Volume Iv Part 109 (1/2)

_Ter._ Then to all the small Villages, call'd little Freedoms, Kissing, Playing, Fooling, Sighing, Dying--and so on to the last Stage, where Whip and Spur laid by, all tir'd and dull, you lazily lie down and sleep.

_Geo._ No, I'm a more vigorous Lover: And since in the Country of True Love there remains a _Terra Incognita_, I shall always be making new Discoveries.

_Ter._ True Love! is there such a thing in the whole Map of Nature?

_Geo._ Yes, I once discover'd it in my Voyage round the World.

_Ter._ Sure 'tis some enchanted Place, and vanishes as soon as 'tis approach'd.

Enter Sir _Rowland_.

_Geo._ Faith, let's set out for it, and try; if we lose our Labour, we shall, like Searchers for the Philosophers Stone, find something that will recompense our pains.-- [Lady _Youthly_ sees her, and sends her Woman to take her from him.

Ha, gone--I must not part so with you--I'll have you in my Eye.

[The _Spanish_ Dance: Whilst they dance, the _Prince_ talks to _Mirtilla_.

_Mir._ This Night gives you an a.s.signation--I tremble at the thought--Ah, why will you pursue me thus to Ruin? Why with resistless Charms invade my Heart, that cannot stand their Force--alone--without my Woman?--the Enterprize with you would be too dangerous.

_Prince._ Dangerous to be ador'd! and at your Feet behold your Slave making eternal Vows?

_Mir._ If I were sure that you would pa.s.s no further--

_Prince._ Let the fond G.o.d of Love be my Security--will you not trust a Deity?

_Mir._ Whom should she trust, that dares not trust her self?

_Geo._ That is some Lover, whom I must observe. [Aside.

_Mir._ Alas, the Foe's within that will betray me, Ambition, and our s.e.x's Vanity--Sir, you must prevail--

_Prince._ And in return, for ever take my Soul.

_Mir._ Anon I'll feign an Illness, and retire to my Apartment, whither this faithful Friend shall bring you, Sir.

[Pointing to _Manage_.

_Geo._ Hum!--that looks like some Love Bargain, and _Manage_ call'd to Witness. By Heav'n, gay Sir, I'll watch you.

_Ter._ But hark ye, my Fellow-Adventurer, are you not marry'd?

_Geo._ Marry'd--that's a Bug-word--prithee if thou hast any such Design, keep on thy Mask, lest I be tempted to Wickedness.

_Ter._ Nay, truth is, 'tis a thousand pities to spoil a handsom man, to make a dull Husband of: I have known an old batter'd Bully of Seventy, unmarry'd, more agreeable for a Gallant, than any scurvy, out-of-humour'd Husband at Eight and Twenty.

_Geo._ Gad, a thousand times.

_Ter._ Know, I have Five Hundred Pounds a Year.

_Geo._ Good.

_Ter._ And the Devil and all of Expectations from an old Woman.

_Geo._ Very good.