Volume I Part 60 (1/2)

_Feth._ Ay, she sleeps as 'twere her last. What if I made bold to unrig her? So if I miss the Lady, I have at least my Charges paid: what vigorous Lover can resist her Charms?-- [Looks on her.

But shou'd she wake and miss it, and find it about me, I shou'd be hang'd-- [Turns away.

--So then, I lose my Lady too-- but Flesh and Blood cannot resist-- What if I left the Town? then I lose my Lady still; and who wou'd lose a Hog for the rest of the Proverb?-- And yet a Bird in Hand, Friend _Nicholas_-- Yet sweet Meat may have sour Sauce-- And yet refuse when Fortune offers-- Yet Honesty's a Jewel-- But a Pox upon Pride, when Folks go naked--

_Harl._ Well said. [Incouraging him by Signs.

_Feth._ Ay-- I'll do't-- but what Remedy now against Discovery and Rest.i.tution?

_Harl._ Oh, Sir, take no care, you shall-- swallow 'em.

_Feth._ How, swallow 'em! I shall ne'er be able to do't.

_Harl._ I'll shew you, Seignior,'tis easy.

_Feth._ 'Gad that may be, 'twere excellent if I cou'd do't; but first-- by your leave.

[Unties the Necklace, breaks the String, and _Harl._ swallows one to shew him.

_Harl._ Look ye, that's all--

_Feth._ Hold, hold, Seignior, an you be so nimble, I shall pay dear for my Learning-- let me see-- Friend _Nicholas_, thou hast swallow'd many a Pill for the Disease of the Body, let's see what thou canst perform for that of the Purse.

[Swallows 'em.

--so-- a comfortable business this-- three or four thousand pound in Cordial-Pearl: 'Sbud, _Mark Anthony_ was never so treated by his _Egyptian_ Crocodile-- hah, what noise is that?

_Harl._ Operator, Operator, Seignior.

_Feth._ How, an Operator! why, what the Devil makes he here? some Plot upon my Lady's Chast.i.ty; were I given to be jealous now, Danger wou'd ensue-- Oh, he's entring, I would not be seen for all the World. Oh, some place of Refuge-- [Looking about.

_Harl._ I know of none.

_Feth._ Hah, what's this-- a Clock Case?

_Harl._ Good, good-- look you, Sir, do you do thus, and 'tis impossible to discover ye.

[Goes into the Case, and shews him how to stand; then _Fetherfool_ goes in, pulls off his Periwig, his Head out, turning for the Minutes o'th' top: his Hand out, and his Fingers pointing to a Figure.

Enter _s.h.i.+ft_ and _Hunt_.

_Feth._ Oh Heaven, he's here.

_s.h.i.+ft._ See where she sleeps; get you about your business, see your own little Marmoset and the Priest be ready, that we may marry and consummate before Day; and in the Morning our Friends shall see us abed together, give us the good morrow, and the Work's done.

[Ex. _Hunt_.

_Feth._ Oh Traytor to my Bed, what a h.e.l.lish Plot's here discover'd!

[_s.h.i.+ft_ wakes the _Giant_.

_Giant._ Oh, are you come, my Sweetest?

_Feth._ Hah, the Mistress of my Bosom false too! ah, who wou'd trust faithless Beauty-- oh that I durst speak.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Come let's away, your Uncle and the rest of the House are fast asleep, let's away e'er the two Fools, Blunt and Fetherfool, arrive.