Volume Iv Part 101 (1/2)

_Prince._ You pain me when you compliment my Friends.h.i.+p. [Embracing.

_Geo._ Perhaps you will not think me worth this Honour, when you shall hear my Story.

_Prince._ Thou canst say nothing I can value less.

_Geo._ Perhaps too my way of Living has deceiv'd you, being still receiv'd by Princes, as Companions in all their Riots, Loves, and Divertis.e.m.e.nts; where ev'n you did me the Honour to esteem, and call me Friend.

_Prince._ Whate'er thou art, I'm sure thy Mind's ill.u.s.trious.

_Geo._ My Family, I must confess, is honourable; but, Sir, my Father was the younger House, of which my unhappy self was destin'd to be last: I'm a _Cadet_, that Out-cast of my Family, and born to that curse of our old _English_ Custom. Whereas in other Countries, younger Brothers are train'd up to the Exercise of Arms, where Honour and Renown attend the Brave; we basely bind our youngest out to Slavery, to lazy Trades, idly confin'd to Shops or Merchants Books, debasing of the Spirit to the mean Cunning, how to cheat and chaffer.

_Prince._ A Custom insupportable!--

_Geo._ To this, to this low wretchedness of Life, your Servant, Sir--was destin'd by his Parents, and am yet this bound indentur'd Slave.

_Prince._ Thou hast no cause to quarrel with thy Stars, since Virtue is most valu'd when opprest--Are all your Merchants Apprentices thus gay?

_Geo._ Not all--but, Sir, I could not bow my Mind to this so necessary Drudgery; and yet however, I a.s.sum'd my native Temper, when out o'th'

Trading City; in it, I forc'd my Nature to a dull slovenly Gravity, which well enough deceiv'd the busy Block-heads; my Clothes and Equipage I lodg'd at this End of the Town, where I still pa.s.s'd for something better than I was, whene'er I pleas'd to change the Trader for the Gentleman.

_Prince._ And liv'd thus undiscover'd--

_Geo._ With Ease, still lov'd and courted by the Great, ever play'd high with those durst venture most; and durst make Love where'er my Fancy lik'd: but sometimes running out my Master's Cash, (which was supply'd still by my Father) they sent me, to reform my expensive Life, a Factor, into _France_--still I essay'd to be a plodding Thriver, but found my Parts not form'd for dirty Business.

_Prince._ There's not a Thought, an Action of thy Soul, that does not tend to something far more glorious.

_Geo._ If yet you think me worthy of your Favour, command that Life you have so oft preserv'd.

_Prince._ No more;--Thou hast increas'd my Value for thee.--Oh! take my Heart, and see how't has been us'd by a fair Charmer, since I saw thee last--That sullen day we parted, you for _England_, you may remember I design'd for _Flanders_.

_Geo._ I do, with Melancholy, Sir, remember it.

_Prince._ Arriv'd at _Ghent_, I went to see an _English_ Nun initiated, where I beheld the pretty Innocent, deliver'd up a Victim to foolish Chast.i.ty; but among the Relations, then attending the Sacrifice, was a fair Sister of the young Votress, but so surpa.s.sing all I'ad seen before, that I neglecting the dull holy Business, paid my Devotion to that kneeling Saint.

_Geo._ That was the nearest way to Heaven, my Lord.

_Prince._ Her Face, that had a thousand Charms of Youth, was heighten'd with an Air of Languishment; a lovely Sorrow dwelt upon her Eyes, that taught my new-born-Pa.s.sion Awe and Reverence.

_Geo._ This Description of her fires me.-- [Aside.

_Prince._ Her dimpl'd Mouth, her Neck, her Hand, her Hair, a Majesty and Grace in every Motion, compleated my Undoing; I rav'd, I burnt, I languish'd with Desire, the holy Place cou'd scarce contain my Madness: with Pain, with Torture, I restrain'd my Pa.s.sion when she retir'd, led sadly from the Altar. I, mixing with the Croud, enquir'd her Name and Country; her Servant told me, that she was of Quality, and liv'd in _England_, nay, in this very Town: this gave me Anguish not to be conceiv'd, till I resolv'd to follow her, which is the cause you find me here so soon. Thy Aid, thy Aid, _Lejere_, or I am lost.

_Geo._ I wish to live no longer than to serve your Highness: if she be, Sir, a Maid of Quality, I shall soon find her out, and then you'll easily conquer. You've all the Youth, and Beauty, that can charm; and what gains most upon a Woman's Heart, you've a powerful t.i.tle, Sir, a sort of Philter, that ne'er fails to win. But you've not told me yet the Lady's Name.

_Prince._ I had forgot that;--'Tis in these Tablets written: [Gives him the Tablets.

I'm now in haste, going to receive some Bills: I lodge at _Welborn's_, who came over with me, being sent for to be marry'd.

_Geo._ I know the House, 'tis in _Southampton-Square_: I'll wait upon your Highness-- [Exit _Prince_.

Let me see--Daughter to a deceas'd Lord; a Maid, and no Dowry, but Beauty; living in _Lincoln's-Inn-Fields_.

[Opening the Tablets, reads.

--Ha!--her Name _Mirtilla_! _Mirtilla_! [Pauses.

Prince, thou hast paid thyself for all the Favours done me.