Volume I Part 69 (1/2)

_Lo._ I have often heard of some such thing, but durst not ask the Truth of it.

_Alon._ 'Tis so, all that I know of my self is, that a _Spanish_ Souldier, who brought me up in the Army, dying, confest I was not his Son, (which till then I believ'd) and at the Age of twelve left me to s.h.i.+ft for my self: the Fortune he inrich'd me with, was his Horse and Arms, with a few Doc.u.ments how to use them, as I had seen him do with good success: This Servant, [Points to _Pedro_] and a Crucifix of Value. And from one Degree to another, I arriv'd to what you knew me, Colonel of the Prince's Regiment, and the Glory of his Favour.

_Lo._ Honour is the Child of Virtue, and finds an Owner every where.

_Alon._ Oh, Sir, you are a Courtier, and have much the odds of a Souldier in Parleys of this nature: but hither I am come--

_Lo._ To be undone-- Faith, thou look'st ill upon't.

_Alon._ I confess I am not altogether so brisk as I should have been upon another Occasion; you know, _Lovis_, I have been us'd to Christian Liberty, and hate this formal Courts.h.i.+p. Pox on't, wou'd 'twere over.

_Lo._ Where all Parties are agreed, there's little need of that; and the Ladies of _Spain_, whatever Gravity they a.s.sume, are as ready as any you ever met withal.

_Alon._ But there's a d.a.m.n'd Custom that does not at all agree with Men so frank and gay as thou and I; there's a deal of Danger in the Atchievement, which some say heightens the Pleasure, but I am of another Opinion.

_Ped._ Sir, there is a Female in a Veil has follow'd us ever since we came from Church.

_Alon._ Some amorous Adventure: See [_Enter _Olinda.] she advances: Prithee retire, there may be danger in it.

[Puts _Lovis_ back.

_Lo._ Oh then, I must by no means leave you. [_Lovis_ advances.

_Olin._ Which of these two shall I chuse? [She looks on both.

Sir, you appear a Stranger. [To _Lovis_.

_Alon._ We are both so, Lady.

_Olin._ I shall spoil all, and bring [She looks again on both.] the wrong. Sir, you should be a Cavalier, that--

_Alon._ Would gladly obey your Orders.

_Lo._ Nay, I find 'tis all one to you which you chuse, so you have one of us: but would not both do better?

_Olin._ No, Sir, my Commission's but to one.

_Alon._ Fix and proceed then, let me be the Man.

_Olin._ What shall I do? they are both well: [Aside.

but I'll e'en chuse, as 'twere, for my self; and hang me if I know which that shall be, [looks on both.] Sir, there is a Lady of Quality and Beauty, who guessing you to be Men of Honour, has sent me to one of you.

_Alon._ Me, I am sure.

_Lo._ Me, me, he's engag'd already.

_Alon._ That's foul Play, _Lovis_.

_Alon._ Well, I must have but one, and therefore I'll wink and chuse.

_Lo._ I'll not trust blind Fortune.