serv'd me some such Trick. _Will. _ And I was e'en resolv'd to go aboard, condemn my self to my loneCabin, and the Thoughts of thee. _Hell. _ And cou'd you have left me behind? wou'd you have been soill-natur'd? _Will. _ Why, 'twou'd have broke my Heart, Child-- but since we are metagain, I defy foul Weather to part us. _Hell. _ And wou'd you be a faithful Friend now, if a Maid shou'd trustyou? _Will. _ For a Friend I cannot promise, thou art of a Form so excellent, a Face and Humour too good for cold dull Friendship; I am parlouslyafraid of being in love, Child, and you have not forgot how severely youhave us'd me. _Hell. _ That's all one, such Usage you must still look for, to find outall your Haunts, to rail at you to all that love you, till I have madeyou love only me in your own Defence, because no body else will love. _Will. _ But hast thou no better Quality to recommend thy self by? _Hell. _ Faith none, Captain-- Why, 'twill be the greater Charity to takeme for thy Mistress, I am a lone Child, a kind of Orphan Lover; and whyI shou'd die a Maid, and in a Captain's Hands too, I do not understand. _Will. _ Egad, I was never claw'd away with Broad-Sides from any Femalebefore, thou hast one Virtue I adore, good-Nature; I hate a coy demureMistress, she's as troublesome as a Colt, I'll break none; no, give me amad Mistress when mew'd, and in flying on[e] I dare trust upon the Wing, that whilst she's kind will come to the Lure. _Hell. _ Nay, as kind as you will, good Captain, whilst it lasts, butlet's lose no time. _Will. _ My time's as precious to me, as thine can be; therefore, dearCreature, since we are so well agreed, let's retire to my Chamber, andif ever thou were treated with such savory Love-- Come-- My Bed'sprepar'd for such a Guest, all clean and sweet as thy fair self; I loveto steal a Dish and a Bottle with a Friend, and hate long Graces-- Come, let's retire and fall to. _Hell. _ 'Tis but getting my Consent, and the Business is soon done; letbut old Gaffer _Hymen_ and his Priest say Amen to't, and I dare lay myMother's Daughter by as proper a Fellow as your Father's Son, withoutfear or blushing. _Will. _ Hold, hold, no Bugg Words, Child, Priest and _Hymen_: pritheeadd Hangman to 'em to make up the Consort-- No, no, we'll have no Vowsbut Love, Child, nor Witness but the Lover; the kind Diety injoinsnaught but love and enjoy. _Hymen_ and Priest wait still upon Portion, and Joynture; Love and Beauty have their own Ceremonies. Marriage is ascertain a Bane to Love, as lending Money is to Friendship: I'll neitherask nor give a Vow, tho I could be content to turn Gipsy, and become aLeft-hand Bridegroom, to have the Pleasure of working that great Miracleof making a Maid a Mother, if you durst venture; 'tis upse Gipsy that, and if I miss, I'll lose my Labour. _Hell. _ And if you do not lose, what shall I get? A Cradle full of Noiseand Mischief, with a Pack of Repentance at my Back? Can you teach me toweave Incle to pass my time with? 'Tis upse Gipsy that too. _Will. _ I can teach thee to weave a true Love's Knot better. _Hell. _ So can my Dog. _Will. _ Well, I see we are both upon our Guard, and I see there's no wayto conquer good Nature, but by yielding-- here-- give me thy Hand-- oneKiss and I am thine-- _Hell. _ One Kiss! How like my Page he speaks; I am resolv'd you shallhave none, for asking such a sneaking Sum-- He that will be satisfiedwith one Kiss, will never die of that Longing; good Friend single-Kiss, is all your talking come to this? A Kiss, a Caudle! farewel, Captainsingle-Kiss. [Going out he stays her. _Will. _ Nay, if we part so, let me die like a Bird upon a Bough, at theSheriff's Charge. By Heaven, both the _Indies_ shall not buy thee fromme. I adore thy Humour and will marry thee, and we are so of one Humour, it must be a Bargain-- give me thy Hand-- [Kisses her hand. ] And now letthe blind ones (Love and Fortune) do their worst. _Hell. _ Why, God-a-mercy, Captain! _Will. _ But harkye-- The Bargain is now made; but is it not fit weshould know each other's Names? That when we have Reason to curse oneanother hereafter, and People ask me who 'tis I give to the Devil, I mayat least be able to tell what Family you came of. _Hell. _ Good reason, Captain; and where I have cause, (as I doubt notbut I shall have plentiful) that I may know at whom to throw my--Blessings-- I beseech ye your Name. _Will. _ I am call'd _Robert the Constant_. _Hell. _ A very fine Name! pray was it your Faulkner or Butler thatchristen'd you? Do they not use to whistle when then call you? _Will. _ I hope you have a better, that a Man may name without crossinghimself, you are so merry with mine. _Hell. _ I am call'd _Hellena the Inconstant_. Enter _Pedro_, _Belvile_, _Florinda_, _Fred_. _Valeria_. _Ped. _ Hah! _Hellena!_ _Flor. _ _Hellena!_ _Hell. _ The very same-- hah my Brother! now, Captain, shew your Love andCourage; stand to your Arms, and defend me bravely, or I am lost forever. _Ped. _ What's this I hear? false Girl, how came you hither, and what'syour Business? Speak. [Goes roughly to her. _Will. _ Hold off, Sir, you have leave to parly only. [Puts himself between. _Hell. _ I had e'en as good tell it, as you guess it. Faith, Brother, myBusiness is the same with all living Creatures of my Age, to love, andbe loved, and here's the Man. _Ped. _ Perfidious Maid, hast thou deceiv'd me too, deceiv'd thy self andHeaven? _Hell. _ 'Tis time enough to make my Peace with that: Be you but kind, let me alone with Heaven. _Ped. _ _Belvile_, I did not expect this false Play from you; was't notenough you'd gain _Florinda_ (which I pardon'd) but your leud Friendstoo must be inrich'd with the Spoils of a noble Family? _Belv. _ Faith, Sir, I am as much surpriz'd at this as you can be: Yet, Sir, my Friends are Gentlemen, and ought to be esteem'd for theirMisfortunes, since they have the Glory to suffer with the best of Menand Kings; 'tis true, he's a Rover of Fortune, yet a Prince aboard hislittle wooden World. _Ped. _ What's this to the maintenance of a Woman or her Birth andQuality? _Will. _ Faith, Sir, I can boast of nothing but a Sword which does meRight where-e'er I come, and has defended a worse Cause than a Woman's:and since I lov'd her before I either knew her Birth or Name, I mustpursue my Resolution, and marry her. _Ped. _ And is all your holy Intent of becoming a Nun debauch'd into aDesire of Man? _Hell. _ Why-- I have consider'd the matter, Brother, and find the Threehundred thousand Crowns my Uncle left me (and you cannot keep from me)will be better laid out in Love than in Religion, and turn to as good anAccount-- let most Voices carry it, for Heaven or the Captain? _All cry, _ a Captain, a Captain. _Hell. _ Look ye, Sir, 'tis a clear Case. _Ped. _ Oh I am mad-- if I refuse, my Life's in Danger-- [Aside. ]--Come-- There's one motive induces me-- take her-- I shall now be freefrom the fear of her Honour; guard it you now, if you can, I have been aSlave to't long enough. [Gives her to him. _Will. _ Faith, Sir, I am of a Nation, that are of opinion a Woman'sHonour is not worth guarding when she has a mind to part with it. _Hell. _ Well said, Captain. _Ped. _ This was your Plot, Mistress, but I hope you have married onethat will revenge my Quarrel to you-- [To _Valeria_. _Val. _ There's no altering Destiny, Sir. _Ped. _ Sooner than a Woman's Will, therefore I forgive you all-- andwish you may get my Father's Pardon as easily; which I fear. Enter _Blunt_ drest in a _Spanish_ Habit, looking very ridiculously; his Man adjusting his Band. _Man. _ 'Tis very well, Sir. _Blunt. _ Well, Sir, 'dsheartlikins I tell you 'tis damnable ill, Sir-- a Spanish Habit, good Lord! cou'd the Devil and my Taylor deviseno other Punishment for me, but the Mode of a Nation I abominate? _Belv. _ What's the matter, _Ned_? _Blunt. _ Pray view me round, and judge-- [Turns round. _Belv. _ I must confess thou art a kind of an odd Figure. _Blunt. _ In a Spanish Habit with a Vengeance! I had rather be in theInquisition for Judaism, than in this Doublet and Breeches; a Pillorywere an easy Collar to this, three Handfuls high; and these Shoes tooare worse than the Stocks, with the Sole an Inch shorter than my Foot:In fine, Gentlemen, methinks I look altogether like a Bag of Baysstuff'd full of Fools Flesh. _Belv. _ Methinks 'tis well, and makes thee look _en Cavalier:_ Come, Sir, settle your Face, and salute our Friends, Lady-- _Blunt. _ Hah! Say'st thou so, my little Rover? [To _Hell. _] Lady--(if you be one) give me leave to kiss your Hand, and tell you, adsheartlikins, for all I look so, I am your humble Servant-- A Pox ofmy _Spanish_ Habit. _Will. _ Hark-- what's this? [Musick is heard to Play. Enter _Boy_. _Boy. _ Sir, as the Custom is, the gay People in Masquerade, who makeevery Man's House their own, are coming up. Enter several Men and Women in masquing Habits, with Musick, they put themselves in order and dance. _Blunt. _ Adsheartlikins, wou'd 'twere lawful to pull off their falseFaces, that I might see if my Doxy were not amongst 'em. _Belv. _ Ladies and Gentlemen, since you are come so _a propos_, you musttake a small Collation with us. [To the Masquers. _Will. _ Whilst we'll to the Good Man within, who stays to give us aCast of his Office. [To _Hell. _] --Have you no trembling at the nearapproach? _Hell. _ No more than you have in an Engagement or a Tempest. _Will. _ Egad, thou'rt a brave Girl, and I admire thy Love and Courage. Lead on, no other Dangers they can dread, Who venture in the Storms o'th' Marriage-Bed. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE _The banisht Cavaliers! a Roving Blade! A popish Carnival! a Masquerade! The Devil's in't if this will please the Nation, In these our blessed Times of Reformation, When Conventicling is so much in Fashion. And yet-- That mutinous Tribe less Factions do beget, Than your continual differing in Wit; Your Judgment's (as your Passions) a Disease: Nor Muse nor Miss your Appetite can please; You're grown as nice as queasy Consciences, Whose each Convulsion, when the Spirit moves, Damns every thing that Maggot disapproves. _ _With canting Rule you wou'd the Stage refine, And to dull Method all our Sense confine. With th' Insolence of Common-wealths you rule, Where each gay Fop, and politick brave Fool, On Monarch Wit impose without controul. As for the last who seldom sees a Play, Unless it be the old Black-Fryers way, Shaking his empty Noddle o'er _Bamboo_, He crys-- Good Faith, these Plays will never do. --Ah, Sir, in my young days, what lofty Wit, What high-strain'd Scenes of Fighting there were writ: These are slight airy Toys. But tell me, pray, What has the _House of Commons_ done to day? Then shews his Politicks, to let you see Of State Affairs he'll judge as notably, As he can do of Wit and Poetry. _ _The younger Sparks, who hither do resort, Cry-- Pox o' your gentle things, give us more Sport; --Damn me, I'm sure 'twill never please the Court. _ _Such Fops are never pleas'd, unless the Play Be stuff'd with Fools, as brisk and dull as they: Such might the Half-Crown spare, and in a Glass At home behold a more accomplisht Ass, Where they may set their Cravats, Wigs and Faces, And practice all their Buffoonry Grimaces; See how this-- Huff becomes-- this Dammy-- flare-- Which they at home may act, because they dare, But-- must with prudent Caution do elsewhere. Oh that our _Nokes_, or _Tony Lee_ could show A Fop but half so much to th' Life as you. _ POST-SCRIPT _This Play had been sooner in Print, but for a Report about the Town(made by some either very Malitious or very Ignorant) that 'twas_Thomaso_ altered; which made the Book-sellers fear some trouble fromthe Proprietor of that Admirable Play, which indeed has Wit enough tostock a Poet, and is not to be piec't or mended by any but the ExcellentAuthor himself; That I have stol'n some hints from it may be a proof, that I valu'd it more than to pretend to alter it: had I had theDexterity of some Poets who are not more expert in stealing than in theArt of Concealing, and who even that way out-do the _Spartan-_Boys Imight have appropriated all to myself, but I, vainly proud of myJudgment hang out the Sign of _ANGELICA_ (the only Stol'n Object) togive Notice where a great part of the Wit dwelt; though if the Play ofthe _Novella_ were as well worth remembring as _Thomaso_, they might(bating the Name) have as well said, I took it from thence: I will onlysay the Plot and Bus'ness (not to boast on't) is my own: as for theWords and Characters, I leave the Reader to judge and compare 'em with_Thomaso_, to whom I recommend the great Entertainment of reading it, tho' had this succeeded ill, I shou'd have had no need of imploring thatJustice from the Critics, who are naturally so kind to any that pretendto usurp their Dominion, they wou'd doubtless have given me the wholeHonour on't. Therefore I will only say in _English_ what the famous_Virgil_ does in Latin: _I make Verses and others have the Fame_. _ * * * * * * * * * NOTES: The Rover, Part I [Transcriber's Note: The Notes in the printed text give only page and line numbers. Act-and-scene designations shown between +marks+ have been added by the transcriber. Labels such as "Scene IIa" refer to points where the scene description changes without a new scene number. ] NOTES ON THE TEXT. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 9 _Diego, Page to Don Antonio. _ Neither 4tos nor 1724 give the page's name, but it is furnished by the stage direction Act ii. I, p. 32. I have added Hellena's page, Belvile's page, and Blunt's man to the list as it appears in 4tos and 1724. p. 9 _Angelica. _ 4tos give 'Angellica' throughout. I have retained 1724 'Angelica' as more correct. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 12, l. 5 _my things. _ 1724 misprints 'methinks'. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 17, l. 14 _as those which . .. _ 4to 1677 prints this as a separate line of blank verse. 4to 1709 italicizes it. p. 23, l. 12 _She often passes . .. _ 4to 1709 puts this stage direction before Blunt's speech. p. 24, l. 18 _Ex. All the Women. _ I have added 'except Lucetta' as she is individually directed to make her exit with Blunt later and not at this point. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 32, l. 23 _Pedro. Ha!_ 1724 omits. p. 32, l. 28 _aside. _ 1724 omits. p. 35, l. 33 _his shirt bloody. _ 1724 gives 'their shirts' but 4tos, more correctly, 'his shirt'. It is only Willmore who has been wounded. +Act II: Scene ii+ p. 38, l. 6 _high i' th' Mouth. _ 1724, 1735 misprint 'Month'. p. 39, l. 8 _This last reserve. _ 1724 omits 'reserve'. p. 39, l. 10 _by me. _ 1724 omits the repetition of 'by me'. p. 39, l. 14 _cure. _ 1724 misprints 'curse'. p. 40, l. 9 _Thou art a brave Fellow. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose but the 4tos, which I have followed, divide metrically. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 44, l. 1 _Thou wou't. _ 4to 1677. 1724 wrongly reads 'won't'. 1735 'Thou'lt'. p. 45, l. 8 _ago. _ 4to 1677. 1724 misprints 'go'. p. 47, l. 26 _starts. _ 4tos read 'stares' but I retain 1724 'starts' as more appropriate. p. 47, l. 31 _Expect!_ 1724 gives this speech as prose. I follow metrical division of 4tos. p. 49, l. 16 _rally. _ 1724 misprints 'railly'. p. 52, l. 5 _Exeunt. _ 1724 omits this necessary stage direction. +Act III: Scene ii+ p. 52, l. 31 _Exit. _ 1724 misprints 'aside'. p. 53, l. 5 _Enter Sancho. _ 4tos, but misprint after Sancho's speech. 1724 omits, but misprints an 'exit Sancho', and gives 'exit' after Blunt's speech instead of 'exeunt'. +Act III: Scene iia+ p. 54, l. 9 _Pimps!_ 1724 'Imps'. p. 55, l. 12 _sheer. _ 4to 1677. 4to 1709 and 1724 read wrongly 'share'. +Act IV: Scene i+ p. 64, l. 4 _Ant. _ 4to 1677 wrongly gives this speech to Belvile. 4to 1709 and ed. 1724 assign it correctly. p. 64, l. 14 _That Opinion. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose. I follow metrical division of 4tos. +Act IV: Scene ii+ p. 65, l. 4 _Aside. _ 4to 1677. 1724 and 1735 omit this stage direction. p. 65, l. 11 _Masquing Habit. _ 1724, 1735, 'Masque habit'. p. 66, l. 2 _If you strike. _ 1724, 1735 omit this line. p. 66, l. 21 _Belv. Love Florinda!_ 4tos give this speech as prose. 1724 metrically. p. 67, l. 35 _Fred. -- 'tis he-- _ 1724 and 1735 mistaking 'Fred. ' for speech-prefix give this line to Frederick. p. 68, l. 1 _Belv. Vizard . .. _ 1724, 1735, read 'Vizard falls out on's Hand. ' p. 68, l. 13 _Nay, an you . .. _ 4tos and 1724, print as prose. This speech is obviously metrical. p. 69, l. 17 _I am all Rage!_ 4to 1677 divides metrically. 1724 prints as prose. p. 71, l. 26 _unconstant. _ 1724, 1735 'inconstant'. p. 73, l. 23 _Aside. _ 4tos omit this necessary stage direction. p. 73, l. 24 _Now I perceive. _ 1724 prints this as prose. 4tos metrically. p. 75, l. 12 _So, you have made . .. _ 1724, 1735 prose. 4tos metrically. p. 76, l. 16 _You are mistaken. _ 1724, 1735 prose. 4tos metrically. p. 76, l. 20 _continence. _ 1724 misprints 'continuance'. p. 76, l. 23 _Will. _ 1677 misprinting, omits this speech-prefix. p. 77, l. 8 _has Wit. _ 1724 misprints 'Whas it'. +Act IV: Scene iii+ p. 79, l. 20 _A Woman!_ 1724 omits 'A'. p. 80, l. 16 _the Rogue. _ 1724 omits 'the'. +Act IV: Scene iiib+ p. 82, l. 14 _He starts up. _ 1677 4to misprints 'she'. p. 84, l. 18 _dexterous. _ 1724 misprints 'dexetrous'. 1735 'dextrous'. p. 86, l. 10 _Exeunt. _ 1724 wrongly 'exit'. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 86, l. 12 _Blunt's Chamber. _ 4tos 'Chamber'. 1724, 1735, 'Room'. p. 86, l. 13 _as at his Chamber-door. _ 1724, 1735, omit 'as'. p. 87, l. 20 _and Belvile's Page. _ I have added this entrance which 4tos and 1724 omit, as late in the scene an exit is marked for the page. p. 97, l. 3 _Hah! Angelica!_ 4to 1677 mistakenly marks this speech before the stage direction. p. 97, l. 4 _What Devil. _ 1724, 1735 'What the Devil', which weakens the whole passage. p. 107 _Post-Script. _ This is only given in the first 4to (1677). NOTES: CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. +Prologue+ p. 7 _Rabel's Drops. _ Monsieur Rabell, as he is sometimes termed, was a famous empiric of the day. A description of his medicaments may be found in '_Pharmacopoeia Bateana_; or, Bate's Dispensatory. Edited by William Salmon, London, 1700. ' Rabell's name occurs on the title-page of this book, and in Section VI of the Preface Rabell's 'Styptick Drops' are alluded to as having been added to the recipes found in the original volume by G. Bate. An account of the manufacture and use of this particular remedy appears in the same volume, Lib. I, chap. X, under 'Sal Stypticum Rabelli'. Salmon, who edited this pharmacopoeia, was himself an irregular practitioner of some notoriety. He took part in the great controversy with the doctors which raged about 1698 and earlier. He finds a sorry place in Garth's _Dispensary_, canto III, l. 6, wherein his works are alluded to as 'blessed opiates'. p. 8 _Cits in May-day Coaches. _ On May-day it was the custom for all sorts and conditions of persons and pleasure parties to visit Hyde Park in coaches or at least on horse-back, cf. Pepys _Diary_, 1 May, 1663: 'We all took horse, and I . .. Rode, with some trouble, through the fields, and then Holborn, etc. , towards Hyde Park, whither all the world, I think, are going; . .. There being people of all sorts in coaches there, to some thousands. .. . By and by . .. I rode home, coaches going in great crowds to the further end of the town almost. ' +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 9 _Sancho, Pimp to Lucetta. Mr. John Lee. _ There were at this time two actors and two actresses of the name Lee, Leigh, who, especially in view of the eclectic spelling of seventeenth-century proper names, need to be carefully distinguished. John Lee, who appeared in the small rôle of Sancho and also took the equally unimportant part of Sebastian in _Abdelazer_ this same year, had, according to Downes, joined the Duke's Company about 1670. He never rose above an entirely insignificant line, and we find him cast as Alexas in Pordage's _Herod and Mariamne_, 1673; Titiro in Settle's _Pastor Fido_, 1676; Pedro in Porter's _The French Conjurer_, and Noddy in _The Counterfeit Bridegroom_, 1677. He was, it is almost certain, the husband of the famous Mrs. Mary Lee. Downes' entry runs as follows: '_Note_, About the year 1670, Mrs. _Aldridge_, after Mrs. _Lee_, after Lady _Slingsby_, also Mrs. _Leigh_ Wife, Mr. _John Lee_, Mr. _Crosby_, Mrs. _Johnson_, were entertain'd in the Dukes House. ' There is of course some confusion here. Antony Leigh, it may be noted, is not mentioned in the _Roscius Anglicanus_ for another three years to come (1673), and there can be little doubt that the above passage should read 'also Mrs. Leigh's [Lee's] husband, Mr John Lee'. If this were not so, there would be no point in Downes mentioning so minor an actor at this juncture and in such a list. Crosby and Mrs. Johnson were both performers of great merit, in fact Downes, a page later, has a special warm word of praise for the lady whom we find cast as Carolina in Shadwell's _Epsom Wells_ (1672). Crosby played such parts as Mr. Cleverwit, Lucia's lover, in Ravenscroft's _Mamamouchi_ (1672), Alonzo in _Abdelazer_ (1677), Leander Fancy in _Sir Patient Fancy_ (1678). John Lee disappears entirely after 1677, and his widow is first billed as Lady Slingsby in 1681. For a full account of this great tragedienne see note on _Abdelazer_, Vol. II. Mrs. Elizabeth Leigh, Moretta in _The Rover_, Part I, who is so persistently confused with Mrs. Mary Lee, was the wife of Antony Leigh, the celebrated comedian. In Betterton's comedy, _The Revenge_ (1680), when she acted Mrs. Dashit, she is billed as Mrs. A. Lee. Her husband died in December, 1692. Their son Michael also gave great promise on the boards. The lad's name occurs in the cast of Shadwell's _The Amorous Bigot_ (1690) as 'young Leigh', when he played Diego, a servant, to his father's Tegue o' Divelly, the Irish friar. Unfortunately he died at an early age, probably in the winter of 1701, but his younger brother Francis attained considerable success. Frank Leigh made his debut at Lincoln's Inn's Fields, 31 December, 1702, as Tristram in the original production of Mrs. Centlivre's _The Stolen Heiress. _ He died in the autumn of 1719. Mrs. Leigh was herself an actress of no small eminence, her special line being 'affected mothers, aunts, and modest stale maids that had missed their market'. Says Cibber, 'In all these, with many others, she was extremely entertaining'. After 10 June, 1707, when she acted Lady Sly in Carlile's _The Fortune Hunters_, her name is no longer to be found in the bills, and in October, 1707, Mrs. Powell is playing her parts. Mrs. Leigh's repertory was very large, and amongst her roles were Lady Woodvil in Etheredge's _The Man of Mode_ (1676); Lady Plyant in _The Double Dealer_ (1694); the Nurse in _Love for Love_ (1695); the Hostess in Betterton's revival of _Henry IV_, Part I (1699); and Lady Wishfort in _The Way of the World_ (1700). In comedies by Mrs. Behn, Mrs. Leigh only appears twice, Moretta, _The Rover_, Part I (1677); and Mrs. Closet, _The City Heiress_ (1682). In and about 1702 another Mrs. Leigh, perhaps Frank Leigh's wife, made a brief appearance. She was at first cast for good parts but soon sank into obscurity. Thus on 21 October, 1702, she sustained Mrs. Plotwell in Mrs. Centlivre's _The Beau's Duel_; on 28 April, 1703, Chloris in the Hon. Charles Boyle's insipid _As You Find It. _ She may have been the Mrs. Eli. Leigh who with other performers signed a petition to Queen Anne in 1709. Of Mrs. Rachel Lee, who took the 'walk-on' part of Judy, a waiting-woman, in Southern's _The Maid's Last Prayer_ (1693), nothing is known. p. 9 _Angelica Bianca, a famous Curtezan. Mrs. Gwin. _ Anne Quin (or Quyn, Gwin, Gwyn as the name is indifferently spelt) was a famous actress of great personal beauty. She is constantly, but most erroneously, confounded with Nell Gwynne, and the mistake is the more unpardonable as both names twice occur in the same cast. When Nelly was acting Florimel in Dryden's _Secret Love_, produced February, 1667, Mrs. Quin played Candiope. Again, in _An Evening's Love_, June, 1668, Nell Gwynne was Jacinta, and Mrs Quin Aurelia, a role assumed later in the run by Mrs. Marshall. Among Mrs. Quin's more notable parts were Alizia (Alice Perrers) in Orrery's _The Black Prince_, produced 19 October, 1667; 1677, Thalestris in Pordage's _The Siege of Babylon_, and Astrea in _The Constant Nymph_; 1678, Lady Knowell in _Sir Patient Fancy_ and Lady Squeamish in Otway's _Friendship in Fashion_; 1682, Queen Elizabeth in Banks' _The Unhappy Favourite_, and Sunamire in Southerne's _The Loyal Brother. _ Mrs. Quin appears to have retired from the stage towards the close of the year 1682. There exists of this actress an extremely interesting portrait which was offered for sale at Stevens' Auction Rooms, 26 February, 1901, but not reaching the reserve price, withdrawn. It is mistakenly described in the catalogue as 'Miniature Portrait of Nell Gwynn on copper with original case and 30 cover dresses on talc. .. ' An illustrated article on it, entitled, 'Nell Gwynne's Various Guises', appeared in the _Lady's Pictorial_, 23 March, of the same year, p. 470, in the course of which the writer says: 'Accompanying the miniature are some thirty mica covers in different stages of preservation upon which various headdresses and costumes are painted. The place where, in the ordinary course, the face would come is in all cases left blank, the talc being of course transparent, when it is laid upon the original miniature the countenance of the latter becomes visible, and we are enabled to see Nell Gwynne [Anne Quin] as she would appear in various characters. ' The old error has been perpetuated here, but the _Lady's Pictorial_ reproduced half-a-dozen of these painted mica covers, and the costumes for the two roles of Queen Elizabeth and Sunamire can be distinctly recognized. Doubtless an examination of the original micas would soon yield an identification of other characters. The miniature, it may be noted, does not in the least resemble Nell Gwynne, so there is bare excuse here for the confusion. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 11 _Siege of Pampelona. _ Pampluna, the strongly fortified capital of Navarra, has from its geographical position very frequently been a centre of military operations. It will be remembered that it was during a siege of Pampluna in 1521 Ignatius Loyola received the wound which indirectly led to the founding of the Jesuits. p. 13 _King Sancho the First. _ Sancho I, 'the Fat', of Castile and Leon, reigned 955-67: Sancho I of Aragon 1067-94. But the phrase is here only in a vague general sense to denote some musty and immemorial antiquity without any exact reference. p. 14 _Hostel de Dieu. _ The first Spanish hospital was erected at Granada by St. Juan de Dios, founder of the Order of Hospitallers. Ob. 1550. p. 14 _Gambo. _ The Gambia in W. Africa has been a British Colony since 1664, when a fort, now Fort James, was founded at the mouth of the river. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 17 _Hogoes. _ Haut-goût, a relish or savoury. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 26 _a Piece of Eight. _ A piastre, a coin of varying values in different countries. The Spanish piastre is now synonymous with a dollar and so worth about four shillings. The old Italian piastre was equivalent to 3_s. _ 7_d. _ +Act II: Scene i+ p. 30 _Balcony. .. Each side of the Door. _ With regard to the proscenium doors and balconies of a Restoration theatre, our knowledge of these points has been rendered much more exact since the valuable discovery by that well-known authority in stage matters, Mr. W. J. Lawrence, of Sir Christopher Wren's designs for the second Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1674. Beyond the proscenium on the apron there are four doors each with its balcony above. The height of these balconies from the stage is considerable, surprisingly so indeed in view of the fact that characters frequently have to climb up into or descend from one of these 'windows', e. G. , Shadwell's _The Miser_ (1672), Act. Iv, when the drunken bullies 'bounce at the Doors', we have 'Squeeze at the Window in his Cap, and undressed, ' who cries: 'I must venture to escape at this Window'; 'he leaps down', and yells, as he falls, 'Death! I have broke my Bones; oh! oh!' whilst the scowrers run up, exclaiming: 'Somebody leaped out of a Window', and he is promptly seized. In Ravenscroft's _The London Cuckolds_ (1682), Act. V: 'Enter Ramble above in the Balcony'. This gallant, escaping from the house hurriedly, decides 'which way shall I get down? I must venture to hang by my hands and then drop from the Balcony'. Next: 'As Ramble is getting down Doodle enters to look for his glove, Ramble drops upon him and beats him down. ' This could hardly have been an easy bit of stage business, although Smith, who acted Ramble, was an athletic, tall young fellow. Normally no doubt only two of the doors (those nearest the proscenium opening on opposite sides) with their balconies were in constant use by the actors as the exigencies of the play might demand, but if required, all four balconies, and more frequently, all four doors could be and were employed. It is noticeable in Wren's design that the balconies are not stage balconies, but side boxes, a permanent part of the general architectural scheme, and there can be no doubt that, save in exceptional circumstances, the two outermost were occupied by spectators. If the play did not require the use of a balcony at all, spectators would also fill the inner side boxes. In time, indeed, two doors and two balconies only came to be used, but for some decades at least all four were practicable. The present passage of _The Rover_ indicates the use of three doors. The bravos hang up two little pictures of Angelica, one at each side of the door of her house, and presently the fair courtezan appears in her balcony above. A little later Don Pedro and Stephano enter by one door at the opposite side, Don Antonio and his page by the second door on the same side as Pedro. In Etheredge's _She Wou'd if She Cou'd_ (6 February, 1668) Act ii, 1, Courtal and Freeman are seen following up Ariana and Gatty in the Mulberry Garden. Presently 'The Women go out, and go about behind the Scenes to the other Door', then 'Enter the Women [at one door] and after 'em Courtal at the lower Door, and Freeman at the upper on the contrary side'. Three balconies are employed in Ravenscroft's _Mamamouchi_ (1672; 4to 1675) Act iv. We have 'Enter Mr. Jorden, musick' obviously in one balcony from the ensuing dialogue. Then 'Cleverwit, in Turk's habit, with Betty Trickmore and Lucia appear in the Balcony' number two. A song is sung and 'Young Jorden and Marina in the Balcony against 'em'. Young Jorden remarks, 'Now, dearest Marina, let us ascend to your Father, he is by this time from his Window convinc'd of the slight is put on you. .. . ' 'They retire' and although there has been no exit marked for Mr, Jorden, we find directly, 'Enter Mr. Jorden and Trickmore, ' obviously upon the stage itself, to which Mr. Jorden has descended. It must be noted, however, that the use of more than two balconies is very rare. Mr. W. J. Lawrence in _The Elizabethan Playhouse and other Studies_ (First Series) aptly writes: 'No dramatist of the time had a better sense of the theatre than Mrs. Behn, and none made more adroit employment of the balconies. ' He then cites the scene of Angelica, her bravos and admirers. p. 36 _a Patacoone. _ A Spanish coin in value about 4_s. _ 8_d. _ +Act II: Scene ii+ p. 38 _a Pistole-worth. _ The pistole was a gold coin worth about 16_s. _ p. 42 _a shameroon. _ A rare word meaning a trickster, a cozening rascal. +Act III: Scene iia+ p. 54 _bow'd Gold. _ Bowed for bent is still used in the North of England: 'A bowed pin. ' +Act III: Scene iii+ p. 57 _disguis'd. _ A common phrase for drunk. +Act IV: Scene ii+ p. 75 _cogging. _ To cog = to trick, wheedle or cajole. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 99 _Tramontana. _ Foreign; Italian and Spanish _tramontano_ = from beyond the mountains. p. 101 _upse. _ Op zijn = in the fashion or manner of. _Upse Gipsy_ = like a gipsy, cf. _The Alchemist_, iv, vi: I do not like the dulness of your eye: It hath a heavy cast, 'tis upsee Dutch. p. 101 _Incle. _ Linen thread or yarn which was woven into a tape once very much in use. +Epilogue+ p. 106 _Nokes, or Tony Lee. _ James Nokes and Antony Leigh, the two famous actors, were the leading low comedians of the day. p. 107 _Play of the Novella. _ _Novella_ is a good, though intricate, comedy by Brome. 8vo, 1653, but acted 1632. p. 107 _The famous Virgil. _ There is a tale, reported by Donatus, that Vergil once anonymously wrote up on the palace gates a distich in praise of Augustus, which, when nobody was found to own it, was claimed by a certain versifier Bathyllus, whom Cæsar duly rewarded, A few days later, however, Virgil again set in the same place a quatrain each line of which commenced 'sic vos non vobis. .. ' but was unfinished, and preceeded these by the one hexameter Hos ego versiculos feci; tulit alter honores. All were unable to complete the lines satisfactorily save the great poet himself, and by this means the true author of the eulogy was revealed. * * * * * * * * * Errors and Irregularities: The Rover, Part I justling him to one side _standard spelling for text_that damn'd virtuous Woman, whom on my Conscience _text reads "Consicience"_Read here this Postscript. _text reads "Postcript"__Will. _ Ha! where?_Fred. _ Ay where! _printed on a single line__Belv. _ Ha, ha, ha!_Will. _ Death Man, where is she? _printed on a single line__Enter _Don Pedro_ in Masquerade, follow'd by _Stephano_. _ _printed "follow'd _by Stephano_" with "by" in emphatic type__Ang. _ No matter, I'm not displeas'd . .. _the left edge of this and the following paragraph is damaged, and has been reconstructed as shown in {braces}:_ _Ang. _ No matter, I'm not displeas'd with their rallying; th{eir} Wonder feeds my Vanity, and he that wishes to buy, {giv}es me more Pride, than he that gives my Price can {m}ake me Pleasure. _Brav. _ Madam, the last I knew thro all his disguises {t}o be Don _Pedro_, Nephew to the General, and who was {w}ith him in _Pampelona_. _Pedro. _ Ha! _Florinda_! Sure 'tis _Antonio_. [_aside. _lower-case "aside" in original_[Gives him the Jewel, which is her Picture, and Ex. He gazesafter her. _text reads "he gazes"__Scene changes to another Street. Enter _Florinda_. _ _here and below, new scenes are unnumbered_ Critical Notes V. Ip. 101 _Incle_p. 101 _upse_ _in the body text, the word "upse" occurs before the word "Incle"_ Epiloguep. 107 . .. And preceeded these by the one hexameter _spelling "preceeded" unchanged_ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE ROVER; OR, THE BANISH'D CAVALIERS. PART II. [Transcriber's Note: Entrances and bracketed stage directions were printed in _italics_, with proper names in roman type. The overall _italic_ markup has been omitted for readability. ] ARGUMENT. The exiled cavaliers, Willmore the Rover, Shift and Hunt, two officers, Ned Blunt and Fetherfool, his friend, have arrived at Madrid, where theyare welcomed by Beaumond, nephew to the English Ambassador. BothWillmore and Beaumond are enamoured of La Nuche, a beautiful courtezan, whilst Shift and Hunt are respectively courting a Giantess and a Dwarf, two Mexican Jewesses of immense wealth, newly come to Madrid with an oldHebrew, their uncle and guardian. Beaumond is contracted to Ariadne, wholoves Willmore. Whilst the Rover is complimenting La Nuche, someSpaniards, headed by Don Carlo, an aged admirer of the lady, attempt toseparate the pair. During the scuffle the ladies enter a church, wherethey are followed by the gallants. A little later Fetherfool comes toterms with La Nuche's duenna, Petronella, whilst Willmore makes love toAriadne. Shift next informs Willmore of the arrival of a celebratedmountebank, and the Rover resolves to take the quack's place, whichhe does in effective disguise. Fetherfool and Blunt visit thepseudo-doctor's house, where the Giantess and Dwarf are lodged to beconverted to a reasonable size by his medicaments; covetous of theirgreat fortunes, the coxcombs also begin to court the two Jewesses. LaNuche comes to consult the mountebank and meets Ariadne attired as aboy, and Willmore in his own dress. Ariadne, who has a rendezvous thatevening with Willmore, is accidentally anticipated by La Nuche, who runsinto the garden during a night brawl between Beaumond and the Rover, each of whom is ignorant of his opponent's personality. Both thecombatants encounter the courtezan in the garden and are joined byAriadne. The confusion and mistakes that ensue are augmented by thearrival of Beaumond's page and eventually all disperse in differentdirections. La Nuche returns to her house, where Fetherfool-- led on bythe Duenna-- awaits her. Carlo, however, come thither for the samepurpose, enters the chambers, and after they have fallen to fisticuffs, Fetherfool in a fright escapes through a window. Meanwhile La Nuche isengaged with Willmore; Beaumond interrupts, and both leave her inpretended disdain. Ariadne, purposing to meet the Rover, mistakesBeaumond for him in the dark and they hurry away to the quack's house. Here, however, Fetherfool has already arrived and, finding the Giantessasleep, robs her of a pearl necklace; but he is alarmed by Shift, whotakes her off and promptly weds her, whilst Hunt does the same by theDwarf. Blunt next appears leading Petronella, veiled, who, filching acasket of jewels, has just fled from La Nuche; but the hag is discoveredand compelled to disgorge. The Jewish Guardian is reconciled to themarriages of his wards; Beaumond and Ariadne, Willmore and La Nuchearrive, and the various mistakes with regard to identity are rectified, Willmore incidentally revealing himself as the sham mountebank. Beaumondand Ariadne agree to marry, whilst La Nuche gives herself to the Rover. SOURCE. Induced by the extraordinary success of _The Rover_ in 1677, Mrs. Behn, four years later, turned again to Killigrew's _Thomaso; or, TheWanderer_, and produced a sequel to her play. She had, however, alreadymade good use of the best points of the old comedy, and the remainingmaterial only being that which her judgment first rejected, it is not amatter of surprise to find the second part of _The Rover_ somewhatinferior to the first. This is by no means to say that it is not anamusing comedy full of bustle and humour. The intrigue of Willmore andLa Nuche, together with the jocantries of the inimitable Blunt, NickFetherfool, and the antique Petronella Elenora, are all alive with thegenius of Astrea, although it may be possibly objected that some of theepisodes with the two Monsters and the pranks of Harlequin are apt totrench a little too nearly on the realm of farce. THEATRICAL HISTORY. _The Second Part of The Rover_ was produced at the Duke's Theatre, Dorset Gardens, in 1681. It is noticeable that Will Smith had sodistinguished himself in Willmore, that Betterton, who appeared asBelvile in the first part, did not essay a character in the second. Thecast was reinforced, however, by Mrs. Barry, who took the role of LaNuche. The play was received with great applause; it suffered none the less thefate of most sequels and, being overshadowed by its predecessor, after afew decades disappeared from the boards. To His ROYAL HIGHNESS the DUKE, &c. Great Sir, I dread to appear in this Humble Dedication to Your Royal Highness, as one of those Insolent and Saucy Offenders who take occasion by Yourabsence to commit ill-mannered indecencies, unpardonable to a Prince ofyour Illustrious Birth and God-like Goodness, but that in spight ofSeditious Scandal You can forgive; and all the World knows You cansuffer with a Divine Patience: the proofs You have early and late givenof this, have been such, as if Heaven design'd 'em only to give theWorld an undeniable Testimony of Your Noble Vertues, Your Loyalty andTrue Obedience (if I may presume to say so, ) both to Your SacredBrother, and the never satisfied People, when either one Commanded, ort'other repin'd, With how chearful and intire a submission You Obey'd?And tho the Royal Son of a Glorious Father who was render'd unfortunateby the unexemplary ingratitude of his worst of Subjects; and sacrific'dto the insatiate and cruel Villany of a seeming sanctifi'd Faction, whocou'd never hope to expiate for the unparallell'd sin, but by an intiresubmission to the Gracious Off-spring of this Royal Martyr: yet You, Great Sir, denying Yourself the Rights and Priviledges the meanestSubject Claims, with a Fortitude worthy Your Adorable Vertues, putYourself upon a voluntary Exile to appease the causeless murmurs of thisagain gathering Faction, who make their needless and self-created fears, an occasion to Play the old Game o're again; whil'st the Politickself-interested and malitious few betray the unconsidering Rest, withthe delicious sounds of Liberty and Publick Good; that lucky Cant whichso few years since so miserably reduc'd all the Noble, Brave and Honest, to the Obedience of the ill-gotten Power, and worse-acted Greatness ofthe Rabble; so that whil'st they most unjustly cry'd down the oppressionof one of the best of Monarchs, and all Kingly Government: all Englandfound itself deplorably inslav'd by the Arbitrary Tyranny of manyPageant Kings. Oh that we shou'd so far forget with what greatness ofmind You then shar'd the common Fate, as now and again to force YourRoyal Person to new Perils, and new Exiles; but such ingratitude we arepunisht with, and You still suffer for, and still forgive it. This more than Human Goodness, with the incouragement Your RoyalHighness was pleas'd to give the Rover at his first appearance, and theconcern You were pleas'd to have for his second, makes me presume to layhim at Your feet; he is a wanderer too, distrest; belov'd, theunfortunate, and ever conscent to Loyalty; were he Legions he shouldfollow and suffer still with so Excellent a Prince and Master. YourInfant worth he knew, and all Your growing Glories; has seen you likeyoung Cesar in the Field, when yet a Youth, exchanging Death forLaurels, and wondred at a Bravery so early, which still made doubleConquest, not only by Your Sword, but by Your Vertues, which taught evenYour Enemies so intire an Obedience, that asham'd of their RebelGallantry, they have resign'd their guilty Commissions, and Vow'd neverto Draw Sword more but in the Royal Cause; which Vow Religiously theykept: a noble Example for the busie and hot Mutineers of this Age misledby Youth, false Ambition and falser Council. [Sidenote: Some of Oliver's Commanders at Dunkirk] How careless since Your Glorious Restauration You have been, of YourLife for the service of Your mistaken Country, the whole World knows, and all brave men admire. Pardon me then, Great Sir, if I presume to present my faithful Soldier, (which no Storms of Fate can ever draw from his Obedience) to so great aGeneral: allow him, Royal Sir, a shelter and protection, who was drivenfrom his Native Country with You, forc'd as You were, to fight for hisBread in a Strange Land, and suffer'd with You all the Ills of Poverty, War and Banishment; and still pursues Your Fortunes; and though hecannot serve Your Highness, he may possibly have the Honour of divertingYou a few moments: which tho Your Highness cannot want in a place whereall Hearts and Knees are justly bow'd in Adoration, where all conspire, as all the Earth (who have the blessing of Your presence) ought toentertain, serve and please You; yet this humble Tribute of a mostZealous and Devout Heart, may find amongst Your busier hours of greatermoment, some one wherein it may have the Glory of Your regard, and becapable in some small degree of unbending Your great mind from RoyalCares, the weightiest Cares of all; which if it be so fortunate as todo, I have my end, and the Glory I design, a sufficient reward for herwho does and will eternally pray for the Life, Health and Safety of YourRoyal Highness, as in Duty all the World is bound to do, but moreespecially, Illustrious Sir, Your Highnesses most Humble, most Faithful, and most Obedient Servant, A. BEHN. THE ROVER. PART II. PROLOGUE, Spoken by Mr. _Smith_. _In vain we labour to reform the Stage, Poets have caught too the Disease o'th' Age, That Pest, _of not being quiet when they're well_, That restless Fever, in the Brethren, _Zeal_; In publick Spirits call'd, _Good o' th' Commonweal_. Some for this Faction cry, others for that, The pious Mobile fir they know not what: So tho by different ways the Fever seize, In all 'tis one and the same mad Disease. Our Author too, as all new Zealots do, Full of Conceit and Contradiction too, 'Cause the first Project took, is now so vain, T'attempt to play the old Game o'er again: The Scene is only changed; for who wou'd lay A Plot, so hopeful, just the same dull way? Poets, like Statesmen, with a little change, Pass off old Politicks for new and strange; Tho the few Men of Sense decry't aloud, The Cheat will pass with the unthinking Croud: The Rabble 'tis we court, those powerful things, Whose Voices can impose even Laws on Kings. A Pox of Sense and Reason, or dull Rules, Give us an Audience that declares for Fools; Our Play will stand fair: we've Monsters too, Which far exceed your City Pope for Show. _ _Almighty Rabble, 'tis to you this Day Our humble Author dedicates the Play, From those who in our lofty Tire sit, Down to the dull Stage-Cullies of the Pit, Who have much Money, and but little Wit: Whose useful Purses, and whose empty Skulls To private Int'rest make ye Publick Tools; To work on Projects which the wiser frame, And of fine Men of Business get the Name. You who have left caballing here of late, Imploy'd in matters of a mightier weight; To you we make our humble Application, You'd spare some time from your dear new Vocation, Of drinking deep, then settling the Nation, To countenance us, whom Commonwealths of old Did the most politick Diversion hold. Plays were so useful thought to Government, That Laws were made for their Establishment; Howe'er in Schools differing Opinions jar, Yet all agree i' th' crouded Theatre, Which none forsook in any Change or War. That, like their Gods, unviolated stood, Equally needful to the publick Good. Throw then, Great Sirs, some vacant hours away, And your Petitioners shall humbly pray. &c. _ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. _Willmore_, The Rover, in love with _La Nuche_, Mr. _Smith_ _Beaumond_, the _English_ Ambassador's Nephew, in love with _La Nuche_, contracted to _Ariadne_, Mr. _Williams_ _Ned Blunt_, an _English_ Country Gentleman, Mr. _Underhill_ _Nicholas Fetherfool_, an English Squire, his Friend, Mr. _Nokes_ _Shift_, } an English Lieutenant, } Friends and Officers Mr. _Wiltshire_ _Hunt_, an Ensign } to _Willmore_, Mr. _Richards_ _Harlequin_, _Willmore's_ Man. _Abevile_, Page to _Beaumond_. Don _Carlo_ an old Grandee, in love with _La Nuche_, Mr. _Norris_ _Sancho_, Bravo to _La Nuche_ An old _Jew_, Guardian to the two Monsters, Mr. _Freeman_ _Porter_ at the English Ambassador's. _Rag_, Boy to Willmore. Scaramouche. WOMEN. _Ariadne_, the English Ambassador's Daughter-in-law, in love with _Willmore_, Mrs. _Corror_ _Lucia_, her Kinswoman, a Girl, Mrs. _Norris_ _La Nuche_, a _Spanish_ Curtezan, in love with the _Rover_, Mrs. _Barry_ _Petronella Elenora_, her Baud, Mrs. _Norris_ _Aurelia_, her Woman, Mrs. _Crofts_ A Woman Giant. A Dwarf, her Sister. Footmen, Servants, Musicians, Operators and Spectators. SCENE, _Madrid_. ACT I. SCENE I. _A Street. _ Enter _Willmore_, _Blunt_, _Fetherfool_, and _Hunt_, two more in Campain Dresses, _Rag_ the Captain's Boy. _Will. _ Stay, this is the _English_ Ambassador's. I'll inquire if_Beaumond_ be return'd from _Paris_. _Feth. _ Prithee, dear Captain, no more Delays, unless thou thinkest hewill invite us to Dinner; for this fine thin sharp Air of _Madrid_ has amost notable Faculty of provoking an Appetite: Prithee let's to theOrdinary. _Will. _ I will not stay-- [Knocks, enter a Porter. --Friend, is the Ambassador's Nephew, Mr. _Beaumond_, return'd to_Madrid_ yet? If he be, I would speak with him. _Port. _ I'll let him know so much. [Goes in, shuts the door. _Blunt. _ Why, how now, what's the Door shut upon us? _Feth. _ And reason, _Ned_, 'tis Dinner-time in the Ambassador's Kitchen, and should they let the savoury Steam out, what a world of _Castilians_would there be at the Door feeding upon't. -- Oh there's no living in_Spain_ when the Pot's uncover'd. _Blunt. _ Nay, 'tis a Nation of the finest clean Teeth-- _Feth. _ Teeth! Gad an they use their Swords no oftner, a Scabbard willlast an Age. Enter _Shift_ from the House. _Will. _ Honest Lieutenant-- _Shift. _ My noble Captain-- Welcome to Madrid. What Mr. _Blunt_, and myhonoured Friend _Nicholas Fetherfool_ Esq. _Feth. _ Thy Hand, honest _Shift_-- [They embrace him. _Will. _ And how, Lieutenant, how stand Affairs in this unsanctify'dTown?-- How does Love's great Artillery, the fair La Nuche, from whosebright Eyes the little wanton God throws Darts to wound Mankind? _Shift. _ Faith, she carries all before her still; undoes herFellow-traders in Love's Art: and amongst the Number, old _Carlo deMinalta Segosa_ pays high for two Nights in a Week. _Will. _ Hah-- Carlo! Death, what a greeting's here! Carlo, the happyMan! a Dog! a Rascal, gain the bright La Nuche! Oh Fortune! Cursed blindmistaken Fortune! eternal Friend to Fools! Fortune! that takes the nobleRate from Man, to place it on her Idol Interest. _Shift. _ Why Faith, Captain, I should think her Heart might stand asfair for you as any, could you be less satirical-- but by this Light, Captain, you return her Raillery a little too roughly. _Will. _ Her Raillery! By this Hand I had rather be handsomly abus'd thandully flatter'd; but when she touches on my Poverty, my honourablePoverty, she presses me too sensibly-- for nothing is so nice asPoverty-- But damn her, I'll think of her no more: for she's a Devil, tho her Form be Angel. Is Beaumond come from Paris yet? _Shift. _ He is, I came with him; he's impatient of your Return: I'll lethim know you're here. [Exit. _Shift_. _Feth. _ Why, what a Pox ails the Captain o'th' sudden? He looks assullenly as a routed General, or a Lover after hard Service. _Blunt. _ Oh-- something the Lieutenant has told him about a Wench; andwhen _Cupid's_ in his Breeches, the Devil's ever in's Head-- hownow-- What a pox is the matter with you, you look so scurvily now?--What, is the Gentlewoman otherwise provided? has she cashier'd ye forwant of Pay? or what other dire Mischance?-- hah-- _Will. _ Do not trouble me-- - _Blunt. _ Adsheartlikins, but I will, and beat thee too, but I'll knowthe Cause. I heard _Shift_ tell thee something about _La Nuche_, a Damsel I have often heard thee Fool enough to sigh for. _Will. _ Confound the mercenary Jilt! _Blunt. _ Nay, adsheartlikins they are all so; tho I thought you had beenWhore-proof; 'tis enough for us Fools, Country Gentlemen, Esquires, andCullies, to miscarry in their amorous Adventures, you Men of Wit weatherall Storms you. _Will. _ Oh, Sir, you're become a new Man, wise and wary, and can no morebe cozen'd. _Blunt. _ Not by Woman-kind; and for Man I think my Sword will secure me. Pox, I thought a two Months absence and a Siege would have put suchTrifles out of thy Head: You do not use to be such a Miracle ofConstancy. _Will. _ That Absence makes me think of her so much; and all the Passionsthou find'st about me are to the Sex alone. Give me a Woman, Ned, a fineyoung amorous Wanton, who would allay this Fire that makes me rave thus, and thou shouldst find me no longer particular, but cold asWinter-Nights to this La Nuche: Yet since I lost my little charmingGipsey, nothing has gone so near my Heart as this. _Blunt. _ Ay, there was a Girl, the only she thing that could reconcileme to the Petticoats again after my Naples Adventure, when the Queanrob'd and stript me. _Will. _ Oh name not Hellena! She was a Saint to be ador'd on Holy-days. Enter _Beaumond_. _Beau. _ Willmore! my careless wild inconstant-- how is't, my luckyRover? [embracing. _Will. _ My Life! my Soul! how glad am I to find thee in my Armsagain-- and well-- When left you _Paris_? _Paris_, that City of Pottageand Crab-Wine, swarming with Lacquies and Philies, whose Government iscarried on by most Hands, not most Voices-- And prithee how does_Belvile_ and his Lady? _Beau. _ I left 'em both in Health at St. _Germains. _ _Will. _ Faith, I have wisht my self with ye at the old Temple of Bacchusat _St. Clou_, to sacrifice a Bottle and a Damsel to his Deity. _Beau. _ My constant Place of Worship whilst there, tho for want of newSaints my Zeal grew something cold, which I was ever fain to supply witha Bottle, the old Remedy when _Phyllis_ is sullen and absent. _Will. _ Now thou talk'st of Phillis prithee, dear _Harry_, what Womenhast in store? _Beau. _ I'll tell thee; but first inform me whom these two Sparks are. _Will. _ Egad, and so they are, Child: Salute 'em-- They are myFriends-- True Blades, _Hal. _ highly guilty of the royal Crime, poor andbrave, loyal Fugitives. _Beau. _ I love and honour 'em, Sir, as such [Bowing to _Blunt_. _Blunt. _ Sir, there's neither Love nor Honour lost. _Feth. _ Sir, I scorn to be behind-hand in Civilities. _Beau. _ At first sight I find I am much yours, Sir. [To _Feth. _ _Feth. _ Sir, I love and honour any Man that's a Friend to Captain_Willmore_-- and therefore I am yours-- Enter _Shift_. --Well, honest Lieutenant, how does thy Body?-- When shall _Ned_, andthou and I, crack a Bisket o'er a Glass of Wine, have a Slice of Treasonand settle the Nation, hah? _Shift. _ You know, Squire, I am devotedly yours. [They talk aside. _Beau. _ Prithee who are these? _Will. _ Why, the first you saluted is the same _Ned Blunt_ you haveoften heard _Belvile_ and I speak of: the other is a Rarity of anotherNature, one Squire _Fetherfool_ of _Croydon_, a tame Justice of Peace, who liv'd as innocently as Ale and Food could keep him, till for amistaken Kindness to one of the Royal Party, he lost his Commission, andgot the Reputation of a Sufferer: He's rich, but covetous as anAlderman. _Beau. _ What a Pox do'st keep 'em Company for, who have neither Witenough to divert thee, nor Good-nature enough to serve thee? _Will. _ Faith, _Harry_, 'tis true, and if there were no more Charitythan Profit in't, a Man would sooner keep a Cough o'th' Lungs than betroubled with 'em: but the Rascals have a blind side as all conceitedCoxcombs have, which when I've nothing else to do, I shall expose toadvance our Mirth; the Rogues must be cozen'd, because they're sopositive they never can be so: but I am now for softer Joys, for Woman, for Woman in abundance-- dear _Hal_. Inform me where I may safely unlademy Heart. _Beau. _ The same Man still, wild and wanton! _Will. _ And would not change to be the Catholick King. _Beau. _ I perceive Marriage has not tam'd you, nor a Wife who had allthe Charms of her Sex. _Will. _ Ay-- she was too good for Mortals. [With a sham Sadness. _Belv. _ I think thou hadst her but a Month, prithee how dy'd she? _Will. _ Faith, e'en with a fit of Kindness, poor Soul-- she would to Seawith me, and in a Storm-- far from Land, she gave up the Ghost-- 'twas aLoss, but I must bear it with a Christian Fortitude. _Beau. _ Short Happinesses vanish like to Dreams. _Will. _ Ay faith, and nothing remains with me but the sad Remembrance--not so much as the least Part of her hundred thousand Crowns; _Brussels_that inchanted Court has eas'd me of that Grief, where our Heroes act_Tantalus_ better than ever _Ovid_ describ'd him, condemn'd daily to seean Apparition of Meat, Food in Vision only. Faith, I had Bowels, wasgood-natur'd, and lent upon the publick Faith as far as 'twill go--But come, let's leave this mortifying Discourse, and tell me how theprice of Pleasure goes. _Beau. _ At the old Rates still; he that gives most is happiest, some fewthere are for Love! _Will. _ Ah, one of the last, dear _Beaumond_; and if a Heart or Swordcan purchase her, I'll bid as fair as the best. Damn it, I hate a Whorethat asks me Mony. _Beau. _ Yet I have known thee venture all thy Stock for a new Woman. _Will. _ Ay, such a Fool I was in my dull Days of Constancy, but I am nowfor Change, (and should I pay as often, 'twould undo me)-- for Change, my Dear, of Place, Clothes, Wine, and Women. Variety is the Soul ofPleasure, a Good unknown; and we want Faith to find it. _Beau. _ Thou wouldst renounce that fond Opinion, _Willmore_, didst thousee a Beauty here in Town, whose Charms have Power to fix inconstantNature or Fortune were she tottering on her Wheel. _Will. _ Her Name, my Dear, her Name? _Beau. _ I would not breathe it even in my Complaints, lest amorous Windsshould bear it o'er the World, and make Mankind her Slaves; But that it is a Name too cheaply known, And she that owns it may be as cheaply purchas'd. _Will. _ Hah! cheaply purchas'd too! I languish for her. _Beau. _ Ay, there's the Devil on't, she is-- a Whore. _Will. _ Ah, what a charming Sound that mighty Word bears! _Beau. _ Damn her, she'll be thine or any body's. _Will. _ I die for her-- _Beau. _ Then for her Qualities-- _Will. _ No more-- ye Gods, I ask no more, Be she but fair and much aWhore-- Come let's to her. _Beau. _ Perhaps to morrow you may see this Woman. _Will. _ Death, 'tis an Age. _Feth. _ Oh, Captain, the strangest News, Captain. _Will. _ Prithee what? _Feth. _ Why, Lieutenant _Shift_ here tells us of two Monsters arriv'dfrom _Mexico_, Jews of vast Fortunes, with an old Jew Uncle theirGuardian; they are worth a hundred thousand Pounds a piece-- Marcyupon's, why, 'tis a Sum able to purchase all _Flanders_ again from hismost christian Majesty. _Will. _ Ha, ha, ha, Monsters! _Beau. _ He tells you Truth, _Willmore_. _Blunt. _ But hark ye, Lieutenant, are you sure they are not married? _Beau. _ Who the Devil would venture on such formidable Ladies? _Feth. _ How, venture on 'em! by the Lord _Harry_, and that would I, thoI'm a Justice of the Peace, and they be Jews, (which to a Christian is athousand Reasons. ) _Blunt. _ Is the Devil in you to declare our Designs? [Aside. _Feth. _ Mum, as close as a Jesuit. _Beau. _ I admire your Courage, Sir, but one of them is so little, and sodeform'd, 'tis thought she is not capable of Marriage; and the other isso huge an overgrown Giant, no Man dares venture on her. _Will. _ Prithee let's go see 'em; what do they pay for going in? _Feth. _ Pay-- I'd have you to know they are Monsters of Quality. _Shift. _ And not to be seen but by particular Favour of their Guardian, whom I am got acquainted with, from the Friendship I have with theMerchant where they lay. The Giant, Sir, is in love with me, the Dwarfwith Ensign _Hunt_, and as we manage Matters we may prove lucky. _Beau. _ And didst thou see the Show? the Elephant and the Mouse. _Shift. _ Yes, and pleased them wondrously with News I brought 'em of afamous Mountebank who is coming to _Madrid_, here are his Bills-- whoamongst other his marvellous Cures, pretends to restore Mistakes inNature, to new-mould a Face and Body tho never so misshapen, to exactProportion and Beauty. This News has made me gracious to the Ladies, andI am to bring 'em word of the Arrival of this famous Empirick, and tonegotiate the Business of their Reformation. _Will. _ And do they think to be restor'd to moderate sizes? _Shift. _ Much pleas'd with the Hope, and are resolv'd to try at anyRate. _Feth. _ Mum, Lieutenant-- not too much of their Transformation; we shallhave the Captain put in for a Share, and the Devil would not have himhis Rival: _Ned_ and I are resolv'd to venture a Castfor 'em as theyare-- Hah, _Ned_. [_Will. _ and _Beau. _ read the Bill. _Blunt. _ Yes, if there were any Hopes of your keeping a Secret. _Feth. _ Nay, nay, _Ned_, the World knows I am a plaguy Fellow at yourSecrets; that, and my Share of the Charge shall be my Part, for _Shift_says the Guardian must be brib'd for Consent: Now the other Moiety ofthe Mony and the Speeches shall be thy part, for thou hast a prettyKnack that way. Now _Shift_ shall bring Matters neatly about, and we'llpay him by the Day, or in gross, when we are married-- hah, _Shift_. _Shift. _ Sir, I shall be reasonable. _Will. _ I am sure _Fetherfool_ and _Blunt_ have some wise Design uponthese two Monsters-- it must be so-- and this Bill has put anextravagant Thought into my Head-- hark ye, _Shift_. [Whispers to him. _Blunt. _ The Devil's in't if this will not redeem my Reputation with theCaptain, and give him to understand that all the Wit does not lie in theFamily of the _Willmores_, but that this Noddle of mine can be fruitfultoo upon Occasion. _Feth. _ Ay, and Lord, how we'll domineer, _Ned_, hah-- over _Willmore_and the rest of the Renegade Officers, when we have married these LadyMonsters, hah, _Ned_. _Blunt. _ --Then to return back to _Essex_ worth a Million. _Feth. _ And I to _Croyden_-- _Blunt. _ --Lolling in Coach and Six-- _Feth. _ --Be dub'd Right Worshipful-- _Blunt. _ And stand for Knight of the Shire. _Will. _ Enough-- I must have my Share of this Jest, and for divers andsundry Reasons thereunto belonging, must be this very Mountebankexpected. _Shift. _ Faith, Sir, and that were no hard matter, for a day or two theTown will believe it, the same they look for: and the Bank, Operatorsand Musick are all ready. _Will. _ Well enough, add but a _Harlequin_ and _Scaramouch_, and I shallmount in querpo. _Shift. _ Take no care for that, Sir, your Man, and Ensign _Hunt_, areexcellent at those two; I saw 'em act 'em the other day to a Wonder, they'll be glad of the Employment, my self will be an Operator. _Will. _ No more, get 'em ready, and give it out, the Man of Art'sarriv'd: Be diligent and secret, for these two politick Asses must becozen'd. _Shift. _ I will about the Business instantly. [Ex. _Shift_. _Beau. _ This Fellow will do Feats if he keeps his Word. _Will. _ I'll give you mine he shall-- But, dear _Beaumond_, where shallwe meet anon? _Beau. _ I thank ye for that-- 'Gad, ye shall dine with me. _Feth. _ A good Motion-- _Will. _ I beg your Pardon now, dear _Beaumond_-- I having lately nothingelse to do, took a Command of Horse from the General at the last Siege, from which I am just arriv'd, and my Baggage is behind, which I musttake order for. _Feth. _ Pox on't now there's a Dinner lost, 'twas ever an unlucky Rascal. _Beau. _ To tempt thee more, thou shalt see my Wife that is to be. _Will. _ Pox on't, I am the leudest Company in Christendom with yourhonest Women-- but-- What, art thou to be noos'd then? _Beau. _ 'Tis so design'd by my Uncle, if an old Grandee my Rival preventit not; the Wench is very pretty, young, and rich, and lives in the sameHouse with me, for 'tis my Aunt's Daughter. _Will. _ Much good may it d'ye, _Harry_, I pity you, but 'tis the commonGrievance of you happy Men of Fortune. [Goes towards the House-door with _Beau. _ Enter _La Nuche_, _Aurelia_, _Petronella_, _Sancho_, Women veil'd a little. _Aur. _ Heavens, Madam, is not that the _English_ Captain? [Looking on _Will. _ _La Nu. _ 'Tis, and with him Don _Henrick_ the Ambassador's Nephew-- howmy Heart pants and heaves at sight of him! some Fire of the old Flamesremaining, which I must strive to extinguish. For I'll not bate a Ducatof this Price I've set upon my self, for all the Pleasures Youth or Lovecan bring me-- for see _Aurelia_-- the sad Memento of a decay'd poor oldforsaken Whore in _Petronella_; consider her, and then commend myPrudence. _Will. _ Hah, Women!-- _Feth. _ Egad, and fine ones too, I'll tell you that. _Will. _ No matter, Kindness is better Sauce to Woman than Beauty!By this Hand she looks at me-- Why dost hold me? [_Feth. _ holds him. _Feth. _ Why, what a Devil, art mad? _Will. _ Raging, as vigorous Youth kept long from Beauty; wild for thecharming Sex, eager for Woman, I long to give a Loose to Love andPleasure. _Blunt. _ These are not Women, Sir, for you to ruffle-- _Will. _ Have a care of your Persons of Quality, _Ned_. [Goes to _La Nuche_. --Those lovely Eyes were never made to throw their Darts in vain. _La Nu. _ The Conquest would be hardly worth the Pain. _Will. _ Hah, _La Nuche_! with what a proud Disdain she flung away--stay, I will not part so with you-- [Holds her. Enter _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_ with Footmen. _Aria. _ Who are these before us, _Lucia_? _Luc. _ I know not, Madam; but if you make not haste home, you'll betroubled with _Carlo_ your importunate Lover, who is just behind us. _Aria. _ Hang me, a lovely Man! what Lady's that? stay. _Pet. _ What Insolence is this! This Villain will spoil all-- _Feth. _ Why, Captain, are you quite distracted?-- dost know where thouart? Prithee be civil-- _Will. _ Go, proud and cruel! [Turns her from him. Enter _Carlo_, and two or three _Spanish_ Servants following: _Petronella_ goes to him. _Car. _ Hah, affronted by a drunken Islander, a saucy Tramontane!--Draw-- [To his Servants whilst he takes _La Nuche_. Whilst I lead her off-- fear not, Lady, you have the Honour of my Swordto guard ye. _Will. _ Hah, _Carlo_-- ye lye-- it cannot guard the boasting Fool thatwears it-- be gone-- and look not back upon this Woman. [Snatches herfrom him] One single Glance destroys thee-- [They draw and fight; _Carlo_ getting hindmost of his _Spaniards_, the _English_ beat 'em off: The Ladies run away, all but _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. _Luc. _ Heav'ns, Madam, why do ye stay? _Aria. _ To pray for that dear Stranger-- And see, my Prayers are heard, and he's return'd in safety-- this Door shall shelter me to o'er-hearthe Quarrel. [Steps aside. Enter _Will. _ _Blunt_, _Feth. _ looking big, and putting up his Sword. _Feth. _ The noble Captain be affronted by a starch'd Ruff and Beard, a Coward in querpo, a walking Bunch of Garlick, a pickl'd Pilchard!abuse the noble Captain, and bear it off in State, like a ChristmasSweet-heart; these things must not be whilst _Nicholas Fetherfool_ wearsa Sword. _Blunt. _ Pox o' these Women, I thought no good would come on't: besides, where's the Jest in affronting honest Women, if there be such a thing inthe Nation? _Feth. _ Hang't, 'twas the Devil and all-- _Will. _ Ha, ha, ha! Why, good honest homespun Country Gentlemen, who doyou think those were? _Feth. _ Were! why, Ladies of Quality going to their Devotion; who shouldthey be? _Blunt. _ Why, faith, and so I thought too. _Will. _ Why, that very one Woman I spoke to is ten Whores in _Surrey_. _Feth. _ Prithee speak softly, Man: 'Slife, we shall be poniarded forkeeping thee company. _Will. _ Wise Mr. Justice, give me your Warrant, and if I do not prove'em Whores, whip me. _Feth. _ Prithee hold thy scandalous blasphemous Tongue, as if I did notknow Whores from Persons of Quality. _Will. _ Will you believe me when you lie with her? for thou'rt a richAss, and may'st do it. _Feth. _ Whores-- ha, ha-- _Will. _ 'Tis strange Logick now, because your Band is better that mine, I must not know a Whore better than you. _Blunt. _ If this be a Whore, as thou say'st, I understand nothing-- bythis Light such a Wench would pass for a Person of Quality in _London_. _Feth. _ Few Ladies have I seen at a Sheriff's Feast have better Faces, or worn so good Clothes; and by the Lord _Harry_, if these be of thegentle Craft, I'd not give a Real for an honest Women for my use. _Will. _ Come follow me into the Church, for thither I am sure they'regone: And I will let you see what a wretched thing you had been had youlived seven Years longer in _Surrey_, stew'd in Ale and Beef-broth. _Feth. _ O dear _Willmore_, name not those savory things, there's nojesting with my Stomach; it sleeps now, but if it wakes, wo be to yourShares at the Ordinary. _Blunt. _ I'll say that for _Fetherfool_, if his Heart were but half sogood as his Stomach, he were a brave Fellow. [Aside, Exeunt. _Aria. _ I am resolv'd to follow-- and learn, if possible, who 'tis hasmade this sudden Conquest o'er me. [All go off. [Scene draws, and discovers a Church, a great many People at Devotion, soft Musick playing. Enter _La Nuche_, _Aurelia_, _Petron. _ and _Sancho_: To them _Willmore_, _Feth. _ _Blunt_; then _Ariadne_, _Lucia_; _Feth. _ bows to _La Nuche_ and _Petronella_. _Feth. _ Now as I hope to be sav'd, _Blunt_, she's a most melodious Lady. Would I were worthy to purchase a Sin or so with her. Would not such aBeauty reconcile thy Quarrel to the Sex? _Blunt. _ No, were she an Angel in that Shape. _Feth. _ Why, what a pox couldst not lie with her if she'd let thee? Bythe Lord _Harry_, as errant a Dog as I am, I'd fain see any of _Cupid's_Cook-maids put me out of countenance with such a Shoulder of Mutton. _Aria. _ See how he gazes on her-- _Lucia_, go nearer, and o'er-hear 'em. [_Lucia_ listens. _Will. _ Death, how the charming Hypocrite looks to day, with such a softDevotion in her Eyes, as if even now she were praising Heav'n for allthe Advantages it has blest her with. _Blunt. _ Look how _Willmore_ eyes her, the Rogue's smitten heartdeep-- Whores-- _Feth. _ Only a Trick to keep her to himself-- he thought the Name of a_Spanish_ Harlot would fright us from attempting-- I must divert him--how is't, Captain-- Prithee mind this Musick-- Is it not mostSeraphical? _Will. _ Pox, let the Fidlers mind and tune their Pipes, I've higherPleasures now. _Feth. _ Oh, have ye so; what, with Whores, Captain?-- 'Tis a mostdelicious Gentlewoman. [Aside. _Pet. _ Pray, Madam, mind that Cavalier, who takes such pains torecommend himself to you. _La Nu. _ Yes, for a fine conceited Fool-- _Pet. _ Catso, a Fool, what else? _La Nu. _ Right, they are our noblest Chapmen; a Fool, and a rich Fool, and an _English_ rich Fool-- _Feth. _ 'Sbud, she eyes me, _Ned_, I'll set my self in order, it maytake-- hah-- [Sets himself. _Pet. _ Let me alone to manage him, I'll to him-- _La Nu. _ Or to the Devil, so I had one Minute's time to speak to_Willmore_. _Pet. _ And accosting him thus-- tell him-- _La Nu. _ [in a hasty Tone. ] --I am desperately in love with him, and amDaughter, Wife, or Mistress to some Grandee-- bemoan the Condition ofWomen of Quality in _Spain_, who by too much Constraint are oblig'd tospeak first-- but were we blest like other Nations where Men and Womenmeet-- [Speaking so fast, she offering to put in her word, is still prevented by t'other's running on. _Pet. _ What Herds of Cuckolds would _Spain_ breed-- 'Slife, I could findin my Heart to forswear your Service: Have I taught ye your Trade, tobecome my Instructor, how to cozen a dull phlegmatick greasy-brain'dEnglishman?-- go and expect your Wishes. _Will. _ So, she has sent her Matron to our Coxcomb; she saw he was aCully fit for Game-- who would not be a Rascal to be rich, a Dog, anAss, a beaten, harden'd Coward-- by Heaven, I will possess this gayInsensible, to make me hate her-- most extremely curse her-- See if shebe not fallen to Pray'r again, from thence to Flattery, Jilting andPurse-taking, to make the Proverb good-- My fair false _Sybil_, whatInspirations are you waiting for from Heaven, new Arts to cheatMankind!-- Tell me, with what Face canst thou be devout, or ask anything from thence, who hast made so leud a use of what it has alreadylavish'd on thee? _La Nu. _ Oh my careless Rover! I perceive all your hot Shot is not yetspent in Battel, you have a Volley in reserve for me still-- Faith, Officer, the Town has wanted Mirth in your Absence. _Will. _ And so might all the wiser part for thee, who hast no Mirth, noGaiety about thee, and when thou wouldst design some Coxcomb's ruin; toall the rest, a Soul thou hast so dull, that neither Love nor Mirth, norWit or Wine can wake it to good Nature-- thou'rt one who lazily work'stin thy Trade, and sell'st for ready Mony so much Kindness; a tame coldSufferer only, and no more. _La Nu. _ What, you would have a Mistress like a Squirrel in a Cage, always in Action-- one who is as free of her Favours as I am sparing ofmine-- Well, Captain, I have known the time when _La Nuche_ was such aWit, such a Humour, such a Shape, and such a Voice, (tho to say Truth Ising but scurvily) 'twas Comedy to see and hear me. _Will. _ Why, yes Faith for once thou wert, and for once mayst be again, till thou know'st thy Man, and knowest him to be poor. At first youlik'd me too, you saw me gay, no marks of Poverty dwelt in my Face orDress, and then I was the dearest loveliest Man-- all this was to myoutside; Death, you made love to my Breeches, caress'd my Garniture andFeather, an _English_ Fool of Quality you thought me-- 'Sheart, I haveknown a Woman doat on Quality, tho he has stunk thro all his Perfumes;one who never went all to Bed to her, but left his Teeth, an Eye, falseBack and Breast, sometimes his Palate too upon her Toilet, whilst herfair Arms hug'd the dismember'd Carcase, and swore him all Perfection, because of Quality. _La Nu. _ But he was rich, good Captain, was he not? _Will. _ Oh most damnably, and a confounded Blockhead, two certainRemedies against your Pride and Scorn. _La Nu. _ Have you done, Sir? _Will. _ With thee and all thy Sex, of which I've try'd an hundred, andfound none true or honest. _La Nu. _ Oh, I doubt not the number: for you are one of thosehealthy-stomacht Lovers, that can digest a Mistress in a Night, andhunger again next Morning: a Pox of your whining consumptiveConstitution, who are only constant for want of Appetite: you have aswinging Stomach to Variety, and Want having set an edge upon yourInvention, (with which you cut thro all Difficulties) you grow moreimpudent by Success. _Will. _ I am not always scorn'd then. _La Nu. _ I have known you as confidently put your Hands into yourPockets for Money in a Morning, as if the Devil had been your Banker, when you knew you put 'em off at Night as empty as your Gloves. _Will. _ And it may be found Money there too. _La Nu. _ Then with this Poverty so proud you are, you will not give theWall to the Catholick King, unless his Picture hung upon't. No Servants, no Money, no Meat, always on foot, and yet undaunted still. _Will. _ Allow me that, Child. _La Nu. _ I wonder what the Devil makes you so termagant on our Sex, 'tisnot your high feeding, for your Grandees only dine, and that but whenFortune pleases-- For your parts, who are the poor dependent, brownBread and old _Adam's_ Ale is only current amongst ye; yet if little_Eve_ walk in the Garden, the starv'd lean Rogues neigh after her, as ifthey were in Paradise. _Will. _ Still true to Love you see-- - _La Nu. _ I heard an _English_ Capuchin swear, that if the King'sFollowers could be brought to pray as well as fast, there would be moreSaints among 'em than the Church has ever canoniz'd. _Will. _ All this with Pride I own, since 'tis a royal Cause I sufferfor; go pursue your Business your own way, insnare the Fool-- I saw theToils you set, and how that Face was ordered for the Conquest, your Eyesbrimful of dying lying Love; and now and then a wishing Glance or Sighthrown as by chance; which when the happy Coxcomb caught-- you feign'd aBlush, as angry and asham'd of the Discovery: and all this Cunning's fora little mercenary Gain-- fine Clothes, perhaps some Jewels too, whilstall the Finery cannot hide the Whore! _La Nu. _ There's your eternal Quarrel to our Sex, 'twere a fine Tradeindeed to keep a Shop and give your Ware for Love: would it turn toaccount think ye, Captain, to trick and dress, to receive all wou'denter? faith, Captain, try the Trade. _Pet. _ What in Discourse with this Railer!-- come away; Poverty'scatching. [Returns from Discourse with _Feth. _ speaks to _San. _ _Will. _ So is the Pox, good Matron, of which you can afford goodPenniworths. _La Nu. _ He charms me even with his angry Looks, and will undo me yet. _Pet. _ Let's leave this Place, I'll tell you my Success as we go. [Ex. All, some one way, some another, the Forepart of the Church shuts over, except _Will. _ _Blunt_, _Aria_, and _Lucia_. _Will. _ She's gone, and all the Plagues of Pride go with her. _Blunt. _ Heartlikins, follow her-- Pox on't, an I'd but as good a Handat this Game as thou hast, I'll venture upon any Chance-- _Will. _ Damn her, come, let's to Dinner. Where's _Fetherfool_? _Blunt. _ Follow'd a good Woodman, who gave him the Sign: he'll lodge theDeer e'er night. _Will. _ Follow'd her-- he durst not, the Fool wants Confidence enough tolook on her. _Blunt. _ Oh you know not how a Country Justice may be improved byTravel; the Rogue was hedg'd in at home with the Fear of his Neighboursand the Penal Statutes, now he's broke loose, he runs neighing like aStone-Horse upon the Common. _Will. _ However, I'll not believe this-- let's follow 'em. [Ex. _Will. _ and _Blunt_. _Aria. _ He is in love, but with a Courtezan-- some Comfort that. We'llafter him-- 'Tis a faint-hearted Lover, Who for the first Discouragementgives over. [Ex. _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. ACT II. SCENE I. _The Street. _ Enter _Fetherfool_ and _Sancho_, passing over the Stage; after them _Willmore_ and _Blunt_, follow'd by _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. _Will. _ 'Tis so, by Heaven, he's chaffering with her Pimp. I'll spare myCurses on him for having her, he has a Plague beyond 'em. --Harkye, I'll never love, nor lie with Women more, those Slaves toLust, to Vanity and Interest. _Blunt. _ Ha, Captain! [Shaking his Head and smiling. _Will. _ Come, let's go drink Damnation to 'em all. _Blunt. _ Not all, good Captain. _Will. _ All, for I hate 'em all-- _Aria. _ Heavens! if he should indeed! [Aside. _Blunt. _ But, _Robert_, I have found you most inclined to a Damsel whenyou had a Bottle in your Head. _Will. _ Give me thy Hand, _Ned_-- Curse me, despise me, point me out forCowardice if e'er thou see'st me court a Woman more: Nay, when thouknowest I ask any of the Sex a civil Question again-- a Plague upon 'em, how they've handled me-- come, let's go drink, I say-- Confusion to theRace-- A Woman!