Volume Ii Part 98 (1/2)

_Gal_. By this good Light, a n.o.ble glorious Wh.o.r.e.

_Fil_. Oh, stay, I must not let such Beauty fall, --A Wh.o.r.e--consider yet the Charms of Reputation, The Ease, the Quiet, and Content of Innocence, The awful Reverence all good Men will pay thee, Who, as thou art, will gaze without respect, --And cry--what pity 'tis she is--a Wh.o.r.e--

_Mar_. O, you may give it what coa.r.s.e name you please, But all this Youth and Beauty ne'er was given, Like Gold to Misers, to be kept from use.

[_Going out_.

_Fil_. Lost, lost--past all Redemption.

_Gal_. Nay, Gad, thou shalt not lose her so--I'll fetch her back, and thou shalt ask her pardon.

[_Runs out after her_.

_Fil_. By Heaven, it was all a Dream! an airy Dream!

The visionary Pleasure disappears,--and I'm myself again, --I'll fly before the drousy Fit o'ertake me.

[_Going out, Enter_ Gal. _and then_ Marcella.

_Gal_. Turn back--she yields, she yields to pardon thee.

Gone! nay, hang me if ye part.

[_Runs after him, still his Pistol in his hand_.

_Mar_. Gone! I have no leisure now for more dissembling.

[_Takes the Candle, and goes in_.

_Enter_ Petro, _leading in Mr_. Tickletext, _as by dark_.

_Pet_. Remain here, Signior, whilst I step and fetch a light.

_Tick_. Do so, do so, honest _Barberacho_.--Well, my escape even now from Sir _Signal_ was miraculous, thanks to my Prudence and Prowess; had he discover'd me, my Dominion had ended, and my Authority been of none effect, _certo_.

[Philippa _at the door puts in Sir_ Signal.

_Phil_. Now, Signior, you're out of danger, I'll fetch a Candle, and let my Lady know of your being here.

[_Exit_ Phil. _Sir_ Sig. _advances a little_.

_Enter_ Petro _with a light, goes between 'em, and starts_.

_Tick_. Sir _Signal_!--

Sir _Sig_. My Governour!

_Pet_. The two Fools met! a pox of all ill luck! Now shall I lose my Credit with both my wise Patrons; my Knight I cou'd have put off with a small Harlot of my own, but my Levite having seen my Lady _Cornelia_, that is, _La Silvianetta_,--none but that _Susanna_ wou'd satisfy his Elders.h.i.+p. But now they both sav'd me the labour of a farther invention to dispatch 'em.

Sir _Sig_. I perceive my Governour's as much confounded as my self;--I'll take advantage by the forelock, be very impudent, and put it upon him, faith--Ah, Governour, will you never leave your whoring? never be staid, sober and discreet, as I am?

_Tick_. So, so, undone, undone! just my Doc.u.ments to him.-- [_Walks about, Sir_ Sig. _follows_.

Sir _Sig_. And must I neglect my precious studies, to follow you, in pure zeal and tender care of your Person? Will you never consider where you are? In a leud Papish Country, amongst the Romish Heathens! And for you, a Governour, a Tutor, a Director of unbridled Youth, a Gownman, a Politician; for you, I say, to be taken at this unrighteous time of the Night, in a flaunting Cavaliero Dress, an unlawful Weapon by your side, going the high way to Satan, to a Curtezan; and to a Romish Curtezan! Oh Abomination! Oh _scandalum infinitum_!