Volume Ii Part 88 (2/2)

[_Draws on_ Fil. _who fights him out; the Ladies run off_: Gal. _falls on the Followers, with whom whilst he is engaged, enters_ Julio, _draws and a.s.sists him, and Laura _at the same time on the other side. Enter_ Petro _drest like a Civility-Master; Sir_ Signal _and Tickletext_: Sir_ Signal _climbs a Tree_, Tick _runs his Head into a Bush, and lies on his Hands and Knees_. Pet.

a.s.sists_ Gal. _and fights out the Bravoes_. Pet. _re-enters_.

_Lau_. Hah, my Cavalier engag'd amongst the Slaves!

_Pet_. My Lady's Lovers! and set upon by _Octavio_! We must be diligent in our Affairs; Sir _Signal_, where are ye? Signior _Tickletext_.--I hope they have not miscarried in the fray.

Sir _Sig_. Oh, _vos Servitor, vos Signiora_; miscarried! no, the Fool has Wit enough to keep out of harm's way.

[_Comes down from the Tree_.

_Pet_. Oh, very discreetly done, Signior.-- [_Sees_ Tick, _in a bush, pulls him out by the heels_.

Sir _Sig_. Why, how now, Governour, what, afraid of Swords?

_Tick_. No, Sir, I am not afraid of Swords, but I am afraid of Danger.

_Enter_ Gal. _embracing_ Laura; _after 'em_, Julio _and_ Fil.

Fil. _looks about_.

_Gal_. This Bravery, Sir, was wondrous.

_Lau_. 'Twas only Justice, Sir, you being opprest with odds.

_Fil_. She's gone, she's gone in Triumph with my Soul.

_Jul_. What was the matter, Sir? how came this Mischief?

_Fil_. Oh, easily, Sir; I did but look, and infinitely loved.

_Jul_. And therefore were you drawn upon, or was it some old Pique?

_Fil_. I know not, Sir, Oh, tell me not of Quarrels. The Woman, Friend, the Woman has undone me.

_Gal_. Oh, a blessed Hearing! I'm glad of the Reformation: Sir, you were so squeamish, forsooth, that a Wh.o.r.e wou'd not down with ye; no, 'twou'd spoil your Reputation.--

_Fil_. A Wh.o.r.e! wou'd I cou'd be convinc'd she were so; 'twou'd call my Virtue home, and make me Man again.

_Gal_. Thou ly'st--thou'rt as weak a Brother as the best of us, and believe me, _Harry_, these sort of Damsels are like Witches, if they once get hold of a Man, he's their own till the Charm be ended; you guess what that is, Sir?

_Fil_. Oh, _Frank_, hadst thou then felt how tenderly she prest my Hand in hers, as if she wou'd have kept it there for ever, it wou'd have made thee mad, stark mad in Love!--and nothing but _Marcella_ cou'd have charm'd me. [_Aside_.

_Gal_. Ay, Gad, I'll warrant thee,--well, thou shalt this Night enjoy her.

_Fil_. How?

_Gal_. How! why, faith, _Harry_, e'en the old way, I know no other. Why, thou shalt lie with her, Man; come, let's to her.

_Fil_. Away, let's follow her instantly.

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