-- no, I will be burnt with my own Fire to Cinders e'erany of the Brood shall lay my Flame-- _Aria. _ He cannot be so wicked to keep this Resolution sure-- [She passes by. Faith, I must be resolv'd-- you've made a pious Resolution, Sir, had youthe Grace to keep it-- [Passing on he pauses, and looks on her. _Will. _ Hum-- What's that? _Blunt. _ That-- O-- nothing-- but a Woman-- come away. _Will. _ A Woman! Damn her, what Mischief made her cross my way just onthe Point of Reformation! _Blunt. _ I find the Devil will not lose so hopeful a Sinner. Hold, hold, Captain, have you no Regard to your own Soul? 'dsheartlikins, 'tis aWoman, a very errant Woman. _Aria. _ Your Friend informs you right, Sir, I am a Woman. _Will. _ Ay, Child, or I were a lost Man-- therefore, dear lovelyCreature-- _Aria. _ How can you tell, Sir? _Will. _ Oh, I have naturally a large Faith, Child, and thou'st apromising Form, a tempting Motion, clean Limbs, well drest, and a mostdamnable inviting Air. _Aria. _ I am not to be sold, nor fond of Praise I merit not. _Will. _ How, not to be sold too! By this light, Child, thou speakestlike a Cherubim, I have not heard so obliging a Sound from the Mouth ofWoman-kind this many a Day-- I find we must be better acquainted, myDear. _Aria. _ Your Reason, good familiar Sir, I see no such Necessity. _Will. _ Child, you are mistaken, I am in great Necessity; for first Ilove thee-- desperately-- have I not damn'd my Soul already for thee, and wouldst thou be so wicked to refuse a little Consolation to my Body?Then secondly, I see thou art frank and good-natur'd, and wilt do Reason_gratis_. _Aria. _ How prove ye that, good Mr. Philospher? _Will. _ Thou say'st thou'rt not to be sold, and I'm sure thou'rt to behad-- that lovely Body of so divine a Form, those soft smooth Arms andHands, were made t'embrace as well as be embrac'd; that delicate whiterising Bosom to be prest, and all thy other Charms to be enjoy'd. _Aria. _ By one that can esteem 'em to their worth, can set a Value and aRate upon 'em. _Will. _ Name not those Words, they grate my Ears like Jointure, thatdull conjugal Cant that frights the generous Lover. Rate-- Death, letthe old Dotards talk of Rates, and pay it t'atone for the Defects ofImpotence. Let the sly Statesman, who jilts the Commonwealth with hisgrave Politicks, pay for the Sin, that he may doat in secret; let thebrisk Fool inch out his scanted Sense with a large Purse more eloquentthan he: But tell not me of Rates, who bring a Heart, Youth, Vigor, anda Tongue to sing the Praise of every single Pleasure thou shalt give me. _Aria. _ Then if I should be kind, I perceive you would not keep theSecret. _Will. _ Secrecy is a damn'd ungrateful Sin, Child, known only whereReligion and Small-beer are current, despis'd where _Apollo_ and theVine bless the Country: you find none of _Jove's_ Mistresses hid inRoots and Plants, but fixt Stars in Heaven for all to gaze and wonderat-- and tho I am no God, my Dear, I'll do a Mortal's Part, andgenerously tell the admiring World what hidden Charms thou hast: Come, lead me to some Place of Happiness-- _Blunt. _ Prithee, honest Damsel, be not so full of Questions; will aPistole or two do thee any hurt? _Luc. _ None at all, Sir-- _Blunt. _ Thou speak'st like a hearty Wench-- and I believe hast not beenone of _Venus'_ Hand-maids so long, but thou understand thy Trade-- Inshort, fair Damsel, this honest Fellow here who is so termagant upon thyLady, is my Friend, my particular Friend, and therefore I would have himhandsomly, and well-favour'dly abus'd-- you conceive me. _Luc. _ Truly, Sir, a friendly Request-- but in what Nature abus'd? _Blunt. _ Nature!-- why any of your Tricks would serve-- but if he couldbe conveniently strip'd and beaten, or tost in a Blanket, or any suchtrivial Business, thou wouldst do me a singular Kindness; as for Robberyhe defies the Devil: an empty Pocket is an Antidote against that Ill. _Luc. _ Your Money, Sir: and if he be not cozen'd, say a _Spanish_ Womanhas neither Wit nor Invention upon Occasion. _Blunt. _ Sheartlikins, how I shall love and honour thee for't-- here'searnest-- [Talks to her with Joy and Grimace. _Aria. _ But who was that you entertain'd at Church but now? _Will. _ Faith, one, who for her Beauty merits that glorious Title shewears, it was-- a Whore, Child. _Aria. _ That's but a scurvy Name; yet, if I'm not mistaken in thosefalse Eyes of yours, they look with longing Love upon that-- Whore, Child. _Will. _ Thou are i'th' right, and by this hand, my Soul was full aswishing as my Eyes: but a Pox on't, you Women have all a certain Jargon, or Gibberish, peculiar to your selves; of Value, Rate, Present, Interest, Settlement, Advantage, Price, Maintenance, and the Devil andall of Fopperies, which in plain Terms signify ready Money, by way ofFine before Entrance; so that an honest well-meaning Merchant of Lovefinds no Credit amongst ye, without his Bill of Lading. _Aria. _ We are not all so cruel-- but the Devil on't is, yourgood-natur'd Heart is likely accompanied with an ill Face and worse Wit. _Will. _ Faith, Child, a ready Dish when a Man's Stomach is up, is betterthan a tedious Feast. I never saw any Man yet cut my piece; some are forBeauty, some are for Wit, and some for the Secret, but I for all, so itbe in a kind Girl: and for Wit in Woman, so she say pretty fond things, we understand; tho true or false, no matter. _Aria. _ Give the Devil his due, you are a very conscientious Lover:I love a Man that scorns to impose dull Truth and Constancy on aMistress. _Will. _ Constancy, that current Coin with Fools! No, Child, Heaven keepthat Curse from our Doors. _Aria. _ Hang it, it loses Time and Profit, new Lovers have new Vows andnew Presents, whilst the old feed upon a dull repetition of what theydid when they were Lovers; 'tis like eating the cold Meat ones self, after having given a Friend a Feast. _Will. _ Yes, that's the thrifty Food for the Family when the Guests aregone. Faith, Child, thou hast made a neat and a hearty Speech: Butprithee, my Dear, for the future, leave out that same Profit andPresent, for I have a natural Aversion to hard words; and for matter ofquick Dispatch in the Business-- give me thy Hand, Child-- let us butstart fair, and if thou outstripst me, thou'rt a nimble Racer. [_Lucia_ sees _Shift_. _Luc. _ Oh, Madam, let's be gone: yonder's Lieutenant Shift, who, if hesees us, will certainly give an Account of it to Mr. Beaumond. Let's getin thro the Garden, I have the Key. _Aria. _ Here's Company coming, and for several reasons I would not beseen. [Offers to go. _Will. _ Gad, Child, nor I; Reputation is tender-- therefore pritheelet's retire. [Offers to go with her. _Aria. _ You must not stir a step. _Will. _ Not stir! no Magick Circle can detain me if you go. _Aria. _ Follow me then at a distance, and observe where I enter; and atnight (if your Passion lasts so long) return, and you shall findAdmittance into the Garden. [Speaking hastily. [He runs out after her. Enter _Shift_. _Shift. _ Well, Sir, the Mountebank's come, and just going to begin inthe Piazza; I have order'd Matters, that you shall have a Sight of theMonsters, and leave to court 'em, and when won, to give the Guardian afourth part of the Portions. _Blunt. _ Good: But Mum-- here's the Captain, who must by no means knowour good Fortune, till he see us in State. Enter _Willmore_, _Shift_ goes to him. _Shift. _ All things are ready, Sir, for our Design, the House prepar'das you directed me, the Guardian wrought upon by the Persuasions of thetwo Monsters, to take a Lodging there, and try the Bath of Reformation:The Bank's preparing, and the Operators and Musick all ready, and theimpatient Town flockt together to behold the Man of Wonders, and nothingwanting but your Donship and a proper Speech. _Will. _ 'Tis well, I'll go fit my self with a Dress, and think of aSpeech the while: In the mean time, go you and amuse the gaping Foolsthat expect my coming. [Goes out. Enter _Fetherfool_ singing and dancing. Feth. _Have you heard of a _Spanish_ Lady, How she woo'd an _English_ Man?_ _Blunt. _ Why, how now, Fetherfool? Feth. _Garments gay, and rich as may be, Deckt with Jewels, had she on. _ _Blunt. _ Why, how now, Justice, what run mad out of Dog-days? Feth. _Of a comely Countenance and Grace is she, A sweeter Creature in the World there could not be. _ _Shift. _ Why, what the Devil's the matter, Sir? _Blunt. _ Stark mad, 'dshartlikins. Feth. _Of a Comely Countenance_-- well, Lieutenant, the most heroick andillustrious Madona! Thou saw'st her, _Ned_: _And of a comely Counte--_The most Magnetick Face-- well-- I knew the Charms of these Eyes ofmine were not made in vain: I was design'd for great things, that'scertain-- _And a sweeter Creature in the World there could not be. _ [Singing. _Blunt. _ What then the two Lady Monsters are forgotten? the Design uponthe Million of Money, the Coach and Six, and Patent for RightWorshipful, all drown'd in the Joy of this new Mistress?-- But well, Lieutenant, since he is so well provided for, you may put in with me fora Monster; such a Jest, and such a Sum, is not to be lost. _Shift. _ Nor shall not, or I have lost my Aim. [Aside. _Feth. _ [Putting off his Hat. ] Your Pardons, good Gentlemen; and tho Iperceive I shall have no great need for so trifling a Sum as a hundredthousand Pound, or so, yet a Bargain's a Bargain, Gentlemen. _Blunt. _ Nay, 'dsheartlikins, the Lieutenant scorns to do a foul thing, d'ye see, but we would not have the Monsters slighted. _Feth. _ Slighted! no, Sir, I scorn your Words, I'd have ye to know, thatI have as high a Respect for Madam Monster, as any Gentleman inChristendom, and so I desire she should understand. _Blunt. _ Why, this is that that's handsom. _Shift. _ Well, the Mountebank's come, Lodgings are taken at his House, and the Guardian prepar'd to receive you on the aforesaid Terms, andsome fifty Pistoles to the Mountebank to stand your Friend, and theBusiness is done. Feth. Which shall be perform'd accordingly, I have itready about me. _Blunt. _ And here's mine, put 'em together, and let's be speedy, lestsome should bribe higher, and put in before us. [_Feth. _ takes the Money, and looks pitiful on't. _Feth. _ Tis a plaguy round Sum, _Ned_, pray God it turn to Account. _Blunt. _ Account, 'dsheartlikins, 'tis not in the Power of mortal Man tocozen 'me. _Shift. _ Oh fie, Sir, cozen you, Sir!-- well, you'll stay here and seethe Mountebank, he's coming forth. [A Hollowing. Enter from the Front a Bank, a Pageant, which they fix on the Stage at one side, a little Pavilion on't, Musick playing, and Operators round below, or Antickers. [Musick plays, and an Antick Dance. Enter _Willmore_ like a Mountebank, with a Dagger in one Hand, and a Viol in the other, _Harlequin_ and _Scaramouche_; _Carlo_ with other _Spaniards_ below, and Rabble; _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_ above in the Balcony, others on the other side, _Fetherfool_ and _Blunt_ below. _Will. _ (_bowing_) Behold this little Viol, which contains in its narrowBounds what the whole Universe cannot purchase, if sold to its trueValue; this admirable, this miraculous Elixir, drawn from the Hearts ofMandrakes, Phenix Livers, and Tongues of Maremaids, and distill'd bycontracted Sun-Beams, has besides the unknown Virtue of curing allDistempers both of Mind and Body, that divine one of animating the Heartof Man to that Degree, that however remiss, cold and cowardly by Nature, he shall become vigorous and brave. Oh stupid and insensible Man, whenHonour and secure Renown invites you, to treat it with Neglect, evenwhen you need but passive Valour, to become the Heroes of the Age;receive a thousand Wounds, each of which wou'd let out fleeting Life:Here's that can snatch the parting Soul in its full Career, and bring itback to its native Mansion; baffles grim Death, and disappoints evenFate. _Feth. _ Oh Pox, an a Man were sure of that now-- _Will. _ Behold, here's Demonstration-- [Harlequin stabs himself, and falls as dead. _Feth. _ Hold, hold, why, what the Devil is the Fellow mad? _Blunt. _ Why, do'st think he has hurt himself? _Feth. _ Hurt himself! why, he's murder'd, Man; 'tis flat _Felo de se_, in any ground in _England_, if I understand Law, and I have been aJustice o'th' Peace. _Will. _ See, Gentlemen, he's dead-- _Feth. _ Look ye there now, I'll be gone lest I be taken as an Accessary. [Going out. _Will. _ Coffin him, inter him, yet after four and twenty Hours, as manyDrops of this divine Elixir give him new Life again; this will recoverwhole Fields of slain, and all the Dead shall rise and fight again--'twas this that made the Roman Lemons numerous, and now makes _France_so formidable, and this alone-- may be the Occasion of the loss of_Germany_. [Pours in _Harlequin's_ Wound, he rises. _Feth. _ Why this Fellow's the Devil, _Ned_, that's for certain. _Blunt. _ Oh plague, a damn'd Conjurer, this-- _Will. _ Come, buy this Coward's Comfort, quickly buy; what Fop would beabus'd, mimick'd and scorn'd, for fear of Wounds can be so easily cured?Who is't wou'd bear the Insolence and Pride of domineering great Men, proud Officers or Magistrates? or who wou'd cringe to Statesmen out ofFear? What Cully wou'd be cuckolded? What foolish Heir undone bycheating Gamesters? What Lord wou'd be lampoon'd? What Poet fear theMalice of his satirical Brother, or Atheist fear to fight for fear ofDeath? Come buy my Coward's Comfort, quickly buy. _Feth. _ Egad, _Ned_, a very excellent thing this; I'll lay out ten Realsupon this Commodity. [They buy, whilst another Part of the Dance is danc'd. _Will. _ Behold this little Paper, which contains a Pouder, whose Valuesurmounts that of Rocks of Diamonds and Hills of Gold; 'twas this made_Venus_ a Goddess, and was given her by _Apollo_, from her deriv'd to_Helen_, and in the Sack of _Troy_ lost, till recover'd by me out ofsome Ruins of _Asia. _ Come, buy it, Ladies, you that wou'd be fair andwear eternal Youth; and you in whom the amorous Fire remains, when allthe Charms are fled: You that dress young and gay, and would be thoughtso, that patch and paint, to fill up sometimes old Furrows on yourBrows, and set yourselves for Conquest, tho in vain; here's that willgive you aubern Hair, white Teeth, red Lips, and Dimples on your Cheeks:Come, buy it all you that are past bewitching, and wou'd have handsom, young and active Lovers. _Feth. _ Another good thing, _Ned_. _Car. _ I'll lay out a Pistole or two in this, if it have the same Effecton Men. _Will. _ Come, all you City Wives, that wou'd advance your Husbands toLord Mayors, come, buy of me new Beauty; this will give it tho nowdecay'd, as are your Shop Commodities; this will retrieve yourCustomers, and vend your false and out of fashion'd Wares: cheat, lye, protest and cozen as you please, a handsom Wife makes all a lawful Gain. Come, City Wives, come, buy. _Feth. _ A most prodigious Fellow! [They buy, he sits, the other Part is danc'd. _Will. _ But here, behold the Life and Soul of Man! this is the amorousPouder, which _Venus_ made and gave the God of Love, which made himfirst a Deity; you talk of Arrows, Bow, and killing Darts; Fables, poetical Fictions, and no more: 'tis this alone that wounds and firesthe Heart, makes Women kind, and equals Men to Gods; 'tis this thatmakes your great Lady doat on the ill-favour'd Fop; your great Man bejilted by his little Mistress, the Judge cajol'd by his Semstress, andyour Politican by his Comedian; your young Lady doat on her decrepidHusband, your Chaplain on my Lady's Waiting-Woman, and the young Squireon the Landry-Maid-- In fine, Messieurs, _'Tis this that cures the Lover's Pain, And _Celia_ of her cold Disdain. _ _Feth. _ A most devilish Fellow this! _Blunt. _ Hold, shartlikins, _Fetherfool_, let's have a Dose or two ofthis Pouder for quick Dispatch with our Monsters. _Feth. _ Why Pox, Man, Jugg my Giant would swallow a whole Cart-Loadbefore 'twould operate. _Blunt. _ No hurt in trying a Paper or two however. _Car. _ A most admirable Receit, I shall have need on't. _Will. _ I need say nothing of my divine Baths of Reformation, nor thewonders of the old Oracle of the Box, which resolves all Questions, my Bills sufficiently declare their Virtue. [Sits down. They buy. Enter _Petronella Elenora_ carried in a Chair, dress'd like a Girl of Fifteen. _Shift. _ Room there, Gentlemen, room for a Patient. _Blunt. _ Pray, Seignior, who may this be thus muzzl'd by old GafferTime? _Car. _ One _Petronella Elenora_, Sir, a famous outworn Curtezan. _Blunt. _ _Elenora_! she may be that of _Troy_ for her Antiquity, thofitter for God _Priapus_ to ravish than _Paris_. _Shift. _ _Hunt_, a word; dost thou see that same formal Politicianyonder, on the Jennet, the nobler Animal of the two? _Hunt. _ What of him? _Shift. _ 'Tis the same drew on the Captain this Morning, and I mustrevenge the Affront. _Hunt. _ Have a care of Revenges in _Spain_, upon Persons of his Quality. _Shift. _ Nay, I'll only steal his Horse from under him. _Hunt. _ Steal it! thou may'st take it by force perhaps; but how safelyis a Question. _Shift. _ I'll warrant thee-- shoulder you up one side of his greatSaddle, I'll do the like on t'other; then heaving him gently up, _Harlequin_ shall lead the Horse from between his Worship's Legs: Allthis in the Crowd will not be perceiv'd, where all Eyes are imploy'd onthe Mountebank. _Hunt. _ I apprehend you now-- [Whilst they are lifting _Petronella_ on the Mountebank's Stage, they go into the Crowd, shoulder up _Carlo's_ Saddle. _Harlequin_ leads the Horse forward, whilst _Carlo_ is gazing, and turning up his Mustachios; they hold him up a little while, then let him drop: he rises and stares about for his Horse. _Car. _ This is flat Conjuration. _Shift. _ What's your Worship on foot? _Hunt. _ I never saw his Worship on foot before. _Car. _ Sirrah, none of your Jests, this must be by diabolical Art, andshall cost the Seignior dear-- Men of my Garb affronted-- my Jennetvanisht-- most miraculous-- by St. _Jago_ I'll be revenged-- hah, what'shere-- _La Nuche_-- [Surveys her at a distance. Enter _La Nuche_, _Aurelia_, _Sancho_. _La Nu. _ We are pursu'd by _Beaumond_, who will certainly hinder ourspeaking to _Willmore_, should we have the good fortune to see him inthis Crowd-- and yet there's no avoiding him. _Beau. _ 'Tis she, how carefully she shuns me! _Aur. _ I'm satisfied he knows us by the jealous Concern which appears inthat prying Countenance of his. _Beau. _ Stay, Cruel, is it Love or Curiosity, that wings those nimbleFeet? [Holds her. [_Lucia_ above and _Ariadne_. ] _Aria. _ _Beaumond_ with a Woman! _Beau. _ Have you forgot this is the glorious Day that ushers in theNight shall make you mine? the happiest Night that ever favour'd Love! _La Nu. _ Or if I have, I find you'll take care to remember me. _Beau. _ Sooner I could forget the Aids of Life, sooner forget how firstthat Beauty charm'd me. _La Nu. _ Well, since your Memory's so good, I need not doubt yourcoming. _Beau. _ Still cold and unconcern'd! How have I doated, and howsacrific'd, regardless of my Fame, lain idling here, when all the Youthof _Spain_ were gaining Honour, valuing one Smile of thine above theirLaurels! _La Nu. _ And in return, I do submit to yield, preferring you above thosefighting Fools, who safe in Multitudes reap Honour cheaper. _Beau. _ Yet there is one-- one of those fighting Fools which should'stthou see, I fear I were undone; brave, handsome, gay, and all that Womendoat on, unfortunate in every good of Life, but that one Blessing ofobtaining Women: Be wise, for if thou seest him thou art lost-- Why dostthou blush? _La Nu. _ Because you doubt my Heart-- 'tis _Willmore_ that he means. [Aside. ] We've Eyes upon us, Don _Carlo_ may grow jealous, and he's apowerful Rival-- at night. I shall expect ye. _Beau. _ Whilst I prepare my self for such a Blessing. [Ex. _Beau. _ _Car. _ Hah! a Cavalier in conference with _La Nuche_! and entertain'dwithout my knowledge! I must prevent this Lover, for he's young-- andthis Night will surprise her. [Aside. _Will. _ And you would be restor'd? [To _Petro. _ _Pet. _ Yes, if there be that Divinity in your Baths of Reformation. _Will. _ There are. _New Flames shall sparkle in those Eyes; And these grey Hairs flowing and bright shall rise: These Cheeks fresh Buds of Roses wear, And all your withered Limbs so smooth and clear, As shall a general Wonder move, And wound a thousand Hearts with Love. _ _Pet. _ A Blessing on you, Sir, there's fifty Pistoles for you, and as Iearn it you shall have more. [They lift her down. [Exit _Willmore_ bowing. _Shift. _ Messieurs, 'tis late, and the Seignior's Patients stay for himat his Laboratory, to morrow you shall see the conclusion of thisExperiment, and so I humbly take my leave at this time. Enter _Willmore_, below sees _La Nuche_, makes up to her, whilst the last part of the Dance is dancing. _La Nu. _ What makes you follow me, Sir? [She goes from him, he pursues. _Will. _ Madam, I see something in that lovely Face of yours, which ifnot timely prevented will be your ruin: I'm now in haste, but I havemore to say-- [Goes off. _La Nu. _ Stay, Sir-- he's gone-- and fill'd me with a curiosity thatwill not let me rest till it be satisfied: Follow me, _Aurelia_, for Imust know my Destiny. [Goes out. [The Dance ended, the Bank removes, the People go off. _Feth. _ Come, _Ned_, now for our amorous Visit to the two Lady Monsters. [Ex. _Feth. _ and _Blunt_. SCENE II. _Changes to a fine Chamber. _ Enter _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. _Aria. _ I'm thoughtful: Prithee, Cousin, sing some foolish Song-- SONG. _Phillis_, whose Heart was unconfin'd And free as Flowers on Meads and Plains, None boasted of her being kind, 'Mongst all the languishing and amorous Swains: _No Sighs nor Tears the Nymph could move_ [bis. _To pity or return their Love. _ Till on a time, the hapless Maid Retired to shun the heat o'th' Day, Into a Grove, beneath whose Shade _Strephon_, the careless Shepherd, sleeping lay: _But oh such Charms the Youth adorn, _ [bis. _Love is revenged for all her Scorn. _ Her Cheeks with Blushes covered were, And tender Sighs her Bosom warm; A softness in her Eyes appear, Unusual Pains she feels from every Charm: _To Woods and Echoes now she cries, _ [bis. _For Modesty to speak denies. _ _Aria. _ Come, help to undress me, for I'll to this Mountebank, to knowwhat success I shall have with my Cavalier. [Unpins her things before a great Glass that is fasten'd. _Luc. _ You are resolv'd then to give him admittance? _Aria. _ Where's the danger of a handsom young Fellow? _Luc. _ But you don't know him, Madam. _Aria. _ But I desire to do, and time may bring it about without Miracle. _Luc. _ Your Cousin _Beaumond_ will forbid the Banes. _Aria. _ No, nor old _Carlos_ neither, my Mother's precious Choice, whois as sollicitous for the old Gentleman, as my Father-in-Law is for hisNephew. Therefore, _Lucia_, like a good and gracious Child, I'll end theDispute between my Father and Mother, and please my self in the choiceof this Stranger, if he be to be had. _Luc. _ I should as soon be enamour'd on the North Wind, a Tempest, or aClap of Thunder. Bless me from such a Blast. _Aria. _ I'd have a Lover rough as Seas in Storms, upon occasion; I hateyour dull temperate Lover, 'tis such a husbandly quality, like_Beaumond's_ Addresses to me, whom neither Joy nor Anger puts in motion;or if it do, 'tis visibly forc'd-- I'm glad I saw him entertain a Womanto day, not that I care, but wou'd be fairly rid of him. _Luc. _ You'll hardly mend your self in this. _Aria. _ What, because he held Discourse with a Curtezan? _Luc. _ Why, is there no danger in her Eyes, do ye think? _Aria. _ None that I fear, that Stranger's not such a fool to give hisHeart to a common Woman; and she that's concern'd where her Loverbestows his Body, were I the Man, I should think she had a mind to't herself. _Luc. _ And reason, Madam: in a lawful way 'tis your due. _Aria. _ What all? unconscionable _Lucia_! I am more merciful; but be hewhat he will, I'll to this cunning Man, to know whether ever any part ofhim shall be mine. _Luc. _ Lord, Madam, sure he's a Conjurer. _Aria. _ Let him be the Devil, I'll try his Skill, and to that end willput on a Suit of my Cousin _Endymion_; there are two or three verypretty ones of his in the Wardrobe, go carry 'em to my Chamber, andwe'll fit our selves and away-- Go haste whilst I undress. [Ex. _Lucia_. [_Ariadne_ undressing before the Glass. Enter _Beaumond_ tricking himself, and looks on himself. _Beau. _ Now for my charming Beauty, fair _La Nuche_-- hah-- Ariadne--damn the dull Property, how shall I free my self? [She turns, sees him, and walks from the Glass, he takes no notice of her, but tricks himself in the Glass, humming a Song. _Aria. _ _Beaumond!_ What Devil brought him hither to prevent me? I hatethe formal matrimonial Fop. [He walks about and sings. _Sommes nous pas trop heureux, Belle Irise, que nous ensemble. _ A Devil on him, he may chance to plague me till night, and hinder mydear Assignation. [Sings again. _La Nuit et le Sombre voiles Coverie nos desires ardentes; Et l'Amour et les Etoiles Sont nos secrets confidents. _ _Beau. _ Pox on't, how dull am I at an excuse? [Sets his Wig in the Glass, and sings. _A Pox of Love and Woman-kind, And all the Fops adore 'em. _ [_Puts on his Hat, cocks it, and goes to her. _How is't, Cuz? _Aria. _ So, here's the saucy freedom of a Husband Lover-- a blestInvention this of marrying, whoe'er first found it out. _Beau. _ Damn this _English_ Dog of a Perriwig-maker, what an ungainlyAir it gives the Face, and for a Wedding Perriwig too-- how dost thoulike it, _Ariadne_? [Uneasy. _Aria. _ As ill as the Man-- I perceive you have taken more care for yourPerriwig than your Bride. _Beau. _ And with reason, _Ariadne_, the Bride was never the care of theLover, but the business of the Parents; 'tis a serious Affair, and oughtto be manag'd by the grave and wise: Thy Mother and my Uncle have agreedthe Matter, and would it not look very sillily in me now to whine atedious Tale of Love in your Ear, when the business is at an end? 'tislike saying a Grace when a Man should give Thanks. _Aria. _ Why did you not begin sooner then? _Beau. _ Faith, _Ariadne_, because I know nothing of the Design in hand;had I had civil warning, thou shouldst have had as pretty smart Speechesfrom me, as any Coxcomb Lover of 'em all could have made thee. _Aria. _ I shall never marry like a _Jew_ in my own Tribe; I'll rather bepossest by honest old doating Age, than by saucy conceited Youth, whoseInconstancy never leaves a Woman safe or quiet. _Beau. _ You know the Proverb of the half Loaf, _Ariadne_; a Husband thatwill deal thee some Love is better than one who can give thee none: youwould have a blessed time on't with old Father _Carlo_. _Aria. _ No matter, a Woman may with some lawful excuse cuckold him, and'twould be scarce a Sin. _Beau. _ Not so much as lying with him, whose reverend Age wou'd make itlook like Incest. _Aria. _ But to marry thee-- would be a Tyranny from whence there's noAppeal: A drinking whoring Husband! 'tis the Devil-- _Beau. _ You are deceiv'd, if you think Don _Carlo_ more chaste than I;only duller, and more a Miser, one that fears his Flesh more, and loveshis Money better. -- Then to be condemn'd to lie with him-- oh, who wouldnot rejoice to meet a Woollen-Waistcoat, and knit Night-Cap without aLining, a Shirt so nasty, a cleanly Ghost would not appear in't at thelatter Day? then the compound of nasty Smells about him, stinkingBreath, Mustachoes stuft with villainous snush, Tobacco, and hollowTeeth: thus prepar'd for Delight, you meet in Bed, where you may lie andsigh whole Nights away, he snores it out till Morning, and then rises tohis sordid business. _Aria. _ All this frights me not: 'tis still much better than a keepingHusband, whom neither Beauty nor Honour in a Wife can oblige. _Beau. _ Oh, you know not the good-nature of a Man of Wit, at least Ishall bear a Conscience, and do thee reason, which Heaven denies to old_Carlo_, were he willing. _Aria. _ Oh, he talks as high, and thinks as well of himself as any youngCoxcomb of ye all. _Beau. _ He has reason, for if his Faith were no better than his Works, he'd be damn'd. _Aria. _ Death, who wou'd marry, who wou'd be chaffer'd thus, and sold toSlavery? I'd rather buy a Friend at any Price that I could love andtrust. _Beau. _ Ay, could we but drive on such a Bargain. _Aria. _ You should not be the Man; You have a Mistress, Sir, that hasyour Heart, and all your softer Hours: I know't, and if I were sowretched as to marry thee, must see my Fortune lavisht out on her; herCoaches, Dress, and Equipage exceed mine by far: Possess she all the daythy Hours of Mirth, good Humour and Expence, thy Smiles, thy Kisses, andthy Charms of Wit. Oh how you talk and look when in her Presence! butwhen with me, _A Pox of Love and Woman-kind, _ [Sings. _And all the Fops adore 'em. _ How it's, Cuz-- then slap, on goes the Beaver, which being cock'd, youbear up briskly, with the second Part to the same Tune-- Harkye, Sir, let me advise you to pack up your Trumpery and be gone, your honourableLove, your matrimonial Foppery, with your other Trinkets thereuntobelonging; or I shall talk aloud, and let your Uncle hear you. _Beau. _ Sure she cannot know I love _La Nuche_. [Aside. ] The Devil takeme, spoil'd! What Rascal has inveigled thee? What lying fawning Cowardhas abus'd thee? When fell you into this Leudness? Pox, thou art hardlyworth the loving now, that canst be such a Fool, to wish me chaste, orlove me for that Virtue; or that wouldst have me a ceremonious Whelp, one that makes handsom Legs to Knights without laughing, or with asneaking modest Squirish Countenance; assure you, I have my Maidenhead. A Curse upon thee, the very thought of Wife has made thee formal. _Aria. _ I must dissemble, or he'll stay all day to make his peaceagain-- why, have you ne'er-- a Mistress then? _Beau. _ A hundred, by this day, as many as I like, they are my Mirth, the business of my loose and wanton Hours; but thou art my Devotion, thegrave, the solemn Pleasure of my Soul-- Pox, would I were handsomly ridof thee too. [Aside. ] --Come, I have business-- send me pleas'd away. _Aria. _ Would to Heaven thou wert gone; [Aside. ] You're going to someWoman now. _Beau. _ Oh damn the Sex, I hate 'em all-- but thee-- farewell, my prettyjealous-sullen-Fool. [Goes out. _Aria. _ Farewel, believing Coxcomb. [Enter _Lucia_. _Lucia. _ Madam, the Clothes are ready in your Chamber. _Aria. _ Let's haste and put 'em on then. [Runs out. ACT III. SCENE I. _A House. _ Enter _Fetherfool_ and _Blunt_, staring about, after them _Shift_. _Shift. _ Well, Gentlemen, this is the Doctor's House, and your fiftyPistoles has made him intirely yours; the Ladies too are here in safeCustody-- Come, draw Lots who shall have the Dwarf, and who the Giant. [They draw. _Feth. _ I have the Giant. _Blunt. _ And I the little tiny Gentlewoman. _Shift. _ Well, you shall first see the Ladies, and then prepare for yourUncle _Moses_, the old _Jew_ Guardian, before whom you must be verygrave and sententious: You know the old Law was full of Ceremony. _Feth. _ Well, I long to see the Ladies, and to have the first Onsetover. _Shift. _ I'll cause 'em to walk forth immediately. [Goes out. _Feth. _ My Heart begins to fail me plaguily-- would I could see 'em alittle at a Distance before they come slap dash upon a Man. [Peeping. Hah!-- Mercy upon us!-- What's yonder!-- Ah, _Ned_, my Monster is as bigas the Whore of _Babylon_-- Oh I'm in a cold Sweat-- [_Blunt_ pulls him to peep, and both do so. Oh Lord! she's as tall as the St. _Christopher_ in _Notre-dame_ at_Paris_, and the little one looks like the Christo upon his Shoulders--I shall ne'er be able to stand the first Brunt. _Blunt. _ 'Dsheartlikins, whither art going? [Pulls him back. _Feth. _ Why only-- to-- say my Prayers a little-- I'll be with theepresently. [Offers to go, he pulls him. _Blunt. _ What a Pox, art thou afraid of a Woman-- _Feth. _ Not of a Woman, _Ned_, but of a She _Gargantua_, I am of a_Hercules_ in Petticoats. _Blunt. _ The less Resemblance the better. 'Shartlikins, I'd rather minewere a _Centaur_ than a Woman: No, since my _Naples_ Adventure, I amclearly for your Monster. _Feth. _ Prithee, _Ned_, there's Reason in all things-- _Blunt. _ But villainous Woman-- 'Dshartlikins, stand your Ground, orI'll nail you to't: Why, what a Pox are you so quezy stomach'd, aMonster won't down with you, with a hundred thousand Pound to boot. [Pulling him. _Feth. _ Nay, _Ned_, that mollifies something; and I scorn it should besaid of _Nich. Fetherfool_ that he left his Friend in danger, or did anill thing: therefore, as thou say'st, _Ned_, tho she were a Centaur, I'll not budg an Inch. _Blunt. _ Why God a Mercy. Enter the _Giant_ and _Dwarf_, with them _Shift_ as an Operator, and _Harlequin_ attending. _Feth. _ Oh-- they come-- Prithee, _Ned_, advance-- [Puts him forward. _Shift. _ Most beautiful Ladies. _Feth. _ Why, what a flattering Son of a Whore's this? _Shift. _ These are the illustrious Persons your Uncle designs yourhumble Servants, and who have so extraordinary a Passion for yourSeignioraships. _Feth. _ Oh yes, a most damnable one: Wou'd I were cleanlily off the Lay, and had my Money again. _Blunt. _ Think of a Million, Rogue, and do not hang an Arse thus. _Giant. _ What, does the Cavalier think I'll devour him? [To _Shift_. _Feth. _ Something inclin'd to such a Fear. _Blunt. _ Go and salute her, or, Adsheartlikins, I'll leave you to herMercy. _Feth. _ Oh, dear _Ned_, have pity on me-- but as for saluting her, youspeak of more than may be done, dear Heart, without a Scaling Ladder. [Exit _Shift_. _Dwarf. _ Sure, Seignior _Harlequin, _ these Gentlemen are dumb. _Blunt. _ No, my little diminutive Mistress, my small Epitomy ofWoman-kind, we can prattle when our Hands are in, but we are raw andbashful, young Beginners; for this is the first time we ever were inlove: we are something aukard, or so, but we shall come on in time, andmend upon Incouragement. _Feth. _ Pox on him, what a delicate Speech has he made now-- 'Gad, I'dgive a thousand Pounds a Year for _Ned's_ concise Wit, but not a Groatfor his Judgment in Womankind. Enter Shift with a Ladder, sets it against the Giant, and bows to _Fetherfool_. _Shift. _ Here, Seignior, Don, approach, mount, and salute the Lady. _Feth. _ Mount! why, 'twould turn my Brains to look down from herShoulders-- But hang't, 'Gad, I will be brave and venture. [Runs up the Ladder, salutes her, and runs down again. And Egad this was an Adventure and a bold one-- but since I am come offwith a whole Skin, I am flesht for the next onset-- Madam-- has yourGreatness any mind to marry? [Goes to her, speaks, and runs back; Blunt claps him on the Back. _Giant. _ What if I have? _Feth. _ Why then, Madam, without inchanted Sword or Buckler, I'm yourMan. _Giant. _ My Man? my Mouse. I'll marry none whose Person and Courageshall not bear some Proportion to mine. _Feth. _ Your Mightiness I fear will die a Maid then. _Giant. _ I doubt you'll scarce secure me from that Fear, who court myFortune, not my Beauty. _Feth. _ Hu, how scornful she is, I'll warrant you-- why I must confess, your Person is something heroical and masculine, but I protest to yourHighness, I love and honour ye. _Dwarf. _ Prithee, Sister, be not so coy, I like my Lover well enough;and if Seignior Mountebank keep his Word in making us of reasonableProportions, I think the Gentlemen may serve for Husbands. _Shift. _ Dissemble, or you betray your Love for us. [Aside to the Giant. _Giant. _ And if he do keep his Word, I should make a better Choice, notthat I would change this noble Frame of mine, cou'd I but meet my Match, and keep up the first Race of Man intire: But since this scanty Worldaffords none such, I to be happy, must be new created, and then shallexpect a wiser Lover. _Feth. _ Why, what a peevish Titt's this; nay, look ye, Madam, as forthat matter, your Extraordinariness may do what you please-- but 'tisnot done like a Monster of Honour, when a Man has set his Heart uponyou, to cast him off-- Therefore I hope you'll pity a despairing Lover, and cast down an Eye of Consolation upon me; for I vow, most AmazonianPrincess, I love ye as if Heaven and Earth wou'd come together. _Dwarf. _ My Sister will do much, I'm sure, to save the Man that lovesher so passionately-- she has a Heart. _Feth. _ And a swinger 'tis-- 'Sbud-- she moves like the Royal Sovereign, and is as long a tacking about. [Aside. _Giant. _ Then your Religion, Sir. _Feth. _ Nay, as for that, Madam, we are _English_, a Nation I thank God, that stand as little upon Religion as any Nation under the Sun, unlessit be in Contradiction; and at this time have so many amongst us, a Manknows not which to turn his Hand to-- neither will I stand with yourHugeness for a small matter of Faith or so-- Religion shall shall breakno squares. _Dwarf. _ I hope, Sir, you are of your Friend's Opinion. _Blunt. _ My little Spark of a Diamond, I am, I was born a _Jew_, with anAversion to Swines Flesh. _Dwarf. _ Well, Sir, I shall hasten Seignior Doctor to compleat myBeauty, by some small Addition, to appear the more grateful to you. _Blunt. _ Lady, do not trouble your self with transitory Parts, 'Dshartlikins thou'rt as handsom as needs be for a Wife. _Dwarf. _ A little taller, Seignior, wou'd not do amiss, my youngerSister has got so much the Start of me. _Blunt. _ In troth she has, and now I think on't, a little taller wou'ddo well for Propagation; I should be both the Posterity of the antientFamily of the _Blunts_ of _Essex_ should dwindle into Pigmies orFairies. _Giant. _ Well, Seigniors, since you come with our Uncle's liking, we give ye leave to hope, hope-- and be happy-- [They go out with _Harlequin_. _Feth. _ Egad, and that's great and gracious-- Enter _Willmore_ and an Operator. _Will. _ Well, Gentlemen, and how like you the Ladies? _Blunt. _ Faith, well enough for the first Course, Sir. _Will. _ The Uncle, by my indeavour, is intirely yours-- but whilst theBaths are preparing, 'twould be well if you would think of what Age, Shape, and Complexion you would have your Ladies form'd in. _Feth. _ Why, may we chuse, Mr. Doctor? _Will. _ What Beauties you please. _Feth. _ Then will I have my Giant, _Ned_, just such another Gentlewomanas I saw at Church to day-- and about some fifteen. _Blunt. _ Hum, fifteen-- I begin to have a plaguy Itch about me too, towards a handsome Damsel of fifteen; but first let's marry, lest theyshould be boiled away in these Baths of Reformation. _Feth. _ But, Doctor, can you do all this without the help of the Devil? _Will. _ Hum, some small Hand he has in the Business? we make an Exchangewith him, give him the clippings of the Giant for so much of his Storeas will serve to build the Dwarf. _Blunt. _ Why, then mine will be more than three Parts Devil, Mr. Doctor. _Will. _ Not so, the Stock is only Devil, the Graft is your own littleWife inoculated. _Blunt. _ Well, let the Devil and you agree about this matter as soon asyou please. Enter _Shift_ as an Operator. _Shift. _ Sir, there is without a Person of an extraordinary Size wou'dspeak with you. _Will. _ Admit him. Enter _Harlequin_, ushers in _Hunt_ as a Giant. _Feth. _ Hah-- some o'ergrown Rival, on my Life. [_Feth. _ gets fromit. _Will. _ What the Devil have we here? [Aside. _Hunt. _ _Bezolos mano's_, Seignior, I understand there is a Lady whoseBeauty and Proportion can only merit me: I'll say no more-- but shall begrateful to you for your Assistance. _Feth. _ 'Tis so. _Hunt. _ The Devil's in't if this does not fright 'em from a fartherCourtship. [Aside. _Will. _ Fear nothing, Seignior-- Seignior, you may try your Chance, andvisit the Ladies. [Talks to _Hunt_. _Feth. _ Why, where the Devil could this Monster conceal himself all thiswhile, that we should neither see nor hear of him? _Blunt. _ Oh-- he lay disguis'd; I have heard of an Army that has doneso. _Feth. _ Pox, no single House cou'd hold him. _Blunt. _ No-- he dispos'd himself in several parcels up and down theTown, here a Leg, and there an Arm; and hearing of this proper Match forhim, put himself together to court his fellow Monster. _Feth. _ Good Lord! I wonder what Religion he's of. _Blunt. _ Some heathen Papist, by his notable Plots and Contrivances. _Will. _ 'Tis _Hunt_, that Rogue-- [Aside. ] Sir, I confess there isgreat Power in Sympathy-- Conduct him to the Ladies-- [He tries to go in at the Door. --I am sorry you cannot enter at that low Door, Seignior, I'll have itbroken down-- _Hunt. _ No, Seignior, I can go in at twice. _Feth. _ How, at twice! what a Pox can he mean? _Will. _ Oh, Sir, 'tis a frequent thing by way of Inchantment. Hunt _beingall Doublet, leaps off from another Man who is all Breeches, and goesout; Breeches follows stalking. _ _Feth. _ Oh Pox, Mr. Doctor, this must be the Devil. _Will. _ Oh fie, Sir, the Devil! no 'tis all done by an inchantedGirdle-- These damn'd Rascals will spoil all by too gross an Impositionon the Fools. [Aside. _Feth. _ This is the Devil, _Ned_, that's certain-- But hark ye, Mr. Doctor, I hope I shall not have my Mistress inchanted from me by thisinchanted Rival, hah? _Will. _ Oh, no, Sir, the Inquisition will never let 'em marry, for fearof a Race of Giants, 'twill be worse than the Invasion of the _Moors_, orthe _French_: but go-- think of your Mistresses Names and Ages, here'sCompany, and you would not be seen. [Ex. _Blunt_ and _Feth. _ Enter _La Nuche_ and_ Aurelia_; _Will. _ bows to her. _La Nu. _ Sir, the Fame of your excellent Knowledge, and what you said tome this day; has given me a Curiosity to learn my Fate, at least thatFate you threatened. _Will. _ Madam, from the Oracle in the Box you may be resolved anyQuestion-- [Leads her to the Table, where stands a Box full of Balls; he stares on her. --How lovely every absent minute makes her-- Madam, be pleas'd to drawfrom out this Box what Ball you will. [She draws, he takes it, and gazes on her and on it. Madam, upon this little Globe is character'd your Fate and Fortune; theHistory of your Life to come and past-- first, Madam-- you're-- a Whore. _La Nu. _ A very plain beginning. _Will. _ My Art speaks simple Truth; the Moon is your Ascendent, thatcovetous Planet that borrows all her Light, and is in opposition stillto _Venus_; and Interest more prevails with you than Love: yet here Ifind a cross-- intruding Line-- that does inform me-- you have an Itchthat way, but Interest still opposes: you are a slavish mercenaryProstitute. _La Nu. _ Your Art is so, tho call'd divine, and all the Universe issway'd by Interest: and would you wish this Beauty which adorns me, should be dispos'd about for Charity? Proceed and speak more Reason. _Will. _ But _Venus_ here gets the Ascent again, and spite of-- Interest, spite of all Aversion, will make you doat upon a Man-- [Still looking on, and turning the Ball. Wild, fickle, restless, faithless as the Winds!-- a Man of Arms heis-- and by this Line-- a Captain-- [Looking on her. ] for _Mars_ and_Venus_ were in conjunction at his Birth-- and Love and War's hisbusiness. _La Nu. _ There thou hast toucht my Heart, and spoke so true, that allthou say'st I shall receive as Oracle. Well, grant I love, that shallnot make me yield. _Will. _ I must confess you're ruin'd if you yield, and yet not all yourPride, not all your Vows, your Wit, your Resolution, or your Cunning, can hinder him from conquering absolutely: your Stars are fixt, and Fateirrevocable. _La Nu. _ No, -- I will controul my Stars and Inclinations; and tho I lovehim more than Power or Interest, I will be Mistress of my fixtResolves-- One Question more-- Does this same Captain, this wild happyMan love me? _Will. _ I do not-- find-- it here-- only a possibility incourag'd byyour Love-- Oh that you cou'd resist-- but you are destin'd his, and tobe ruin'd. [Sighs, and looks on her, she grows in a Rage. _La Nu. _ Why do you tell me this? I am betray'd, and every caution blowsmy kindling Flame-- hold-- tell me no more-- I might have guess'd myFate, from my own Soul have guest it-- but yet I will be brave, I willresist in spite of Inclinations, Stars, or Devils. _Will. _ Strive not, fair Creature, with the Net that holds you, you'llbut intangle more. Alas! you must submit and be undone. _La Nu. _ Damn your false Art-- had he but lov'd me too, it had excus'dthe Malice of my Stars. _Will. _ Indeed, his Love is doubtful; for here-- I trace him in a newpursuit-- which if you can this Night prevent, perhaps you fix him. _La Nu. _ Hah, pursuing a new Mistress! there thou hast met the littleResolution I had left, and dasht it into nothing-- but I have vow'dAllegiance to my Interest-- Curse on my Stars, they cou'd not give meLove where that might be advanc'd-- I'll hear no more. [Gives him Money. Enter Shift. _Shift. _ Sir, there are several Strangers arriv'd, who talk of the oldOracle. How will you receive 'em? _Will. _ I've business now, and must be excus'd, a while. -- Thus far--I'm well; but I may tell my Tale so often o'er, till, like the Trick ofLove, I spoil the pleasure by the repetition. -- Now I'll uncase, and seewhat Effects my Art has wrought on _La Nuche_, for she's the promis'dGood, the Philosophick Treasure that terminates my Toil and Industry. Wait you here. [Ex. _Will. _ Enter _Ariadne_ in Mens Clothes, with _Lucia_ so drest, and other Strangers. _Aria. _ How now, Seignior Operator, where's this renowned Man of Artsand Sciences, this Don of Wonders?-- hah! may a Man have a Pistole'sWorth or two of his Tricks? will he shew, Seignior? _Shift. _ Whatever you dare see, Sir. _Aria. _ And I dare see the greatest Bug-bear he can conjure up, my Mistress's Face in a Glass excepted. _Shift. _ That he can shew, Sir, but is now busied in weighty Affairswith a Grandee. _Aria. _ Pox, must we wait the Leisure of formal Grandees and Statesmen--ha, who's this?-- the lovely Conqueress of my Heart, _La Nuche. _ [Goes to her, she is talking with _Aurel. _ _La Nu. _ What foolish thing art thou? _Aria. _ Nay, do not frown, nor fly; for if you do, I must arrest you, fair one. _La Nu. _ At whose Suit, pray? _Aria. _ At Love's-- you have stol'n a Heart of mine, and us'd itscurvily. _La Nu. _ By what marks do you know the Toy, that I may be no longertroubled with it? _Aria. _ By a fresh Wound, which toucht by her that gave it bleeds anew, a Heart all over kind and amorous. _La Nu. _ When was this pretty Robbery committed? _Ana. _ To day, most sacrilegiously, at Church, where you debauch'd myZeal; and when I wou'd have pray'd, your Eyes had put the Change upon myTongue, and made it utter Railings: Heav'n forgive ye! _La Nu. _ You are the gayest thing without a Heart, I ever saw. _Aria. _ I scorn to flinch for a bare Wound or two; nor is he routed thathas lost the day, he may again rally, renew the Fight, and vanquish. _La Nu. _ You have a good opinion of that Beauty, which I find not soforcible, nor that fond Prattle uttered with such Confidence. _Aria. _ But I have Quality and Fortune too. _La Nu. _ So had you need. I should have guest the first by yourpertness; for your saucy thing of Quality acts the Man as impudently atfourteen, as another at thirty: nor is there any thing so hateful as tohear it talk of Love, Women and Drinking; nay, to see it marry too atthat Age, and get itself a Play-fellow in its Son and Heir. _Aria. _ This Satyr on my Youth shall never put me out of countenance, or make me think you wish me one day older; and egad, I'll warrant themthat tries me, shall find me ne'er an hour too young. _La Nu. _ You mistake my Humour, I hate the Person of a fair conceitedBoy. Enter _Willmore_ drest, singing. _Will. _ _Vole, vole dans cette Cage, Petite Oyseau dans cet bocage. _--How now, Fool, where's the Doctor? _Shift. _ A little busy, Sir. _Will. _ Call him, I am in haste, and come to cheapen the Price ofMonster. _Shift. _ As how, Sir? _Will. _ In an honourable way, I will lawfully marry one of 'em, and havepitcht upon the Giant; I'll bid as fair as any Man. _Shift. _ No doubt but you will speed, Sir: please you, Sir, to walk in. _Will. _ I'll follow-- _Vole, vole dans cette Cage_, &c. _Luc. _ Why, 'tis the Captain, Madam-- [Aside to _Aria. _ _La Nu. _ Hah-- marry-- harkye, Sir, -- a word, pray. [As he is going out she pulls him. _Will. _ Your Servant, Madam, your Servant-- _Vole, vole_, &c. [Puts his Hat off carelesly, and walks by, going out. _Luc. _ And to be marry'd, mark that. _Aria. _ Then there's one doubt over, I'm glad he is not married. _La Nu. _ Come back-- Death, I shall burst with Anger-- this Coldnessblows my Flame, which if once visible, makes him a Tyrant-- _Will. _ Fool, what's a Clock, fool? this noise hinders me from hearingit strike. [Shakes his Pockets, and walks up and down. _La Nu. _ A blessed sound, if no Hue and Cry pursue it. -- what-- you areresolv'd then upon this notable Exploit? _Will. _ What Exploit, good Madam? _La Nu. _ Why, marrying of a Monster, and an ugly Monster. _Will. _ Yes faith, Child, here stands the bold Knight, that singly, andunarm'd, designs to enter the List with _Thogogandiga_ the Giant; a goodSword will defend a worse cause than an ugly Wife. I know no dangerworse than fighting for my Living, and I have don't this dozen years forBread. _La Nu. _ This is the common trick of all Rogues, when they have done anill thing to face it out. _Will. _ An ill thing-- your Pardon, Sweet-heart, compare it but toBanishment, a frozen Sentry with brown George and _Spanish_ Pay; and ifit be not better to be Master of a Monster, than Slave to a damn'dCommonwealth-- I submit-- and since my Fortune has thrown this good inmy way-- _La Nu. _ You'll not be so ungrateful to refuse it; besides then you mayhope to sleep again, without dreaming of Famine, or the Sword, twoPlagues a Soldier of Fortune is subject to. _Will. _ Besides Cashiering, a third Plague. _La Nu. _ Still unconcern'd!-- you call me mercenary, but I would starvee'er suffer my self to be possest by a thing of Horror. _Will. _ You lye, you would by any thing of Horror: yet these things ofHorror have Beauties too, Beauties thou canst not boast of, Beautiesthat will not fade; Diamonds to supply the lustre of their Eyes, andGold the brightness of their Hair, a well-got Million to atone forShape, and Orient Pearls, more white, more plump and smooth, than thatfair Body Men so languish for, and thou hast set such Price on. _Aria. _ I like not this so well, 'tis a trick to make her jealous. _Will. _ Their Hands too have their Beauties, whose very mark findscredit and respect, their Bills are current o'er the Universe; besidesthese, you shall see waiting at my Door, four Footmen, a Velvet Coach, with Six _Flanders_ Beauties more: And are not these most comely Virtuesin a Soldier's Wife, in this most wicked peaceable Age? _Luc. _ He's poor too, there's another comfort. [Aside. _Aria. _ The most incouraging one I have met with yet. _Will. _ Pox on't, I grow weary of this virtuous Poverty. There goes agallant Fellow, says one, but gives him not an Onion; the Women too, faith, 'tis a handsom Gentleman, but the Devil a Kiss he gets _gratis_. _Aria. _ Oh, how I long to undeceive him of that Error. _La Nu. _ He speaks not of me; sure he knows me not. [Aside. _Will. _ --No, Child, Money speaks sense in a Language all Nationsunderstand, 'tis Beauty, Wit, Courage, Honour, and undisputableReason-- see the virtue of a Wager, that new philosophical way latelyfound out of deciding all hard Questions-- _Socrates_, without readyMoney to lay down, must yield. _Aria. _ Well, I must have this gallant Fellow. [Aside. _La Nu. _ Sure he has forgot this trival thing. _Will. _ --Even thou-- who seest me dying unregarded, wou'd then be fondand kind, and flatter me. [_Soft tone. _ By Heaven, I'll hate thee then; nay, I will marry to be rich to hate thee: the worst of that, is but to suffer nine Days Wonderment. Is not that better than an Age of Scorn from a proud faithless Beauty? _La Nu. _ Oh, there's Resentment left-- why, yes faith, such a Weddingwould give the Town diversion: we should have a lamentable Ditty made onit, entitled, The Captain's Wedding, with the doleful Relation of hisbeing over-laid by an o'er-grown Monster. _Will. _ I'll warrant ye I escape that as sure as cuckolding; for I wouldfain see that hardy Wight that dares attempt my Lady Bright, either byForce or Flattery. _La Nu. _ So, then you intend to bed her? _Will. _ Yes faith, and beget a Race of Heroes, the Mother's Form withall the Father's Qualities. _La Nu. _ Faith, such a Brood may prove a pretty Livelihood for a poordecay'd Officer; you may chance to get a Patent to shew 'em in_England_, that Nation of Change and Novelty. _Will. _ A provision old _Carlo_ cannot make for you against theabandon'd day. _La Nu. _ He can supply the want of Issue a better way; and tho he be notso fine a fellow as your self, he's a better Friend, he can keep aMistress: give me a Man can feed and clothe me, as well as hug and allto bekiss me, and tho his Sword be not so good as yours, his Bond'sworth a thousand Captains. This will not do, I'll try what Jealousy willdo. [Aside. ] Your Servant, Captain-- your Hand, Sir. [Takes _Ariadne_ by the Hand. _Will. _ Hah, what new Coxcomb's that-- hold, Sir-- [Takes her from him. _Aria. _ What would you, Sir, ought with this Lady? _Will. _ Yes, that which thy Youth will only let thee guess at-- this--Child, is Man's Meat; there are other Toys for Children. [Offers to lead her off. _La Nu. _ Oh insolent! and whither would'st thou lead me? _Will. _ Only out of harm's way, Child, here are pretty near Convenienceswithin: the Doctor will be civil-- 'tis part of his Calling-- YourServant, Sir-- [Going off with her. _Aria. _ I must huff now, tho I may chance to be beaten-- come back-- orI have something here that will oblige ye to't. [Laying his hand on his Sword. _Will. _ Yes faith, thou'rt a pretty Youth; but at this time I've moreoccasion for a thing in Petticoats-- go home, and do not walk theStreets so much; that tempting Face of thine will debauch the grave menof business, and make the Magistrates lust after Wickedness. _Aria. _ You are a scurvy Fellow, Sir. [Going to draw. _Will. _ Keep in your Sword, for fear it cut your Fingers, Child. _Aria. _ So 'twill your Throat, Sir-- here's Company coming that willpart us, and I'll venture to draw. [Draws, Will. Draws. Enter _Beaumond_. _Beau. _ Hold, hold-- hah, _Willmore_! thou Man of constant mischief, what's the matter? _La Nu. _ _Beaumond_! undone! _Aria. _ --_Beaumond!_-- _Will. _ Why, here's a young Spark will take my Lady Bright from me; theunmanner'd Hot-spur would not have patience till I had finish'd my smallAffair with her. [Puts up his Sword. _Aria. _ Death, he'll know me-- Sir, you see we are prevented. [Draws him aside. --or-- [Seems to talk to him, _Beau. _ gazes on _La Nuche_, who has pull'd down her Veil. _Beau. _ 'Tis she! Madam, this Veil's too thin to hide the perjur'dBeauty underneath. Oh, have I been searching thee, with all thediligence of impatient Love, and am I thus rewarded, to find thee hereincompass'd round with Strangers, fighting, who first should take myright away?-- Gods! take your Reason back, take all your Love; for easyMan's unworthy of the Blessings. _Will. _ Harkye, _Harry_-- the-- Woman-- the almighty Whore-- thoutold'st me of to day. _Beau. _ Death, do'st thou mock my Grief-- unhand me strait, for tho Icannot blame thee, I must hate thee. -- [Goes out. _Will. _ What the Devil ails he? _Aria. _ You will be sure to come. _Will. _ At night in the Piazza; I have an Assignation with a Woman, thatonce dispatch'd, I will not fail ye, Sir. _Luc. _ And will you leave him with her? _Aria. _ Oh, yes, he'll be ne'er the worse for my use when he has donewith her. [Ex. _Luc. _ and _Aria. _ _Will. _ looks with scorn on _La Nuche_. _Will. _ Now you may go o'ertake him, lie with him-- and ruin him: theFool was made for such a Destiny-- if he escapes my Sword. [He offers to go. _La Nu. _ I must prevent his visit to this Woman-- but dare not tell himso. [Aside. ] --I would not have ye meet this angry Youth. _Will. _ Oh, you would preserve him for a farther use. _La Nu. _ Stay-- you must not fight-- by Heaven, I cannot see-- thatBosom-- wounded. [Turns and weeps. _Will. _ Hah! weep'st thou? curse me when I refuse a faith to thatobliging Language of thy Eyes-- Oh give me one proof more, and afterthat, thou conquerest all my Soul; Thy Eyes speak Love-- come, let usin, my Dear, e'er the bright Fire allays that warms my Heart. [Goes to lead her out. _La Nu. _ Your Love grows rude, and saucily demands it. [Flings away. _Will. _ Love knows no Ceremony, no respect when once approacht so nearthe happy minute. _La Nu. _ What desperate easiness have you seen in me, or what mistakenmerit in your self, should make you so ridiculously vain, to think I'dgive myself to such a Wretch, one fal'n even to the last degree ofPoverty, whilst all the World is prostrate at my Feet, whence I mightchuse the Brave, the Great, the Rich? [He stands spitefully gazing at her. --Still as he fires, I find my Pride augment, and when he cools I burn. [Aside. _Will. _ Death, thou'rt a-- vain, conceited, taudry Jilt, who wou'st drawme in as Rooks their Cullies do, to make me venture all my stock ofLove, and then you turn me out despis'd and poor-- [Offers to go. _La Nu. _ You think you're gone now-- _Will. _ Not all thy Arts nor Charms shall hold me longer. _La Nu. _ I must submit-- and can you part thus from me?-- [Pulls him. _Will. _ I can-- nay, by Heaven, I will not turn, nor look at thee. No, when I do, or trust that faithless Tongue again-- may I be-- _La Nu. _ Oh do not swear-- _Will. _ Ever curst-- [Breaks from her, she holds him. _La Nu. _ You shall not go-- Plague of this needless Pride, [Aside. --stay-- and I'll follow all the dictates of my Love. _Will. _ Oh never hope to flatter me to faith again. [His back to her, she holding him. _La Nu. _ I must, I will; what wou'd you have me do? _Will. _ [turning softly to her. ] Never-- deceive me more, it may befatal to wind me up to an impatient height, then dash my eager Hopes. [_Sighing. _ Forgive my roughness-- and be kind, _La Nuche_, I know thou wo't-- _La Nu. _ Will you then be ever kind and true? _Will. _ Ask thy own Charms, and to confirm thee more, yield and disarmme quite. _La Nu. _ Will you not marry then? for tho you never can be mine thatway, I cannot think that you should be another's. _Will. _ No more delays, by Heaven, 'twas but a trick. _La Nu. _ And will you never see that Woman neither, whom you're thisNight to visit? _Will. _ Damn all the rest of thy weak Sex, when thou look'st thus, andart so soft and charming. [Offers to lead her out. _La Nu. _ _Sancho_-- my Coach. [Turns in scorn. _Will. _ Take heed, what mean ye? _La Nu. _ Not to be pointed at by all the envying Women of the Town, who'l laugh and cry, Is this the high-priz'd Lady, now fall'n so low, to doat upon a Captain? a poor disbanded Captain? defend me from thatInfamy. _Will. _ Now all the Plagues-- but yet I will not curse thee, 'tis loston thee, for thou art destin'd damn'd. [Going out. _La Nu. _ Whither so fast? _Will. _ Why, -- I am so indifferent grown, that I can tell thee now-- toa Woman, young, fair and honest; she'll be kind and thankful-- farewel, Jilt-- now should'st thou die for one sight more of me, thou should'stnot ha't; nay, should'st thou sacrifice all thou hast couzen'd otherCoxcombs of, to buy one single visit, I am so proud, by Heaven, thoushouldst not have it-- To grieve thee more, see here, insatiate Woman[Shews her a Purse or hands full of Gold] the Charm that makes me lovelyin thine Eyes: it had all been thine hadst thou not basely bargain'dwith me, now 'tis the Prize of some well-meaning Whore, whose Modestywill trust my Generosity. [Goes out. _La Nu. _ Now I cou'd rave, t'have lost an opportunity which industry norchance can give again-- when on the yielding point, a cursed fit ofPride comes cross my Soul, and stops the kind Career-- I'll follow him, yes I'll follow him, even to the Arms of her to whom he's gone. _Aur. _ Madam, 'tis dark, and we may meet with Insolence. _La Nu. _ No matter: _Sancho_, let the Coach go home, and do you followme-- _Women may boast their Honour and their Pride, But Love soon lays those feebler Powr's aside. _ [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. _The Street, or Backside of the Piazza dark. _ Enter _Willmore_ alone. _Will. _ A Pox upon this Woman that has jilted me, and I for being a fondbelieving Puppy to be in earnest with so great a Devil. Where be theseCoxcombs too? this _Blunt_ and _Fetherfool_? when a Man needs 'em not, they are plaguing him with their unseasonable Jests-- could I but lighton them, I would be very drunk to night-- but first I'll try my Fortunewith this Woman-- let me see-- hereabouts is the Door. [Gropes about for the Door. Enter _Beaumond_, follow'd by _La Nuche_, and _Sancho_. _La Nu. _ 'Tis he, I know it by his often and uneasy pauses-- _Beau. _ And shall I home and sleep upon my injury, whilst this morehappy Rover takes my right away?-- no, damn me then for a cold senselessCoward. [Pauses and pulls out a Key. _Will. _ This Damsel, by the part o'th' Town she lives in, shou'd be ofQuality, and therefore can have no dishonest design on me, it must beright down substantial Love, that's certain. _Beau. _ Yet I'll in and arm my self for the Encounter, for 'twill berough between us, tho we're Friends. [Groping about, finds the Door. _Will. _ Oh, 'tis this I'm sure, because the Door is open. _Beau. _ Hah-- who's there?-- [_Beau. _ advances to unlock the Door, runs against _Will. _ draws. _Will. _ That Voice is of Authority, some Husband, Lover, or a Brother, on my Life-- this is a Nation of a word and a blow, therefore I'llbetake me to _Toledo_-- [Draws. [_Willmore_ in drawing hits his Sword against that of _Beaumond_, who turns and fights, _La Nuche_ runs into the Garden frighted. _Beau. _ Hah, are you there? _Sanc. _ I'll draw in defence of the Captain-- [_Sancho_ fights for _Beau. _ and beats out _Will. _ _Will. _ Hah, two to one? [Turns and goes in. _Beau. _ The Garden Door clapt to; sure he's got in; nay, then I have himsure. The Scene changes to a Garden, _La Nuche_ in it, to her _Beau. _ who takes hold of her sleeve. _La Nu. _ Heavens, where am I? _Beau. _ Hah-- a Woman! and by these Jewels-- should be _Ariadne_. [feels. ] 'Tis so! Death, are all Women false? [She struggles to get away, he holds her. --Oh, 'tis in vain thou fly'st, thy Infamy will stay behind thee still. _La Nu. _ Hah, 'tis _Beaumond's_ Voice!-- Now for an Art to turn thetrick upon him; I must not lose his Friendship. [Aside. Enter _Willmore_ softly, peeping behind. _Will. _ What a Devil have we here, more Mischief yet;-- hah-- my Womanwith a Man-- I shall spoil all-- I ever had an excellent knack of doingso. _Beau. _ Oh Modesty, where art thou? Is this the effect of all your puton Jealousy, that Mask to hide your own new falshood in? New!-- byHeaven, I believe thou'rt old in cunning, that couldst contrive, so nearthy Wedding-night, this, to deprive me of the Rites of Love. _La Nu. _ Hah, what says he? [Aside. _Will. _ How, a Maid, and young, and to be marry'd too! a rare Wench thisto contrive Matters so conveniently: Oh, for some Mischief now to sendhim neatly off. [Aside. _Beau. _ Now you are silent; but you could talk to day loudly of Virtue, and upbraid my Vice: oh how you hated a young keeping Husband, whomneither Beauty nor Honour in a Wife cou'd oblige to reason-- oh, damnyour Honour, 'tis that's the sly pretence of all your domineeringinsolent Wives-- Death-- what didst thou see in me, should make theethink that I would be a tame contented Cuckold? [Going, she holds him. _La Nu. _ I must not lose this lavish loving Fool-- [Aside. _Will. _ So, I hope he will be civil and withdraw, and leave me inpossession-- _Beau. _ No, tho my Fortune should depend on thee; nay, all my hope offuture happiness-- by Heaven, I scorn to marry thee, unless thou couldstconvince me thou wer't honest-- a Whore!-- Death, how it cools myBlood-- _Will. _ And fires mine extremely-- _La Nu. _ Nay, then I am provok'd tho I spoil all-- [Aside. And is a Whore a thing so much despis'd? Turn back, thou false forsworn-- turn back, and blush at thy mistakenfolly. [He stands amaz'd. _Beau. _ _La Nuche!_ Enter _Aria. _ peeping, advancing cautiously undrest, _Luc. _ following. _Aria. _ Oh, he is here-- _Lucia_, attend me in the Orange-grove-- [Ex. _Lucia_. Hah, a Woman with him! _Will. _ Hum-- what have we here? another Damsel?-- she's gay too, andseems young and handsom-- sure one of these will fall to my share; nomatter which, so I am sure of one. _La Nu. _ Who's silent now? are you struck dumb with Guilt? thou shame tonoble Love; thou scandal to all brave Debauchery, thou Fop of Fortune;thou slavish Heir to Estate and Wife, born rich and damn'd to Matrimony. _Will. _ Egad, a noble Wench-- I am divided yet. _La Nu. _ Thou formal Ass disguis'd in generous Leudness, see-- when theVizor's off, how sneakingly that empty form appears-- Nay 'tis thyown-- Make much on't, marry with it, and be damn'd. [Offers to go. _Will. _ I hope she'll beat him for suspecting her. [He holds her, she turns. _Aria. _ Hah-- who the Devil can these be? _La Nu. _ What silly honest Fool did you mistake me for? what senselessmodest thing? Death, am I grown so despicable? have I deserv'd no betterfrom thy Love than to be taken for a virtuous Changeling? _Will. _ Egad, 'twas an Affront. [Aside. _La Nu. _ I'm glad I've found thee out to be an errant Coxcomb, one thatesteems a Woman for being chaste forsooth! 'Sheart, I shall have theecall me pious shortly, a most-- religious Matron! _Will. _ Egad, she has reason-- [Aside. _Beau. _ Forgive me-- for I took ye-- for another. [Sighing. _La Nu. _ Oh did you so? it seems you keep fine Company the while--Death, that I should e'er be seen with such a vile Dissembler, with oneso vain, so dull and so impertinent, as can be entertain'd by honestWomen! _Will. _ A Heavenly Soul, and to my Wish, were I but sure of her. _Beau. _ Oh you do wondrous well t'accuse me first! yes, I am aCoxcomb-- a confounded one, to doat upon so false a Prostitute; nay tolove seriously, and tell it too: yet such an amorous Coxcomb I was born, to hate the Enjoyment of the loveliest Woman, without I have the Heart:the fond soft Prattle, and the lolling Dalliance, the Frowns, the littleQuarrels, and the kind Degrees of making Peace again, are Joys which Iprefer to all the sensual, whilst I endeavour to forget the Whore, andpay my Vows to Wit, to Youth and Beauty. _Aria. _ Now hang me, if it be not _Beaumond_. _Beau. _ Would any Devil less than common Woman have serv'd me as thoudidst? say, was not this my Night? my paid for Night? my own by right ofBargain, and by Love? and hast not thou deceiv'd me for a Stranger? _Will. _ So-- make me thankful, then she will be kind. _Hugs himself. _ _Beau. _ --Was this done like a Whore of Honour think ye? and would notsuch an Injury make me forswear all Joys of Womankind, and marry in merespite? _La Nu. _ Why where had been the Crime had I been kind? _Beau. _ Thou dost confess it then. _La Nu. _ Why not? _Beau. _ Those Bills of Love the oftner paid and drawn, make Women betterMerchants than Lovers. _La Nu. _ And 'tis the better Trade. _Will. _ Oh Pox, there she dasht all again. I find they calm upon't, andwill agree, therefore I'll bear up to this small Frigate and lay heraboard. [Goes to _Ariadne_. _La Nu. _ However I'm glad the Vizor's off; you might have fool'd me on, and sworn I was the only Conqueror of your Heart, had not Good-naturemade me follow you, to undeceive your false Suspicions of me: How haveyou sworn never to marry? how rail'd at Wives, and satir'd Fools oblig'dto Wedlock? And now at last, to thy eternal Shame, thou hast betray'dthy self to be a most pernicious honourable Lover, a perjur'd-- honest--nay, a very Husband. [Turns away, he holds her. _Aria. _ Hah, sure 'tis the Captain. _Will. _ Prithee, Child, let's leave 'em to themselves, they'l agreematters I'll warrant them when they are alone; and let us try how Loveand Good-nature will provide for us. _Aria. _ Sure he cannot know me?-- Us!-- pray who are you, and who am I? _Will. _ Why look ye, Child, I am a very honest civil Fellow, for mypart, and thou'rt a Woman for thine; and I desire to know no more atpresent. _Aria. _ 'Tis he, and knows not me to be the same he appointed today-- Sir, pursue that Path on your right Hand, that Grove ofOrange-Trees, and I'll follow you immediately. _Will. _ Kind and civil-- prithee make haste, dear Child. [Exit. _Will. _ _Beau. _ And did you come to call me back again? [Lovingly. _La Nu. _ No matter, you are to be marry'd, Sir-- _Beau. _ No more, 'tis true, to please my Uncle, I have talk'd of somesuch thing; but I'll pursue it no farther, so thou wilt yet be mine, andmine intirely-- I hate this _Ariadne_-- for a Wife-- by Heaven I do. _Aria. _ A very plain Confession. [Claps him on the back. _Beau. _ _Ariadne!_ _La Nu. _ I'm glad of this, now I shall be rid of him. [Aside. ] --Howis't, Sir? I see you struggle hard 'twixt Love and Honour, and I'llresign my Place-- [Offers to go, _Ariadne_ pulls her back. _Aria. _ Hold, if she take him not away, I shall disappoint my Man--faith, I'll not be out-done in Generosity. [Gives him to _La Nuche_. Here-- Love deserves him best-- and I resign him-- Pox on't I'm honest, tho that's no fault of mine; 'twas Fortune who has made a worseExchange, and you and I should suit most damnably together. [To _Beau. _ _Beau. _ I am sure there's something in the Wind, she being in theGarden, and the Door left open. [Aside. ] --Yes, I believe you arewilling enough to part with me, when you expect another you like better. _Aria. _ I'm glad I was before-hand with you then. _Beau. _ Very good, and the Door was left open to give admittance to aLover. _Aria. _ 'Tis visible it was to let one in to you, false as you are. _La Nu. _ Faith, Madam, you mistake my Constitution, my Beauty and myBusiness is only to be belov'd not to love; I leave that Slavery for youWomen of Quality, who must invite, or die without the Blessing; forlikely the Fool you make choice of wants Wit or Confidence to ask first;you are fain to whistle before the Dogs will fetch and carry, and thentoo they approach by stealth: and having done the Drudgery, thesubmissive Curs are turn'd out for fear of dirtying your Apartment, or that the Mungrils should scandalize ye; whilst all my Lovers of thenoble kind throng to adore and fill my Presence daily, gay as if eachwere triumphing for Victory. _Aria. _ Ay this is something; what a poor sneaking thing an honest Womanis! _La Nu. _ And if we chance to love still, there's a difference, yourHours of Love are like the Deeds of Darkness, and mine like cheerfulBirds in open Day. _Aria. _ You may, you have no Honour to lose. _La Nu. _ Or if I had, why should I double the Sin by Hypocrisy? [_Lucia_ squeaks within, crying, help, help. _Aria. _ Heavens, that's _Lucia's_ Voice. _Beau. _ Hah, more caterwauling? Enter _Lucia_ in haste. _Luc. _ Oh, Madam, we're undone; and, Sir, for Heaven's sake do youretire. _Beau. _ What's the matter? _Luc. _ Oh you have brought the most villainous mad Friend with you-- hefound me sitting on a Bank-- and did so ruffle me. _Aria. _ Death, she takes _Beaumond_ for the Stranger, and will ruin me. _Luc. _ Nay, made love so loud, that my Lord your Father-in-law, who wasin his Cabinet, heard us from the Orange-Grove, and has sent to searchthe Garden-- and should he find a Stranger with you-- do but you retire, Sir, and all's well yet. [To _Beaumond_. _Aria. _ The Devil's in her Tongue. [Aside. _Luc. _ For if Mr. _Beaumond_ be in the House, we shall have the Devil todo with his Jealousy. _Aria. _ So, there 'tis out. _Beau. _ She takes me for another-- I am jilted every where-- whatFriend?-- I brought none with me. -- Madam, do you retire-- [To _La Nuche_. _La Nu. _ Glad of my Freedom too-- [Goes out. [A clashing of Swords within. Enter _Willm. _ fighting, prest back by three or four Men, and _Abevile_, _Aria. _ and _Luc. _ run out. _Beau. _ Hah, set on by odds; hold, tho thou be'st my Rival, I will freethee, on condition thou wilt meet me to morrow morning in the Piazza byday break. [Puts himself between their Swords, and speaks to _Will. _ Aside. _Will. _ By Heaven I'll do it. _Beau. _ Retire in safety then, you have your pass. _Abev. _ Fall on, fall on, the number is increas'd. [Fall on Beau. _Beau. _ Rascals, do you not know me? [Falls in with 'em and beats them back, and goes out with them. _Will. _ Nay, and you be so well acquainted, I'll leave you-- unfortunatestill I am; my own well meaning, but ill Management, is my eternal Foe:Plague on 'em, they have wounded me-- yet not one drop of Blood'sdeparted from me that warm'd my Heart for Woman, and I'm not willing toquit this Fairy-ground till some kind Devil have been civil to me. Enter _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. _Aria. _ I say, 'tis he: thou'st made so many dull Mistakes to Night, thou darest not trust thy Senses when they're true-- How do you, Sir? _Will. _ That Voice has Comfort in't, for 'tis a Woman's: hah, moreInterruption? _Aria. _ A little this way, Sir. [Ex. _Aria_, and _Will. _ into the Garden. Enter _Beaumond_, _Abevile_ in a submissive Posture. _Beau. _ No more excuses-- By all these Circumstances, I know this_Ariadne_ is a Gipsy. What difference then beween a money-takingMistress and her that gives her Love? only perhaps this sins the closerby't, and talks of Honour more: What Fool wou'd be a Slave to emptyName, or value Woman for dissembling well? I'll to _La Nuche_-- thehonester o'th' two-- _Abevile_-- get me my Musick ready, and attend meat _La Nuche's_. [Ex. Severally. _Luc. _ He's gone, and to his Mistress too. Enter _Ariadne_ pursu'd by _Willmore_. _Will. _ My little _Daphne_, 'tis in vain to fly, unless like her, youcou'd be chang'd into a Tree: _Apollo's_ self pursu'd not with moreeager Fire than I. [Holds her. _Aria. _ Will you not grant a Parly e'er I yield? _Will. _ I'm better at a Storm. _Aria. _ Besides, you're wounded too. _Will. _ Oh leave those Wounds of Honour to my Surgeon, thy Business isto cure those of Love. Your true bred Soldier ever fights with the moreheat for a Wound or two. _Aria. _ Hardly in Venus' Wars. _Will. _ Her self ne'er thought so when she snatcht her Joys between therough Encounters of the God of War. Come, let's pursue the Business wecame for: See the kind Night invites, and all the ruffling Winds arehusht and still, only the Zephirs spread their tender Wings, courting ingentle Murmurs the gay Boughs; 'twas in a Night like this, Diana taughtthe Mysteries of Love to the fair Boy Endymion. I am plaguy full ofHistory and Simile to night. _Aria. _ You see how well he far'd for being modest. _Will. _ He might be modest, but 'twas not over-civil to put herGoddessship to asking first; thou seest I'm better bred-- Come let'shaste to silent Grots that attend us, dark Groves where none can see, and murmuring Fountains. _Aria. _ Stay, let me consider first, you are a Stranger, inconstant tooas Island Winds, and every day are fighting for your Mistresses, ofwhich you've had at least four since I saw you first, which is not awhole day. _Will. _ I grant ye, before I was a Lover I ran at random, but I'll takeup now, be a patient Man, and keep to one Woman a Month. _Aria. _ A Month! _Will. _ And a fair Reason, Child; time was, I wou'd have worn one Shirt, or one pair of Shoos so long as have let the Sun set twice upon the sameSin: but see the Power of Love; thou hast bewitched me, that's certain. _Aria. _ Have a care of giving me the ascendent over ye, for fear I makeye marry me. _Will. _ Hold, I bar that cast, Child; no, I'm none of those Spirits thatcan be conjur'd into a Wedding-ring, and dance in the dull matrimonialCircle all my Days. _Aria. _ But what think you of a hundred thousand Crowns, and a Beauty ofsixteen? _Will. _ As of most admirable Blessings: but harkye, Child, I am plaguilyafraid thou'rt some scurvy honest thing of Quality by these oddQuestions of thine, and hast some wicked Design upon my Body. _Aria. _ What, to have and to hold I'll warrant. -- No Faith, Sir, Maidsof my Quality expect better Jointures than a Buff-coat, Scarf andFeather: such Portions as mine are better Ornaments in a Family than aCaptain and his Commission. _Will. _ Why well said, now thou hast explain'd thy self like a Woman ofHonour-- Come, come, let's away. _Aria. _ Explain my self! How mean ye? _Will. _ --Thou say'st I am not fit to marry thee-- and I believe thisAssignation was not made to tell me so, nor yet to hear me whistle tothe Birds. _Aria. _ Faith no, I saw you, lik'd ye, and had a mind to ye. _Will. _ Ay, Child-- _Aria. _ In short, I took ye for a Man of Honour. _Will. _ Nay, if I tell the Devil take me. _Aria. _ I am a Virgin in Distress. _Will. _ Poor Heart. _Aria. _ To be marry'd within a Day or two to one I like not. _Will. _ Hum-- and therefore wouldst dispose of a small Virgin Treasure(too good for silly Husbands) in a Friend's Hands: faith, Child-- I wasever a good religious charitable Christian, and shall acquit my self ashonestly and piously in this Affair as becomes a Gentleman. Enter _Abevile_ with Musick. _Abev. _ Come away, are ye all arm'd for the Business? _Aria. _ Hah, arm'd! we are surpriz'd again. _Will. _ Fear not. [Draws. _Aria. _ Oh God, Sir, haste a way, you are already wounded: but I conjureyou, as a Man of Honour, be here at the Garden Gate to night again, andbring a Friend, in case of Danger, with you; and if possible I'll put myself into your Hands, for this Night's Work has ruin'd me-- [Speaking quick, and pushing him forwards runs off. _Abev. _ My Master sure not gone yet-- [Peeping advancing. _Will. _ Rascals, tho you are odds, you'll find hot Work in vanquishing. [Falls on 'em. _Abev. _ Hold, Sir, I am your Page. Do you not know me? and these theMusick you commanded-- shall I carry 'em where you order'd, Sir? _Will. _ They take me for some other, this was lucky. [Aside. ]O, aye-- 'tis well-- I'll follow-- but whither?