Volume I Part 10 (1/2)

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 own may not be oblig'd to answer 'em.

_Will._ I should have chang'd my Eternal Buff too: but no matter, my little Gipsy wou'd not have found me out then: for if she should change hers, it is impossible I should know her, unless I should hear her prattle-- A Pox on't, I cannot get her out of my Head: Pray Heaven, if ever I do see her again, she prove d.a.m.nable ugly, that I may fortify my self against her Tongue.

_Belv._ Have a care of Love, for o' my conscience she was not of a Quality to give thee any hopes.

_Will._ Pox on 'em, why do they draw a Man in then? She has play'd with my Heart so, that 'twill never lie still till I have met with some kind Wench, that will play the Game out with me-- Oh for my Arms full of soft, 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 gaze on that for nothing.

_Blunt._ Colonel, thy Hand-- and thine, _Fred_. I have been an a.s.s, a deluded Fool, a very c.o.xcomb from my Birth till this Hour, and heartily 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 sheer Love, ye Rogue! Oh how she lookt and kiss'd! and sooth'd my Heart from my Bosom. I cannot think I was awake, and yet methinks I see and feel her Charms still-- _Fred._-- Try if she have not left the Taste of her balmy 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 I laught at the Colonel when he sigh'd for Love! but now the little Archer has 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'm resolved to sell all in _Ess.e.x_, 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 secret Amour.

_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 Pox care I for knowing her by another t.i.tle?

_Will._ Didst give her anything?

_Blunt._ Give her!-- Ha, ha, ha! why, she's a Person of Quality-- That's a good one, give her! 'sheartlikins dost think such Creatures are to be bought? Or are we provided for such a Purchase? Give her, quoth ye? Why she presented me with this Bracelet, for the Toy of a Diamond I us'd to wear: No, Gentlemen, _Ned Blunt_ is not every Body-- She expects me again to night.

_Will._ Egad that's well; we'll all go.