Volume Iv Part 108 (2/2)

_Oliv._ Ha! 'tis the Man I love--and courts _Mirtilla_, and she receives him with inviting Looks. 'Sdeath, she's a common Lover! already I'm arriv'd to Jealousy!

Enter _George_ in Masquerade, with a Paper on his Back and Breast, goes to _Mirtilla_, sees one courting her.

_Geo._ What gilded thing is that?--I must disturb 'em--'Tis I, _Mirtilla_, languis.h.i.+ng for the appointed Happiness, while you, perhaps, are taken up with different Thoughts--

_Mir._ _Lejere!_ How very feeble do old Lovers charm! Only the new and gay have pow'r to warm--How shall I put him off? For now my ambitious Love declares for _Frederick_; 'tis great to enslave a Prince.

[Aside.

--_Lejere_--wait till I give the word--perhaps it may be late--go mix your self i'th' Crowd, you may be else suspected-- [Goes from him.

_Ter._ I have a shreud guess that this should be my Man by his Shape, and Mein.

[Looking round about _George_.

Let me see--What's this written on his Back?--To be lett ready furnish'd-- [Reading it.

A very good hearing: So ho, ho, ho, who's within here?

[Claps him on the Back.

_Geo._ Who's there? [Exit _Olivia_.

_Ter._ Love and Fortune.

_Geo._ Two very good Friends of mine, prithee who art thou that bring'st 'em?

_Ter._ A wandring Nymph, that has had a swinging Character of your Person and Parts--if thou be'st the Man, prithee, dear Stranger, let me see thy Face; and if I'm not mistaken, 'tis ten to one, but we may go near to strike up some odd Bargain or other.

_Geo._ And I am as likely a Fellow for some odd Bargain or other, as ever you met with--Look ye, am I the Man?

_Ter._ Let me see--a very handsome Face, inclining to round; fine wanton Eyes, with a plaguy Roguish Lear; plump, round, red Lips; not tall, nor low, and extremely well fas.h.i.+on'd.

[Reads all this in her Tablets.

--Ay, ay, you are the Man--

_Geo._ I am glad on't, and prithee, dear Creature, let me see if thou art not the Woman--

_Ter._ Heav'n! what Woman, Sir?

_Geo._ Why, any Woman that's pretty, witty, young, and good-natur'd.

_Ter._ I had rather shew anything almost than my Face.

_Geo._ Faith, and that's kind; but every thing in its due time: I love to arrive at Happiness by degrees, there's as much Pleasure in the Journey of Love, as in the Arrival to't, and the first Stage is a handsom Face.

_Ter._ Where you bait a while, take a short Survey, and away.

_Geo._ To Wit, and good Humour; where a Man finds Pleasure enough to engage him a long while.

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