-- Plague of my dullMistakes, the Woman's gone-- yet stay-- [Calls 'em. For now I think on't, this Mistake may help me to another-- stay-- Imust dispose of this mad Fire about me, which all these Disappointmentscannot lay-- Oh for some young kind Sinner in the nick-- How I cou'dsouse upon her like a Bird of Prey, and worry her with Kindness. [Aside. ] --Go on, I follow. [Exeunt. Scene changes to _La Nuche's_ House. Enter _Petronella_ and _Aurelia_ with Light. _Aur. _ Well, the Stranger is in Bed, and most impatiently expects ourPatrona, who is not yet returned. _Pet. _ Curse of this Love! I know she's in pursuit of this Rover, this_English_ Piece of Impudence; Pox on 'em, I know nothing good in thewhole Race of 'em, but giving all to their Shirts when they're drunk. What shall we do, _Aurelia_? This Stranger must not be put off, nor_Carlo_ neither, who has fin'd again as if for a new Maidenhead. _Aur. _ You are so covetous, you might have put 'em off, but now 'tis toolate. _Pet. _ Put off! Are these Fools to be put off think ye? a fine Fop_Englishman_, and an old doating Grandee?-- No, I cou'd put the oldtrick on 'em still, had she been here but to have entertain'd 'em: buthark, one knocks, 'tis _Carlo_ on my Life-- Enter _Carlo_, gives _Petronella_ Gold. _Car. _ Let this plead for me. _Pet. _ Sweet Don, you are the most eloquent Person. _Car. _ I would regale to night-- I know it is not mine, but I've sentfive hundred Crowns to purchase it, because I saw another bargainingfor't; and Persons of my Quality must not be refus'd: you apprehend me. _Pet. _ Most rightly-- that was the Reason then she came so out of Humourhome-- and is gone to Bed in such a sullen Fit. _Car. _ To Bed, and all alone! I would surprize her there. Oh how itpleases me to think of stealing into her Arms like a fine Dream, Wench, hah. _Aur. _ 'Twill be a pleasant one, no doubt. _Pet. _ He lays the way out how he'll be cozen'd. [Aside. ]--The Seigniora perhaps may be angry, Sir, but I'll venture that toaccommodate you; and that you may surprize her the more readily, bepleased to stay in my Chamber, till you think she may be asleep. _Car. _ Thou art a perfect Mistress of thy Trade. _Pet. _ So, now will I to the Seigniora's Bed my self, drest andperfum'd, and finish two good Works at once; earn five hundred Crowns, and keep up the Honour of the House. [Aside. ] --Softly, sweet Don. [Lights him out. _Aur. _ And I will do two more good things, and disappoint yourExpectations; jilt the young _English_ Fool, and have old _Carlo_ wellbang'd, if t'other have any Courage. Enter _La Nuche_ in Rage, and _Sancho_. _La Nu. _ _Aurelia_, help, help me to be reveng'd upon this wretchedunconsidering Heart. _Aur. _ Heavens, have you made the Rover happy, Madam? _La Nu. _ Oh wou'd I had! or that or any Sin wou'd change this Rage intosome easier Passion: Sickness and Poverty, Disgrace and Pity, all met inone, were kinder than this Love, this raging Fire of a proud amorousHeart. Enter _Petronella_. _Pet. _ Heavens, what's the matter? _Aur. _ Here's _Petronella_, dissemble but your Rage a little. _La Nu. _ Damn all dissembling now, it is too late-- The Tyrant Love reigns absolute within, And I am lost, _Aurelia_. _Pet. _ How, Love! forbid it Heaven! will Love maintain ye? _La Nu. _ Curse on your Maxims, will they ease my Heart? Can your wiseCounsel fetch me back my Rover? _Pet. _ Hah, your Rover, a Pox upon him. _La Nu. _ He's gone-- gone to the Arms of some gay generous Maid, whonobly follows Love's diviner Dictates, whilst I 'gainst Nature studyingthy dull Precepts, and to be base and infamously rich, have barter'd allthe Joys of human Life-- Oh give me Love: I will be poor and love. _Pet. _ She's lost-- but hear me-- _La Nu. _ I won't, from Childhood thou hast trained me up in Cunning, read Lectures to me of the use of Man, but kept me from the knowledge ofthe Right; taught me to jilt, to flatter and deceive: and hard it was tolearn th' ungrateful Lessons. But oh how soon plain Nature taught meLove, and shew'd me all the cheat of thy false Tenents-- No-- give meLove with any other Curse. _Pet. _ But who will give you that when you are poor? when you arewretchedly despis'd and poor? _La Nu. _ Hah! _Pet. _ Do you not daily see fine Clothes, rich Furniture, Jewels andPlate are more inviting than Beauty unadorn'd? be old, diseas'd, deform'd, be any thing, so you be rich and splendidly attended, you'llfind your self lov'd and ador'd by all-- But I'm an old fool still--Well, _Petronella_, had'st thou been half as industrious in thy Youth asin thy Age-- thou hadst not come to this. [Weeps. _La Nu. _ She's in the right. _Pet. _ What can this mad poor Captain do for you, love you whilst youcan buy him Breeches, and then leave you? A Woman has a sweet time on'twith any Soldier-Lover of 'em all, with their Iron Minds, and BuffHearts; feather'd Inamorato's have nothing that belongs to Love but hisWings, the Devil clip 'em for _Petronella_. _La Nu. _ True-- he can ne'er be constant. [Pausing. _Pet. _ Heaven forbid he should! No, if you are so unhappy as that youmust have him, give him a Night or two and pay him for't, and send himto feed again: But for your Heart, 'Sdeath, I would as soon part with myBeauty, or Youth, and as necessary a Tool 'tis for your Trade--A Curtezan and love! but all my Counsel's thrown away upon ye. [Weeps. _La Nu. _ No more, I will be rul'd-- I will be wise, be rich; and since Imust yield somewhere, and some time, _Beaumond_ shall be the Man, and this the Night; he's handsom, young, and lavishly profuse: This Night he comes, and I'll submit to Interest. Let the gilded Apartment be made ready, and strew it o'er with Flowers, adorn my Bed of State; let all be fine; perfume my Chamber like thePhoenix's Nest, I'll be luxurious in my Pride to Night, and make theamorous prodigal Youth my Slave. _Pet. _ Nobly resolv'd! and for these other two who wait your coming, letme alone to manage. [Goes out. Scene changes to a Chamber, discovers _Fetherfool_ in Bed. _Feth. _ This Gentlewoman is plaguy long in coming:-- some Nicety now, some perfum'd Smock, or Point Night-Clothes to make her more lovely inmy Eyes: Well, these Women are right City Cooks, they stay so long togarnish the Dish, till the Meat be cold-- but hark, the Door opens. Enter _Carlo_ softly, half undrest. _Car. _ This Wench stays long, and Love's impatient; this is the Chamberof _La Nuche_, I take it: If she be awake, I'll let her know who I am;if not, I'll steal a Joy before she thinks of it. _Feth. _ Sure 'tis she, pretty modest Rogue, she comes i'th' dark to hideher Blushes-- hum, I'm plaguy eloquent o'th' sudden-- who's there? [Whispering. _Car. _ 'Tis I, my Love. _Feth. _ Hah, sweet Soul, make haste. -- There 'twas again. _Car. _ So kind, sure she takes me for some other, or has some inkling ofmy Design-- [To himself. Where are you, Sweetest? _Feth. _ Here, my Love, give me your Hand-- _Puts out his Hand; _Carlo_ kneels and kisses it. _ _Car. _ Here let me worship the fair Shrine before I dare approach sofair a Saint. [Kisses the Hand. _Feth. _ Hah, what a Pox have we here?-- wou'd I were well out o' t'otherside-- perhaps-- 'tis her Husband, and then I'm a dead Man, if I'mdiscover'd. [Removes to t'other side, _Carlo_ holds his Hand. _Car. _ Nay, do not fly-- I know you took me for some happier Person. [_Feth. _ struggles, _Car. _ rises and takes him in his Arms, and kisses him. _Feth. _ What, will you ravish me? [In a shrill Voice. _Car. _ Hah, that Voice is not _La Nuche's_-- Lights there, Lights. _Feth. _ Nay, I can hold a bearded _Venus_, Sir, as well as any Man. [Holds _Carlo_. _Car. _ What art thou, Rogue, Villain, Slave? [They fall to Cuffs, and fight till they are bloody, fall from the Bed and fight on the Floor. Enter _Petronella_, _Sancho_, and _Aurelia_. _Pet. _ Heaven, what noise is this?-- we are undone, part 'em, _Sancho_. [They part 'em. _Feth. _ Give me my Sword; nay, give me but a Knife, that I may cut yonFellow's Throat-- _Car. _ Sirrah, I'm a Grandee, and a _Spaniard_, and will be reveng'd. _Feth. _ And I'm an _English-man_, and a Justice, and will have Law, Sir. _Pet. _ Say 'tis her Husband, or any thing to get him hence. [Aside to _Sancho_, who whispers him. These _English_, Sir, are Devils, and on my Life 'tis unknown to theSeigniora that he's i'th' House. [To _Carlo_ aside. _Car. _ Come, I'm abus'd, but I must put it up for fear of my Honour;a Statesman's Reputation is a tender thing: Convey me out the back way. I'll be reveng'd. [Goes out. _Feth. _ (_Aurelia_ whispers to him aside. ) How, her Husband! Pritheeconvey me out; my Clothes, my Clothes, quickly-- _Aur. _ Out, Sir! he has lock'd the Door, and designs to have yemurder'd. _Feth. _ Oh, gentle Soul-- take pity on me-- where, oh what shall I do?--my Clothes, my Sword and Money. _Aur. _ Quickly, _Sancho_, tie a Sheet to the Window, and let him slidedown by that-- Be speedy, and we'll throw your Clothes out after ye. Here, follow me to the Window. _Feth. _ Oh, any whither, any whither. That I could not be warn'd fromwhoring in a strange Country, by my Friend _Ned Blunt's_ Example-- if Ican but keep it secret now, I care not. [Exeunt. Scene, the Street, a Sheet tyd to the Balcony, and _Feth. _ sitting cross to slide down. _Feth. _ So-- now your Neck, or your Throat, chuse ye either, wise Mr. _Nicholas Fetherfool_-- But stay, I hear Company. Now dare not I budg anInch. Enter _Beaumond_ alone. _Beau. _ Where can this Rascal, my Page, be all this while? I waited inthe Piazza so long, that I believed he had mistook my Order, and gonedirectly to _La Nuche's_ House-- but here's no sign of him-- _Feth. _ Hah-- I hear no noise, I'll venture down. [Goes halfway down and stops. Enter _Abevile_, _Harlequin_, Musick and _Willmore_. _Will. _ Whither will this Boy conduct me?-- but since to a Woman, no matter whither 'tis. _Feth. _ Hah, more Company; now dare not I stir up nor down, they may beBravoes to cut my Throat. _Beau. _ Oh sure these are they-- _Will. _ Come, my Heart, lose no time, but tune your Pipes. [_Harlequin_ plays on his Guittar, and sings. _Beau. _ How, sure this is some Rival. [Goes near and listens. _Will. _ Harkye, Child, hast thou ne'er an amorous Ditty, short andsweet, hah-- _Abev. _ Shall I not sing that you gave me, Sir? _Will. _ I shall spoil all with hard Questions-- Ay, Child-- that that. [_Abev. _ sings, _Beau. _ listens, and seems angry the while. SONG. _A Pox upon this needless Scorn! _Silvia_, for shame the Cheat give o'er; The end to which the fair are born, Is not to keep their Charms in store, But lavishly dispose in haste, Of Joys-- which none but Youth improve; Joys which decay when Beauty's past: And who when Beauty's past will love? When Age those Glories shall deface, Revenging all your cold Disdain, And _Silvia_ shall neglected pass, By every once admiring Swain; And we can only Pity pay, When you in vain too late shall burn: If Love increase, and Youth delay, Ah, _Silvia_, who will make return? Then haste, my _Silvia_, to the Grove, Where all the Sweets of _May_ conspire, To teach us every Art of Love, And raise our Charms of Pleasure higher; Where, whilst imbracing we should lie Loosely in Shades, on Banks of Flowers: The duller World whilst we defy, Years will be Minutes, Ages Hours. _ _Beau. _ 'Sdeath, that's my Page's Voice: Who the Devil is't that ploughswith my Heifer! _Aur. _ Don Henrick, Don Henrick-- [The Door opens, _Beau. _ goes up to't; _Will. _ puts him by, and offers to go in, he pulls him back. _Will. _ How now, what intruding Slave art thou? _Beau. _ What Thief art thou that basely, and by dark, rob'st me of allmy Rights? [Strikes him, they fight, and Blows light on _Fetherfool_ who hangs down. [_Sancho_ throws _Fetherfool's_ Clothes out, _Harlequin_ takes 'em up in confusion; they fight out _Beaumond_, all go off, but _Will. _ gets into the House: _Harlequin_ and _Feth. _ remain. _Feth. _ gets down, runs against _Harlequin_ in the dark, both seem frighted. _Harl. _ _Que questo. _ _Feth. _ Ay, _un pouer dead Home_, murder'd, kill'd. _Harl. _ (_In Italian. _) You are the first dead Man I ever saw walk. _Feth. _ Hah, Seignior _Harlequin_! _Harl. _ _Seignior Nicholas!_ _Feth. _ A Pox _Nicholas_ ye, I have been mall'd and beaten within doors, and hang'd and bastinado'd without doors, lost my Clothes, my Money, andall my Moveables; but this is nothing to the Secret taking Air. Ah, dear_Seignior_, convey me to the Mountebanks, there I may have Recruit andCure under one. ACT V. SCENE I. _A Chamber. _ _La Nuche_ on a Couch in an Undress, _Willmore_ at her Feet, on hisKnees, all unbraced: his Hat, Sword, &c. On the Table, at which she isdressing her Head. _Will. _ Oh Gods! no more! I see a yielding in thy charming Eyes; The Blushes on thy Face, thy trembling Arms, Thy panting Breast, and short-breath'd Sighs confess, Thou wo't be mine, in spite of all thy Art. _La Nu. _ What need you urge my Tongue then to repeat What from my Eyes you can so well interpret? [Bowing down her Head to him and sighing. --Or if it must-- dispose me as you please-- _Will. _ Heaven, I thank thee! [Rises with Joy. Who wou'd not plough an Age in Winter Seas, Or wade full seven long Years in ruder Camps, To find out this Rest at last?-- [Leans on, and kisses her Bosom. Upon thy tender Bosom to repose; To gaze upon thy Eyes, and taste thy Balmy Kisses, [Kisses her. --Sweeter than everlasting Groves of Spices, When the soft Winds display the opening Buds: --Come, haste, my Soul, to Bed-- _La Nu. _ You can be soft I find, when you wou'd conquer absolutely. _Will. _ Not infant Angels, not young sighing _Cupids_ Can be more; this ravishing Joy that thou hast promis'd me, Has form'd my Soul to such a Calm of Love, It melts e'en at my Eyes. _La Nu. _ What have I done? that Promise will undo me. --This Chamber was prepar'd, and I was drest, To give Admittance to another Lover. _Will. _ But Love and Fortune both were on my side-- Come, come toBed-- consider nought but Love-- [They going out, one knocks. _La Nu. _ Hark! _Beau. _ (_without. _) By Heav'n I will have entrance. _La Nu. _ 'Tis he whom I expect; as thou lov'st Life And me, retire a little into this Closet. _Will. _ Hah, retire! _La Nu. _ He's the most fiercely jealous of his Sex, And Disappointment will inrage him more. _Will. _ Death: let him rage whoe'er he be; dost think I'll hide me from him, and leave thee to his Love? Shall I, pent up, thro the thin Wainscot hear Your Sighs, your amorous Words, and sound of Kisses? No, if thou canst cozen me, do't, but discreetly, And I shall think thee true: I have thee now, and when I tamely part With thee, may Cowards huff and bully me. [Knocks again. _La Nu. _ And must I be undone because I love ye? This is the Mine from whence I fetcht my Gold. _Will. _ Damn the base Trash: I'll have thee poor, and mine; 'Tis nobler far, to starve with him thou lov'st Than gay without, and pining all within. [Knocking, breaking the Door, _Will. _ snatches up his Sword. _La Nu. _ Heavens, here will be murder done-- he must not see him. [As _Beau. _ breaks open the Door, she runs away with the Candle, they are by dark, _Beau. _ enters with his Sword drawn. _Will. _ What art thou? _Beau. _ A Man. [They fight. Enter _Petron. _ with Light, _La Nuche_ following, _Beau. _ runs to her. Oh thou false Woman, falser than thy Smiles, Which serve but to delude good-natur'd Man, And when thou hast him fast, betray'st his Heart! _Will. _ _Beaumond!_ _Beau. _ _Willmore!_ Is it with thee I must tug for Empire? For I layclaim to all this World of Beauty. [Takes _La Nuche_, looking with scorn on Willmore. _La Nu. _ Heavens, how got this Ruffian in? _Will. _ Hold, hold, dear _Harry_, lay no Hands on her till thou can'stmake thy Claim good. _Beau. _ She's mine, by Bargain mine, and that's sufficient. _Will. _ In Law perhaps, it may for ought I know, but 'tis not so inLove: but thou'rt my Friend, and I'll therefore give thee fair Play-- ifthou canst win her take her: But a Sword and a Mistress are not to belost, if a Man can keep 'em. _Beau. _ I cannot blame thee, thou but acts thy self-- But thou fair Hypocrite, to whom I gave my Heart, And this exception made of all Mankind, Why would'st thou, as in Malice to my Love, Give it the only Wound that cou'd destroy it? _Will. _ Nay, if thou didst forbid her loving me, I have her sure. _Beau. _ I yield him many Charms; he's nobly born, Has Wit, Youth, Courage, all that takes the Heart, And only wants what pleases Women's Vanity, Estate, the only good that I can boast: And that I sacrifice to buy thy Smiles. _La Nu. _ See, Sir-- here's a much fairer Chapman-- you may be gone-- [To _Will. _ _Will. _ Faith, and so there is, Child, for me, I carry all about me, andthat by Heaven is thine: I'll settle all upon thee, but my Sword, andthat will buy us Bread. I've two led Horses too, one thou shalt manage, and follow me thro Dangers. _La Nu. _ A very hopeful comfortable Life; No, I was made for better Exercises. _Will. _ Why, every thing in its turn, Child, yet a Man's but a Man. _Beau. _ No more, but if thou valuest her, Leave her to Ease and Plenty. _Will. _ Leave her to Love, my Dear; one hour of right-down Love, Is worth an Age of living dully on: What is't to be adorn'd and shine with Gold, Drest like a God, but never know the Pleasure? --No, no, I have much finer things in store for thee. [Hugs her. _La Nu. _ What shall I do? Here's powerful Interest prostrate at my Feet, [Pointing to _Beau. _ Glory, and all than Vanity can boast; --But there-- Love unadorn'd, no covering but his Wings, [To _Will. _ No Wealth, but a full Quiver to do mischiefs, Laughs at those meaner Trifles-- _Beau. _ Mute as thou art, are not these Minutes mine? But thou-- ah false-- hast dealt 'em out already, With all thy Charms of Love, to this unknown-- Silence and guilty Blushes say thou hast: He all disorder'd too, loose and undrest, With Love and Pleasure dancing in his Eyes, Tell me too plainly how thou hast deceiv'd me. _La Nu. _ Or if I have not, 'tis a Trick soon done, And this ungrateful Jealousy wou'd put it in my Head. [Angrily. _Beau. _ Wou'd! by Heaven, thou hast-- he is not to be fool'd, Or sooth'd into belief of distant Joys, As easy as I have been: I've lost so kind An Opportunity, where Night and Silence both Conspire with Love, had made him rage like Waves Blown up by Storms:-- no more-- I know he has --Oh what, _La Nuche_! robb'd me of all that I Have languish'd for-- _La Nu. _ If it were so, you should not dare believe it-- [Angrily turns away, he kneels and holds her. _Beau. _ Forgive me; oh so very well I love, Did I not know that thou hadst been a Whore, I'd give thee the last proof of Love-- and marry thee. _Will. _ The last indeed-- for there's an end of Loving; Do, marry him, and be curst by all his Family: Marry him, and ruin him, that he may curse thee too. --But hark ye, Friend, this is not fair; 'tis drawing Sharps on a Manthat's only arm'd with the defensive Cudgel, I'm for no such dead doingArguments; if thou art for me, Child, it must be without the folly, forbetter for worse; there's a kind of Nonsense in that Vow Fools onlyswallow. _La Nu. _ But when I've worn out all my Youth and Beauty, and suffer'devery ill of Poverty, I shall be compell'd to begin the World againwithout a Stock to set up with. No faith, I'm for a substantial Merchantin Love, who can repay the loss of Time and Beauty; with whom to makeone thriving Voyage sets me up for ever, and I need never put to Seaagain. [Comes to _Beau. _ _Beau. _ Nor be expos'd to Storms of Poverty, the _Indies_ shall come tothee-- See here-- this is the Merchandize my Love affords. [Gives her a Pearl, and Pendants of Diamond. _La Nu. _ Look ye, Sir, will not these Pearls do better round my Neck, than those kind Arms of yours? these Pendants in my Ears, than all theTales of Love you can whisper there? _Will. _ So-- I am deceiv'd-- deal on for Trash-- and barter all thy Joysof Life for Baubles-- this Night presents me one Adventure more-- I'lltry thee once again, inconstant Fortune; and if thou fail'st me then-- Iwill forswear thee [Aside. ] Death, hadst thou lov'd my Friend for hisown Value, I had esteem'd thee; but when his Youth and Beauty cou'd notplead, to be the mercenary Conquest of his Presents, was poor, below thyWit: I cou'd have conquer'd so, but I scorn thee at that rate-- my Purseshall never be my Pimp-- Farewel, _Harry_. _Beau. _ Thou'st sham'd me out of Folly-- stay-- _Will. _ Faith-- I have an Assignation with a Woman-- a Woman Friend!young as the infant-day, and sweet as Roses e'er the Morning Sun havekiss'd their Dew away. She will not ask me Money neither. _La Nu. _ Hah! stay-- [Holds him, and looks on him. _Beau. _ She loves him, and her Eyes betray her Heart. _Will. _ I am not for your turn, Child-- Death, I shall lose my Mistressfooling here-- I must be gone. [She holds him, he shakes his Head and sings. _No, no, I will not hire your Bed, Nor Tenant to your Favours be; I will not farm your White and Red, You shall not let your Love to me: I court a Mistress-- not a Landlady. _ [bis. _Beau. _ He's in the right; and shall I waste my Youth and powerfulFortune on one who all this while has jilted me, seeing I was a lavishloving Fool?-- No-- this Soul and Body shall not be divided-- [Gives her to _Will. _ _Will. _ I am so much thy Friend, another time I might be drawn to take abad Bargain off thy Hands-- but I have other Business at present: wo'tdo a kind thing, _Harry_, -- lend me thy Aid to carry off my Woman tonight? 'tis hard by in the Piazza, perhaps we may find Resistance. _Beau. _ My self and Sword are yours. I have a Chair waits below too, maydo you Service. _Will. _ I thank ye-- Madam-- your Servant. _La Nu. _ Left by both! _Beau. _ You see our Affairs are pressing. [Bows, and smiles carelesly. Ex. _Will. _ singing, and _Beau. _ _La Nu. _ Gone! where's all your Power, ye poor deluded Eyes? Curse onyour feeble Fires, that cannot warm a Heart which every common Beautykindles. Oh-- he is gone for ever. Enter _Petronella_. _Pet. _ Yes, he is gone, to your eternal Ruin: not all the Race of Mencou'd have produc'd so bountiful and credulous a Fool. _La Nu. _ No, never; fetch him back, my _Petronella_: Bring me my wildInconstant, or I die-- [Puts her out. _Pet. _ The Devil fetch him back for _Petronella_, is't he you mean?you've had too much of him; a Curse upon him, he'as ruin'd you. _La Nu. _ He has, he shall, he must compleat my ruin. _Pet. _ She raves, the Rogue has given her a _Spanish_ Philtre. _La Nu. _ My Coach, my Veil-- or let 'em all alone; undrest thus looselyto the Winds commit me to darkness, and no Guide but pitying _Cupid_. [Going out, _Pet. _ holds her. _Pet. _ What, are you mad? _La Nu. _ As Winds let loose, or Storms when they rage high. [Goes out. _Pet. _ She's lost, and I'll shift for my self, seize all her Money andJewels, of which I have the Keys; and if Seignior Mountebank keeps hisWord, be transform'd to Youth and Beauty again, and undo this _La Nuche_at her own Trade-- [Goes in. SCENE II. _The Street. _ Enter _Willmore_, _Beaumond_, Chair following. _Will. _ Set down the Chair; you're now within call, I'll to theGarden-Door, and see if any Lady Bright appear-- Dear _Beaumond_, stayhere a minute, and if I find occasion, I'll give you the Word. _Beau. _ 'Tis hard by my Lodgings; if you want Conveniences, I have theKey of the Back-way through the Garden, whither you may carry yourMistress. _Will. _ I thank thee-- let me first secure my Woman. [Goes out. _Beau. _ I thought I'd lov'd this false, this jilting Fair, even above myFriendship; but I find I can forgive this Rogue, tho I am sure he hasrob'd me of my Joys. Enter _Ariadne_ with a Casket of Jewels. _Aria. _ Not yet! a Devil on him, he's Dear-hearting it with some otherkind Damsel-- Faith, 'tis most wickedly done of me to venture my Bodywith a mad unknown Fellow. Thus a little more Delay will put me into aserious Consideration, and I shall e'en go home again, sleep and besober. [She walks about. _Beau. _ Hah, a Woman! Perhaps the same he looks for-- I'll counterfeithis Voice and try my Chance-- Fortune may set us even. _Aria. _ Hah, is not that a Man? Yes-- and a Chair waiting. [She peeps. _Beau. _ Who's there? _Aria. _ A Maid. _Beau. _ A Miracle-- Oh art thou come, Child? _Aria. _ 'Tis he, you are a civil Captain, are you not, to make a longingMaid expect thus? What Woman has detain'd you? _Beau. _ Faith, my Dear, tho Flesh and Blood be frail, yet the dear Hopesof thee has made me hold out with a Herculean Courage-- Stay, whereshall I carry her? not to my own Apartment; _Ariadne_ may surprize me:I'll to the Mountebank here i'th' Piazza, he has a Cure for all things, even for longing Love, and for a Pistole or two will do Reason. -- Hah, Company: Here, step into this Chair. [She goes in, they go off just as _Will. _ enters. _Will. _ Hum, a Woman of Quality and jilt me-- Egad, that's strangenow-- Well, who shall a Man trust in this wicked World? Enter _La Nuche_ as before. _La Nu. _ This should be he, he saunters about like an expecting Lover. [_Will. _ peeping and approaching. _Will. _ By this Light a Woman, if she be the right-- but right or wrongso she be Feminine: harkye, Child, I fancy thee some kind thing thatbelongs to me. _La Nu. _ Who are you? [In a low tone. _Will. _ A wandering Lover that has lost his Heart, and I have shreudGuess 'tis in thy dear Bosom, Child. _La Nu. _ Oh you're a pretty Lover, a Woman's like to have a sweet timeon't, if you're always so tedious. _Will. _ By yon bright Star-light, Child, I walk'd here in short turnslike a Centinel, all this live-long Evening, and was just going (Gadforgive me) to kill my self. _La Nu. _ I rather think some Beauty has detain'd you: Have you not seen_La Nuche_? _Will. _ _La Nuche!_-- Why, she's a Whore-- I hope you take me for aciviller Person, than to throw my self away on Whores-- No, Child, I liewith none but honest Women I: but no disputing now, come-- to myLodging, my dear-- here's a Chair waits hard by. [Exeunt. SCENE III. _Willmore's Lodging. _ Enter _Harlequin_ with _Fetherfool's_ Clothes on his Shoulder, leading him halting by one Hand, _Blunt_ (drunk) by the other in the dark; _Fetherfool_ bloody, his Coat put over his Shoulders. _Feth. _ _Peano, Peano_, Seignior, gently, good _Edward_-- for I'll nothalt before a Cripple; I have lost a great part of my agil Faculties. _Blunt. _ Ah, see the Inconstancy of fickle Fortune, _Nicholas_-- A Manto day, and beaten to morrow: but take comfort, there's many a properfellow has been robb'd and beaten on this Highway of whoring. _Feth. _ Ay, _Ned_, thou speak'st by woful Experience-- but that I shouldmiscarry after thy wholesom Documents-- but we are all mortal, as thousay'st, _Ned_-- Would I had never crost the Ferry from _Croydon_; a fewsuch Nights as these wou'd learn a Man Experience enough to be a Wizard, if he have but the ill luck to escape hanging. _Blunt. _ 'Dsheartlikins, I wonder in what Country our kinder Stars rule:In _England_ plunder'd, sequester'd, imprison'd and banish'd; in_France_, starv'd, walking like the Sign of the naked Boy, with_Plymouth_ Cloaks in our Hands; in _Italy_ and _Spain_ robb'd, beaten, and thrown out at Windows. _Feth. _ Well, how happy am I, in having so true a Friend to condole mein Affliction-- [Weeps. ] I am oblig'd to Seignior _Harlequin_ too, forbringing me hither to the Mountebank's, where I shall not only concealthis Catastrophe from those fortunate Rogues our Comrades, but procure alittle Album Græcum for my Backside. Come, Seignior, my Clothes-- but, Seignior-- _un Portavera Poco palanca_. [Dresses himself. _Harl. _ Seignior. _Feth. _ _Entende vos Signoria Englesa?_ _Harl. _ _Em Poco, em Poco_, Seignior. _Feth. _ _Per quelq arts_, did your Seigniorship escape Cudgeling? _Harl. _ _La art de transformatio. _ _Feth. _ _Transformatio_-- Why, wert thou not born a Man? _Harl. _ No, Seignior, _un vieule Femme_. _Feth. _ How, born an old Woman? _Blunt. _ Good Lord! born an old Woman! And so by transformation becameinvulnerable. _Feth. _ Ay-- in-- invulnerable-- what would I give to be invulnerable?and egad, I am almost weary of being a Man, and subject to beating:wou'd I were a Woman, a Man has but an ill time on't: if he has a mindto a Wench, the making Love is so plaguy tedious-- then paying is to mySoul insupportable. But to be a Woman, to be courted with Presents, andhave both the Pleasure and the Profit-- to be without a Beard, and singa fine Treble-- and squeak if the Men but kiss me-- 'twere fine-- andwhat's better, I am sure never to be beaten again. _Blunt. _ Pox on't, do not use an old Friend so scurvily; consider theMisery thou'lt indure to have the Heart and Mind of a jilting Whorepossess thee: What a Fit of the Devil must he suffer who acts her Partfrom fourteen to fourscore! No, 'tis resolv'd thou remain _NicholasFetherfool_ still, shalt marry the Monster, and laugh at Fortune. _Feth. _ 'Tis true, should I turn Whore to the Disgrace of my Family--what would the World say? who wou'd have thought it, cries one? I cou'dnever have believ'd it, cries another. No, as thou say'st, I'll remainas I am-- marry and live honestly. _Blunt. _ Well resolv'd, I'll leave you, for I was just going to serenademy Fairy Queen, when I met thee at the Door-- some Deeds of Gallantrymust be perform'd, Seignior, _Bonus Nochus_. [Ex. _Blunt_. Enter _Shift_ with Light. _Feth. _ Hah, a Light, undone! _Harl. _ _Patientia, Patientia_, Seignior. _Shift. _ Where the Devil can this Rogue _Hunt_ be? Just now all thingsare ready for marrying these two Monsters; they wait, the House ishusht, and in the lucky Minute to have him out of the way: sure theDevil owes me a spite. [Runs against _Harlequin_, puts out his Candle. _Harl. _ _Qui est là?_ _Shift. _ 'Tis _Harlequin_: Pox on't, is't you? _Harl. _ Peace, here's _Fetherfool_, I'll secure him, whilst you go aboutyour Affair. [Ex. _Shift_. _Feth. _ Oh, I hear a Noise, dear _Harlequin_ secure me; if I amdiscover'd I am undone-- hold, hold-- here's a Door-- [They both go in. Scene changes to a Chamber, discovers the _She-Giant_ asleep in a great Chair. Enter _Fetherfool_ and _Harlequin_. _Feth. _ Hah-- my Lady Monster! have I to avoid _Scylla_ run upon_Carybdis_?-- hah, she sleeps; now wou'd some magnanimous Lover makegood Use of this Opportunity, take Fortune by the Fore-lock, put herto't, and make sure Work-- but Egad, he must have a better Heart, or abetter Mistress than I. _Harl. _ Try your Strength, I'll be civil and leave you. [In _Italian_ he still speaks. _Feth. _ Excuse me, Seignior, I should crackle like a wicker Bottle inher Arms-- no, Seignior, there's no venturing without a Grate betweenus: the Devil wou'd not give her due Benevolence-- No, when I'm marry'd, I'll e'en show her a fair pair of Heels, her Portion will pay Postage--But what if the Giant should carry her? that's to be fear'd, then Ihave cock'd and drest, and fed, and ventur'd all this while for nothing. _Harl. _ Faith, Seignior, if I were you, I wou'd make sure of something, see how rich she is in Gems. _Feth. _ Right, as thou say'st, I ought to make sure of something, andshe is rich in Gems: How amiable looks that Neck with that delicious rowof Pearls about it. _Harl. _ She sleeps. _Feth. _ Ay, she sleeps as 'twere her last. What if I made bold to unrigher? So if I miss the Lady, I have at least my Charges paid: whatvigorous Lover can resist her Charms?-- [Looks on her. But shou'd she wake and miss it, and find it about me, I shou'd behang'd-- [Turns away. --So then, I lose my Lady too-- but Flesh and Blood cannot resist--What if I left the Town? then I lose my Lady still; and who wou'd losea Hog for the rest of the Proverb?-- And yet a Bird in Hand, Friend_Nicholas_-- Yet sweet Meat may have sour Sauce-- And yet refuse whenFortune offers-- Yet Honesty's a Jewel-- But a Pox upon Pride, whenFolks go naked-- _Harl. _ Well said. [Incouraging him by Signs. _Feth. _ Ay-- I'll do't-- but what Remedy now against Discovery andRestitution? _Harl. _ Oh, Sir, take no care, you shall-- swallow 'em. _Feth. _ How, swallow 'em! I shall ne'er be able to do't. _Harl. _ I'll shew you, Seignior, 'tis easy. _Feth. _ 'Gad that may be, 'twere excellent if I cou'd do't; butfirst-- by your leave. [Unties the Necklace, breaks the String, and _Harl. _ swallows one to shew him. _Harl. _ Look ye, that's all-- _Feth. _ Hold, hold, Seignior, an you be so nimble, I shall pay dear formy Learning-- let me see-- Friend _Nicholas_, thou hast swallow'd many aPill for the Disease of the Body, let's see what thou canst perform forthat of the Purse. [Swallows 'em. --so-- a comfortable business this-- three or four thousand pound inCordial-Pearl: 'Sbud, _Mark Anthony_ was never so treated by his_Egyptian_ Crocodile-- hah, what noise is that? _Harl. _ Operator, Operator, Seignior. _Feth. _ How, an Operator! why, what the Devil makes he here? some Plotupon my Lady's Chastity; were I given to be jealous now, Danger wou'densue-- Oh, he's entring, I would not be seen for all the World. Oh, some place of Refuge-- [Looking about. _Harl. _ I know of none. _Feth. _ Hah, what's this-- a Clock Case? _Harl. _ Good, good-- look you, Sir, do you do thus, and 'tis impossibleto discover ye. [Goes into the Case, and shews him how to stand; then _Fetherfool_ goes in, pulls off his Periwig, his Head out, turning for the Minutes o'th' top: his Hand out, and his Fingers pointing to a Figure. Enter _Shift_ and _Hunt_. _Feth. _ Oh Heaven, he's here. _Shift. _ See where she sleeps; get you about your business, see your ownlittle Marmoset and the Priest be ready, that we may marry andconsummate before Day; and in the Morning our Friends shall see us abedtogether, give us the good morrow, and the Work's done. [Ex. _Hunt_. _Feth. _ Oh Traytor to my Bed, what a Hellish Plot's here discover'd! [_Shift_ wakes the _Giant_. _Giant. _ Oh, are you come, my Sweetest? _Feth. _ Hah, the Mistress of my Bosom false too! ah, who wou'd trustfaithless Beauty-- oh that I durst speak. _Shift. _ Come let's away, your Uncle and the rest of the House are fastasleep, let's away e'er the two Fools, Blunt and Fetherfool, arrive. _Giant. _ Hang 'em, Pigeon-hearted Slaves-- _Shift. _ A Clock-- let's see what hour 'tis-- [Lifts up the Light to see, _Feth. _ blows it out. --How! betray'd-- I'll kill the Villain. [Draws. _Feth. _ Say you so, then 'tis time for me to uncase. _Shift. _ Have you your Lovers hid? [Gets out, all groping in the dark, _Feth. _ gets the _Giant_ by the Hand. _Giant. _ Softly, or we're undone; give me your Hand, and be undeceiv'd. _Feth. _ 'Tis she, now shall I be reveng'd. [Leads her out. _Shift. _ What, gone! Death, has this Monster got the Arts of Woman? [_Harl. _ meets him in the dark, and plays tricks with him. [Ex. All. Enter _Willmore_ and _La Nuche_ by dark. _Will. _ Now we are safe and free, let's in, my Soul, and gratefullyfirst sacrifice to Love, then to the Gods of Mirth and Wine, my Dear. [Ex. Passing over the Stage. Enter _Blunt_ with _Petronella_, imbracing her, his Sword in his Hand, and a Box of Jewels. _Pet. _ I was damnably afraid I was pursu'd. [Aside. _Blunt. _ Something in the Fray I've got, pray Heaven it prove a Prize, after my cursed ill luck of losing my Lady Dwarf: Why do you tremble, fair one?-- you're in the Hands of an honest Gentleman, Adshartlikins. _Pet. _ Alas, Sir, just as I approach! Seignior Doctor's Door, to have myself surrounded with naked Weapons, then to drop with the fear my Casketof Jewels, which had not you by chance stumbled on and taken up, I hadlost a hundred thousand Crowns with it. _Blunt. _ Ha um-- a hundred thousand Crowns-- a pretty trifling Sum--I'll many her out of hand. [Aside. _Pet. _ This is an _Englishman_, of a dull honest Nation, and might bemanag'd to advantage, were but I transform'd now. [Aside. ] I hope youare a Man of Honour; Sir, I am a Virgin, fled from the rage of anincens'd Brother; cou'd you but secure me with my Treasure, I wou'd bedevoted yours. _Blunt. _ Secure thee! by this Light, sweet Soul, I'll marry thee;--_Belvile's_ Lady ran just so away with him-- this must be a Prize--[Aside. ] But hark-- prithee, my Dear, step in a little, I'll keep mygood Fortune to my self. _Pet. _ See what trust I repose in your Hands, those Jewels, Sir. _Blunt. _ So-- there can be no jilting here, I am secur'd from beingcozen'd however. [Ex. _Pet. _ Enter _Fetherfool_. _Feth. _ A Pox on all Fools, I say, and a double Pox on all fightingFools; just when I had miraculously got my Monster by a mistake in thedark, convey'd her out, and within a moment of marrying her, to have myFriend set upon me, and occasion my losing her, was a Catastrophe whichnone but thy termagant Courage (which never did any Man good) cou'd haveprocur'd. _Blunt. _ 'Dshartlikins, I cou'd kill my self. _Feth. _ To fight away a couple of such hopeful Monsters, and twoMillions-- 'owns, was ever Valour so improvident? _Blunt. _ Your fighting made me mistake: for who the Pox wou'd havelook'd for _Nicholas Fetherfool_ in the person of a Hero? _Feth. _ Fight, 'Sbud, a Million of Money wou'd have provok'd a Bully;besides, I took you for the damn'd Rogue my Rival. _Blunt. _ Just as I had finish'd my Serenade, and had put up my Pipes tobe gone, out stalk'd me your two-handed Lady, with a Man at her Girdlelike a bunch of Keys, whom I taking for nothing less than some one whohad some foul design upon the Gentlewoman, like a true Knight-Errant, did my best to rescue her. _Feth. _ Yes, yes, I feel you did, a Pox of your heavy hand. _Blunt. _ So whilst we two were lovingly cuffing each other, comes theRival, I suppose, and carries off the Prize. _Feth. _ Who must be Seignior _Lucifer_ himself, he cou'd never havevanisht with that Celerity else with such a Carriage-- But come, all wehave to do is to raise the Mountebank and the Guardian, pursue theRogues, have 'em hang'd by Law, for a Rape, and Theft, and then we standfair again. _Blunt. _ Faith, you may, if you please, but Fortune has providedotherwise for me. [Aside. [Ex. _Blu. _ and _Feth. _ Enter _Beaumond_ and _Ariadne_. _Beau. _ Sure none lives here, or Thieves are broken in, the Doors areall left open. _Aria. _ Pray Heaven this Stranger prove but honest now. [Aside. _Beau. _ Now, my dear Creature, every thing conspires to make us happy, let us not defer it. _Aria. _ Hold, dear Captain, I yield but on Conditions, which arethese-- I give you up a Maid of Youth and Beauty, ten thousand Pound inready Jewels here-- three times the value in Estate to come, of whichhere be the Writings, you delivering me a handsom proper fellow, Heart-whole and sound, that's all-- your Name I ask not till the Priestdeclare it, who is to seal the Bargain. I cannot deceive, for I let youknow I am Daughter-in-law to the _English_ Ambassador. _Beau. _ _Ariadne!_-- How vain is all Man's Industry and Care To make himself accomplish'd; When the gay fluttering Fool, or the half-witted rough unmanner'd Brute, Who in plain terms comes right down to the business, Out-rivals him in all his Love and Fortunes. [Aside. _Aria. _ Methinks you cool upon't, Captain. _Beau. _ Yes, _Ariadne_. _Aria. _ _Beaumond!_ _Beau. _ Oh what a World of Time have I mispent for want of being aBlockhead-- 'Sdeath and Hell, Wou'd I had been some brawny ruffling Fool, Some forward impudent unthinking Sloven, A Woman's Tool; for all besides unmanageable. Come, swear that all this while you thought 'twas I. The Devil has taught ye Tricks to bring your Falshood off. _Aria. _ Know 'twas you! no, Faith, I took you for as errant a right-downCaptain as ever Woman wisht for; and 'twas uncivil egad, to undeceiveme, I tell you that now. Enter _Willmore_ and _La Nuche_ by dark. _Will. _ Thou art all Charms, a Heaven of Sweets all over, plump smoothround Limbs, small rising Breasts, a Bosom soft and panting-- I long towound each Sense. Lights there-- who waits?-- there yet remains aPleasure unpossest, the sight of that dear Face-- Lights there-- whereare my Vermin? [Ex. _Will. _ _Aria. _ My Captain with a Woman-- and is it so-- Enter _Will. _ with Lights, sees _Aria_, and goes to her. _Will. _ By Heaven, a glorious Beauty! now a Blessing on thee for shewingme so dear a Face-- Come, Child, let's retire and begin where we leftoff. _La Nu. _ A Woman! _Aria. _ Where we left off! pray, where was that, good Captain? _Will. _ Within upon the Bed, Child-- come-- I'll show thee. _Beau. _ Hold, Sir. _Will. _ _Beaumond_! come fit to celebrate my Happiness; ah such aWoman-friend! _Beau. _ Do ye know her? _Will. _ All o'er, to be the softest sweetest Creature-- _Beau. _ I mean, do ye know who she is? _Will. _ Nor care; 'tis the last Question I ever ask a fine Woman. _Beau. _ And you are sure you are thus well acquainted. _Will. _ I cannot boast of much acquaintance-- but I have pluckt a Rosefrom her Bosom-- or so-- and given it her again-- we've past the hour ofthe Berjere together, that's all-- _Beau. _ And do you know-- this Lady is my-- Wife? [Draw. _Will. _ Hah! hum, hum, hum, hum-- [Turns and sings, sees _La Nuche_, and returns quick with an uneasy Grimace. _Beau. _ Did you not hear me? Draw. _Will. _ Draw, Sir-- what on my Friend? _Beau. _ On your Cuckold, Sir, for so you've doubly made me: Draw, or I'll kill thee-- [Passes at him, he fences with his Hat, _La Nu. _ holds Beau. _Will. _ Hold, prithee hold. _La Nu. _ Put up your Sword, this Lady's innocent, at least in whatconcerns this Evening's business; I own-- with Pride I own I am theWoman that pleas'd so well to Night. _Will. _ _La Nuche_! kind Soul to bring me off with so handsom a lye: Howlucky 'twas she happen'd to be here! _Beau. _ False as thou art, why shou'd I credit thee? _La Nu. _ By Heaven, 'tis true, I will not lose the glory on't. _Will. _ Oh the dear perjur'd Creature, how I love thee for this dearlying Virtue-- Harkye, Child, hast thou nothing to say for thy self, to help us out withal?-- [To _Aria. _ aside. _Aria. _ I! I renounce ye-- false Man. _Beau. _ Yes, yes, I know she's innocent of this, for which I owe nothanks to either of you, but to my self who mistook her in the dark. _La Nu. _ And you it seems mistook me for this Lady; I favour'd yourDesign to gain your Heart, for I was told, that if this Night I lostyou, I shou'd never regain you: now I am yours, and o'er the habitableWorld will follow you, and live and starve by turns, as Fortune pleases. _Will. _ Nay, by this Light, Child, I knew when once thou'dst try'd me, thou'dst ne'er part with me-- give me thy Hand, no Poverty shall partus. [Kisses her. --so-- now here's a Bargain made without the formal Foppery of Marriage. _La Nu. _ Nay, faith Captain, she that will not take thy word as soon asthe Parson's of the Parish, deserves not the Blessing. _Will. _ Thou art reform'd, and I adore the Change. Enter the _Guardian_, _Blunt_, and _Fetherfool_. _Guar. _ My Nieces stol'n, and by a couple of the Seignior's Men! theSeignior fled too! undone, undone! _Will. _ Hah, now's my Cue, I must finish this Jest. [Goes out. Enter _Shift_ and _Giant_, _Hunt_ and _Dwarf_. _Guar. _ Oh impudence, my Nieces, and the Villains with 'em! I charge ye, Gentlemen, to lay hold on 'em. _Dwarf. _ For what, good Uncle, for being so courageous to marry us? _Guar. _ How, married to Rogues, Rascals, _John Potages_! _Blunt. _ Who the Devil wou'd have look'd for jilting in such Hobgoblins? _Feth. _ And hast thou deceiv'd me, thou foul filthy Synagogue? Enter _Willmore_ like a Mountebank as before. _Blunt. _ The Mountebank! oh thou cheating Quack, thou sophisticatedadulterated Villain. _Feth. _ Thou cozening, lying, Fortune-telling, Feetaking Rascal. _Blunt. _ Thou jugling, conjuring, canting Rogue! _Will. _ What's the matter, Gentlemen? _Blunt. _ Hast thou the Impudence to ask, who took my Money to marry meto this ill-favour'd Baboon? _Feth. _ And me to this foul filthy o'ergrown Chronicle? _Blunt. _ And hast suffered Rogues, thy Servants, to marry 'em: Sirrah, I will beat thee past Cure of all thy hard-nam'd Drugs, thy _GuzmanMedicines_. _Feth. _ Nay, I'll peach him in the Inquisition for a Wizard, and havehim hang'd for a Witch. _Shift. _ Sir, we are Gentlemen, and you shall have the thirds of theirPortion, what wou'd you more? [Aside to the _Guar. _Look ye, Sir. [Pulls off their Disguise. _Blunt. _ _Hunt!_ _Feth. _ _Shift!_ We are betray'd: all will out to the Captain. _Will. _ He shall know no more of it than he does already for me, Gentlemen. [Pulls off his Disguise. _Blunt. _ _Willmore!_ _Feth. _ Ay, ay, 'tis he. _Blunt. _ Draw, Sir-- you know me-- _Will. _ --For one that 'tis impossible to cozen. [All laugh. _Beau. _ Have a care, Sir, we are all for the Captain. _Feth. _ As for that, Sir, we fear ye not, d'ye see, were you _Hercules_and all his Myrmidons. [Draws, but gets behind. _Will. _ Fools, put up your Swords, Fools, and do not publish the Jest;your Money you shall have again, on condition you never pretend to bewiser than your other Men, but modestly believe you may be cozen'd aswell as your Neighbours. [The _Guardian_ talking with _Hunt_ and _Shift_ and _Giant_ this while. _Feth. _ La you, _Ned_, why shou'd Friends fall out? _Blunt. _ Cozen'd! it may be not, Sir; for look ye, Sir, the _Essex_Fool, the cozen'd dull Rogue can shew Moveables or so-- nay, they areright too-- [Shews his Jewels. This is no _Naples_ Adventure, Gentlemen, no Copper Chains; allsubstantial Diamonds, Pearls and Rubies-- [_Will. _ takes the Casket, and looks in it. _La Nu. _ Hah, do not I know that Casket, and those Jewels! _Feth. _ How the Pox came this Rogue by these? _Will. _ Hum, _Edward_, I confess you have redeem'd your Reputation, andshall hereafter pass for a Wit-- by what good fortune came you by thisTreasure?-- what Lady-- _Blunt. _ Lady, Sir! alas no, I'm a Fool, a Country Fop, an Ass, I; butthat you may perceive your selves mistaken, Gentlemen, this is but anearnest of what's to come, a small token of remembrance, or so-- and yetI have no Charms, I; the fine Captain has all the Wit and Beauty-- butthou'rt my Friend, and I'll impart. [Brings out _Petronella_ veil'd. Enter _Aurelia_ and _Sancho_. _Aur. _ Hither we trac'd her, and see she's yonder. _San. _ Sir, in the King's Name lay hold of this old Cheat, she has thisNight robb'd our _Patrona_ of a hundred thousand Crowns in Money andJewels. _Blunt. _ Hah! [Gets from her. _La Nu. _ You are mistaken, Friend _Sancho_, she only seiz'd 'em for myuse, and has deliver'd 'em in trust to my Friend the Captain. _Pet. _ Hah, _La Nuche_! _Blunt. _ How! cozen'd again! _Will. _ Look ye, Sir, she's so beautiful, you need no Portion, thatalone's sufficient for Wit. _Feth. _ Much good may do you with your rich Lady, _Edward. _ _Blunt. _ Death, this Fool laugh at me too-- well, I am an errantright-down Loggerhead, a dull conceited cozen'd silly Fool; and he thatever takes me for any other, 'Dshartlikins, I'll beat him. I forgive youall, and will henceforth be good-natur'd; wo't borrow any Money? Poxon't, I'll lend as far as e'er 'twill go, for I am now reclaim'd. _Guar. _ Here is a Necklace of Pearl lost, which, Sir, I lay to yourCharge. [To _Fetherfool_. _Feth. _ Hum, I was bewitcht I did not rub off with it when it wasmine-- who, I? if e'er I saw a Necklace of Pearl, I wish 'twere in myBelly. _Blunt. _ How a Necklace! unconscionable Rogue, not to let me share:well, there is no Friendship in the World; I hope they'l hang him. _Shift. _ He'll ne'er confess without the Rack-- come, we'll toss him ina Blanket. _Feth. _ Hah, toss me in a Blanket, that will turn my Stomach mostvillainously, and I shall disimbogue and discover all. _Shift. _ Come, come, the Blanket. [They lay hold on him. _Feth. _ Hold, hold, I do confess, I do confess-- _Shift. _ Restore, and have your Pardon. _Feth. _ That is not in Nature at present, for Gentlemen, I have eat 'em. _Shift. _ 'Sdeath, I'll dissect ye. [Goes to draw. _Will. _ Let me redeem him; here Boy, take him to my Chamber, and let theDoctor glyster him soundly, and I'll warrant you your Pearl again. _Feth. _ If this be the end of travelling, I'll e'en to old _England_again, take the Covenant, get a Sequestrator's Place, grow rich, anddefy all Cavaliering. _Beau. _ 'Tis Morning, let's home, _Ariadne_, and try, if possible, tolove so well to be content to marry; if we find that amendment in ourHearts, to say we dare believe and trust each other, then let it be aMatch. _Aria. _ With all my Heart. _Will. _ You have a hankering after Marriage still, but I am for Love andGallantry. So tho by several ways we gain our End, Love still, like Death, does to one Center tend. EPILOGUE. Spoken by Mrs. _BARRY_. _Poets are Kings of Wit, and you appear A Parliament, by Play-Bill, summon'd here; When e'er in want, to you for aid they fly, And a new Play's the Speech that begs supply: But now-- The scanted Tribute is so slowly paid, Our Poets must find out another Trade; They've tried all ways th' insatiate Clan to please, Have parted with their old Prerogatives, Their Birth-right Satiring, and their just pretence Of judging even their own Wit and Sense; And write against their Consciences, to show How dull they can be to comply with you. They've flatter'd all the Mutineers i'th' Nation, Grosser than e'er was done in Dedication; Pleas'd your sick Palates with Fantastick Wit, Such as was ne'er a treat before to th' Pit; Giants, fat Cardinals, Pope Joans and Fryers, To entertain Right Worshipfuls and Squires: Who laugh and cry Ads Nigs, 'tis woundy good, When the fuger's all the Jest that's understood. And yet you'll come but once, unless by stealth, Except the Author be for Commonwealth; Then half Crown more you nobly throw away, And tho my Lady seldom see a Play, She, with her eldest Daughter, shall be boxt that day. Then Prologue comes, Ads-lightikins, crys Sir _John_, You shall hear notable Conceits anon: How neatly, Sir, he'll bob the Court and French King, And tickle away-- you know who-- for Wenching. All this won't do, they e'en may spare their Speeches, For all their greasing will not buy 'em Britches; To get a penny new found ways must take, As forming Popes, and Squibs and Crackers make. In Coffee-Houses some their talent vent, Rail for the Cause against the Government, And make a pretty thriving living on't, For who would let a useful Member want. Things being brought to this distressed Estate, 'Twere fit you took the matter in Debate. There was a time, when Loyally by you, True Wit and Sense received Allegiance due, Our King of Poets had his Tribute pay'd, His Peers secured beneath his Laurel's shade. What Crimes have they committed, they must be Driven to the last and worst Extremity? Oh, let it not be said of English Men, Who have to Wit so just and noble been, They should their Loyal Principles recant, And let the glorious Monarch of it want. _ * * * * * * * * * NOTES: The Rover, Part II [Transcriber's Note: The Notes in the printed text give only page and line numbers. Act-and-scene designations shown between +marks+ have been added by the transcriber. Labels such as "Scene IIa" refer to points where the scene description changes without a new scene number. ] NOTES ON THE TEXT. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 117 I have added to the Dramatis Personæ 'Rag, boy to Willmore', and 'Porter at the English Ambassador's'. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 118, l. 2 _Scene I. _ I have added the locale 'A Street'. p. 118, l. 4 _Campain. _ 4to 1681 'campania'. p. 120, l. 17 _but cold. _ 1724 'and cold'. p. 120, l. 28 _embracing. _ 1724 omits. p. 120, l. 32 _Philies. _ 4to 1681 'Philoes'. p. 122, l. 30 _Brussels. _ 4to 1681 'Bruxels'. p. 123, l. 21 _But that. _ 1724 prints these two lines as prose. p. 124, l. 3 _Marcy. _ 1724 'Mercy'. p. 126, l. 16 _get 'em ready. _ 1724 'get it ready'. p. 128, l. 33 _pickl'd Pilchard. _ 1724. 'pickle Pilchard'. p. 128, l. 34 _like a Christmas Sweet-heart. _ 4to 1681 'boto Christmas Sweet-heart'. p. 129, l. 26 _have I. _ 1724 'I have'. +Act I: Scene ia+ p. 131, l. 36 _hot Shot_, 1724 omits 'hot'. p. 134, l. 9 _to receive. _ 1724, wrongly, 'to deceive'. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 135, l. 9 _Scene I. _ I have added the locale 'The Street'. p. 142, l. 5 _Harlequin, Scaramouche. _ I have added these two names to the stage direction. Harlequin is obviously present from the business. Scaramouche is given in Dramatis Personae, 4to 1681 and 1724, but in neither is any entry or exit marked throughout the play. In Killigrew, whom Mrs. Behn is here following very closely, Scaramouche is the quack's servant and appears in this scene. Accordingly I have marked him an entrance. p. 142, l. 13 _Maremaids. _ 1724 'Mairmaids'. p. 142, l. 26 _an a Man. _ 4to 1681 'and a Man'. p, 142, l. 28 _and falls. _ 4to 1681 'who falls'. p. 145, l. 30 _on the Mountebank's Stage. _ 4to 1681 'on the stage of the Mountebank'. p. 146, l. 1 _This is flat Conjuration. _ 4to 1681 'This flat Conjuration'. p. 146, l. 7 _what's here. _ 4to 1681 'what here'. p. 148, l. 11 _Ex. Feth. And Blunt. _ 4to 1681 and 1724 '[Ex. ' +Act II: Scene ii+ p. 148, l. 12 _Scene II. Changes. _ 4to 1681 and 1724 'Scene changes'. p. 148, ll. 21, 27, 33 [_bis. _ 1724 omits. p. 150, l. 2 _my Cousin Endymion. _ 1724 'Endymion's'. p. 150, l. 16 _Sommes. _ 4to 1681 and 1724 'somme'. p. 152, l. 5 _Snush. _ 1724 'snuff'. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 154, l. 25 _Gargantua. _ 4to 1681 'Garigantua', and omits 'of'. p. 155, l. 5 _and Harlequin attending. _ Harlequin's entrance is not marked in 4to 1681 or in 1724, but it is necessary here as he is addressed by the Dwarf. p. 156, l. 22 _Hu, how scornful. _ 1724 omits 'Hu'. p. 157, l. 37 _with Harlequin. _ Harlequin's exit unmarked in 4to 1681 and 1724. p. 159, l. 10 _Talks to Hunt. _ 4to 1681, wrongly, 'Talks to Will'. p. 161, l. 4 _faithless as the Winds. _ 1724 'Wind'. p. 161, l. 17 _fixt Resolves. _ 1724 'fixt Resolve'. p. 163, l. 13 _he may again rally. _ 1724 'railly'. p. 163, l. 27 _them that tries me. _ 1724 'them that tire me'. p. 165, l. 21 _set such Price on. _ 1724 'set a Price on'. p. 165, l. 33 _I grow weary. _ 4to 1681 'I grew weary'. p. 166, l. 2 _sure he knows me not. _ 1724 omits 'he'. p. 166, l. 16 _better than an Age of Scorn from a proud faithless Beauty?_ 1724 'better from Age of Scorn than a proud faithless Beauty?' p. 167, l. 2 _and all to bekiss me. _ 1724 'and kiss me'. p. 167, l. 21 _Laying his hand on his Sword. _ 4to 1681 gives stage direction as '[His Sword. ' p. 168, l. 23 _ails he?_ 1724 'ye'. p. 169, l. 24 _who wou'st. _ 4to 1681 'who'st'. 1724 'wou'st'. p. 169, l. 25 _turn me out despis'd. _ 1724 'turn me out so despis'd'. p. 169, l. 28 _Charms shall hold. _ 4to 1681 'Charms can hold'. p. 169, l. 35 _she holds him. _ 1724 omits 'him'. p. 171, l. 3 _a Purse or hands full of Gold. _ 1724 'a Purse of Gold'. +Act IV: Scene i+ p. 172, l. 30 _Ariadne. [feels. ] Tis so!_ 1724 omits '[feels]'. +Act IV: Scene ia+ p. 173, l. 3 _I ever had. _ 1724, wrongly, 'I ne'er had'. p. 173, l. 27 _My hope. _ 4to 1681 'ever hope'. p. 174, l. 3 _Orange-grove. _ 1724 'orange-garden'. p. 175, l. 20 _Was this done. _ 1724 'Was not this done'. p. 178, l. 28 _in the Piazza. _ 4to 1681 'Piazzo', and always this form. p. 178, l. 35 _and goes out. _ 4to 1681 'and ex. ' p. 181, l. 11 _whistle to the Birds. _ 1724 'whistle to Birds'. +Act IV: Scene ib+ p. 182, l. 18 _Aur. Well, the Stranger. _ 1724 'Ant. Well, the Stranger'. p. 183, l. 6 _that was the Reason then she came. _ 1724 omits 'then'. p. 183, l. 13 _The Seigniora perhaps may be angry. _ 1724 'Seignior'. p. 184, l. 1 _Damn all dissembling. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose. p. 184, l. 9 _Love's diviner Dictates. _ 1724 'Love's divine Dictates'. +Act IV: Scene ic+ p. 184, l. 19 _false Tenents. _ 1724, wrongly, 'False Tenements'. p. 187, l. 13 _Oh, any whither, any whither. _ 1724 'any where, any where'. +Act IV: Scene id+ p. 187, l. 24 _I believed he had. _ 1724 'I believe he has'. p. 187, l. 31 _no matter whither 'tis. _ 1724 'no matter which 'tis'. p. 188, l. 9 _Abev. Sings. _ 4to 1681 and 1724 'The Boy sings . .. ', but his name has already been given. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 190, l. 11 _To find out this Rest. _ 1724 'To find this Rest'. p. 190, l. 32 _La Nu. 'Tis he whom I expect. _ 1724 gives this speech as prose. p. 191, l. 10 _whence I fetcht my Gold. _ 1724 'whence I fetch my Gold'. p. 191, l. 18 _they are by dark. _ 1724 omits. p. 192, l. 33 _What is't to be adorn'd. _ 1724 'What 'tis to be adorn'd'. p. 193, l. 19 _Wou'd! by Heaven, thou hast. _ 1724 gives this as prose, 1681 metrically. I have followed the 4to, attempting a rather better division of the lines. p. 193, l. 32 _The last indeed. _ The first three lines of this speech metrically as 4to 1681. 1724 prints as prose. p. 194, l. 22 _his Youth and Beauty. _ 4to 1681 'this Youth and Beauty'. p. 195, l. 5 _not a Landlady. [bis. _ 1724 omits '[bis. ' p. 195, l. 18 _La Nu. Left by both!_ 4to 1681 'Left by both?' p. 195, l. 20 _and Beau. _ I have added this exit. It is unmarked in 4to 1681 and in 1724. +Act V: Scene iii+ p. 198, l. 9 _in the dark. _ 4to 1681 'by dark'. p. 199, l. 2 _un Portavera Poco. _ 1724 misprints 'Porsavera'. p. 200, l. 12 _Harl. Qui est là?_ 4to 1681 'Harl. Que et la!' p. 200, l. 17 _I am discover'd. _ 1724 'I am discower'd'. +Act V: Scene iiia+ p. 200, l. 22 _Feth. Hah-- my Lady Monster!_ 4to 1681 omits to mark at change of scene Feth. Again as speech-prefix. p. 203, l. 13 _Ex. All. _ 1724 omits 'all'. p. 203, l. 31 _out of hand. [Aside. _ 4to 1681 omits 'Aside'. p. 205, l. 27 _Ariadne!-- How vain is all. _ 1724 give this speech as prose. I have followed the metrical division of the 4to 1681 with some slight rearrangement of the lines. p. 208, l. 23 _John Potages. _ 1724. 'Jean Potages'. p. 208, l. 26 _thou foul filthy Synagogue. _ 1724. 'foul-filthy'. p. 209, l. 23 _d'ye see. _ 4to 1681 'de see'. p. 209, l. 24 _Myrmidons. _ 4to 1681 'Mermidons'. p. 209, l. 28 _wiser than your other Men. _ 1724 omits 'your', p. 210, l. 21 _Gets from her. _ 1724 omits this stage direction. p. 211, l. 14 _They lay hold on him. _ 4to 1681 'of him'. +Epilogue+ p. 212, l. 26 _nobly throw away. _ 1724 'throw a Way'. p. 213, ll. 3-22 _All this won't do. _ The concluding twenty lines of the Epilogue are only given in 4to 1681. All subsequent editions omit them. NOTES: CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. +Dedication+ p. 113 _The Duke. _ James, Duke of York, for whom Mrs, Behn, a thorough Tory, entertained sentiments of deepest loyalty. The 'absence', 'voluntary Exile', 'new Exiles', mentioned in the Dedication all refer to James' withdrawal from England in 1679, at the time of the seditious agitation to pass an illegal Exclusion Bill. The Duke left on 4 March for Amsterdam, afterwards residing at the Hague. In August he came back, Charles being very ill. Upon the King's recovery he retired to Scotland 27 October. In March, 1682, he paid a brief visit to the King, finally returning home June of the same year. p. 114. _young Cesar in the Field. _ During the Commonwealth and his first exile James had joined Turenne's army, 24 April, 1652, and was frequently in the field. He distinguished himself by conspicuous bravery. In 1656, at the wish of Charles, he joined the Spanish army. p. 114 _Some of Oliver's Commanders at Dunkirk. _ During the Flanders campaign of 1657, Reynolds, the commander of the English at Dunkirk, sought and obtained an interview with James, whom he treated with the most marked respect and honour. This was reported to Cromwell, much to the Protector's chagrin and alarm. p. 115. _City Pope. _ An allusion to the exploits of Elkanah Settle, who was so notorious at that time for violent Whiggism that in 1680 he had presided over the senseless city ceremony of 'Pope-burning' on 17 November. This annual piece of ridiculous pageantry is smartly described by Dryden in his Prologue to Southerne's _The Loyal Brother_ (1682); and in the Epilogue to _Oedipus_, (1679), after enumerating the attractions of the play, he ends-- We know not what you can desire or hope To please you more, but burning of a Pope. There are many contemporary references to Settle and his 'fireworks'. Otway, in _The Poet's Complaint_ (4to, 1680), speaks of Rebellion cockering the silly rabble with 'November squibs and burning pasteboard Popes', canto xi. Duke, in the Epilogue to the same author's _The Atheist_ (1683), says that the poet never 'made one rocket on Queen Bess's night'. In Scott's _Dryden_, Vol. VI (1808) is given a cut representing the tom-fool procession of 1679, in which an effigy of the murdered Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey had a chief place. There were 'ingenious fireworks' and a bonfire. A scurrilous broadside of the day, with regard to the shouting, says that ''twas believed the echo . .. Reached Scotland [the Duke was then residing in the North], France, and even Rome itself damping them all with a dreadfull astonishment. ' The stage at this juncture of fierce political strife had become a veritable battle-ground of parties, and some stir was caused by Settle's blatant, but not ineffective, melodrama on the subject of that mythical dame _The Female Prelate, being the History of the Life and Death of Pope Joan_, produced at the Theatre Royal, 1680. This play itself is often referred to, and there are other allusions to Pope Joan about this time, e. G. , in the Epilogue to Lee's _Cæsar Borgia_ (1679), where the author says a certain clique could not have been more resolute to damn his play Had he the Pope's Effigies meant to burn, . . . . . Nay, conjur'd up Pope Joan to please the age, And had her breeches search'd upon the stage. cf. Also Mrs. Behn in her own Epilogue when she speaks of 'fat Cardinals, Pope Joans, and Fryers'; and Lord Falkland's scoff in his Prologue to Otway's _The Soldier's Fortune_ (1680):-- But a more pow'rful Saint enjoys ye now . . . . . The fairest Prelate of her time, and best. Lord Falkland of course points at the play. +Prologue+ p. 116 _lofty Tire. _ The Upper Gallery, the price of admission to which was one shilling. It was the cheapest part of the theatre, and is often alluded to in Prologue and Epilogue, but generally with abuse or sarcasm. Dryden, in his Prologue to Tate's _The Loyal General_ (1680), caustically advises:-- Remove your benches, you apostate pit, And take, above, twelve pennyworth of wit; Go back to your dear dancing on the rope, Or see what's worse, the Devil and the Pope. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 117 _Harlequin, Willmore's Man. _ Although no actor's name is printed for Harlequin, the part was undoubtedly played by Shadwell's brother-in-law, Tom Jevon, who, at the age of twenty-one, had joined the company in 1673. Originally a dancing-master (Langbaine notes his 'activity'), he became famous in low comedy and particularly for his lithe and nimble Harlequins. In Otway's _Friendship in Fashion_ (1677) Malagene, a character written for and created by Jevon, says, 'I'm a very good mimick; I can act Punchinello, Scaramuchio, Harlequin, Prince Prettyman, or any thing. ' Harlequin does not appear in Killigrew's _Thomaso. _ Mrs. Behn's mime plays pranks and speaks Italian and Spanish. No doubt she derived the character from the Italian comedians who had been at the Royal Theatre, Whitehall, in 1672-3, as Dryden, in an Epilogue (spoken by Hart) to _The Silent Woman_ when acted at Oxford, after a reference to a visit of French comedians, has:-- The Italian Merry-Andrews took their place, And quite debauched the stage with lewd grimace, Instead of wit and humours, your delight Was there to see two hobby-horses fight, Stout Scaramoucha with rush lance rode in, And ran a tilt at centaur Arlequin. They were acting again in July, 1675, and remained some months in England. Cf. Evelyn, 29 September this same year, writes: 'I saw the Italian Scaramuccio act before the King at Whitehall, people giving money to come in, which was very scandalous and never so before at Court-diversions. Having seen him act before in Italy many years past, I was not averse from seeing the most excellent of that kind of folly. ' Duffett in his Prologue to _Ev'ry Man out of his Humour_, 'spoken by Mr. Hayns', July, 1675, who refers to this second visit-- The Modish Nymphs now ev'ry heart will win With the surprizing ways of Harlequin O the fine motion and the jaunty mene While you Gallants-- Who for dear Missie ne'er can do too much Make Courtships à la mode de Scarramouch. and a little later he writes:-- Religion has its Scarramouchys too Whose hums and has get all the praise and pence. This Italian troop evidently returned in the following year or in 1677, as we have allusions to Dominique Biancolelli and Fiurelli, 'the Fam'd Harlequin & Scaramouch', in the Prologue to Ravenscroft's _Scaramouch a Philosopher, Harlequin a School-Boy, Bravo, Merchant, and Magician_, a Comedy after the Italian Manner, produced at the Theatre Royal in 1677, with the migratory Joe Haines as Harlequin, and again in _Friendship in Fashion_, Act iii, 1, when Lady Squeamish cries: 'Dear Mr. Malagene, won't you let us see you act a little something of Harlequin? I'll swear you do it so naturally, it makes me think I am at the Louvre or Whitehall all the time. ' [Malagene acts. ] p. 117. _Lucia. .. Mrs. Norris. _ In the quarto the name of this actress is spelled Norice. Even if the two characters Lucia and Petronella Elenora were not so entirely different, one being a girl, the second a withered crone, it is obvious that as both appear on the stage at one and the same time Mrs. Norris could not have doubled these rôles. The name Mrs. Norice, however, which is cast for Lucia is undoubtedly a misprint for Mrs. Price. This lady may possibly have been the daughter of Joseph Price, an 'Inimitable sprightly Actor', who was dead in 1673. We find Mrs. Price cast for various rôles of no great consequence, similar to Lucia in this play. She sustained Camilla in Otway's _Friendship in Fashion_ (1678), Violante in Leanerd's _The Counterfeits_ (1679), Sylvia in _The Soldier's Fortune_ (1683), Hippolita in D'Urfey's _A Commonwealth of Women_ (1685), and many more, all of which belong to the 'second walking-lady'. Mrs. Norris, who acted Petronella Elenora, was a far more important figure in the theatre. One of those useful and, indeed, indispensable performers, who, without ever attaining any prominent position, contribute more essentially than is often realized to the success of a play, she became well known for her capital personations of old women and dowagers. Wife of the actor Norris, she had been one of the earliest members of Davenant's company, and her son, known as Jubilee Dicky from his superlative performance in Farquhar's _The Constant Couple_ (1699), was a leading comedian in the reigns of Anne and the first George. Amongst Mrs. Norris' many rôles such parts as Lady Dupe, the old lady in Dryden's _Sir Martin Mar-All_ (1667), Goody Rash in Crowne's _The Country Wit_ (1675), Nuarcha, an amorous old maid, in Maidwell's _The Loving Enemies_ (1680), Mother Dunwell, the bawd in Betterton's _The Revenge; or, A Match in Newgate_ (1680), all sufficiently typify her special line, within whose limits she won considerable applause. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 120 _Crab-Wine. _ An inferior tipple brewed from sour apples. p. 122 _Tantalus better than ever Ovid described him. _ Quaerit aquas in aquis, et poma fugacia captat Tantalus: hoc illi garrula lingua dedit. _Amorum_, ii, 11, 43-4. Tibi, Tantale, nullae Deprenduntur aquae; quaeque imminet effugit arbos. _Met_, iv, 457-8. p. 126 _I . .. Must be this very Mountebank expected. _ One may remember Rochester's unpenetrated masquerade as Alexander Bendo, high above 'the bastard race of quacks and cheats, ' and Grammont's account of all the courtiers and maids of honour flocking for lotions and potions of perpetual youth to the new empiric's lodgings 'in _Tower-Street_, next door to the sign of the _Black Swan_, at a Goldsmith's house. ' In the _Works of the Earls of Rochester, Roscommon and Dorset_ (2. Vols. 1756), there is a rough cut of Rochester as a charlatan delivering a speech to the assembled crowd. On the platform also stands his attendant, a figure dressed in the diamonded motley of Harlequin. p. 126. _in querpo. _ A Spanish phrase, _en cuerpo_ = without a cloak; in an undress or disguise. +Act I: Scene ia+ p. 133 _old Adam's Ale. _ A very ancient colloquialism for water. In Scotland 'Adam's wine' and frequently merely 'Adam'. Prynne in his _Sovereign Power of Parliament_ (1648), speaks of prisoners 'allowed only a poor pittance of Adam's ale. ' cf. Peter Pindar (John Wolcot), _The Lousiad_, Canto ii, ll. 453-4:-- Old Adam's beverage flows with pride From wide-mouthed pitchers in a plenteous tide. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 141 _a Pageant. _ Here used to signify a platform or low scaffold. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 157 _the Royal Sovereign. _ In a Navy List of 1684 the _Royal Sovereign_ is classed as one of the 'Nine First Rate' vessels. 