Volume I Part 52 (2/2)

_Aria._ Now hang me, if it be not _Beaumond_.

_Beau._ Would any Devil less than common Woman have serv'd me as thou didst? say, was not this my Night? my paid for Night? my own by right of Bargain, and by Love? and hast not thou deceiv'd me for a Stranger?

_Will._ So-- make me thankful, then she will be kind. _Hugs himself._

_Beau._ --Was this done like a Wh.o.r.e of Honour think ye? and would not such an Injury make me forswear all Joys of Womankind, and marry in mere spite?

_La Nu._ Why where had been the Crime had I been kind?

_Beau._ Thou dost confess it then.

_La Nu._ Why not?

_Beau._ Those Bills of Love the oftner paid and drawn, make Women better Merchants than Lovers.

_La Nu._ And 'tis the better Trade.

_Will._ Oh Pox, there she dasht all again. I find they calm upon't, and will agree, therefore I'll bear up to this small Frigate and lay her aboard.

[Goes to _Ariadne_.

_La Nu._ However I'm glad the Vizor's off; you might have fool'd me on, and sworn I was the only Conqueror of your Heart, had not Good-nature made me follow you, to undeceive your false Suspicions of me: How have you sworn never to marry? how rail'd at Wives, and satir'd Fools oblig'd to Wedlock? And now at last, to thy eternal Shame, thou hast betray'd thy self to be a most pernicious honourable Lover, a perjur'd-- honest-- nay, a very Husband.

[Turns away, he holds her.

_Aria._ Hah, sure 'tis the Captain.

_Will._ Prithee, Child, let's leave 'em to themselves, they'l agree matters I'll warrant them when they are alone; and let us try how Love and Good-nature will provide for us.

_Aria._ Sure he cannot know me?-- Us!-- pray who are you, and who am I?

_Will._ Why look ye, Child, I am a very honest civil Fellow, for my part, and thou'rt a Woman for thine; and I desire to know no more at present.

_Aria._ 'Tis he, and knows not me to be the same he appointed to day-- Sir, pursue that Path on your right Hand, that Grove of Orange-Trees, and I'll follow you immediately.

_Will._ Kind and civil-- prithee make haste, dear Child.

[Exit. _Will._

_Beau._ And did you come to call me back again? [Lovingly.

_La Nu._ No matter, you are to be marry'd, Sir--

_Beau._ No more, 'tis true, to please my Uncle, I have talk'd of some such thing; but I'll pursue it no farther, so thou wilt yet be mine, and mine intirely-- I hate this _Ariadne_-- for a Wife-- by Heaven I do.

_Aria._ A very plain Confession. [Claps him on the back.

_Beau._ _Ariadne!_

_La Nu._ I'm glad of this, now I shall be rid of him. [Aside.] --How is't, Sir? I see you struggle hard 'twixt Love and Honour, and I'll resign my Place-- [Offers to go, _Ariadne_ pulls her back.

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