Volume I Part 23 (1/2)

_h.e.l.l._ Madam, [_Moretta_ brings _h.e.l.lena_, 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.

_h.e.l.l._ I am related to a Lady, Madam, Young, rich, and n.o.bly 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 the Effects 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.

_h.e.l.l._ 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 way lets me know it; or if it be not me, she means some one whose place I may supply.

[Aside.

_Ang._ Now I perceive The cause of thy Impatience to be gone, And all the business of this glorious Dress.

_Will._ d.a.m.n the young Prater, I know not what he means.

_h.e.l.l._ 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 Pa.s.sion, And then I'll grant thee any thing.

_h.e.l.l._ 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 G.o.d, but for Inconstancy.

_Will._ Ah, Rogue, how finely he's instructed! [Aside.] --'Tis plain some Woman that has seen me _en pa.s.sant._

_Ang._ Oh, I shall burst with Jealousy! do you know the Man you speak of?--

_h.e.l.l._ Yes, Madam, he us'd to be in Buff and Scarlet.

_Ang._ Thou, false as h.e.l.l, what canst thou say to this? [To _Will._

_Will._ By Heaven--

_Ang._ Hold, do not d.a.m.n thy self--