Volume I Part 49 (2/2)

_La Nu._ You'll not be so ungrateful to refuse it; besides then you may hope to sleep again, without dreaming of Famine, or the Sword, two Plagues a Soldier of Fortune is subject to.

_Will._ Besides Cas.h.i.+ering, a third Plague.

_La Nu._ Still unconcern'd!-- you call me mercenary, but I would starve e'er suffer my self to be possest by a thing of Horror.

_Will._ You lye, you would by any thing of Horror: yet these things of Horror have Beauties too, Beauties thou canst not boast of, Beauties that will not fade; Diamonds to supply the l.u.s.tre of their Eyes, and Gold the brightness of their Hair, a well-got Million to atone for Shape, and Orient Pearls, more white, more plump and smooth, than that fair Body Men so languish for, and thou hast set such Price on.

_Aria._ I like not this so well, 'tis a trick to make her jealous.

_Will._ Their Hands too have their Beauties, whose very mark finds credit and respect, their Bills are current o'er the Universe; besides these, you shall see waiting at my Door, four Footmen, a Velvet Coach, with Six _Flanders_ Beauties more: And are not these most comely Virtues in a Soldier's Wife, in this most wicked peaceable Age?

_Luc._ He's poor too, there's another comfort. [Aside.

_Aria._ The most incouraging one I have met with yet.

_Will._ Pox on't, I grow weary of this virtuous Poverty. There goes a gallant Fellow, says one, but gives him not an Onion; the Women too, faith, 'tis a handsom Gentleman, but the Devil a Kiss he gets _gratis_.

_Aria._ Oh, how I long to undeceive him of that Error.

_La Nu._ He speaks not of me; sure he knows me not. [Aside.

_Will._ --No, Child, Money speaks sense in a Language all Nations understand, 'tis Beauty, Wit, Courage, Honour, and undisputable Reason-- see the virtue of a Wager, that new philosophical way lately found out of deciding all hard Questions-- _Socrates_, without ready Money to lay down, must yield.

_Aria._ Well, I must have this gallant Fellow. [Aside.

_La Nu._ Sure he has forgot this trival thing.

_Will._ --Even thou-- who seest me dying unregarded, wou'd then be fond and kind, and flatter me.

[_Soft tone._ By Heaven, I'll hate thee then; nay, I will marry to be rich to hate thee: the worst of that, is but to suffer nine Days Wonderment. Is not that better than an Age of Scorn from a proud faithless Beauty?

_La Nu._ Oh, there's Resentment left-- why, yes faith, such a Wedding would give the Town diversion: we should have a lamentable Ditty made on it, ent.i.tled, The Captain's Wedding, with the doleful Relation of his being over-laid by an o'er-grown Monster.

_Will._ I'll warrant ye I escape that as sure as cuckolding; for I would fain see that hardy Wight that dares attempt my Lady Bright, either by Force or Flattery.

_La Nu._ So, then you intend to bed her?

_Will._ Yes faith, and beget a Race of Heroes, the Mother's Form with all the Father's Qualities.

_La Nu._ Faith, such a Brood may prove a pretty Livelihood for a poor decay'd Officer; you may chance to get a Patent to shew 'em in _England_, that Nation of Change and Novelty.

_Will._ A provision old _Carlo_ cannot make for you against the abandon'd day.

_La Nu._ He can supply the want of Issue a better way; and tho he be not so fine a fellow as your self, he's a better Friend, he can keep a Mistress: give me a Man can feed and clothe me, as well as hug and all to bekiss me, and tho his Sword be not so good as yours, his Bond's worth a thousand Captains. This will not do, I'll try what Jealousy will do. [Aside.] Your Servant, Captain-- your Hand, Sir.

[Takes _Ariadne_ by the Hand.

_Will._ Hah, what new c.o.xcomb's that-- hold, Sir-- [Takes her from him.

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