Volume Iii Part 72 (1/2)

L. _Ful_. I'll not consider why you play the Fool, Present me Rings and Bracelets; why pursue me; Why watch whole Nights before my senseless Door, And take such Pains to shew your self a c.o.xcomb.

_Gay_. Oh! why all this?

By all the Powers above, by this dear Hand, And by this Ring, which on this Hand I place, On which I've sworn Fidelity to Love; I never had a Wish or soft Desire To any other Woman, Since _Julia_ sway'd the Empire of my Soul.

L. _Ful_. Hah, my own Ring I gave him last night. [_Aside_.

--Your Jewel, Sir, is rich: Why do you part with things of so much value, So easily, and so frequently?

_Gay_. To strengthen the weak Arguments of Love.

L. _Ful_. And leave your self undone?

_Gay_. Impossible, if I am blest with _Julia_.

L. _Ful_. Love's a thin Diet, nor will keep out Cold.

You cannot satisfy your Dunning Taylor, To cry--I am in Love!

Though possible you may your Seamstress.

_Gay_. Does ought about me speak such Poverty?

L. _Ful_. I am sorry that it does not, since to maintain This Gallantry, 'tis said you use base means, Below a Gentleman.

_Gay_. Who dares but to imagine it's a Rascal, A Slave, below a beating--what means my _Julia_?

L. _Ful_. No more dissembling, I know your Land is gone --I know each Circ.u.mstance of all your Wants; Therefore--as e'er you hope that I should love you ever-- Tell me--where 'twas you got this Jewel, Sir.

_Gay_. Hah--I hope 'tis no stol'n Goods; [_Aside_.

Why on the sudden all this nice examining?

L. _Ful_. You trifle with me, and I'll plead no more.

_Gay_. Stay--why--I bought it, Madam--

L. _Ful_. Where had you Money, Sir? You see I am No Stranger to your Poverty.

_Gay_. This is strange--perhaps it is a secret.

L. _Ful_. So is my Love, which shall be kept from you.

[_Offers to go_.

_Gay_. Stay, _Julia_--your Will shall be obey'd, [_Sighing_.

Though I had rather die than be obedient, Because I know you'll hate me when 'tis told.

L. _Ful_. By all my Vows, let it be what it will, It ne'er shall alter me from loving you.

_Gay_. I have--of late--been tempted-- With Presents, Jewels, and large Sums of Gold.

L. _Ful_. Tempted! by whom?