1545 tons, 100 guns at home, 90 guns abroad, 815 men at home, 710 men abroad. In 1672 her commander was Sir Joseph Jorden. An authority on nautical matters whom I have consulted informs me that less men and fewer guns were carried to relieve the top hamper of the ship in a sea-way. Most vessels then were inclined to be top heavy, and although able to carry all their guns in the narrow seas, yet when going foreign were glad to leave ten behind, well knowing they would soon lose by scurvy or disease numbers of their crew apart from losses in battle. Although these ships were pierced with ports for, say, 100 guns, it did not follow they always carried so many, as a complete broadside could be fired by running the gun carriages across from one side to another before the fight, so she would not be so heavy above and not so liable to roll and spoil the aim of the guns. p. 159 _Bezolos mano's, Seignior. _ Señor, beso las manos. = Sir, I kiss your hands; the usual Spanish salutation. p. 165 _brown George. _ Coarse black bread; hard biscuit. Cf. Urquhart's _Rabelais_ (1653), Book IV. Author's prologue: 'The devil of one musty crust of a Brown George the poor boys had to scour their grinders with. ' And Dryden, _Persius_ (1693), v. 215:-- Cubb'd in a cabin, on a matrass laid, On a Brown George with lousy swabbers fed. p. 165 _Spanish Pay. _ Slang for fair words; compliments, and nothing more. +Act IV: Scene ib+ p. 182 _fin'd. _ In a somewhat unusual sense of to fine = to pay a composition or consideration for a special privilege. +Act V: Scene iii+ p. 198 _Plymouth Cloaks. _ Obsolete slang for a cudgel 'carried by one who walked _en cuerpo_, and thus facetiously assumed to take the place of a cloak'. Fuller (1661), _Worthies_, 'Devon' (1662), 248, 'A Plimouth Cloak. That is a Cane or a Staffe whereof this the occasion. Many a man of good Extraction comming home from far Voiages, may chance to land here [at Plymouth] and being out of sorts, is unable for the present time and place to recruit himself with Cloaths. Here (if not friendly provided) they make the next Wood their Draper's shop, where a Staffe cut out, serves them for a covering'. Ray, _Prov. _ (1670), 225, adds, 'For we use when we walk _in cuerpo_ to carry a staff in our hands but none when in a cloak'. _N. E. D. _, which also quotes this passage of _The Rover. _ cf. Davenant:-- Whose cloak, at Plymouth spun, was crab-tree wood. p. 199 _Album Græcum. _ The excrement of dogs and some other animals which from exposure to air and weather becomes whitened like chalk. It was formerly much used in medicine. +Act V: Scene iiib+ p. 209 _Guzman Medicines. _ Trashy, worthless medicines. In _The Emperor of The Moon_, Act iii, 2, 'Guzman' is used as a term of abuse to signify a rascal. The first English translation (by James Mabbe) of Aleman's famous romance, _Vida del Picaro Guzman d'Alfarache_, is, indeed, entitled _The Rogue_, and it had as running title _The Spanish Rogue. _ There is a novel by George Fidge entitled _The English Gusman; or, the History of that Unparallel'd Thief James Hind. _ (1652, 4to. ) p. 209 _Copper Chains. _ In allusion to the trick played by Estifania on the churlish Cacafogo in Fletcher's _Rule a Wife and Have a Wife. _ He lends her 1000 ducats upon trumpery which she is passing off as rich gems, and when later he scents the cozenage, he bawls out:-- Plague of her jewels, and her copper chains, How rank they smell! --(Act v, 2. ) The phrase became proverbial for shams. p. 211 _disimbogue. _ This word is generally used of the waters of a river or the outlet of a lake pouring into the open sea. p. 212 _by Play-Bill, summon'd here. _ In Restoration times one method of announcing the next day's performance to the public was by putting out bills on posts in the streets adjacent to the theatre. There are allusions to this in Pepys, 24 March, 1662 and 28 July, 1664. The whole subject has been exhaustively treated by Mr. W. J. Lawrence in 'The Origin of the Theatre Programme'-- _The Elizabethan Playhouse_ (Second Series). +Epilogue+ p. 213. _greasing. _ Flattery. Settle's post as City Poet, it is well known, did not bring him in any great emoluments. He was, in fact, desperately poor, and even volunteered to join King James' army at Hounslow Heath. In old age he was reduced to writing drolls performed in a Bartholomew Fair booth kept by one Mrs. Minns and her daughter, Mrs. Leigh. He himself acted in these wretched farces, and on one occasion, in _St. George for England_, appeared as a dragon in a green leather case. Eventually he obtained admission to the Charterhouse, where he died 24 February, 1724. * * * * * * * * * Errors and Irregularities: The Rover, Part II the Arbitrary Tyranny _text reads "Tryanny"_Enter . .. Follow'd by _Ariadne_ and _Lucia_. _printed "_Ariadne_ and _Lucia_" with "and" sharing emphatic type__Aria. _ How prove ye that, good Mr. Philospher? _spelling unchanged_Feth. _Have you heard of a _Spanish_ Lady . .. _[Singing. _speaker's name is in Roman type while he is singing a song printed in italics_ _stage direction in same passage not italicized_[_Lucia_ above and _Ariadne_. ] _anomalous close bracket in original__Will. _ Love knows no Ceremony, no respect _text reads "repect"_[_Lucia_ squeaks within, crying, help, help. _text unchanged_ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE DUTCH LOVER. [Transcriber's Note: Entrances and bracketed stage directions were printed in _italics_, with proper names in roman type. The overall _italic_ markup has been omitted for readability. ] ARGUMENT. Roderigo-- the natural son of the great Count d' Olivarez, minister toPhilip IV of Spain-- was, upon his father's disgrace, given over whenvery young to the care of a certain Don Ambrosio, and by him brought upas his own child. Ambrosio has one son, Marcel, and two daughters, Hippolita and Cleonte. Marcel, whilst in Flanders, promised Hippolita tohis friend Alonzo. This Alonzo is the son of a lady Octavia and DonManuel. But Manuel's rival in Octavia's love, Alonzo, stole their boywhen an infant and brought him up to arms, giving him his own name. Pedro, an old servant, who is cognizant of this, is sworn to secrecy. Alonzo arrives in Madrid purposing to wed Hippolita as he desires toally himself with so ancient and powerful a family as Ambrosio's. Hippolita, however, having been betrayed by a German named Antonio, hasfled, and now resides in a house of pleasure in the town, having assumedthe habit of a Venetian courtezan. Alonzo meeting Euphemia, sister tohis friend Lovis, becomes enamoured of her, and the lady grants him arendezvous at a house where they will be uninterrupted-- it happens thishouse is the bagnio where Hippolita is secreted. Marcel, on his way tovisit Clarinda, whom he loves, recognizes Alonzo and follows him to hisrendezvous, Olinda, Euphemia's maid, mistakenly introduces Marcel to hermistress. Euphemia is veiled and Marcel, who has heard that his sisteris living in that house, in his turn mistakes the lady for Hippolita, more especially as he meets Antonio there. The two men fight, but Alonzoentering interferes. Antonio escapes, bearing away Hippolita. Euphemia, whom Marcel in a passion of revenge would kill, is soon discovered notto be Hippolita, and the angry brother duly retires from the scene. Alonzo, however, leaving the house is accosted for Marcel by Dormida, Clarinda's maid, who gives him the key to their house. Alonzo entersfollowed by Marcel who is close on his heels. They jostle and fight inthe darkness of the hall within, and Alonzo departs leaving Marcelwounded. Dormida fearing trouble drags Clarinda forth and meeting Alonzoin the street they throw themselves on his honourable protection. A complete stranger, in his dilemma he escorts them to the mansion ofAmbrosio, and they chance on Cleonte's chamber. She has just had a visitfrom Silvio (under which name Roderigo passes), who is burning withpassion for her but shrinks from his supposed sister. Cleonte offers thetwo ladies a refuge and Alonzo retires. With the aid of his friend Lovishe assumes the habit of Haunce van Ezel, a Dutch boor who is contractedto Euphemia, and, as Haunce, courts Lovis' sister with the fullapprobation of their father Don Carlo. When Haunce himself appears he isgreeted with some familiarity as having been at the house before. TheDutch Lover, who has newly arrived, chances on a strife between Antonioand Hippolita and interfering disarms Antonio, wounding him in the face. Cleonte meantime has introduced her guest Clarinda to Silvio, and Marcelseeing them together concludes that his own brother is the man whofought him on the previous night and indeed his favoured rival. At oncehe challenges him and they arrange to have a duel in a grove near thetown. Here, however, comes Hippolita disguised in man's attire, awaitingAntonio to whom she has sent a billet signed 'Alonzo'. She retires, whilst Silvio appears, and when he is engaged with Marcel, Alonzo rushesin and parts them. Alonzo avows that it was he who caused the confusionwith Clarinda, and arranges to meet Marcel later in another spot. Antonio next arrives and Hippolita, calling herself Alonzo, draws, butAlonzo himself insists on taking up the quarrel. At the clash of steelMarcel returns and all four fight, Marcel with Hippolita, whom hewounds, Alonzo with Antonio, whom he disarms-- Hippolita revealsherself, Alonzo claims her, but Antonio declaring that he is bound toher by sacred vows rescues her from Marcel's vengeance and obtains hisforgiveness. All return to Ambrosio's house where they find Cleonte andClarinda. Explanations ensue, and Marcel is at Clarinda's feet. Pedro, however, who attends Alonzo, recognizes his old fellow-servant, Dormida, duenna to Clarinda, and learning Don Manuel is dead, reveals that Alonzois Clarinda's brother, also handing over papers left by Don Alonzo thefoster-father, which bestow 12, 000 crowns a year on his adopted son, Alonzo portions Clarinda and gives her to Marcel. Francisca, woman toCleonte, informs Silvio that Cleonte will yield to him-- Silvio, suddenly revolted, declares he will present himself, but secretlyresolves to poinard his sister. Marcel who has overheard the conference, beside himself with rage, dashes on Silvio with dagger drawn and whenchecked by Ambrosio and the rest who rush in at Francisca's cries makesknown the cause of his wrath. Francisca confesses that Cleonte had sentno such message, but herself purposed to take her mistress' place thatnight and receive Silvio. Ambrosio then reveals the secret of Silvio'sbirth and gives Cleonte to him, in his joy even taking Hippolita to hisarms since Antonio has married her. Alonzo, meanwhile, disguised asHaunce has been united to Euphemia. He is discovered by the arrival onthe scene of the real Haunce accompanied by Gload, a foolish tutor. Carlo is soon reconciled to the new bridegroom, whilst Haunce and Gloadjoining in a masquerade find themselves unexpectedly wedded to Olindaand Dorice, two women attendant on the lady Euphemia. SOURCE. Mrs. Behn founded the plot of _The Dutch Lover_ upon the stories ofEufemie and Theodore, Don Jame and Frederic, in a pseudo-Spanish novelentitled '_The History of Don Fenise_, a new Romance written in Spanishby Francisco de Las Coveras, And now Englished by a Person of Honour, London, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, ' 8vo, 1651. There is of course nosuch Spanish author as 'the ingenious Don Francisco de las Coveras'. Thechief merit of the book is purely bibliographical: it is a very rarevolume and difficult to meet with. The Bodleian indeed contains a copy, but it is not to be found in the British Museum library. The somewhatmorbid theme of overwhelming passion barred by consanguinity eventuallydiscovered to be false, which is here exemplified in the love of Silviofor Cleonte, occurs more than once in the later Jacobean and Carolandrama. In Beaumont and Fletcher's tragicomedy _A King and no King_(1611: 4to, 1619), we have Arbaces enamoured of Panthea, his reputedsister; similar motives are to be found in Arthur Wilson's _The Swizzer_(1631); but in Middleton's _Women beware Women_ (circa 1612: 4to, 1657), no contrivance can legitimize the incestuous loves of Hippolito andIsabella, and death is the only solution. In Massinger's _The UnnaturalCombat_ (1621: 4to, 1639), the demoniac Malefort pursues his daughterTheocrine with the same baleful fires as Francesco Cenci looked onBeatrice, but the height of horror, harrowing the soul with pity andanguish, culminates in Ford's terrible scenes _Tis Pity She's a Whore_(4to, 1633), so tenderly tragic, so exquisitely beautiful for all theirmoral perversity, that they remain unequalled outside Shakespeare. In the Restoration Theatre the theme of consanguinity was originallydealt with no less than three times by Dryden: comically, in _TheSpanish Friar_ (1681), when Lorenzo-- after all the love-brokerage ofpursy Father Dominic-- discovers Elvira to be his sister: tragically, in_Don Sebastian_ (1690), when Sebastian and Almeyda are separated by thedisclosures of old Alvarez: sentimentally and romantically, in _LoveTriumphant_ (1693-4), when Alphonso wins Victoria whom he has longloved, even whilst she was supposed to be his sister. Otway it will beremembered turns the pathetic catastrophe of _The Orphan_ (1680), upon adeceit which produces similar though unhappy circumstances. In 1679, _Oedipus_, a joint production of Dryden and Lee, was brought out withgreat success at the Duke's Theatre, Dorset Gardens. Unhallowed and incestuous passions again form the plot of _The FatalDiscovery; or, Love in Ruins_ (4to, 1698), produced at Drury Lane, a play seemingly derived from _Bandello, Part II_, Novel 35, whichcoincides with the thirtieth tale of the _Heptameron_. In various forms, however, this legend is to be found in the literature of all countries, and a cognate tradition is even attached to certain districts. _Innocence Distress'd; or, The Royal Penitents_, a tragedy by RobertGould (ob. 1709), never performed but published by subscription (8vo, 1737), for the benefit of his daughter Hannah, is based on the samestory. Gould's work is weak and insipid. Later in the eighteenth century we have Horace Walpole's _The MysteriousMother_ (8vo, 1768), an unacted drama of extraordinary power andundissipated gloom on the same terrible theme; whilst Shelley's _TheCenti_, published in 1819, which the poet most emphatically intended forthe boards, remains a masterpiece of supreme genius. Wagner in _Die Walküre_ shows the irresistible passion of Siegmund andSieglinde, brother and sister, from whose union sprang the mighty heroSiegfried; and in _Gengangere_ (Ghosts), 1881, Ibsen threw, by thesickly craving of the fibreless Oswald Alving for Regina, a lurid lightacross that awesome tragedy of shadows, Nemesis, and blank despair. THEATRICAL HISTORY. _The Dutch Lover_ was produced at the Duke's Theatre, Dorset Garden, inFebruary, 1673, but owing to the manifold disadvantages under which itwas put on the stage it did not meet with that success it certainlydeserved. It was indeed, to quote the preface, 'hugely injured in theacting. ' The performers were anything but word perfect and hopelesslyforgot or confused their business, which, more especially in a play ofsuch a type as this romantic comedy so full of busy and complicateddetail demanding close and continuous attention, was enough to mystifythe audience completely and foredoom the piece to failure. The worstsinner was Haunce himself, who hardly spoke one of his lines but gaggedfrom start to finish. Not unnaturally, Mrs. Behn resented this and avowsthat she would have trounced him roundly in print except 'de mortuis. .. 'Although the original cast is not given, this detail enables us to fixthe representative of Haunce as Angel, a leading comedian, who died inthe spring of 1673, his name last appearing as de Boastado inRavenscroft's _Careless Lovers_. In addition to these serious detriments the costumes were very poor, especially the disguise of Alonzo as the Hollander, and Haunce's own'fantastical travelling habit, ' dresses on the aptness of which theprobability of the intrigue can be made so largely to depend. Yet another mishap occurred. The epilogue, which had been promised by afriend, did not come to hand, and accordingly the present epilogue washastily composed. Though containing nothing notably witty or pointed itdoes not fall below the generality of these productions. Of the prologuewe have no means of judging as it was unfortunately lost before it couldfind its way into print. Had _The Dutch Lover_ received fair treatment from the actors it shouldsurely have commanded no small success in its day. Technically it iswell contrived, and exhibits the skill and clever stage-craft of itsauthoress in a high degree, qualities which have often given a longlease of life to plays of infinitely less merit. AN EPISTLE TO THE READER. Good, Sweet, Honey, Sugar-Candied READER, Which I think is more than anyone has called you yet, I must have a wordor two with you before you do advance into the Treatise; but 'tis not tobeg your pardon for diverting you from your affairs, by such an idlePamphlet as this is, for I presume you have not much to do and thereforeare to be obliged to me for keeping you from worse employment, and ifyou have a better you may get you gone about your business: but if youwill misspend your Time, pray lay the fault upon yourself; for I havedealt pretty fairly in the matter, told you in the Title Page what youare to expect within. Indeed, had I hung a sign of the Immortality ofthe Soul, of the Mystery of Godliness, or of Ecclesiastical Policie, andthen had treated you with Indiscerpibility and Essential Spissitude(words, which though I am no competent Judge of, for want of Languages, yet I fancy strongly ought to mean just nothing) with a company ofApocryphal midnight Tales cull'd out of the choicest InsignificantAuthors; If I had only proved in Folio that Apollonius was a naughtyknave, or had presented you with two or three of the worst principlestranscrib'd out of the peremptory and ill-natur'd (though prettilyingenious) Doctor of Malmsbury undigested and ill-manag'd by a silly, saucy, ignorant, impertinent, ill educated Chaplain I were then indeedsufficiently in fault; but having inscrib'd Comedy on the beginning ofmy Book, you may guess pretty near what penny-worths you are like tohave, and ware your money and your time accordingly. I would not yet beunderstood to lessen the dignity of Playes, for surely they deserve aplace among the middle if not the better sort of Books; for I have heardthe most of that which bears the name of Learning, and which has abusedsuch quantities of Ink and Paper, and continually employs so manyignorant, unhappy souls for ten, twelve, twenty years in the University(who yet poor wretches think they are doing something all the while) asLogick etc. And several other things (that shall be nameless lest Imisspell them) are much more absolutely nothing than the errantest Playthat e'er was writ. Take notice, Reader, I do not assert this purelyupon my own knowledge, but I think I have known it very fully prov'd, both sides being fairly heard, and even some ingenious opposers of itmost abominably baffl'd in the Argument: Some of which I have got soperfectly by rote, that if this were a proper place for it, I am apt tothink myself could almost make it clear; and as I would not undervaluePoetry, so neither am I altogether of their judgement who believe nowisdom in the world beyond it. I have often heard indeed (and read) howmuch the World was anciently oblig'd to it for most of that which theycall'd Science, which my want of letters makes me less assured of thanothers happily may be: but I have heard some wise men say that noconsiderable part of useful knowledge was this way communicated, and onthe other way, that it hath serv'd to propogate so many idlesuperstitions, as all the benefits it hath or can be guilty of, cannever make sufficient amends for; which unaided by the unlucky charms ofPoetry, could never have possest a thinking Creature such as man. However true this is, I am myself well able to affirm that none of allour English Poets, and least the Dramatique (so I think you call them)can be justly charg'd with too great reformation of men's minds ormanners, and for that I may appeal to general experiment, if those whoare the most assiduous Disciples of the Stage, do not make the fondestand the lewdest Crew about this Town; for if you should unhappilyconverse them through the year, you will not find one Dram of senseamongst a Club of them, unless you will allow for such a littleLink-Boy's Ribaldry thick larded with unseasonable oaths & impudentdefiance of God, and all things serious; and that at such a senselessdamn'd unthinking rate, as, if 'twere well distributed, would spoil nearhalf the Apothecaries trade, and save the sober people of the Town thecharge of Vomits; And it was smartly said (how prudently I cannot tell)by a late learned Doctor, who, though himself no great asserter of aDeity, (as you'll believe by that which follows) yet was observed to becontinually persuading of this sort of men (if I for once may call themso) of the necessity and truth of our Religion; and being ask'd how hecame to bestir himself so much this way, made answer that it was becausetheir ignorance and indiscreet debauch made them a scandal to theprofession of Atheism. And for their wisdom and design I never knew itreach beyond the invention of some notable expedient, for the speedierridding them of their Estate, (a devilish clog to Wit and Parts), thanother grouling Mortals know, or battering half-a-dozen fair new Windowsin a Morning after their debauch, whilst the dull unjantee Rascal theybelong to is fast asleep. But I'll proceed no farther in theircharacter, because that miracle of Wit (in spite of Academick frippery)the mighty Echard hath already done it to my satisfaction; and whoeverundertakes a Supplement to anything he hath discourst, had better fortheir reputation be doing nothing. Besides this Theam is worn too thread-bare by the whiffling would-beWits of the Town, and of both the stone-blind-eyes of the Kingdom. Andtherefore to return to that which I before was speaking of, I will haveleave to say that in my judgement the increasing number of our latterPlays have not done much more towards the amending of men's Morals, ortheir Wit, than hath the frequent Preaching, which this last age hathbeen pester'd with, (indeed without all Controversie they have done lessharm) nor can I once imagine what temptation anyone can have to expectit from them; for sure I am no Play was ever writ with that design. Ifyou consider Tragedy, you'll find their best of Characters unlikelypatterns for a wise man to pursue: For he that is the Knight of thePlay, no sublunary feats must serve his Dulcinea; for if he can'tbestrid the Moon, he'll ne'er make good his business to the end, and ifhe chance to be offended, he must without considering right or wrongconfound all things he meets, and put you half-a-score likely tallfellows into each pocket; and truly if he come not something near thisPitch I think the Tragedy's not worth a farthing; for Playes werecertainly intended for the exercising of men's passions not theirunderstandings, and he is infinitely far from wise that will bestow onemoment's meditation on such things: And as for Comedie, the finest folksyou meet with there are still unfitter for your imitation, for thoughwithin a leaf or two of the Prologue, you are told that they are peopleof Wit, good Humour, good Manners, and all that: yet if the Authors didnot kindly add their proper names, you'd never know them by theirCharacters; for whatsoe'er's the matter, it hath happen'd so spightfullyin several Playes, which have been prettie well received of late, thateven those persons that were meant to be the ingenious Censors of thePlay, have either prov'd the most debauch'd, or most unwittie people inthe Company: nor is this error very lamentable, since as I take itComedie was never meant, either for a converting or a conformingOrdinance: In short, I think a Play the best divertisement that wise menhave: but I do also think them nothing so who do discourse as formallieabout the rules of it, as if 'twere the grand affair of humane life. This being my opinion of Plays, I studied only to make this asentertaining as I could, which whether I have been successful in, mygentle Reader, you may for your shilling judge. To tell you my thoughtsof it, were to little purpose, for were they very ill, you may be sure Iwould not have expos'd it; nor did I so till I had first consulted mostof those who have a reputation for judgement of this kind; who were atleast so civil (if not kind) to it as did encourage me to venture itupon the Stage, and in the Press: Nor did I take their single word forit, but us'd their reasons as a confirmation of my own. Indeed that day 'twas Acted first, there comes me into the Pit, a long, lither, phlegmatick, white, ill-favour'd, wretched Fop, an Officer inMasquerade newly transported with a Scarf & Feather out of France, a sorry Animal that has nought else to shield it from the uttermostcontempt of all mankind, but that respect which we afford to Rats andToads, which though we do not well allow to live, yet when considered asa part of God's Creation, we make honourable mention of them. A thing, Reader-- but no more of such a Smelt: This thing, I tell ye, openingthat which serves it for a mouth, out issued such a noise as this tothose that sate about it, that they were to expect a woful Play, Goddamn him, for it was a woman's. Now how this came about I am not sure, but I suppose he brought it piping hot from some who had with him thereputation of a villanous Wit: for Creatures of his size of sense talkwithout all imagination, such scraps as they pick up from other folks. Iwould not for a world be taken arguing with such a propertie as this;but if I thought there were a man of any tolerable parts, who could uponmature deliberation distinguish well his right hand from his left, andjustly state the difference between the number of sixteen and two, yethad this prejudice upon him; I would take a little pains to make himknow how much he errs. For waving the examination why women having equaleducation with men, were not as capable of knowledge, of whatsoever sortas well as they: I'll only say as I have touch'd before, that Plays haveno great room for that which is men's great advantage over women, thatis Learning; We all well know that the immortal Shakespeare's Plays (whowas not guilty of much more of this than often falls to women's share)have better pleas'd the World than Johnson's works, though by the way'tis said that Benjamin was no such Rabbi neither, for I am inform'dthat his Learning was but Grammar high; (sufficient indeed to rob poorSalust of his best orations) and it hath been observ'd that they are aptto admire him most confoundedly, who have just such a scantling of it ashe had; and I have seen a man the most severe of Johnson's Sect, sitwith his Hat remov'd less than a hair's breadth from one sullen posturefor almost three hours at _The Alchymist_; who at that excellent Play of_Harry the Fourth_ (which yet I hope is far enough from Farce) hath veryhardly kept his Doublet whole; but affectation hath always had a greatershare both in the action and discourse of men than truth and judgementhave; and for our Modern ones, except our most unimitable Laureat, Idare to say I know of none that write at such a formidable rate, butthat a woman may well hope to reach their greatest heights. Then fortheir musty rules of Unity, and God knows what besides, if they meantanything, they are enough intelligible and as practible by a woman; butreally methinks they that disturb their heads with any other rule ofPlayes besides the making them pleasant, and avoiding of scurrility, might much better be employed in studying how to improve men's tooimperfect knowledge of that ancient English Game which hight longLaurence: And if Comedy should be the picture of ridiculous mankind Iwonder anyone should think it such a sturdy task, whilst we arefurnish'd with such precious Originals as him I lately told you of; ifat least that Character do not dwindle into Farce, and so become toomean an entertainment for those persons who are us'd to think. Reader, Ihave a complaint or two to make to you and I have done; Know then thatthis Play was hugely injur'd in the Acting, for 'twas done soimperfectly as never any was before, which did more harm to this than itcould have done to any of another sort; the Plot being busie (though Ithink not intricate) and so requiring a continual attention, which beinginterrupted by the intolerable negligence of some that acted in it, mustneeds much spoil the beauty on't. My Dutch Lover spoke but little ofwhat I intended for him, but supplied it with a great deal of idlestuff, which I was wholly unacquainted with until I had heard it firstfrom him; so that Jack-pudding ever us'd to do: which though I knewbefore, I gave him yet the Part, because I knew him so acceptable tomost o'th' lighter Periwigs about the Town, and he indeed did vex me so, I could almost be angry: Yet, but Reader, you remember, I suppose, afusty piece of Latine that has past from hand to hand this thousandyears they say (and how much longer I can't tell) in favour of the dead. I intended him a habit much more notably ridiculous, which if ever it beimportant was so here, for many of the Scenes in the three last Actsdepended upon the mistakes of the Colonel for Haunce, which theill-favour'd likeness of their Habits is suppos'd to cause. Lastly myEpilogue was promis'd me by a Person who had surely made it good, ifany, but he failing of his word, deput'd one, who has made it as yousee, and to make out your penyworth you have it here. The Prologue is bymisfortune lost. Now, Reader, I have eas'd my mind of all I had to say, and so sans farther complyment, Adieu. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. _Ambrosio_, A Nobleman of _Spain_. _Marcel_, His Son. _Silvio_, Supposed Bastard Son to _Ambrosio_. _Antonio_, A German that has debauch'd _Hippolyta_. _Alonzo_, A _Flanders_ Colonel contracted to _Hippolyta_ and newly arriv'd at _Madrid_. _Lovis_, His Friend. _Carlo_, Father to _Lovis_ and _Euphemia_. _Haunce van Ezel_, A Dutch Fop contracted to _Euphemia_, newly arriv'd at _Madrid_. _Gload_, His Cash-keeper. _Pedro_, An old Servant to _Alonzo_. Boy, Page to _Marcel_. Servant to _Carlo_. A Friar. WOMEN. _Euphemia_, In love with _Alonzo_. _Hippolyta_, In love with _Antonio_, } Daughters to _Ambrosio_. _Cleonte_, In love with _Silvio_, } _Clarinda_, Sister unknown to _Alonzo_, in love with _Marcel_. _Dormida_, Her Governess. _Francisca_, Woman to _Cleonte_. _Olinda_, } Two Maids to _Euphemia_. _Dorice_, } Swains, Four Shepherds, Four Nymphs, Dutch Men and Dutch Women. The Scene, _Madrid_. THE _DUTCH_ LOVER. ACT I. SCENE I. _A Street. _ Enter _Alonzo_ and _Lovis_ in travelling Habits, attended by _Pedro_ and _Gload_. _Lo. _ Dear _Alonzo_! I shall love a Church the better this Month forgiving me a sight of thee, whom I so little expected in this part of theWorld, and less in so sanctifi'd a Place. What Affair could be powerfulenough to draw thee from the kind obliging Ladies of _Brabant_? _Alon. _ First the sudden Orders of my Prince _Don John_, and next a fairLady. _Lo. _ A Lady! Can any of this Country relish with a Man that has beenus'd to the Freedom of those of _Bruxels_, from whence I suppose you arenow arriv'd? _Alon. _ This morning I landed, from such a Storm, as set us all tomaking Vows of Conversion, (upon good Conditions) and that indeedbrought me to Church. _Lo. _ In that very Storm I landed too, but with less Sense of Dangerthan you, being diverted with a pleasant Fellow that came along with me, and who is design'd to marry a Sister of mine against my Will-- And nowI think of him, _Gload_, where hast thou left this Master of thine? _Glo. _ At the Inn, Sir, in as lamentable a Pickle, as if he were stillin the Storm; recruiting his emptyed Stomach with Brandy, and railingagainst all Women-kind for your Sister's sake, who has made himundertake this Voyage. _Lo. _ Well, I'll come to him, go home before. [Ex. _Gload_. _Alon. _ Prithee what thing is this? _Lo. _ Why, 'tis the Cashier to this Squire I spoke of, a Man ofBusiness, and as wise as his Master, but the graver Coxcomb of the two. But this Lady, _Alonzo_, who is this Lady thou speak'st of? shall not Iknow her? We were wont to divide the Spoils of Beauty, as well as thoseof War between us. _Alon. _ O but this is no such Prize, thou wouldst hardly share this withthe Danger, there's Matrimony in the Case. _Lo. _ Nay, then keep her to thy self, only let me know who 'tis that candebauch thee to that scandalous way of Life; is she fair? will sherecompense the Folly? _Alon. _ Faith, I know not, I never saw her yet, but 'tis the Sister of_Marcel_, whom we both knew last Summer in _Flanders_, and where he andI contracted such a Friendship, that without other Consideration hepromis'd me _Hippolyta_, for that's his Sister's Name. _Lo. _ But wo't thou really marry her? _Alon. _ I consider my Advantage in being allied to so considerable a Manas _Ambrosio_, her Father; I being now so unhappy as not to know myBirth or Parents. _Lo. _ I have often heard of some such thing, but durst not ask the Truthof it. _Alon. _ 'Tis so, all that I know of my self is, that a _Spanish_Souldier, who brought me up in the Army, dying, confest I was not hisSon, (which till then I believ'd) and at the Age of twelve left me toshift for my self: the Fortune he inrich'd me with, was his Horse andArms, with a few Documents how to use them, as I had seen him do withgood success: This Servant, [Points to _Pedro_] and a Crucifix ofValue. And from one Degree to another, I arriv'd to what you knew me, Colonel of the Prince's Regiment, and the Glory of his Favour. _Lo. _ Honour is the Child of Virtue, and finds an Owner every where. _Alon. _ Oh, Sir, you are a Courtier, and have much the odds of aSouldier in Parleys of this nature: but hither I am come-- _Lo. _ To be undone-- Faith, thou look'st ill upon't. _Alon. _ I confess I am not altogether so brisk as I should have beenupon another Occasion; you know, _Lovis_, I have been us'd to ChristianLiberty, and hate this formal Courtship. Pox on't, wou'd 'twere over. _Lo. _ Where all Parties are agreed, there's little need of that; and theLadies of _Spain_, whatever Gravity they assume, are as ready as any youever met withal. _Alon. _ But there's a damn'd Custom that does not at all agree with Menso frank and gay as thou and I; there's a deal of Danger in theAtchievement, which some say heightens the Pleasure, but I am of anotherOpinion. _Ped. _ Sir, there is a Female in a Veil has follow'd us ever since wecame from Church. _Alon. _ Some amorous Adventure: See [_Enter _Olinda. ] she advances:Prithee retire, there may be danger in it. [Puts _Lovis_ back. _Lo. _ Oh then, I must by no means leave you. [_Lovis_ advances. _Olin. _ Which of these two shall I chuse? [She looks on both. Sir, you appear a Stranger. [To _Lovis_. _Alon. _ We are both so, Lady. _Olin. _ I shall spoil all, and bring [She looks again on both. ] thewrong. Sir, you should be a Cavalier, that-- _Alon. _ Would gladly obey your Orders. _Lo. _ Nay, I find 'tis all one to you which you chuse, so you have oneof us: but would not both do better? _Olin. _ No, Sir, my Commission's but to one. _Alon. _ Fix and proceed then, let me be the Man. _Olin. _ What shall I do? they are both well: [Aside. But I'll e'en chuse, as 'twere, for my self; and hang me if I knowwhich that shall be, [looks on both. ] Sir, there is a Lady of Qualityand Beauty, who guessing you to be Men of Honour, has sent me to one ofyou. _Alon. _ Me, I am sure. _Lo. _ Me, me, he's engag'd already. _Alon. _ That's foul Play, _Lovis_. _Alon. _ Well, I must have but one, and therefore I'll wink and chuse. _Lo. _ I'll not trust blind Fortune. _Alon. _ Prithee, _Lovis_, let thee and I agree upon the matter, and Ifind the Lady will be reasonable; cross or pile who shall go. _Lo. _ Go, Sir, whither? _Alon. _ To the Lady that-- _Lo. _ Sent for neither of us that I can hear of yet. _Alon. _ You will not hear me out, but I'll end the Difference by chusingyou, Sir; and if you'll follow me [To _Alonzo_. ] at a Distance, I willconduct you where this Lady is. _Alon. _ Fair Guide, march on, I'll follow thee. [Offers to go. _Lo. _ You are not mad, Sir, 'tis some abuse, and dangerous. [Pulls him back. _Alon. _ Be not envious of my Happiness: Forbear a Wench, for fear ofDanger! _Lo. _ Have a care, 'tis some Plot. [Holds him. ] Where did this Ladysee us? we are both Strangers in the City. _Alon. _ No matter where. _Olin. _ At Church, Sir, just now. _Alon. _ Ay, ay, at Church, at Church, enough. _Lo. _ What's her Name? _Alon. _ Away, thou art fuller of Questions than a Fortune-teller: Come, let's be gone. _Lo. _ Sure you do not mean to keep your Word, Sir? _Alon. _ Not keep my Word, _Lovis_? What wicked Life hast thou known melead, should make thee suspect I should not? When I have made anInterest in her, and find her worth communicating, I will be just uponHonour-- Go, go. _Lo. _ Well, go your ways; if Marriage do not tame you, you are past allHopes: but pray, Sir, let me see you at my Lodgings, the _Golden Fleece_here at the Gate. _Alon. _ I'll attend thee here, and tell thee my Adventure: Farewel. [Exit _Lovis_. ] _Pedro_, go you and inquire for the House of Don_Ambrosio_, and tell him I will wait on him in the Evening, by that timeI shall get my self in Order. [Ex. _Alonzo_ and _Olinda_; _Pedro_ the other way. SCENE II. _Ambrosio's_ House. Enter _Silvio_, melancholy. _Silv. _ I must remove _Marcel_, for his nice Honour Will ne'er permit that I should court my Sister; My Passion will admit of no Restraint, 'Tis grown so violent; and fair _Cleonte's_ Charms Each Day increase to such a killing Number, That I must speak or die. Enter _Francisca_. _Franc. _ What, still with folded Arms and down-cast looks? _Silv. _ Oh _Francisca_! My Brother's Presence now afflicts me more Than all my Fears of Cruelty from _Cleonte_; She is the best, the sweetest, kindest Sister-- _Franc. _ Ay, Sir, but she will never make the kindest Mistress. _Silv. _ At least she should permit me to adore her, Were but _Marcel_ away. Hast thou no Stratagem to get him absent? For I can think of nothing but my Sister. [Sighs. _Franc. _ I know of one, nor other Remedy for you than loving less. _Silv. _ Oh, 'tis impossible: Thou know'st I've tried all ways, made my Addresses To all the fairest Virgins in _Madrid_; Nay, and at last fell to the worst Debauchery, That of frequenting every common House: But Souls that feed so high on Love as mine, Must nauseate coarser Diet. No, I must still love on, and tell her so, Or I must live no longer. _Franc. _ That methinks you might do even in the Presence of _Marcel_. A Brother is allow'd to love a Sister. _Silv. _ But I shall do't in such a way, _Francisca_, Be so transported, and so passionate, I shall betray what he will ne'er indure. And since our other Sister, loose _Hippolyta_, was lost, He does so guard and watch the fair _Cleonte_-- _Franc. _ Why, quarrel with him, Sir: you know you are so much dearer tomy Lord your Father than he is, that should he perceive a Differencebetween ye, he would soon dismiss him the House; and 'twere but Reason, Sir, for I am sure Don _Marcel_ loves you not. _Silv. _ That I excuse, since he the lawful Heir to all my Father'sFortunes, sees it every Day ready to be sacrific'd to me, who canpretend no Title to't, but the unaccountable Love my Father bears me. _Franc. _ Can you dissemble, Sir? _Silv. _ The worst of any Man, but would endeavour it, If it could anyways advance my Love. _Franc. _ Which I must find some way to ruin. [Aside. Then court his Mistress. _Silv. _ The rich _Flavia_? _Franc. _ That would not incense him, for her he is to marry; But 'tisthe fair _Clarinda_ has his Heart. _Silv. _ To act a feigned Love, and hide a real one, Is what I have already try'd in vain. Even fair _Clarinda_ I have courted too, In hope that way to banish from my Soul The hopeless Flame _Cleonte_ kindled there; But 'twas a Shame to see how ill I did dissemble. _Franc. _ Stay, Sir, here comes _Marcel_. I'll leave you. [Exit _Francisca_. Enter _Marcel_, with a Letter open in his Hand, which he kisses. _Mar. _ Kind Messenger of Love! Thus, thus a thousand times I bid thee welcome from my fair _Clarinda_. Thus joyful Bridegrooms, after long Despairs, Possess the yielding Treasure in their Arms: Only thus much the happier Lover I, Who gather all the Sweets of this fair Maid Without the ceremonious Tie of Marriage; That tie that does but nauseate the Delight, Be far from happy Lovers; we'll embrace And unconfin'd and free as whispering Air, That mingles wantonly with spreading Flowers. _Silv. _ What's all this? _Mar. _ _Silvio, _ the Victory's won. The Heart that nicely stood it out so long, Now yields upon Conditions. _Silv. _ What Victory? or what Heart? _Mar. _ I am all Rapture, cannot speak it out; My Senses have carous'd too much of Joy; And like young Drunkards, proud of their new try'd Strength, Have made my Pleasure less by the excess. _Silv. _ This is wondrous. Impart some of your over-charge to me, The Burden lightned will be more supportable. _Mar. _ Read here, and change thy Wonder, when thou knowst How happy Man can be. [Gives him a Letter. [_Silvio_ reads. ] _Marcel_, _Dormida_ will have me tell you what Effects your Vows have made, and how easily they have drawn from me a Consent to see you, as you desir'd, this Night in my Chamber: you have sworn to marry me, and Love will have me credit you, and then methinks I ought not to deny you any thing, nor question your Virtue. _Dormida_ will wait to throw you down the Key, when all are in Bed, that will conduct you to Your _Clarinda_. _Silv. _ Damn her for a Dissembler! Is this the chaste, the excellent _Clarinda_, Who whilst I courted, was as cold and nice, As a young Nun the day she is invested? _Mar. _ How now, Brother! what, displeased with it? [Takes the Letter. _Silv. _ A little, Sir, to see another's Happiness, Whilst I, where e'er I pay my Vows and Sighs, Get nothing but Disdain; and yet this Shape And Face I never thought unhandsom. _Mar. _ These be the least approaches to a Heart; 'Tis not dull looking well will do the feat, There is a Knack in Love, a critical Minute: And Women must be watcht as Witches are, E'er they confess, and then they yield apace. Enter a _Boy_. _Boy. _ Sir, there's without a Servant of Don _Alonzo's_, who says hisMaster will be here to Night. [_Marcel_ is surprized. _Mar. _ _Alonzo_! now I begin to wake From Love, like one from some delightful Dream, To reassume my wonted Cares and Shame. --I will not speak with him. [Exit _Boy_. Oh _Hippolyta_! thou poor lost thing, _Hippolyta_! How art thou fallen from Honour, and from Virtue, And liv'st in Whoredom with an impious Villain, Who in revenge to me has thus betray'd thee. Keep thy self closer than thou'st done thy Sin; For if I find thee out, by all that's good, Thou hadst more Mercy on thy slaughter'd Honour, Than I will have for thee. And thou, _Antonio_, that hast betray'd her, Who till profan'd by thee, was chaste as Shrines, And pure as are the Vows are offer'd there, That Rape which thou'st committed on her Innocence, I will revenge as shall become her Brother. [Offers to go out in rage. _Silv. _ Stay, _Marcel_, I can inform you where these Lovers are. _Mar. _ Oh tell me quickly then, That I may take them in their foul Embraces, And send their Souls to Hell. _Silv. _ Last Night I made a youthful Sally to One of those Houses where Love and Pleasure Are sold at dearest Rates. _Mar. _ A Bordello; forwards pray. _Silv. _ Yes, at the Corner of St. _Jerom's_; where after seeing manyFaces which pleas'd me not, I would have took my leave; but the Matronof the House, a kind obliging Lady, seeing me so nice, and of Quality, (tho disguis'd) told me she had a Beauty, such an one as had Count _d'Olivarez_ in his height of Power seen, he would have purchas'd at anyrate. I grew impatient to see this fine thing, and promis'd largely:then leading me into a Room as gay, and as perfum'd as an Altar upon aHoly-day, I saw seated upon a Couch of State-- _Mar. _ _Hippolyta_! _Silv. _ _Hippolyta_ our Sister, drest like a _Venice_ Curtezan, With all the Charms of a loose Wanton, Singing and playing to her ravisht Lover, Who I perceiv'd assisted to expose her. _Mar. _ Well, Sir, what follow'd? _Silv. _ Surpriz'd at sight of this, I did withdraw, And left them laughing at my little Confidence. _Mar. _ How! left them? and left them living too? _Silv. _ If a young Wench will be gadding, Who can help it? _Mar. _ 'Sdeath you should, were you that half her Brother, Which myFather too doatingly believes you. [Inrag'd. _Silv. _ How! do you question his Belief, _Marcel_? _Mar. _ I ne'er consider'd it; be gone and leave me. _Silv. _ Am I a Dog that thus you bid me vanish? What mean you by this Language? [Comes up to him. And how dare you upbraid me with my Birth, Which know, _Marcel_, is more illustrious far Than thine, being got when Love was in his reign, With all his Youth and Heat about him? I, like the Birds of bravest kind, was hatcht In the hot Sun-shine of Delight; whilst Thou, _Marcel_, wer't poorly brooded In the cold Nest of Wedlock. _Mar. _ Thy Mother was some base notorious Strumpet, And by her Witchcraft reduc'd my Father's Soul, And in return she paid him with a Bastard, Which was thou. _Silv. _ _Marcel_, thou ly'st. [Strikes him. _Mar. _ Tho 'twere no point of Valour, but of Rashness To fight thee, yet I'll do't. _Silv. _ By Heaven, I will not put this Injury up. [They fight, _Silvio_ is wounded. [Fight again. Enter _Ambrosio_, and _Cleonte_ between; _Silvio_ falls into the Arms of _Cleonte_. _Amb. _ Hold! I command you hold; Ah, Traitor to my Blood, what hast thou done? [To _Marcel_, who kneels and lays his Sword at his Feet. _Silv. _ In fair _Cleonte's_ Arms! O I could kiss the Hand that gives me Death, So I might thus expire. _Mar. _ Pray hear me, Sir, before you do condemn me. _Amb. _ I will hear nothing but thy Death pronounc'd, Since thou hast wounded him, if it be mortal. Have I not charg'd thee on thy Life, _Marcel_, Thou shouldst not hold Discourse with him of any kind? _Mar. _ I did foresee my Fate, but could not shun it. [Takes his Sword and goes out. _Amb. _ What ho! _Biscay_, a Surgeon; on your Lives a Surgeon; where bethe Rascals? [Goes out. _Silv. _ I would not have a Surgeon search my Wound With rude and heavy Hands: Yours, fair _Cleonte_, can apply the Balsam Far more successfully, For they are soft and white as Down of Swans, And every Touch is sovereign. _Cleo. _ But I shall die with looking on your Wounds. _Silv. _ And I shall die unless you cure them, Sister. _Cleo. _ With the expence of mine to save your Life, Is both my Wish and Duty. _Silv. _ I thank you, pretty Innocence. [Leads him in. SCENE III. _A Grove. _ Discovers _Euphemia_ veil'd, walking alone. _Euph. _ _Olinda_ stays long; I hope she has overtook the Cavalier. Lord, how I am concern'd; if this should be Love now, I were in finecondition, at least if he be married, or a Lover: Oh that I fear: hangme, if it has not disorder'd me all over. But see, where she comes withhim too. Enter _Olinda_ and _Alonzo_. _Olin. _ Here he is, Madam, I hope 'tis the right Man. _Alon. _ Madam, you see what haste I make to obey your kind Commands. _Euph. _ 'Twas as kindly done, Sir; but I fear when you know to what end'tis, you'll repent your Haste. _Alon. _ 'Tis very likely; but if I do, you are not the first of your Sexthat has put me to Repentance: But lift up your Veil, and if your Facebe good-- [Offers to lift up her Veil. _Euph. _ Stay, you're too hasty. _Alon. _ Nay, let's have fair Play on both sides, I'll hide nothing fromyou. [Offers again. _Euph. _ I have a Question or two to ask you first. _Alon. _ I can promise nothing till I see my Reward. I am a baseBarterer, here's one for t'other; you saw your Man and lik'd him, and ifI like you when I see you-- [Offers again. _Euph. _ But if you do not, must all my liking be castaway? _Alon. _ As for that, trust to my good Nature; a frank Wench has hithertotaken me as much as Beauty. And one Proof you have already given ofthat, in this kind Invitation: come, come, do not lose my littlenew-gotten good Opinion of thee, by being coy and peevish. [Offers again. _Euph. _ You're strangely impatient, Sir. _Alon. _ O you should like me the better for that, 'tis a sign of Youthand Fire. _Euph. _ But, Sir, before I let you see my Face-- _Alon. _ I hope I must not promise you to like it. _Euph. _ No, that were too unreasonable, but I must know whether you area Lover. _Alon. _ What an idle Question's that to a brisk young Fellow? A Lover!yes, and that as often as I see a new Face. _Euph. _ That I'll allow. _Alon. _ That's kindly said; and now do I find I shall be in love withthine as soon as I see't, for I am half so with thy Humour already. _Euph. _ Are you not married, Sir? _Alon. _ Married! _Euph. _ Now I dread his Answer. [Aside. ] Yes, married. _Alon. _ Why, I hope you make no Scruple of Conscience, to be kind to amarried Man. _Euph. _ Now do I find, you hope I am a Curtezan that come to bargain fora Night or two; but if I possess you, it must be for ever. _Alon. _ For ever let it be then. Come, let's begin on any Terms. _Euph. _ I cannot blame you, Sir, for this mistake, since what I'verashly done, has given you cause to think I am not virtuous. _Alon. _ Faith, Madam, Man is a strange ungovern'd thing; yet I in thewhole course of my Life have taken the best care I could, to make as fewMistakes as possible: and treating all Women-kind alike, we seldom err;for where we find one as you profess to be, we happily light on ahundred of the sociable and reasonable sort. _Euph. _ But sure you are so much a Gentleman, that you may be convinc'd? _Alon. _ Faith, if I be mistaken, I cannot devise what other use you canmake of me. _Euph. _ In short this; I must leave you instantly; and will only tellyou I am the sole Daughter of a rich Parent, young, and as I am told notunhandsom; I am contracted to a Man I never saw, nor I am sure shall notlike when I do see, he having more Vice and Folly than his Fortune willexcuse, tho a great one; and I had rather die than marry him. _Alon. _ I understand you, and you would have me dispatch this Man. _Euph. _ I am not yet so wicked. The Church is the only place I amallowed to go to, and till now could never see the Man that wasperfectly agreeable to me: Thus veil'd, I'll venture to tell you so. _Alon. _ What the Devil will this come to? her Mien and Shape arestrangely graceful, and her Discourse is free and natural. What a damn'dDefeat is this, that she should be honest now! [Aside. _Euph. _ Well, Sir, what Answer? I see he is uneasy. [Aside. _Alon. _ Why, as I was saying, Madam, I am a Stranger. _Euph. _ I like you the better for that. _Alon. _ But, Madam, I am a Man unknown, unown'd in the World; and muchunworthy the Honour you do me-- Would I were well rid of her, and yet Ifind a damnable Inclination to stay too. [Aside. Will nothing but Matrimony serve your turn, Madam? Pray use a youngLover as kindly as you can. _Euph. _ Nothing but that will do, and that must be done. _Alon. _ Must! 'slife this is the first of her Sex that ever wasbefore-hand with me, and yet that I should be forc'd to deny her too. [Aside. _Euph. _ I fear his Answer, _Olinda_. [Aside. _Olin. _ At least 'tis but making a Discovery of your Beauty, and thenyou have him sure. _Alon. _ Madam, 'tis a matter of Moment, and requires Deliberation;besides I have made a kind of Promise-- _Euph. _ Never to marry? _Alon. _ No, faith, 'tis not so well: But since now I find we are both inhaste, I am to be marry'd. _Euph. _ This I am sure is an Excuse; but I'll fit him for't. [Aside. To be marry'd said you? That Word has kill'd me, Oh I feel it drill Through the deep Wound his Eyes have lately made: 'Twas much unkind to make me hope so long. [She leans on _Olinda_, as if she swooned, who pulls off her Veil: he stands gazing at a Distance. _Olin. _ Sure she does but counterfeit, and now I'll play my Part. Madam, Madam! _Alon. _ What wondrous thing is that! I should not look upon't, it changes Nature in me. _Olin. _ Have you no pity, Sir? Come nearer pray. _Alon. _ Sure there's Witchcraft in that Face, it never could have seiz'dme thus else, I have lov'd a thousand times, yet never felt such joyfulPains before. _Olin. _ She does it rarely. What mean you, Sir? _Alon. _ I never was a Captive to this Hour. If in her Death such certain Wounds she give, What Mischiefs she would do, if she should live! Yet she must live, and live that I may prove Whether this strange Disorder here be Love. [To his heart. Divine, divinest Maid. [Kneels. _Olin. _ Come nearer, Sir, you'll do a Lady no good at that Distance. Speak to her, Sir. [He rises and comes to her, gazing still. _Alon. _ I know not what to say, I am unus'd to this soft kind of Language: But if there be a Charm in Words, and such As may conjure her to return again; Prithee instruct me in them, I'll say any thing, Do any thing, and suffer all the Wounds Her Eyes can give. _Euph. _ Sure he is real. [Aside. Alas! I am discover'd; how came my Veil off? [She pretends to recover, and wonder that her Veil is off. _Alon. _ That you have let me see that lovely Face, May move your Pity, not your Anger, Madam; Pity the Wounds 't has made, pity the Slave, Who till this Moment boasted of his Freedom. _Euph. _ May I believe all this? for that we easily do in things we wish. _Alon. _ Command me things impossible to all Sense but a Lover's, I will do't: to shew The Truth of this, I could even give you The last Proof of it, and take you at your Word, To marry you. _Euph. _ O wondrous Reformation! marry me! [Laughs. _Alon. _ How, do you mock my Grief? _Euph. _ What a strange dissembling thing is Man! To put me off too, youwere to be married. _Alon. _ Hah, I had forgotten _Hippolyta_. [He starts. _Euph. _ See, _Olinda_, the Miracle increases, he can be serious too. Howdo you, Sir? _Alon. _ 'Tis you have robb'd me of my native Humour, I ne'er could think till now. _Euph. _ And to what purpose was it now? _Alon. _ Why, Love and Honour were at odds within me, And I was making Peace between them. _Euph. _ How fell that out, Sir? _Alon. _ About a Pair of Beauties; Women, That set the whole World at odds. She that is Honour's Choice I never saw, And love has taught me new Obedience here. _Euph. _ What means he? I fear he is in earnest. [Aside. _Olin. _ 'Tis nothing but his Aversion to Marriage, which most young Mendread now-a-days. _Euph. _ I must have this Stranger, or I must die; for whatever Face Iput upon't, I am far gone in Love, but I must hide it. [Aside. Well, since I have mist my Aim, you shall never boast my Death; I'llcast my self away upon the next handsom young Fellow I meet, tho I diefor't; and so farewel to you, loving Sir. [Offers to go. _Alon. _ Stay, do not marry, as you esteem the Life of him that shallpossess you. _Euph. _ Sure you will not kill him. _Alon. _ By Heaven, I will. _Euph. _ O I'll trust you, Sir: Farewel, farewel. _Alon. _ You shall not go in triumph thus, Unless you take me with you. _Euph. _ Well, since you are so resolv'd (and so in love) I'll give youleave to see me once more at a House at the Corner of St. _Jerom's_, where this Maid shall give you Entrance. _Alon. _ Why, that's generously said. _Euph. _ As soon 'tis dark you may venture. _Alon. _ Till then will be an Age, farewel, fair Saint, To thee and all my quiet till we meet. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. _The Street. _ Enter _Marcel_ in a Cloak alone. _Mar. _ The Night comes on, and offers me two Pleasures, The least of which would make another blest, Love and Revenge: but I, whilst I dispute Which Happiness to chuse, neglect them both. The greatest Bliss that Mankind can possess, Persuades me this way, to my fair _Clarinda:_ But tyrannick Honour Presents the Credit of my House before me, And bids me first redeem its fading Glory, By sacrificing that false Woman's Heart That has undone its Fame. But stay, Oh Conscience, when I look within, And lay my Anger by, I find that Sin Which I would punish in _Antonio's_ Soul, Lie nourish'd up in mine without Controul. To fair _Clarinda_ such a Siege I lay, As did that Traitor to _Hippolyta_; Only _Hippolyta_ a Brother has, _Clarinda_, none to punish her Disgrace: And 'tis more Glory the defenc'd to win, Than 'tis to take unguarded Virtue in. I either must my shameful Love resign, Or my more brave and just Revenge decline. [Enter _Alonzo_ drest, with _Lovis_. _Marcel_ stays. _Alon. _ But to be thus in love, is't not a Wonder, _Lovis_? _Lov. _ No, Sir, it had been much a greater, if you had stay'd a Night inTown without being so; and I shall see this Wonder as often as you see anew Face of a pretty Woman. _Alon. _ I do not say that I shall lose all Passion for the fair Sexhereafter; but on my Conscience, this amiable Stranger has given me adeeper Wound than ever I received from any before. _Lov. _ Well, you remember the Bargain. _Alon. _ What Bargain? _Lov. _ To communicate; you understand. _Alon. _ There's the Devil on't, she is not such a Prize: Oh, were shenot honest, Friend! [Hugs him. _Lov. _ Is it so to do? What, you pretend to be a Lover, and she honest, now only to deprive me of my Part: remember this, _Alonzo_. _Mar. _ Did not I hear _Alonzo_ nam'd? [Aside. _Alon. _ By all that's good I am in earnest, Friend; Nay thy own Eyes shall convince thee Of the Power of hers. Her Veil fell off, and she appear'd to me, Like unexpected Day, from out a Cloud; The lost benighted Traveller Sees not th' Approach of the next Morning's Sun With more transported Joy, Than I this ravishing and unknown Beauty. _Lov. _ Hey day! What Stuff's here? Nay, now I see thou art quite goneindeed. _Alon. _ I fear it. Oh, had she not been honest! What Joy, what Heaven of Joys she would distribute! With such a Face, and Shape, a Wit, and Mein-- But as she is, I know not what to do. _Lov. _ You cannot marry her. _Alon. _ I would not willingly, tho I think I'm free: For _Pedro_ went to_Marcel_ to tell him I was arriv'd, and would wait on him; but wastreated more like a Spy, than a Messenger of Love: They sent no Answerback, which I tell you, _Lovis_, angers me: 'twas not the EntertainmentI expected from my brave Friend _Marcel_. But now I am for the fairStranger who by this expects me. _Mar. _ 'Tis _Alonzo_. O how he animates my Rage, and turns me over toRevenge, upon _Hippolyta_ and her false Lover! [Aside. _Lov. _ Who's this that walks before us? [They go out. _Alon. _ No matter who. _Mar. _ I am follow'd. [They enter again. _Lov. _ See, he stops. [_Marcel_ looks back. _Alon. _ Let him do what he please, we will out-go him. [They go out. _Lov. _ This Man whoe'er he be still follows us. _Alon. _ I care not, nothing shall hinder my Design, I'll go tho I makemy passage thro his Heart. [They enter at another Door, he follows. _Lov. _ See, he advances, pray stand by a little. [They stand by. _Mar. _ Sure there's some Trick in this, but I'll not fear it. This isthe Street, and hereabout's the House. [Looks about. This must be it, if I can get admittance now. [Knocks. Enter _Olinda_ with a Light. _Olin. _ O, Sir, are you come? my Lady grew impatient. [They go in. _Mar. _ She takes me for some other: This is happy. [Aside. _Alon. _ Gods! is not that the Maid that first conducted me to the fairthing that rob'd me of my Heart? _Lov. _ I think it is. _Alon. _ She gives admittance to another Man. All Women-kind are false, I'll in and tell her so. [Offers to go. _Lov. _ You are too rash, 'tis dangerous. _Alan. _ I do despise thy Counsel, let me go. _Lov. _ If you are resolv'd, I'll run the Hazard with you. [They both go in. SCENE II. _The Scene changes to a Chamber. _ Enter from one side _Olinda_, lighting in _Marcel_ muffled as before in his Cloke, from the other _Antonio_ leading in _Euphemia_ veil'd. _Mar. _ By Heaven's, 'tis she: Vile Strumpet! [Throws off his Cloke, and snatches her from him. _Euph. _ Alas, this is not he whom I expected. _Anto. _ _Marcel_! I had rather have encounter'd my evil Angel than thee. [Draws. _Mar. _ I do believe thee, base ungenerous Coward. [Draws. [They fight, _Marcel_ disarms _Antonio_, by wounding his Hand. Enter _Alonzo_, goes betwixt them, and with his Sword drawn opposes _Marcel_, who is going to kill _Antonio_; _Lovis_ follows him. _Alon. _ Take Courage, Sir. [To _Antonio_, who goes out mad. _Mar. _ Prevented! whoe'er thou be'st. It was unjustly done, To save his Life who merits Death, By a more shameful way. But thank the Gods she still remains to meet That Punishment that's due to her foul Lust. [Offers to run at her, _Alonzo_ goes between. _Alon. _ 'Tis this way you must make your Passage then. _Mar. _ What art thou, that thus a second time Dar'st interpose between Revenge and me? _Alon. _ 'Tis _Marcel_! What can this mean? [Aside. Dost not thou know me, Friend? look on me well. _Mar. _ _Alonzo_ here! Ah I shall die with Shame. [Aside. As thou art my Friend, remove from that bad Woman, Whose Sins deserve no sanctuary. _Euph. _ What can he mean? I dare not shew my Face. [Aside. _Alon. _ I do believe this Woman is a false one, But still she is a Woman, and a fair one: I would not suffer thee to injure her, Tho I believe she has undone thy quiet, As she has lately mine. _Mar. _ Why, dost thou know it then? Stand by, I shall forget thou art my Friend else, And thro thy Heart reach hers. _Alon. _ Nothing but Love could animate him thus, He is my Rival. [Aside. _Marcel_, I will not quit one inch of Ground; Do what thou dar'st, for know I do adore her, And thus am bound by Love to her Defence. [Offers to fight _Marcel_, who retires in wonder. _Euph. _ Hold, noble Stranger, hold. _Mar. _ Have you such Pity on your Lover there? [Offers to kill her, _Alonzo_ stays him. _Euph. _ Help, help. [Her Veil falls off. Enter _Hippolyta_ drest like a Curtezan: Sees _Marcel. _ _Hip. _ Oh Gods, my Brother! in pity, Sir, defend me From the just Rage of that incensed Man. [_Runs behind _Lovis_, whilst _Marcel_ stands gazing on both with wonder. _ _Lov. _ I know not the meaning of all this, but However I'll help the Lady in Distress. Madam, you're safe, whilst I am your Protector. [Leads her out. _Mar. _ I've lost the Power of striking where I ought, Since my misguided Hand so lately err'd. Oh Rage, dull senseless Rage, how blind and rude It makes us. Pardon, fair Creature, my unruly Passion, And only blame that Veil which hid that Face, Whose Innocence and Beauty had disarm'd it: I took you for the most perfidious Woman, The falsest loosest thing. _Alon. _ How! are you a Stranger to her? _Mar. _ Yes I am. Have you forgiven me, Madam? _Euph. _ Sir, I have. [_Marcel_ bows and offers to go out. _Alon. _ Stay, Friend, and let me know your Quarrel. _Mar. _ Not for the World, _Alonzo_. _Alon. _ This is unfriendly, Sir. _Mar. _ Thou dost delay me from the noblest Deed, On which the Honour of my House depends, A Deed which thou wilt curse thy self for hindring Farewel. [Goes out. _Alon. _ What can the meaning of this be? _Euph. _ Oh do not ask, but let us quickly leave this dangerous Place. _Alon. _ Does it not belong to you? _Euph. _ No, but you would like me the better if it did: for, Sir, it is a-- _Alon. _ Upon my Life, a Baudy-house. _Euph. _ So they call it. _Alon. _ You do amaze me. _Euph. _ Truth is, not daring to trust my Friends or Relations with aSecret that so nearly concern'd me as the meeting you, and hearing of anew come Curtezan living in this House, I sent her word I would make hera Visit, knowing she would gladly receive it from a Maid of my Quality:When I came, I told her my Business, and very frankly she offer'd me herHouse and Service-- Perhaps you'll like me the worse for this boldVenture, but when you consider my promis'd Husband is every dayexpected, you will think it but just to secure my self any way. _Alon. _ You could not give me a greater Proof than this of what you sayyou bless me with, your Love. _Euph. _ I will not question but you are in earnest; at least if anydoubt remain, these will resolve it. [Gives him Letters. _Alon. _ What are these, Madam? _Euph. _ Letters, Sir, intercepted from the Father of my design'd Husbandout of _Flanders_ to mine. _Alon. _ What use can I make of them? _Euph. _ Only this: Put your self into an Equipage very ridiculous, andpretend you are my foolish Lover arriv'd from _Flanders_, call your self_Haunce van Ezel_, and give my Father these, as for the rest I'll trustyour Wit. _Alon. _ What shall I say or do now? [Aside. _Euph. _ Come, come, no study, Sir; this must be done, And quickly too, or you will lose me. _Alon. _ Two great Evils! if I had but the Grace to chuse the least now, that is, lose her. [Aside. _Euph. _ I'll give you but to night to consider it. _Alon. _ Short warning this: but I am damnably in love, and cannotwithstand Temptation. [Kisses her Hand. _Euph. _ I had forgot to tell you my Name's _Euphemia_, my Father'syou'll find on the Letters, and pray show your Love in your haste. Farewel. _Alon. _ Stay, fair _Euphemia_, and let me pay my Thanks, and tell youthat I must obey you. _Euph. _ I give a Credit where I give a Heart. Go inquire my Birth and Fortune: as for you, I am content with what I see about you. _Alon. _ That's bravely said, nor will I ask one Question about you, notonly to return the Bounty, but to avoid all things that look like theApproaches to a married Life. If Fortune will put us together, let here'en provide for us. _Euph. _ I must be gone: Farewel, and pray make haste. [Looks kindly onhim. _Alon. _ There's no resisting those Looks, _Euphemia_: One more tofortify me well; for I shall have need of every Aid in this Case. [Look at one another and go. SCENE III. _A Street. _ Enter _Antonio_ in haste with _Hippolyta_; weeping as passing over the Stage. _Ant. _ Come, let us haste, I fear we are pursu'd. _Hip. _ Ah, whither shall we fly? _Ant. _ We are near the Gate, and must secure our selves with theDarkness of the Night in _St. Peter's_ Grove, we dare not venture intoany House. [Exeunt. Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ above in the Balcony. _Clar. _ Can'st thou not see him yet? _Dorm. _ Good lack a-day, what an impatient thing is a young Girl inlove! _Clar. _ Nay, good _Dormida_, let not want of Sleep make thee testy. _Dorm. _ In good time-- are you my Governess, or I yours, that you aregiving me Instructions? Go get you in, or I shall lay down my Office. _Clar. _ Nay, wait a little longer, I'm sure he will come. _Dorm. _ You sure! you have wondrous Skill indeed in the Humours of Men:how came you to be so well acquainted with them? you scarce ever saw anybut Don _Marcel_, and him too but thro a Grate or Window, or at Church;and yet you are sure. I am a little the elder of the two, and havemanag'd as many Intrigues of this kind as any Woman, and never found aconstant just Man, as they say, of a thousand; and yet you are sure. _Clar. _ Why, is it possible _Marcel_ should be false? _Dorm. _ _Marcel!_ No, no, Sweet-heart, he is that Man of a thousand. _Clar. _ But if he should, you have undone me, by telling me so manypretty things of him. _Dorm. _ Still you question my Ability, which by no means I can indure;get you in I say. _Clar. _ Do not speak so loud, you will wake my Mother. _Dorm. _ At your Instructions again; do you question my Conduct andManagement of this Affair? Go watch for him your self: I'll have no moreto do with you back nor edge. [Offers to go. _Clar. _ Will you be so barbarous to leave me to my self, after havingmade it your Business this three Months to sollicit a Heart which wasbut too ready to yield before; after having sworn to me how honourableall his Intents were; nay, made me write to him to come to night? Andnow when I have done this, and am all trembling with fear and shame (andyet an infinite Desire to see him too) [Sighs] thou wilt abandon me:go, when such as you oblige, 'tis but to be insolent with the morefreedom. _Dorm. _ What, you are angry I'll warrant. [Smiles. _Clar. _ I will punish my self to pay thee back, and will not see_Marcel_. _Dorm. _ What a pettish Fool is a Maid in love at fifteen! howunmanageable! But I'll forgive all-- go get you in, I'll watch for yourLover; I would not have you disoblige a Man of his Pretensions andQuality for all the World. [_Clarinda_ goes in. Enter _Alonzo_ below. _Alon. _ Now do I want _Lovis_ extremely, to consult with him about thisBusiness: For I am afraid the Devil, or Love, or both are so great withme, that I must marry this fair Inchantress, which is very unlucky; but, since _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_ refuse to see me, I hold my self no longeringag'd in Honour to _Hippolyta_. _Dorm. _ [above. ] Whist, whist, Sir, Sir. _Alon. _ Who's there? _Dorm. _ 'Tis I, your Servant, Sir; oh you are a fine Spark, are you not, to make so fair a Creature wait so long for you? there, there's the Key, open the Door softly and come in. [Throws him down a Key in a Handkerchief. _Alon. _ What's this? But I'll ask no Questions, so fair a Creature, saidshe? Now if 'twere to save my Life cannot I forbear, I must go in:Shou'd _Euphemia_ know this, she would call it Levity and Inconstancy;but I plead Necessity, and will be judg'd by the amorous Men, and notthe jealous Women: For certain this Lady, whoe'er she be, designs me amore speedy Favour than I can hope from _Euphemia_, and on easier Termstoo. This is the Door that must conduct to the languishing _Venus_. [Opens the Door and goes in, leaving it unshut. Enter _Marcel_ with his Sword drawn. _Mar. _ Thus far I have pursu'd the Fugitives, Who by the help of hasty Fear and Night, Are got beyond my Power; unlucky Accident! Had I but kill'd _Antonio_, or _Hippolyta_, Either had made my Shame supportable. But tho I have mist the Pleasure of Revenge, I will not that of Love. One Look from fair _Clarinda_ will appease The Madness which this Disappointment rais'd. [Walks looking towards the Window. None appears yet: _Dormida_ was to throw me down the Key. The Door isopen, left so to give me entrance. [Goes to the Door. SCENE IV. _Changes to a dark Hall. _ Discovers _Alonzo_ groping about in the Hall. _Alon. _ Now am I in a worse Condition than before, can neither advancenor retreat: I do not like this groping alone in the Dark thus. Whereabouts am I? I dare not call: were this fair thing she spoke of butnow half so impatient as I, she would bring a Light, and conduct me. Enter _Marcel_. _Mar. _ 'Tis wondrous dark. _Alon. _ Hah, a Man's Voice that way; that's not so well: it may be someLover, Husband, or Brother; none of which are to be trusted in thisCase, therefore I'll stand upon my Guard. [Draws: _Marcel_ coming towards him jostles him. _Mar. _ Who's there? _Alon. _ A Man. _Mar. _ A Man! none such inhabit here. [Draws. Thy Business? _Alon. _ This shall answer you, since there's no other way. [They fight, _Alonzo_ wounds _Marcel_, who fights him to the Door; _Alonzo_ goes out, _Marcel_ gropes to follow. _Mar. _ This is not just, ye Gods, to punish me, and let the Traytor'scape unknown too: Methought 'twas _Silvio's_ Voice, or else a suddenthought of Jealousy come into my Head would make me think so. Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ with Light. _Clar. _ I tell you I did hear the noise of fighting. _Dorm. _ Why, between whom should it be? I'll be sworn _Marcel_ came inalone. _Clar. _ _Marcel_! and wounded too! oh I'm lost. [Sees him, weeps. _Mar. _ Keep your false Tears to bathe your Lover's Wounds. For I perhaps have given him some-- Thou old Assistant to her Lust, whose greatest Sin is wishing, tell me who 'twas thou didst procure forher. [In rage to _Dormida_. _Dorm. _ Alas! I cannot imagine who it should be, unless Don _Silvio_, who has sometimes made Addresses to her: But oh the House is up, Madam, we are undone; let's fly for Heavens sake. _Clar. _ Oh _Marcel_, can you believe-- [A Noise. _Dorm. _ Come, come, I'll not be undone for your Fiddle-faddles; I'll layit all on you, if I be taken. [Pulls out _Clarinda_. _Mar. _ Sot that I was, I could not guess at this to day, by his Anger atthe Letter I foolishly shew'd him; he is my Rival, and 'tis with himshe's fled; and I'll endeavour to pursue them. [Offers to go. But oh my Strength complies with their Design, [Leaning on hisSword. ] and shamefully retires to give them leave to play their amorousGame out. [Goes faintly out. SCENE V. _Changes to the Street. Discovers _Alonzo_ alone. _ _Alon. _ This Act of mine was rash and ill-natur'd, And I cannot leave the Street with a good Conscience, Till I know what mischief I have done. Enter _Dormida_ and _Clarinda_. Hah, Ladies from the same House! these are Birds that I have frightedfrom their Nests I am sure: I'll proffer my Service to them. _Dorm. _ Why do not you make more haste? _Clar. _ How can she go, whose Life is left behind? Besides, I know not whither we should go. Ye Powers that guard the Innocent, protect us. _Alon. _ These must be some whom I have injur'd. Ladies-- you seem as in distress. _Dorm. _ Oh, Sir, as you are a Gentleman, assist a pair of Virgins. _Alon. _ What's this, a mumping Matron? I hope the other's young, or Ihave offer'd my Service to little purpose. _Clar. _ Sir, if you will have the Charity to assist us, Do it speedily, we shall be very grateful to you. _Alon. _ Madam, I will, but know not where to carry ye; my Lodging is inan Inn, and is neither safe nor honourable: but Fortune dares no lessthan protect the Fair, and I'll venture my Life in your Protection andService. [Exeunt. Enter _Marcel_ faintly. _Mar. _ Stay, Traytor, stay-- oh they are out of sight, But may my Curse o'ertake them in their flight. [Exit. SCENE VI. _Chamber of _Cleonte_. _ She is discover'd in her Night-Gown, at a Table, as undressing, _Francisca_ by her. _Cleo. _ _Francisca_, thou art dull to Night. [Sighs. _Fran. _ You will not give me leave to talk. _Cleo. _ Not thy way indeed, hast thou no Stories but of Love, and of myBrother _Silvio_? _Fran. _ None that you wish to hear: But I'll do what you please, so youwill not oblige me to sigh for you. _Cleo. _ Then prithee sing to me. _Fran. _ What Song, a merry, or a sad? _Cleo. _ Please thy own Humour, for then thou'lt sing best. _Fran. _ Well, Madam, I'll obey you, and please my self. SINGS. _Amyntas_ led me to a Grove, Where all the Trees did shade us; The Sun it self, tho it had strove, Yet could not have betrayed us. The place secure from human Eyes, No other fear allows, But when the Winds that gently rise Do kiss the yielding Boughs. Down there we sat upon the Moss, And did begin to play A thousand wanton Tricks, to pass The Heat of all the Day. A many Kisses he did give, And I return'd the same: Which made me willing to receive That which I dare not name. His charming Eyes no aid requir'd, To tell their amorous Tale; On her that was already fir'd, 'Twas easy to prevail. He did but kiss, and clasp me round, Whilst they his thoughts exprest, And laid me gently on the Ground; Oh! --who can guess the rest? _After the Song, enter _Silvio_ all undrest, gazing wildly on_Cleonte_; his Arm ty'd up. _ _Cleo. _ My Brother _Silvio_, at this late hour, and in my Lodgings too!How do you, Sir? are you not well? _Silv. _ Oh, why did Nature give me being? Or why create me Brother to _Cleonte_? [Aside. Or give her Charms, and me the sense to adore 'em? _Cleo. _ Dear Brother-- [Goes to him. _Silv. _ Ah, _Cleonte_-- [Takes her by the Hand and gazes. _Cleo. _ What would you, Sir? _Silv. _ I am not-- well-- _Cleo. _ Sleep, Sir, will give you ease. _Silv. _ I cannot sleep, my Wounds do rage and burn so, as they put mepast all power of rest. _Cleo. _ We'll call your Surgeon, Sir. _Silv. _ He can contribute nothing to my Cure, But I must owe it all to thee, _Cleonte_. _Cleo. _ Instruct me in the way, give me your Arm, And I will bathe it in a thousand Tears, [Goes to untie his Arm. And breathe so many Sighs into your Wound-- _Silv. _ Let that slight hurt alone, and search this-- here. [To his Heart. _Cleo. _ How! are you wounded there, And would not let us know it all this while? _Silv. _ I durst not tell you, but design'd to suffer, Rather than trouble you with my Complaints: But now my Pain is greater than my Courage. _Fran. _ Oh, he will tell her, that he loves her sure. [Aside. _Cleo. _ Sit down and let me see't. [He sits down, she puts her Hand into his Bosom. _Fran. _ Oh foolish Innocence-- [Aside. _Cleo. _ You have deceiv'd me, Brother, here's no Wound. _Silv. _ Oh take away your Hand-- It does increase my Pain, and wounds me deeper. _Cleo. _ No, surely, Sir, my Hand is very gentle. _Silv. _ Therefore it hurts me, Sister; the very thoughts Of Touches by so soft and fair a Hand, Playing about my Heart, are not to be indur'd with Life. [Rises in passion. _Cleo. _ Alas, what means my Brother? _Silv. _ Can you not guess, fair Sister? have my Eyes So ill exprest my Soul? or has your Innocence Not suffer'd you to understand my Sighs? Have then a thousand Tales, which I have told you, Of Broken Hearts, and Lovers Languishments, Not serv'd to tell you, that I did adore you? _Cleo. _ Oh let me still remain in Innocence, Rather than sin so much to understand you. _Fran. _ I can endure no more-- [Goes out. _Silv. _ Can you believe it Sin to love a Brother? it is not so inNature. _Cleo. _ Not as a Brother, Sir; but otherwise, It is, by all the Laws of Men and Heaven. _Silv. _ Sister, so 'tis that we should do no Murder, And yet you daily kill, and I, among the number Of your Victims, must charge you with the sin Of killing me, a Lover, and a Brother. _Cleo. _ What wou'd you have me do? _Silv. _ Why-- I would have thee-- do-- I know not what-- Still to be with me-- yet that will not satisfy; To let me look-- upon thee-- still that's not enough. I dare not say to kiss thee, and imbrace thee; That were to make me wish-- I dare not tell thee what-- _Cleo. _ I must not hear this Language from a Brother. [She offers to go. _Silv. _ What a vile thing's a Brother? Stay, take this Dagger, and add one Wound more [He kneels and offers her a Dagger, and holds her by the Coat. To those your Eyes have given, and after that You'll find no trouble from my Sighs and Tears. Enter _Francisca_. _Fran. _ By this she understands him, curse on her Innocence, 'Tis fuelto his flame-- [Aside. ] Madam, there is below a Lady, who desires tospeak with the Mistress of the House. _Cleo. _ At this hour a Lady! who can it be? _Fran. _ I know not, but she seems of Quality. _Cleo. _ Is she alone? _Fran. _ Attended by a Gentleman and an old Woman. _Cleo. _ Perhaps some one that needs a kind Assistance; my Father is inBed, and I'll venture to know their Business; bring her up. _Fran. _ 'Twere good you should retire, Sir. [To _Silvio_, and Exit. _Silv. _ I will, but have a care of me, _Cleonte_, I fear I shall grow mad, and so undo thee: Love me-- but do not let me know't too much. [Goes out. Enter _Francisca_ with Lights; follow'd by _Alonzo_, _Clarinda_, and _Dormida_: _Alonzo_ gazes on _Cleonte_ a while. _Cleo. _ Is't me you would command? _Clar. _ I know not what to say, I am so disorder'd. [Aside. _Alon. _ What Troops of Beauties she has! sufficient to take whole Citiesin-- Madam, I beg-- [Takes _Clarinda_ by the Hand, and approaches _Cleonte_. _Cleo. _ What, Sir? _Alon. _ That you would receive into Protection-- _Cleo. _ What pray, Sir? _Alon. _ Would you would give me leave to say, a Heart That your fair Eyes have lately made unfit For its old Quarters. _Cleo. _ I rather think you mean this Lady, Sir. [_Alonzo_ looks with wonder on _Clarinda_. _Alon. _ She's heavenly fair too, and has surpriz'd my Heart, Just as 'twas going to the other's Bosom, And rob'd her at least of one half of it. [Aside. _Clar. _ Madam, I am a Virgin in distress, And by misfortune forc'd to seek a Sanctuary, And humbly beg it here. _Cleo. _ Intreaties were not made for that fair Mouth; Command and be obey'd. But, Sir, to whom do you belong? _Alon. _ I belong to a very fair Person, But do not know her Name. _Cleo. _ But what are you, pray, Sir? _Alon. _ Madam, a Wanderer; a poor lost thing, That none will own or pity. _Cleo. _ That's sad indeed; but whoe'er you are, since you belong to thisfair Maid, you'll find a Welcome every where. _Alon. _ And if I do not, I am cashier'd. [Aside. Madam, if telling you I am her Brother, Can make me more acceptable, I shall be yet more proud of the Alliance. _Cleo. _ What must I call your Sister, Sir, when I would pay my Duty? _Alon. _ There I am routed again with another hard Question. [Aside. _Clar. _ Madam, my Name's _Clarinda_. _Alon. _ Madam, I'll take my leave, and wish the Heart I leave with youto night, may persuade you to suffer my Visits to morrow, till when Ishall do nothing but languish. _Cleo. _ I know not what loss you have suffer'd to night; but since yourfair Sister's Presence with us allows it, you need not doubt a welcome. _Alon. _ I humbly thank you, Madam. [Kisses her Hand, and looks amorously on _Clarinda_. _Fran. _ Madam, pray retire, for Don _Marcel_ is come into the House allbloody, inrag'd against somebody. _Clar. _ I'm troubled at his Hurt, but cannot fear his Rage. Good night, Sir. [They go out. _Alon. _ They are gone; now had I as much mind to have kist the other'sHand, but that 'twas not a Ceremony due to a Sister-- What the Devilcame into my Head, to say she was so? nothing but the natural itch oftalking and lying: they are very fair; but what's that to me? _Euphemia_surpasses both: But a Pox of her terms of Marriage, I'll set that to herBeauty, and then these get the Day, as far as natural Necessity goes:But I'll home and sleep upon't, and yield to what's most powerful in theMorning. To night these Strangers do my Heart possess, But which the greatest share, I cannot guess: My Fate in Love resembles that in War, When the rich Spoil falls to the common share. [Goes out. SCENE VII. _The Street. _ Enter _Alonzo_, as out of the House, gazing upon it. _Alon. _ Sure I shall know this House again to morrow. [To him _Lovis_. _Lov. _ I wonder what should be become of _Alonzo_, I do do not likethese Night-works of his-- Who's there? _Alon. _ _Lovis!_ _Lov. _ _Alonzo?_ _Alon. _ The same, where hast thou been? _Lov. _ In search of you this two Hours. _Alon. _ O, I have been taken up with new Adventures, since I saw thee;but prithee what became of thine? for methought it was a likely Woman. _Lov. _ Faith, Sir, I thought I had got a Prize; but a Pox on't, when Icame into the Street, e'er she had recover'd Breath to tell me who shewas, the Cavalier you rescu'd from _Marcel_, laid claim to her; thank'dme for her Preservation, and vanisht. I hope you had better luck withyour Female, whose Face I had not the good fortune to see. _Alon. _ Not so good as I could have wisht, for she stands still on herhonourable terms. _Lov. _ Of Matrimony, ha, ha, a very Jilt, I'll warrant her; Come, come, you shall see her no more. _Alon. _ Faith, I fear I must. _Lov. _ To what purpose? _Alon. _ To persuade her to Reason. _Lov. _ That you'll soon do, when she finds you will not bite at t'otherBait. _Alon. _ The worst is, if I see her again, it must be at her Father'sHouse; and so transform'd from Man to Beast-- I must appear like aridiculous Lover she expects out of _Flanders_. _Lov. _ A very Cheat, a trick to draw thee in: be wise in time. _Alon. _ No, on my Conscience she's in earnest, she told me her Name, andhis I am to represent. _Lov. _ What is't, I pray? _Alon. _ _Haunce van Ezel. _ _Lov. _ Hah! her Name too, I beseech you? [Impatiently. _Alon. _ _Euphemia_: And such a Creature 'tis-- _Lov. _ 'Sdeath, my Sister all this while: This has call'd up all that'sSpaniard in me, and makes me raging mad. [Aside. ] But do you love her, Sir? _Alon. _ Most desperately, beyond all Sense or Reason. _Lov. _ And could you be content to marry her? _Alon. _ Any thing but that --But thou know'st my ingagement elsewhere;and I have hopes that yet she'll be wise, and yield on more pleasantterms. _Lov. _ I could be angry now; but 'twere unreasonable to blame him forthis. [Aside. ] Sir, I believe by your Treatment from _Ambrosio_ and_Marcel_, you may come off there easily. _Alon. _ That will not satisfy my Honour, tho 'twill my Love; that I havenot _Hippolyta_, I will owe to my own Inconstancy, not theirs: besides, this may be a Cheat, as you say. _Lov. _ But does _Euphemia_ love you? _Alon. _ Faith, I think she has too much Wit to dissemble, and too muchBeauty to need that Art. _Lov. _ Then you must marry her. _Alon. _ Not if I can avoid it. _Lov. _ I know this Lady, Sir, and know her to be worth your Love: I haveit in my Power too, to serve you, if you proceed suddenly, which youmust do, or lose her; for this _Flandrian_ Boor your Rival is alreadyarriv'd, and designs to morrow to make his first Address to _Euphemia_. _Alon. _ Oh, he must not, shall not see her. _Lov. _ How will you hinder him? _Alon. _ With this. [To his Sword. ] Where is this Rival? tell me:Conduct me to him strait; I find my Love above the common rate, andcannot brook this Rival. _Lov. _ So, this blows the flame-- His Life will be no hindrance to youin this Affair, if you design to love on. _Alon. _ Do'st know him? _Lov. _ Yes, he is a pleasant Original for you to be copy'd by: It is thesame Fop, I told you was to marry my Sister, and who came along with meto _Madrid_. _Alon. _ How! _Euphemia_ thy Sister? _Lov. _ Yes, indeed is she, and whom my Father designs to cast away uponthis half Man, half Fool; but I find she has Wit to make a betterChoice: she yet knows nothing of my Arrival, and till you resolve whatto do, shall not; and my _Dutchman_ does nothing without me. _Alon. _ If thou hast the management of him, he's likely to thrive. _Lov. _ But not in his Amour, if you please: In short, Sir, if you doreally love my Sister, I am content to be so ungracious a Child tocontribute to the cheating my Father of this same hopeful Son heexpects, and put you upon him; but what you do, must be speedily then. _Alon. _ I am oblig'd to thee for this frank Offer, and will beinstructed by thee. _Lov. _ If you're resolv'd, I'll warrant you Success. _Alon. _ I think I am resolv'd in spite of all my Inclinations toLibertinism. _Lov. _ Well, Sir, I'll get you such a Suit then, as that our Hero makeshis first approach in, as ridiculously gay as his Humour, which you mustassume too. _Alon. _ Content. _Lov. _ To night I must pay my Duty to my Father, and will prepare yourway, and acquaint my Sister with it; 'tis but a Frolick if we succeednot. _Alon. _ God-a-mercy, Lad, let's about it then e'er we sleep, lest Ichange my Resolution before Morning. