Volume I Part 32 (1/2)

_Ped._ Sooner than a Woman's Will, therefore I forgive you all-- and wish 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 d.a.m.nable ill, Sir-- a Spanish Habit, good Lord! cou'd the Devil and my Taylor devise no 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 the Inquisition for Judaism, than in this Doublet and Breeches; a Pillory were an easy Collar to this, three Handfuls high; and these Shoes too are worse than the Stocks, with the Sole an Inch shorter than my Foot: In fine, Gentlemen, methinks I look altogether like a Bag of Bays stuff'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 _h.e.l.l._] 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 of my _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 make every 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 false Faces, that I might see if my Doxy were not amongst 'em.

_Belv._ Ladies and Gentlemen, since you are come so _a propos_, you must take a small Collation with us.

[To the Masquers.

_Will._ Whilst we'll to the Good Man within, who stays to give us a Cast of his Office. [To _h.e.l.l._] --Have you no trembling at the near approach?

_h.e.l.l._ 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 Fas.h.i.+on.