Volume Iv Part 104 (1/2)
_Geo._ Which will burn like a snuff of a Candle; no body will be able to endure it.
[Aside.
--So Fortune, I see, provides for me: On this hand Wealth, on that young Pleasures lie; He ne'er wants these, who has that kind Supply.
[Exeunt.
_The End of the First Act._
ACT II.
SCENE I. Sir _Rowland's_ Lodging.
Enter Sir _Rowland_, _Teresia_, and Lady _Youthly_, &c.
L. _Youth._ Well, Sir _Rowland_, if I should be inclin'd to cast away my self on your Son _George_, what wou'd you settle?
Sir _Row._ Settle! not a Souse, Madam; he carries the best younger Brother's Fortune in _Christendom_ about him.
L. _Youth._ Why, the young Man's deserving, I confess. But he's your Son, Sir _Rowland_, and something ought to be settled upon the Heirs of our Bodies, lawfully begotten.
Sir _Row._ All _Hercules_ his Labours were a Jig to his that shall beget 'em.
[Aside.
If you like him upon these terms, to make him Master of your Fortune--
L. _Youth._ For that, let him trust to me, and his own deservings.
Sir _Row._ No trusting in these fickle Times, Madam--Why, I'll let the young st.u.r.dy Rogue out to hire; he'll make a pretty Livelihood at Journey-Work; and shall a Master-Workman, a Husband, deserve nothing?
L. _Youth._ Ay, these Husbands that know their own Strength, as they say, set so high a value on their conjugal Virtues. And if he be disloyal, again o't'other side he gives a Wife so ill an Example--for we are all liable to Temptations.
Sir _Row._ Well said; if thou beest so, it must be the old Tempter himself.
[Aside.
Look ye, Madam, I'll propose a fair Swap; if you'll consent that I shall marry _Teresia_, I'll consent that you shall marry _George_.
L. _Youth._ How, my Grand-daughter? Why, I design'd her for your eldest Son, Sir _Merlin_; and she has a good Fortune of five hundred a year that I cannot hinder her of; and is too young for you.
Sir _Row._ So is _George_ for your Ladys.h.i.+p; and as for his Fortune, 'tis more than likely I shall make him my eldest Son.
L. _Youth._ Say you so, Sir, well, I'll consider, and take Advice of my Friends.
Sir _Row._ Consider! alas, Madam, my House will be besieged by all the Widows in Town; I shall get more by shewing him, than the _Rhinoceros_.
Gad, I'll sell the young Rogue by Inch of Candle, before he's debauch'd and spoil'd in this leud Town.
L. _Youth._ Well, suppose--