Volume Iii Part 119 (1/2)

_Enter_ Bellemante, _with a Candle in one Hand, and a Book in the other_.

_Bell_. I am in a _Belle_ Humor for Poetry to-night; I'll make some Boremes on Love. [_She writes and studies_.

_Out of a great Curiosity,--A Shepherd did demand of me_.-- No, no,--_A Shepherd this implor'd of me_.

[_Scratches out, and writes a-new_.

Ay, ay, so it shall go.--_Tell me, said he, can you resign?-- Resign_, ay, what shall rhyme to _Resign?--Tell me, said he_.-- [_She lays down the Tablets, and walks about_.

[Harlequin _peeps from under the Table, takes the Book, writes in it, and lays it up before she can turn_.

[_Reads_.] Ay, ay, so it shall be,--_Tell me, said he, my_ Bellemante; _Will you be kind to your_ Charmante?

[_Reads those two lines, and is amaz'd_.

Ha, Heav'ns! What's this? I am amaz'd!

--And yet I'll venture once more. [_Writes and studies_.

--_I blushed and veil'd my wis.h.i.+ng Eyes_.

[_Lays down the Book, and walks as before_.

--_Wis.h.i.+ng Eyes_! [Har. _writes as before_.

[_She turns and takes the Tablet_.

--_And answer'd only with my Sighs_.

Ha! What is this? Witchcraft, or some Divinity of Love?

Some Cupid sure invisible.

Once more I'll try the Charm. [_Writes_.

--Cou'd I a better way my Love impart?

[_Studies and walks_.

--_Impart_-- [_He writes as before_.

--_And without speaking, tell him all my Heart_.

--'Tis here again, but where's the Hand that writ it?

[_Looks about_.

--The little Deity that will be seen But only in his Miracles. It cannot be a Devil, For here's no Sin nor Mischief in all this.

_Enter_ Charmante. _She hides the Tablet, he steps to her, and s.n.a.t.c.hes it from her and reads_.

_Char_. reads.

_Out of a great Curiosity, A Shepherd this implor'd of me.

Tell me, said he, my_ Bellemante, _Will you be kind to your_ Charmante?

_I blush'd, and veil'd my wis.h.i.+ng Eyes, And answer'd only with my Sighs.

Cou'd I a better way my Love impart?

And without speaking, tell him all my Heart_.

_Char_. Whose is this different Character? [_Looks angry_.

_Bell_. 'Tis yours for ought I know.