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. _House of _Carlo_. _ Enter _Alonzo_ drest ridiculously, meeting _Lovis_, they laugh at each other. _Lov. _ Very _Haunce_ all over, the Taylor has play'd his part, play butyours as well, and I'll warrant you the Wench. _Alon. _ But prithee, why need I act the Fool thus, since _Haunce_ wasnever seen here? _Lov. _ To make good the Character I always gave of him to my Father; buthere he comes, pray be very rude, and very impertinent. _Alon. _ Lord, Lord, how shall I look thus damnably set out, and thus inlove! Enter Don _Carlo_. _Lov. _ This, Sir, is Monsieur _Haunce_, your Son that must be. _Alon. _ _Beso los manos, signor_: Is your Name Don _Carlo_? and are youthe Gravity of this House? and the Father of Donna _Euphemia_? and areyou-- _Car. _ Sir, I guess by all these your Demands at once, your Name to be_Myn heer Haunce van Ezel_. _Alon. _ Your Judgment's good; but to my Questions. _Car. _ In truth I have forgot them, there were so many. _Alon. _ Are you he who is to be my Father? _Car. _ 'Tis so negotiated-- and if all Circumstances concur-- For, Sir, you must conceive, the Consequence of so grand a Conjunction-- _Alon. _ Less of your Compliments, Sir, and more of your Daughter, I beseech you. 'Sheart, what a formal Coxcomb 'tis. [Aside. _Lov. _ Prithee give him way. [Aside. _Alon. _ By this Light I'll lose thy Sister first; Why, who can indurethe grave approaches to the Matter? 'Dslife, I would have it as I wouldmy Fate, sudden and unexpected. _Car. _ Pray, how long have you been landed? _Alon. _ So, now shall I be plagu'd with nothing but wise Questions, towhich I am able to make no Answer. [Aside. ] Sir, it is your Daughterthat I desire to see impatiently. _Car. _ Have you no Letters from my very good Friend your Father? _Alon. _ What if I have not? cannot I be admitted to your Daughterwithout a Pass? _Car. _ O lack, Sir-- _Alon. _ But to let you see I come with full Power (tho I am old enoughto recommend my self) here is my Commission for what I do. [Gives him Letters. _Car. _ I remember amongst his other Faults, my Son writ me word he hadCourage: If so, I shall consider what to do. [Reads. ] Sir, I find bythese your Father's Letters, you are not yet arriv'd. _Alon. _ I know that, Sir, but I was told I should express my Love in myhaste; therefore outsailing the Pacquet, I was the welcome Messenger myself; and since I am so forward, I beseech you, Sir-- [_Carlo_ coming to imbrace him. Now dare not I proceed, he has so credulous a consenting Face. [Aside. _Car. _ Spare your Words, I understand their meaning; a prudent Manspeaks least, as the _Spaniard_ has it: and since you are so forward, as you were saying, I shall not be backward; but as your Father advisethhere, hasten the uniting of our Families, with all celerity; for delayin these Affairs is but to prolong time, as the wise Man says. _Alon. _ You are much in the right, Sir. But my Wife, I desire to bebetter acquainted with her. _Car. _ She shall be forth-coming, Sir. Had you a good Passage? for theSeas and Winds regard no Man's necessity. _Alon. _ No, no, a very ill one; your Daughter, Sir. _Car. _ Pray, how long were you at Sea? _Alon. _ _Euphemia_, Sir, _Euphemia_, your Daughter. This Don's fuller ofQuestions than of Proverbs, and that's a Wonder. [Aside. _Car. _ They say _Flanders_ is a very fine Country, I never saw it; but-- _Alon. _ Nor 'tis no matter, Sir, if you never do, so I saw yourDaughter. He'll catechize me home to my _Dutch_ Parents by and by, of which I can give him no more account than-- [Aside. _Car. _ Are they as dissatisfied with their new Governour, as they werewith Don _John_? for they love change. _Alon. _ A Pox of their Government, I tell you I love your Daughter. _Car. _ I fear 'tis so, he's valiant; and what a dangerous Quality isthat in _Spain_! 'tis well he's rich. [Aside. _Lov. _ Pray, Sir, keep him not long in Discourse, the Sea has made himunfit for-- _Alon. _ Any thing but seeing my Mistress. _Lov. _ I'll have mercy upon thee, and fetch her to thee. [Ex. _Lovis_. _Car. _ Sir, you must know, that we suffer not our Women in Spain toconverse so frequently with your Sex, and that thro a cautious-- wellconsider'd prudent-- Consideration. _Alon. _ But, Sir, do you consider what an impatient thing a young Loveris? Or is it so long since you were one your self, you have forgot it?'Tis well he wanted Words. [Enter _Euphemia_ and _Lovis_. ] Butyonder's _Euphemia_, whose Beauty is sufficient to excuse every Defectin the whole Family, tho each were a mortal sin; and now 'tis impossibleto guard my self longer from those fair Eyes. [Aside. _Car. _ I must not urge him to speak much before _Euphemia_, lest shediscover he wants Wit by his much Tongue: [Aside. There's my Daughter, Sir, go and salute her. _Alon. _ Oh, I thank you for that, Sir. [He stands ridiculously looking on her. _Car. _ You must be bold, Sir. _Alon. _ Well, Sir, since you command me-- [Goes rudely to kiss her. _Car. _ I did not mean kissing by saluting. _Alon. _ I cry you Mercy, Sir, so I understood you. _Car. _ Fie upon't, that he should be no more a Master of Civility. _Lov. _ I fear, Sir, my Sister will never like this Humour in her Lover;he wants common Conversation. _Car. _ Conversation-- ye foolish Boy, he has Money, and needs none ofyour Conversation. And yet if I thought he were valiant-- [This while _Alonzo_ and _Euphemia_ make signs of Love with their Eyes. _Lov. _ I hope, Sir, he does not boast of more of that than he reallyhas. _Car. _ That Fault I my self have been guilty of, and can excuse; but thething it self I shall never endure: you know I was forc'd to send youabroad, because I thought you addicted to that. I shall never sleep inquiet-- Valiant! that's such a thing, to be Rich, or Wise and Valiant. [Goes to _Euphemia_. _Lov. _ Colonel, pray to the business, for I fear you will betray yourself. _Car. _ But look upon his Wealth, _Euphemia_, and you will find thoseAdvantages there which are wanting in his Person; but I think the Man'swell. _Euph. _ I must not seem to yield too soon. [Aside. Sir, there be many Spaniards born that are as rich as he, and have Wittoo. _Car. _ She was ever very averse to this Marriage. [Aside. This Man is half a _Spaniard_, his Mother was one, and my firstMistress, and she I can tell you, was a great Fortune-- _Euph. _ I, Sir, but he is such a Fool-- _Car. _ You are a worse, to find fault with that in a Husband. _Alon. _ Stand aside, Sir, are you to court your Daughter or I? _Car. _ I was inclining her-- _Alon. _ You inclining her! an old Man wants Rhetorick; set me to her. [Goes to _Euphemia_. _Car. _ This capricious Humour was tolerable in him, Whilst I believ'd itthe Effects of Folly, but now 'tis that of Valour: Oh, I tremble at theSight of him. [Retires. _Euph. _ Now, I see you are a Cavalier of your Word. _Alon. _ Faith, _Euphemia_, you might have believ'd, and taken me uponbetter Terms, if you had so pleas'd: To marry you is but an ill-favour'dProof to give you of my Passion. _Euph. _ Do you repent it? _Alon. _ Would to God 'twere come but to that, I was just upon the Pointof it when you enter'd. But I know not what the Devil there is in thatFace of yours, but it has debauch'd every sober Thought about me: Faith, do not let us marry yet. _Euph. _ If we had not proceeded too far to retreat, I should be content. _Alon. _ What shall I come to? all on the sudden to leave deliciouswhoring, drinking and fighting, and be condemn'd to a dull honest Wife. Well, if it be my ill Fortune, may this Curse light on thee that hasbrought me to't: may I love thee even after we are married to thattroublesome Degree, that I may grow most damnable jealous of thee, andkeep thee from the Sight of all Mankind, but thy own natural Husband, that so thou may'st be depriv'd of the greatest Pleasure of this Life, the Blessing of Change. _Euph. _ I am sorry to find so much ill Nature in you; would you have theConscience to tie me to harder Conditions than I would you? _Alon. _ Nay, I do not think I shall be so wickedly loving; but I amresolv'd to marry thee and try. _Euph. _ My Father, Sir, on with your Disguise. [To them _Carlo_. _Car. _ Well, Sir, how do you like my Daughter? _Alon. _ So, so, she'll serve for a Wife. _Car. _ But do you find her willing to be so? _Alon. _ 'Tis not a half-penny matter for that, as long as my Father andyou are agreed upon the matter, _Car. _ Well, _Euphemia_, setting all foolish Modesty aside, how do youlike this Man? _Euph. _ As one, whom in Obedience to you, I am content to cast my selfaway upon. _Car. _ How seems his Humour to you? _Euph. _ Indifferent, Sir, he is not very courtly, something rough andhasty. _Car. _ I fear she has found his ill Quality of Valour too; and since'tis certain 'tis so, why should it be said that I ruin'd a Child tosatisfy my Appetite of Riches? [Aside. Come, Daughter, can you love him, or can you not? For I'll make butshort Work on't; you are my Daughter, and have a Fortune great enough toinrich any Man; and I'm resolv'd to put no Force upon your Inclinations. _Euph. _ How's this! nay, then 'tis time I left dissembling. [Aside. ] Sir, this Bounty in you has strangely overcome me, and makesme asham'd to have withstood your Will so long. _Car. _ Do not dissemble with me, I say do not; for I am resolv'd youshall be happy. _Euph. _ Sir, my Obedience shall-- _Car. _ No more of your Obedience; I say again, do not dissemble, for I'mnot pleas'd with your Obedience. _Euph. _ This Alteration is very strange and sudden; pray Heaven he havenot found the Cheat. [Aside. Love, Sir, they say will come after Marriage; pray let me try it. _Car. _ Few have found it so; nor shall you experience it at so dear aRate as your Ruin. _Euph. _ But, Sir, methinks I am grown to love him more since he spoke tome, than before. _Car. _ The Effects of your Obedience again. _Euph. _ This is a strange Alteration, Sir; not all my Tears and Prayersbefore I saw him, could prevail with you. I beseech you, Sir, believeme. _Car. _ Nor should now, had I not another Reason for't. _Euph. _ Oh, I fear-- But, Sir-- _Car. _ Go to, I'll be better satisfy'd e'er I proceed farther-- both ofyour Inclinations, and his Courage. [Aside. _Euph. _ Do you consider his Wealth, Sir? _Car. _ That shall not now befriend him. _Alon. _ Sir, I bar whispering; 'tis not in my Bargain, nor civil: I'llhave fair Play for my Money. _Car. _ I am only knowing my Daughter's Pleasure; she is a littlepeevish, as Virgins use in such Cases; but wou'd that were all, and I'dendeavour to reconcile her. _Alon. _ I thank you, Sir; in the mean time I'll take a Walk for an Houror two, to get me a better Stomach both to my Dinner and Mistress. _Car. _ Do so, Sir. Come, _Euphemia_, I will give you a Proof of myIndulgence, thou shalt marry no valiant Fools! valiant, quoth ye. Come, come-- had he been peaceable and rich-- Come, come-- [Ex. With _Euphemia_. _Lov. _ Well, now I'll go look after my _Dutchman_, lest he surprize ushere, which must not be; where shall I find you? _Alon. _ I'll wait upon my Prince, and then on you here. _Lov. _ Do so, and carry on this Humour. Adieu. SCENE II. _A flat Grove. _ Enter _Haunce_ in a fantastical travelling Habit, with a Bottle of Brandy in his Hand, as sick: _Gload_ marches after. _Hau. _ Ah, ah, a pox of all Sea-Voyages. [Drinks. Here, _Gload_, take thee t'other Sope, and then let's home. [_Gload_ drinks. Ah, ah, a pox of all Sea-Voyages. _Gload. _ Sir, if I may advise, take t'other turn in the Grove, for Ifind by my Nose you want more airing. _Hau. _ How, Sirrah! by your Nose? have a care, you know 'tis ill jestingwith me when I'm angry. _Gload. _ Which is as often as you are drunk; I find it has the sameEffects on me too: but truly, Sir, I meant no other than that you smella little of the Vessel, a certain sour remains of a Storm about you. _Hau. _ Ah, ah, do not name a Storm to me, unless thou wilt have theEffects on't in thy Face. [Drinks. _Gload. _ Sha, sha, bear up, Sir, bear up. _Hau. _ _Salerimente_, a Sea-phrase too! Why, ye Rascal, I tell you I canindure nothing that puts me in mind of that Element. [Drinks. _Gload. _ The Sight of _Donna Euphemia_ will-- [_Gload_ drinks between whiles too. _Hau. _ Hold, hold, let me consider whether I can indure to hear hernam'd or not; for I think I am so thorowly mortify'd, I shall hardlyrelish Woman-kind again this-- two Hours. [Drinks. _Gload. _ You a Man of Courage, and talk thus! _Hau. _ Courage! Why, what dost thou call Courage?-- _Hector_ himselfwould not have chang'd his ten Years Siege for our ten Days Storm atSea-- a Storm-- a hundred thousand fighting Men are nothing to't; Citiessackt by Fire nothing: 'tis a resistless Coward that attacks a Man atdisadvantage; an unaccountable Magick, that first conjures down a Man'sCourage, and then plays the Devil over him. And in fine, it is a Storm-- _Gload. _ Good lack that it should be all these terrible things, and yetthat we should outbrave it. _Hau. _ No god-a-mercy to our Courages tho, I tell you that now, _Gload_;but like an angry Wench, when it had huft and bluster'd it self weary, it lay still again. [Drinks. _Gload. _ Hold, hold, Sir, you know we are to make Visits to Ladies, Sir;and this replenishing of our Spirits, as you call it, Sir, may put usout of Case. _Hau. _ Thou art a Fool, I never made love so well as when I was drunk;it improves my Parts, and makes me witty; that is, it makes me say anything that comes next, which passes now-a-days for Wit: and when I amvery drunk, I'll home and dress me, and the Devil's in't if she resistme so qualify'd and so dress'd. _Gload. _ Truly, Sir, those are things that do not properly belong toyou. _Hau. _ Your Reason, your Reason; we shall have thee witty too in thyDrink, hah! [Laughs. _Gload. _ Why, I say, Sir, none but a Cavalier ought to be soundly drunk, or wear a Sword and Feather; and a Cloke and Band were fitter for aMerchant. _Hau. _ _Salerimente_, I'll beat any _Don_ in _Spain_ that does but thinkhe has more right to any sort of Debauchery, or Gallantry than I, I tellyou that now, _Gload_. _Gload. _ Do you remember, Sir, how you were wont to go at home? wheninstead of a Periwig, you wore a slink, greasy Hair of your own, throwhich a pair of large thin Souses appear'd, to support a formal Hat, on end thus-- [Imitates him. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, the Rogue improves upon't. [Gives him Brandy. _Gload. _ A Collar instead of a Cravat twelve inches high; with a blue, stiff, starcht, lawn Band, set in print like your Whiskers; a Doubletwith small Skirts hookt to a pair of wide-kneed Breeches, which dangledhalfway over a Leg, all to be dash'd and dirty'd as high as thegartering. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, very well, proceed. [Drinks. _Gload. _ Your Hands, defil'd with counting of damn'd dirty Money, nevermade other use of Gloves, than continually to draw them thro-- thus--till they were dwindled into the scantling of a Cats-gut. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, a pleasant Rascal. [Drinks. _Gload. _ A Cloke, half a yard shorter than the Breeches, not thorowlin'd, but fac'd as far as 'twas turn'd back, with a pair of frugalButter-hams, which was always manag'd-- thus-- _Hau. _ Well, Sir, have you done, that I may show you this Merchantrevers'd? _Gload. _ Presently, Sir; only a little touch at your Debauchery, whichunless it be in damn'd Brandy, you dare not go to the Expence of. Perhaps at a Wedding, or some Treat where your Purse is not concern'd, you would most insatiably tipple; otherwise your two Stivers-Club is thehighest you dare go, where you will be condemn'd for a Prodigal, (evenby your own Conscience) if you add two more extraordinary to the Sum, and at home sit in the Chimney-Corner, cursing the Face of Duke _deAlva_ upon the Jugs, for laying an Imposition on Beer: And now, Sir, I have done. _Hau. _ And dost thou not know, when one of those thou hast described, goes but half a League out of Town, that he is so transform'd from theMerchant to the Gallant in all Points, that his own Parents, nay theDevil himself cannot know him? Not a young English Squire newly come toan Estate, above the management of his Wit, has better Horses, gayerClothes, swears, drinks, and does every thing with a better grace thanhe; damns the stingy Cabal of the two Stiver-Club, and puts the youngKing of _Spain_ and his Mistress together in a Rummer of a Pottle; andin pure Gallantry breaks the Glasses over his Head, scorning to drinktwice in the same: and a thousand things full as heroick and brave Icou'd tell you of this same Holy-day Squire. But come, t'other turn, andt'other sope, and then for _Donna Euphemia_. For I find I begin to bereconcil'd to the Sex. _Gload. _ But, Sir, if I might advise, let's e'en sleep first. _Hau. _ Away, you Fool, I hate the sober Spanish way of making Love, that's unattended with Wine and Musick; give me a Wench that willout-drink the Dutch, out-dance the French, and out-- out-- kiss theEnglish. _Gload. _ Sir, that's not the Fashion in _Spain_. _Hau. _ Hang the Fashion; I'll manage her that must be my Wife, as Iplease, or I'll beat her into Fashion. _Gload. _ What, beat a Woman, Sir? _Hau. _ Sha, all's one for that; if I am provok'd, Anger will have itsEffects on whomsoe'er it light; so said _Van Trump_, when he took hisMistress a Cuff o'th' Ear for finding fault with an ill-fashion'd Leg hemade her: I lik'd his Humour well, therefore come thy ways. [Exeunt. SCENE III. _Draws off. A Grove. _ Discovers _Antonio_ sleeping on the Ground; _Hippolyta_ sitting by, who sings. _ _Ah false _Amyntas_, can that Hour So soon forgotten be, When first I yielded up my Power To be betray'd by thee? God knows with how much Innocence I did my Heart resign Unto thy faithless Eloquence, And gave thee what was mine. _ _I had not one Reserve in store, But at thy Feet I laid Those Arms which conquer'd heretofore, Tho now thy Trophies made. Thy Eyes in silence told their Tale Of Love in such a way, That 'twas as easy to prevail, As after to betray. _ [She comes forth, weeps. _Hip. _ My Grief's too great to be diverted this way. [Pointing to _Antonio_. Why should this Villain sleep, this treacherous Man-- Who has for ever robb'd me of my rest? Had I but kept my Innocence intire, I had out-brav'd my Fate, and broke my Chains, Which now I bear like a poor guilty Slave, Who sadly crys, If I were free from these, I am not from my Crimes; so still lives on, And drags his loathed Fetters after him. Why should I fear to die, or murder him? It is but adding one Sin more to th' number. This-- would soon do't-- but where's the Hand to guide it? [Draws a Dagger, sighs. For 'tis an act too horrid for a Woman. [Turns away. But yet thus sleeping I might take that Soul, [Turns to him. Which waking all the Charms of Art and Nature Had not the Power t'effect. Oh were I brave, I could remember that, And this way be the Mistress of his Heart. But mine forbids it should be that way won; No, I must still love on, in spite of me, And wake him quickly, lest one Moment's thought Upon my Shame should urge me to undo him. _Antonio_, _Antonio_. [He wakes, rises, and looks amazedly to see the Dagger in her Hand. _Ant. _ Vile Woman, why that Dagger in that Hand? _Hip. _ To've kill'd thee with, But that my Love o'ercame my juster Passion, And put it in thy Power to save thy self; Thank that, and not my Reason for thy Life. _Ant. _ She's doubly arm'd, with that and Injury, And I am wounded and defenceless. [Aside. _Hippolyta_, why all this Rage to me? [Kindly smiles. _Hip. _ _Antonio_, thou art perjur'd, false and base. [In great Rage. _Ant. _ What said my fairest Mistress? [Goes to her looking softly. _Hip. _ I said that thou wert perjur'd, false and base. [Less in Rage. _Ant. _ My dear _Hippolyta_, speak it again, I do not understand thee, [Takes her by the Hand. _Hip. _ I said that thou wert perjur'd, my _Antonio_. [Sighs. _Ant. _ Thou wert to blame, but 'twas thy Jealousy. Which being a Fault of Love I will excuse. Give me that Mark of Anger, prithee do, It misbecomes thy Hand. _Hip. _ I've nothing left but this I can command, And do not ravish this too. _Ant. _ It is unkind thus to suspect my Love; Will you make no Allowance for my Humour? I am by Nature rough, and cannot please, With Eyes and Words all soft as others can, But I can love as truly my blunt way. _Hip. _ You were so soft when first you conquer'd me. [Sighs. That but the Thoughts of that dear Face and Eyes, So manag'd, and so set for Conquest out, Would make me kind even to another Man; Could I but thus imbrace and hide my Eyes, And call him my _Antonio_. [She leans on his Bosom, he the while gets her Dagger. _Ant. _ Stand off, false Woman, I despise thy Love, Of which to every Man I know thou deal'st An equal share. _Hip. _ I do not wonder that I am deceiv'd, But that I should believe thee, after all thy Treachery. But prithee tell me why thou treat'st me thus? Why didst thou with the sacred Vows of Marriage, After a long and tedious Courtship to me, Ravish me from my Parents and my Husband? For so the brave _Alonzo_ was by promise. _Ant. _ Why, I will tell thee; 'twas not love to thee, But hatred to thy Brother Don _Marcel_, Who made Addresses to the fair _Clarinda_, And by his Quality destroy'd my Hopes. _Hip. _ And durst you not revenge your self on him? _Ant. _ His Life alone could not appease my Anger; And after studying what I had to do-- _Hip. _ The Devil taught thee this. _Ant. _ Yes, and you I chose, Because you were contracted to _Alonzo_, That the disgrace might be more eminent. _Hip. _ I do believe thee, for when I reflect On all thy Usage since thou hast betray'd me, I find thou hast not paid me back one Sigh, Or Smile for all that I have given thee. _Ant. _ Hear me out. _Hip. _ Most calmly. _Ant. _ From Town to Town you know I did remove you, Under pretence to shun your Brother's Anger: But 'twas indeed to spread your Fame abroad. But being not satisfy'd till in _Madrid_, Here in your native Town, I had proclaim'd you; The House from whence your Brother's Fury chas'd us, Was a Bordello, where 'twas given out Thou wert a _Venice_ Curtezan to hire, Whilst you believ'd it was your nuptial Palace. [Laughs. _Hip. _ Dost think I did not understand the Plot? Yes, and was mad till some young Lovers came. But you had set a Price too high upon me, No brisk young Man durst venture, I had expos'd my self at cheaper Rates. _Ant. _ Your Price, I pray, young Sinner? [Pulls off his Hat in scorn. _Hip. _ Thy Life; he that durst say _Antonio_ lives no more, Should have possest me _gratis_. _Ant. _ I would have taken care none should have don't; To show, and offer you to Sale, was equally as shameful. _Hip. _ Well, what hast thou more to do? this is no Place to inhabit in, nor shall thou force me further; And back into the Town thou dar'st not go. _Ant. _ Perhaps I had been kinder to you, Had you continu'd still to give me that-- Might have begot a Passion in me. _Hip. _ I have too much Repentance for that Sin, To increase it, at the Price of being belov'd by thee. _Ant. _ Consider what you do, this Place is silent, And far from any thing that may assist you. Come lead me to the Covert of this Grove. [Takes her rudely. Enter _Haunce_ and _Gload_ drunk; _Haunce_ seeing them, offers to go out again. _Glo. _ Hold, hold, Sir, why do you run away? _Hau. _ Thou Fool, dost not see the Reason? _Glo. _ I see a Man and a Lady, Sir. _Hau. _ Why, you Coxcomb, they are Lovers; Or some that are going to do the deed of Love. _Ant. _ How! Men here? Your Business. _Hau. _ Prithee, Friend, do not trouble your self with ours, but followyour own; my Man is a little saucy in his Drink indeed, but I am soberenough to understand how things go. _Ant. _ Leave us then. _Hau. _ Leave us then-- good Words, good Words, Friend; for look ye, I amin a notable Humour at present, and will be intreated. _Glo. _ Yes, Sir, we will be intreated. _Ant. _ Pray leave us then. _Hau. _ That's something-- but hark ye, Friend, say a Man had a mind toput in for a share with you. _Ant. _ Rude Slaves, leave us. _Hau. _ Ha, Slaves! _Glo. _ Slaves said you, Sir? hah-- _Hip. _ Oh, as you're a Gentleman, assist me. [To _Haunce_. _Hau. _ Assist thee? this Fellow looks as he would not have his Abilitiescall'd in question; otherwise I am amorous enough to do thee a kindness. [Offers still to go, she holds him. _Hip. _ Sir, you mistake me; this is a Ravisher-- _Hau. _ A Ravisher! ha, ha, ha, dost like him the worse for that? No, no, I beg your Pardon, Madam. _Hip. _ Have you no Manhood, Sir? _Glo. _ She is in earnest; now if I durst stay, how I would domineer overmy Master; I never try'd perhaps, I may be valiant thus inspir'd. Lady, I am your Champion, who dares ravish you, or me either? _Ant. _ Rascal, unhand her. [He comes up to them, _Gload_ puts the Lady before him. _Hau. _ How now, _Gload_ ingag'd! nay, I scorn to be out-done by my Man. Sirrah, march off with the Baggage, whilst I secure the Enemy. _Ant. _ Rash Man, what mean you? _Hau. _ I say, stand off, and let him go quietly away with the Wench, or look you-- _Ant. _ Unmanner'd Fool, I will chastise thy Boldness. [Goes up to him with his Dagger. _Hau. _ How, how, hast thou no other Weapon? _Ant. _ No, if I had, thou durst not have encounter'd me. _Hau. _ I scorn thy Words, and therefore there lies my Sword; and sinceyou dare me at my own Weapon, I tell you I am good at Snick-a-Sne as thebest _Don_ of you all-- [Draws a great Dutch Knife. _Ant. _ Can I endure this Affront? _Glo. _ The best way to make a Coward fight, is to leave him inDanger-- Come, Lady-- [Goes out. _Ant. _ Thou base unmanner'd Fool, how darst thou offer at a Gentleman, with so despis'd a thing as that? _Hau. _ Despis'd a thing? talk not so contemptibly of this Weapon, I say, do not, but come on if you dare. _Ant. _ I can endure no longer-- [Flies at him, _Haunce _cuts his Face, and takes away, after a-while, his Dagger. Injustice! can such a Dog, and such a Weapon vanquish me? _Hau. _ Beg your Life; for I scorn to stain my Victory in Blood-- that Ilearnt out of _Pharamond_. [Aside. _Ant. _ He does not merit Life, that could not defend it against so poorand base a thing as thou: Had but _Marcel_ left me my Sword-- _Hau. _ O then I perceive you are us'd to be vanquish'd, and therefore Iscorn to kill thee; live, live. _Ant. _ How the Rascal triumphs over me! _Hau. _ And now, like a generous Enemy, I will conduct thee to my Tent, and have thy Wounds drest-- That too I had out of _Pharamond_. [Aside. _Ant. _ What if I take the offer of this Sot? so I may see _Hippolytaagain. _ But I forget-- [Aside. _Hau. _ Will you accept my Offer? _Ant. _ For some Reasons I dare not venture into the Town. _Hau. _ My Lodging is at St. Peter's Gate, hard by; and on the Parole ofa Man of Prowess you shall be safe and free-- _Pharamond_ again. [Aside. _Ant. _ I'll trust him, for worse I cannot be. [Aside. Lead on, I'll follow, Sir-- _Hau. _ Not so, for tho the Captive ought to follow the Victor, yet I'llnot trust my Enemy at my backside. Politicks too. -- [Aside. _Ant. _ You must command-- [Go out. SCENE IV. _The Garden. _ Enter _Silvio_ and _Francisca_. _Silv. _ Well, dear _Francisca_, will _Cleonte_ come, And all alone intothe Garden? _Fran. _ My Lord, she will; I have at last prevail'd, to what intent sheknows not; this is an Hour wherein you'll scarce be interrupted: Theamorous Entertainment you have prepar'd for her, will advance yourDesign; such Objects heighten the Desire. Is all ready on your part? _Silv. _ It is, and I am prepared for all the Resistance she can make, and am resolv'd to satisfy my insupportable Flame, since there's noother hope left me. _Fran. _ She's coming, Sir, retire. [Exit _Silvio_ into the Garden. Oh, how he kills me! Well, at least this pleasure I have whilst I amdying, that when he possesses the fair _Cleonte_, he for ever ruins hisInterest in her Heart, and must find nothing but her mortal Hate andScorn. Enter _Cleonte_. _Cleo. _ _Francisca_, why art thou so earnest for my coming into theGarden so early? _Fran. _ Because, Madam, here without Interruption you may learn what theLady _Clarinda_ has to tell you. _Cleo. _ Is that all? go wait upon her hither then. _Fran. _ Yes, when your more pleasant Affair is dispatch'd, I will-- [Aside. _ [_Exit _Francisca_. _Cleo. _ Can this be Love I feel? This strange unusual something in my Soul, That pleads so movingly for _Silvio_ there; And makes me wish him not allied to me? [A noise of rural Musick is heard within the Trees, as Pipes, Flutes, and Voices. Hah! what pleasant Noise is this? sure 'tis i' the Air-- Bless me, whatstrange things be these! Enter Swains playing upon Pipes, after them four Shepherds with Garlands and Flowers, and four Nymphs dancing an amorous Dance to that Musick; wherein the Shepherds make Love to the Nymphs, and put the Garlands on their Heads, and go out; the Nymphs come and lay them at _Cleonte's_ Feet, and sing. 1 Nymph. _Here at your Feet, we tribute pay, Of all the Glories of the May. _ 2 Nymph. _Such Trophies can be only due To Victors so divine as you, _ Both. _Come, follow, follow, where Love leads the way, To Pleasures that admit of no Delay. _ 1 Nymph. _Come follow to the amorous Shade, Covered with Roses, and with Jessamine. _ 2 Nymph. _Where the Love-sick Boy is laid, Panting for Love's charming Queen. _ Both. _Come follow, follow, where we lead the way, To Pleasures that admit of no delay. _ [Lead her out. _The Scene changes to a fine Arbour, they leave her and vanish. _ _Cleo. _ I am all Wonder. Enter _Silvio_ in rapture, not yet seeing _Cleonte_. _Silv. _ I'm all on Fire, till I enjoy my Sister; Not all the Laws of Birth and Nature Can hinder me from loving-- Nor is't just: Why should the charm of fair _Cleonte's_ Eyes, Me less than Aliens to her Blood surprize? And why (since I love Beauty every where, And that _Cleonte_ has the greatest share) Should not I be allowed to worship her? The empty Words of Nature and of Blood, Are such as Lovers never understood. Prudence in love 'twere Nonsense to approve, And he loves most that gives a Loose to Love. _Cleo. _ _Silvio_ here! _Silv. _ Hah-- yonder she's! [Sees her. And now my Passion knows no Bounds, nor Laws. _Cleonte_, come, come satisfy my Flame. [Runs to her, and takes her passionately by the hand. These private Shades are ours, no jealous Eye Can interrupt our Heaven of Joy. _Cleo. _ What mean you? do you know I am your Sister? _Silv. _ Oh that accursed Name!-- why should it check me? [He pauses. Wouldst thou had rather been some mis-begotten Monster, That might have startled Nature at thy Birth: Or if the Powers above would have thee fair, Why wert thou born my Sister? Oh, if thou shouldst preserve thy Soul, and mine, Fly from this Place and me; make haste away, A strange wild Monster is broke in upon thee; A thing that was a Man, but now as mad As raging Love can make him. Fly me, or thou art lost for ever. _Cleo. _ Remember, _Silvio_, that you are my Brother, And can you hurt your Sister? [Weeps. _Silv. _ Shouldst thou repeat those Ties a thousand times, 'Twill not redeem thee from the Fate that threatens thee. Be gone, whilst so much Virtue does remain about me, To wish thee out of Danger. _Cleo. _ Sure, _Silvio_, this is but to try my Virtue. [Weeps still. _Silv. _ No, look on my Eyes, _Cleonte_, and thou shalt see them flamewith a strange wicked Fire. [Looks wildly on her. Yet do not look, thy Eyes increase it. --Alas! [Turns away, and hides his Eyes. And I shall still forget I am thy Brother: Go, go, whilst I have power to take my Eyes away, For if they turn again, it will be fatal. _Cleo. _ Pray hear me, Sir. _Silv. _ Oh, do not speak; thy Voice has Charms As tempting as thy Face; but whilst thou art silent and unseen, Perhaps my Madness may be moderate; For as it is, the best Effects of it Will prompt me on to kill thee. _Cleo. _ To kill me! _Silv. _ Yes; for shouldst thou live, adorn'd with so much Beauty, So much my Passion is above my Reason, In some such fit as does possess me now I should commit a Rape, a Rape upon thee: Therefore be gone, and do not tempt Despair, That merciless rude thing, but save thy Honour, And thy Life. _Cleo. _ I will obey you, Sir. [Goes into the Garden. _Silv. _ She's gone-- and now [Walks, and talks in stopping. ] my hotFit abates-- she is my Sister-- that is, my Father's Daughter-- but--what if his Wife deceiv'd him-- or perhaps-- (which is the likelierthing) my Mother play'd the false one-- for 'twas her Trade to do so--and I'm not Son to _Ambrosio_-- Oh, that she were in being to confessthis Truth, for sure 'tis Truth; then I might love, and might enjoy_Cleonte_-- enjoy _Cleonte_! [In transport. ] Oh that Thought! whatFire it kindles in my Veins, and now my cold Fit's gone-- [Offers to go, but starts and returns. ] --No, let me pause a while-- For in this Ague of my Love and Fear, Both the Extremes are mortal-- [Goes into the Garden. Enter _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_. _Amb. _ I'm reconcil'd to you, since your Brother _Silvio_ would have itso. _Mar. _ My Blood flows to my Face, to hear him named. _Amb. _ Let there be no more Differences between you: But _Silvio_ has oflate been discontented, keeps home, and shuns the Conversation whichYouth delights in; goes not to Court as he was wont. Prithee, _Marcel_, learn thou the cause of it. _Mar. _ I do believe I shall, my Lord-- too soon. [Aside. _Amb. _ I'm now going to my _Villa_, and shall not return till Night;by the way I mean to visit your Wife, that was design'd to be, the rich_Flavia_, and see if I can again reconcile her to you; for your Neglecthas been great, and her Anger is just. _Mar. _ I rather wish it should continue, Sir, for I have yet noInclinations to marry. _Amb. _ No more, I'll have it so, if I can. _Mar. _ I'm silent, Sir. [Ex. _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_. Enter as from out of the Garden, _Cleonte_, _Clarinda_, _Francisca_, _Dormida_, from amongst the Trees, sadly; _Silvio_ who starts at sight of them. _Cleo. _ I am satisfied you knew not of my Brother's being in the Garden. [To _Franc. _ _Silv. _ _Clarinda_ with my Sister! and in our House! she's veryfair-- and yet how dull and blasted all her Beauties seems, when theyapproach the fair _Cleonte's_-- I cannot shun a tedious Compliment; tosee the fair _Clarinda_ [Goes to _Clarinda_. ] here, is a Happinessbeyond my Hope; I'm glad to see her kind to the Sister, who alwaystreated the Brother with so much Scorn and Rigour. _Clar. _ _Silvio_! sure I'm betray'd. [Aside. [He talks to her. Enter _Marcel_, and is amaz'd. _Mar. _ Hah! _Silvio_ with _Clarinda_ in our House! Oh, daring Villain!to make this place a Sanctuary To all thy Lusts and Treachery! Now I'mconvinc'd, 'twas he that wounded me, And he that fled last Night withthat false Woman. [_Cleonte_ goes to _Marcel. _ _Silv. _ You need not fear me now, fair Maid, I'm disarm'd of all mydangerous Love. _Mar. _ It was by his contrivance that she came, [To _Cleonte_. ] do notexcuse him, but send her quickly from you, lest you become as infamousas she. -- _Cleo. _ Oh, how I hate her now; I know my Brother _Silvio_ loves her. _Mar. _ How every Gesture shows his Passion, whilst she seems pleas'd tohear him. I can endure no more-- _Cleo. _ What will you do? [She goes to them. _Mar. _ Nothing, dear Sister, But if I can be wise and angry too: For 'tis not safe t'attack him in the Garden. How now, _Silvio_-- under the Name of Brother, I see you dare too much. [Snatches away his Sister and _Clarinda_. _Silv. _ What mean you by this rude Address, _Marcel_? _Mar. _ I'll tell ye, Sir, anon. Go get you in. [To the Women, who go in. _Silv. _ Well, Sir, your Business now? _Mar. _ It is not safe to tell you here, tho I have hardly Patience tostay till thou meet me in St. _Peter's_ Grove. _Silv. _ I will not fail you, Sir, an Hour hence. [Goes in after them. _Mar. _ I dare not in this Rage return to upbraid _Clarinda_, lest I dothings that mis-become a Man. [Goes out. ACT IV. SCENE I. __Carlo's_ House. _ After a Noise of Musick without, enter _Haunce_ drest as _Alonzo_ was, follow'd by _Gload_, in Masquerade. _Hau. _ Hold, hold, I do not like the Salutations I receive from all Imeet in this House. _Glo. _ Why, Sir, methinks they are very familiar Scabs all. _Hau. _ _Salerimente_, they all salute me as they were my oldAcquaintance. Your servant, _Myn heer Haunce_, crys one; your servant, Monsieur _Haunce_, crys another. Enter _Servant_. _Serv. _ Your servant, Sir, you come indeed like a Bridegroom all besetwith Dance and Fiddle. _Hau. _ Bridegroom! ha, ha, ha, dost hear, _Gload_? 'tis true faith. Buthow the Devil came he to know it, man, hah? _Serv. _ My Master, Sir, was just asking for you, he longs to speak withyou. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, with me, Sir? why, ha, ha, who the pox am I? _Serv. _ You, Sir, why, who should you be? _Hau. _ Who should I be? why, who should I be? _Serv. _ _Myn heer Haunce van Ezel_, Sir. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, well guest, i'faith now. _Glo. _ Why how should they guess otherwise, coming so attended withMusick, as prepar'd for a Wedding? _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, say'st thou so? faith, 'tis a good Device to save theCharges of the first Compliments, hah: but hark ye, hark ye, Friend, areyou sure this is the House of Don _Carlo_? _Serv. _ Why, Sir, have you forgot it? _Hau. _ Forgot it! ha, ha, ha, dost hear, _Gload_? forgot it! why how theDevil should I remember it? _Glo. _ Sir, I believe this is some new-fashion'd Civility in Spain, to know every Man before he sees him. _Hau. _ No, no, you fool, they never change their Fashion in Spain, Man. _Glo. _ I mean their manner of Address, Sir. _Hau. _ It may be so, I'll see farther. Friend, is Don _Carlo_ within? _Serv. _ He has not been out since, Sir. _Hau. _ Since, ha, ha, ha, since when? hah. _Serv. _ Since you saw him, Sir. _Hau. _ _Salerimente_, will you make me mad? why you damnable Rascal, when did I see him? hah. _Serv. _ Here comes my Master himself, Sir, [Enter _Carlo_. ] let himinform you, if you grow so hot upon the Question. _Car. _ How now, Son, what, angry? You have e'en tir'd your self withwalking, and are out of Humour. _Hau. _ Look there again-- the old Man's mad too; why how the pox shouldhe know I have been walking? Indeed, Sir, I have, as you say, beenwalking [Playing with his Hat. ] --and am-- as you say, out ofHumour-- But under favour, Sir, who are you? Sure 'tis the old Conjurer, and those were his little Imps I met. [Surlily to him. _Car. _ Sure, Son, you should be a Wit, by the shortness of your Memory. _Hau. _ By the Goodness of yours, you should be none, ha, ha, ha. Did Inot meet with him there, _Gload_, hah? But pray refresh my Memory, andlet me know you; I come to seek a Father amongst you here, one Don_Carlo_. _Car. _ Am I not the Man, Sir? _Hau. _ How the Devil should I know that now, unless by instinct? _Glo. _ The old Man is mad, and must be humour'd. _Hau. _ Cry you Mercy, Sir, I vow I had quite forgot you. Sir, I hopeDonna _Euphemia_-- _Car. _ Oh, Sir, she's in a much better Humour than when you saw herlast, complies with our Desires more than I cou'd hope or wish. _Hau. _ Why look you here again-- I ask'd after her Health, not herHumour. _Car. _ I know not what Arts you made use of, but she's strangely takenwith your Conversation and Person. _Glo. _ Truly, Sir, you are mightily beholden to her, that she shouldhave all this good Will to your Person and Conversation before she seesyou. _Hau. _ Ay, so I am; therefore, Sir, I desire to see your Daughter, for Ishall hardly be so generous as she has been, and be quits with herbefore I see her. _Car. _ Why, Sir, I hop'd you lik'd her when you saw her last. _Hau. _ Stark mad-- I saw her last! why, what the Devil do you mean?I never saw her in all my Life, man. Stark mad, as I am true Dutch-- [Aside. _Car. _ A Lover always thinks the time tedious: But here's my Daughter. Enter _Euphemia_ and _Olinda_. _Hau. _ Ay, one of these must be she: but 'tis a Wonder I should not knowwhich she is by instinct. [Aside. [Stands looking very simply on both. _Euph. _ This is not _Alonzo_-- has he betray'd me? [Aside. _Car. _ Go, Sir, she expects you. _Hau. _ Your pardon, Sir; let her come to me, if she will, I'm sure sheknows me better than I do her. _Glo. _ How should she know you, Sir? _Hau. _ How? by instinct, you Fool, as all the rest of the House does:don't you, fair Mistress? _Euph. _ I know you-- _Hau. _ Yes, you know me; you need not be so coy mun, the old Man hastold me all. _Euph. _ What has he told you?-- I am ruin'd. [Aside. _Hau. _ Faith, much more than I believ'd, for he was very full of hisnew-fashion'd Spanish Civility, as they call it; But ha, ha, I hope, fair Mistress, you do not take after him? _Euph. _ What if I do, Sir? _Hau. _ Why then I had as lieve marry a Steeple with a perpetual Ring ofBells. _Glo. _ Let me advise you, Sir; methinks you might make a handsomerSpeech for the first, to so pretty a Lady-- Fakes, and were I to do't-- _Hau. _ I had a rare Speech for her thou knowest, and an Entertainmentbesides, that was, tho I say it, unordinary: But a pox of this new wayof Civility, as thou call'st it, it has put me quite beside my part. _Glo. _ Tho you are out of your complimenting Part, I am not out of mydancing one, and therefore that part of your Entertainment I'llundertake for. 'Slife, Sir, would you disappoint all our Ship'sCompany?-- _Hau. _ That's according as I find this proud Tit in Humour. _Car. _ And why so coy? pray why all this Dissimulation? Come, come, I have told him your Mind, and do intend to make you both happyimmediately. _Euph. _ How, Sir, immediately! _Car. _ Yes, indeed; nay, if you have deceiv'd me, and dissembled withme, when I was so kind, I'll show you Trick for Trick i'faith-- [Goes to _Haunce_. _Euph. _ What shall we do, _Olinda_? _Olin. _ Why marry Don _Alonzo_, Madam. _Euph. _ Do not rally, this is no time for Mirth. _Olin. _ Fie upon't, Madam, that you should have so little Courage; yourFather takes this Fellow to be _Alonzo_. _Car. _ What Counsel are you giving there, hah? _Olin. _ Only taking leave of our old Acquaintance, since you talk ofmarrying us so soon. _Car. _ What Acquaintance, pray? _Olin. _ Our Maiden-heads, Sir. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, a pleasant Wench, faith now; I believe you would becontent to part with yours with less warning. _Olin. _ On easy Terms perhaps, but this marrying I do not like; 'tislike going a long Voyage to Sea, where after a while even the Calms aredistasteful, and the Storms dangerous: one seldom sees a new Object, 'tis still a deal of Sea, Sea; Husband, Husband, every day, -- till one'squite cloy'd with it. _Car. _ A mad Girl this, Son. _Hau. _ Ay, Sir, but I wish she had left out the simile, it made myStomach wamble. _Glo. _ Pray, Sir, let you the Maid alone as an Utensil belonging to myPlace and Office, and meddle you with the Mistress. _Hau. _ Faith now, thou hast the better Bargain of the two; my Mistresslooks so scurvily and civil, that I don't know what to say to her--Lady-- hang't, that look has put me quite out again. _Car. _ To her, Son, to her-- _Hau. _ Hark ye, Lady-- Well, what next now? Oh pox, quite out, quiteout; tell me whether the old Man ly'd or no, when he told me you lov'dme. _Euph. _ I love you! _Hau. _ Look you there now, how she looks again. _Car. _ She's only bashful, Sir, before me; therefore if you please totake a small Collation, that has waited within for you this threeHours-- _Hau. _ That's strange now, that any thing should wait for me, who was nomore expected here than _Bethlehem-Gaber_: Faith now, Lady, this Fatherof yours is very simple. _Euph. _ To take you for his Son. _Hau. _ I meant to have surpriz'd you I vow, before you had dreamt of me;and when I came, you all knew me as well as if you had cast a Figure forme. _Car. _ Well, Son, you'll follow. _Euph. _ You will not leave me alone, Sir, with a Man? _Hau. _ Go your ways, go your ways-- I shall know more of your Secretsbefore [_Gload_ makes Grimaces to _Olinda_ of Love. ] night yet, youlittle pouting Hypocrite you. _Euph. _ You know my Secrets! why, who are you? _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, that's a very good one faith now: who am I, quoththou? why there's not a Child thus high in all your Father's House wouldhave ask'd me so simple a Question. _Olin. _ Madam, I find by this Man, this is your expected Lover, whom youmust flatter, or you are undone, 'tis _Haunce van Ezel_. [To _Euphemia_. _Euph. _ The Fop himself. _Hau. _ Oh, do you know me now? _Euph. _ 'Tis impossible. _Hau. _ This is an extreme the other way now. [Aside. Impossible, ha, ha, ha! No, no, poor thing, do not doubt thyHappiness: for look ye, to confirm you, here are my Bills of Exchangewith my own natural Name to them, if you can read written Hand-- [Shews her Papers. _Glo. _ Not love you! I'll swear you lye now, you little Jade, I am nowin Masquerade, and you cannot judge of me; but I am Book-keeper andCashier to my Master, and my Love will turn to account, I'll warrantyou. _Olin. _ There may be use made of him. [Aside. I shall think of it. But pray why are you thus accouter'd? _Glo. _ Fakes, to entertain your Lady, we have brought the whole Ship'sCompany too in Masquerade. _Olin. _ That indeed will be very proper at this time of the Day, and thefirst Visit too. _Glo. _ Shaw, that's nothing, you little think what Blades we aremun-- Sir, I'll call in the Fiddles and the Company. _Hau. _ Well remember'd, faith, now I had e'en forgot it. _Euph. _ What's the meaning of this? [Fiddles strike up. _Hau. _ To show you the difference between the damnable dull Gravity ofthe _Spanish_, and brisk Gaiety of the _Dutch_. Come, come, begin all. Enter _Dutchmen_ and Women dancing. Nay, I'll shew you what I can do too, come, _Gload_. [They two dance. There's for you now, and yet you have not seen half my good Qualities;I can sing the newest Ballad that has been made, so I can. [Sings a _Dutch_ Song. _Euph. _ Be these your Friends, Sir? they look as if you had ransack'd aHoy for them. _Hau. _ How! look on them well, they are all States or States-fellows, I tell you that now, and they can bear witness who I am too. _Euph. _ Now I'm convinced, and am sorry I doubted my Happiness so long:I had such a Character of you. _Hau. _ Of me! oh Lord, I vow now-- as they say-- I don't know-- ha, ha-- _Euph. _ I heard you were the most incorrigible Fool, the mostintolerable Fop. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, do you hear, _Gload_-- who, I a Fop? I vow they weremistaken in me, for I am counted as pretty a Merchant as any walks theChange; can write a very plain Hand, and cast Account as well-- my man_Gload_-- can't I, Sirrah? _Glo. _ Yes indeed, forsooth, can he. _Hau. _ Egad, a Fool, a Fop, quoth ye-- [Walks angry. _Olin. _ By all means flatter him, Madam. _Euph. _ I'm satisfy'd, Sir. _Hau. _ I care not whether you are or no, for I shall have you whetheryou will or no, mun. _Euph. _ 'Tis very likely; but there is a certain troublesome Fellow inlove with me, that has made me vow whenever I marry to ask him leave. _Hau. _ How, ask his leave? I scorn to ask any Body's leave, I tell youthat, tho 'twere my Mistress-- _Euph. _ I cannot marry you then. _Hau. _ How, not marry me? look here now: [Ready to cry. _Gload_, can't you marry, and let no living Soul know it? _Euph. _ Oh no, Sir, I love your Life better, which would be indanger'd. _Hau. _ Why, what a cursed Custom you have in _Spain_, a Man can neithermarry, nor console his Neighbour's Wife without having his Throat cut. Why, what if he will not give you leave? _Euph. _ Why, then you must fight him. _Hau. _ How! fight him, I fight him! Glo. Why, yes, Sir, you know you can fight, you try'd but this veryMorning-- _Hau. _ Softly, you damn'd Rogue, not a Word of my Prowess aloud. _Salerimente_, I shall be put to fight when I am sober, shall I, foryour damn'd prating, ye Rascal? _Euph. _ I am glad you have that good Quality. [_Olinda_ speaking to _Gload_, pushes him to speak. _Glo. _ Ay, Madam-- my Master-- has many more: But if you please to tell him his Rival's Name-- _Hau. _ I'll have your Ears for this, Sirrah, the next time I'm soundlydrunk, and you know that won't be long. [Aside. Lord, Madam, my Man knows not what he says. Ye Rascal, say I have no Courage-- or I will drink my self to theMiracle of Valour, and exercise it all on thee. _Glo. _ I know what I do, Sir, you had Courage this Morning, is the Fitover? _Hau. _ Have I not slept since, you Rogue, have I not? _Glo. _ I have a trick to save your Honour, Sir, and therefore I willstand in't you have Courage. _Hau. _ A Pox of your Trick, the Rogue knows I dare not chastise him now, for fear they should think I have Valour. _Glo. _ Madam, my Master's modest, but tell him who 'tis he must fightwith-- _Hau. _ Oh, for a Tun of Rhenish-- that I might abundantly beat thee-- _Euph. _ Your Rival's Name's _Alonzo_, Sir. _Hau. _ Oh the Devil, a thundring Name too; but will this same-- _Alonzo_make no allowance for necessity?-- I vow 'tis pure necessity in me tomarry you: the old Men being agreed upon the Matter, I am but anInstrument-- alas, not I, [Crys. A very Tool, as they say, so I am. _Glo. _ Lord, Sir, why do you cry? I meant no harm. _Hau. _ No harm, you Rascal-- to say I am valiant. _Glo. _ Why, yes, Sir, and if you would say so too, at worst 'twas butgetting Don _Lovis_ to have fought for you; you know that's a smallcourtesy to a Friend. _Hau. _ Faith, now thou art in the right; he'll do his Business for him, I'll warrant him. [Wipes his Eyes. Nay then, Madam, I have Courage, and will to this Don-- this _Alonzo_you speak of; and if he do not resign you, and consign you too, I'llmake him; yes, make him, do ye see-- If _Lovis_ should refuse me now-- [Aside. _Glo. _ Shaw, Sir, he makes nothing to kill a Man, ten or twenty. _Euph. _ Well, since you are so resolv'd, my Brother will tell you whereto find this _Alonzo_; and tell him, I must marry you to day, for I amresolv'd not to lie alone tonight. _Hau. _ What would not a Man do for so kind a Mistress? _Euph. _ Well, get you about it strait then, lest my Father's comingprevent it. [Exeunt _Euphemia_ and _Olinda_. _Hau. _ I am gone-- but if _Lovis_ should fail-- _Glo. _ He would beat you, if he thought you doubted him. _Hau. _ I'll keep my Fears then to my self. [Go out. SCENE II. _The Street. _ Enter _Hippolyta_ drest like a Man, with a Paper. _Hip. _ Thus I dare look abroad again: Methinks I am not what I was, My Soul too is all Man; Where dwells no Tenderness, no womanish Passions. I cannot sigh, nor weep, nor think of Love, But as a foolish Dream that's gone and past. Revenge has took possession of my Soul, And drove those Shadows thence; and shows me now Love, in so poor, so despicable a Shape, So quite devested of his Artful Beauty, That I'm asham'd I ever was his Votary. Well, here's my Challenge to _Antonio_; But how to get it to him is the Question. Base as he is, he'll not refuse to come, And since he never saw the wrong'd _Alonzo_, Sure I may pass for him. Who's here?-- Enter _Haunce_ and _Gload_. She stands aside. _Hau. _ _Gload_, if it were possible I could be sober, and valiant atonce, I should now be provok'd to exercise it: for I cannot find_Lovis_, and then how I shall come off, the Lord knows. And then again, for letting the Lady go, whom I rescu'd in the Grove this Morning. _Glo. _ Should I disobey a Lady, Sir? for she commanded me to let her goso soon as she came into the Gate. And, Sir, look, here comes Don_Lovis_. Enter _Lovis_ and _Alonzo_. _Hau. _ Oh, Brother _Lovis_, where the Devil have you been all this Day?I stay'd for you to go with me to your Sister's, as long as Flesh andBlood could forbear. _Lov. _ Why, have you been there without me? _Hau. _ Yes, marry have I, Sir. _Alon. _ I am undone then-- [Aside. _Hau. _ I needed no Recommendation mun, for when I came they were all aswell acquainted with me-- I never saw them before; but by the way, theyare all no wiser than they should be, except your Sister, who is thepretty'st loving, sweet Rogue-- _Alon. _ How's this? _Lov. _ But have you seen my Sister? _Hau. _ Seen her! yes, and will marry her too mun before Night, an shewere a thousand Sisters-- but harkye, _Lovis_, the business is this--you must know that before I marry her, I am to seek out a certainFellow, they call-- they call _Alonzo_, ay, ay, _Alonzo_-- a Pox on him, a troublesome Rascal they say he is; and his leave, it seems, must beaskt to marry your Sister. _Lov. _ Well, Sir, and what if he will not give you leave? _Hau. _ Why then, you must know I am to get him very well favour'dlybeaten. _Alon. _ Sure this is the Coxcomb himself. _Hau. _ Now for your Sister's sake, who loves me, poor thing, I will notrun the danger of beating him my self, but must desire that smallcourtesy of thee. _Lov. _ How! I beat him? _Hau. _ You beat him, yes, you; what a Pox do you scruple such a kindnessto a Friend? I know you make no more of killing a Man next your Heart ina Morning, than I do of eating a pickled Herring. _Lov. _ But she desir'd you to do't. _Hau. _ That's all one so it be done, mun; besides, why should I run myself into a Premunire, when I need not? Your Father is bound byAgreement to mine, to deliver me the Wares (that is, his Daughter) safeand sound; and I have no more to do, but to protest against him in caseof Non-performance. 'Twill be a dear Commodity to me at this rate. [Cries. _Lov. _ Well, Sir, I'll see what may be done. _Hau. _ Spoke like a Friend now: Well, you must about it instantly, for Imust be married to day. _Alon. _ Must you so, Sir?-- _Hau. _ Yes marry must I, Sir-- Who the Devil's this now? [To _Lovis_. _Alon. _ That same _Alonzo_ whom you inquire for. _Hau. _ Are you so, Sir?-- Why, what then, Sir, -- _Lovis_, _Lovis_. [Runs behind _Lovis_. _Alon. _ What then, Sir? then I tell you, I will not be beaten. _Hau. _ Look ye here now-- _Lovis_. _Lov. _ Ha, ha, ha, canst thou be angry with him? [To _Alonzo_. _Hau. _ I, can you be angry with me? _Alon. _ I know not why an Ass should have more privilege than any otherrude Beast. _Lov. _ Ha, ha, ha, this Humour's so pleasant in thee, I wish thouwouldst pursue it a little-- _Haunce_, bear up to him, he's but a mereHuff, ha, ha, ha. [Claps him on the Back, he goes fearfully forward. _Glo. _ I, Sir, as long as Don _Lovis_ is here, you may say what youwill. _Hau. _ May I so?-- and why, Sir?-- am I, Sir-- an Ass, Sir? [Runs behind _Lovis_. _Alon. _ 'Sdeath, you Rascal, do you question me? _Hau. _ Oh, hold, Sir, hold, not I, God forbid I should question it, _Lovis_-- is it, indeed, _Alonzo_, hah? _Lov. _ Yes indeed is it. _Hau. _ And wilt thou not do so much as to beat him for me a little? _Lov. _ Not I, I dare not, he's a terrible Man. _Hau. _ Why look you here now, you damn'd Rogue, [To _Gload_. ] Have not you serv'd me finely, hah? _Gload. _ Why, Sir, 'tis but crying Peccavi. _Hau. _ Peccavi, and be hang'd to you-- Lord, Sir, [To _Alonzo_. ] whyare you so angry? I came but to ask you a civil Question, from my Wifethat must be. _Alon. _ You must ask me leave, first. _Hau. _ Yes, yes, Sir, so she said mun; for she must marry me to night. _Alon. _ Yes, you shall have it with this-- too. [Draws. _Hau. _ Why look you [_Haunce_ runs away, _Lovis_ stays him. ] here now, here's damn'd doings. For my part, I declare it here upon my Death-bed, I am forc'd to what I do, and you kill me against my Will. _Alon. _ Do'st think we are not discover'd in our Design? I'd kill theDog if I thought we were. _Lov. _ I believe not; and perceive by my Sister's Message, that we areto come to her, and prevent this Fellow's marrying her. _Alon. _ Well, Sir, I'll spare your Life, and give your Mistress leave tomarry to night. _Hau. _ How, Sir, to Night?-- But is he in earnest, _Lovis_? _Lov. _ In very good earnest. _Hau. _ Tan, ta, ra, ra, ra-- hay, Boys, what a Night we'll have on't, _Gload_, for Fiddles and Dancing. _Alon. _ Tell your Mistress I will dispatch a little Affair, and wait onher. _Gload. _ And pray, Sir, may I have leave to marry the Maid too? _Alon. _ We'll consider on't. _Hau. _ I am not such a Fool to venture tho, till I know the Coast isclear, for his very Looks are terrible; but go you, _Gload_, and tellher what he says. [_Alonzo_ talks to _Lovis_. Enter _Hippolyta_ from aside. _Hip. _ These be the Men that rescu'd me this morning, And are not to be employ'd in my Affair. But yonder Stranger has a noble Look, And from him I'll intreat this Favour-- Sir-- [To _Alonzo_. _Alon. _ With me, Sir? _Hip. _ Yes, please you to walk a little this way, Sir. [Takes him aside. _Hau. _ Well, make you sure of Fiddles, for look ye, we'll appear tonight like our selves. _Gload. _ It shall be done, Sir. _Hip. _ I am a Stranger and a Gentleman, And have an humble Suit to you. _Alon. _ You may command me any thing. _Hip. _ Sir, there is a Gentleman, if I may call him so, that dares doill; has put a base Affront upon a Lady-- a Lady whom all brave Men arebound to vindicate: I've writ him here a Challenge, and only beg you'llgive it him; I will attend you in St. _Peter's_ Grove, where I desirethe perfidious _Antonio_ (for that's his Name, to whom this is directed)to meet me. _Alon. _ I'm pleas'd to see this Gallantry in a Man so young, and willserve you in this, or whatever else you shall command. But where is this_Antonio_? _Hip. _ That I'll inquire of these. Sir, pray can you give any account ofthe Cavalier [To _Haunce_, who starts as afraid. ] you fought with thisMorning in St. _Peter's_ Grove, that had a Lady with him? _Hau. _ So, now perhaps I shall be hang'd for that. [Aside. I fight, Sir! I never fought in my Life, nor saw no Man, not I. _Gload. _ 'Sha, you may confess it, Sir; there's no Law against killingin _Spain_. _Hip. _ How, have you murder'd him? [Takes hold of him. _Hau. _ This Rogue has a mind to have me dispatch'd. [Aside. Hold, Sir, the Man's as well and alive as you are, and is now at myLodgings: look ye, here's the Dagger I disarm'd him of-- but that I donot love to boast. [Shews it. _Hip. _ It is the same. _Alon. _ Sir, I shall not fail to wait on you with the Answer I receive. _Hip. _ I humbly thank you, Sir. _Alon. _ So prithee, dear _Lovis_, go make my excuse to your Sister for amoment, and let her get all things ready against I come; let the Priesttoo wait, for I see my Destiny, which I can no longer prevent, draws onapace. [Exit _Lovis_. Come, Sir, you must conduct me to _Antonio_. [Exeunt _Alonzo_, _Haunce_, and _Gload_. _Hip. _ So now the Work's half done, that will redeem All the lost Credit of our Family. To kill, or to be kill'd, I care not which, [Weeps. So one or both expire; be strong, my Soul, And let no feeble Woman dwell about thee. Hence Fears and Pity, such poor things as these Cannot the Storms of my Revenge appease: Those Showers must from his treacherous Heart proceed, If I can live and see _Antonio_ bleed. [Sighs, and Exit. SCENE III. _A deep Grove. _ Enter _Marcel_ alone. _Mar. _ The hour is almost come which I appointed, And yet no _Silvio_ appears, the time seems long to me; But he that's circled in his Mistress' Arms, Forgets the hasty hours, And passes them as unregarded by, As Men do Beggars who demand a Charity. Enter _Hippolyta_. Young Man, hast thou encounter'd none within this Grove? _Hip. _ Not any, Sir, -- _Marcel_! my injur'd Brother! _Mar. _ Why dost thou turn away, and hide thy Face? _Hip. _ 'Tis not my Face I hide, but Sorrow there. [Weeps. _Mar. _ Trust me, thou weepest; would I could do so too, That I might be less angry; And Silence best expresses Grief: But thine's a saucy Sorrow dares approach A Face so fair and young. _Hip. _ If the Ingrate for whom I grieve had thought so, I might havespar'd my Tears. Farewel, Sir. _Mar. _ Stay, hast thou been a Lover? _Hip. _ A very, very passionate one. _Mar. _ And wert thou not belov'd? _Hip. _ At first, to draw me in, the cunning Artist Made me believe Iwas. _Mar. _ Oh! I could kiss thee now, for the alliance Between thy Grief and mine. Hadst thou a loose and wanton Sister too, Then thou wert perfect wretched, as I am. [Weeps. But prithee leave me, now I think of it: For shouldst thou stay, thou'dst rob me of my Anger; For since a Youth like thee can be unhappy, With such a Shape, and so divine a Face, Methinks I should not quarrel with my Star, But bow to all my faithless Mistress' Scorns. [Hollowing within. ] So ho, ho, so ho, ho-- _Mar. _ So ho, so ho, ho, ho-- 'Tis my false Rival. Now leave me, Sir, to reassume my Anger. _Hip. _ I will obey-- farewel-- My own Despair makes me neglect his Life. [Goes out. Enter _Silvio_. _Mar. _ 'Tis _Silvio_. _Silv. _ You see I have obey'd you, Sir. _Mar. _ Come, Sir, your Sword. _Silv. _ You are my Brother, and 'twere an impious Action, To fight you unprovok'd: give me a cause, Nay, and a just one too, or I shall find it hard --To wound _Cleonte's_ Brother. [Aside sighing. _Mar. _ Thou cam'st prepar'd to talk, and not to fight. I cannot blame thee for't, for were I _Silvio_, Thus I would do to save a Life belov'd: [Offers to fight, _Silvio_ steps back. But 'twill not serve you now. _Silv. _ Your Reason, Sir, and I'm ready, if it be just. _Mar. _ Oh do not urge me to repeat my Wrongs, For if thou dost, I hardly shall have Man enough remain To fight thee fairly. [Offers still. _Silv. _ Surely he knows my Passion for _Cleonte_-- [Aside. I urge the Reason still. _Mar. _ Hast thou forgot thy last Night's Treachery? How like a Thief thou stol'st into her Lodgings? _Silv. _ 'Tis so-- 'tis true, _Marcel_, I rudely did intrude-- _Mar. _ Oh, quickly haste-- this looks like Women's jangling. [Offers to fight again. _Silv. _ Oh, is it bravely done, _Marcel_, to punish A Passion which you ought to pity rather? 'Tis what I cannot reconcile nor justify: And so distracted it has made me too-- I will not fight in so unjust a Cause. Kill me, and I'll embrace you whilst I die; A thousand Wounds imprinted on this Body, Will bring less Pain than that her Eyes have caus'd. Here strike-- Pity my Pain and ease me. [Opens his Arms, and throws away his Sword. _Mar. _ I find thou hast a Charm about thy Tongue, And thou implor'st thy Death in such a way, I cannot hurt thee; and it gives me hopes Thou art not yet so bless'd to be belov'd, For then thou wouldst not be thus desperate. _Silv. _ Oh yes, I am belov'd. _Mar. _ Oh do not say thou art, Nor take me from a Calmness, that may spare thee. _Silv. _ Not say I am belov'd! thou canst not hire me With Life or fuller Joy, to say I am not. If there be Truth and Love in Innocence, she loves me. _Mar. _ Yet, yet, ye Gods, I can endure-- say, but thou art not, For I would yet preserve thee. _Silv. _ Oh, canst thou wish that I should fall so low, To save my Life with Lyes; the poorest Sin of all the number? _Mar. _ Then once again thou hast debauch'd my Pity. [Takes to his Sword. _Silv. _ Her Passion I will justify, but not my own; Her's is as pure as Prayers of Penitence; But mine-- I cannot give a Name to. [They fight: Enter _Alonzo_, and parts them. _Alon. _ How now, what's here to do! _Marcel_? _Mar. _ _Alonzo_! the only Man I wish to shun. _Silv. _ I'm glad, who e'er thou be'st thou hast prevented us. _Alon. _ Thou hast more Wit than he, then I find: Your Quarrel, Sir, maya Man have leave to enquire into't? _Mar. _ This is that _Silvio_, that noble Youth my Brother, whom thouhast often heard me name. _Alon. _ An excellent Character for an Enemy, Noble, and Brother: Forshame put up your Swords, and I'll be Judge between ye. _Mar. _ The Case is soon decided; I will not tell you with how tedious aCourtship I won the Heart, as I thought, of a young Beauty of thisTown-- and yesterday receiv'd a Billet from her, to wait on her atnight, to receive the recompence of all my Pains and Sufferings-- Inthis extasy of Joy I show'd him the Paper; and he getting thither beforeme, rob'd me of my Prize. _Silv. _ I am so pleas'd at this mistake of thine, I can forgive itfreely. _Mar. _ Not content with this, most treacherously, hid in the shades ofNight, he met me in the Hall of this false Woman, and stab'd me, whichdid secure his flight with her; and wouldst thou have me put this Injuryup? _Alon. _ Faith, you must, and your Sword too, Unless you mean to keep it drawn on me. 'Twas I that wounded you i' th' dark; and it was I That rob'd you of _Clarinda_. _Mar. _ Thou? _Alon. _ I, am I so unlikely a Man to do such a feat? _Mar. _ How dare you, Sir, do this? _Alon. _ I dare do any thing, but break my Word, as thou hast basely donewith me-- But I am now in haste, and should be glad to know where tomeet you anon. _Mar. _ I'll wait on you at the farther side of this Grove by the River. _Alon. _ I will not fail you-- [Ex. _Alonzo_. _Mar. _ Come, Sir, till I can better prove you are my Rival, I willbelieve you are my Friend and Brother. _Silv. _ When thou shalt know my miserable Story, Thou wilt believe and pity me. [Go out. Enter again _Hippolyta_ from out of the Wood. _Hip. _ I wonder this Cavalier stays so long, Pray Heaven he meet _Antonio_. Enter _Alonzo_. Your Servant, Sir. _Alon. _ The Cavalier to whom you sent me, Sir, Will wait upon you here. _Hip. _ I humbly thank you, Sir, and should be glad to know how I mightpay my Gratitude. _Alon. _ My Duty ends not here; I have a Sword to serve you. _Hip. _ You shame me with this Generosity; but, Sir, I hope my own willbe sufficient in so good a Cause. _Alon. _ Tho you are young, I question not your Bravery; But I must begto stay and see fair play, And offer you my Service when you've done. _Hip. _ The Enemy appears, Sir, -- and since you are so good, I beg youwould retire behind those Trees; for if he see us both, since he issingle, he will suspect some treachery. _Alon. _ You've reason, Sir, and I'll obey you. [Goes aside. Enter _Antonio_ reading a Paper. _SIR, _ _I do desire you to meet me in _St. Peter's_ Grove, with your Sword inyour Hand, about an Hour hence; you will guess my Business, when youknow my name to be _Alonzo_. _ _Alon. _ How's that? [Aside. _Ant. _ I wish't had been another Enemy, Since from the Justice of his Cause I fear An ill success; would I had seen _Hippolyta_, That e'er I dy'd I might have had her pardon. This Conscience-- 'tis ominous, But ne'er appears in any horrid shape, Till it approaches Death-- [Goes forward, sees _Hippolyta_, who justles him in passing by; he stops and looks. _Hip. _ You seem, Sir, to be he whom I expect. _Ant. _ I'm call'd _Antonio_, Sir-- _Hip. _ And I _Alonzo_; the rest we need not ask, For thou art well acquainted with my Injuries, And I with thy Perfidiousness. [Draws. _Ant. _ I know of none you have receiv'd from me, If on _Hippolyta's_ account you fight: She lov'd me, and believ'd; and what dull Lover Would have refus'd a Maid so easily gain'd? _Hip. _ Ah, Traytor, by how base a way Thou wouldst evade thy Fate? Didst thou not know she was my Wife by promise? Did not _Marcel_, _Ambrosio_, all consent To make her mine as soon as I arriv'd? _Alon. _ Who the Devil's that young Bully that takes my Name, and myConcerns upon him? [Aside. _Hip. _ But why should I expect a Truth from thee, Who after so much time, so many Vows, So many Tears, Despairs and Sighs, at last Didst gain a Credit with this easy Fool, Then left her to her shames, and her despairs?-- Come, Sir-- Or I shall talk my self to calmness-- [Aside. _Ant. _ I'm ready, Sir, to justify the Deed. [They offer to fight, _Alonzo_ steps forth. _Alon. _ Hold! hold! fair Thief that rob'st me of my Name, And wouldst my Honour too; [Puts her by. If thou hast wrong'd the fair _Hippolyta_, [To _Antonio_. No Man but I has right to do her justice. Or you are both my Rivals-- tell me which, Which of you is it I must kill-- or both? I am _Alonzo_, who dares love _Hippolyta_? _Hip. _ Let not your friendship, Sir, proceed so far, To take my Name, to take my Quarrel on you. _Alon. _ In this Dispute none's more concern'd than I, And I will keep my ground in such a cause, Tho all the Rivals that her Beauty makes me, Were arm'd to take my Life away. _Ant. _ Come, Sir, I care not which of you's _Alonzo_. [They go to fight, she holds _Alonzo_. _Hip. _ This Gallantry's too much, brave Stranger. _Antonio_, hurt him not; I am the wrong'd _Alonzo_, And this a perfect Stranger to the business, Who seeing me appear less Man than he, And unacquainted with my Deeds abroad, In Bounty takes my Name and Quarrel on him. _Alon. _ Take heed, young Man, and keep thy Virtue in, Lest thus misguided it become a Crime. But thou, he says, hast wrong'd _Hippolyta_, [To _Antonio_. And I am he must punish it. _Hip. _ Sure it is he indeed-- For such a Miracle my Brother render'd him, [Aside. Hold, hold, thou Wonder of thy Sex-- [They fight. _Alon. _ Stand by, I shall be angry with thee else, And that will be unsafe-- [As _Alonzo_ fights with one Hand, he keeps her off with t'other; she presses still forward on _Antonio_ with her Sword, indeavouring to keep back _Alonzo_. Enter to them _Marcel. _ _Mar. _ Sure I heard the Noise of Swords this way! [Draws. Hah, two against one! Courage, Sir. [To _Antonio_. [They fight all four, _Marcel_ with _Hippolyta_ whom he wounds, and _Alonzo_ with _Antonio_, who is disarmed. _Hip. _ Good Heaven, how just thou art! _Mar. _ What, dost thou faint already?-- Hah, the pretty talking Youth Isaw but now! [Runs to her, and holds her up. Alas, how dost thou? _Hip. _ Well, since thy Hand has wounded me-- _Ant. _ My Life is yours, nor would I ask the Gift, But to repair my Injuries to _Hippolyta_. _Alon. _ I give it thee-- [Gives him his Sword. _Mar. _ How, _Antonio_!-- What unkind Hand has rob'd me of the justice Of killing thee? _Alon. _ His that was once thy Friend, _Marcel_. _Mar. _ Oh! dost thou know my Shame? [Turns away. _Alon. _ I know thou art false to Friendship, And therefore do demand mine back again, thou'st us'd it scurvily. _Mar. _ Thou knowst too much to think I've injur'd thee. _Alon. _ Not injur'd me! Who was it promis'd me _Hippolyta_? Who his Alliance, and his Friendship too? And who has broke them all, but thou perfidious? Come, 'tis _Hippolyta_ that I demand. _Mar. _ By this he should not know my Sister's Shame. [Aside. Oh, Sir, you must not have _Hippolyta_. _Alon. _ How! not have _Hippolyta_! Tho every Step were guarded by a Brother, Tho she were circled round about with Rivals, Ye should not all have Power to keep her from me. Not have _Hippolyta_!-- 'Sdeath, Sir, because I do not know my Birth, And cannot boast a little empty Title, I must not have _Hippolyta_. -- Now I will have her; and when you know I can, You shall petition me to marry her. And yet I will not do't. Come, Sir-- [Offers to fight. _Hip. _ Hold, hold, brave Man, or turn your Sword on me. I am the unhappy Cause of all your Rage: 'Tis I, generous _Alonzo_, that can tell you What he's asham'd to own, And thou wilt blush to hear. _Mar. _ _Hippolyta_! thou wretched wicked Woman: Thus I reward thy Sins-- [Offers to kill her, _Antonio_ steps between. _Ant. _ Hold, Sir, and touch her not without my leave, She is my Wife; by sacred Vows my Wife. _Alon. _ I understand no riddling; but whoever thou be'st. Man or Woman, thou'rt worth our Care-- She faints-- come, let us bear her hence. [She faints, _Antonio_ kneels to her. _Ant. _ Oh stay, _Hippolyta_, and take me with thee, For I've no use of Life when thou art gone. [Weeps. Here, kill me, brave _Marcel_-- and yet you need not; My own Remorse, and Grief will be sufficient. _Mar. _ I credit thee, and leave thee to their Mercy. _Hip. _ That Goodness, Sir, has call'd me back to Life, To pay my humble Thanks; could you have Mercy too, To pardon me-- you might redeem my Soul. _Mar. _ Some Pity I have yet, that may preserve thee too, Provided this Repentance be not feign'd. _Ant. _ My Life, Sir, is Security for both. _Mar. _ Doubt not, I'll take the Forfeit, Sir-- Come, _Hippolyta_. Thy Father's House shall once again receive thee. _Ant. _ Lean on my Arm, my dearest. _Mar. _ Sir, by the way, I'll let you know her Story, And then perhaps you will not blame my Friendship. _Alon. _ And in return, I'll give you back _Clarinda_-- And beg your Pardon for the Wound I gave you. [Exeunt, leading _Hippolyta_. ACT V. SCENE I. _A Garden. _ Enter _Cleonte_, _Clarinda_ weeping, and _Dormida_ and _Francisca_. _Cleo. _ Fear not, I'll use my Interest both with your Mother and my Father, to set your Heart at rest, Whose Pain I feel by something in my own. _Clar. _ The Gods reward your Bounty, fair _Cleonte_. _Dor. _ I, I, Madam, I beseech you make our Peace with my good Lady herMother, whatsoever becomes of the rest, for she'll e'en die with Grief-- [Weeps. She had but two fair Pledges of her Nuptial Bed. And both by cruel Fate are ravisht from her. _Manuel_ a Child was lost, And this; not holy Relicks were more strictly guarded, Till false _Marcel_ betray'd me to debauch her. [Weeps aloud. _Cleo. _ Alas, had you a Brother once? [To _Clarinda_. _Clar. _ Madam, I might have had: but he was lost e'er I was born. _Cleo. _ Ah! would my _Silvio_ had been so. [Aside. By what strange Accident, _Clarinda_? _Dor. _ Madam, I can inform you best. [Puts herself between. _Cleo. _ Do then, _Dormida_. _Dor. _ Madam, you must know, my Lady _Octavia_, for that's her name, wasin her Youth the very Flower of Beauty and Vertue: Oh such a Face andShape! had you but seen her-- And tho I say it, Madam, I thought my selftoo somebody then. _Clar. _ Thou art tedious: Madam, 'tis true my Mother had the Reputationof both those Attractions, which gain'd her many Lovers: amongst therest, Don _Manuel_, and Don _Alonzo_, were most worthy her Esteem. _Dor. _ Ay, Madam, Don _Alonzo_, there was a Man for you, so obliging andso bountiful-- Well, I'll give you Argument of both to me: for you mustknow I was a Beauty then, and worth obliging. [Puts herself between. And he was the Man my Lady lov'd, tho Don _Manuel_ were the richer:but to my own Story-- _Cleo. _ Forward, _Clarinda_. _Clar. _ But as it most times happens, We marry where our Parents like, not we; My Mother was dispos'd of to Don _Manuel_. _Dor. _ Ay, Madam; but had you seen Don _Alonzo's_ Rage, and how my Ladytook this Disappointment-- But I who was very young, and very pretty, as I told you before-- _Clar. _ Forbear, Madam; 'tis true, _Alonzo_ was so far transported, That oft he did attempt to kill my Father; But bravely tho, and still he was prevented: But when at the Intreaties of my Mother, The King confin'd my Father, _Alonzo_ then study'd a new Revenge; And thinking that my Father's Life depended Upon a Son he had, scarce a Year old, He did design to steal him; and one Evening, When with the Nurse and Maid he took the Air, This desperate Lover seiz'd the smiling Prize, Which never since was heard of. _Cleo. _ I guess the Grief the Parents must sustain. _Dor. _ It almost caus'd their Deaths; nor did kind Heaven Supply them with another till long after, Unhappy this was born: Which just her Father liv'd to see, and dy'd. [Weeps. Then she was Daughter, Son and Husband too, To her afflicted Mother: But as I told you, Madam, I was then in myPrime-- _Clar. _ Now, Madam, judge what her Despair must be, Who is depriv'd of all her Joys in me. [Weeps. _Cleo. _ _Francisca_, see who it is that knocks so hastily. [One knocks. _Franc. _ Oh, Madam, 'tis Don _Marcel_ leading a wounded Man. _Cleo. _ Oh my Fears, 'tis _Silvio_! _Franc. _ 'Tis not Don _Silvio_. Enter _Marcel_, leading _Hippolyta_ wounded, followed by _Alonzo_and _Pedro_. _Cleo. _ Alas, what Youth is this you lead all bleeding? _Mar. _ One that deserves your Care; where's my Father? _Cleo. _ Not yet return'd. _Mar. _ 'Tis well; and you, Sir, I must confine till I know how tosatisfy my Honour, and that of my wrong'd Sister. [To _Antonio_. _Ant. _ The holy Man will soon decide our Difference: Pray send for one, and reconcile us all. _Hip. _ I fear, _Antonio_, still thou dost dissemble. _Ant. _ So let me find Forgiveness when I die, If any fear of Death have wrought this change, But a pure Sense of all my Wrongs to thee, Knowing thy constant Love, and Virtue to me. _Mar. _ I will secure your fear-- _Francisca_, send for Father _Joseph_to me, and conduct these Gentlemen to the Lodgings next the Garden. [Exeunt _Francisca_, _Antonio_ and _Hippolyta_. _Alon. _ Prithee, _Marcel_, are thee and I awake, or do we dream? thou, that thou art in thy Father's House; and I, that I see those two fairWomen there? Pray, lovely Fugitive, how came you hither? [To _Clarinda_. _Mar. _ I thought thou wert mistaken; 'Twas _Silvio_ brought her hither, that false Man. But how came you to know her? _Alon. _ Know her! 