Volume I Part 8 (2/2)

_Will._ Oh, most furiously.

_h.e.l.l._ What think you of a Nunnery-wall? for he that wins me, must gain that first.

_Will._ A Nun! Oh how I love thee for't! there's no Sinner like a young Saint-- Nay, now there's no denying me: the old Law had no Curse (to a Woman) like dying a Maid; witness _Jephtha's_ Daughter.

_h.e.l.l._ A very good Text this, if well handled; and I perceive, Father Captain, you would impose no severe Penance on her who was inclin'd to console her self before she took Orders.

_Will._ If she be young and handsom.

_h.e.l.l._ Ay, there's it-- but if she be not--

_Will._ By this Hand, Child, I have an implicit Faith, and dare venture on thee with all Faults-- besides, 'tis more meritorious to leave the World when thou hast tasted and prov'd the Pleasure on't; then 'twill be a Virtue in thee, which now will be pure Ignorance.

_h.e.l.l._ I perceive, good Father Captain, you design only to make me fit for 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 I find; and what a grief that will be-- for when I begin, I fancy I shall love like any thing: I never try'd yet.

_Will._ Egad, and that's kind-- Prithee, dear Creature, give me Credit for a Heart, for faith, I'm a very honest Fellow-- Oh, I long to come first to the Banquet of Love; and such a swinging Appet.i.te I bring-- Oh, I'm impatient. Thy Lodging, Sweetheart, thy Lodging, or I'm a dead man.

_h.e.l.l._ Why must we be either guilty of Fornication or Murder, if we converse with you Men?-- And is there no difference between leave to love 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'll venture 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 loving People, and have generally so kind an opinion of themselves, that a Woman 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 Gla.s.s at home did not discover.

[She often pa.s.ses by _Blunt_ and gazes on him; he struts, and c.o.c.ks, and walks, and gazes on her.

_Flor._ This Woman watches me so, I shall get no Opportunity to discover my self to him, and so miss the intent of my coming-- But as I was saying, 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 pretend to 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 Pa.s.sion that you have 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.

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