Volume I Part 76 (1/2)

Enter _Antonio_ in haste with _Hippolyta_; weeping as pa.s.sing over the Stage.

_Ant._ Come, let us haste, I fear we are pursu'd.

_Hip._ Ah, whither shall we fly?

_Ant._ We are near the Gate, and must secure our selves with the Darkness of the Night in _St. Peter's_ Grove, we dare not venture into any House.

[Exeunt.

Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ above in the Balcony.

_Clar._ Can'st thou not see him yet?

_Dorm._ Good lack a-day, what an impatient thing is a young Girl in love!

_Clar._ Nay, good _Dormida_, let not want of Sleep make thee testy.

_Dorm._ In good time-- are you my Governess, or I yours, that you are giving me Instructions? Go get you in, or I shall lay down my Office.

_Clar._ Nay, wait a little longer, I'm sure he will come.

_Dorm._ You sure! you have wondrous Skill indeed in the Humours of Men: how came you to be so well acquainted with them? you scarce ever saw any but Don _Marcel_, and him too but thro a Grate or Window, or at Church; and yet you are sure. I am a little the elder of the two, and have manag'd as many Intrigues of this kind as any Woman, and never found a constant just Man, as they say, of a thousand; and yet you are sure.

_Clar._ Why, is it possible _Marcel_ should be false?

_Dorm._ _Marcel!_ No, no, Sweet-heart, he is that Man of a thousand.

_Clar._ But if he should, you have undone me, by telling me so many pretty things of him.

_Dorm._ Still you question my Ability, which by no means I can indure; get you in I say.

_Clar._ Do not speak so loud, you will wake my Mother.

_Dorm._ At your Instructions again; do you question my Conduct and Management of this Affair? Go watch for him your self: I'll have no more to do with you back nor edge.

[Offers to go.

_Clar._ Will you be so barbarous to leave me to my self, after having made it your Business this three Months to sollicit a Heart which was but too ready to yield before; after having sworn to me how honourable all his Intents were; nay, made me write to him to come to night? And now when I have done this, and am all trembling with fear and shame (and yet an infinite Desire to see him too) [Sighs] thou wilt abandon me: go, when such as you oblige, 'tis but to be insolent with the more freedom.

_Dorm._ What, you are angry I'll warrant. [Smiles.

_Clar._ I will punish my self to pay thee back, and will not see _Marcel_.

_Dorm._ What a pettish Fool is a Maid in love at fifteen! how unmanageable! But I'll forgive all-- go get you in, I'll watch for your Lover; I would not have you disoblige a Man of his Pretensions and Quality for all the World.

[_Clarinda_ goes in.

Enter _Alonzo_ below.

_Alon._ Now do I want _Lovis_ extremely, to consult with him about this Business: For I am afraid the Devil, or Love, or both are so great with me, that I must marry this fair Inchantress, which is very unlucky; but, since _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_ refuse to see me, I hold my self no longer ingag'd in Honour to _Hippolyta_.

_Dorm._ [above.] Whist, whist, Sir, Sir.

_Alon._ Who's there?

_Dorm._ 'Tis I, your Servant, Sir; oh you are a fine Spark, are you not, to make so fair a Creature wait so long for you? there, there's the Key, open the Door softly and come in.