Volume Iv Part 16 (2/2)

_Lod._ Is't possible?

_Lean._ Perhaps some little sneezing or so, no harm; but my Enemy's a dead Man, Sir, kill'd.

Sir _Cred._ Why, this is the most d.a.m.n'd _Italian_ Trick I ever heard of; why, this outdoes the famous Poisoner Madam _Brenvilliers_; well, here's no jesting, I perceive that, _Lodwick_.

_Lod._ Fear nothing, I'll secure you. [Aside to him.

Enter _Wittmore_.

--_Wittmore!_ how is't, Friend! thou lookest cloudy.

_Wit._ You'll hardly blame me, Gentlemen, when you shall know what a d.a.m.n'd unfortunate Rascal I am.

_Lod._ Prithee what's the matter?

_Wit._ Why, I am to be marry'd, Gentlemen, marry'd to day.

_Lod._ How, marry'd! nay, Gad, then thou'st reason; but to whom prithee?

_Wit._ There's the Devil on't again, to a fine young fair, brisk Woman, that has all the Temptations Heaven can give her.

_Lod._ What pity 'tis they shou'd be bestow'd to so wicked an end! Is this your Intrigue, that has been so long conceal'd from your Friends?

_Lean._ We thought it had been some kind Amour, something of Love and Honour.

_Lod._ Is she rich? if she be wondrous rich, we'll excuse thee.

_Wit._ Her Fortune will be suitable to the Jointure I shall make her.

_Lod._ Nay then 'tis like to prove a hopeful Match; what a Pox can provoke thee to this, dost love her?

_Wit._ No, there's another Plague, I am cursedly in love elsewhere; and this was but a false Address, to hide that real one.

_Lod._ How, love another? in what quality and manner?

_Wit._ As a Man ought to love, with a good substantial Pa.s.sion, without any design but that of right-down honest Injoyment.

_Lod._ Ay, now we understand thee, this is something. Ah Friend, I had such an Adventure last Night.--You may talk of your Intrigues and substantial Pleasures, but if any of you can match mine,--Egad, I'll forswear Womankind.

_Lean._ An Adventure! prithee where?

Sir _Cred._ What, last Night, when you rescued me from the Bilbo-Blades!

indeed ye look'd a little furiously.

_Lod._ I had reason, I was just then come out of a Garden from fighting with a Man whom I found with my Mistress; and I had at least known who't had been, but for the coming of those Rascals that set on you, who parted us, whilst he made his escape in the Croud.

_Wit._ Death! that was I, who for fear of being known got away: was't he then that I fought with, and whom I learnt lov'd _Isabella_?

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