'slife, I question my Sense. Pray, Lady, are you Flesh and Blood? [To _Cleonte_. _Cleo. _ Yes surely, Sir; for 'twere pity you should have bestow'd yourHeart on a Shadow, and I well remember you gave it one of us last Night. _Alon. _ A Dream, a Dream! but are you indeed the same fair Person, andis this the same House too? _Cleo. _ I am afraid your Heart's not worth the keeping, since you tookno better notice where you dispos'd of it. _Alon. _ Faith, Madam, your wrong a poor Lover, who has languish'd insearch of it all this live-long day. _Cleo. _ Brother, I beseech you, receive the innocent _Clarinda_, who, I fear, will have the greatest Cause of Complaint against you. [To _Marcel. _ Gives him to _Clarinda_. _Alon. _ But pray, fair one, let you and I talk a little about that sameHeart you put me in mind of just now. [To _Cleonte_, with whom he seems to talk. _Ped. _ Surely that's my old Mistress, _Dormida_; twenty years has notmade so great an Alteration in that ill-favour'd Face of hers, but I canfind a Lover there. [Goes to her, they seem to talk earnestly, and sometimes pleasantly, pointing to _Clarinda_. _Mar. _ Enough, _Clarinda_: I'm too well convinc'd, Would thou hadst still remain'd a Criminal. Now how can I reward thy Faith and Love? _Clar. _ I know, _Marcel_, it is not in thy Power, Thy faithless Story I'm acquainted with. _Mar. _ Do not reproach me with my Shame, _Clarinda_. 'Tis true, to gain thee to consent to my Desires, I made an honourable Pretence of loving. Pardon a Lover all the ways he takes To gain a Mistress so belov'd and fair. But I have since repented of that Sin, And came last Night for thy Forgiveness too. _Ped. _ This is News indeed; 'tis fit I keep this Secret no longer frommy Master. Don _Manuel_ being dead, my Vow's expir'd. [Aside. ] [_Pedro_ goes to _Alonzo_. _Clar. _ And do you mean no more to love me then? _Mar. _ In spite of me, above my Sense or Being. _Clar. _ And yet you'll marry _Flavia_. _Mar. _ Against my Will I must, or lose a Father. _Clar. _ Then I must die, _Marcel_. _Mar. _ Do not unman my Soul, it is too weak To bear the Weight of fair_Clarinda's_ Tears. [Weeps. _Alon. _ Why was this Secret kept from me so long? _Ped. _ I was oblig'd by Vow, Sir, to Don _Alonzo_, my dead Master, notto restore you till Don _Manuel's_ Death; believing it a Happiness toogreat for his Rival, for so he was upon your Mother's score. _Alon. _ Have I a Mother living? _Ped. _ Here in Madrid, Sir, and that fair Maid's your Sister. [Pointing to _Clarinda_. _Alon. _ I scarce can credit thee, but that I know thee honest. _Ped. _ To confirm that belief, Sir, here are the Writings of twelvethousand Crowns a Year, left you by your Foster-Father the brave_Alonzo_, whose Name he gave you too. [Gives him Papers, he reads. _Alon. _ I am convinc'd-- How now, _Marcel_, what all in Tears? why, whothe Devil would love in earnest? Come, come, make me Judge between you. _Mar. _ You'll soon decide it then, my Heart's _Clarinda's_; But myforc'd Vows are given to another. _Alon. _ Vows! dost think the Gods regard the Vows of Lovers? they arethings made in necessity, and ought not to be kept, nor punish'd whenbroken; if they were-- Heaven have mercy on me poor Sinner. Enter _Ambrosio_. _Mar. _ My Father return'd! [Bows, and goes to him, and then leads _Alonzo_ to him. Sir, this is the gallant Man that was design'd to be your Son-in-Law. _Amb. _ And that you were not so, Sir, was my misfortune only. _Alon. _ I am glad to find it no slight to my Person, Or unknown Quality that depriv'd me of that Honour. _Mar. _ To convince you of that, _Alonzo_, I know my Father will bestowthis other Sister on you; more fair and young, and equally as rich. [_Ambrosio_ calls _Marcel_ aside. _Alon. _ How, his Sister! Fool that I was, I could not guess at this; andnow have I been lying and swearing all this while how much I lov'd her. Well, take one time with another, a Man falls into more Danger by thisamorous Humour, than he gets good turns by it. _Mar. _ Pardon me, Sir, I knew not you had design'd her elsewhere-- Dear_Alonzo_, my Father-- _Alon. _ Ay, Sir, I am much oblig'd to him. Oh Pox, would I were wellwith _Euphemia_. _Mar. _ I protest I could wish-- _Alon. _ Ay, so could I, Sir, that you had made a better Judgment of myHumour: All must out, I have no other way to avoid this Compliment else. Why look ye, _Marcel_-- Your Sister is-- Pox, I am ill at Dissimulation, and therefore in plain Terms, I am to be married this very Evening toanother. _Mar. _ This was happy, and has sav'd me an Excuse. [Aside. But are you in earnest, How is it possible, being so lately come into_Madrid_? _Alon. _ Destiny, Destiny, _Marcel_, which there was no avoiding, tho Imist of _Hippolyta_. _Mar. _ Who is it, prithee? _Alon. _ A Woman I hope, of which indeed I would have been betterassur'd; but she was wilful. She's call'd _Euphemia. _ _Mar. _ Our next Neighbour, the Daughter of old _Carlo_. _Alon. _ The same. _Mar. _ Thou art happy to make so good a Progress in so short a time, butI am-- _Alon. _ Not so miserable as you believe. Come, come, you shall marry_Clarinda_. _Mar. _ 'Tis impossible. _Alon. _ Where's the hindrance? _Mar. _ Her want of Fortune; that's enough, Friend. _Alon. _ Stand by and expect the best-- [Goes to _Ambrosio_. Sir, I have an humble Suit to you. _Amb. _ I shall be infinitely pleas'd you could ask me any thing in myPower; but, Sir, this Daughter I had dispos'd of, before I knew youwould have mist of _Hippolyta_. _Alon. _ Luckier than I expected. [Aside. Sir, that was an Honour I could not merit, and am contented with myFate: But my Request is, that you would receive into your Family aSister of mine, whom I would bestow on Don _Marcel_. _Mar. _ Hah, what mean you, Sir? a Sister of yours? _Alon. _ Yes, she will not be unwelcome-- This is she. _Amb. _ This is the Daughter to _Octavia_-- Her Mother was a Lady whomonce I did adore, and 'twas her fault she was not more happy with me, than with Don _Manuel_. Nor have I so wholly forgot that Flame, but Imight be inclin'd to your Proposal: But, Sir, she wants a Fortune. _Alon. _ That I'll supply. _Mar. _ You supply, Sir? On what kind Score, I pray? _Alon. _ That which you'll suffer without being jealous, When you shallknow she is indeed my Sister. _Clar. _ How! this brave Man my Brother? _Alon. _ So they tell me, and that my Name is _Manuel_. Had you not sucha Brother? _Dor. _ Oh ye Gods, is this the little _Manuel_? _Ped. _ Yes, _Dormida_, and for a farther Proof see this. [Opens his Master's Bosom and shews a Crucifix. _Dor. _ This I remember well, it is Don _Manuel_: Pray let me look upon you: Just like my Lord-- Now may the Soul of Don _Alonzo_ rest in Peace, For making so hopeful a Man of you. _Alon. _ Amen. But, Sir, if you approve of my Sister, I'll make her as worthy of _Marcel_, as _Flavia_. _Amb. _ I've lost the Hopes of her-- She's not to be reconcil'd. [Aside. _Clarinda_ needs no more than to belong to you, To make her valuable-- and I consent with Joy. [Gives her to _Marcel. _ _Mar. _ And I with Joys unutterable take her. _Alon. _ _Pedro_, there rests no more than that you wait on my Mother, and let her know all that has happen'd to my self and Sister, and thatI'll pay my Duty to her e'er I sleep. _Dor. _ The very Joy to find her Son again, will get my Pardon too: andthen perhaps _Pedro_ and I may renew our old Amours. _Alon. _ Sir, I have another Request to make. _Amb. _ You must command, Sir. _Alon. _ That is, that you will permit this fair Company to honour methis Evening at my Father-in-law's, Don _Carlo_. _Amb. _ How, has Don _Carlo_ married the Lady Octavia? _Alon. _ No, Sir, but a worse matter than that, I am to marry hisDaughter. _Amb. _ Oh, Sir, _Euphemia_ has too much Beauty and Virtue to make youdoubt your Happiness. _Alon. _ Well, Sir, I must venture that. But your Company I'll expect, the Ladies may clap on their Vizards, and make a masquerading Nighton't: tho such Freedoms are not very usual in _Spain_, we that have seenthe World, may absolve one another. _Amb. _ My Garden joins to that of Don _Carlo_, and that way we will waiton you, as soon as I have dispatcht a small Affair. _Alon. _ Your humble servant, Sir. [Goes out; _Ambrosio_ the other way. _Mar. _ Sister, go you and prepare my Father to receive _Hippolyta_, whilst I go see them married. [Exeunt _Cleonte_ and _Clarinda_. [_Marcel_ passing over the Garden, sees _Silvio_ enter in Passion, followed by _Francisca_. _Silv. _ Do not, _Francisca_-- do not blow my Flame, The Cure thou bring'st is much the greater Hell. [Offers to go, but stops. _Mar. _ Hah, _Silvio_! unseen I'll hear the Business. [Goes aside. _Silv. _ I would fain shun thee, but this impious Weight Of Love upon my Soul hinders my flight: I'm fixt-- like conscious Guilt it keeps me here, And I am now insensible of Fear. Speak on, thou Messenger of sacred Love-- speak on. _Franc. _ The fair _Cleonte_, Sir, whose Soul's inflam'd No less than yours; tho with a virgin Modesty She would conceal it, pitying now your Pain, Has thro my Intercession-- _Silv. _ Oh quickly speak! What Happiness design'd me? _Franc. _ To admit you, Sir, this Night into her Chamber. _Mar. _ Death to my Soul! What's this? [Aside. _Silv. _ Her Chamber? is that all? will that allay this Fever In my Blood?-- No, no, _Francisca_, 'Tis grown too high for amorous Parleys only; Her Arms, her charming Bosom, and her Bed, Must now receive me; or I die, _Francisca_. _Franc. _ I mean no other, Sir; why, can you think A Maid in love as much as you can be, Assisted with the silence of the Night, (Which veils her Blushes too) can say-- I dare not? Or if she do, she'll speak it faintly o'er, And even whilst she so denies will yield. Go, go prepare your self for this Encounter, And do not dally as you did to day, And fright your Pleasure with the Name of Sister-- _Mar. _ Oh cursed Witch! [Aside. _Franc. _ What say you, Sir? _Silv. _ That Name has check'd my Joy-- And makes it strangely silent and imperfect. [Walks away. _Franc. _ Why do you go, before you answer me? [Follows him into the Garden. _Mar. _ I'll follow him, and kill them. [Comes out with a Dagger. Oh, who would be allied unto a Woman, Nature's loose Handy-Work? the slight Imploys Of all her wanton Hours?-- Oh, I could rave now-- Abandon Sense and Nature. Hence, all considerate Thoughts, and in their Room, Supply my Soul with Vengeance, that may prove Too great to be allay'd by Nature, or by Love. [Goes into the Garden after them. Enter again _Silvio_ melancholy, followed by _Francisca_. _Franc. _ But will you lose this Opportunity, Her Lodgings too being so near your own? _Silv. _ Hell take her for her Wickedness. Oh that ten thousand Mountains stood between us, And Seas as vast and raging as her Lust, That we might never meet-- Oh perfect Woman! I find there is no Safety in thy Sex; No trusting to thy Innocence: That being counterfeit, thy Beauty's gone, Dropt like a Rose o'er-blown; And left thee nothing but a wither'd Root, That never more can bloom. _Franc. _ Alas, I fear I have done ill in this. [Aside. _Silv. _ I now should hate her: but there yet remains Something within, so strangely kind to her, That I'm resolv'd to give her one proof more, Of what I have vow'd her often; yes, I'll kill her-- _Franc. _ How, kill her, Sir? Gods, what have I done! [Aside. _Silv. _ Yes, can I let her live, and say I lov'd her? No, she shall tempt no more vain yielding Men. _Franc. _ Consider, Sir, it is to save your Life she does it. _Silv. _ My Life! 'Twere better she and I were buried Quick in one Grave, than she should fall to this, She has out-sinn'd even me in this Consent. Enter _Marcel_ from amongst the Trees softly with his Dagger behind _Silvio_. _Mar. _ Oh, here they are-- _Franc. _ My Lord, defend your self, your are undone else. _Silv. _ Hah, _Marcel_! [Draws. _Franc. _ Help, help. _Mar. _ Hell take thy Throat. Enter _Ambrosio_, _Clarinda_, _Cleonte_, and the rest of the House. _Amb. _ Hold, Villain, hold. How dar'st thou thus rebel-- ungrateful Wretch? _Mar. _ This cause, Sir, is so just, that when you hear it, You'll curse me, that I let him live thus long: He loves my Sister, Sir; and that leud Woman Repays his lustful Flame, and does this Evening Invite him to her Bed-- Oh, let me kill him. [Offers to go to him. _Amb. _ That he should love _Cleonte_ I'll allow, And her returns too, whilst they are innocent. _Mar. _ But, Sir, he does not love her as a Sister. _Amb. _ If that be all his Crime, I still forgive him. _Silv. _ Yes, Sir, 'tis true, I do adore my Sister, But am so far from that foul thing he nam'd, That could I think I had a secret Thought That tended that way, I would search it-- thus-- [Goes to stab himself. _Cleo. _ What mean you by this Desperation? _Silv. _ Oh, take away this Woman from my sight. [Pointing to _Cleonte_. For she will finish what this has ill begun. [Holds his Dagger up. _Franc. _ Thus low, Sir, for you Mercy I must kneel; [Kneels. Which yet I must despair of, when you know How very very wicked I have been. [Weeps. _Cleonte_, Sir, is chaste as Angels are. _Silv. _ My Sister innocent! how soon I do believe thee! _Franc. _ Yes, Sir, nor knows of that vile Message which I brought you. _Silv. _ What Devil set thee on to tempt me then? _Franc. _ The worst of Devils, hopeless, raging Love; And you, my Lord, were the unhappy Object. _Mar. _ Oh sinful Woman, what was thy Design? _Cleo. _ What means all this? [Aside. _Franc. _ At least to have enjoy'd him once; which done, Thinking that it had been the fair _Cleonte_, It would have made him hate her. _Silv. _ Should all thy other Sins be unrepented, The Piety of this Confession saves thee. Pardon, _Cleonte_, my rude Thoughts of thee, [Kneels, she takes him up. I had design'd to have kill'd thee-- Had not this Knowledge of thy Innocence Arriv'd before I'd seen thee next. And, Sir, your Pardon too I humbly beg, [To _Ambrosio_. With license to depart; I cannot live Where I must only see my beauteous Sister; That Torment is too great to be supported, That still must last, and never hope a Cure. _Amb. _ Since you are so resolv'd, I will unfold A Secret to you, that perhaps may please you. _Silv. _ Low at your Feet I do implore it, Sir. [Kneels. _Amb. _ Your Quality forbids this Ceremony. [Takes him up. _Silv. _ How, Sir! _Amb. _ Your Father was the mighty Favourite, the Count _d'Olivarez_;your Mother, _Spain's_ celebrated Beauty, _Donna Margarita Spiniola_, by whom your Father had two natural Sons, _Don Lovis de Harro_, and yourself _Don Roderigo_. The Story of his Disgrace, you know, with all theWorld; 'twas then he being banisht from the Court, he left you to myCare then very young. I receiv'd you as my own, and as more than sucheducated you, and as your Father oblig'd me to do, brought you always upabout their Majesties; for he hoped, if you had Beauty and Merits, youmight inherit part of that Glory he lost. _Mar. _ This is wondrous. _Amb. _ This Truth you had not known so soon, had you not made as greatan Interest at Court as any Man so young ever did, and if I had notacquitted my self in all Points as became the Friend of so great andbrave a Man, as Count _d'Olivarez_: the Fortune he left you was twoMillions of Crowns. _Silv. _ Let me embrace your feet for this blest News. Is not the fair_Cleonte_ then my Sister? _Amb. _ No, Sir, but one whom long since I design'd your Wife, if you arepleas'd to think her worthy of it. [Offers her. _Silv. _ Without her, Sir, I do despise my Being; And do receive her as a Blessing sent From Heaven to make my whole Life happy. _Amb. _ What say you, _Cleonte_? _Cleo. _ Sir, I must own a Joy greater than is fit for a Virgin toexpress. _Mar. _ Generous Don _Roderigo_, receive me as your Friend, and pardonall the Fault you found in me as a Brother. [Embraces him. _Silv. _ Be ever dear unto my Soul, _Marcel_. _Mar. _ Now is the time to present _Hippolyta_ and _Antonio_ to myFather, whilst his Humour is so good. And you, dear Brother, I must begto join with us in so just a Cause. _Silv. _ You need not doubt my Power, and less my Will. _Mar. _ Do you prepare him then, whilst I bring them in: for by this Iknow my Confessor has made them one. [Exit _Marcel_. _Silv. _ Sir, I've a Suit to you. _Amb. _ You cannot ask what I can deny. _Silv. _ _Hippolyta_, Sir, is married to _Antonio_, And humbly begs yourPardon for her past fault. _Amb. _ _Antonio_ and _Hippolyta_! oh, name them not. Enter _Antonio_ and _Hippolyta_, a Fryar, and _Marcel_. _Mar. _ Pray, Sir, forgive them, your Honour being safe, Since Don _Antonio_ has by marrying her, Repair'd the Injury he did us all, Without which I had kill'd him. _Amb. _ Thou art by Nature more severe than I, And if thou think'st our Honour satisfy'd, I will endeavour to forget their Faults. _Ant. _ We humbly thank you, Sir, and beg your Blessing, At least bestow it on _Hippolyta_; For she was ever chaste, and innocent, And acted only what became her Duty; Since by a sacred Vow she was my Wife. _Amb. _ How cam'st thou then to treat her so inhumanly? _Ant. _ In pure revenge to Don _Marcel_ her Brother, Who forc'd my Nature to a stubbornness, Which whilst I did put on, I blush to own; And still between Thoughts so unjust, and Action, Her Virtue would rise up and check my Soul, Which still secur'd her Fame. _Hip. _ And I have seen in midst of all thy Anger, Thou'st turn'd away, and chang'd thy Words to Sighs; Dropt now and then a Tear, as if asham'd, Not of thy Injuries, but my little Merit. _Amb. _ How weak and easy Nature makes me-- Rise, I must forgive you both. Come, Sir, I know you long to be secur'd Of what you say you love so much, _Cleonte_. _Franc. _ But, Madam, have you fully pardon'd me? _Silv. _ We will all join in your behalf, _Francisco_. _Cleo. _ I can forgive you, when you can repent. [Exeunt. SCENE II. __Carlo's_ House. _ Enter _Olinda_ and _Dorice_. _Olin. _ But is the Bride-Chamber drest up, and the Bed made as it oughtto be? _Dor. _ As for the making, 'tis as it use to be, only the VelvetFurniture. _Olin. _ As it use to be? Oh ignorance! I see these young Wenches are notarriv'd yet to bare Imagination: Well, I must order it my self, I seethat. _Dor. _ Why, _Olinda_, I hope they will not go just to Bed upon theirmarrying, without some signs of a Wedding, as Fiddles, and Dancing, andso forth. _Olin. _ Good Lord, what Joys you have found out for the first Night of ayoung Bride and Bridegroom. Fiddles and Dancing, ha, ha, ha! they'll bemuch merrier by themselves, than Fiddles and Dancing can make them, youFool. Enter _Haunce_ and _Gload_. Bless me! what is't I see! [Stares on _Haunce_. _Hau. _ Why! what the Devil means she? look about me, _Gload_, and seewhat I have that's so terrible. _Olin. _ Oh, I have no Power to stir, it is a Sprite. _Hau. _ What does she mean now, _Gload_? _Glo. _ She desires to be satisfy'd whether we be Flesh and Blood, Sir, I believe. _Hau. _ Do'st see nothing that's Devil-wise about me? _Glo. _ No, indeed, Sir, not I. _Hau. _ Why then the Wench is tippled, that's all, a small Fault. _Olin. _ O, in the name of Goodness, Sir, what are you? _Glo. _ Ay, Ay, Sir, 'tis that she desires to know. _Olin. _ Who are you, Sir? _Hau. _ Why who should I be, but he that's to be your Master anon? _Glo. _ Yes, who should he be but _Myn heer Haunce van Ezel_? _Olin. _ What, did you come in at the Door? _Hau. _ Yes, marry did I; what, do you think I creep in like a LaplandWitch through the Key-holes? _Dor. _ Nay, nay, this cannot be the Bridegroom. _Olin. _ No, for 'tis but a moment since we left him, you know, in myLady's Chamber. _Hau. _ Very drunk, by this good Light. _Dor. _ And therefore it cannot be _Myn heer Haunce_. _Hau. _ What a Devil will you persuade me out of my Christian Name? _Olin. _ The Priest has yet scarce done his Office, who is marrying himabove to my Lady. _Hau. _ _Salerimente_, here's brave doing, to marry me, and never give menotice; or thou art damnable drunk, or very mad. _Glo. _ Yes, and I am married to you too, am I not? [To _Olinda_. _Olin. _ You? we know neither of you. _Hau. _ Ha, ha, ha, here's a turn for you. Enter _Carlo_. _Car. _ Why, _Olinda_, _Dorice_, _Olinda_, where be these mad Girls? 'tisalmost Night, and nothing in Order. Why, what now? Who's here? _Hau. _ So the old Man's possest too-- Why, what a Devil ails you, Sir? [Goes roughly to him. _Car. _ From whence come you, Sir? and what are you? _Hau. _ _Gload_, let's be gone, for we shall be transmigrated into somestrange Shapes anon, for all the House is inchanted. Who am I, quoth ye?before I came you all knew me; and now you are very well acquainted withme, you have forgot me. _Car. _ If you be my Son _Haunce_, how came you here? _Hau. _ If I be your Son _Haunce_, where should I be else? _Car. _ Above with your Wife, not below amongst the Maids. _Hau. _ What Wife? what Wife? Ha, ha, ha, do not provoke me, lest I takeyou a slap in the Face, I tell you that now. _Car. _ Oh, I find by his Humour this is he, and I am finely cheated andabus'd. I'll up and know the Truth. [Goes out. _Hau. _ And so will I. [Follows. _Glo. _ Why, but Mistress _Olinda_, you have not, indeed, forgot me, haveyou? _Olin. _ For my Lover I have, but perhaps I may call you to mind, as myServant hereafter. _Glo. _ Since you are so proud and so fickle, you shall stand hereafteras a Cypher with me; and I'll begin upon a new Account with this prettyMaid: what say you forsooth? _Dor. _ I am willing enough to get a Husband as young as I am. _Glo. _ Why, that's well said, give your Hand upon the Bargain--God-ha'-Mercy, with all my Heart, i'faith. [Go in. [Scene draws off, discovers a Chamber. Enter _Alonzo_, _Euphemia_, and _Lovis_; to them _Carlo_, _Haunce_, and the rest. _Car. _ Oh, I am cheated, undone, abus'd. _Lov. _ How, Sir, and where? [_Haunce_ sees _Alonzo_ drest like him, goes gazing about him, and onhimself, calling _Gload_ to do the same. _Car. _ Nay, I know not how, or where; but so I am: and when I find it, I'll turn you all out of Doors. Who are you, Sir? quickly tell me. _Alon. _ If you be in such haste, take the shortest Account, I am yourSon. _Car. _ I mean, Sir, what's your Name, and which of you is _Haunce vanEzel_? _Hau. _ Ay, which of us is _Haunce van Ezel_? tell us that, Sir; we shallhandle ye i'faith now-- _Alon. _ He, Sir, can best inform you. [Pointing to _Haunce_. _Hau. _ Who, I! I know no more than the great Turk, not I, which of us isme; my Hat, my Feather, my Suit, and my Garniture all over, faith now;and I believe this is me, for I'll trust my Eyes before any other Senseabout me. What say'st thou now, _Gload_? guess which of us is thy ownnatural Master now if thou canst. _Glo. _ Which, Sir?-- why-- let me see-- let me see, [Turns them both about. Fakes, I cannot tell, Sir. _Car. _ Come, come, the Cheat is plain, and I'll not be fobb'd off, therefore tell me who you are, Sir. [To _Alonzo_. _Alon. _ One that was very unwilling to have put this Trick upon you, ifI could have persuaded _Euphemia_ to have been kind on any other Terms, but nothing would down with her but Matrimony. _Car. _ How long have you known her? _Alon. _ Faith, Sir, too long by at least an Hour. _Car. _ I say again, what are you, Sir? _Alon. _ A Man I am, and they call me _Alonzo_. _Car. _ How! I hope not the great fighting Colonel whom my Son serv'd asa Voluntier in _Flanders_. _Alon. _ Even he, Sir. _Car. _ Worse and worse, I shall grow mad, to think that in spite of allmy Care, _Euphemia_ should marry with so notorious a Man of War. _Hau. _ How! is this _Alonzo_, and am I cozen'd? pray tell me truly, areyou not me indeed? _Alon. _ All over, Sir, only the inside a little less Fool. _Hau. _ So here's fine juggling-- are not you a rare Lady, hah? [To _Euphemia_; crys. _Euph. _ I assure you, Sir, if this Man had not past for you, I had neverhad him. _Hau. _ Had him! Oh, you are a flattering thing, I durst ha' sworn youcould no more ha' been without me, than a Barber's Shop without aFiddle, so I did: Oh, what a damnable Voyage have I back again without aWife too-- [Crys again. _Lov. _ If that be all, we'll get you one before you go; that shall be mycare. _Hau. _ A Pox of your care: well, I will get my self most soundly drunkto Night, to be reveng'd of these two damnable Dons. Come, _Gload_, letus about something in order to't. [Exit with _Gload_. _Euph. _ Pray, Sir, be persuaded, he's worth your owning. _Car. _ Tell not me of owning; what Fortune has he? _Lov. _ His Horse and Arms, the Favour of his Prince, and his Pay. _Car. _ His Horse and Arms I wholly dislike, as Implements of War; andthat same Princely Favour, as you call it, will buy no Lands; and hisPay he shall have when he can get it. _Lov. _ But, Sir, his coming to _Madrid_ was to take possession of aPlace the Prince has promis'd him. _Car. _ Has promis'd him? what! I shall marry my Daughter to the Promisesof e'er a Prince in _Christendom_, shall I? No, no; Promises, quoth ye? _Alon. _ Well, Sir, will this satisfy you? [Gives him a Parchment. _Euph. _ If it should not, let us consider what next to do. _Alon. _ No consideration, _Euphemia_; not so much as that we aremarried, lest it lessen our Joys. _Car. _ Twelve thousand Crowns a Year!-- Sir, I cry you mercy, and wishyou joy with my Daughter. _Lov. _ So his Courage will down with him now. _Alon. _ To satisfy you farther, Sir, read this. [Gives him another Paper. And now, _Euphemia_, prepare your self to receive some gallant Friendsof mine, whom you must be acquainted with, and who design to make amerry Night on't. _Euph. _ A whole Night, _Alonzo_? _Alon. _ By no means, _Euphemia_, for the first too, which if thethoughts of its being part of my Duty do not hinder, will be a pleasantenough to me. _Car. _ So considerable an Office at Court too!-- Let me imbrace you, Sir; and tell you how happy I am in so brave Son-in-law. _Alon. _ With that assurance, Sir, I'll take a more than ordinary freedomwith you, and teach _Euphemia_ a franker way of living, than what anative _Spaniard_ would have allow'd her. _Car. _ She shall be what sort of Wife you'll have her. Enter Servant, after a noise of Musick. _Alon. _ What Musick's that? _Serv. _ It waits upon some Ladies and Gentlemen who ask for you, Sir. _Alon. _ Wait them in, they are those Friends of mine I told you of. [He goes and brings them in. Enter _Marcel_ and _Clarinda_, _Silvio_ and _Cleonte_, _Antonio_ and _Hippolyta_, _Dormida_ and _Francisca_; all salute _Euphemia_. Enter _Haunce_ and _Gload_ in Masquerade to the Company, _Olinda_ and _Dorice_ masked. _Hau. _ Well, the Devil's in't if we shall not appear ridiculous enough, hah, _Gload_? _Glo. _ Ay, Sir, the more ridiculous the better. _Hau. _ I was always of that mind. -- Ha, ha, Boys, who be all these Donsand Donnas?-- Harkye, _Lovis_, I hope the Wife you promis'd me isamongst these fair Ladies, for so I guess they are both, fair andLadies. _Lov. _ You guess right, Sir. _Alon. _ Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, command your Musick, and do whatlikes you best. _Lov. _ Here's the Lady I recommend to you, take her, Sir, be thankful. [Gives him _Olinda_. _Olin. _ This is the Fool that I am to manage. _Dor. _ And this is my Lot. [Takes _Gload_. [Musick plays, they all dance. _Lov. _ There is within a young Father ready to join your Hands: takethis opportunity, and make sure of a Wife. _Hau. _ I warrant you, Sir. [Exeunt _Haunce_, _Olinda_, _Gload_, and _Dorice_. Enter _Pedro_. _Ped. _ Your Mother, Sir, whom I found more dead than living, for theloss of your Sister, was very near dying outright with Joy, to hear ofyour Arrival, and most impatiently expects you. _Dorm. _ And are we all forgiven, _Pedro_? _Ped. _ Yes, you and I are like to be Fellow-Servants together again, _Dormida_. _Dorm. _ And Fellow-Lovers too I hope, _Pedro_. _Ped. _ The Devil's in't if Age have not allay'd Flames of all sorts inthee; but if you contribute to my allowance-- _Dorm. _ Thou know'st I could never keep any thing from thee, _Pedro_. _Alon. _ Come, Ladies, there is a small Banquet attends you in the nextRoom. _Silv. _ We'll wait on you, Sir. Enter _Haunce_, _Gload_, _Olinda_, and _Dorice_. _Hau. _ Hold, hold, and give me Joy too, for I am married, if she has notmistaken her Man again, and I my Woman. _Olin. _ No, you are the Man I look for, and I no Cheat, having all aboutme that you look for too, but Money. [Discovers her self. _Alon. _ How, _Olinda_! _Olin. _ Yes, indeed, Sir, I serv'd my Lady first, and then thought it noOffence to take the Reward due to that Service. _Hau. _ Here's a _Spanish_ Trick for you now, to marry a Wife, before onesees her. _Euph. _ What, _Dorice_ married too? _Dor. _ After your Example, Madam. _Glo. _ Yes, indeed, forsooth, and I have made bold too after the Exampleof my Master. _Hau. _ Now do they all expect I should be dissatisfied; but, Gentlemen, in sign and token that I am not, I'll have one more merry Frisk beforewe part, 'tis a witty Wench; faith and troth, after a Month 'tis all onewho's who; therefore come on, _Gload_. [They dance together. _Alon. _ Monsieur _Haunce_, I see you are a Man of Gallantry. Come let usin, I know every Man here desires to make this Night his own, andsacrifice it to Pleasure. _The Ladies too in Blushes do confess. Equal Desires; which yet they'll not confess. Theirs, tho less fierce, more constant will abide; But ours less current grow the more they're try'd. _ EPILOGUE. _Hiss 'em, and cry 'em down, 'tis all in vain, Incorrigible Scriblers can't abstain: But impudently i'th' old Sin engage; Tho doom'd before, nay banish'd from the Stage. Whilst sad Experience our Eyes convinces, That damn'd their Plays which hang'd the _German_ Princess; And we with Ornament set off a Play, Like her drest fine for Execution-day. And faith, I think, with as small hopes to live; Unless kind Gallants the same Grace you'd give Our Comedy as Her; beg a Reprieve. Well, what the other mist, let our Scribe get, A Pardon, for she swears she's the less Cheat. She never gull'd you Gallants of the Town Of Sum above four Shillings, or half a Crown. Nor does she, as some late great Authors do, Bubble the Audience, and the Players too. Her humble Muse soars not in the High-rode Of Wit transverst, or Baudy _A-la-mode_; Yet hopes her plain and easy Style is such, As your high Censures will disdain to touch. Let her low Sense creep safe from your Bravadoes, Whilst Rotas and Cabals aim at Granadoes. _ * * * * * * * * * NOTES [Transcriber's Note: The Notes in the printed text give only page and line numbers. Act-and-scene designations shown between +marks+ have been added by the transcriber. Labels such as "Scene IIa" refer to points where the scene description changes without a new scene number. ] NOTES ON THE TEXT. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 226 I have added to the Dramatis Personæ 'Boy, Page to Marcel, Servant to Carlo, A Friar, Swains, Four Shepherds, Four Nymphs, Dutch men and Dutch women. ' +Act I: Scene i+ p. 227, l. 3 The locale _A Street_ is not marked in 4to 1673 or 1724. p. 229, l. 4 _Christian. _ 1724 'christian'. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 231, l. 8 _his nice Honour. _ 1724, wrongly, omits 'nice'. p. 232, l. 3 _I must still love on. _ 1724 omits 'still'. p. 233, l. 6 _after long Despairs. _ 1724 'after long Despair'. p. 233, l. 21 _too much of Joy. _ 1724 'Joys'. p. 233, l. 28 _change thy Wonder. _ 4to 1673 'Wonders'. p. 234, l. 23 _Marcel is surprized. _ 1724 omits this stage direction. p. 234, l. 36 _And thou, Antonio, that has betray'd her. _ 4to 1673 'And thou, Antonio, thou hast betray'd her'. 1724 'And thou, Antonio, thou that hast betray'd her'. p. 235, l. 17 _a kind obliging Lady. _ 1724 'A kind of obliging Lady'. p. 236, l. 4 _Am I a Dog. _ 4to 1673 wrongly marks this line 'aside'. p. 236, l. 10 _I, like the Birds. _ 4to 1673 omits 'the'. p. 237, l. 1 _Biscay, a Surgeon. _ 4to 1673 omits 'a'. p. 237, l. 7 _Down of Swans. _ 1724 'Swan'. +Act I: Scene iii+ p. 238, l. 3 _and lik'd him. _ 1724 'and like him'. p. 240, l. 2 _this is the first. _ 1724 'this was the first'. p. 240, l. 34 _to his heart. _ 1724 omits. p. 241, l. 8 _Prithee instruct. _ 4to 1673 as prose. p. 241, l. 20 _Command me. _ 4to 1673 as prose. p. 242, l. 13 _My Death. _ 1724 'me death'. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 243, l. 8 _undone its Fame. _ 1724 'undone his Fame'. p. 244, l. 11 _the next Morning's Sun. _ 4to 1673 'th' Approach of next Morning's Sun'. 1724 'of the next Morning Sun'. p. 244, l. 31 _They go out. _ 4to 1673 omits 'they'. [After line "Who's this that walks before us?"] +Act II: Scene ii+ p. 248, l. 33 _Come, come. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose. p. 249, l. 20 _Look at one another and go. _ 1724 omits, reading 'exeunt'. +Act II: Scene iii+ p. 251, l. 10 _very unlucky. _ 4to 1673 'very unluckily'. +Act II: Scene iv+ p. 252, l. 21 _Marcel coming towards him jostles him. _ 4to 1673 reads 'Marcel coming towards justles him'. p. 253, l. 7 _given him some. _ 4to 1673 omits 'him'. +Act II: Scene vi+ p. 257, l. 12 _Of your Victims. _ 1724 prints this line and the next as prose. p. 257, l. 24 _Offers her a Dagger. _ 1724 omits 'her'. p. 259, l. 31 _a Pox of her terms. _ 1724 'A Pox on her terms'. +Act II: Scene vii+ p. 261, l. 5 _Haunce van Ezel. _ 1724 'Hance'. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 266, l. 2 _I cry you Mercy. _ 1724 'I cry your Mercy'. p. 266, l. 11 _he does not boast. _ 4to 1673, wrongly, 'he does but boast'. p. 267, l. 36 _But do you find her. _ 1724 'But do you not find her'. p. 268, l. 11 _'tis certain 'tis so. _ 1724 ''tis certain so'. p. 269, l. 19 _lest he surprize us. _ 1724 'lest he surprizes us'. +Act III: Scene ii+ p. 269, l. 27 _Ah, ah, a pox of all Sea-Voyages. _ 1724 omits 'all'. p. 270, l. 28 _to our Courages. _ 1724 'Courage'. p. 271, l. 24 _over a Leg. _ 1724 'over Leg'. p. 272, l. 21 _Rummer. _ 4to 1673 'Romer'. p. 272, l. 33 _that's not the Fashion. _ 1724 omits 'not'. p. 272, l. 34 _I'll manage her. _ 1724 'I manage her'. +Act III: Scene iii+ p. 273, l. 6 _Scene III. Draws off. A Grove. _ 1724 omits 'Draws off. ' I have added the locale 'A Grove. ' p. 278, l. 24 _how darst thou. _ 1724 'how durst thou'. p. 278, l. 34 _that could not defend. _ 4to 1673 omits 'that'. +Act III: Scene iva+ p. 283, l. 34 _you knew not of my Brother's. _ 1724 'you know not my Brother's' and omits '[To Franc. ' p. 284, l. 4 _to see the fair Clarinda [Goes to Clarinda] here, is a Happiness. _ 1724 'to see the fair Clarinda [Goes to Clarinda. ] Here is a Happiness'. p. 285, l. 7 _Goes out. _ 1724 'Exit'. +Act IV: Scene i+ p. 286, l. 27 _Surlily to him. _ 1724 'Goes surlily to him'. p. 287, l. 26 _by instinct. [Aside. _ 1724 omits 'Aside'. p. 287, l. 27 _Stands looking very simply. _ 1724 omits 'very'. p. 288, l. 5 _new-fashion'd Spanish Civility. _ 1724 omits 'Spanish'. p. 289, l. 13 _it made my Stomach wamble. _ 1724 'it had made'. p. 289, l. 32 _Gaber. _ 1724 'Gabor'. p. 290, l. 28 _Fakes, to entertain. _ 1724 'Faith'. p. 291, l. 5 _They two dance. _ 1724 'They too dance. ' +Act IV: Scene ii+ p. 296, l. 2 _Runs behind Lovis. _ 1724 omits. p. 297, l. 1 _I declare it here upon. _ 1724 'Here I declare it upon'. p. 298, l. 13 _who starts as afraid. _ 1724 misreads 'as aforesaid. ' +Act IV: Scene iii+ p. 301, l. 6 _Oh, is it bravely done. _ 1724 'Oh, it is bravely done . .. ' and punctuates ':' instead of '?' p. 301, l. 12 _on this Body. _ 1724, wrongly, 'on thy Body'. p. 301, l. 34 _Takes to his Sword. _ 1724 'the Sword'. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 310, l. 3 _Cleo. Oh my Fears. _ 4to 1673 wrongly marks 'aside'. p. 312, l. 3 _Weeps. _ This stage direction is not given by 4to 1673. p. 319, l. 1 _How very very wicked. _ 1724 'How very wicked'. p. 319, l. 32 _Count d' Olivarez. _ 4to 1673 here and elsewhere when the name occurs 'Conte De Olivari's'. p. 320, l. 17 _if you are pleas'd. _ 1724 'if your are pleas'd'. +Act V: Scene ii+ p. 322, l. 1 _Carlo's House. _ 4to 1673 'House of Carlo'. p. 322, l. 5 _Dor. As for. _ 4to 1673 misreads 'Dom. As for'. p. 323, l. 11 _Hau. What a Devil. _ 1724 'Hau. What the Devil'. p. 324, l. 7 _Truth. [Goes out. _ 1724 'Exit. ' p. 324, l. 20 _God-ha'-Mercy. _ 1724 'God-a-Mercy'. p. 324, l. 20 _Go in. _ 1724 omits. NOTES: CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. +Epistle+ p. 221 _An Epistle to the Reader. _ This amusing and witty Epistle only appears in the 4to, 1673, finding no place in the various collected editions of Mrs. Behn's plays. The writer of comedy-- 'the most severe of Johnson's sect'-- with his 'musty rules of Unity'-- at whom she glances pretty freely is Shadwell, who had obtained great success with _The Sullen Lovers_ (produced 2 May, 1668; 4to, 1668), and in spite of some mishaps and opposition, made another hit with _The Humourists_ (1671; 4to, 1671). An ardent disciple of Ben Jonson, he had in the two printed prefaces to these plays belauded his model beyond all other writers, insisting upon the Unities and the introduction of at least two or three Humours as points essential to any comedy. p. 221 _Doctor of Malmsbury. _ The famous philosopher, Thomas Hobbes (1588-1670), who was born at Westport, a suburb of Malmesbury (of which town his father was vicar). p. 222 _unjantee. _ --'Jantee' obsolete form of 'jaunty': see _N. E. D. _ p. 222 _the mighty Echard. _ That facetious divine, John Eachard, D. D. (1636-97), Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge. His chief work, _The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy and Religion enquired into. In a Letter to R. L. _ (London, 1670), published anonymously, is stuffed full with Attic salt and humour. He has even been censured for a jocosity (at his brethren's expense) beneath the decorum of the cloth. p. 224 _English Game which hight long Laurence. _ To play at Laurence = to do just nothing at all; to laze. Laurence is the personification of idleness. There are many dialect uses of the name, e. G. , N. W. Devon 'Lazy's Laurence', and Cornish 'He's as lazy as Lawrence', vide Wright, _English Dialect Dictionary. _ +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 234 _Women must be watcht as Witches are. _ One of the tests to which beldames suspected of sorcery were put-- a mode particularly favoured by that arch-scamp, Matthew Hopkins, 'Witch-Finder General'-- was to tie down the accused in some painful or at least uneasy posture for twenty-four hours, during which time relays of watchers sat round. It was supposed that an imp would come and suck the witch's blood; so any fly, moth, wasp or insect seen in the room was a familiar in that shape, and the poor wretch was accordingly convicted of the charge. Numerous confessions are recorded to have been extracted in this manner from ailing and doting crones by Master Hopkins, cf. _Hudribras_, Part II, canto iii, 146-8:-- Some for setting above ground Whole days and nights, upon their breeches, And feeling pain, were hang'd for witches. cf. Again _The City Heiress_, Act i:-- Watch her close, watch her like a witch, Boy, Till she confess the Devil in her, ---- Love. p. 235 _Count d'Olivarez. _ Gaspar Guzman d'Olivarez was born at Rome, 1587. For many years all-powerful minister of Philip IV; he was dismissed 1643, and died 20 July, 1645, in banishment at Toro. p. 235 _a Venice Curtezan. _ Venice, the home of Aretine and Casanova, was long famous for the beauty and magnificence of her prostitutes. This circumstance is alluded to by numberless writers, and Ruskin, indeed, maintains that her decline was owing to this cause, which can hardly be, since as early as 1340, when her power was only rising, the public women were numbered at 11, 654. Coryat has some curious matter on this subject, and more may be found in _La Tariffa delle Puttane di Venegia_, a little book often incorrectly ascribed to Lorenzo Venicro. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 245 _They enter at another Door. _Vide note_ Rover_ I, Act II, I, p. 30. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 263 _Beso los manos, signor. _ = Beso las manos, señor. p. 265 _Don John. _ The famous hero of Lepanto died, not without suspicion of poison, in his camp at Namur, 1578. Otway introduces him in _Don Carlos_ (1676). +Act III: Scene ii+ p. 271 _Souses. _ A slang term for the 'ears'. Cf. _The Roundheads_, Act II, I, 'a pair of large sanctify'd Souses. ' p. 271 _Butter-hams. _ Apparently from Dutch boterham = a slice of bread and butter. The two narrow strips of trimming on either side of the cloak. p. 272 _a Rummer of a Pottle. _ A jug or goblet holding one pottle = two quarts. +Act III: Scene iii+ p. 278 _Snick-a-Sne. _ A combat with knives amongst the Dutch. Snik: Dutch = a sharp weapon. Dryden in his _Parallel betwixt Painting and Poetry_ (4to, June, 1695) speaks of 'the brutal sport of snick-or-sne'. Mrs. Behn has happily put several characteristically Dutch phrases in Haunce's mouth. p. 278 _Pharamond. _ A heroic romance in twelve volumes, the seven first of which are by the celebrated la Calprenède, the remainder being the work of Pierre de Vaumorière. It was translated into English by J. Phillips (London, 1677, folio). Lee has taken the story of Varanes in his tragedy, _Theodosius_ (1680), from this romance. +Act IV: Scene i+ p. 289 _Bethlehem-Gaber. _ Bethlen-Gabor (Gabriel Bethlen), 1580-1629, was a Hungarian noble who embraced the Protestant religion, and in 1613, with the help of an Ottoman army, succeeded in establishing himself as King of Transylvania. His reign, although one long period of warfare and truces, proved a most flourishing epoch for his country. Himself a musician and a man of letters, he was constant in his patronage of art and scholars, cf. Abraham Holland's _Continued Inquisition of Paper Persecutors_ (1626):-- But to behold the walls Butter'd with weekly Newes composed in Pauls By some decaied Captaine, or those Rooks Whose hungry brains compile prodigious books Of Bethlem Gabor's preparations and How terms betwixt him and th' Emperor stand. p. 291 _a Hoy. _ A small vessel like a sloop, peculiarly Dutch. Pepys, 16 June, 1661, speaks of hiring 'a Margate hoy'. +Act V: Scene ii+ p. 323 _a Lapland Witch. _ cf. _Paradise Lost_, Book II, l. 666:-- To dance With Lapland witches, while the labouring moon Eclipses at their charms. +Act V: Scene iia+ p. 329 _the German Princess. _ Mary Morders, alias Stedman, alias Kentish Moll, a notorious imposter of the day, who pretended to be a Princess from Germany. She had been transported to Jamaica in 1671, but returning too soon and stealing a piece of plate, was hanged at Tyburn, 22 January, 1673. Her adventures formed the plot of a play by Tom Porter, _A Witty Combat; or, The Female Victor_ (4to, 1663). Kirkman's _Counterfeit Lady Unveiled_ (8vo, 1673), contains very ample details of her career. Pepys went to visit her 'at the Gatehouse at Westminster', 29 May, 1663. In talk he was 'high in the defence of her wit and spirit' (7 June, 1663). 15 April, 1664, the diarist further notes: 'To the Duke's house and there saw _The German Princess_ acted by the woman herself . .. The whole play . .. Is very simple, unless, here and there, a witty sprinkle or two. ' This piece was doubtless identical with Porter's tragi-comedy. p. 329 _four Shillings, or half a Crown. _ Four shillings was the price of admission to the boxes on the first tier of the theatre; half a crown to the pit. These sums are very frequently alluded to in prologue and epilogue. Dryden in his second epilogue to _The Duke of Guise_ (1682), after referring to the brawls and rioting of the pit, says:-- This makes our boxes full; for men of sense Pay their four shillings in their own defence. The epilogue (spoken by Mrs. Bontell) to Corye's _The Generous Enemies_ (1671), has these lines:-- Though there I see-- Propitious Angels sit [_points at the Boxes. _ Still there's a Nest of Devils in the Pit, By whom our Plays, like Children, just alive, Pinch'd by the Fairies, never after thrive: 'Tis but your Half-crown, Sirs: that won't undo. +Epilogue+ p. 330 _Rotas. _ The Rota was a political club founded in 1659 by James Harrington. It advocated a system of rotation in filling government offices. * * * * * * * * * Errors and Irregularities: The Dutch Lover resolves to poinard his sister _spelling unchanged_Jacobean and Carolan drama _text unchanged_but what you do, must be speedily then. _text reads "speeedily"__Car. _ Why, _Olinda_, _Dorice_, _Olinda_, where be these mad Girls? _text unchanged_ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE ROUNDHEADS; OR, THE GOOD OLD CAUSE. [Transcriber's Note: Entrances and bracketed stage directions were printed in _italics_, with proper names in roman type. The overall _italic_ markup has been omitted for readability. ] ARGUMENT. The historical state of affairs 1659-60 was briefly as follows:-- theProtectorate of Richard Cromwell expired 22 April, 1659. HereuponFleetwood and some other officers recalled the Long Parliament (Rump), which was constituted the ruling power of England, a select council ofstate having the executive. Lambert, however, with other dissentientswas expelled from Parliament, 12 October, 1659. He and his troopsmarched to Newcastle; but the soldiers deserted him for General Fairfax, who had declared for a free Parliament, and were garrisoned at York. Here Monk, entering England 2 January, 1660, joined them with hisforces. Lambert, deprived of his followers, was obliged to return toLondon. His prompt arrest by order of Parliament followed, and he, SirHarry Vane and other members of the Committee of Safety were placed instrict confinement. On 5 March Lambert was imprisoned in the Tower, whence he escaped on 10 April, only to be recaptured a fortnight later. There are vivid pictures in Aubrey, Pepys, and other writers, of thewild enthusiasm at the fall of the Rump Parliament, with bonfiresblazing, all the church bells ringing, and the populace of Londoncarousing and pledging King Charles on their knees in the street. 'Theymade little gibbets and roasted rumps of mutton. Nay, I saw some verygood rumps of beef, ' writes Aubrey, and Pepys is even more vivid in histale than the good antiquary. King Charles landed at Dover, 26 May, amid universal rejoicings. Mrs. Behn has (quite legitimately) made considerable departures fromstrict historical fact and the sequence of events for her dramaticpurposes. Lambert and Fleetwood are scheming for the supreme power, and bothintrigue with Lord Wariston, the chairman of the Committee of Safety, for his good word and influence. Lambert meantime fools Fleetwood byflattery and a feigned indifference. Lady Lambert, who is eagerlyexpecting her husband to be proclaimed King, and is assuming the stateand title of royalty to the anger of Cromwell's widow, falls in lovewith a cavalier, Loveless. Her friend, Lady Desbro', a thorough loyalistat heart, though wedded to an old parliamentarian, has long beenenamoured of Freeman, the cavalier's companion. Lambert surprisesLoveless and Freeman with his wife and Lady Desbro', but Lady Lambertpretending they have come to petition her, abruptly dismisses them bothand so assuages all suspicion. At a meeting of the Committee the twogallants are sent to prison for a loyal outburst on the part ofLoveless. Ananias Goggle, a lay elder, who having offered liberties toLady Desbro' is in her power, is by her obliged to obtain her lover'srelease, and she at once holds an interview with him. They areinterrupted by Desbro' himself, but Freeman is concealed and makes anundiscovered exit behind the shelter of Goggle's flowing cloak. Loveless is brought to Lady Lambert at night. She endeavours to dazzlehim by showing the regalia richly set out and adorned with lights. He puts by, however, crown and sceptre and rebukes her overweeningambition. Suddenly the Committee, who have been drinking deep, burst inupon them dancing a riotous dance. Loveless is hurriedly concealed underthe coverlet of a couch, and Lady Lambert sits thereon seemingly at herdevotions. Her husband takes his place by her side, but rolls off as thegallant slips to the ground. The lights fall down and are extinguished, the men fly howling and bawling 'A Plot! A Plot!' in drunken terror. Lambert is cajoled and hectored into believing himself mistaken owing tohis potations. The ladies hold a council to correct and enquire intowomen's wrongs, but on a sudden, news is brought that Lambert'sfollowers have turned against him and that he is imprisoned in theTower. The city rises against the Parliament and the Rump is dissolved. Loveless and Freeman rescue Lady Lambert and Lady Desbro', whose oldhusband has fallen down dead with fright. The parliamentarians endeavourto escape, but Wariston, Goggle, and Hewson-- a leading member of theCommittee-- are detected and maltreated by the mob. As they are haledaway to prison the people give themselves up to general merry-making andjoy. SOURCE. The purely political part of _The Roundheads; or, The Good Old Cause_was founded by Mrs. Behn on John Tatham's _The Rump_; or, _The Mirror ofthe Late Times_ (4to, 1660, 4to, 1661, and again 1879 in his collectedworks, ) which was produced on the eve of the Restoration, in February, 1660, at the Private House, i. E. Small theatre, in Dorset Court. Thecompany which played here had been brought together by William Beeston, but singularly little is known of its brief career and only one name hasbeen recorded, that of George Jolly, the leading actor. Tatham was theauthor of the Lord Mayor's pageants 1657-64. His plays, four in number, together with a rare entertainment, _London's Glory_ (1660), have beenwell edited by Maidment and Logan. _The Rump_ met with great success. It is certainly a brisk and livelypiece, and coming at the juncture it did must have been extraordinarilyeffective. As a topical key-play reflecting the moment it is indeedadmirable, and the crescendo of overwhelming satire, all the keener forthe poet's deep earnestness, culminating in the living actors, yesterday's lords and law-givers, running to and fro the London streets, one bawling 'Ink or pens, ink or pens!', another 'Boots or shoes, bootsor shoes to mend!', a third 'Fine Seville oranges, fine lemons!', whilstMrs. Cromwell exchanges Billingsgate with a crowd of jeering boys, musthave caused the house absolutely to rock with merriment. With all its point and cleverness _The Rump_, however, from a technicalpoint of view, is ill-digested and rough. The scenes were evidentlythrown off hastily, and sadly lack refining and revision. Mrs. Behn hasmade the happiest use of rather unpromising material. The intriguesbetween Loveless and Lady Lambert, who in Tatham is very woodeny andawkward, between Freeman and Lady Desbro', which give _The Roundheads_unity and dramatic point, are entirely her own invention. In theoriginal _Rump_ neither cavaliers nor Lady Desbro' appear. AnaniasGoggle also, the canting lay elder of Clements, with his subtlecasuistry that jibs at 'the person not the office, ' a dexterouscharacter sketch, alive and acute, we owe to Mrs. Behn. Amongst the many plays, far too numerous even to catalogue, that scarifythe puritans and their zealot tribe, _The Cheats_ (1662), by Wilson, andSir Robert Howard's _The Committee_ (1662), which long kept the stage, and, in a modified form, _The Honest Thieves_, was seen as late as thesecond half of the nineteenth century, are pre-eminently the best. Bothpossess considerable merit and are worthy of the highest comictraditions of the theatre. As might have been expected, the dissolution of the Rump Parliament letloose a flood of political literature, squibs, satires and lampoons. Such works as _The famous Tragedie of the Life and Death of Mrs. Rump. .. As it was presented on a burning stage at Westminster, the 29th ofMay, 1660_ (4to, 1660), are of course valueless save from a purelyhistorical interest. A large number of songs and ballads were broughttogether and published in two parts, 1662, reprint 1874. This collection(_The Rump_), sometimes witty, sometimes angry, sometimes obscene, isweighty evidence of the loathing inspired by the republicans and theirmisrule, but it is of so personal and topical a nature that theallusions would hardly be understood by any one who had not made a veryclose and extended study of those critical months. THEATRICAL HISTORY. _The Roundheads; or, The Good Old Cause_ was produced at the Duke'sTheatre in 1682. They were unsettled and hazardous times. The countrywas convulsed by the judicial murders and horrors which followed in thetrain of the pseudo-Popish Plot engineered by the abominable Gates andhis accomplices. King and Parliament were at hopeless variance. The airwas charged with strife, internecine hatreds and unrest. In such anatmosphere and in such circumstances politics could not but makethemselves keenly felt upon the stage. The actors were indeed 'abstractsand brief chronicles of the time', and the theatre became a veryArmageddon for the poets. As _A Lenten Prologue refus'd by the Players_(1682) puts it:-- 'Plots and Parties give new matter birth And State distractions serve you here for mirth! . . . . . The Stage, like old Rump Pulpits, is become The scene of News, a furious Party's drum. ' Produced on 4 December, 1682, Dryden and Lee's excellent Tragedy, _The Duke of Guise_, which the Whigs vainly tried to suppress, createda furore. Crowne's _City Politics_ (1683) is a crushing satire, caricaturing Oates, Stephen College, old Sergeant Maynard and theirfaction with rare skill. Southerne's _Loyal Brother_ (1682), eulogizesthe Duke of York; the scope of D'Urfey's _Sir Barnaby Whigg_ (1681), canbe told by its title, indeed the prologue says of the author:-- 'That he shall know both parties now he glories, By hisses th' Whigs, and by their claps the Tories. 'His _Royalist_ (1682) follows in the same track. Even those plays which were entirely non-political are inevitablyprefaced with a mordant prologue or wound up by an epilogue that hasparty venom and mustard in its tail. It would be surprising if so popular a writer as Mrs. Behn had not put apolitical play on the stage at such a juncture, and we find her well tothe fore with _The Roundheads_, which she followed up in the same yearwith _The City Heiress_, another openly topical comedy. The cast of _The Roundheads_ is not given in any printed copy, and wehave no exact means of apportioning the characters, which must haveentailed the whole comic strength of the house. It is known thatBetterton largely refrained from appearing in political comedies, and nodoubt Smith took the part of Loveless, whilst Freeman would have fallento Joseph Williams. Nokes was certainly Lambert; and Leigh, Wariston. Mrs. Leigh probably played Lady Cromwell or Gilliflower; Mrs. Barry, Lady Lambert; and Mrs. Currer, Lady Desbro'. The piece seems to havebeen very successful, and to have kept the stage at intervals for sometwenty years. To the Right Noble HENRY FITZ-ROY, Duke of _Grafton_, Earl of _Sutton_, Viscount of _Ipswich_, Baron of _Sudbury_, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and Colonel of his Majesties Regiment of Foot-Guards, &c. May it please Your Grace, Dedications which were Originally design'd, as a Tribute to theReverence and just esteem we ought to pay the _Great_ and _Good_ ; arenow so corrupted with Flattery, that they rarely either find a Receptionin the World, or merit that Patronage they wou'd implore. But I withoutfear Approach the great Object, being above that mean and mercenary Art;nor can I draw the Lovely Picture half so charming and so manly as itis; and that Author may more properly boast of a Lucky Hitt, whosechoice and Fortune is so good, than if he had pleas'd all the differentill Judging world besides in the business of the _Play_; for none thatway, can ever hope to please all; in an Age when Faction rages, anddifferent Parties disagree in all things-- - But coming the first day toa new Play with a Loyal Title, and then even the sober and tenderconscienc'd, throng as to a forbidden Conventicle, fearing the Cub oftheir old Bear of Reformation should be expos'd, to be the scorn of thewicked, and dreading (tho' but the faint shadow of their own deformity)their _Rebellion, Murders, Massacres_ and _Villanies_, from fortyupwards, should be represented for the better undeceiving and informingof the World, flock in a full Assembly with a pious design to Hiss andRail it as much out of countenance as they would _Monarchy, Religion, Laws_, and _Honesty_; throwing the _Act of Oblivion_ in our Teeths, asif that (whose mercy cannot make them forget their old Rebellion) cou'dhinder honest Truths from breaking out upon 'em in Edifying Plays, wherethe Loyal hands ever out-do their venom'd Hiss; a good and happy Omen, if Poets may be allow'd for Prophets as of old they were: and 'tis aseasily seen at a new Play how the Royal Interest thrives, as at a CityElection, how the _Good Old Couse_ is carried on; as a Noble Peer latelysaid, _Tho' the Tories have got the better of us at the Play, we carriedit in the City by many Voices, God be praised!_ This Play, call'd _The Roundheads_, which I humbly lay at your Gracesfeet, Pardon the Title, and Heaven defend you from the bloody Race, wascarried in the House _nemine contra dicente_, by the Royal Party, andunder your Grace's Illustrious Patronage is safe from any new Seditiousaffronts abroad; Your Grace alone, whom Heaven and Nature has form'd themost adorable Person in the whole Creation, with all the advantages of aglorious Birth, has a double right and power to defend all that approachyou for sanctuary; your very Beauty is a Guard to all you daigne to makesafe: for You were born for Conquest every way; even what _Phanatick_, what peevish _Politician_, testy with _Age, Diseases_, miscarried_Plots_, disappointed _Revolutions_, envious of _Power_, of _Princes_, and of _Monarchy_, and mad with _Zeal_ for _Change_ and _Reformation_, could yet be so far lost to sense of Pleasure, as not to turn a Rebel toRevenge the _Good old Cause_, and the patronage to _Plebean_ seditionwith only looking on you, 'twou'd force his meger face to blushingsmiles, and make him swear he had mistook the side, curse his own Party, and if possible, be reconciled to Honesty again: such power have charmslike Yours to calm the soul, and will in spight of You plead for me tothe disaffected, even when they are at Wars with your Birth and Power. But this _Play_, for which I humbly beg your Grace's Protection, needsit in a more peculiar manner, it having drawn down Legions upon itshead, for its Loyalty-- _what, to Name us_ cries one, _'tis mostabominable, unheard of daring_ cries another-- _she deserves to beswing'd_ cries a third; as if twere all a Libel, a Scandal impossible tobe prov'd, or that their Rogueries were of so old a Date their Reignwere past Remembrance or History; when they take such zealous care torenew it daily to our memories: And I am satisfied, that they that willjustifie the best of these Traytors, deserves the fate of the worst, andmost manifestly declare to the World by it, they wou'd be at the _OldGame_ their fore-Fathers play'd with so good success: yet if there beany honest loyal man allied to any here nam'd, I heartily beg his pardonfor any offensive Truth I have spoken, and 'tis a wonderful thing thatamongst so Numerous a Flock they will not allow of one mangy Sheep; notone Rogue in the whole Generation of the Association. _Ignoramus the _1st_ and the _2d_. _ But as they are I leave 'em to your Grace to Judge of 'em; to whom Ihumbly present this small Mirror, of the late wretched Times: whereinyour Grace may see something of the Miseries three the Most GloriousKingdoms of the Universe were reduc'd to; where your Royal Ancestorsvictoriously Reign'd for so many hundred years: How they were Governed, Parcell'd out, and deplorably inslav'd, and to what Low, ProstitutedLewdness they fell at last: where the Nobility and Gentry were the mostcontemn'd and despis'd part of them, and such Meane (and till thenobscure) Villains Rul'd, and Tyrannized, that no _Age_, nor _Time_, orscarce a Parish Book makes mentions or cou'd show there was any suchName or Family. Yet these were those that impudently Tug'd for Empire, and Prophan'd that illustrious Throne and Court, so due then, andpossest now (through the infinite Mercies of God to this bleedingNation) by the best of Monarchs; a Monarch, who had the divine goodnessto Pardon even his worst of Enemies what was past; Nay, out of his Vastand God-like Clemency, did more than Heaven it self can do, put it outof his Power by _an Act of Oblivion_, to punish the unparalell'dInjuries done His Sacred Person, and the rest of the Royal Family: Howgreat his Patience has been since, I leave to all the World to judge:but Heaven be prais'd, he has not yet forgot the Sufferings and Murdersof the Glorious Martyr of ever Blessed memory, Your Graces SacredGrandfather, and by what Arts and Ways that Devilish Plot was layed! andwill like a skilful Pilate, by the wreck of one Rich Vessel, learn howto shun the danger of this present Threatning and save the rest fromsinking; The Clouds already begin to disappear, and the face of thingsto change, thanks to Heaven, his Majesties infinite Wisdom, and theOver-Zeal of the (falsly called) _True Protestant Party_; Now we maypray for the King and his Royal Brother, defend his Cause, and asserthis Right, without the fear of a taste of the Old Sequestration call'd a_Fine_; Guard the Illustrious Pair, good Heaven, from Hellish Plots, andall the Devilish Machinations of Factious Cruelties: and you, great Sir, (whose Merits have so Justly deserv'd that glorious Command so latelytrusted to your Care, which Heaven increase, and make your glad RegimentArmies for our safety. May you become the great Example of Loyalty andObedience, and stand a firm and unmoveable Pillar to _Monarchy_, a NobleBullwark to _Majesty_; defend the Sacred Cause, imploy all that Youth, Courage, and Noble Conduct which God and Nature purposely has endued youwith, to serve the Royal Interest: You, Sir, who are obliged by a doubleDuty to Love, Honour, and Obey his Majesty, both as a Father and a King!O undissolvable Knot! O Sacred Union! what Duty, what Love, whatAdoration can express or repay the Debt we owe the first, or theAllegiance due to the last, but where both meet in one, to make the TyeEternal; Oh what Counsel, what Love of Power, what fancied Dreams ofEmpire, what fickle Popularity can inspire the heart of Man, or anyNoble mind, with Sacrilegious thoughts against it, can harbour orconceive a stubborn disobedience: Oh what Son can desert the Cause of anIndulgent Parent, what Subject, of such a Prince, without renouncing theGlory of his Birth, his Loyalty, and good Nature. Ah Royal lovely Youth! beware of false Ambition; wisely believe yourElevated Glory, (at least) more happy then a Kings, you share theirJoys, their pleasures and magnificence, without the toils and businessof a _Monarch_, their carefull days and restless thoughtfull nights;know, you art blest with all that Heaven can give, or you can wish; yourMind and Person such, so excellent, that Love knows no fault it wouldwish to mend, nor Envy to increase! blest with a Princess of suchundisputable charming Beauty, as if Heaven, designing to take a peculiarcare in all that concerns your Happiness, had form'd her on purpose, to compleat it. Hail happy glorious Pair! the perfect joy and pleasure of all that lookon ye, for whom all Tongues and Hearts have Prayers and Blessings; Mayyou out-live Sedition, and see your Princely Race as Numerous asBeautifull, and those all great and Loyal Supporters of a long Race of_Monarchs_ of this Sacred Line, This shall be the perpetual wish, thisthe Eternal Prayer of _SIR, Your Graces most Humble, and most Obedient Servant_, A. BEHN. THE ROUND-HEADS; or, the Good Old Cause. PROLOGUE, Spoken by the Ghost of _Hewson_ ascending from Hell dress'd as a Cobler. _I am the Ghost of him who was a true Son Of the late _Good Old Cause_, ycleped _Hewson_, Rous'd by strange Scandal from th' eternal Flame With noise of Plots, of wondrous Birth and Name, Whilst the sly Jesuit robs us of our Fame. Can all their Conclave, tho with Hell th' agree, Act Mischief equal to Presbytery? Look back on our Success in Forty One, Were ever braver Villanies carried on, Or new ones now more hopefully begun? And shall our Unsuccess our Merit lose, And make us quit the Glory of our Cause? No, hire new Villains, Rogues without Remorse, And let no Law nor Conscience stop your Course; Let Politicians order the Confusion, And let the Saints pay pious Contribution. Pay those that rail, and those that can delude With scribling Nonsense the loose Multitude. Pay well your Witnesses, they may not run To the right Side, and tell who set 'em on. Pay 'em so well, that they may ne'er recant, And so turn honest merely out of want. Pay Juries, that no formal Laws may harm us, Let Treason be secur'd by _Ignoramus_. Pay Bully Whig, who loyal Writers bang, And honest Tories in Effigie hang: Pay those that burn the Pope to please the Fools, And daily pay Right Honourable Tools; Pay all the Pulpit Knaves that Treason brew, And let the zealous Sisters pay 'em too; Justices, bound by Oath and Obligation, Pay them the utmost Price of their Damnation, Not to disturb our useful Congregation. Nor let the Learned Rabble be forgot, Those pious Hands that crown our hopeful Plot. No, modern Statesmen cry, 'tis Lunacy To barter Treason with such Rogues as we. But subtiler _Oliver_ did not disdain His mightier Politicks with ours to join. I for all Uses in a State was able, Cou'd Mutiny, cou'd fight, hold forth, and cobble. Your lazy Statesman may sometimes direct, But your small busy Knaves the Treason act. _ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. Lord _Fleetwood_, } Competitors for the Crown, Lord _Lambert_, } but _Lambert_ is General of the Army. Lord _Wariston_, Chairman of the Committee of Safety. _Hewson_, } _Desbro_, } Commanders, _Duckingfield_, } and Committee-men. _Corbet_, } Lord _Whitlock_. _Ananias Goggle_, Lay Elder of _Clement's_ Parish. _A Rabble_ of the Sanctify'd Mobile. Corporal _Right_, an _Oliverian_ Commander, but honest, and a Cavalier in his Heart. _Loveless_, a Royalist, a Man of Honour, in love with Lady _Lambert. _ _Freeman_, his Friend, of the same Character, in love with Lady _Desbro_. Captain of the Prentices. Two Pages to Lady _Lambert_. _Tom_, Page to Lady _Desbro_. Page to Lady _Fleetwood_. A Felt-maker. A Joyner. Doorkeeper. Two Clerks. Three Soldiers. WOMEN. Lady _Lambert_, in love with _Loveless_. Lady _Desbro_, in love with _Freeman_. Lady _Fleetwood_. Lady _Cromwell_. _Gilliflower_, Lady _Lambert's_ Old Woman. Several Ladies, for Redress of Grievances. Women Servants to Lady _Lambert_. Petitioners, Servants, Guards, Footmen, Fidlers, and a Band of Loyal City Apprentices. ACT I. SCENE I. _The Street. _ Enter three _Soldiers_, and Corporal _Right_. _Cor. _ Ah, Rogue, the World runs finely round, the business is done. _1 Sold. _ Done! the Town's our own, my fine Rascal. _2 Sold. _ We'll have Harlots by the Belly, Sirrah. _1 Sold. _ Those are Commodities I confess I wou'd fain be truckingfor-- but no words of that, Boy. _Cor. _ Stand, who goes there? [To them a Joyner and a Felt-maker. _1 Sold. _ Who are you for?-- hah! _Joy. _ Are for, Friend? we are for Gad and the Lord _Fleetwood_. _1 Sold. _ _Fleetwood_! knock 'em down, _Fleetwood_, that snivelingThief? _Felt. _ Why, Friends, who are ye for? _Cor. _ For! who shou'd we be for, but _Lambert_, Noble _Lambert_? Isthis a time o'th' day to declare for _Fleetwood_, with a Pox? indeed, i'th' Morning 'twas a Question had like to have been decided with push aPike. _2 Sold. _ Dry blows wou'd ne'er ha' don't, some must have sweat Bloodfor't; but-- 'tis now decided. _Joy. _ Decided! _2 Sold. _ Yes, decided, Sir, without your Rule for't. _Joy. _ Decided! by whom, Sir? by us the Free-born Subjects of _England_, by the Honourable Committee of Safety, or the Right Reverend City?without which, Sir, I humbly conceive, your Declaration for _Lambert_ isillegal, and against the Property of the People. _2 Sold. _ Plain _Lambert_; here's a saucy Dog of a Joyner; Sirrah, getye home, and mind your Trade, and save the Hangman a labour. _Joy. _ Look ye, Friend, I fear no Hang-man in _Christendom_; forConscience and Publick Good, for Liberty and Property, I dare as far asany Man. _2 Sold. _ Liberty and Property, with a Pox, in the Mouth of a Joyner:you are a pretty Fellow to settle the Nation-- what says my NeighbourFelt-maker? _Felt. _ Why, verily, I have a high respect for my honourable Lord_Fleetwood_, he is my intimate Friend; and till I find his Party theweaker, I hope my Zeal will be strengthned for him. _2 Sold. _ Zeal for _Fleetwood_! Zeal for a Halter, and that's your due:Why, what has he ever done for you? Can he lead you out to Battle? Canhe silence the very Cannon with his Eloquence alone?-- Can he talk-- orfight-- or-- _Felt. _ But verily he can pay those that can, and that's as good-- andhe can pray-- _2 Sold. _ Let him pray, and we'll fight, and see whose business is donefirst; we are for the General who carries Charms in every Syllable; canact both the Soldier and the Courtier, at once expose his Breast toDangers for our sakes-- and tell the rest of the pretended Slaves a fairTale, but hang 'em sooner than trust 'em. _1 Sold. _ Ay, ay, a _Lambert_, a _Lambert_, he has Courage, _Fleetwood's_ an Ass to him. _Felt. _ Hum-- here's Reason, Neighbour. [To the Joyner. _Joy. _ That's all one, we do not act by Reason. _Cor. _ _Fleetwood's_ a Coward. _2 Sold. _ A Blockhead. _1 Sold. _ A sniveling Fool; a General in the Hangings, no better. _Joy. _ What think you then of _Vane_? _2 Sold. _ As of a Fool, that has dreamt of a new Religion, and is onlyfit to reign in the Fifth Monarchy he preaches so much up? but no Kingin this Age. _Felt. _ What of _Haslerig_? _2 Sold. _ A Hangman for _Haslerig_. I cry, No, no, One and all, a _Lambert_, a _Lambert_; he is our General, our Protector, our Keiser, our-- even what he pleases himself. _1 Sold. _ Well, if he pleases himself, he pleases me. _2 Sold. _ He's our Rising Sun, and we'll adore him, for the Speaker'sGlory's set. _Cor. _ At nought, Boys; how the Rogue look'd when his Coach was stop'd! _Joy. _ Under favour, what said the Speaker? _2 Sold. _ What said he? prithee, what cou'd he say that we wou'd admitfor Reason? Reason and our Bus'ness are two things: Our Will was Reasonand Law too, and the Word of Command lodg'd in our Hilts: _Cobbet_ and_Duckenfield_ shew'd 'em Cockpit-Law. _Cor. _ He understood not Soldier's Dialect; the Language of the Swordpuzzled his Understanding; the Keenness of which was too sharp for hisWit, and over-rul'd his Robes-- therefore he very mannerly kiss'd hisHand, and wheel'd about-- _2 Sold. _ To the place from whence he came. _Cor. _ And e'er long to the place of Execution. _1 Sold. _ No, damn him, he'll have his Clergy. _Joy. _ Why, is he such an Infidel to love the Clergy? _Cor. _ For his Ends; but come let's go drink the General's Health, _Lambert_; not _Fleetwood_, that Son of a Custard, always quaking. _2 Sold. _ Ay, ay, _Lambert_ I say-- besides, he's a Gentleman. _Felt. _ Come, come, Brother Soldier, let me tell you, I fear you have a_Stewart_ in your Belly. _Cor. _ I am sure you have a Rogue in your Heart, Sirrah, which a Man mayperceive thro that sanctified Dog's Face of yours; and so get ye gone, ye Rascals, and delude the Rabble with your canting Politicks. [Every one beats 'em. _Felt. _ Nay, an you be in Wrath, I'll leave you. _Joy. _ No matter, Sir, I'll make you know I'm a Freeborn Subject, there's Law for the Righteous, Sir, there's Law. [Go out. _Cor. _ There's Halters, ye Rogues-- _2 Sold. _ Come, Lads, let's to the Tavern, and drink Success to Change;I doubt not but to see 'em chop about, till it come to our great Heroagain-- Come to the Tavern. [Going out, are met by _Loveless_ and _Freeman_, who enter, and stay the _Corporal_. _Cor. _ I'll follow ye, Comrade, presently. [Ex. The rest of the Soldiers. --Save ye, noble Colonel. _Free. _ How is't, Corporal? _Cor. _ A brave World, Sir, full of Religion, Knavery, and Change:we shall shortly see better Days. _Free. _ I doubt it, Corporal. _Cor. _ I'll warrant you, Sir, -- but have you had never a Billet, noPresent, nor Love-- remembrance to day, from my good Lady _Desbro_? _Free. _ None, and wonder at it. Hast thou not seen her Page to day? _Cor. _ Faith, Sir, I was imploy'd in Affairs of State, by our Protectorthat shall be, and could not call. _Free. _ Protector that shall be! who's that, _Lambert_, or _Fleetwood_, or both? _Cor. _ I care not which, so it be a Change; but I mean the General:--but, Sir, my Lady _Desbro_ is now at Morning-Lecture here hard by, withthe Lady _Lambert_. _Lov. _ Seeking the Lord for some great Mischief or other. _Free. _ We have been there, but could get no opportunity of speaking toher-- _Loveless_, know this Fellow-- he's honest and true to the Hero, tho a Red-Coat. I trust him with my Love, and have done with my Life. _Lov. _ Love! Thou canst never make me believe thou art earnestly in lovewith any of that damn'd Reformation. _Free. _ Thou art a Fool; where I find Youth and Beauty, I adore, let theSaint be true or false. _Lov. _ 'Tis a Scandal to one of us to converse with 'em; they are allsanctify'd Jilts; and there can neither be Credit nor Pleasure inkeeping 'em company; and 'twere enough to get the Scandal of an Adhererto their devilish Politicks, to be seen with 'em. _Free. _ What, their Wives? _Lov. _ Yes, their Wives. What seest thou in 'em but Hypocrisy? Make loveto 'em, they answer in Scripture. _Free. _ Ay, and lie with you in Scripture too. Of all Whores, give meyour zealous Whore; I never heard a Woman talk much of Heaven, but shewas much for the Creature too. What do'st think I had thee to theMeeting for? _Lov. _ To hear a Rascal hold forth for Bodkins and Thimbles, Contribution, my beloved! to carry on the good Cause, that is, Roguery, Rebellion, and Treason, profaning the sacred Majesty of Heaven, and ourglorious Sovereign. _Free. _ But-- were there not pretty Women there? _Lov. _ Damn 'em for sighing, groaning Hypocrites. _Free. _ But there was one, whom that handsome Face and Shape of yours, gave more occasion for sighing, than any Mortification caus'd by theCant of the Lay-Elder in the half Hogs-Head: Did'st thou not mind her? _Lov. _ Not I, damn it, I was all Rage; and hadst not thou restrain'd me, I had certainly pull'd that Rogue of a Holder forth by the Ears from hissanctify'd Tub. 'Sdeath, he hum'd and haw'd all my Patience away, nosedand snivel'd me to Madness. Heaven! That thou shouldst suffer suchVermin to infect the Earth, such Wolves amongst thy Flocks, such Thievesand Robbers of all Laws of God and Man, in thy Holy Temples. I rave tothink to what thou'rt fall'n, poor _England_! _Free. _ But the she Saint-- _Lov. _ No more; were she as fair as Fancy could imagine, to see herthere wou'd make me loath the Form; she that can listen to the dullNonsense, the bantering of such a Rogue, such an illiterate Rascal, mustbe a Fool, past sense of loving, _Freeman_. _Free. _ Thou art mistaken. -- But, didst thou mind her next the Pulpit? _Lov. _ A Plague upon the whole Congregation: I minded nothing but how tofight the Lord's Battle with that damn'd sham Parson, whom I had a mindto beat. _Free. _ My Lady _Desbro_ is not of that Persuasion, but an errantHeroick in her Heart, and feigns it only to have the better occasion toserve the Royal Party. I knew her, and lov'd her before she married. _Lov. _ She may chance then to be sav'd. _Free. _ Come, I'll have thee bear up briskly to some one of 'em, it may redeem thy Sequestration; which, now thou see'st no hopes ofcompounding, puts thee out of Patience. _Lov. _ Let 'em take it, and the Devil do 'em Good with it; I scorn itshould be said I have a Foot of Land in this ungrateful and accursedIsland; I'd rather beg where Laws are obey'd, and Justice perform'd, than be powerful where Rogues and base-born Rascals rule the roast. _Free. _ But suppose now, dear _Loveless_, that one of the Wives of thesePageant Lords should fall in love with thee, and get thy Estate again, or pay the double for't? _Lov. _ I wou'd refuse it. _Free. _ And this for a little dissembl'd Love, a little Drudgery-- _Lov. _ Not a Night, by Heaven-- not an Hour-- no, not a single Kiss. I'drather make love to an _Incubus_. _Free. _ But suppose 'twere the new Protectress her self, the fine Lady_Lambert_? _Lov. _ The greatest Devil of all; damn her, do'st think I'll cuckold theGhost of old _Oliver_? _Free. _ The better; There's some Revenge in't; do'st know her? _Lov. _ Never saw her, nor care to do. _Cor. _ Colonel, do you command me any thing? _Free. _ Yes, I'll send thee with a Note-- Let's step into a Shop andwrite it; _Loveless_, stay a moment, and I'll be with thee. [Ex. _Free. _ and _Corporal_. Enter L. _Lambert_, L. _Desbro_, _Gilliflower_, _Pages_ with great Bibles, and Footmen. _Loveless_ walks sullenly, not seeing 'em. [L. _Lambert's_ Train carried. _L. Lam. _ O, I'm impatient to know his Name; ah, _Desbro_, he betray'dall my Devotion; and when I would have pray'd, Heav'n knows it was tohim, and for him only. _L. Des. _ What manner of Man was it? _L. Lam. _ I want Words to describe him; not tall, nor short; well made, and such a Face-- Love, Wit and Beauty revel'd in his Eyes; From whence he shot a thousand winged Darts That pierc'd quite through my Soul. _L. Des. _ Seem'd he a Gentleman? _L. Lam. _ A God! altho his outside were but mean; But he shone thro like Lightning from a Cloud, And shot more piercing Rays. _L. Des. _ Staid he long? _L. Lam. _ No, methought he grew displeas'd with our Devotion, And seem'd to contradict the Parson with his angry Eyes. A Friend he had too with him, young and handsom, Who seeing some Disorder in his Actions, got him away. --I had almost forgot all Decency, And started up to call him; but my Quality, And wanting something to excuse that Fondness, Made me decline with very much ado. _Gill. _ Heavens, Madam, I'll warrant they were Heroicks. _L. Lam. _ Heroicks! _Gill. _ Cavaliers, Madam, of the Royal Party. _L. Des. _ They were so, I knew one of 'em. _L. Lam. _ Ah, _Desbro_, do'st thou? Ah, Heav'ns, that they should proveHeroicks! _L. Des. _ You might have known that by the Conquest; I never heard anyone o't' other Party ever gain'd a Heart; and indeed, Madam, 'tis a justRevenge, our Husbands make Slaves of them, and they kill all theirWives. [_Lov. _ sees 'em, and starts. _Lov. _ Hah, what have we here?