Volume I Part 80 (1/2)

_Alon._ That will not satisfy my Honour, tho 'twill my Love; that I have not _Hippolyta_, I will owe to my own Inconstancy, not theirs: besides, this may be a Cheat, as you say.

_Lov._ But does _Euphemia_ love you?

_Alon._ Faith, I think she has too much Wit to dissemble, and too much Beauty to need that Art.

_Lov._ Then you must marry her.

_Alon._ Not if I can avoid it.

_Lov._ I know this Lady, Sir, and know her to be worth your Love: I have it in my Power too, to serve you, if you proceed suddenly, which you must do, or lose her; for this _Flandrian_ Boor your Rival is already arriv'd, and designs to morrow to make his first Address to _Euphemia_.

_Alon._ Oh, he must not, shall not see her.

_Lov._ How will you hinder him?

_Alon._ With this. [To his Sword.] Where is this Rival? tell me: Conduct me to him strait; I find my Love above the common rate, and cannot brook this Rival.

_Lov._ So, this blows the flame-- His Life will be no hindrance to you in this Affair, if you design to love on.

_Alon._ Do'st know him?

_Lov._ Yes, he is a pleasant Original for you to be copy'd by: It is the same Fop, I told you was to marry my Sister, and who came along with me to _Madrid_.

_Alon._ How! _Euphemia_ thy Sister?

_Lov._ Yes, indeed is she, and whom my Father designs to cast away upon this half Man, half Fool; but I find she has Wit to make a better Choice: she yet knows nothing of my Arrival, and till you resolve what to do, shall not; and my _Dutchman_ does nothing without me.

_Alon._ If thou hast the management of him, he's likely to thrive.

_Lov._ But not in his Amour, if you please: In short, Sir, if you do really love my Sister, I am content to be so ungracious a Child to contribute to the cheating my Father of this same hopeful Son he expects, and put you upon him; but what you do, must be speedily then.

_Alon._ I am oblig'd to thee for this frank Offer, and will be instructed by thee.

_Lov._ If you're resolv'd, I'll warrant you Success.

_Alon._ I think I am resolv'd in spite of all my Inclinations to Libertinism.

_Lov._ Well, Sir, I'll get you such a Suit then, as that our Hero makes his first approach in, as ridiculously gay as his Humour, which you must a.s.sume too.

_Alon._ Content.

_Lov._ To night I must pay my Duty to my Father, and will prepare your way, and acquaint my Sister with it; 'tis but a Frolick if we succeed not.

_Alon._ G.o.d-a-mercy, Lad, let's about it then e'er we sleep, lest I change my Resolution before Morning.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.