Volume Ii Part 92 (1/2)

_Gal_. Ah, for a fine young Wh.o.r.e with all these Charms!

but that same Quality allays the Joy: there's such a d.a.m.n'd ado with the Obligation, that half the Pleasure's lost in Ceremony.

--Here for a thousand Crowns I reign alone, Revel all day in Love without controul.

--But come to our business, I have given order for Musick, Dark Lanthorns, and Pistols.

[_This while_ Fil., _stands studying_.

_Fil_. Death, if it shou'd not be _Marcella_ now! [_Pausing aside_.

_Gal_. Prithee no more considering,--resolve, and let's about it.

_Fil_. I wou'd not tempt my Heart again! for Love, What e'er it may be in another's Breast, In mine 'twill turn to a religious Fire; And so to burn for her, a common Mistress, Wou'd be an Infamy below her Practice.

_Gal_. Oh, if that be all, doubt not, _Harry_, but an Hour's Conversation with _Euphemia_ will convert it to as leud a flame, as a Man wou'd wish.

_Lau_. What a coil's here about a Curtezan! what ado to persuade a Man to a Blessing all _Rome_ is languis.h.i.+ng for in vain!--Come, Sir, we must deal with him, as Physicians do with peevish Children, force him to take what will cure him.

_Fil_. And like those d.a.m.n'd Physicians, kill me for want of method: no, I know my own Distemper best, and your Applications will make me mad.

_Gal_. Pox on't, that one cannot love a Woman like a Man, but one must love like an a.s.s.

_Lau_. S'heart, I'll be bound to lie with all the Women in _Rome_, with less ado than you are brought to one.

_Gal_. Hear ye that, _Henry_? s'death, art not asham'd to be instructed by one so young!--But see--the Star there appears,--the Star that conducts thee to the Sh.o.r.e of Bliss,--She comes! let's feel thy [Marcella _and_ Cornelia _above_ with_ Philippa.] Heart, she comes!

So breaks the Day on the glad Eastern Hills, Or the bright G.o.d of Rays from _Thetis'_ Lap: A Rapture, now, dear Lad, and then fall to; for thou art old Dog at a long Grace.

_Fil_. Now I'm mere Man again, with all his Frailties-- [_Aside_.

--Bright lovely Creature!--

_Gal_. d.a.m.n it, how like my Lady's eldest Son was that?

_Fil_. May I hope my Sacrifice may be accepted by you; by Heaven, it must be she! still she appears more like.-- [_Aside_.

_Mar_. I've only time to tell you Night approaches, And then I will expect you.

_Enter_ c.r.a.pine, _gazes on the Ladies_.

_c.r.a.p_. 'Tis she, _Donna Marcella_, on my life, with the young wild _Cornelia_!--hah--yonder's the _English_ Cavalier too; nay then, by this Hand I'll be paid for all my fruitless jaunts, for this good news--stay, let me mark the House.--

_Mar_. Now to my Disguise.

[_Ex_. Marcella.

_Gal_. And have you no kind message to send to my Heart? cannot this good Example instruct you how to make me happy?

_Cor_. Faith, Stranger, I must consider first; she's skilful in the Merchandize of Hearts, and has dealt in Love with so good success. .h.i.therto, she may lose one Venture, and never miss it in her Stock: but this is my first, and shou'd it prove to be a bad bargain, I were undone for ever.

_Gal_. I dare secure the Goods sound--

_Cor_. And I believe will not lie long upon my hands.

_Gal_. Faith, that's according as you'll dispose on't, Madam--for let me tell you--gad, a good handsome proper Fellow is as staple a Commodity as any's in the Nation;--but I wou'd be reserv'd for your own use. Faith, take a Sample to night, and as you like it, the whole Piece; and that's fair and honest dealing I think, or the Devil's in't.