Volume Iii Part 30 (2/2)

_Jac_. Yet you first broke with him.

_Jul_. Not I; be witness, Heav'n, with what reluctancy I forc'd my breaking heart; and can I see that charming Body in my Sister's Arms!

that Mouth that has so oft sworn Love to me kist by another's Lips! no, _Jacinta_, that night that gives him to another Woman, shall see him dead between the Charmer's Arms. My Life I hate, and when I live no more for _Carlos_, I'll cease to be at all; it is resolv'd.

_Jac_. Faith, Madam, I hope to live to see a more comical end of your Amours--but see where your amiable Spouse comes with Don _Baltazer_ your Father.

_Enter_ Francisco _and_ Baltazer.

_Fran_. So--you two are d.a.m.nable close together, 'tis for no goodness I'll warrant, you have your trade betimes.

_Jac_. Meaning me, Sir?

_Fran_. Yes, you, one of my Wife's evil Counsellors,--go, get you up both to your respective Chambers, go--

[_Ex. both_.

_Bal_. Barring your Compliments, good Son, give me leave to speak.

_Fran_. Shaw, I know as well as your self what you wou'd say now; you wou'd a.s.sure me I am sole Master of your House, and may command; that you are heartily glad to see me at _Cadiz_, and that you desire I wou'd resolve upon a Week's stay, or so; that you'll spare nothing for my entertainment: why, I know all this, and therefore pray take my word, good Father-in-Law, without any more ado.

_Bal_. Well, Sir, pray answer me one question, what drew you to _Cadiz_?

_Fran_. Why, I'll tell you; in the first place, a Pox of all Lovers, I say; for my Daughter _Isabella_ is to be married, as you know, to _Antonio_, a young rich Merchant of this Town; in the second place, my Wife, with a Vengeance, must be gadding to visit you and her Sister, whom we heard also was to be married to the young Governor Don _Carlos_; 'tis shreudly against my will, Heav'n knows, for my Wits are in an uproar already about this business--your Gallants, Father, your young Gallants,--I wish my Wife were secure at home again.

_Bal_. Pray, why so?

_Fran_. Alas, I see the Trick, Sir, a mere Trick put upon a Man, a married Man, and a married Man to a handsome young Woman,--you apprehend me.

_Bal_. Not I, Sir.

_Fran_. Not you, Sir! why, look ye, your young Governor who now is, made most desperate love to her who is now my Wife, d'ye mind me?--but you, being a Man of an exact Judgment, to her great grief, gave her to me, who best deserv'd her, both for my civil Behaviour, and comely Personage, d'ye understand me? but now this _Carlos_, by his Father's death, being made Governor, d'ye see? is to marry me your other daughter _Clara_, and to exasperate me, wou'd never let me be at quiet till he had got both of us. .h.i.ther to _Cadiz_, to grace his Wedding; a Pox of his Invitation, was I so civil to invite him to mine?

_Bal_. If this be your Affliction, you may avoid it.

_Fran_. No, no, I'll try to force Nature a little, and be civil, or so; but as soon as the Ceremony's over, I'll steal out of Town, whip a way, presto, i'faith.

_Bal_. But shou'd you do so rude a thing to your new Brother, your Wife wou'd think you were jealous of her. No, dissemble that Fault, I beseech you, 'twill make you odious to her and all the world, when 'tis needless, 'tis natural for Women to hate what they fear.

_Fran_. Say you so, then I will hide it as much as I can in words, I can dissemble too upon occasion.

_Bal_. Let her remain awhile amongst us.

_Fran_. The Devil a bit she shall, good Father mine, no, no, I have more years than you, Sir Father, and understand what Women are, especially when married to ancient Men, and have the Conversation of young Men--whose Eyes like Basilisks destroy Modesty with looking on 'em; the very Thought on't has rais'd a b.u.mp in my Forehead already.

_Bal_. I am sorry you should suspect my Daughter's Virtue.

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