Volume I Part 14 (1/2)

_Will._ Intirely-- come, let's withdraw: where I'll renew my Vows,-- and breathe '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, a very Beggar; nay, a Pirate-Beggar, whose Business is to rifle and be gone, a No-Purchase, No-Pay Tatterdemalion, an _English_ Piccaroon; a Rogue that fights for daily Drink, and takes a Pride in being loyally lousy-- Oh, I could curse now, if I durst-- This is the Fate of most Wh.o.r.es.

_Trophies, which from believing Fops we win, Are Spoils to those who cozen us again._

ACT III.

SCENE I. _A Street._

Enter _Florinda_, _Valeria_, _h.e.l.lena_, 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 hope he has not found out our Ramble this Morning.

_h.e.l.l._ No, if he had, we should have heard on't at both Ears, and have been mew'd up this Afternoon; which I would not for the World should have happen'd-- Hey ho! I'm sad as a Lover's Lute.

_Val._ Well, methinks we have learnt this Trade of Gipsies as readily as if 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 have told my own and yours by mistake-- But methinks _h.e.l.lena_ has been very serious ever since.

_Flor._ I would give my Garters she were in love, to be reveng'd upon her, for abusing me-- How is't, _h.e.l.lena_?

_h.e.l.l._ Ah!-- would I had never seen my mad Monsieur-- and yet for all your laughing I am not in love-- and yet this small Acquaintance, o my Conscience, 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.

_h.e.l.l._ Hum-- he has not kept his Word with me here-- and may be taken up-- that thought is not very pleasant to me-- what the Duce should this be now that I feel?

_Val._ What is't like?

_h.e.l.l._ Nay, the Lord knows-- but if I should be hanged, I cannot chuse but be angry and afraid, when I think that mad Fellow should be in love with any Body but me-- What to think of my self I know not-- Would I could meet with some true d.a.m.n'd Gipsy, that I might know my Fortune.

_Val._ Know it! why there's nothing so easy; thou wilt love this wandring 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, and follow him to the Campaign.

_h.e.l.l._ So, so; now you are provided for, there's no care taken of poor me-- But since you have set my Heart a wis.h.i.+ng, I am resolv'd to know for 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 have thee, that hears what a mad Wench thou art?

_h.e.l.l._ 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 had lik'd my Lady Abbess as well as she lik'd me. No, I came thence, not (as my wise Brother imagines) to take an eternal Farewel of the World, but to love and to be belov'd; and I will be belov'd or I'll get one of your Men, so I will.

_Val._ Am I put into the Number of Lovers?

_h.e.l.l._ You! my Couz, I know thou art too good natur'd to leave us in any 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 willing Ears incline that way; and if you are not a Lover, 'tis an Art soon learnt-- that I find.

[Sighs.

_Flor._ I wonder how you learnt to love so easily, I had a thousand Charms to meet my Eyes and Ears, e'er I cou'd yield; and 'twas the knowledge of _Belvile's_ Merit, not the surprising Person, took my Soul-- Thou art too rash to give a Heart at first sight.