Volume Iv Part 114 (2/2)

_Oliv._ What shall I do?--I have a little urgent Business, Sir.

_Wel._ If there be absolute necessity, I'll see you to your Lodgings.

_Oliv._ Oh, by no means, Sir. 'Sdeath, whither can I go?

_Wel._ Why do you pause? Deal freely with me, Sir, I hope you do not take me for a Lover of my own s.e.x-- Come, come to bed.

_Oliv._ Go you, Sir, I'll sit and read by you till Day.

_Wel._ 'Sdeath, Sir, d'ye think my bed's infectious?

_Oliv._ I shall betray my s.e.x in my denial, and that at last I can but do if Necessity compel me to't.

[Aside.

Go on, Sir, you have shamed me.

[Exeunt.

Enter _Prince_ and _George_.

_Prince._ And thus thou hast my whole Adventure out, short was the Conquest, but the Joys are lasting.

_Geo._ I am glad on't, Sir.

_Prince._ Why dost wear a Cloud upon thy brows, when Love's gay Suns.h.i.+ne dances in my Eyes? If thou'rt her Lover too, I pity thee; her solemn Vows breath'd in the height of Love, disarm me of thy hopes, if Friends.h.i.+p wou'd permit thee.

_Geo._ I do not think it, Sir--

_Prince._ Not think it, not think that she has sworn!

_Geo._ Yes, doubtless, Sir--she's prodigal of Vows, and I dare swear, by all she's sworn by, she'll break 'em all: She has less Faith than all the fickle s.e.x, uncertain and more wanton than the Winds, that spare no Births of Nature in their wild course, from the tall Cedar to the Flowers beneath, but ruffle, ravish, and ruin all.

_Prince._ I speak of my _Mirtilla_.

_Geo._ Why, so do I--of yours, of mine, or any Man's _Mirtilla._

_Prince._ Away, she that with force of Love can sigh and weep--

_Geo._ This very she, has all the while dissembled! Such Love she deals to every gaudy c.o.xcomb, how will she practice then upon a Hero?

_Prince._ Away, it cannot be.

_Geo._ By all your Friends.h.i.+p to me, Sir, 'tis truth.

_Prince._ Racks and Tortures!--let her have made of me a mere Example, by whom the cozen'd World might have grown wise: No matter, then I had been pleas'd, though cullyed--Why hast thou ruined my Repose with Truths that carry more d.a.m.nation than a Lye? But Oh--thou art my Friend, and I forgive thee.

_Geo._ Sir, I have done, and humbly ask your Pardon. [Offers to go.

_Prince._ Stay, stay, _Lejere_,--if she be false, thou'rt all the World has left me; and I believe--but canst thou prove this to me?

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