Volume I Part 79 (1/2)

[_Alonzo_ looks with wonder on _Clarinda_.

_Alon._ She's heavenly fair too, and has surpriz'd my Heart, Just as 'twas going to the other's Bosom, And rob'd her at least of one half of it. [Aside.

_Clar._ Madam, I am a Virgin in distress, And by misfortune forc'd to seek a Sanctuary, And humbly beg it here.

_Cleo._ Intreaties were not made for that fair Mouth; Command and be obey'd.

But, Sir, to whom do you belong?

_Alon._ I belong to a very fair Person, But do not know her Name.

_Cleo._ But what are you, pray, Sir?

_Alon._ Madam, a Wanderer; a poor lost thing, That none will own or pity.

_Cleo._ That's sad indeed; but whoe'er you are, since you belong to this fair Maid, you'll find a Welcome every where.

_Alon._ And if I do not, I am cas.h.i.+er'd. [Aside.

Madam, if telling you I am her Brother, Can make me more acceptable, I shall be yet more proud of the Alliance.

_Cleo._ What must I call your Sister, Sir, when I would pay my Duty?

_Alon._ There I am routed again with another hard Question. [Aside.

_Clar._ Madam, my Name's _Clarinda_.

_Alon._ Madam, I'll take my leave, and wish the Heart I leave with you to night, may persuade you to suffer my Visits to morrow, till when I shall do nothing but languish.

_Cleo._ I know not what loss you have suffer'd to night; but since your fair Sister's Presence with us allows it, you need not doubt a welcome.

_Alon._ I humbly thank you, Madam.

[Kisses her Hand, and looks amorously on _Clarinda_.

_Fran._ Madam, pray retire, for Don _Marcel_ is come into the House all b.l.o.o.d.y, inrag'd against somebody.

_Clar._ I'm troubled at his Hurt, but cannot fear his Rage. Good night, Sir.

[They go out.

_Alon._ They are gone; now had I as much mind to have kist the other's Hand, but that 'twas not a Ceremony due to a Sister-- What the Devil came into my Head, to say she was so? nothing but the natural itch of talking and lying: they are very fair; but what's that to me? _Euphemia_ surpa.s.ses both: But a Pox of her terms of Marriage, I'll set that to her Beauty, and then these get the Day, as far as natural Necessity goes: But I'll home and sleep upon't, and yield to what's most powerful in the Morning.

To night these Strangers do my Heart possess, But which the greatest share, I cannot guess: My Fate in Love resembles that in War, When the rich Spoil falls to the common share. [Goes out.

SCENE VII. _The Street._

Enter _Alonzo_, as out of the House, gazing upon it.

_Alon._ Sure I shall know this House again to morrow.

[To him _Lovis_.