Volume I Part 54 (1/2)

_Aria._ You see how well he far'd for being modest.

_Will._ He might be modest, but 'twas not over-civil to put her G.o.ddesss.h.i.+p to asking first; thou seest I'm better bred-- Come let's haste to silent Grots that attend us, dark Groves where none can see, and murmuring Fountains.

_Aria._ Stay, let me consider first, you are a Stranger, inconstant too as Island Winds, and every day are fighting for your Mistresses, of which you've had at least four since I saw you first, which is not a whole day.

_Will._ I grant ye, before I was a Lover I ran at random, but I'll take up now, be a patient Man, and keep to one Woman a Month.

_Aria._ A Month!

_Will._ And a fair Reason, Child; time was, I wou'd have worn one s.h.i.+rt, or one pair of Shoos so long as have let the Sun set twice upon the same Sin: but see the Power of Love; thou hast bewitched me, that's certain.

_Aria._ Have a care of giving me the ascendent over ye, for fear I make ye marry me.

_Will._ Hold, I bar that cast, Child; no, I'm none of those Spirits that can be conjur'd into a Wedding-ring, and dance in the dull matrimonial Circle all my Days.

_Aria._ But what think you of a hundred thousand Crowns, and a Beauty of sixteen?

_Will._ As of most admirable Blessings: but harkye, Child, I am plaguily afraid thou'rt some scurvy honest thing of Quality by these odd Questions of thine, and hast some wicked Design upon my Body.

_Aria._ What, to have and to hold I'll warrant.-- No Faith, Sir, Maids of my Quality expect better Jointures than a Buff-coat, Scarf and Feather: such Portions as mine are better Ornaments in a Family than a Captain and his Commission.

_Will._ Why well said, now thou hast explain'd thy self like a Woman of Honour-- Come, come, let's away.

_Aria._ Explain my self! How mean ye?

_Will._ --Thou say'st I am not fit to marry thee-- and I believe this a.s.signation was not made to tell me so, nor yet to hear me whistle to the Birds.

_Aria._ Faith no, I saw you, lik'd ye, and had a mind to ye.

_Will._ Ay, Child--

_Aria._ In short, I took ye for a Man of Honour.

_Will._ Nay, if I tell the Devil take me.

_Aria._ I am a Virgin in Distress.

_Will._ Poor Heart.

_Aria._ To be marry'd within a Day or two to one I like not.

_Will._ Hum-- and therefore wouldst dispose of a small Virgin Treasure (too good for silly Husbands) in a Friend's Hands: faith, Child-- I was ever a good religious charitable Christian, and shall acquit my self as honestly and piously in this Affair as becomes a Gentleman.

Enter _Abevile_ with Musick.

_Abev._ Come away, are ye all arm'd for the Business?

_Aria._ Hah, arm'd! we are surpriz'd again.

_Will._ Fear not. [Draws.

_Aria._ Oh G.o.d, Sir, haste a way, you are already wounded: but I conjure you, as a Man of Honour, be here at the Garden Gate to night again, and bring a Friend, in case of Danger, with you; and if possible I'll put my self into your Hands, for this Night's Work has ruin'd me-- [Speaking quick, and pus.h.i.+ng him forwards runs off.