Volume I Part 109 (1/2)

_Lov._ To hear a Rascal hold forth for Bodkins and Thimbles, Contribution, my beloved! to carry on the good Cause, that is, Roguery, Rebellion, and Treason, profaning the sacred Majesty of Heaven, and our glorious Sovereign.

_Free._ But-- were there not pretty Women there?

_Lov._ d.a.m.n 'em for sighing, groaning Hypocrites.

_Free._ But there was one, whom that handsome Face and Shape of yours, gave more occasion for sighing, than any Mortification caus'd by the Cant of the Lay-Elder in the half Hogs-Head: Did'st thou not mind her?

_Lov._ Not I, d.a.m.n it, I was all Rage; and hadst not thou restrain'd me, I had certainly pull'd that Rogue of a Holder forth by the Ears from his sanctify'd Tub. 'Sdeath, he hum'd and haw'd all my Patience away, nosed and snivel'd me to Madness. Heaven! That thou shouldst suffer such Vermin to infect the Earth, such Wolves amongst thy Flocks, such Thieves and Robbers of all Laws of G.o.d and Man, in thy Holy Temples. I rave to think to what thou'rt fall'n, poor _England_!

_Free._ But the she Saint--

_Lov._ No more; were she as fair as Fancy could imagine, to see her there wou'd make me loath the Form; she that can listen to the dull Nonsense, the bantering of such a Rogue, such an illiterate Rascal, must be a Fool, past sense of loving, _Freeman_.

_Free._ Thou art mistaken.-- But, didst thou mind her next the Pulpit?

_Lov._ A Plague upon the whole Congregation: I minded nothing but how to fight the Lord's Battle with that d.a.m.n'd sham Parson, whom I had a mind to beat.

_Free._ My Lady _Desbro_ is not of that Persuasion, but an errant Heroick in her Heart, and feigns it only to have the better occasion to serve the Royal Party. I knew her, and lov'd her before she married.

_Lov._ She may chance then to be sav'd.

_Free._ Come, I'll have thee bear up briskly to some one of 'em, it may redeem thy Sequestration; which, now thou see'st no hopes of compounding, puts thee out of Patience.

_Lov._ Let 'em take it, and the Devil do 'em Good with it; I scorn it should be said I have a Foot of Land in this ungrateful and accursed Island; I'd rather beg where Laws are obey'd, and Justice perform'd, than be powerful where Rogues and base-born Rascals rule the roast.

_Free._ But suppose now, dear _Loveless_, that one of the Wives of these Pageant Lords should fall in love with thee, and get thy Estate again, or pay the double for't?

_Lov._ I wou'd refuse it.

_Free._ And this for a little dissembl'd Love, a little Drudgery--

_Lov._ Not a Night, by Heaven-- not an Hour-- no, not a single Kiss. I'd rather make love to an _Incubus_.

_Free._ But suppose 'twere the new Protectress her self, the fine Lady _Lambert_?

_Lov._ The greatest Devil of all; d.a.m.n her, do'st think I'll cuckold the Ghost of old _Oliver_?

_Free._ The better; There's some Revenge in't; do'st know her?

_Lov._ Never saw her, nor care to do.

_Cor._ Colonel, do you command me any thing?

_Free._ Yes, I'll send thee with a Note-- Let's step into a Shop and write it; _Loveless_, stay a moment, and I'll be with thee.

[Ex. _Free._ and _Corporal_.

Enter L. _Lambert_, L. _Desbro_, _Gilliflower_, _Pages_ with great Bibles, and Footmen. _Loveless_ walks sullenly, not seeing 'em.

[L. _Lambert's_ Train carried.

_L. Lam._ O, I'm impatient to know his Name; ah, _Desbro_, he betray'd all my Devotion; and when I would have pray'd, Heav'n knows it was to him, and for him only.