Volume I Part 42 (1/2)

_Blunt._ Nature!-- why any of your Tricks would serve-- but if he could be conveniently strip'd and beaten, or tost in a Blanket, or any such trivial Business, thou wouldst do me a singular Kindness; as for Robbery he defies the Devil: an empty Pocket is an Antidote against that Ill.

_Luc._ Your Money, Sir: and if he be not cozen'd, say a _Spanish_ Woman has neither Wit nor Invention upon Occasion.

_Blunt._ Sheartlikins, how I shall love and honour thee for't-- here's earnest-- [Talks to her with Joy and Grimace.

_Aria._ But who was that you entertain'd at Church but now?

_Will._ Faith, one, who for her Beauty merits that glorious t.i.tle she wears, it was-- a Wh.o.r.e, Child.

_Aria._ That's but a scurvy Name; yet, if I'm not mistaken in those false Eyes of yours, they look with longing Love upon that-- Wh.o.r.e, Child.

_Will._ Thou are i'th' right, and by this hand, my Soul was full as wis.h.i.+ng as my Eyes: but a Pox on't, you Women have all a certain Jargon, or Gibberish, peculiar to your selves; of Value, Rate, Present, Interest, Settlement, Advantage, Price, Maintenance, and the Devil and all of Fopperies, which in plain Terms signify ready Money, by way of Fine before Entrance; so that an honest well-meaning Merchant of Love finds no Credit amongst ye, without his Bill of Lading.

_Aria._ We are not all so cruel-- but the Devil on't is, your good-natur'd Heart is likely accompanied with an ill Face and worse Wit.

_Will._ Faith, Child, a ready Dish when a Man's Stomach is up, is better than a tedious Feast. I never saw any Man yet cut my piece; some are for Beauty, some are for Wit, and some for the Secret, but I for all, so it be in a kind Girl: and for Wit in Woman, so she say pretty fond things, we understand; tho true or false, no matter.

_Aria._ Give the Devil his due, you are a very conscientious Lover: I love a Man that scorns to impose dull Truth and Constancy on a Mistress.

_Will._ Constancy, that current Coin with Fools! No, Child, Heaven keep that Curse from our Doors.

_Aria._ Hang it, it loses Time and Profit, new Lovers have new Vows and new Presents, whilst the old feed upon a dull repet.i.tion of what they did when they were Lovers; 'tis like eating the cold Meat ones self, after having given a Friend a Feast.

_Will._ Yes, that's the thrifty Food for the Family when the Guests are gone. Faith, Child, thou hast made a neat and a hearty Speech: But prithee, my Dear, for the future, leave out that same Profit and Present, for I have a natural Aversion to hard words; and for matter of quick Dispatch in the Business-- give me thy Hand, Child-- let us but start fair, and if thou outstripst me, thou'rt a nimble Racer.

[_Lucia_ sees _s.h.i.+ft_.

_Luc._ Oh, Madam, let's be gone: yonder's Lieutenant s.h.i.+ft, who, if he sees us, will certainly give an Account of it to Mr. Beaumond. Let's get in thro the Garden, I have the Key.

_Aria._ Here's Company coming, and for several reasons I would not be seen.

[Offers to go.

_Will._ Gad, Child, nor I; Reputation is tender-- therefore prithee let's retire.

[Offers to go with her.

_Aria._ You must not stir a step.

_Will._ Not stir! no Magick Circle can detain me if you go.

_Aria._ Follow me then at a distance, and observe where I enter; and at night (if your Pa.s.sion lasts so long) return, and you shall find Admittance into the Garden.

[Speaking hastily.

[He runs out after her.

Enter _s.h.i.+ft_.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Well, Sir, the Mountebank's come, and just going to begin in the Piazza; I have order'd Matters, that you shall have a Sight of the Monsters, and leave to court 'em, and when won, to give the Guardian a fourth part of the Portions.

_Blunt._ Good: But Mum-- here's the Captain, who must by no means know our good Fortune, till he see us in State.