Volume Ii Part 105 (1/2)

_Lau_. 'Twas I, by Heaven, that heedless Fool was I.

_Jul_. Which I with Lover's' eager Joy perform'd, And on my Knees utter'd the hasty Words, Which she repeated o'er, and gave me back.

_Gal_. So, he has swallow'd with a vengeance the very Bait she had prepar'd for me, or any body that wou'd bite. [_Aside_.

_Jul_. But e'er I cou'd receive the dear Reward of all my Vows, I was drawn upon by a Man that lay hid in her Chamber; Whether by chance or design I know not; who fought me out, And was the same you found me engag'd with.

_Cor_. A pleasant Rascal this, as e'er the Devil taught his Lesson to.

_Gal_. So, my Comfort is, she has jilted him too most d.a.m.nably.

_Cor_. Slife, I have anger enough to make me valiant; why shou'd I not make use on't, and beat this lying Villain whilst the Fit holds?

_Gal_. And you design to keep these Vows, though you're contracted to another Woman?

_Jul_. I neither thought of breaking those, or keeping these; My Soul was all employ'd another way.

_Lau_. It shall be so, _Silvio_,--I've thought upon a way that must redeem all:--hark and observe me.

[_Takes_ Sil. _and whispers to him_.

_Jul_. But I'm impatient to pursue my Adventure, which I must endeavour to do, before the Light discover the Mistake.--Farewel, Sir.

[_Ex_. Julio.

_Gal_. Go and be ruin'd quite, she has the Knack of doing it.

_Sil_. I'll warrant ye, Madam, for my Part.

[_Ex_. Laura and Sabina.

_Gal_. I have a d.a.m.n'd hankering after this Woman: why cou'd I not have put the cheat on her, as _Julio_ has? I stand as little on my Word as he: a good round Oath or two had done the Business.--But a pox on't, I lov'd too well to be so wise.

[Silvio _comes up to him_.

_Sil_. _Con licentia_, Signior; is your Name _Galliard_?

_Gal_. I am the Man, sweet Heart,--let me behold thee--hah--_Sans Coeur's_ Page!

_Sil_. A duce of his Lanthorn, what shall I say now?--Softly, Signior, I am that Page whose chiefest Business is to attend my Lord's Mistress, Sir.

_Cor_. His Mistress! whose Mistress, what Mistress? S'life, how that little Word has nettled me!

[_Aside, listening close_.

_Gal_. Upon my Life, the Woman that he boasted of-- [_Aside, hugging of himself_.]

--A fair young amorous--n.o.ble--Wanton--a--And she wou'd speak with me, my lovely Boy?

_Sil_. You have prevented the Commands I had; but should my Lord know of it--

_Gal_. Thou wert undone, I understand thee-- And will be secret as a Confessor, As lonely Shades, or everlasting Night.

Come, lead the way.

_Cor_. Where I will follow thee, though to the Bed of her thou'rt going to, and even prevent thy very Business there. [_Aside_.]