Volume Ii Part 66 (1/2)

_Wild_. Dear _Dresswell_, entertain _Charles Meriwill_ a little, whilst I speak to _Galliard_.

[_The Men go all to the drinking Table_.

By Heaven, I die, I languish for a Word!

--Madam, I hope you have not made a Vow To speak with none but that young Cavalier.

They say, the Freedom English Ladies use, Is, as their Beauty, great.

L. _Gal_. Sir, we are none of those of so nice and delicate a Virtue, as Conversation can corrupt; we live in a cold Climate.

_Wild_. And think you're not so apt to be in Love, As where the Sun s.h.i.+nes oftner.

But you too much partake of the Inconstancy of this your fickle Climate.

[_Maliciously to her_.

One day all Sun-s.h.i.+ne, and th' encourag'd Lover Decks himself up in glittering Robes of Hope; And in the midst of all their boasted Finery Comes a dark Cloud across his Mistress' Brow, Dashes the Fool, and spoils the gaudy Show.

[L. Gal. _observing him nearly_.

L. _Gal_. Hah, do I not know that railing Tongue of yours?

_Wild_. 'Tis from your Guilt, not Judgment then.

I was resolv'd to be to night a Witness Of that sworn Love you flatter'd me so often with.

By Heaven, I saw you playing with my Rival, Sigh'd, and lookt Babies in his gloating Eyes.

When is the a.s.signation? When the Hours?

For he's impatient as the raging Sea, Loose as the Winds, and amorous as the Sun, That kisses all the Beauties of the Spring.

L. _Gal_. I take him for a sober Person, Sir.

_Wild_. Have I been the Companion of his Riots In all the leud course of our early Youth, Where like unwearied Bees we gather'd Flowers?

But no kind Blossom could oblige our stay, We rifled and were gone.

L. _Gal_. Your Virtues I perceive are pretty equal; Only his Love's the honester o'th' two.

_Wild_. Honester! that is, he wou'd owe his good Fortune to the Parson of the Parish; And I would be oblig'd to you alone.

He wou'd have a Licence to boast he lies with you, And I wou'd do't with Modesty and Silence: For Virtue's but a Name kept free from Scandal, Which the most base of Women best preserve, Since Jilting and Hypocrisy cheat the World best.

--But we both love, and who shall blab the Secret?

[_In a soft Tone_.

L. _Gal_. Oh, why were all the Charms of speaking given To that false Tongue that makes no better use of 'em?

--I'll hear no more of your inchanting Reasons.

_Wild_. You must.

L. _Gal_. I will not.

_Wild_. Indeed you must.

L. _Gal_. By all the Powers above--