Volume Ii Part 110 (1/2)

[_Sir Sig. peeps from behind_.

Sir _Sig_. Some Comfort yet, that I am not the only Fool defeated. Ha!

_Galllard_!

_Oct_. I'm satisfy'd (_To_ Fil.)--but what cou'd move you, Sir--[_to_ Gal.] to injure me, one of my Birth and Quality?

_Gal_. Faith, Sir, I never stand upon Ceremony when there's a Woman in the case,--nor knew I 'twas your Sister: Or if I had, I shou'd ha' lik'd her ne'er the worse for that, had she been kind.

_Jul_. It is my Business to account with him, And I am satisfy'd he has not injur'd me, he is my Friend.

_Gal_. That's frankly said; and uncompell'd, I swear she's innocent.

_Oct_. If you're convinc'd, I too am satisfy'd, And give her to you whilst that Faith continues.

[_Gives him her_.

_Lau_. And must I, must I force my Heart to yield? And yet his generous Confidence obliges me. [_Aside_.

_Oct_. And here I vow by all the sacred Powers, [_kneels_]

That punish Perjury, never to set my Heart On faithless Woman;--never to love nor marry; [_Rises_]

Travel shall be my business--thou my Heir.

[_To Julio_.

Sir _Sig_. So, poor soul, I'll warrant he has been defeated too.

_Mar_. _Marcella_, Sir, will take ye at your Word.

_Fil_. _Marcella_!

_Mar_. Who owns with Blushes Truths shou'd be conceal'd, but to prevent more Mischief,--That I was yours, Sir, was against my Will, [_to_ Oct.]

my Soul was _Fillamour's_ e'er you claim'd a right in me; though I never saw or held discourse with him, but at an awful distance,--nor knew he of my Flight.

_Oct_. I do believe, and give thee back my Claim, I scorn the brutal part of Love; the n.o.blest Body, where the Heart is wanting.

[_They all talk aside_, Cornelia _comes up to Galliard_.

_Cor_. Why, how now, Cavalier, how like a discarded Favourite do you look now, who whilst your Authority lasted, laid about ye, domineer'd, huft and bl.u.s.ter'd, as if there had been no end on't: now a Man may approach ye without terror--You see the Meat's s.n.a.t.c.ht out of your Mouth, Sir, the Lady's dispos'd on; whose Friends and Relations you were so well acquainted with.

_Gal_. Peace, Boy, I shall be angry else.--

_Cor_. Have you never a cast Mistress, that will take compa.s.sion on you: Faith, what think ye of the little Curtezan now?

_Gal_. As ill as e'er I did; what's that to thee?

_Cor_. Much more than you're aware on, Sir--and faith, to tell you Truth, I'm no Servant to Count _Julio_, but e'en a little mischievous Instrument she sent hither to prevent your making love to _Donna Laura_.

_Gal_. 'Tis she herself.--how cou'd that Beauty hide itself so long from being known? [_Aside_.]--Malicious little Dog in a Manger, that wou'd neither eat, nor suffer the Hungry to feed themselves, what spiteful Devil cou'd move thee to treat a Lover thus? but I am pretty well reveng'd on ye.

_Cor_. On me!