-- Women-- faith, and handsome too-- Inever saw a Form more excellent; who e'er they are, they seem ofQuality. -- By Heav'n, I cannot take my Eyes from her. [Pointing to L. _Lamb_. _L. Lam. _ Ha, he's yonder, my Heart begins to fail, My trembling Limbs refusing to support me-- His Eyes seem fix'd on mine too; ah, I faint-- [Leans on _Des_. _Gill. _ My Lady's Coach, _William_-- quickly, she faints. _Lov. _ Madam, can an unfortunate Stranger's aid add any thing to therecovery of so much Beauty? [Bowing, and holding her. _L. Lam. _ Ah, wou'd he knew how much! [Aside. _Gill. _ Support her, Sir, till her Ladyship's Coach comes-- I beseechye. _Lov. _ Not _Atlas_ bore up Heaven with greater Pride. _L. Lam. _ --I beg your Pardon, Sir, for this Disorder, That has occasion'd you so great a Trouble-- You seem a Gentleman-- and consequently May need some Service done you; name the way, I shall be glad to let you see my Gratitude. _Lov. _ If there be ought in me, that merits this amazing Favour fromyou, I owe my Thanks to Nature that endow'd me with something in my Facethat spoke my Heart. _L. Lam. _ Heaven! How he looks and speaks-- [To _Desbro_, aside. _L. Des. _ Oh, these Heroicks, Madam, have the most charming Tongues. _L. Lam. _ Pray come to me-- and ask for any of my Officers, and youshall have admittance-- _Lov. _ Who shall I ask for, Madam? for I'm yet ignorant to whom I owefor this great Bounty. _L. Lam. _ Not know me! Thou art indeed a Stranger. I thought I'd been so elevated above the common Crowd, it had been visible to all Eyes who I was. _Lov. _ Pardon my Ignorance. My Soul conceives ye all that Heaven can make ye, Of Great, of Fair and Excellent; But cannot guess a Name to call you by But such as would displease ye-- My Heart begins to fail, and by her Vanity I fear she's one of the new Race of Quality: --But be she Devil, I must love that Form. [Aside. _L. Lam. _ Hard Fate of Greatness, we so highly elevated Are more expos'd to Censure than the little ones, By being forc'd to speak our Passions first. --Is my Coach ready? _Page. _ It waits your Honour. _L. Lam. _ I give you leave to visit me-- ask for the General's Lady, if my Title be not by that time alter'd. _Lov. _ Pistols and Daggers to my Heart-- 'tis so. _L. Lam. _ Adieu, Sir. [Ex. All but _Lov. _ who stands musing. Enter _Freeman_. _Free. _ How now, what's the matter with thee? _Lov. _ Prithee wake me, _Freeman_. _Free. _ Wake thee! _Lov. _ I dream; by Heaven I dream; Nay, yet the lovely Phantom's in my View. Oh! wake me, or I sleep to perfect Madness. _Free. _ What ail'st thou? what did'st dream of? _Lov. _ A strange fantastick Charmer, A thing just like a Woman Friend; It walkt and lookt with wondrous Majesty, Had Eyes that kill'd, and Graces deck'd her Face; But when she talk'd, mad as the Winds she grew, Chimera in the form of Angel, Woman! _Free. _ Who the Devil meanest thou? _Lov. _ By Heav'n I know not, but, as she vanish'd hence, she bad me cometo the General's. _Free. _ Why, this is she I told thee ey'd thee so at the Conventicle;'tis _Lambert_, the renown'd, the famous Lady _Lambert_-- Mad call'stthou her? 'tis her ill acted Greatness, thou mistak'st; thou art notus'd to the Pageantry of these Women yet: they all run thus mad; 'tisGreatness in 'em, _Loveless. _ _Lov. _ And is thine thus, thy Lady _Desbro_? _Free. _ She's of another Cut, she married, as most do, for Interest--but what-- thou't to her? _Lov. _ If Lightning stop my way:-- Perhaps a sober View may make me hate her. [Exeunt both. SCENE II. _A Chamber in _Lambert's_ House. _ Enter _Lambert_ and _Whitlock_. _Whit. _ My Lord, now is your time, you may be King; Fortune is yours, you've time it self by th' Fore-lock. _Lam. _ If I thought so, I'd hold him fast, by Heaven. _Whit. _ If you let slip this Opportunity, my Lord, you are undone-- _AutCæsar, aut Nullus. _ _Lam. _ But _Fleetwood_-- _Whit. _ Hang him, soft Head. _Lam. _ True, he's of an easy Nature; yet if thou didst but know howlittle Wit governs this mighty Universe, thou wou'dst not wonder Menshould set up him. _Whit. _ That will not recommend him at this _Juncto_, tho he's anexcellent Tool for your Lordship to make use of; and therefore use him, Sir, as _Cataline_ did _Lentulus_; drill the dull Fool with Hopes ofEmpire on, and that all tends to his Advancement only: The Blockheadwill believe the Crown his own: What other Hopes could make him ruinRichard, a Gentleman of Qualities a thousand times beyond him? _Lam. _ They were both too soft; an ill Commendation for a General, whoshould be rough as Storms of War it self. _Whit. _ His time was short, and yours is coming on; Old Oliver had his. _Lam. _ I hate the Memory of that Tyrant Oliver. _Whit. _ So do I, now he's dead, and serves my Ends no more. I lov'd theFather of the great Heroick, whilst he had Power to do me good: hefailing, Reason directed me to the Party then prevailing, the Fag-end ofthe Parliament: 'tis true, I took the Oath of Allegiance, as Oliver, your Lordship, Tony, and the rest did, without which we could not havesat in that Parliament; but that Oath was not for our Advantage, and sobetter broke than kept. _Lam. _ I am of your Opinion, my Lord. _Whit. _ Let Honesty and Religion preach against it. But how cou'd I haveserv'd the Commons by deserting the King? how have I show'd my selfloyal to your Interest, by fooling Fleet-wood, in the deserting of Dick;by dissolving the honest Parliament, and bringing in the odious Rump?how cou'd I have flatter'd Ireton, by telling him Providence broughtthingsabout, when 'twas mere Knavery all; and that the Hand of the Lordwas in't, when I knew the Devil was in't? or indeed, how cou'd I nowadvise you to be King, if I had started at Oaths, or preferr'd Honestyor Divinity before Interest and the Good Old Came? _Lam. _ Nay, 'tis most certain, he that will live in this World, must beendu'd with the three rare Qualities of Dissimulation, Equivocation, andmental Reservation. _Whit. _ In which Excellency, Heav'n be prais'd, we out-do the Jesuits. Enter Lady _Lambert_. _L. Lam. _ I'm glad to see you so well employ'd, my Lord, as in Discoursewith my Lord Whitlock, he's of our Party, and has Wit. _Whit. _ Your Honour graces me too much. _Lam. _ My Lord, my Lady is an absolute States-woman. _L. Lam. _ Yes, I think things had not arriv'd to this exalted height, nor had you been in prospect of a Crown, had not my Politicks exceededyour meaner Ambition. _Lam. _ I confess, I owe all my good Fortune to thee. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ My Lord, my Lord _Wariston_, Lord _Hewson_, Colonel _Cobbet_, and Colonel _Duckenfield_ desire the Honour of waiting on you. _L. Lam. _ This has a Face of Greatness-- let 'em wait a while i'th'Antichamber. _Lam. _ My Love, I would have 'em come in. _L. Lam. _ You wou'd have 'em! you wou'd have a Fool's Head of your own;pray let me be Judge of what their Duty is, and what your Glory: I sayI'll have 'em wait. _Page. _ My Lord _Fleetwood_ too is just alighted, shall lie wait too, Madam? _L. Lam. _ He may approach: and d'ye hear-- put on your fawning Looks, flatter him, and profess much Friendship to him, you may betray him withthe more facility. _Whit. _ Madam, you counsel well. [Ex. _Page_. _Page_ re-enters with Lord _Fleetwood_. _Lam. _ My good Lord, your most submissive Servant. _Whit. _ My gracious Lord, I am your Creature-- your Slave-- _Fleet. _ I profess ingeniously, I am much engag'd to you, my good Lords;I hope things are now in the Lard's handling, and will go on well forhis Glory and my Interest, and that all my good People of _England_ willdo things that become good Christians. _Whit. _ Doubt us not, my good Lord; the Government cannot be put intoabler Hands than those of your Lordship; it has hitherto been in thehard Clutches of _Jews, Infidels_, and _Pagans_. _Fleet. _ Yea, verily, Abomination has been in the Hands of Iniquity. _Lam. _ But, my Lord, those Hands, by my good Conduct, are now cut off, and our Ambition is, your Lordship wou'd take the Government upon you. _Fleet. _ I profess, my Lord, by yea and nay, I am asham'd of thisGoodness, in making me the Instrument of saving Grace to this Nation;'tis the great Work of the Lard. _L. Lam. _ The Lard! Sir, I'll assure you the Lard has the least Hand inyour good Fortune; I think you ought to ascribe it to the Cunning andConduct of my Lord here, who so timely abandon'd the Interest of_Richard_. _Fleet. _ Ingeniously I must own, your good Lord can do much, and hasdone much; but 'tis our Method to ascribe all to the Powers above. _L. Lam. _ Then I must tell you, your Method's an ungrateful Method. _Lam. _ Peace, my Love. _Whit. _ Madam, this is the Cant we must delude the Rabble with. _L. Lam. _ Then let him use it there, my Lord, not amongst us, who sowell understand one another. _Lam. _ Good Dear, be pacified-- and tell me, shall the Gentlemen withouthave Admittance? _L. Lam. _ They may. [_Page_ goes out. Enter _Hewson_, _Desbro_, _Duckenfield_, _Wariston_, and _Cobbet_. _War. _ Guds Benizon light on yu, my gued Loords, for this Day's Work;Madam, I kiss your white Honds. _Duc. _ My Lord, I have not been behind-hand in this Day's turn of State. _Lam. _ 'Tis confess'd, Sir; what would you infer from that? _Duc. _ Why, I wou'd know how things go; who shall be General, whoProtector? _Hews. _ My Friend has well translated his meaning. _L. Lam. _ Fy, how that filthy Cobler Lord betrays his Function. _Duc. _ We're in a Chaos, a Confusion, as we are. _Hews. _ Indeed the Commonwealth at present is out at Heels, and wantsunderlaying. _Cob. _ And the People expect something suddenly from us. _Whit. _ My Lords and Gentlemen, we must consider a while. _War. _ Bread a gued there's mickle Wisdom i'that, Sirs. _Duc. _ It ought to be consulted betimes, my Lord, 'tis a matter ofMoment, and ought to be consulted by the whole Committee. _Lam. _ We design no other, my Lord, for which Reason at three a Clockwe'll meet at _Wallingford_ House. _Duc. _ Nay, my Lord, do but settle the Affair, let's but know who's ourHead, and 'tis no matter. _Hews. _ Ay, my Lord, no matter who; I hope 'twill be _Fleetwood_, for Ihave the length of his Foot already. _Whit. _ You are the leading Men, Gentlemen, your Voices will soon settlethe Nation. _Duc. _ Well, my Lord, we'll not fail at three a Clock. _Des. _ This falls out well for me; for I've Business in _Smithfield_, where my Horses stand; and verily, now I think on't, the Rogue theOstler has not given 'em Oates to day: Well, my Lords, farewel; if Icome not time enough to _Wallingford_ House, keep me a Place in theCommittee, and let my Voice stand for one, no matter who. _War. _ A gued Mon I's warrant, and takes muckle Pains for the Gued o'th'Nation, and the Liberty o'th Mobily-- The Diel confound 'em aud. _Lam. _ Come, my Lord _Wariston_, you are a wise Man, what Government areyou for. _War. _ Ene tol what ya please, my gued Loord. [Takes him aside. _Lam. _ What think you of a single Person here in my Lord _Fleetwood_? _War. _ Marry, Sir, and he's a brave Mon, but gen I may cooncel, tak'tfor yar sel my gued Loord, ant be gued for him, 'tis ene gued for ya te. _Lam. _ But above half the Nation are for him. _War. _ Bread a gued, and I's for him then. _Fleet. _ The Will of the Lard be done; and since 'tis his Will, I cannotwithstand my Fate-- ingeniously. _Whit. _ My Lord _Wariston_, a Word-- What if _Lambert_ were the Man? [Takes him aside. _War. _ Right Sir, Wons and ya have spoken aud; he's a brave Mon, a Monindeed gen I's have any Judgment. _Whit. _ So I find this Property's for any use. [Aside. _Lam. _ My Lord, I perceive Heaven and Earth conspire to make you ourPrince. _Fleet. _ Ingeniously, my Lords, the Weight of three Kingdoms is a heavyBurden for so weak Parts as mine: therefore I will, before I appear atCouncil, go seek the Lard in this great Affair; and if I receive aRevelation for it, I shall with all Humility espouse the Yoke, for theGood of his People and mine; and so Gad with us, the Commonwealth of_England_. [Exeunt _Fleet. _ _Desbro_, _Wariston_, _Due. _ _Cob. _ _Hews_, and _Whit. _ _L. Lam. _ Poor deluded Wretch, 'tis not yet come to that. _Lam. _ No, my dear, the Voice will go clearly for me; what with Bribesto some, Hypocrisy and Pretence of Religion to others, and promis'dPreferments to the rest, I have engag'd 'em all. _L. Lam. _ And will you be a King? _Lam. _ You think that's so fine a thing-- but let me tell you, my Love, a King's a Slave to a Protector, a King's ty'd up to a thousand Rules ofmusty Law, which we can break at pleasure; we can rule withoutParliaments, at least chuse whom we please, make 'em agree to ourProposals, or set a Guard upon 'em, and starve 'em till they do. _L. Lam. _ But their Votes are the strangest things-- that they must passfor Laws; you were never voted King. _Lam. _ No, nor care to be: The sharpest Sword's my Vote, my Law, myTitle. They voted _Dick_ should reign, where is he now? They voted thegreat Heroicks from the Succession; but had they Arms or Men, as I have, you shou'd soon see what wou'd become of their Votes-- No, my Love! 'tisthis-- must make me King. [His Sword. Let _Fleetwood_ and the Rump go seek the Lard, My Empire and my Trust is in my Sword. ACT II. SCENE I. _A Chamber of State in _Lambert's_ House. _ Enter L. _Lambert_, _Gilliflower_, and Women-servants. _L. Lam. _ _Gilliflower_, has none been here to ask for any of my People, in order to his approach to me? _Gill. _ None, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Madam! How dull thou art? wo't never learn to give me a betterTitle than such an one as foolish Custom bestows on every common Wench? _Gill. _ Pardon my Ignorance, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Again Madam? _Gill. _ Really, Madam, I shou'd be glad to know by what other Title youwou'd be distinguish'd? _L. Lam. _ Abominable dull! Do'st thou not know on what score my Dear isgone to _Wallingford_ House? _Gill. _ I cannot divine, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Heaven help thy Ignorance! he's gone to be made Protector, Fool, or at least a King, thou Creature; and from this Day I date myself her Highness. _Gill. _ That will be very fine indeed, an't please your Highness. _L. Lam. _ I think 'twill sute better with my Person and Beauty than withthe other Woman-- what d'ye call her? Mrs. _Cromwell_-- my Shape-- andGate-- my Humour, and my Youth have something more of Grandeur, havethey not? _Gill. _ Infinitely, an't please your Highness. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ Madam, a Man without has the boldness to ask for your Honour. _L. Lam. _ Honour, Fool! _Gill. _ Her Highness, Blockhead. _Page. _ Saucily prest in, and struck the Porter for denying him entranceto your-- Highness. _L. Lam. _ What kind of Fellow was't? _Page. _ A rude, rough, hectoring Swash, an't please your Highness; nay, and two or three times, Gad forgive me, he swore too. _L. Lam. _ It must be he. [Aside. _Page. _ His Habit was something bad and Cavalierish-- I believe 'twassome poor petitioning, begging Tory, who having been sequester'd, wou'dpress your Highness for some Favour. _L. Lam. _ Yes, it must be he-- ah, foolish Creature! and can he hopeRelief, and be a villanous Cavalier? out upon 'em, poor Wretches-- youmay admit him tho', for I long to hear how one of those things talk. _Gill. _ Oh, most strangely, Madam-- an please your Highness, I shou'dsay. Enter _Loveless_. _L. Lam. _ 'Tis he, I'll swear, _Gilliflower_, these Heroicks arepunctual men-- how now, your Bus'ness with us, Fellow? _Lov. _ My Bus'ness, Madam?-- _L. Lam. _ Hast thou ever a Petition to us? _Lov. _ A Petition, Madam?-- Sure this put-- on Greatness is to amuse herServants, or has she forgot that she invited me? or indeed forgot me?-- [Aside. _L. Lam. _ What art thou? _Page. _ Shall we search his Breeches, an't please your Highness, forPistol, or other Instruments? _L. Lam. _ No, Boy, we fear him not, they say the Powers above protectthe Persons of Princes. [Walks away. _Lov. _ Sure she's mad, yet she walks loose about, And she has Charms even in her raving Fit. _L. Lam. _ Answer me. What art thou?-- How shall I get my Servants hence with Honour? [Aside. _Lov. _ A Gentleman-- That could have boasted Birth and Fortune too, Till these accursed Times, which Heaven confound, Razing out all Nobility, all Virtue, Has render'd me the rubbish of the World; Whilst new rais'd Rascals, Canters, Robbers, Rebels, Do lord it o'er the Free-born, Brave and Noble. _L. Lam. _ You're very confident, know you to whom you speak? but Isuppose you have lost your Estate, or some such trivial thing, whichmakes you angry. _Lov. _ Yes, a trivial Estate of some five and twenty hundred Pound aYear: but I hope to see that Rogue of a Lord reduc'd to hisCobler's-Stall again, or more deserv'dly hang'd, that has it. _L. Lam. _ I thought 'twas some such Grievance-- but you must keep a goodTongue in your Head, lest you be hang'd for _Scandalum Magnatum_--there's Law for ye, Sir. _Lov. _ No matter, then I shall be free from a damn'd Commonwealth, as you are pleas'd to call it, when indeed 'tis but a mungrel, mangy, Mock-Monarchy. _L. Lam. _ Is it your business, Sir, to rail? _Lov. _ You rais'd the Devil, Madam. _Page. _ Madam, shall I call your Highness's Guards, and secure theTraitor? _L. Lam. _ No, that you may see how little I regard or fear him; leave usall-- [Ex. All but _Gill. _ We'll trust our Person in his Hands alone-- --Now, Sir-- Your Bus'ness? [Smilingly approaches him. _Lav. _ Madam, I waited here by your Commands. _L. Lam. _ How shall I tell him that I love him, Gilliflower? _Gill. _ Easily, Madam, tell him so in plain _English_. Madam, 'tis great;Women of your exalted height ever speak first; you have no Equals darepretend to speak of Love to you. _L. Lam. _ Thou art i'th' right-- Do'st know my Quality, and thy ownPoverty? And hast thou nothing to ask that I may grant? _Lav. _ Sure she loves me! and I, frail Flesh and Blood, Cannot resisther Charms; but she's of the damn'd Party. [Aside. _L. Lam. _ Are all your Party, Sir, so proud? _Lov. _ But what have I to do with Religion! Is Beauty the worse, or akind Wench to be refus'd for Conventickling? She lives high on theSpoils of a glorious Kingdom, and why may not I live upon the Sins ofthe Spoiler? [Aside. _L. Lam. _ Sir-- you are poor! _Lov. _ So is my Prince; a Plague on the occasion. _L. Lam. _ I think you are-- no Fool too. _Lov. _ I wou'd I were, then I had been a Knave, had thriv'd, andpossibly by this time had been tugging for rifled Crowns and Kingdoms. _L. Lam. _ This Satir ill befits my present Bus'ness with you-- you--want some Necessaries-- as Clothes, and Linen too; and 'tis great pityso proper a Man shou'd want Necessaries. _Gilliflower_-- take my CabinetKey, and fetch the Purse of Broad-pieces that lies in the lower Drawer;'tis a small Present, Sir, but 'tis an Earnest of my farther Service. [_Gill. _ goes out and returns with a Purse. _Lov. _ I'm angry, that I find one Grain of Generosity in this whole Raceof Hypocrites. [Aside. _L. Lam. _ Here, Sir, 'tis only for your present use; for Clothes-- threehundred Pieces; let me see you sweet-- _Lov. _ Stark mad, by this good Day. _L. Lam. _ Ah, _Gilliflower_! How prettily those Cavalier things charm;I wonder how the Powers above came to give them all the Wit, Softness, and Gallantry-- whilst all the great ones of our Age have the mostslovenly, ungrateful, dull Behaviour; no Air, no Wit, no Love, nor anything to please a Lady with. _Gill. _ Truly, Madam, there's a great Difference in the Men; yet Heavenat first did its part, but the Devil has since so over-done his, thatwhat with the Vizor of Sanctity, which is the gadly Sneer, the drawingof the Face to a prodigious length, the formal Language, with a certainTwang through the Nose, and the pious Gogle, they are fitter to scareChildren than beget love in Ladies. _Lav. _ You hit the Character of your new Saint. _L. Lam. _ And then their Dress, _Gilliflower_. _Gil. _ Oh! 'Tis an Abomination to look like a Gentleman; long Hair iswicked and cavalierish, a Periwig is flat Popery, the Disguise of theWhore of _Babylon_; handsom Clothes, or lac'd Linen, the very Tempterhimself, that debauches all their Wives and Daughters; therefore thediminutive Band, with the Hair of the Reformation Cut, beneath which apair of large sanctify'd Souses appear, to declare to the World they hadhitherto escap'd the Pillory, tho deserv'd it as well as _Pryn_. _L. Lam. _ Have a care what you say, _Gilliflower_. _Gil. _ Why, Madam, we have no Informers here. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ Madam, here's Old _Noll's_ Wife desires Admittance to yourHon-- your Highness. _L. Lam. _ Bid the poor Creature wait without, I'll do her what Good Ican for her Husband's sake, who first infus'd Politicks into me, bywhich I may boast I have climb'd to Empire. _Lov. _ So, her Madness runs in that Vein I see. [Aside. _Gil. _ Alack, Madam, I think she's coming. _Crom. _ [without] Does she keep State in the Devil's Name, and must Iwait? _L. Lam. _ Heavens! I shall be scandalized by the Godly. Dear_Gilliflower_, conceal my Cavalier; I would not have a Cavalier seenwith me for all the World-- Step into my Cabinet. [Ex. _Gil. _ and _Lov. _ Enter L. _Cromwel_, held back by a Man-- to them _Gilliflower_. _Crom. _ Unhand me, Villain-- 'twas not long since a Rudeness, Sir, likethis had forfeited thy Head. _L. Lam. _ What wou'd the Woman? _Crom. _ The Knave, the perjur'd Villain thy Husband, by th' Throat: thouproud, imperious Baggage, to make me wait; whose Train thou hast beenproud to bear-- how durst thou, after an Affront like this, trust thyfalse Face within my Fingers reach? that Face, that first bewitch'd thebest of Husbands from me, and tempted him to sin. _Gil. _ I beseech your Highness retire, the Woman's mad. _Crom. _ Highness in the Devil's Name, sure 'tis not come to that; no, I may live to see thy Cuckold hang'd first, his Politicks are yet tooshallow, Mistress. Heavens! Did my Husband make him Lord for this? raisehim to Honour, Trusts, Commands, and Counsels, To ruin all our Royal Family, Betray young _Richard_, who had reign'd in Peace But for his Perjuries and Knaveries; And now he sooths my Son-in-law, soft _Fleetwood_, With empty hopes of Pow'r, and all the while To make himself a King: No, Minion, no; I yet may live to see Thy Husband's Head o'th' top of _Westminster_, Before I see it circled in a Crown. _L. Lam. _ I pity the poor Creature. _Crom. _ Ungrateful Traytor as he is, Not to look back upon his Benefactors; But he, in lieu of making just Returns, Reviles our Family, profanes our Name, And will in time render it far more odious Than ever _Needham_ made the great Heroicks. _L. Lam. _ Alas, it weeps, poor Woman! _Crom. _ Thou ly'st, false Strumpet, I scorn to shed a Tear, For ought that thou canst do or say to me; I've too much of my Husband's Spirit in me. Oh, my dear _Richard_, hadst thou had a Grain on't, Thou and thy Mother ne'er had fall'n to this. _Gil. _ His Father sure was seeking of the Lard when he was got. Enter L. _Fleetwood_, her Train born up. _Crom. _ Where is this perjur'd Slave, thy Wittal Lord? Dares he not shew his Face, his guilty Face, Before the Person he has thus betray'd? _L. Fleet. _ Madam, I hope you mistake my honour'd Lord _Lambert_, I believe he designs the Throne for my dear Lord. _Crom. _ Fond Girl, because he has the Art of fawning, Dissembling to the height, can sooth and smile, Profess, and sometimes weep:-- No, he'll betray him, as he did thy Brother; _Richard_ the Fourth was thus deluded by him. No, let him swear and promise what he will, They are but steps to his own ambitious End; And only makes the Fool, thy credulous Husband, A silly deluded Property. Enter _Fleetwood_. _Fleet. _ My honour'd Mother, I am glad to find you here; I hope we shallreconcile things between ye. Verily we should live in Brotherly Lovetogether; come, ingeniously, you shall be Friends, my Lady Mother. _Crom. _ Curse on th' occasion of thy being a Kin to me. _Fleet. _ Why, an please ye, forsooth, Madam? _Crom. _ My Daughter had a Husband, Worthy the Title of my Son-in-Law; _Ireton_, my best of Sons: he'd Wit and Courage, And with his Counsels, rais'd our House to Honours, Which thy impolitick Easiness pulls down: And whilst you should be gaining Crowns and Kingdoms, Art poorly couzening of the World with fruitless Prayers. _Fleet. _ Nay, I'll warrant you, Madam, when there is any gadly Mischiefto be done, I am as forward as the best; but 'tis good to take the Lardalong with us in every thing. I profess ingeniously, as I am an honestMan, verily-- ne'er stir-- I shall act as becomes a good Christian. _Crom. _ A good Coxcomb. Do'st thou not see her reverend Highness there, That Minion now assumes that glorious Title I once, and my Son _Richard's_ Wife enjoy'd, Whilst I am call'd the Night-mare of the Commonwealth? But wou'd I were, I'd so hag-ride the perjur'd Slaves, Who took so many Oaths of true Allegiance To my great Husband first, then to _Richard_-- Who, whilst they reign'd, were most illustrious, Most high and mighty Princes; whilst fawning Poets Write Panegyricks on 'em; and yet no sooner was The wondrous Hero dead, but all his glorious Titles fell to Monster of Mankind, Murderer Of Piety, Traytor to Heaven and Goodness. _Fleet. _ Who calls him so? Pray take their Names down: I professingeniously, forsooth, Madam, verily I'll order 'em, as I am here Iwill. _Crom. _ Thou, alas! they scorn so poor a thing as thou. _Fleet. _ Do they ingeniously? I'll be even with 'em, forsooth, Mother, as I am here I will, and there's an end on't. _Crom. _ I wou'd there were an end of our Disgrace and Shame, Which is but just begun, I fear. What will become of that fair Monument Thy careful Father did erect for thee, [To L. _Fleetwood_. Yet whilst he liv'd, next to thy Husband _Ireton_, Lest none shou'd do it for thee after he were dead; The Malice of proud _Lambert_ will destroy all. _Fleet. _ I profess, Madam, you mistake my good Lord _Lambert_, he's anhonest Man, and fears the Lard; he tells me I am to be the Man; verilyhe does, after all's done. _Cram. _ Yes, after all's done, thou art the Man to be pointed at. _Fleet. _ Nay, ingeniously, I scorn the Words, so I do: I know the greatWork of Salvation to the Nation is to be wrought by me, verily. _Crom. _ Do, cant on, till Heaven drop Kingdoms in thy Mouth: Dull, sillySot, thou Ruin of our Interest; thou fond, incorrigible, easy Fool. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ My Lord, the Committee of Safety waits your coming. _Fleet. _ Why, law you now, forsooth-- I profess verily, you areingeniously the hardest of Belief-- tell the Honourable Lords I'mcoming: Go, Lady-mother, go home with my Wife; and verily you'll seethings go to your wish-- I must to Coach. _L. Fleet. _ Madam, your humble Servant. [To La. _Lam. _ _Fleet. _ Honour'd Lady, I kiss your Hands. [Exeunt _Crom. _ _Fleet_, and L. _Fleet. _ Enter _Loveless_. _Lov. _ Was this the thing that is to be Protector? This little sniveling Fellow rule three Kingdoms? But leave we Politicks, and fall to Love, Who deals more Joys in one kind happy moment Than Ages of dull Empire can produce. _L. Lam. _ Oh Gods! shall I who never yielded yet, But to him to whom three Kingdoms fell a Sacrifice, Surrender at first Parley? _Lov. _ Perhaps that Lover made ye gayer Presents, But cou'd not render you a Heart all Love, Or Mind embyass'd in Affairs of Blood. --I bring no Guilt to fright you from my Embraces, But all our Hours shall be serene and soft. _L. Lam. _ Ah, _Gilliflower_, thy Aid, or I am lost; Shall it be said of me in after Ages, When my Fame amongst Queens shall be recorded, That I, ah Heavens! regardless of my Country's Cause, Espous'd the wicked Party of its Enemies, The Heathenish Heroicks? ah, defend me! _Lov. _ Nay-- by all that's-- _L. Lam. _ Ah, hold! Do not profane my Ears with Oaths or Execrations, I cannot bear the Sound. _Lov. _ Nay, nay-- by Heav'n I'll not depart your Lodgings, till thatsoft Love that plays so in your Eyes give me a better Proof-- by-- _L. Lam. _ Oh hold, I die, if you proceed in this Abomination. _Lov. _ Why do you force me to't? d'ye think to put me off with such aFace-- such Lips-- such Smiles-- such Eyes, and every Charm-- You'vemade me mad, and I shall swear my Soul away, if disappointed now. _Gil. _ Ah, save the Gentleman's Soul, I beseech ye, Madam. _L. Lam. _ I'm much inclin'd to Acts of Piety-- And you have such aPower, that howe'er I incommode my Honour-- [Leaning on him, smiling. He goes to lead her out, Enter La. _Desbro_. --_Desbro_ here! How unseasonably she comes? _L. Des. _ Cry mercy, Madam, I'll withdraw a while. _L. Lam. _ Ah, _Desbro_! thou art come in the most lucky Minute-- I wasjust on the point of falling-- As thou say'st, these Heroicks have thestrangest Power-- _L. Des. _ I never knew a Woman cou'd resist 'em. _L. Lam. _ No marvel then, our Husbands use 'em so, betray 'em, banish'em, sequester, murder 'em, and every way disarm 'em-- _L. Des. _ But their Eyes, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Ay, their Eyes, _Desbro_; I wonder our Lords shou'd take awaytheir Swords, and let 'em wear their Eyes. _L. Des. _ I'll move it to the Committee of Safety, Madam, those Weaponsshould be taken from 'em too. _L. Lam. _ Still they'll have some to be reveng'd on us. _L. Des. _ Ay, so they will will; My Lord says, a Cavalier is a kind of_Hydra_, knock him o'th' Head as often as you will, he has still one topeep up withal. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ Madam, here's Mr. _Freeman_ to speak with your Honour. _Lov. _ That's a Friend of mine, Madam, and 'twou'd be unnecessary he sawyour Highness and I together: let us withdraw-- _L. Lam. _ Withdraw! why, what will _Desbro_ say? _L. Des. _ O Madam, I know your Virtue and your Piety too well tosuspect your Honour wrongfully: 'tis impossible a Lady that goes to aConventicle twice a Day, besides long Prayers and loud Psalm-- singing, shou'd do any thing with an Heroick against her Honour. Your knownSanctity preserves you from Scandal-- But here's _Freeman_-- [Puts 'em in. Enter _Freeman_. _Free. _ So, Madam-- you are very kind-- _L. Des. _ My charming _Freeman_, this tedious Day of Absence has been anAge in love. How hast thou liv'd without me? _Free. _ Like one condemn'd, sad and disconsolate, And all the while youmade your Husband happy. _L. Des. _ Name not the Beastly Hypocrite, thou know'st I made no otheruse of him, But a dull Property to advance our Love. _Free. _ And 'tis but Justice, _Maria_, he sequester'd me of my wholeEstate, because, he said, I took up Arms in _Ireland_, on Noble_Ormond's_ Side; nay, hir'd Rogues, perjur'd Villains-- Witnesses with aPox, to swear it too; when at that time I was but Eight Years Old; but Iescap'd as well as all the Gentry and Nobility of _England_. To add tothis, he takes my Mistress too. _L. Des. _ You mistake, my lovely _Freeman_; I married only thy Estate, the best Composition I cou'd make for thee, and I will pay it back withInterest too. _Free. _ You wou'd suspect my Love then, and swear that all the AdorationI pay you, were, as we do to Heav'n, for Interest only. _L. Des. _ How you mistake my Love, but do so still, so you will let megive these-- Proofs of it. [Gives him Gold. _Free. _ Thus, like _Atlante_, you drop Gold in my Pursuit To Love, I may not over-take you: What's this to giving me one happy minute? Take back your Gold, and give me current Love, The Treasure of your Heart, not of your Purse-- When shall we meet, _Maria_? _L. Des. _ You know my leisure Hours are when my Honourable Lord isbusied in Affairs of State, or at his Prayers; from which long-windedExercise I have of late withdrawn my self: three Hours by the Clock heprays extemporary, which is, for National and Household Blessings: Forthe first-- 'tis to confound the Interest of the King, that the Lardwou'd deliver him, his Friends, Adherers and Allies, wheresoeverscatter'd about the Face of the whole Earth, into the Clutches of theRighteous: Press 'em, good Lard, even as the Vintager doth the Grape inthe Wine-Press, till the Waters and gliding Channels are made red withthe Blood of the Wicked. [In a Tone. _Free. _ And grant the Faithful to be mighty, and to be strong inPersecution; and more especially, ah! I beseech thee confound thatmalignant Tory _Freeman_-- that he may never rise up in judgment againstthy Servant, who has taken from him his Estate, his Sustenance andBread; give him Grace of thy infinite Mercy, to hang himself, if thyPeople can find no zealous Witnesses to swear him to the Gallowslegally. Ah, we have done very much for thee, Lard, thou shoud'stconsider us thy Flock, and we shou'd be as good to thee in anotherthing. [In a Tone. _L. Des. _ Thou hit'st the zealous Twang right; sure thou hast beenacquainted with some of 'em. _Free. _ Damn 'em, no; what honest Man wou'd keep 'em Company, whereharmless Wit and Mirth's a Sin, laughing scandalous, and a merry GlassAbomination? _L. Des. _ Yes, if you drink Healths, my wicked Brother: otherwise, to besilently drunk, to be as abusive and satirical as you please, upon theHeroicks, is allowable-- for laughing, 'tis not indeed so well; but theprecise Sneer and Grin is lawful; no swearing indeed, but lying anddissimulation in abundance. I'll assure you, they drink as deep, andentertain themselves as well with this silent way of leud Debauchery, as you with all your Wit and Mirth, your Healths of the Royal Family. _Free. _ Nay, I confess, 'tis a great Pleasure to cheat the World. _L. Des. _ 'Tis Power, as divine _Hobbes_ calls it. _Free. _ But what's all this to Love? Where shall we meet anon? _L. Des. _ I'll tell you, what will please you as well-- Your Friend iswithin with her Highness that shall be, if the Devil and her Husband'sPoliticks agree about the matter. _Free. _ Ha, has my cautious Railer manag'd matters so slyly? _L. Des. _ No, no, the matter was manag'd to his Hand; you see how Heav'nbrings things about, for the Good of your Party; this Business will beworth to him at least a thousand Pound a year, or two, well manag'd--But see, my Lady's Woman. _Gil. _ Oh, Madam, my Lord-- [Running cross the Stage into her Lady's Chamber. _Free. _ Death, how shall I bring my Friend off? he'll certainly beruin'd. Enter _Gill. _ _Lov. _ and Lady _Lam. _ _Gill. _ Madam, he's coming up. _Lov. _ Madam, for my self I care not, but am much concern'd for you. [L. _Lam. _ takes two Papers out of her Pocket, and gives 'em to _Lov. _ and _Free_. _L. Lam. _ Here take these two Petitions, each of you one-- PoorFellows-- you may be gone, your Petitions will not be granted. Enter _Lambert_. _Lam. _ How now, my Dear, what Petitions?-- Friends, what's yourBus'ness? _L. Lam. _ 'Tis enough we know their Business, Love, we are sufficient todispatch such Suiters, I hope. _Lam. _ Pardon me, my Dear, I thought no harm; but I saw you frown, andthat made me concern'd. _L. Lam. _ Frown! 'Twou'd make any Body frown, to hear the Impudence ofGentlemen, these Cavaliers-- wou'd you think it, my Dear, if this Fellowhas not the Impudence to petition for the Thirds of his Estate again, so justly taken from him for bearing Arms for the Man?-- _L. Des. _ Nay, I'm inform'd, that they, but two Nights ago, in a Tavern, drunk a Health to the Man too. _Lam. _ How durst you, Sirrah, approach my Lady with any such saucyAddress? you have receiv'd our Answer. _Lov. _ Death, I have scarce Patience. [Aside. _Free. _ We knew, my Lord, the Influence your Ladies have over you, andWomen are more tender and compassionate naturally than Men; and, Sir, 'tis hard for Gentlemen to starve. _L. Lam. _ Have you not able Limbs? can ye not work? _Lov. _ Persons of our Education work! _Lam. _ Starve or beg then. _L. Lam. _ Education! why, I'll warrant there was that young Creaturethey call the Duke of _Glocester_, was as well educated as any Lad inthe Parish; and yet you see he should have been bound Prentice to aHandy-Crafts Trade, but that our Lords could not spare Money to bind himout, and so they sent him to beg beyond Sea. _Lov. _ Death, I shall do Mischief: not all the Joy she gave me but now, can atone for this Blasphemy against the Royal Youth. [Aside. _Free. _ Patience-- Well, my Lord, we find you are obdurate, and we'llwithdraw. _Lam. _ Do so: And if you dare presume to trouble us any more, I'll haveyou whip'd, d'ye hear. _L. Des. _ Madam, I'll take my leave of your Ladyship. [Ex. _Lov. _ _Free. _ and L. _Des. _ _L. Lam. _ My Lord, 'twas I that ought to threaten 'em-- but you're soforward still-- what makes you from the Committee? _Lam. _ I left some Papers behind. _L. Lam. _ And they'll make use of your Absence to set up _Fleetwood_King. _Lam. _ I'll warrant ye, my Dear. _L. Lam. _ You'll warrant! you are a Fool, and a Coxcomb; I see I must gomy self, there will be no Bus'ness done till I thunder 'em together:They want Old _Oliver_ amongst 'em, his Arbitrary Nod cou'd make ye alltremble; when he wanted Power or Money, he need but cock in Parliament, and lay his Hand upon his Sword, and cry, I must have Money, and had it, or kick'd ye all out of Doors: And you are all mealy mouth'd, you cannotcock for a Kingdom. _Lam. _ I'll warrant ye, Dear, I can do as good a thing for a Kingdom. _L. Lam. _ You can do nothing as you shou'd do't: You want Old _Oliver's_Brains, Old _Oliver's_ Courage, and Old _Oliver's_ Counsel: Ah, what apolitick Fellow was little Sir _Anthony_! What a Head-piece was there!What a plaguy Fellow Old _Thurlo_, and the rest! But get ye back, andreturn me Protector at least, or never hope for Peace again. _Lam. _ My Soul, trouble not thy self, go in-- _With mine no Power can equal be, And I will be a King to humour thee. _ [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. _A Council-Chamber, great Table, Chairs, and Papers. _ Enter two Clerks, who lay Papers in Order, and Doorkeeper. _Door. _ Come, haste, haste, the Lords are coming-- keep back there, roomfor the Lords, room for the honourable Lords: Heav'n bless your WorshipsHonours. Enter _Lambert_, _Fleetwood_, _Whitlock_, _Wariston_, discoursing earnestly; to them _Duckenfield_, _Cobbet_, _Hewson_, _Desbro_, and others; _Duck. _ takes _Wariston_ by the Hand, and talks to him. _War. _ Bread a gued, Gentlemen, I's serv'd the Commonwealth long andfaithfully; I's turn'd and turn'd to aud Interest and aud Religions thatturn'd up Trump, and wons a me, but I's get naught but Bagery by my Sol;I's noo put in for a Pansion as well as rest o ya Loones. _Cob. _ What we can serve you in, my Lord, you may command. _Duc. _ And I too, my Lord, when the Government is new moulded. _War. _ Wons, Sirs, and I's sa moold it, 'twas ne'er sa moolded sen theDam boon'd the Head on't. _Duc. _ I know there are some ambitious Persons that are for a singlePerson; but we'll have hot Work e'er we yield to that. _War. _ The faud Diel take 'em then for _Archibald_; 'tis warse thanMonarchy. _Duc. _ A thousand times: have we with such Industry been pulling downKings of the Royal Family, to set up Tyrants of our own, of mean andobscure Birth? No, if we're for a single Person, I'm for a lawful one. _War. _ Wons and ya have spoken aud, my Lord, so am I. _Due. _ But _Lambert_ has a busy, haughty Spirit, and thinks to carry it;but we'll have no single Person. _War. _ Nor I, ods Bread; the faud Diel brest the Wem of _Lambert_, orany single Person in _England_. I's for yare Interest, my gued Lords. [Bowing. _Lam. _ My Lord _Wariston_, will you please to assume the Chair? Enter _Loveless_, _Freeman_, and others with Petitions. _War. _ Ah, my gued Loord, I's yare most obedient humble Servant. [Bowing to _Lam. _ all set. _All. _ Hum, hum. _Fleet. _ My Lords and Gentlemen, we are here met together in the Name ofthe Lard-- _Duc. _ Yea, and I hope we shall hang together as one Man-- A Pox uponyour Preaching. [Aside. _Fleet. _ --And hope this Day's great Work will be for his Praise andGlory. _Duc. _ 'Bating long Graces, my Lord, we are met together for theBus'ness of the Nation, to settle it, and to establish a Government. _Fleet. _ Yea, verily: and I hope you will all unanimously agree, it shall be your unworthy Servant. _Lam. _ What else, my Lord. _Fleet. _ And as thou, Lard, hast put the Sword into my Hand-- _Due. _ So put it into your Heart-- my Lord, to do Justice. _Fleet. _ Amen. _Due. _ I'd rather see it there than in your Hand-- [Aside. _Fleet. _ For we are, as it were, a Body without a Head; or, to speakmore learnedly, an Animal inanimate. _Hew. _ My Lord, let us use, as little as we can, the Language of theBeast, hard Words; none of your Eloquence, it savoureth of Monarchy. _Lam. _ My Lord, you must give Men of Quality leave to speak in aLanguage more gentile and courtly than the ordinary sort of Mankind. _Hew. _ My Lord, I am sorry to hear there are any of Quality among thishonourable Dissembly. [Stands up. _Cob. _ Assembly, my Lord-- _Hew. _ Well, you know my meaning; or if there be any such, I'm sorrythey should own themselves of Quality. _Due. _ How! own themselves Gentlemen! Death, Sir, d'ye think we were allborn Coblers? _Hew. _ Or if you were not, the more the pity, for little _England_, I say. [In a heat. _Fleet. _ Verily, my Lords, Brethren should not fall out, it is a Scandalto the good Cause, and maketh the wicked rejoice. _War. _ Wons, and theys garr the loosey Proverb on't te, _when loons gangtogether by th' luggs, gued men get their ene. _ _All. _ He, he, he. _Due. _ He calls you Knaves by Craft, my Lords. _War. _ Bread a gued, take't among ye, Gentlemen, I's ment weel. _Fleet. _ I profess, my Lord _Wariston_, you make my Hair stand an end tohear how you swear. _War. _ Wons, my Loord, I's swear as little as your Lordship, only I'sswear out, and ye swallow aud. _Due. _ There's a Bone for you to pick, my Lord. _All. _ He, he, he. _Lam. _ We give my Lord _Wariston_ leave to jest. _Des. _ But what's this to the Government all this while? A dad I shallsit so late, I shall have no time to visit my Horses, therefore proceedto the Point. _Hew. _ Ay, to the Point, my Lords; the Gentleman that spoke last spokewell. _Cob. _ Well said, Brother, I see you will in time speak properly. _Duc. _ But to the Government, my Lords! [Beats the Table. _Lam. _ Put 'em off of this Discourse, my Lord. [Aside to _War. _ _Des. _ My Lord _Wariston_, move it, you are Speaker. _War. _ The Diel a me, Sirs, and noo ya talk of a Speaker, I's tell ye ablithe Tale. _Fleet. _ Ingeniously, my Lord, you are to blame to swear so. _Lam. _ Your Story, my Lord. _War. _ By my Sol, mon, and there war a poor Woman the other Day, begg'do'th' Carle the Speaker, but he'd give her nought unless she'd let aFeart; wons at last a Feart she lat. Ay marry, quoth the Woman, noo myRump has a Speaker te. _All. _ He, he, he. _Due. _ But to our Bus'ness-- _Des. _ Bus'ness; ay, there's the thing, I've a World on't. I shou'd goand bespeak a Pair of Mittins and Shears for my Hedger and Shearer, a pair of Cards for my Thrasher, a Scythe for my Mower, and a Screen-Fanfor my Lady-Wife, and many other things; my Head's full of Bus'ness. I cannot stay-- _Whit. _ Fy, my Lord, will you neglect the bus'ness of the Day? We meetto oblige the Nation, and gratify our Friends. _Des. _ Nay, I'll do any thing, so I may rise time enough to see myHorses at Night. _Lav. _ Damn 'em, what stuff's here for a Council-Table? _Free. _ Where are our _English_ Spirits, that can be govern'd by suchDogs as these?-- _Lam. _ Clerk, read the Heads of what past at our last sitting. _War. _ In the first place, I must mind your Lordships tol consider thosethat have been gued Members in the Commonwealth. _Fleet. _ We shall not be backward to gratify any that have serv'd theCommonwealth. _Whit. _ There's Money enough; we have taxt the Nation high. _Due. _ Yes, if we knew where to find it: however, read. _Clerk reads. _] To _Walter Walton_, Draper, six thousand nine hundredtwenty nine Pounds six Shillings and five Pence, for Blacks for hisHighness's Funeral. _Lam. _ For the Devil's; put it down for _Oliver Cromwel's_ Funeral:We'll have no Record rise up in Judgment for such a Villain. _Lav. _ How live Asses kick the dead Lion! [Aside. _Due. _ Hark ye, my Lords, we sit here to reward Services done to theCommonwealth; let us consider whether this be a Service to theCommonwealth or not? _Lam. _ However, we will give him Paper for't. _Hews. _ Ay, let him get his Money when he can. _Lam. _ Paper's not so dear, and the Clerk's Pains will be rewarded. _War. _ Right, my gued Lord, 'sbred, that _Cromwel_ was th' faudest limmerLoon that ever cam into lour Country, the faud Diel has tane him by th'Luggs for robbing our Houses and Land. _Fleet. _ No swearing, my Lord. _War. _ Weel, weel, my Loord, I's larne to profess and lee as weel asbest on ya. _Hews. _ That may bring you profit, my Lord-- but, Clerk, proceed. _Clerk reads. _] To _Walter Frost_, Treasurer of the Contingencies, twenty thousand Pounds. To _Thurloe_, Secretary to his Highness-- _Duc. _ To old _Noll_. _Clerk reads. _] --Old Noll, ten thousand Pounds, for unknown Servicedone the Commonwealth-- To Mr. _Hutchinson_, Treasurer of the Navy, twohundred thousand Pounds-- _War. _ Two hundred thousand Pound; Owns, what a Sum's there?-- Marry itcame from the Mouth of a Cannon sure. _Clerk reads. _] A Present to the Right Honourable and truly VirtuousLady, the Lady _Lambert_, for Service done to the late Protector-- _Hews. _ Again-- say _Cromwel_. _Clerk. _ --Cromwel-- six thousand Pound in _Jacobus's_. _War. _ 'Sbread, sike a Sum wou'd make me honour the Face of aud _Jemmy_. _Clerk. _ To Mr. _Ice_ six thousand Pound; to Mr. _Loether_, lateSecretary to his High-- _Whit. _ To _Oliver Cromwel_ say, can you not obey Orders? _Clerk. _ --Secretary to _Oliver Cromwel_-- two thousand nine hundredninety nine Pounds for Intelligence and Information, and piouslybetraying the King's Liege People. _War. _ Haud, haud, Sirs, Mary en ya gift se fast ya'll gif aud away frompoor _Archibald Johnson_. _Whit. _ Speak for your self, my Lord; or rather, my Lord, do you speakfor him. [To _Lam. _ _Lam. _ Do you move it for him, and I'll do as much for you anon. [Aside to _Whit. _ _Whit. _ My Lord, since we are upon Gratifications, -- let us consider theknown Merit of the Lord _Wariston_, a Person of industrious Mischiefs tothe malignant Party, and great Integrity to us, and the Commonwealth. _War. _ Gued faith, an I's ha been a trusty Trojon, Sir, what say you, may very gued and gracious Loords?-- _Duc. _ I scorn to let a Dog go unrewarded; and you, Sir, fawn soprettily, 'tis pity you shou'd miss Preferment. _Hews. _ And so 'tis; come, come, my Lords, consider he was ever ourFriend, and 'tis but reasonable we shou'd stitch up one another's brokenFortunes. _Duc. _ Nay, Sir, I'm not against it. _All. _ 'Tis Reason, 'tis Reason. _Free. _ Damn 'em, how they lavish out the Nation! _War. _ Scribe, pretha read my Paper. _Hews. _ Have you a Pertition there? _Cob. _ A Petition, my Lord. _Hews. _ Pshaw, you Scholards are so troublesome. _Lam. _ Read the Substance of it. [To the Clerk. _Clerk. _ That your Honours wou'd be pleas'd, in consideration of hisService, to grant to your Petitioner, a considerable Sum of Money forhis present Supply. _Fleet. _ Verily, order him two thousand Pound-- _War. _ Two thousand poond? Bread a gued, and I's gif my Voice for_Fleetwood_. [Aside. _Lam. _ Two thousand; nay, my Lords, let it be three. _War. _ Wons, I lee'd, I lee'd; I's keep my Voice for _Lambert_-- GudsBenizon light on yar Sol, my gued Lord _Lambert. _ _Hews. _ Three thousand Pound! why such a Sum wou'd buy half _Scotland_. _War. _ Wons, my Lord, ya look but blindly on't then: time was, a Miteon't had bought aud shoos in yar Stall, Brother, tho noo ya so abound in_Irish_ and Bishops Lands. _Duc. _ You have nick'd him there, my Lord. _All. _ He, he, he. _War. _ Scribe-- gang a tiny bit farther. _Clerk. _ --And that your Honours would be pleas'd to confer an AnnualPension on him-- _Lam. _ Reason, I think; what say you, my Lords, of five hundred Pound aYear? _All. _ Agreed, agreed. _War. _ The Diel swallow me, my Lord, ya won my Heart. _Due. _ 'Tis very well-- but out of what shall this be rais'd? _Lam. _ We'll look what Malignants' Estates are forfeit, undispos'dof-- let me see-- who has young _Freeman's_ Estate? _Des. _ My Lord, that fell to me. _Lam. _ What all the fifteen hundred Pound a Year? _Des. _ A Dad, and all little enough. _Free. _ The Devil do him good with it. _Des. _ Had not the Lard put it into your Hearts to have given me twothousand _per Annum_ out of Bishops Lands, and three thousand _perAnnum_ out of the Marquess's Estate; how shou'd I have liv'd and serv'dthe Commonwealth as I have done? _Free. _ A plague confound his Honour, he makes a hard shift to live onEight thousand Pound a Year, who was born and bred a Hedger. _Lov. _ Patience, Friend. _Lam. _ I have been thinking-- but I'll find out a way. _Lov. _ Or betray some honest Gentleman, on purpose to gratify the Loone. _Lam. _ And, Gentlemen, I am bound in Honour and Conscience to speak inbehalf of my Lord _Whitlock_; I think fit, if you agree with me, heshou'd be made Constable of _Windsor_ Castle, Warden of the Forest, withthe Rents, Perquisities, and Profits thereto belonging; nor can yourLordships confer a Place of greater Trust and Honour in more safe Hands. _Due. _ I find he wou'd oblige all to his side. [Aside. Has he not part of the Duke of _Buckingham's Estate_ already, with_Chelsey_ House, and several other Gifts? _Lam. _ He has dearly deserv'd 'em; he has serv'd our Interest well andfaithfully. _Due. _ And he has been well paid for't. _Whit. _ And so were you, Sir, with several Lordships, and Bishops Lands, you were not born to, I conceive. _Duc. _ I have not got it, Sir, by knavish Querks in Law; a Sword thatdeals out Kingdoms to the brave, has cut out some small parcels of Earthfor me. And what of this? [Stands up in a heat. _Whit. _ I think, Sir, he that talks well, and to th' purpose, may be asuseful to the Commonwealth as he that fights well. Why do we keep somany else in Pension that ne'er drew Sword, but to talk, and rail at themalignant Party; to libel and defame 'em handsomly, with pious usefulLyes, Which pass for Gospel with the common Rabble, And edify more than _Hugh Peter's_ Sermons; And make Fools bring more Grist to the publick Mill. Then, Sir, to wrest the Law to our convenience Is no small, inconsiderate Work. _Free. _ And which you may be hang'd for very shortly-- [Aside. _Lam. _ 'Tis granted, my Lord, your Merit's infinite-- We made him Keeperof the Great Seal, 'tis true, 'tis Honour, but no Salary. _Duc. _ Ten thousand Pound a Year in Bribes will do as well. _Lam. _ Bribes are not so frequent now as in Old _Noll's_ Days. _Hews. _ Well, my Lord, let us be brief and tedious, as the saying is, and humour one another: I'm for _Whitlock's_ Advance. _Lam. _ I move for a Salary, Gentlemen, _Scobel_ and other petty Clerkshave had a thousand a Year; my Lord sure merits more. _Hews. _ Why-- let him have two thousand then. _Fleet. _ I profess ingeniously, with all my Heart. _Whit. _ I humbly thank your Lordships-- but, if I may be so bold to ask, from whence shall I receive it? _Lam. _ Out of the Customs. _Cob. _ Brotherly Love ought to go along with us-- but, under favour, when this is gone, where shall we raise new Supplies? _Lam. _ We'll tax the Nation high, the City higher, They are our Friends, our most obsequious Slaves, Our Dogs to fetch and carry, our veryAsses-- _Lov. _ And our Oxes, with the help of their Wives. [Aside. _Lam. _ Besides, the City's rich, and near her time, I hope, of beingdeliver'd. _War. _ Wons a gued, wad I'd the laying o' her, she shou'd be sweetlybrought to Bed, by my Sol. _Des. _ The City cares for no _Scotch_ Pipers, my Lord. _War. _ By my Sol, but she has danc'd after the gued Pipe of Reformation, when the Covenant Jigg gang'd maryly round, Sirs. _Clerk. _ My Lords, here are some poor malignant Petitioners. _Lam. _ Oh, turn 'em out, here's nothing for 'em; these Fellows werepetitioning my Lady to day-- I thought she had given you a satisfactoryAnswer, _Lov. _ She did indeed, my Lord: but 'tis a hard Case, to take away aGentleman's Estate, without convicting him of any Crime. _Lam. _ Oh, Sir, we shall prove that hereafter. _Lov. _ But to make sure Work, you'll hang a Man first and examine hisOffence afterwards; a Plague upon your Consciences: My Friend here had alittle fairer Play; your Villains, your Witnesses in Pension swore him aColonel for our glorious Master, of ever blessed Memory, at eight Yearsold; a Plague upon their Miracles. _Fleet. _ Ingeniously, Sirrah, you shall be pillory'd for defaming ourreverend Witnesses: Guards, take 'em to your Custody both. _Free. _ Damn it, I shall miss my Assignation with Lady _Desbro_; a Poxof your unnecessary prating, what shall I do? [Guards take 'em away. _Lam. _ And now, my Lords, we have finished the Business of the Day. My good Lord _Fleetwood_, I am entirely yours, and at our next sittingshall approve my self your Creature-- _Whit. _ My good Lord, I am your submissive Vassal. _War. _ Wons, my Lord, I scorn any Man shou'd be mere yare Vassal thanArchibald Johnson. [To _Fleetwood_. [Ex. All. SCENE II. _A Chamber in Lady _Desbro's_ House. _ Enter La. _Desbro_, and _Corporal_ in haste. _L. Des. _ Seiz'd on, secur'd! Was there no time but this? What made himat the Committee, or when there why spoke he honest Truth? What shall Ido, good Corporal? Advise; take Gold, and see if you can corrupt hisGuards: but they are better paid for doing Mischief; yet try, theirConsciences are large. [Gives him Gold. _Cor. _ I'll venture my Life in so good a Cause, Madam. [Exit. Enter _Tom_. _Tom. _ Madam, here's Mr. _Ananias Gogle_, the Lay-Elder of _Clement's_Parish. _L. Des. _ Damn the sham Saint; am I now in Condition to be plagu'd withhis impertinent Nonsense? _Tom. _ Oh! Pray, Madam, hear him preach a little; 'tis the purestSport-- Enter _Ananias_. _Ana. _ Peace be in this Place. _L. Des. _ A blessed hearing; he preaches nothing in his Conventicles, but Blood and Slaughter. [Aside. What wou'd you, Sir? I'm something busy now. _Ana. _ Ah, the Children of the Elect have no Business but the great Workof Reformation: Yea verily, I say, all other Business is profane, anddiabolical, and devilish; Yea, I say, these Dressings, Curls, andShining Habilliments-- which take so up your time, your precious time;I say, they are an Abomination, yea, an Abomination in the sight of theRighteous, and serve but as an _Ignis fatuus_, to lead vain Manastray-- I say again-- [Looking now and then behind on the Page. _L. Des. _ --You are a very Coxcomb. _Ana. _ I say again, that even I, upright I, one of the new Saints, finda sort of a-- a-- I know not what-- a kind of a Motion as it were--a stirring up-- as a Man may say, to wickedness-- Yea, verily itcorrupteth the outward Man within me. _L. Des. _ Is this your Business, Sir, to rail against our Clothes, as ifyou intended to preach me into my Primitive Nakedness again? _Ana. _ Ah, the naked Truth is best; but, Madam, I have a little work ofGrace to communicate unto you, please you to send your Page away-- _L. Des. _ Withdraw-- sure I can make my Party good with one wickedElder:-- Now, Sir, your Bus'ness. [Ex. _Tom. _ --Be brief. _Ana. _ As brief as you please-- but-- who in the sight of so muchBeau - - ty-- can think of any Bus'ness but the Bus'ness-- Ah! hidethose tempting Breasts, -- Alack, how smooth and warm they are-- [Feeling 'em, and sneering. _L. Des. _ How now, have you forgot your Function? _Ana. _ Nay, but I am mortal Man also, and may fall seven times aday-- Yea verily, I may fall seven times a day-- Your Ladyship's Husbandis old, -- and where there is a good excuse for falling, -- ah, there thefall-- ing-- is excusable. -- And might I but fall with your Ladyship, --might I, I say. -- _L. Des. _ How, this from you, the Head o' th' Church Militant, the veryPope of Presbytery? _Ana. _ Verily, the Sin lieth in the Scandal; therefore most of thediscreet pious Ladies of the Age chuse us, upright Men, who make aConscience of a Secret, the Laity being more regardless of theirFame. -- In sober sadness, the Place-- inviteth, the Creature tempting, and the Spirit very violent within me. [Takes and ruffles her. _L. Des. _ Who waits there?-- I'm glad you have prov'd your self what Iever thought of all your pack of Knaves. _Ana. _ Ah, Madam! Do not ruin my Reputation; there are Ladies of highDegree in the Commonwealth, to whom we find our selves most comforting;why might not you be one?-- for, alas, we are accounted as able Men inLadies Chambers, as in our Pulpits: we serve both Functions-- Enter Servants. Hah! her Servants-- [Stands at a distance. _L. Des. _ Shou'd I tell this, I shou'd not find belief. [Aside. _Ana. _ Madam, I have another Errand to your Ladiship. -- It is the Dutyof my Occupation to catechize the Heads of every Family within myDiocese; and you must answer some few Questions I shall ask. -- In thefirst place, Madam, -- Who made ye? _L. Des. _ So, from Whoring, to a zealous Catechism-- who made me? whatInsolence is this, to ask me Questions which every Child that lisps outWords can answer! _Ana. _ 'Tis our Method, Madam. _L. Des. _ Your Impudence, Sirrah, -- let me examine your Faith, who areso sawcy to take an account of mine-- Who made you? But lest you shou'dnot know, I will inform you: First, Heav'n made you a deform'd, ill-favour'd Creature; then the Rascal your Father made you a Taylor;next, your Wife made you a Cuckold; and lastly the Devil has made you aDoctor; and so get you gone for a Fool and a Knave all over. _Ana. _ A Man of my Coat affronted thus! _L. Des. _ It shall be worse, Sirrah, my Husband shall know how kind youwou'd have been to him, because your Disciple and Benefactor, to havebegot him a Babe of Grace for a Son and Heir. _Ana. _ Mistake not my pious meaning, most gracious Lady. _L. Des. _ I'll set you out in your Colours: Your impudent and bloodyPrinciples, your Cheats, your Rogueries on honest Men, thro their kind, deluded Wives, whom you cant and goggle into a Belief, 'tis a great workof Grace to steal, and beggar their whole Families, to contribute toyour Gormandizing, Lust and Laziness; Ye Locusts of the Land, preachNonsense, Blasphemy, and Treason, till you sweat again, that thesanctify'd Sisters may rub you down, to comfort and console theCreature. _Ana. _ Ah! Am-- _L. Des. _ Sirrah, be gone, and trouble me no more-- be gone-- yetstay-- the Rogue may be of use to me-- Amongst the heap of Vice, Hypocrisy, and Devils that possess all your Party, you may have somenecessary Sin; I've known some honest, useful Villains amongst you, thatwill swear, profess, and lye devoutedly for the Good Old Cause. _Ana. _ Yea, verily, I hope there are many such, and I shou'd rejoice, yea, exceedingly rejoice in any Gadly Performance to your Ladiship. _L. Des. _ This is a pious Work: You are a Knave of Credit, a very Saintwith the rascally Rabble, with whom your seditious Cant more prevails, your precious Hum and Ha, and gifted Nonsense, than all the Rhetorick ofthe Learn'd or Honest. _Ana. _ Hah! _L. Des. _ --In fine, I have use of your Talent at present, there's onenow in Confinement of the Royal Party-- his Name's _Freeman_. _Ana. _ And your Ladiship wou'd have him dispatch'd; I conceive ye-- butwou'd you have him dispatch'd privately, or by Form of Law? we've Toolsfor all uses, and 'tis a pious Work, and meritorious. _L. Des. _ Right, I wou'd indeed have him dispatch'd, and privately; but'tis hither privately, hither to my Chamber, privately, for I haveprivate Bus'ness with him. D'ye start?-- this must be done-- for you canpimp I'm sure upon occasion, you've Tools for all uses; come, resolve, or I'll discover your bloody Offer. Is your Stomach so queasy it cannotdigest Pimping, that can swallow Whoring, false Oaths, Sequestration, Robbery, Rapes, and Murders daily? _Ana. _ Verily, you mistake my pious Meaning; it is the Malignant I stickat; the Person, not the Office: and in sadness, Madam, it goeth againstmy tender Conscience to do any good to one of the Wicked. _L. Des. _ It must stretch at this time; go haste to the Guard, anddemand him in my Husband's Name; here's something worth your Pains--having releas'd him, bring him to me, you understand me-- go bid him bediligent, and as you behave your self, find my Favour; for know, Sir, I am as great a Hypocrite as you, and know the Cheats of your Religiontoo; and since we know one another, 'tis like we shall be true. _Ana. _ But shou'd the Man be missing, and I call'd to account?-- _L. Des. _ He shall be return'd in an hour: go, get you gone, and bringhim, or-- no more-- [Ex. _Ana. _ For all degrees of Vices, you must grant, There is no Rogue like your _Geneva_ Saint. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. _A Chamber in La. _Desbro's_ House. Candles, and Lights. _ Enter L. _Desbro_ and _Freeman_. _L. Des. _ By what strange Miracle, my dearest _Freeman_, wert thou setat liberty? _Free. _ On the zealous Parole of _Rabbie Ananias_; that Rhetorick thatcan convert whole Congregations of well-meaning Blockheads to errantKnaves, has now mollify'd my Keeper; I'm to be render'd back within thisHour: let's not, my dear _Maria_, lose the precious minutes thisReverend Hypocrite has given us. _L. Des. _ Oh! you are very gay, have you forgot whose Prisoner you are, and that perhaps, e'er many Days are ended, they may hang you forHigh-Treason against the Commonwealth? they never want a goodthorow-stitch'd Witness to do a Murder lawfully. _Free. _ No matter, then I shall die with Joy, _Maria_, when I consider, that you lov'd so well to give me the last Proof on't. _L. Des. _ Are you in earnest, _Freeman_? and wou'd you take what Honourwill not suffer me to grant? _Free. _ With all my Heart, Honour's a poor Excuse. Your Heart and Vows(your better part) are mine; you've only lent your Body out to one whomyou call Husband, and whom Heaven has mark'd for Cuckoldom. Nay, 'tis anAct of honest Loyalty, so to revenge our Cause; whilst you were onlymine, my honest Love thought it a Sin to press these Favours from you;'twas injuring my self as well as thee; but now we only give and takeour Right. _L. Des. _ No more, my Husband's old-- _Free. _ Right, my dear _Maria_, and therefore-- _L. Des. _ --May possibly die-- _Free. _ He will be hang'd first. _L. Des. _ --I hope so-- either of which will do our Bus'ness--unreasonable _Freeman_, not to have Patience till my Husband behang'd a little. _Free. _ But what if Destiny put the Change upon us, and I be hang'dinstead of _Desbro_? _L. Des. _ Why then thou art not the first gallant Fellow that has diedin the Good and Royal Cause; and a small taste of Happiness will butturn thee off the Ladder with the sadder Heart. _Free. _ Hast thou the Conscience, lovely as thou art, To deal out all thy Beauty to a Traitor? Is not this Treason of the highest Nature, To rob the Royal Party of such Treasure, And give it to our mortal Enemies? For Shame, be wise, and just, And do not live a Rebel to our Cause; 'Tis Sin enough to have Society with such a wicked Race. _L. Des. _ But I am married to him. _Free. _ So much the worse, to make a League and Covenant with suchVillains, and keep the sinful Contract; a little harmless Lying andDissimulation I'll allow thee, but to be right down honest, 'tis theDevil. _L. Des. _ This will not do, it never shall be said I've been so muchdebauch'd by Conventicling to turn a sainted Sinner; No, I'm true to myAllegiance still, true to my King and Honour. Suspect my Loyalty when Ilose my Virtue: a little time, I'm sure, will give me honestly into thyArms; if thou hast Bravery, shew it in thy Love. _Free. _ You will o'ercome, and shame me every way;-- but when will thisChange come? and till it do, what Pawn will you give me, I shall behappy then? _L. Des. _ My Honour, and that Happiness you long for, and take but twoMonths time for their Redemption. _Free. _ How greedily I'll seize the Forfeiture! _L. Des. _ But what am I like to get if this Change do come? _Free. _ A Slave, and whatever you please to make of him. _L. Des. _ Who knows, in such an universal Change, how you may alter too? _Free. _ I'll give ye Bond and Vows, unkind _Maria_, -- Here take myHand-- Be it known unto all Men, by these Presents, that I, _JohnFreeman_ of _London_, Gent, acknowledge my self in Debt to _MariaDesbro_, the Sum of one Heart, with an incurable Wound; one Soul, destin'd hers from its first Being; and one Body, whole, sound, and inperfect Health; which I here promise to pay to the said _Maria_, uponDemand, if the aforesaid _John Freeman_ be not hang'd before such Demandmade. Whereto I set my Hand-- and seal it with my Lips. [In a Tone. _L. Des. _ And I, in consideration of such Debt, do freely give unto theabovesaid _John Freeman_, the Heart and Body of the abovesaid _MariaDesbro_, with all Appurtenances thereto belonging, whenever it shallplease Heaven to bring my Husband fairly to the Gallows. [In a Tone. _Free. _ Amen-- kiss the Book-- [Kisses her. [Ana. Hums without. _L. Des. _ Hah! that's _Ananias_; sure some Danger's near, the necessaryRascal gives us notice of. _Free. _ 'Tis so, what wouldst thou have me do? _L. Des. _ Thou art undone if seen-- here, step within this Curtain. [He goes. Enter _Ananias_, humming, and spreading his Cloak wide; _Desbro_ behind him, puffing in a Chafe. _Des. _ Ads nigs, what a Change is here like to be?-- puff, puff-- wehave manag'd Matters sweetly-- to let the _Scotch_ General undermine us;puff, puff. _L. Des. _ What's the Matter? _Des. _ Nothing, Cockey, nothing, but that we are like to return to ourfirst nothing. _Ana. _ Yea, verily, when our time's come; but ah, the great Work ofReformation is not yet fully accomplish'd, which must be wrought by theSaints, and we cannot spare one of them until the Work be finish'd. _Des. _ Yea, yea, it is finish'd I doubt, puff, puff: fie, fie, what aChange is here! _Ana. _ Patience, ah, 'tis a precious Virtue!-- _Des. _ Patience, Sir! what, when I shall lose so many fine Estates whichdid appertain to the Wicked; and which, I trusted, had been establish'dours, and tell'st thou me of Patience? puff, puff. [Walking fast. _Ana. _ How! lose 'em, Sir? handle the matter with Patience; I hope theCommittee of Safety, or the Rump, will not do an illegal thing to one ofthe Brethren. _Des. _ No, no, I have been a trusty Knave to them, and so I have foundthem all to me: but _Monk! Monk!_ O that ever we should be such blindFools to trust an honest General! _Ana. _ Patience, Sir! what of him? _Des. _ I just now receiv'd private Intelligence, he's coming out of_Scotland_ with his Forces-- puff, puff. _Ana. _ Why, let him come a Gad's Name, we have those will give him acivil Salute, if he mean not honourably to the Commonwealth. Patience, Sir. _Des. _ But if he proves the stronger, and shou'd chance to be so great aTraitor to us, to bring in the Man-- the King. _L. Des. _ How, the King, Husband! the great Heroick! _Free. _ Death, this Woman is a Sybil: ah, noble _Monk_! _Ana. _ Hum-- the King!-- _Des. _ Ah, and with the King, the Bishops; and then, where's all ourChurch and Bishops Lands! oh, undone-- puff, puff. _Ana. _ How, bring in the King and Bishops! my righteous Spirit is raisedtoo-- I say, I will excommunicate him for one of the Wicked, yea, for aprofane Heroick, a Malignant, a Tory, -- a-- I say, we will surround him, and confound him with a mighty Host; yea, and fight the Lard's Battelwith him: yea, we will-- _Des. _ Truckle to his Pow'r-- puff, puff. _Ana. _ Nay, I say verily, nay; for, in Sadness, I will die in myCalling. _Des. _ So I doubt shall I-- which is Ploughing, Hedging, and Ditching. _Ana. _ Yea, we have the Sword of the Righteous in our Hand, and we willdefend the mighty Revenues of the Church, which the Lard hath given untohis People, and chosen ones-- I say, we will defend-- _Des. _ Ah, Patience, Sir, ah, 'tis a pious Virtue-- _Ana. _ Ah, it is Zeal in one of us, the Out-goings of the Spirit. Enter _Tom_. _Tom. _ Sir, will you go down to Prayers? the Chaplain waits. _Des. _ No, no, Boy, I am too serious for that Exercise, I cannot nowdissemble, Heav'n forgive me. _Ana. _ How, Sir, not dissemble-- ah, then you have lost a great Virtueindeed, a very great Virtue; ah, let us not give away the Good OldCause-- but, as we have hitherto maintain'd it by gadly Cozenage, andpious Frauds, let us persevere-- ah, let us persevere to the end; let usnot lose our Heritage for a Mess of Pottage, that is, let us not losethe Cause for Dissimulation and Hypocrisy, those two main Engines thathave earned on the great Work. _Des. _ Verily, you have prevail'd, and I will go take counsel of myPillow: Boy-- call my Man to undress me-- I'll to Bed, for I am sick atHeart. [Ex. _Tom. _ _Free. _ Death, what shall I do now? [Des. _ walks, she whispers _Ana. _L. Des. _ You must get my Man off, or we're undone. _Ana. _ Madam, be comforted, Heaven will bring all things about for ourAdvantage-- [As _Des. _ turns. _L. Des. _ But he's behind the Curtains, Man-- [Des. Turns from 'em. _Ana. _ Ah, let Providence alone-- [Spreads his Cloak wide, and goes bydegrees toward the Bed. ] --Your pious Lady, Sir, is doubtful, but Iwill give her ample Satisfaction. _Des. _ Ah, do, Mr. _Ananias_, do, for she's a good and virtuous Lady, _certo_ she is. [Ana. Goes close to the Bed-post, and speaks over his Shoulder. _Ana. _ Get ye behind my Cloak-- _L. Des. _ Indeed, Sir, your Counsel and Assistance is very comfortable. _Ana. _ We should be Help-meets to one another, Madam. _Des. _ Alack, good Man! [L. _Des. _ goes to coax her Husband. _L. Des. _ Ay, my dear, I am so much oblig'd to him, that I know not, without thy Aid, how to make him amends. _Free. _ So, this is the first Cloak of Zeal I ever made use of. [Ana. _ going, spreading his Cloak, to the Door; _Free. Behind goes out. _Des. _ Good Lady, give him his twenty pieces, adad, he worthily deserves'em. [Gives her Gold. _L. Des. _ Indeed, and so he does, Dear, if thou knew'st all. -- What sayyou now, do I not improve in Hypocrisy? And shall I not in time make aprecious Member of your Church? [To _Ana. _ _Ana. _ Verily, your Ladyship is most ingenious and expert. -- Sir, I mosthumbly take my leave. [Ex. _Ana. _ Enter _Tom_. _Tom. _ My Lord, my Lord _Lambert_ has sent in all haste for you, youmust attend at his House immediately. _Des. _ So, he has heard the News-- I must away-- let my Coach be ready. [Ex. _Des. _ _L. Des. _ How unlucky was this that _Freeman_ should be gone-- Sirrah, run and see to o'ertake him, and bring him back. [Exeunt. SCENE II. _A fine Chamber in La. _Lambert's_ House. _ Enter _Gilliflower_ and _Loveless_ by dark, richly drest. _Lov. _ Where am I, _Gilliflower_? _Gill. _ In my Lady's Apartment, Sir, she'll be with you presently; youneed not fear betraying, Sir, for I'll assure you I'm an Heroick in myHeart: my Husband was a Captain for his Majesty of ever-blessed Memory, and kill'd at Naseby, God be thanked, Sir. _Lov. _ What pity 'tis that thou shouldst serve this Party? _Gill. _ Bating her Principles, my Lady has good Nature enough to obligea Servant; and truly, Sir, my Vails were good in old _Oliver's_ Days;I got well by that Amour between him and my Lady; the man was lavishenough. _Lov. _ Yes, of the Nation's Treasure-- but prithee tell me, is not thyLady mad, raving on Crowns and Kingdoms? _Gill. _ It appears so to you, who are not us'd to the Vanity of theParty, but they are all so mad in their Degree, and in the Fit they talkof nothing else, Sir: we have tomorrow a Hearing as they call it. _Lov. _ What's that, a Conventicle? _Gill. _ No, no, Sir, Ladies of the last Edition, that present theirGrievances to the Council of Ladies, of which my Lady's chief, whichGrievances are laid open to the Committee of Safety, and so redress'd orslighted, as they are. _Lov. _ That must be worth one's Curiosity, could one but see't. _Gill. _ We admit no Man, Sir. _Lov. _ 'Sdeath, for so good a sight I will turn Woman, I'll act it to ahair. _Gill. _ That would be excellent. _Lov. _ Nay, I must do't; the Novelty is rare-- but I'm impatient--prithee let thy Lady know I wait. _Gill. _ She's in Affairs of State, but will be here immediately; meantime, retire into her Cabinet, I'll send the Page with Lights, there youmay repose till my Lady comes, on the Pallat. [She leads him out. SCENE III. _A great Chamber of State, and Canopy in _Lambert's_ House. _ And at a Table, seated _Lambert_, _Fleetwood_, _Desbro_, _Hewson_, _Duckenfield_, _Wariston_, _Cobbet_; all half drunk, with Bottles and Glasses on the Table; L. _Lam. _ and L. _Fleet. _ _Lam. _ My Lord _Wariston_, you are not merry to night. _War. _ Wons, Mon, this _Monk_ sticks in my Gullet, the muckle Diel pullhim out by th' Lugs; the faud Loone will en spoyle and our Sport, mon. _Lam. _ I thought I had enough satisfied all your Fears; the Army's mine, that is, -- 'tis yours, my Lords, and I'll imploy it too so well for theGood of the Commonwealth, you shall have Cause to commend both myCourage and Conduct; my Lord _Wariston_, will you accompany me? _War. _ Ah, my gued Lord, the Honour is too great. 'Tis not but I's darefight, my Lord, but I love not the limmer Loone, he has a villanoushonest Face an's ene; I's ken'd him ence, and lik't him not; but I'sdrink tol yar gued Fortune; let it gang aboote, ene and ad, Sirs. [All drink. _Lam. _ We'll leave all Discourse of Bus'ness, and give our selves toMirth; I fancy good Success from this day's Omen. Enters _Gill_, whispers L. _Lam. _ she rises. _L. Lam. _ Waited so long! _Gill. _ And grew impatient, an't please your Highness; must I go tellhim you cannot see him to night. _L. Lam. _ Not for the World; my silly Politician will be Busying himself in the dull Affairs of State; --Dull in comparison of Love, I mean; I never lov'd before; old _Oliver_ I suffer'd for my Interest, And 'tis some Greatness, to be Mistress to the best; But this mighty Pleasure comes _a propos_, To sweeten all the heavy Toils of Empire. _Gill. _ So it does, an't please your Highness. _L. Lam. _ Go, let him know I'm coming-- Madam, I must beg your Pardon;you hear, my Lord to morrow goes on his great Expedition; and, for anything we know, may fall a glorious Sacrifice to the Commonwealth;therefore 'tis meet I offer up some Prayers for his Safety, and all myleisure Hours 'twixt this and that, will be too few-- Your humbleServant, Madam. [Ex. L. _Lam. _ and _Gill. _ _L. Fleet. _ My Dear, I'll leave you too, my time of Devotion is come, and Heav'n will stay for no Body; where are my People? is my Coachready, or my Chair? _Fleet. _ Go in your Chair, my Love, lest you catch cold. _L. Fleet. _ And light your Flambeaus, -- I love to have my Chairsurrounded with Flambeaus. Enter _Page_. _Page. _ Your Chair is ready, Madam. [She goes out led by _Fleet_. _Hews. _ What think ye now, my Lords, of settling the Nation a little?I find my Head swim with Politicks, and what ye call ums. _War. _ Wons, and wad ya settle the Nation when we real our selves? _Hews. _ Who, pox, shall we stand making Childrens Shoes all the Year?No, no, let's begin to settle the Nation, I say, and go thro-stitch withour Work. _Duc. _ Right, we have no Head to obey; so that if this _Scotch_ Generaldo come whilst we Dogs fight for the Bone, he runs away with it. _Hews. _ Shaw, we shall patch up matters with the _Scotch_ General, I'llwarrant you: However, here's to our next Head-- One and all. [All drink. _Fleet. _ Verily, Sirs, this Health-drinking savoureth of Monarchy, andis a Type of Malignancy. _War. _ Bread, my Lord, no preaching o'er yar Liquer, wee's now for a Cupo' th' Creature. _Cob. _ In a gadly way you may; it is lawful. _Lam. _ Come, come, we're dull, give us some Musick-- come, my Lord, I'llgive you a Song, I love Musick as I do a Drum, there's Life and Soulin't, call my Musick. _Fleet. _ Yea, I am for any Musick, except an Organ. _War. _ Sbread, Sirs, and I's for a Horn-pipe, I've a faud Theefe hereshall dance ye Dance tol a Horn-pipe, with any States-man a ya aud. _All. _ He, he, he. _Duc. _ I know not what your faud Theefe can do; but I'll hold you aWager, Colonel _Hewson_, and Colonel _Desbro_ shall dance ye the Seint'sJigg with any Sinner of your Kirk, or field Conventicler. _War. _ Wons, and I's catch 'em at that Sport, I's dance tol 'em for a_Scotch_ Poond; but farst yar Song, my Lord, I hope 'tis boody, or else'tis not werth a Feart. _All. _ He, he, he. SONG, sung by my Lord _Lambert_. _A Pox of the States-man that's witty, That watches and plots all the sleepless Night, For seditious Harangues to the _Whigs_ of the City, And piously turns a Traitor in spite. Let him wrack, and torment his lean Carrion, To bring his sham-Plots about, Till Religion, King, Bishop, and Baron, For the publick Good, be quite routed out. _ _Whilst we that are no Politicians, But Rogues that are resolute, bare-fac'd and great, Boldly head the rude Rabble in open Sedition, Bearing all down before us in Church and in State. Your Impudence is the best State-trick, And he that by Law means to rule, Let his History with ours be related, Tho we prove the Knaves, 'tis he is the Fool. _ _War. _ The Diel a me, wele sung, my Lord, and gen aud Trades fail, yasmake a quaint Minstrel. _All. _ He, he, he. _War. _ Noo, Sirs, yar Dance? [They fling Cushions at one another, andgrin. Musick plays. ] --Marry, Sirs, an this be yar dancing, tol danceand ne'er stir Stap, the Diel lead the Donce for _Archibald_. [When they have flung Cushions thus a while to the Musick time, they beat each other from the Table, one by one, and fall into a godly Dance; after a while, _Wariston_ rises, and dances ridiculously a while amongst them; then to the Time of the Tune, they take out the rest, as at the Cushion-Dance, or in that nature. _Wariston_ being the last taken in, leads the rest. --Haud, Minstrels, haud; Bread a gued. I's fatch ad Ladies in-- leadaway, Minstrels, tol my Lady's Apartment. [Musick playing before all. [Exeunt dancing. SCENE IV. _Flat. _ Enter _Page_. _Page. _ _Cock_, Here must I wait, to give my Lady notice when my Lordapproaches;-- The fine Gentleman that is alone with her, gave me thesetwo fine Pieces of Gold, and bad me buy a Sword to fight for the Kingwithal; and I'm resolv'd to lay it all out in a Sword, not a penny inNickers, and fight for the Heroicks as long as I have a Limb, if they beall such fine Men as this within. But hark, sure I hear some coming. -- [Exit. [Flat Scene draws off, discovers L. _Lam. _ on a Couch, with _Loveless_, tying a rich Diamond-Bracelet about his Arm: a Table behind with Lights, on which a Velvet Cushion, with a Crown and Scepter cover'd. _Lov. _ This Present's too magnificent: such Bracelets young Monarchsshou'd put on. _L. Lam. _ Persons like me, when they make Presents, Sir, must do it fortheir Glory, not considering the Merit of the Wearer: yet this, mycharming _Loveless_, comes short of what I ought to pay thy Worth; comesshort too of my Love. _Lov. _ You bless me, Madam-- _L. Lam. _ This the great Monarch of the World once ty'd about my Arm, and bad me wear it, till some greater Man shou'd chance to win my Heart; Thou art that Man whom Love has rais'd above him; Whom every Grace and every Charm thou hast Conspire to make thee mightier to my Soul; And _Oliver_, illustrious _Oliver_, Was yet far short of thee. _Lov. _ He was the Monarch then whose Spoils I triumph in. _L. Lam. _ They were design'd too for Trophies to the young and gay. Ah, _Loveless_! that I cou'd reward thy Youth With something that might make thee more than Man, As well as to give the best of Women to thee-- [Rises, takes him by the Hand, leads him to the Table. He starts. --Behold this gay, this wondrous glorious thing. _Lov. _ Hah-- a Crown-- and Scepter! Have I been all this while So near the sacred Relicks of my King; And found no awful Motion in my Blood, Nothing that mov'd sacred Devotion in me? [Kneels. --Hail sacred Emblem of great Majesty, Thou that hast circled more Divinity Than the great Zodiack that surrounds the World. I ne'er was blest with sight of thee till now, But in much reverenc'd Pictures-- [Rises and bows. _L. Lam. _ Is't not a lovely thing? _Lov. _ There's such Divinity i' th' very Form on't, Had I been conscious I'd been near the Temple, Where this bright Relick of the glorious Martyr Had been enshrin'd, 't had spoil'd my soft Devotion. --'Tis Sacrilege to dally where it is; A rude, a saucy Treason to approach it With an unbended Knee: for Heav'ns sake, Madam, Let us not be profane in our Delights, Either withdraw, or hide that glorious Object. _L. Lam. _ Thou art a Fool, the very sight of this-- Raises my Pleasure higher: Methinks I give a Queen into thy Arms, And where I love I cannot give enough; [Softly. --Wou'd I cou'd set it on thy Head for ever, 'Twou'd not become my simple Lord The thousandth part so well. [Goes to put it on his Head, he puts it back. _Lov. _ Forbear, and do not play with holy things; Let us retire, and love as Mortals shou'd, Not imitate the Gods, and spoil our Joys. _L. Lam. _ Lovely, and unambitious! What hopes have I of all your promis'd Constancy, Whilst this which possibly e'er long may adorn my Brow, And ought to raise me higher in your Love, Ought to transform you even to Adoration, Shall poorly make you vanish from its Lustre? Methinks the very Fancy of a Queen Is worth a thousand Mistresses of less illustrious Rank. _Lov. _ What, every pageant Queen? you might from thence infer I'd fall in love with every little Actress, because She acts the Queen for half an hour, But then the gaudy Robe is laid aside. _L. Lam. _ I'll pardon the Comparison in you. _Lov. _ I do not doubt your Power of being a Queen, But trust, it will not last. How truly brave would your great Husband be, If, whilst he may, he paid this mighty Debt To the right Owner! If, whilst he has the Army in his Power, He made a true and lawful use of it, To settle our great Master in his Throne; And by an Act so glorious raise his Name Even above the Title of a King. _L. Lam. _ You love me not, that would persuade me from My Glory. Enter _Gilliflower_. _Gill. _ Oh, Madam, the Lords are all got merry, as they call it, and areall dancing hither. _L. Lam. _ What, at their _Oliverian_ Frolicks?-- Dear _Loveless_, withdraw, I wou'd not give the fond believing Fool a Jealousy of me. _Gill. _ Withdraw, Madam? 'tis impossible, he must run just into theirMouths. _L. Lam. _ I'm ill at these Intrigues, being us'd to Lovers that stillcame with such Authority, that modestly my Husband wou'd withdraw-- butLoveless is in danger, therefore take care he be not seen. _Gill. _ Heav'ns! they are coming, there's no Retreat-- _L. Lam. _ Lie down on the Couch-- and cover him you with theFoot-Carpet-- So, give me my Prayer-Book. [He lies down along on the Couch, they cover him with the Carpet: L. _Lam. _ takes her Book, sits down on his Feet, and leans on the Back of the Couch reading; _Gill. _ stands at t'other end, they enter dancing as before. --What Insolence is this? do you not hear me, you-- Sots-- whom Gaietyand Dancing do so ill become. _War. _ [Singing. ] Welcome, _Joan Sanderson_, welcome, welcome. [Goes to take her out, she strikes him. Wons, Madam, that's no part o' th' Dance. _L. Lam. _ No, but 'tis part of a reward for your Insolence, Whichpossibly your Head shall answer for-- _Lam. _ Pardon him, my Dear, he meant no Disrespect to thee. _L. Lam. _ How dare you interrupt my Devotion, Sirrah? Be gone with allyour filthy ill-bred Crew. [_Lam. _ sits down on _Lov. _ _Lam. _ My only Dear, be patient; hah!-- Something moves under me;Treason, Treason! [He rises. [_Lov. _ rolls off, and turns _Lam. _ over, the rest of the Men run out crying Treason, Treason, overthrowing the Lights, putting 'em out. _L. Lam. _ Treason, Treason! my Lord, my Lord! _Lam. _ Lights there, a Plot, a Popish Plot, Lights! _L. Lam. _ The Crown, the Crown, guard the Crown! [She groping about, finds _Lov. _ by his Clothes, knows him. --Here, take this Key, the next room is my Bed-chamber, Secureyourself a moment. -- [Ex. _Loveless_. Lights there, the Crown-- who art thou? [Takes hold of _Lam. _ _Lam. _ 'Tis I. _L. Lam. _ Ah, my Lord, what's the matter?-- _Lam. _ Nay, my Lady, I ask you what's the matter? Enter _Page_ with Lights. By Heaven, all is not well; hark ye, my fine she Politician, who was ityou had hid beneath this Carpet? _L. Lam. _ Heav'ns! dost hear him, _Gilliflower_? Sure the Fellow's mad. _Gill. _ Alack, my Lord, are you out of your honourable Wits? Heav'nknows, my Lady was at her Devotion. _Lam. _ Baud, come, confess thy self to be one. At her Devotion! yes, with a He Saint. _Gill. _ Ah! Gad forbid the Saints should be so wicked. _L. Lam. _ Hark ye, thou little sniveling Hypocrite, who hast no Virtuebut a little Conduct in Martial Discipline; who hast by Perjuries, Cheats, and pious Villanies, wound thy self up into the Rabble's Favour, where thou mayst stand till some more great in Roguery remove thee fromthat height, or to the Gallows, if the King return: hast thou theImpudence to charge my Virtue? _Lam. _ I know not, Madam, whether that Virtue you boast were lost, oronly stak't, and ready for the Gamester; but I am sure a Man was hidunder this Carpet. _L. Lam. _ Oh Heav'ns, a Man! _Gill. _ Lord, a Man! Are you sure 'twas a Man, my Lord?-- Some villanousMalignant, I'll warrant. _Lam. _ It may be so. _Gill. _ Alack, the Wickedness of these Heroicks to hide under Carpets;why they'l have the impudence to hide under our Petticoats shortly, if your Highness take 'em not down. [To Lady _Lam. _ _Lam. _ I do believe so; Death-- a Cuckold? shall that black Cloud shadeall my rising Fame? _L. Lam. _ Cuckold! Why, is that Name so great a Stranger to ye, Or has your rising Fame made ye forget How long that Cloud has hung upon your Brow? --'Twas once the height of your Ambition, Sir; When you were a poor-sneaking Slave to _Cromwell_, Then you cou'd cringe, and sneer, and hold the Door, And give him every Opportunity, Had not my Piety defeated your Endeavours. _Lam. _ That was for Glory, Who wou'd not be a Cuckold to be great? --If _Cromwell_ leap'd into my Saddle once, I'll step into his Throne for't: but, to be pointed at By Rascals that I-- rule-- 'tis insupportable. _L. Lam. _ How got this Fellow drunk? call up my Officers! Who durst deliver him this quantity of Wine? Send strait in my Name, to summon all the Drunken Committee of Safety into my Presence. By Heav'n, I'll show you, Sir-- yes they shall See what a fine King they're like to have In Honest, Gadly, Sober, Wise _Jack Lambert_. --Nay, I'll do't; d'ye think to take away my Honour thus? I, who by my sole Politicks and Management Have set you up, Villain of Villains, Sirrah. --Away-- summon 'em all. [To _Gilliflower_. _Lam. _ Stay-- be not so rash; who was beneath the Carpet? _L. Lam. _ I will not answer thee. _Lam. _ Nor any living thing? _L. Lam. _ No Creature in the Room, thou silly Ideot, but _Gilliflower_and I-- at our Devotion, praying to Heav'n for your Success tomorrow-- and am I thus rewarded? [Weeps, _Gill. _ weeps too. _Lam. _ My Soul, I cannot bear the Sight of Tears From these dearCharming Eyes. _L. Lam. _ No matter, Sir, the Committee shall right me. _Lam. _ Upon my Knees I ask thy Pardon, Dear; by all that's good, I wou'dhave sworn I'd felt something stir beneath me as I sat, which threw meover. _L. Lam. _ Only your Brains turn'd round with too much drinking anddancing, Exercises you are not us'd to-- go sleep, and settle 'em, forI'll not deign to Bed with you to night-- retire, as e'er you hope tohave my Aid in your Advancement to the Crown. _Lam. _ I'm gone-- and once more pardon my Mistake. [Bows, and goes out. Ex. _Gill. _ _L. Lam. _ --So, this fighting Fool, so worshipp'd by the Rabble, How meanly can a Woman make him sneak?-- The happy Night's our own-- [To _Loveless_. Enter _Gill. _ _Loveless_. _Lov. _ Excellent Creature, how I do adore thee! _L. Lam. _ But you, perhaps, are satisfied already-- _Lov. _ Never; shou'dst thou be kind to all Eternity. Thou hast oneVirtue more, I pay thee Homage for; I heard from the Alcove how great aMistress thou art in the dear Mystery of Jilting. _L. Lam. _ That's the first Lesson Women learn in Conventicles, Religionteaches those Maxims to our Sex: by this _Kings are deposed, and Commonwealths are rul'd; By Jilting all the Universe is fool'd. _ [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I. _A Street. _ Enter _Corporal_, half drest; with Soldiers, Joyner, and Felt-maker. _Cor. _ Ha, Rogues, the City-Boys are up in Arms; brave Boys, all for theKing now! _Felt. _ Have a care what you say, Sir; but as to the City's being inMutiny, that makes well for us: we shall fall to our old Trade ofplundering; something will fall to the Righteous, and there is Plunderenough. _Cor. _ You plunder, Sirrah! knock him down, and carry him into theGuard-room, and secure him. [Two Soldiers seize him. _1 Sold. _ They say the Committee of Safety sate all Night at General_Lambert's_, about some great Affair-- some rare Change, Rogues. _2 Sold. _ Yes, and to put off Sorrow, they say, were all rightreverendly drunk too. _Cor. _ I suppose there is some heavenly matter in hand; there wasTreason cried out at the General's last night, and the Committee of noSafety all ran away. _1 Sold. _ Or rather reel'd away. _Cor. _ The Ladies squeak'd, the Lords fled, and all the House was up inArms. _Felt. _ Yea, and with Reason they say; for the Pope in disguise wasfound under the Lady's Bed, and two huge Jesuits as big as the tall_Irish-man_, with Blunderbusses; having, as 'tis said, a Design to stealthe Crown, now in Custody of the General-- _2 Sold. _ Good lack, is't possible? _Joyn. _ Nay, Sir, 'tis true, and is't not time we look'd about us? _Cor. _ A Pox upon ye all for lying Knaves-- secure 'em both on theGuard till farther Order-- and let us into th' City, Boys: hay for_Lombard-Street_. _2 Sold. _ Ay, hay for _Lombard-Street_; there's a Shop I have mark'd outfor my own already. _1 Sold. _ There's a handsom Citizen's Wife, that I have an Eye upon, herHusband's a rich Banker, I'll take t'one with t'other. _Joyn. _ You are mistaken, Sir, that Plunder is reserv'd for us, if theybegin to mutiny; that wicked City that is so weary of a Commonwealth. _2 Sold. _ Yes, they're afraid of the Monster they themselves have made. Enter _Lov. _ and _Free. _ in disguise. _Cor. _ Hah, my noble Colonel! what, in disguise! _Free. _ We have made our Escapes-- and hope to see better times shortly, the noble _Scotch_ General is come, Boys. Enter _Captain_ of the Prentices, and a great Gang with him, arm'd with Swords, Staffs, &c. _Capt. _ Come, my Lads, since you have made me Captain, I'll lead youbravely on; I'll die in the Cause, or bring you off with Victory. _1 Pren. _ Here's a Club shall do some Execution: I'll beat out_Hewson's_ t'other Eye; I scorn to take him on the blind side. _Capt. _ In the first Place, we must all sign a Petition to my LordMayor. -- _2 Pren. _ Petitions! we'll have no Petition, Captain; we are forClub-Law, Captain. _Capt. _ Obey, or I leave you. _All. _ Obey, Obey. _Capt. _ Look ye, we'll petition for an honest Free Parliament I say. _1 Pren. _ No Parliament, no Parliament, we have had too much of thatMischief already, Captain. _All. _ No Parliament, no Parliament. _Capt. _ Farewel, Gentlemen, I thought I might have been heard. _Free. _ Death, Sirs, you shall hear the Captain out. _All. _ We obey, we obey. _Capt. _ I say an honest Free Parliament, not one pick'd and chosen byFaction; but such an one as shall do our Bus'ness, Lads, and bring inthe _Great Heroick_. _All. _ Ay, ay, the Great Heroick, the Great Heroick. _Lov. _ A fine Youth, and shou'd be encourag'd. _Capt. _ Good-- in the next Place, the noble _Scotch_ General is come, and we'll side with him. _Free. _ Ay, ay, all side with him. _1 Pren. _ Your Reason, Captain, for we have acted too much withoutReason already. _2 Pren. _ Are we sure of him, Captain? _Capt. _ Oh, he'll doubtless declare for the King, Boys. _All. _ Hay, _Viva le Roy, viva le Monk!_ _Capt. _ Next, I hear there's a Proclamation coming out to dissolve theCommittee of no Safety. _All. _ Good, good. _Capt. _ And I hope you are all brave enough to stand to your LoyalPrinciples with your Lives and Fortunes. _All. _ We'll die for the Royal Interest. _Capt. _ In the next Place, there's another Proclamation come out. _2 Pren. _ This Captain is a Man of rare Intelligence; but for what, Captain? _Capt. _ Why-- to-- hang us all, if we do not immediately depart to ourrespective Vocations: How like you that, my Lads? _2 Pren. _ Hum-- hang'd! I'll e'en home again. _1 Pren. _ And I too, I do not like this hanging. _2 Pren. _ A Man looks but scurvily with his Neck awry. _3 Pren. _ Ay, ay, we'll home. _Capt. _ Why, now you shew what precious Men you are-- the King wou'd befinely hop'd up with such Rascals, that for fear of a little hangingwould desert his Cause; a Pox upon you all, I here discharge ye-- --Take back your Coward Hands and give me Hearts. [Flings 'em a Scroll. I scorn to fight with such mean-spirited Rogues; I did but try your boasted Courages. _Lov. _ Brave Boy. _Lov. _ and _Free. _ We'll die with thee, Captain-- _All. _ Oh, noble Captain, we recant-- _1 Pren. _ We recant, dear Captain, we'll die, one and all. _All. _ One and all, one and all. _Capt. _ Why, so there's some trusting to you now. _3 Pren. _ But is there such a Proclamation, Captain? _Capt. _ There is; but anon, when the Crop-ear'd Sheriff begins to readit, let every Man enlarge his Voice, and cry, no Proclamation, noProclamation. _All. _ Agreed, agreed. _Lov. _ Brave noble Lads, hold still your Resolution, And when yourleisure Hours will give ye leave, Drink the King's Health, here's Goldfor you to do so. _Free. _ Take my Mite too, brave Lads. [Gives 'em Gold. _All. _ Hay! _Viva_ the brave Heroicks! Enter _Ananias Gogle_. _Ana. _ Hum, what have we here, a Street-Conventicle-- or a Mutiny? Yea, verily, it is a Mutiny-- What meaneth this Appearance in hostile manner, in open Street, by Day-light? _Capt. _ Hah! one of the sanctify'd Lay Elders, one of the Fiends of theNation, that go about like roaring Lions seeking whom they may devour. _Lov. _ Who, Mr. _Ananias_ the Padder? _Ana. _ Bear witness, Gentlemen all, he calls me Highway-man; thou shaltbe hang'd for Scandal on the Brethren. _Lov. _ I'll prove what I say, Sirrah; do you not rob on the High-way i'th' Pulpit? rob the Sisters, and preach it lawful for them to rob theirHusbands; rob Men even of their Consciences and Honesty; nay rather thanstand out, rob poor Wenches of their Bodkins and Thimbles? _Ana. _ I commit ye; here, Soldiers, I charge ye in the Name of-- of--marry, I know not who, in my Name, and the good People of _England_, take 'em to safe Custody. _Capt. _ How, lay hold of honest Gentlemen! Noble Cavaliers, knock himdown. _All. _ Knock him down, knock him down. _Free. _ Hold, worthy Youths; the Rascal has done me Service. _Ana. _ [Pulling off his Hat to 'em all. ] Ye look like Citizens, thatevil Spirit is entered in unto you, oh Men of London! that ye havechanged your Note, like Birds of evil Omen; that you go astray after newLights, or rather no Lights, and commit Whoredom with your FathersIdols, even in the midst of the Holy City, which the Saints haveprepared for the Elect, the Chosen ones. _Capt. _ Hark ye, Sirrah, leave preaching, and fall to declaring for us, or thou art mortal. _Ana. _ Nay, I say nay, I will die in my Calling-- yea, I will fall aSacrifice to the Good Old Cause; abomination ye with a mighty Hand, andwill destroy, demolish and confound your Idols, those heathenishMalignants whom you follow, even with Thunder and Lightning, even as aField of Corn blasted by a strong Blast. _Lov. _ Knock him down! _All. _ Down with Dagon, down with him! Enter _Hewson_ with Guards. _Hews. _ Ah, Rogues, have I caught ye napping? [They all surround him and his Red-Coats. _All. _ Whoop Cobler, Whoop Cobler! [The Boys, _Lov. _ and _Free. _ _Corp. _ and Sold. Beat off _Hewson_ and his Party. _Ana. _ gets a Sword, and fights too. SCENE II. _Changes to a Chamber in La. _Lambert's_ House. _ Enter L. _Lam. _ and _Gill. _ _Gill. _ I've had no time to ask your Highness how you slept to Night;but that's a needless Question. _L. Lam. _ How mean you? do you suspect my Virtue? do you believe_Loveless_ dares attempt any thing against my Honour? No, _Gilliflower_, he acted all things so like a Gentleman, that every moment takes myHeart more absolutely. _Gill. _ My Lord departed highly satisfied. _L. Lam. _ She is not worthy of Intrigues of Love, that cannot manage asilly Husband as she pleases-- but, _Gilliflower_, you forget that thisis Council day. _Gill. _ No, but I do not, Madam, some important Suitors wait already. Enter L. _Des. _ and L. _Fleetwood_. _L. Lam. _ Your Servant, Madam _Desbro_, thou'rt welcome-- _Gilliflower_, are all things ready in the Council-Chamber? We that are great must sometimes stoop to Acts, That have at least some shew of Charity; We must redress the Grievance of our People. _L. Fleet. _ She speaks as she were Queen, but I shall put a spoke in herrising Wheel of Fortune, or my Lord's Politicks fail him. [Scene draws off, Table with Papers: Chairs round it. _L. Lam. _ Where are the Ladies of the Council?-- how remiss they are intheir Attendance on us. _L. Fleet. _ Us! Heav'ns, I can scarce endure this Insolence!-- We willtake care to mind 'em of their Duty-- _L. Lam. _ We, poor Creature! how simply Majesty becomes her? [They all sitting down, enter L. _Cromwel_ angrily, and takes her Place, L. _Lam. _uppermost. --Madam, as I take it, at our last sitting, our Pleasure was, that youshou'd sit no more. _Crom. _ Your Pleasure! Is that the General Voice? This is my Place inspite of thee, and all thy fawning Faction, and I shall keep it, whenthou perhaps, shalt be an humble Suppliant here at my Foot-stool. _L. Lam. _ I smile at thee. _Cram. _ Do, and cringe; 'tis thy business to make thee popular. But 'tis not that-- Nor thy false Beauty that will serve thy Ends. _L. Lam. _ Rail on; declining Majesty may be excus'd, Call in the Women that attend for redress of Grievances. [Ex. _Page_. Enter _Page_ with Women, and _Loveless_ dress'd as a Woman. Gentlewomen, what's your Bus'ness with us? _Lov. _ Gentlewomen! some of us are Ladies. _L. Lam. _ Ladies in good time; by what Authority, and from whom do youderive your Title of Ladies? _L. Fleet. _ Have a care how you usurp what is not your own! _Lov. _ How the Devil rebukes Sin! [Aside. _L. Des. _ From whom had you your Honours, Women? _Lov. _ From our Husbands. _Gill. _ Husbands, who are they, and of what standing? _2 Lady. _ Of no long standing, I confess. _Gill. _ That's a common Grievance indeed. _L. Des. _ And ought to be redress'd. _L. Lam. _ And that shall be taken into consideration; write it down, _Gilliflower_; who made your Husband a Knight, Woman? _Lov. _ _Oliver_ the first, an't please ye. _L. Lam. _ Of horrid Memory; write that down-- who yours? _2 Lady. _ _Richard_ the fourth, an't like your Honour. _Gill. _ Of sottish Memory; shall I write that down too? _L. Des. _ Most remarkably. _Crom. _ Heav'ns! Can I hear this Profanation of our Royal Family? [Aside. _L. Lam. _ I wonder with what impudence _Noll_ and _Dick_ cou'd Knightifyyour Husbands; for 'tis a Rule in Heraldry, that none can make a Knightbut him that is one; 'tis _Sancha Pancha's_ Case in _Don Quixot_. _Crom. _ How dare you question my Husband's Authority? [Rises in Anger. Who nobly won his Honour in the Field, Not like thy sneaking Lord who gain'd his Title From his Wife's gay Love-tricks-- Bartering her Honour for his Coronet. _L. Lam. _ Thou ly'st, my Husband earn'd it with his Sword, Braver and juster than thy bold Usurper, Who waded to his Glory through a Sea Of Royal Blood-- _L. Des. _ Sure _Loveless_ has done good on her, and converted her. _L. Fleet. _ Madam, I humbly beg you will be patient, you'll ruin all myLord's Designs else-- Women, proceed to your Grievances, both publickand private. _Lov. _ I petition for a Pension; my Husband, deceas'd, was a constantactive man, in all the late Rebellion, against the Man; he plunder'd myLord _Capel_, he betray'd his dearest Friend _Brown Bushel_, who trustedhis Life in his Hands, and several others; plundering their Wives andChildren even to their Smocks. _L. Lam. _ Most considerable Service, and ought to be consider'd. _2 Lady. _ And most remarkably, at the Trial of the late Man, I spit in'sFace, and betray'd the Earl of _Holland_ to the Parliament. _Crom. _ In the King's Face, you mean-- it shew'd your Zeal for the GoodCause. _2 Lady. _ And 'twas my Husband that headed the Rabble, to pull down_Gog_ and _Magog_, the Bishops, broke the Idols in the Windows, andturn'd the Churches into Stables and Dens of Thieves; rob'd the Altar ofthe Cathedral of the twelve pieces of Plate call'd the twelve Apostles, turn'd eleven of 'em into Money, and kept _Judas_ for his own use athome. _L. Fleet. _ On my Word, most wisely perform'd, note it down-- _3 Lady. _ And my Husband made Libels on the Man from the first Troublesto this day, defam'd and profan'd the Woman and her Children, printedall the Man's Letters to the Woman with Burlesque Marginal Notes, pull'ddown the sumptuous Shrines in Churches, and with the golden and PopishSpoils adorn'd his own Houses and Chimney-Pieces. _L. Lam. _ We shall consider these great Services. _Lov. _ To what a height is Impudence arriv'd? [Aside. _L. Lam. _ Proceed to private Grievances. _Lov. _ An't please your Honours, my Husband prays too much; which bothhinders his private bus'ness at home, and his publick Services to theCommonwealth-- _L. Lam. _ A double Grievance-- set it down, Gilliflower. _Lov. _ And then he rails against the Whore of Babylon, and all myneighbours think he calls me Whore. _Cram. _ A most unpardonable fault. _L. Lam. _ We'll have that rectify'd, it will concern us. _Lov. _ Then he never kisses me, but he says a long Grace, which is moremortifying than inviting. _L. Des. _ That is the fault of all the new Saints, which is the reasontheir Wives take a pious care, as much as in them lies, to send 'em toHeaven, by making 'em Cuckolds. _L. Fleet. _ A very charitable Work, and ought to be encourag'd. [_Loveless_ gives in a Petition to _Gilliflower_. _Gill. _ The humble Petition of the Lady _Make-shift. _ [Reads. --Heav'ns, Madam, here are many thousand Hands to't of the distressedSex. _All. _ Read it. _Gill. Reads. _] Whereas there pass'd an Act, _June_ 24th, againstFornication and Adultery, to the great detriment of most of the youngLadies, Gentlewomen, and Commonalty of _England_, and to the utter decayof many whole Families, especially when married to old Men; yourPetitioners most humbly beg your Honours will take this great Grievanceinto mature Consideration, and the said Act may be repealed. --A Blessing on 'em, they shall have my Hand too. _L. Lam. _ We acknowledge, there are many Grievances in that Act; butthere are many Conveniences too, for it ties up the villanous Tongues ofMen from boasting our Favours. _Crom. _ But as it lays a Scandal on Society-- tis troublesome, Societybeing the very Life of a Republick-- _Peters_ the first, and _Martin_the second. _Lov. _ But in a Free-State, why shou'd we not be free? _L. Des. _ Why not? we stand for the Liberty and Property of our Sex, andwill present it to the Committee of Safety. _Lov. _ Secondly, we desire the Heroicks, vulgarly call'd the Malignant, may not be look'd on as Monsters, for assuredly they are Men; and thatit may not be charg'd to us as a Crime to keep 'em company, for they arehonest Men. _2 Lady. _ And some of 'em Men that will stand to their Principles. _L. Lam. _ Is there no other honest Men that will do as well? _3 Lady. _ Good Men are scarce. _L. Lam. _ They're all for Heroicks, sure 'tis the mode to love'em-- I cannot blame 'em. [Aside. _Lov. _ And that when we go to Morning and Evening Lectures, to_Tantlings_, or elsewhere, and either before or after visit a privateFriend, it may be actionable for the wicked to scandalize us, by termingof it, abusing the Creature, when 'tis harmless recreating the Creature. _All. _ Reason, Reason. _Lov. _ Nor that any Husband shou'd interrupt his Wife, when at herprivate Devotion. Enter _Page_. _L. Lam. _ I have been too late sensible of that Grievance. _Gill. _ And, Madam, I wou'd humbly pray a Patent for Scolding, to easemy Spleen. _Page. _ An please your Highness, here's a Messenger arriv'd Post withLetters from my Lord the General. [Ex. _Page_. _L. Lam. _ Greater Affairs-- oblige us to break up the Council. [Rises, the Women retire. Enter _Page_ with Messenger, or Letters. --What means this haste? [Opens, and reads 'em. _Crom. _ Hah, bless my Eye-sight, she looks pale, -- now red again; someturn to his Confusion, Heav'n, I beseech thee. _L. Lam. _ My Lord's undone! his Army has deserted him; Left him defenceless to the Enemies Pow'r. Ah, Coward Traytors! Where's that brutal Courage, That made you so successful in your Villanies? Has Hell, that taught you Valour, now abandon'd ye? --How in an instant are my Glories fall'n! _Crom. _ Ha, ha, ha-- What, has your Highness any Cause of Grief? _Gill. _ Call up your Courage, Madam, do not let these things scoffyou-- you may be yet a Queen: Remember what _Lilly_ told you, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Damn _Lilly_, who with lying Prophecies has rais'd me to thehopes of Majesty: a Legion of his Devils take him for't. _Crom. _ Oh, have a care of Cursing, Madam. _L. Lam. _ Screech-Owl, away, thy Voice is ominous. Oh I cou'd rave! but that it is not great; --And silent Sorrow-- has most Majesty. Enter _Wariston_, huffing. _War. _ Wons, Madam, undone, undone; our honourable Committee is gone toth' Diel, and the damn'd loosey Rump is aud in aud; the muckle Diel setit i'solt, and his Dam drink most for't. _Crom. _ The Committee dissolv'd! whose wise work was that? it looks like_Fleetwood's_ silly Politicks. _War. _ Marry, and yar Ladiship's i'th' right, 'twas en the Work o'th'faud Loone, the Diel brest his Wem for't. Enter _Hewson_, _Desbro_, _Whitlock_, _Duc. _ and _Cob. _ _Hew. _ So, Brethren in Iniquity, we have spun a fine Thred, the Rump'sall in all now, rules the Roast, and has sent for the General withScissers and Rasor. _Whit. _ With a Sisseraro, you mean. _Hew. _ None of your Terms in Law, good Brother. _War. _ Right; but gen ya have any Querks in Law, Mr. Lyar, that willsave our Crags, 'twill be warth a Fee. _Duc. _ We have plaid our Cards fair. _War. _ I's deny that; Wans, Sirs, ya plaid 'em faul; a Fule had theshooftling of'em, and the Muckle Diel himself turn up Trump. _Whit. _ We are lost, Gentlemen, utterly lost; who the Devil wou'd havethought of a Dissolution? _Hews. _ Is there no Remedy? _Duc. _ Death, I'll to the _Scotch_ General; turn but in time as manygreater Rogues than I have done, and 'twill save my Stake yet-- Farewel, Gentlemen. _Des. _ No Remedy? _War. _ Nene, Sirs, again the King's Evil; Bread, Sirs, ya's ene gan tolyar Stall agen: I's en follow _Duckenfield_-- Farewel, Mr. Leyer. _L. Lam. _ See the Vicissitudes of human Glory. These Rascals, that but yesterday petition'd me With humble Adoration, now scarce pay Common Civilities due to my Sex alone. Enter _Fleetwood_. _Crom. _ How now, Fool, what is't that makes ye look so pertly? Somemighty Business you have done, I'll warrant. _Fleet. _ Verily, Lady Mother, you are the strangest Body; a Man cannotplease you-- Have I not finely circumvented _Lambert_? made the RumpHead, who have committed him to the _Tower_; ne'er stir now that I have, and I'm the greatest Man in _England_, as I live I am, as a Man may say. _Crom. _ Yes, till a greater come. Ah, Fool of Fools, not to fore-see thedanger of that nasty Rump. _L. Fleet. _ Good Madam, treat my Lord with more Respect. _Crom. _ Away, fond Fool, born with so little Sense, To doat on such awretched Idiot; It was thy Fate in _Ireton's_ days to love him, Or youwere foully scandalized. _Fleet. _ You are not so well spoken of neither, ne'er stir now, and yougo to that. I can be King to morrow if I will. _Crom. _ Thou lyest, thou wo't be hang'd first; mark that I tell thee so. I'll prove _Cassandra_ to thee, and prophesy thy Doom; Heav'n pays theTraitor back with equal Measure. Remember how you serv'd my poor SonRichard. [Ex. _Crom. _ and _Page_. _Fleet. _ She's mad-- Come, my Dear, let's leave the House of thisVillain, that meant to have cozen'd me illegally or three Kingdoms-- butthat I outwitted him at last. [Ex. _Fleet. _ L. _Fleet_, and _Page_. Enter _Page_. _L. Lam. _ Imprison'd too, i'th' Tower! what Fate is mine? [Leans on _Des. _ _Page. _ Madam, the fine Heroick's come to wait on you. _L. Lam. _ Hah! _Loveless_! let him not see the Ruin of my Greatness, which he foretold, and kindly begg'd I wou'd usurp no more. [Weep. Enter _Loveless_. _Lov. _ This News has brought me back, I love this Woman, Vain as she is, in spite of all her Fopperies of State-- [Bows to her, and looks sad. _L. Lam. _ Alas, I do not merit thy Respect, I'm fall'n to Scorn, to Pity and Contempt. [Weeping. Ah, Loveless, fly the wretched-- Thy Virtue is too noble to be shin'd on By any thing but rising Suns alone: I'm a declining Shade-- _Lov. _ By Heaven, you were never great till now; I never thought thee so much worth my Love, My Knee, and Adoration, till this Minute. [Kneels. --I come to offer you my Life, and all The little Fortune the rude Herd has left me. _L. Lam. _ Is there such God-like Virtue in your Sex? Or, rather, in your Party. Curse on the Lyes and Cheats of Conventicles, That taught me first to think Heroicks Devils, Blood-thirsty, leud, tyrannick, salvage Monsters. --But I believe 'em Angels all, if all like _Loveless_. What heavenly thing then must the Master be, Whose Servants are divine? [Enter _Page_ running. _Page. _ Oh, Madam! all the Heroick Boys are up in Arms, and swearthey'll have your Highness, dead or alive, -- they have besieg'd theHouse. _L. Lam. _ Heav'ns, the Rabble!-- those faithless things that us'd tocroud my Coach's Wheels, and stop my Passage, with their officious Noiseand Adoration. Enter _Freeman_. _Free. _ _Loveless_, thy Aid; the City-Sparks are up; Their zealous Loyalty admits no Bounds. A glorious Change is coming, and I'll appear now barefac'd. _Lov. _ Madam, fear not the Rabble; retire. _Freeman_ and I can still'em. Leads her in, and bows low. _Free. _ My dear _Maria_, I shall claim ye shortly-- _L. Des. _ Do your worst, I'm ready for the Challenge. [Go in. [Ex. _Lov. _ and _Free. _ another way. SCENE III. _The Street. _ Enter _Captain_ and the rest. _Capt. _ I say we'll have the She-Politican out, she did more mischiefthan her Husband, pitiful, dittiful _Lambert_; who is, thanks beprais'd, in the Tower, to which place Lord of his Mercy bring all theKing's Enemies. _All. _ Amen, Amen. Enter _Lov. _ and _Freeman_. _Lov. _ Why, how now, Captain, what, besiege the Women! No, let us leadour Force to nobler Enemies. _Capt. _ Nay, noble Chief, your Word's our Law. _Lov. _ No, I resign that Title to the brave _Scotch_ General, who hasjust now enter'd the City. _Capt. _ We know it, Sir; do you not observe how the Crop-ear'd Fanatickstrot out of Town?-- The Rogues began their old belov'd Mutiny, but'twould not do. _Lov. _ A Pox upon 'em, they went out like the Snuff of a Candle, stinkingly and blinkingly. _1 Pr. _ Ay, ay, let 'em hang themselves, and then they are cold Meat forthe Devil. _Capt. _ But, noble Champion, I hope we may have leave to roast the Rumpto night. _Lov. _ With all our Hearts, here's Mony to make Fires-- _Free. _ And here's for Drink to't, Boys. _All. _ Hey-- _Viva le Roy, viva les Heroicks!_ [Go out hollowing. Enter _Ananias_ peeping, _Felt-maker_, and _Joyner_. _Ana. _ So, the Rabble's gone: ah, Brethren! what will this wicked Worldcome to? _Felt. _ Alack, alack, to no Goodness, you may be sure: pray what's theNews? [_Fleet. _ peeping out of a Garret-Window. _Fleet. _ _Anania_, _Anania_! _Ana. _ Who calleth _Ananias_? lo, here am I. _Fleet. _ Behold, it is I, look up. How goeth tidings? _Ana. _ Full ill, I fear; 'tis a bad Omen to see your Lordship so nighHeaven; when the Saints are Garretified. _Fleet. _ I am fortifying my self against the Evil-Day. _Ana. _ Which is come upon us like a Thief in the night; like a Torrentfrom the Mountain of Waters, or a Whirlwind from the Wilderness. _Fleet. _ Why, what has the _Scotch_ General done? _Ana. _ Ah! he playeth the Devil with the Saints in the City, becausethey put the Covenant-Oath unto him; he pulls up their Gates, theirPosts and Chains, and enters. _Felt. _ And wou'd the wicked City let him have his beastly Will of her? _Ana. _ Nay, but she was ravish'd-- deflower'd. _Joy. _ How, ravish'd! oh monstrous! was ever such a Rape committed uponan innocent City? lay her Legs open to the wide World, for every Knaveto view her Nakedness? _Felt. _ Ah, ah! what Days, what Times, and what Seasons are here? [Exeunt. Enter _Capt. _ _Corp. _ and _Prent. _ with Faggots, hollowing. _Corp. _ What say you now, Lads, is not my Prophecy truer than _Lilly's_?I told you the Rump would fall to our handling and drinking for: theKing's proclaim'd, Rogues. _Capt. _ Ay, ay, _Lilly_, a Plague on him, he prophesied _Lambert_ shouldbe uppermost. _Corp. _ Yes, he meant perhaps on _Westminster_ Pinacle: where's _Lilly_now, with all his Prophecies against the _Royal Family_? _Capt. _ In one of his Twelve Houses. _1 Pren. _ We'll fire him out to Night, Boy; come, all hands to work forthe Fire. [Ex. All hollowing. _Fleet. _ Ah, dismal, heavy day, a day of Grief and Woe, Which hastbereft me of my hopes for ay, Ah, Lard, ah what shall I do? [Exit. SCENE IV. _A Chamber in _Lambert's_ House. _ Enter _Lov. _ leading L. _Lam. _ in disguise, _Page_ and _Gilliflower_ disguised, _Lov. _ dressing her. _Lov. _ My Charmer, why these Tears, If for the fall of all thy painted Glories, Thou art, in the esteem of all good Men, Above what thou wert then? The glorious Sun is rising in our Hemisphere, And I, amongst the crowd of Loyal Sufferers, Shall share in its kindly Rays. _L. Lam. _ Best of thy Sex-- What have I left to gratify thy Goodness? _Lov. _ You have already by your noble Bounty, Made me a Fortune, had I nothing else; All which I render back, with all that Wealth Heaven and my Parents left me: Which, tho unjustly now detain'd from me, Will once again be mine, and then be yours. Enter _Free. _ _Free. _ Come, haste, the Rabble gather round the House, And swear they'll have this Sorceress. _Lov. _ Let me loose among 'em, their rude officious Honesty must bepunish'd. _L. Lam. _ Oh, let me out, do not expose thy Person to their mad Rage, rather resign the Victim. [Holds him. _Lov. _ Resign thee! by Heaven, I think I shou'd turn Rebel first. Enter La. _Des. _ disguised, and _Tom_ with Jewels in a Box. _L. Des. _ With much ado, according to thy direction, dear _Freeman_, I have pass'd the Pikes, my House being surrounded; and my Husbanddemanded, fell down dead with fear. _Free. _ How, thy Husband dead! _L. Des. _ Dead as old _Oliver_, and much ado I got off with theseJewels, the Rabble swore I was one of the Party; and had not the honestCorporal convinc'd em, I had been pull'd to pieces. -- Come, haste away, Madam, we shall be roasted with the Rump else. _L. Lam. _ Adieu, dear Mansion! whose rich gilded Roofs so oft put me inmind of Majesty-- And thou, my Bed of State, where my soft Slumbers havepresented me with Diadems and Scepters-- when waking I have stretch'd mygreedy Arms to grasp the vanish'd Phantom! ah, adieu! and all my hopesof _Royalty_ adieu. -- _Free. _ And dare you put your self into my Protection? Well, if you do, I doubt you'll never be your own Woman again. _L. Des. _ No matter, I'm better lost than found on such occasions. [Exeunt. SCENE V. _A Street; a great Bonfire, with Spits, and Rumps roasting, andthe Mobile about the Fire, with Pots, Bottles, Fiddles. _ _1 Pren. _ Here, _Jack_, a Health to the King. _2 Pren. _ Let it pass, Lad, and next to the noble General. _1 Pren. _ _Ralph_, baste the Rump well, or ne'er hope to see a Kingagen. _3 Pren. _ The Rump will baste it self, it has been well cram'd. Enter _Freeman_, L. _Des. _ _Loveless_, and L. _Lam. _ _Gill. _ _Tom_, Pages, &c. _Cap. _ Hah, Noble Champion, faith, Sir, you must honour us so far as todrink the King's Health, and the noble General's, before you go. Enter _Wariston_, drest like a Pedlar, with a Box about his Neck full of Ballads and Things. _War. _ Will ya buy a guedly Ballat or a _Scotch_ Spur, Sirs? a guedlyBallat, or a _Scotch_ Spur. -- 'Sbread, I's scapt hitherte weele enough, I's say'd my Crag fro stretching twa Inches longer than 'twas borne:will ya buy a Jack-line to roast the Rump, a new Jack Lambert Line?-- ora blithe Ditty of the Noble _Scotch_ General?-- come buy my Ditties. _Cap. _ How, a Ditty o'th' General? let's see't, Sirrah. _War. _ 'Sbread, Sirs, and here's the guedly Ballat of the General'scoming out of _Scotland_. _Cap. _ Here, who sings it? we'll all bear the bob. [_Wariston_ sings the Ballad, all bearing the Bob. Enter _Ananias_ crying Almanacks. _Ana. _ New Almanacks, new Almanacks. _Cap. _ Hah, who have we here? _Ananias_, Holder-forth of _Clement's_Parish? _All. _ Ha, a Traytor, a Traytor. _Lov. _ If I am not mistaken, this blithe Ballad-singer too was Chair-manto the Committee of Safety. _Cap. _ Is your Lordship turned Pedlar at last? _War. _ What mon I do noo? Lerd, ne mere Lerd than yar sel, Sir; wons Ishow 'em a fair pair of Heels. [Goes to run away, they get him on a Colt-staff, with _Ananias_ on another, Fidlers playing _Fortune my Foe_, round the Fire. _Cap. _ Play _Fortune my Foe_, Sirrah. Enter _Hewson_, drest like a Country Fellow. _Cor. _ Who are you, Sirrah? you have the mark o' th' Beast. _Hews. _ Who aye, Sir? Aye am a Doncer, that come a merry-making amongya-- _Cap. _ Come, Sirrah, your Feats of Activity quickly then. [He dances; which ended, they get him on a Colt-staff, and cry a _Cobler_, a _Cobler_. _All. _ A Cobler, a Cobler. _Cap. _ To Prison with the Traytors, and then we have made a good Night'swork on't. _Then let's all home, and to the Powers Divine Pray for the King, and all the Sacred Line. _ [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. Spoken by Lady _Desbro_. _The Vizor's off, and now I dare appear. High for the _Royal Cause_ in Cavalier; Tho once as true a _Whig_ as most of you, Cou'd cant, and lye, preach, and dissemble too: So far you drew me in, but faith I'll be Reveng'd on you for thus debauching me: Same of your pious Cheats I'll open lay, That lead your _Ignoramus_ Flock astray: For since I cannot fight, I will not fail To exercise my Talent, that's to rail. Ye Race of Hypocrites, whose Cloak of Zeal Covers the Knave that cants for _Commonweal_, All Laws, the Church and State to Ruin brings, And impudently sets a Rule on Kings; Ruin, destroy, all's good that you decree By your Infallible _Presbytery_, Prosperous at first, in Ills you grow so vain, You thought to play the _Old Game_ o'er again: And thus the Cheat was put upon the Nation, First with _Long Parliaments_, next _Reformation_, And now you hop'd to make a new Invasion: And when you can't prevail by open Force, To cunning tickling Tricks you have recourse, And raise Sedition forth without Remorse. Confound these cursed _Tories_, then they cry, [In a preaching tone. Those Fools, those Pimps to Monarchy, Those that exclude the Saints; yet open th' Door, To introduce the _Babylonian Whore_. By Sacred _Oliver_ the Nation's mad; Beloved, 'twas not so when he was Head: But then, as I have said it oft before ye, A _Cavalier_ was but a Type of _Tory_. The Curs durst then not bark, but all the Breed Is much encreas'd since that good Man was dead: Yet then they rail' d against the _Good Old Cause_, Rail'd foolishly for Loyalty, and Laws; But when the Saints had put them to a stand, We left them Loyalty, and took their Land: Yea, and the pious Work of Reformation Rewarded was with Plunder, Sequestration. Thus cant the Faithful; nay, they're so uncivil, To pray us harmless Players to the Devil. When this is all th' Exception they can make, They damn us for our Glorious Master's sake. But why 'gainst us do you unjustly arm? Our small Religion sure can do no harm; Or if it do, since that's the only thing, We will reform when you are true to th' King. _ * * * * * * * * * NOTES: The Roundheads [Transcriber's Note: The Notes in the printed text give only page and line numbers. Act-and-scene designations shown between +marks+ have been added by the transcriber. Labels such as "Scene IIa" refer to points where the scene description changes without a new scene number. ] NOTES ON THE TEXT. +Dedication+ p. 337 _To The Right Noble Henry Fitz-Roy. _ The Dedicatory Epistle only appears in the two 4tos, 1682 and 1698. p. 337, l. 31 _Good Old Couse. _ 'Couse' to represent a Cockney pronunciation. p. 339, l. 28 _Ignoramus the 1st and the 2d. _ Mrs. Behn deftly compares the verdict of that faction which would have damned her play with the verdict given by the City jury who acquitted Shaftesbury. +Prologue+ p. 341, l. 7 _ycleped Hewson. _ 4to 'Eclipsed Huson'. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 343 _Dramatis Personæ. _ I have added, 'Captain of the Prentices, Page to Lady Fleetwood, A Felt-maker, A Joyner, Doorkeeper, Two Clerks, Three Soldiers, Women Servants to Lady Lambert, Petitioners, Servants, Guards. ' The name of Lady Desbro's Page, Tom, is supplied by Act iv, 1. For _Sanctify'd Mobile_, 1724 reads 'Sanctify'd Mobility'. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 344, l. 21 _Push a Pike. _ 1724 'Push of Pike'. p. 347, l. 3 _Go out. _ 1724 'Goes out'. p. 347, l. 11 _the rest of the Soldiers. _ 1724 'the rest of Soldiers'. p. 350, l. 14 _Love, Wit and Beauty. _ 1724 prints these lines as prose. p. 350, l. 17 _A God! altho his outside. _ 4tos and 1724 print this speech as prose. p. 350, l. 22 _No, methought he grew. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose. p. 351, l. 10 _Ha, he's yonder. _ 1724 prints this speech as prose. p. 353, l. 16 _Exeunt both. _ 1724 'exeunt', 4tos 'exit both'. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 353, l. 17 _Scene II. A Chamber in Lambert's House. _ 4tos 'Scene a Chamber. ' 1724 'SCENE. A Chamber. ' I have added 'II' and 'in Lambert's House. ' p. 354, l. 19 _how have I show'd. _ 1724 misprints 'how have show'd'. p. 355, l. 28 _the Lard's handling. _ 1724 'the Lord's', 4tos 'Lard's'. p. 356, l. 28 _light on yu. _ 1724 'light on you'. p. 358, l. 1 _a brave Mon. _ 1724 'a brave Man'. p. 358, l. 1 _I may cooncel. _ 1724 'I may counsel'. p. 358, l. 10 _he's a brave Mon, a Mon indeed, gen. _ 1724 'he's a brave Mon indeed gen'. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 359, l. 11 _Scene I. A Chamber of State in Lambert's House. _ I have added 'in Lambert's House'. p. 360, l. 22 _admit him tho'. _ 1724 omits 'tho''. p. 360, l. 25 _I shou'd say. _ 1724 misprints 'I shou'd stay'. p. 360, l. 27 _these Heroicks are punctual men. _ 1724 omits 'men'. p. 361, l. 4 _Walks away. _ 1724 omits this stage direction. p. 361, l. 17 _Some such trivial thing. _ 1724 'some such trifling thing'. p. 365, l. 28 _Verily we should live. _ 1724 'Verily ye should live'. p. 366, l. 21 _Write Panegyricks. _ 1724 prints these concluding four lines as prose. 4tos metrically. p. 367, l. 2 _Lambert will destroy all. _ 1724 'Lambert would destroy all'. p. 368, l. 1 _Or Mind embyass'd. _ 1724 'Embarass'd'. p. 368, l. 12 _Execrations. _ 1724 'Excrations'. p. 368, l. 28 _Cry mercy, Madam. _ 1724 omits 'Madam'. p. 368, l. 29 _most lucky Minute. _ 1724 'most unlucky Minute'. p. 370, l. 19 _my Honourable Lord is busied. _ 1724 'has business'. p. 370, l. 22 _extemporary. _ 1724 'extempore'. p. 373, l. 33 _Old Oliver's Brains. _ 1724 'Brain'. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 374, l. 31 _take 'em then for Archibald; 'tis. _ 1724 'take 'em then for Archibald? 'tis'. p. 374, l. 32 _warse. _ 1724 'worse'. p. 376, l. 6 _Hew. My Lord, I am sorry. _ 1724 'Hew. I am sorry'. p. 377, l. 28 _what stuff's here. _ 1724 'what's stuff's here'. p. 378, l. 4 _Walter Walton. _ 1724 'Walter Walter'. p. 378, l. 19 _ever cam into lour_, read _ever came intol our. _ 1724 'ever came into'. p. 378, l. 23 _I's larne. _ 1724 'I's learn'. p. 379, l. 14 _se fast. _ 1724 'so fast'. p. 380, l. 16 _shoos in yar. _ 1724 'shoes'. p. 380, l. 28 _Malignant's Estates. _ 1724 'Malignant Estates'. p. 382, l. 36 _she has danc'd after. _ 1724 'she has danc'd here after'. +Act III: Scene ii+ p. 383, l. 31 _Scene II. A Chamber in Lady Desbro's House. _ 4tos and 1724 'Scene, a Chamber'. p. 384, l. 7 _Enter Tom. _ 4tos and 1724 'Enter Page' with speech-prefix-- 'Pag. ' and 'Exit Page'; but Act iv, 1, 4tos we have 'Enter Page' with speech-prefix 'Tom' and later in the same scene 'Enter Tom Page'. p. 384, l. 12 _hear him preach. _ 1724 'here him preach'. p. 385, l. 8 _Beau - - ty. _ And later 'fall - ing' to mark the sanctimonious drawl. 1724 prints 'Beauty' and 'falling'. p. 388, ll. 8, 10 _Exeunt. _ 4tos omit. 1724 omits 'Ex. Ana. ' +Act IV: Scene i+ p. 388, l. 12 _A Chamber in La. Desbro's House. _ 4tos and 1724 'Chamber, Candles and Lights'. p. 390, l. 33 _gives us notice of. _ 1724 'gives us notice of it'. p. 391, l. 29 _come a Gad's Name. _ 1724 'come in Gad's Name'. p. 392, l. 11 _Nay, I say verily, nay. _ 1724 'I say verily, nay'. p. 392, l. 17 _the Lard hath given. _ 1724 'the Lard has given'. p. 392, l. 22 _Enter Tom. _ 1724 'Enter Page', speech-prefix 'Page', and 'Ex. Page'; 4tos 'Enter Page', speech-prefix 'Tom', 'Ex. Tom Page'. p. 392, l. 29 _we have hitherto maintain'd. _ 1724 omits 'hitherto'. +Act IV: Scene ii+ p. 394, l. 6 _A fine Chamber. _ I have added to 4tos and 1724 'in La. Lambert's House'. +Act IV: Scene iii+ p. 395, l. 8 _A great Chamber. _ I have added to 4tos and 1724 'in Lambert's House'. p. 395, l. 26 _I's drink tol yar gued Fortune. _ 1724 'to yar gued Fortune'. p. 396, l. 17 _Ex. L. Lam. And Gill. _ I have added 'and Gill'. p. 396, l. 22 _light your Flambeaus. _ 1724 'your Flambeau'. p. 396, l. 30 _when we real. _ 1724 'when we reel'. p. 397, l. 8 _o'er yar Liquer. _ 1724 'Liquor'. p. 397, l. 15 _I's for a Horn-pipe. _ 1724 omits 'for'. p. 397, l. 24 _Scotch Poond. _ 1724 'Pound'. p. 397, l. 24 _yar Song. _ 1724 'your Song'. p. 398, l. 15 _lead the Donce. _ 1724 'lead the Dance'. +Act IV: Scene iv+ p. 399, l. 28 _As well as to give. _ 1724 'As well as give'. p. 399, l. 36 _Kneels. _ 4to 1698 and 1724 omit this stage direction. p. 400, l. 23 _he puts it back. _ 4tos 'he put it back'. 1724 'he puts it off'. p. 401, l. 26 _my Husband wou'd withdraw. _ 1724 'my Husband cou'd withdraw'. p. 401, l. 32 _He lies down along on the Couch. _ 1724 'He lies down on the Couch'. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 405, l. 14 _Scene I. A Street. _ 1724 'Scene I. Street'. p. 407, l. 28 _Viva le Roy, Viva le Monk!_ 4tos 'Via la Roy, Via la Monk. ' p. 408, l. 23 _Why, so there's some trusting. _ 1724 omits 'so'. p. 408, l. 33 _Viva the brave. _ 1724 'Vive the brave'. p. 410, l. 9 _Ana. Gets a Sword, and fights too. _ 1724 'and fights 'em'. +Act V: Scene ii+ p. 410, l. 10 _Scene II. Changes to a Chamber in La. Lambert's House. _ 4tos and 1724 'Scene changes to a Chamber'. +Act V: Scene iia+ p. 411, l. 12 _and I shall keep it. _ 1724 omits 'I'. p. 412, l. 22 _L. Lam. Thou ly'st. _ 4tos and 1724 print this speech as prose, but it admits of metrical division. p. 413, l. 9 _Gog and Magog. _ 4tos 'God and Magog'. p. 415, l. 6 _Morning and Evening Lectures. _ 4tos 'Mornings and Evenings Lectures'. p. 415, l. 23 _Enter Page with Messenger. _ 1724 'Enter Page with Messengers'. p. 415, l. 30 _Where's that brutal Courage. _ 1724 'the Brutal Courage'. p. 416, l. 16 _whose wise work was that?_ 1724 'whose wise work's that?' p. 416, l. 29 _Wans, Sirs. _ 1724 'Wons, Sirs'. p. 417, l. 5 _ya's ene. _ 1724 'ye's ene'. p. 417, l. 6 _Mr. Leyer. _ 1724 'Mr. Lyar'. p. 417, l. 12 _makes ye look. _ 1724 'makes you look'. p. 417, l. 36 _L. Fleet and Pag. _ 1724 omits 'and Pag. ' p. 418, l. 6 _no more. [Weep. _ 1724 omits 'Weep'. p. 419, l. 11 _Go in. _ 1724 only marks 'Ex. ' for all characters. +Act V: Scene iii+ p. 419, l. 13 _Scene III. The Street. _ 4tos and 1724 'Scene the Street'. p. 420, l. 3 _Viva le Roy, viva. _ 1724 'Vive le Roy, vive'. p. 420, l. 14 _ill, I fear; 'tis a bad. _ 1724 'ill, I fear 'tis a bad'. p. 420, l. 32 _are here? [Exeunt. _ 4tos and 1724 omit 'Exeunt'. I supply this as, obviously, these characters must leave the stage when the Prentices rush on. p. 421, l. 12 _ay, Ah, Lard, ah what. _ 4tos 'ay, ah Lard, what'. 1724 'ay. Lard, ah what'. +Act V: Scene iv+ p. 421, l. 14 _Scene IV. A Chamber in Lambert's House. _ 4tos and 1724 'Scene, A Chamber'. p. 421, l. 23 _share in its kindly. _ 1724 'share its kindly'. p. 422, l. 7 _and Tom with jewels. _ 4tos and 1724 'Page with jewels'. p. 422, l. 25 _Well, if you do. _ 1724 'Why, if you do'. +Act V: Scene v+ p. 422, l. 29 _Scene V. A Street. _ 4tos and 1724 'Scene, a Street'. p. 423, l. 3 _Gill. Tom, Pages, &c. _ I have inserted Tom's name here. p. 424, l. 5 _come a merry-making. _ 1724 'come merry-making'. p. 424, l. 33 _you grow so vain. _ 1724 'you grew so vain'. p. 425, l. 7. _In a preaching tone. _ 1724 'In a preachin tone'. The dropped 'g', is not intentional here, but a misprint. NOTES: CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. +Dedication+ p. 337 _To the Right Noble Henry Fitzroy. _ Second son of Charles II by Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine, afterwards Duchess of Cleveland, was born 20 September, 1663. He married, 1 August, 1672, Isabella, daughter and heiress of Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington. The bride was then only five years old. In September, 1675, Henry Fitzroy was created Duke of Grafton, and on 30 September, 1680, was installed by proxy as Knight of the Garter. In 1682 he became colonel of the first foot guards. He died 9 October, 1690, from a wound he received under the walls of Cork during Marlborough's expedition to Ireland. Brave and even reckless to a fault, he is said to have been the most popular and the ablest of the sons of Charles II. +Prologue+ p. 341 _noise of Plots. _ The ferment occasioned by the pretended Popish Plot of 1678 and the illegal Exclusion Bill was in full blast. p. 341 _Presbytery. _ Presbyterianism. p. 341 _Forty One. _ 1641 was the date of the Grand Remonstrance and Petition to Charles I. p. 341 _Ignoramus. _ When Shaftesbury was indicted for high treason, 24 November, 1681, the grand jury ignored or threw out the bill. Their declaration was 'ignoramus'. Cf. Dryden's prologue to _The Duke of Guise_ (1682):-- Let ignoramus juries find no traitors, and other innumerable references to this verdict. +Dramatis Personæ+ p. 343 _Fleetwood. _ Lieutenant-General Charles Fleetwood was son-in-law to Oliver Cromwell, and for a time Lord-Deputy of Ireland. He was mainly instrumental in the resignation of Richard Cromwell, but so weak and vacillating that he lost favour with all parties. His name was excepted from the general amnesty, and it was only with great difficulty that, owing to the influence of Lord Litchfield, he escaped with his life. He died in obscurity at Stoke Newington, 4 October, 1692. p. 343 _Lambert. _ Major-General Lambert (1619-83) lost his commissions owing to the jealousy of Oliver Cromwell, on whose death he privily opposed Richard Cromwell. In August, 1659, he defeated the Royalist forces under Sir George Booth in Cheshire, but subsequently his army deserted. On his return to London he was arrested (5 March, 1660), by the Parliament, but escaped. Tried for high treason at the Restoration, he was banished to Guernsey, where he died in the winter of 1683. p. 343 _Wariston. _ Archibald Johnston, Lord Wariston, a fierce fanatic, was parliamentary commissioner for the administration of justice in Scotland and a member of Cromwell's House of Peers. On the revival of the Rump he became president of the Council of State, and permanent president of the Committee of Safety. At the Restoration he fled, but was brought back from Rouen to be hanged at the Market Cross, Edinburgh, 23 July, 1663. Carlyle dubs him a 'lynx-eyed lawyer and austere presbyterian zealot', and Burnet says, 'Presbyterianism was more to him than all the world. ' p. 343 _Hewson. _ John Hewson, regicide, a shoemaker, was a commander under Cromwell, and afterwards a peer in the Upper House. At the Restoration he escaped to the Continent and died in exile at Amsterdam, 1662, or, by another account, at Rouen. p. 343 _Desbro. _ John Desborough, Desborow, or Disbrowe (1608-80) was Cromwell's brother-in-law. Being left a widower, he married again April, 1658. As he had refused to sit as a judge at the trial of Charles I, he was not exempted from the amnesty; but being considered a source of danger, he was, after the Restoration, 'always watched with peculiar jealousy, ' and suffered some short term of imprisonment. p. 343 _Duckingfield. _ Robert Duckenfield (1619-89), a strong Parliamentarian, but one who refused to assist at the King's trial. He had large estates in Cheshire, where he lived retired after a short imprisonment at the Restoration. His son Robert, who succeeded him, was subsequently created a baronet by Charles II, 16 June, 1665. p. 343 _Corbet. _ Although this name is here given as Corbet, Colonel Cobbet occurs Act i, II (p. 355), and we have Cobbet again Act iii, I (p. 374). This character is certainly not Miles Corbet the regicide, but Ralph Cobbet, who was both a colonel and a member of the Committee of Safety. Ralph Cobbet is frequently alluded to in the satires of the time, e. G. _The Gang; or, The Nine Worthies and Champions_ (17 January, 1659-60):-- A man of stomack in the next deal, With a hey down, &c. Was hungry Colonel Cobbet; He would eat at a meale A whole commonweale, And make a joint but a gobbet. p. 343 _Whitlock. _ Bulstrode Whitelock (1605-75), keeper of the Great Seal, and in August, 1659, president of the Council of State, was always inclined to royalism, and even advised Cromwell to restore Charles II. At the Restoration he was allowed to retire to Chilton Park, Hungerford, Wilts, and died there 28 July, 1675. According to some accounts his death took place at Fawley, Bucks. p. 343 _Lady Lambert. _ Lady Lambert was Frances, daughter of Sir William Lister, knight, of Thornton in Craven, Yorks. She was married 10 September, 1639. Contemporaries attribute Lambert's ambition to the influence of his wife, whose pride is frequently alluded to. E. G. _Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson_, edited by C. H. Firth (Nimmo, 1885), Vol. II, p. 189, 'There went a story that as my Lady Ireton was walking in St. James' Park the Lady Lambert, as proud as her husband, came by where she was, and as the present princess always has precedency of the relict of the dead prince, so she put my Lady Ireton below; who, notwithstanding her piety and humility, was a little grieved at the affront. ' p. 343 _Lady Desbro. _ Desborough's second wife, whom he married April, 1658, is said, on the dubious authority of Betham, to have been Anne, daughter of Sir Richard Everard, Bart. , of Much Waltham. Mrs. Behn's amorous lady, Maria, is, of course, purely fictional. p. 343 _Lady Fleetwood. _ Bridget, eldest daughter of Oliver Cromwell, was married first to Ireton, who died 26 November, 1651, and secondly, in 1652, to Fleetwood. She did not live long after the Restoration, and was buried at S. Anne's, Blackfriars, 1 July, 1662. p. 343 _Lady Cromwell. _ Cromwell married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Bourchier, 22 August, 1620. She survived her husband seven years, dying 19 November, 1665. After the Restoration she lived in great seclusion at Norboro', Northamptonshire, the house of her son-in-law, John Claypoole. p. 343 _Clement's Parish. _ Probably St. Clements, Eastcheap. This church, described by Stow as being 'small and void of monuments', was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt 1686. The old church of St. Clement Danes, Strand, being in a ruinous condition, was pulled down in 1680 and built again on the same site. The Puritans always omitted the prefix 'St. ' and spoke of churches as 'Paul's', 'Mary's', 'Bartholomew's', 'Helen's' and the like. +Act I: Scene i+ p. 344 _Gad and the Lord Fleetwood. _ Fleetwood, even in an age of Tartuffes, was especially distinguished for the fluency of his canting hypocrisy and godliness. He was a bitter persecutor of Catholics, a warm favourer of Anabaptists and the extremer fanatics of every kidney. p. 345 _Vane. _ Sir Harry Vane (1613-62), the prominent Parliamentarian and a leading member of the Committee of Safety was executed as a regicide, June, 1662. p. 345 _Fifth Monarchy. _ The Fifth Monarchy men were a sect of wild enthusiasts who declared themselves 'subjects only of King Jesus', and held that a fifth universal monarchy (like those of Assyria, Persia, Greece, and Rome) would be established by Christ in person, until which time no single person must presume to rule or be king. p. 346 _Haslerig. _ Sir Arthur Heselrige, one of the Five Members whom Parliament refused to yield to Charles I in January, 1642, was a republican of the most violent type. He died a prisoner in the Tower, 7 January, 1661. p. 349 _an errant Heroick. _ A term for a cavalier or Royalist, cf. Edward Waterhouse's _A Short Narrative of the late Dreadful Fire in London_ (1667, 12mo): 'Even so, O Lord, rebuke the evil spirit of these _Sanballats_, and raise up the spirit of the _Nehemiahs_ and other such Heroicks of Kindness and Ability to consider _London. _' Tatham, in _The Rump_ (4to, 1660; 1661), Act ii, 1, has 'The very names of the Cromwells will become far more odious than ever Needham could make the Heroicks'. p. 349 _cuckold the Ghost of Old Oliver. _ The intrigue between Cromwell and Lambert's wife is affirmed in '_Newes from the New Exchange; or, the Commonwealth of Ladies . .. _ London; printed in the year of women without grace, 1650' (4to). Noble, in his _Memoirs of the Cromwell Family_ (8vo, London, 1787, 3rd edit. , Vol. II, p. 369), says that the lady 'was an elegant and accomplished woman', she was 'suppos'd to have been partial to Oliver the Protector. ' A scarce poem, _Iter Australe_ (London, 1660, 4to), declares of Cromwell that some Would have him a David, 'cause he went To Lambert's wife, when he was in his tent. Some six months before Cromwell's death, when Lambert visited him, Noll 'fell on his neck, kissed him, inquired of dear Johnny for his jewel (so he called Mrs. Lambert) and for all his children by name. ' Cromwell's immoralities in youth, when a brewer at Ely, were notorious. Although the parish registers of S. John's, Huntingdon, have been tampered with, the following, under the years 1621 and 1628, remain: 'Oliverus Cromwell reprehensus erat coram tota Ecclesia pro factis. ' and 'Hoc anno Oliverus Cromwell fecit penitentiam coram tota ecclesia. ' An attempt has been made to erase these. +Act I: Scene ii+ p. 354 _Tony. _ Anthony Ashley Cooper; afterwards first Earl of Shaftesbury. p. 357 _Wallingford House. _ Stood on the site of the present Admiralty. It was so called from Sir William Knollys, Baron Wallingford, Treasurer of the Household to Elizabeth and James I. After Cromwell's death the General Council of the Officers of the Army (Wallingford House Party) met here. Fleetwood actually lived in the house. At the Restoration it reverted to the Duke of Buckingham. The Crown purchased it 1680, and the Admiralty was built about 1720. +Act II: Scene i+ p. 361 _Cobler's-Stall. _ Hewson, says Wood, had originally been 'an honest shoemaker in Westminster. ' p. 362 _Conventickling. _ Conventicle was accentuated upon the third syllable. This, of course, led to innuendo, cf. 1 _Hudibras_ (1663) Canto ii, 437: He used to lay about and stickle Like ram or bull at conventicle and Dryden, in _The Medal_ (1682):-- A tyrant theirs; the heaven their priesthood paints A conventicle of gloomy sullen saints. p. 363 _Pryn. _ William Prynne (1600-69) had been sentenced to severe punishment in February, 1634, for the scandals and libels contained in his dull diatribe, _Histriomastix. _ He lost both his ears in the pillory. p. 365 _Needham. _ Marchamont Nedham, 'the Commonwealth's Didaper', was a graduate of All Souls, Oxon, and sometime an usher at Merchant Taylors' school. He also seems to have been connected with the legal profession. 'The skip-jack of all fortunes', neither side has a good word for this notorious pamphleteer, the very scum of our early journalism. When _Mercurius Britannicus_ temporarily ceased publication with No. 50, 9 September, 1644, Nedham recommenced it on the 30th of the same month with No. 51 (not No. 52 as is sometimes stated). No. 92, 28 July-4 August, 1645, and the number 11-18 May, 1646, revile the King in such scurrilous terms that Nedham was haled to the bar of the House of Lords and imprisoned. Later he turned Royalist, but in 1650 published _The Case of the Commonwealth Stated_, a defence of the regicides, for which he received a pension of £100 a year. He fled to Holland, April, 1660, but being pardoned, returned to England. He died in Devereux Court, Temple Bar, November, 1678, and is buried in St. Clement Danes. Wood characterizes him as 'a most seditious, mutable and railing author, ' whilst Cleveland terms him 'that impudent and incorrigible reviler'. p. 365 _Ireton, my best of Sons. _ Noble, in his _Memoirs of the Cromwell Family_, says that the fact Fleetwood had not the abilities of her first husband gave his wife much concern, as she saw with great regret the ruin his conduct must bring on herself and her children. p. 366 _Richard's Wife. _ Richard Cromwell at the age of 23 married Dorothy, daughter of Richard Major, of Hursley, Hampshire. p. 366 _glorious Titles. _ Cromwell's wife was, as a matter of fact, very averse to all grandeur and state. The satires of the time laugh at her homeliness and parsimony. p. 369 _Ormond. _ James Butler, Duke of Ormond, was lord-lieutenant of Ireland, 1643-47. p. 370 _Exercise. _ A common term amongst the Puritans for worship; a sermon or extemporary prayer. As early as 1574. Archbishop Whitgift speaks of the exercises of 'praying, singing of psalms, interpreting and prophesying', cf. Davenant, _The Wits_ (4to 1636):-- I am a new man, Luce; thou shalt find me In a Geneva band. .. . And squire thy untooth'd aunt to an exercise, and also:-- [she] divides The day in exercise. --Mayne's _City Match_ (1639), iv, v. p. 372 _Duke of Glocester. _ Henry of Oatlands, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of Charles I. Born 8 July, 1639, he died of smallpox at Whitehall 13 September, 1660. The Parliament sent him to the continent on 11 February, 1653. p. 373 _he should have been bound Prentice. _ A proposition was actually made in Parliament that the young Duke of Gloucester should be bound to a trade, in order, as it was impudently expressed, 'that he might earn his bread honestly. ' Fortunately, saner counsels prevailed, in which his fate was happier than that of the Dauphin committed to the cruelties of Citizen Simon, cordwainer. p. 373 _Old Thurlo. _ John Thurloe (1616-68), Secretary of State to Cromwell; M. P. For Ely, 1654 and 1656. He died 21 February, 1668. +Act III: Scene i+ p. 378 _Highness's Funeral. _ A large portion of the debt incurred for Oliver Cromwell's magnificently extravagant funeral ceremonies fell on Richard, who was obliged to retire for a while to the continent to avoid arrest and await some settlement. These obsequies cost in all the huge sum of £60, 000, which there was a great difficulty in paying. The chief undertaker's name was Rolt. See note on _The Widow Ranter_ --'Trusting for Old Oliver's funeral, ' Act i. (Vol. IV. ) p. 378 _Walter Frost. _ Walter Frost, secretary to the Republican Council of State, was quondam manciple of Emmanuel, Cambridge, and acted as spy-master and manager of the 'committee hackneys, ' which hunted down and betrayed Royalists. This infamous fellow, who dubbed himself Esquire and Latinized his name to Gualter, was authorized to publish (i. E. Write) 'intelligence every week upon Thursday according to an Act of Parliament for that purpose. ' He licensed _A Briefe Relation_ (No 1, 2 October, 1649) from its second number until 22 October, 1650. This is certainly one of the most evil and lying of the Republican diurnals. p. 378 _Hutchinson. _ Richard Hutchinson, deputy treasurer to Sir Henry Vane. He succeeded as Treasurer to the Navy in 1651 and continued to hold office after the Restoration. He is several times mentioned by Pepys. p. 379 _Jacobus. _ A gold coin value 25s. , first current in the reign of James I. p. 379 _Mr. Ice. _ Perhaps Stephen Isles who was appointed a Commissioner for the London Militia, 7 July, 1659. The name 'Mr. Ice' occurs in Tatham's _Rump_ in the same context. p. 379 _Loether. _ Sir Gerard Lowther, who, once a loyalist, became a republican, and in 1654 was one of the Three Commissioners of the Great Seal in Ireland. He acquired large estates and died very wealthy on the eve of the Restoration. p. 381 _Duke of Buckingham's Estate . .. With Chelsey House. _ Bulstrode Whitelocke actually had obtained the Duke's sequestered estate, and stood for Bucks in Parliament. During the Commonwealth Chelsea House was bestowed upon him as an official residence, and he lived there till the Restoration, when it reverted to the Duke, to whose father it had been granted in 1627 by Charles I. He sold it in 1664 to the trustees of George Digby, Earl of Bristol. In 1682 it became the property of Henry, Marquis of Worcester, afterwards Duke of Beaufort, and was renamed Beaufort House. Sir Hans Sloane purchased it in 1738, and it was demolished two years later. p. 381 _Hugh Peters. _ This divine, who had been chaplain to Sir Thomas Fairfax, was notorious for his fanatical and ranting sermons. Having openly advocated and preached the death of Charles I, he was, at the Restoration, excluded from the general amnesty, tried for high treason, and executed 16 October, 1660. p. 382 _Scobel. _ Henry Scobell, clerk to the Long Parliament. His name appeared as the licenser of various newsbooks, and he superintended the publication of _Severall Proceedings in Parliament_, No. 1, 25 Sept. -9 Oct. , 1649. Scobell died in 1660, his will being proved 29 Sept. Of that year. +Act IV: Scene ii+ p. 394 _Vails. _ Avails; profits. Money given to servants: 'tips'. +Act IV: Scene iii+ p. 398 _Cushion-Dance. _ A merry old English round action dance common in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. p. 398 _Nickers. _ Or knickers, marbles generally made of baked clay. Cf. Duffet's farce, _The Mock Tempest_ (1675), Act iv, I:-- _Enter _Hypolito playing with Nickers. _Hyp. _ Anan, Anan, forsooth-- you, Sir, don't you stir the Nickers. I'l play out my game presently. +Act IV: Scene iv+ p. 402 _Joan Sanderson. _ The air to which the Cushion Dance was usually performed. It may be found in Playford's _Dancing Master_, 1686. Sometimes the dance itself was known as Joan Sanderson. +Act V: Scene i+ p. 406 _The Tall Irishman. _ Oliver Cromwell's porter, yclept Daniel, was a giant. This fellow, through poring over mystical divinity, lost his wits: he preached, prophesied, and raved until finally he was incarcerated in Bedlam, where, after a while, his liberty was allowed him. A famous item amongst his books was a large Bible presented by Neil Gwynne. D'Urfey in his Prologue to _Sir Barnaby Whigg_ (1681), has: 'Like Oliver's porter, but not so devout. ' There is a rare, if not unique, portrait of Daniel in the Print Room, British Museum. The reputed portrait in Pierce Tempest's _Cryes of the City of London_ (No. 71. Un insensé pour la Religion. M. Lauron del. P. Tempest ex. ) is not that of a remarkably tall man. p. 410 _Enter Hewson with Guards. _ 5 December, 1659, Hewson did actually suppress a rising of London prentices, two or three of whom were killed and some score wounded. This made him very unpopular. +Act V: Scene iia+ p. 412_ Lord Capel. _ Arthur, Lord Capel, Baron Hadham, a gallant royalist leader, was, after the surrender of Colchester, treacherously imprisoned. He escaped, but was betrayed, and beheaded 9 March, 1649. p. 412 _Brown Bushel. _ A sea captain. Originally inclined to the Parliament, he became a royalist. In 1643 he was taken prisoner, but after being exchanged lived quietly and retired till 1648, when he was seized as a deserter, and after three years captivity, tried, and executed 29 April, 1651. p. 413 _Earl of Holland. _ Henry Rich, Earl of Holland (1590-1649), a staunch royalist, was executed 9 March, 1649, in company with Lord Capel and the Duke of Hamilton. p. 413 _Judas. _ The piece of plate dubb'd Judas would be gilded, cf. Middleton's _Chaste Maid in Cheapside_, (4to, 1630), iii, 2. _3rd Gossip. _ Two great 'postle-spoons, one of them gilt. _1st Puritan. _ Sure that was Judas then with the red beard. Red is the traditional colour of Judas' hair. Cf. Dryden's lines on Jacob Tonson the publisher:-- With two left legs and Judas-coloured hair. p. 414 _an act, 24 June. _ Cromwell's parliament passed Draconian Acts punishing adultery, incest, fornication, with death; the two former on the first offence, the last on the second conviction. _Mercurius Politicus_, No. 168. Thursday, 25 August-- Thursday, 1 September, 1653 (p. 2700), records the execution of an old man of eighty-nine who was found guilty at Monmouth Assize of adultery with a woman over sixty. It is well known that under the Commonwealth the outskirts of London were crowded with brothels, and the license of Restoration days pales before the moral evils and cankers existing under Cromwell. The officially recognized independent diurnals _Mercurius Democritus_, _Mercurius Fumigosus_, have been described as 'abominable'. In 1660, when the writers of these attempted to circulate literature which had been common in the preceeding decade, they were promptly 'clapt up in Newgate'. p. 414 _Peters the first_, _Martin the Second. _ Hugh Peters has been noticed before. Henry Martin was an extreme republican, and at one time even a Leveller. He was a commissioner of the High Court of Justice and a regicide. At the Restoration he was imprisoned for life and died at Chepstow Castle, 1681, aged seventy-eight. He was notorious for profligacy and shamelessness, and kept a very seraglio of mistresses. p. 415 _Tantlings. _ St. Antholin's (St. Anthling's), Budge Row, Watling Street, had long been a stronghold of puritanism. As early as 1599, morning prayer and lecture were instituted, 'after the Geneva fashion'. The bells began at five in the morning. This church was largely attended by fanatics and extremists. There are frequent allusions to St. Antholin's and its matutinal chimes. The church was burned down in the Great Fire. Middleton and Dekker's _Roaring Girl_ (1611): 'Sha's a tongue will be heard further in a still morning than Saint Antling's bell. ' She will outpray A preacher at St. Antlin's. --Mayne's _City Match_ (1639), iv, v. Davenant's _News from Plymouth_ (fol. 1673, licensed 1635), i, I:-- Two disciples to St. Tantlin, That rise to long exercise before day. p. 416 _Lilly. _ William Lilly (1602-81). The famous astrologer and fortune-teller. In Tatham's _The Rump_ (1660), he is introduced on the stage, and there is a scene between him and Lady Lambert, Act iv. p. 416 _sisseraro. _ More usually sasarara. A corruption of _certiorari_, a writ in law to expedite justice. 'If it be lost or stole . .. I could bring him to a cunning kinsman of mine that would fetcht again with a sesarara, ' --_The Puritan_ (1607). 'Their souls fetched up to Heaven with a sasarara. ' --_The Revenger's Tragedy_, iv, 2 (1607), _The Vicar of Wakefield_ (1766), ch. Xxi: '"As for the matter of that, " returned the hostess, "gentle or simple, out she shall pack with a sussarara". ' +Act V: Scene iii+ p. 421 _Twelve Houses. _ Each of the astrological divisions of the heavens denoting the station of a planet is termed a house. +Act V: Scene v+ p. 423 _bear the bob. _ To join in the chorus. Bob is the burden or refrain of a song. p. 423 _Colt-staff. _ Or col-staff (Latin _collum_). A staff by which two men carry a load, one end of the pole resting on a shoulder of each porter. Cf. _Merry Wives of Windsor_, iii, 3, 'Where's the cowl-staff?' p. 423 _Fortune my Foe. _ This extremely popular old tune is in Queen Elizabeth's _Virginal Book_; in William Ballet's MS. Lute Book; in _Bellerophon_ (1622), and in numerous other old musical works. There are allusions to it in Shakespeare and many of the dramatists. * * * * * * * * * Errors and Irregularities: The Roundheads very woodeny and awkward _text unchanged_should be represented for the better undeceiving _text reads "ahould be"_[Ex. _Lov. _ _Free. _ and L. _Des. _ _word "and" printed in emphatic (Roman) type_ Notes on Text III. Iip. 385, l. 8 . .. And later 'fall - ing' _body text reads "fall-- ing" with unspaced long dash_V. Iip. 417, l. 6 _Mr. Leyer. _ 1724 'Mr. Lyar'. _open quote missing_V. Iiip. 420, l. 32 . .. When the Prentices rush on. _text has superfluous close quote at end of paragraph_ Critical Notes Dramatis Personæp. 343 . .. Clement's Parish _this phrase occurs in the description of the male character Ananias Goggle, but is printed in the Notes after the commentary on the four main female characters_V. Iiap. 414 _an act, 24 June. _ _body text reads "June 24th"_