Volume Iv Part 119 (1/2)

_Oliv._ An a.s.signation from your perjur'd Mistress, Sir.

_Geo._ 'Tis well--you must obey the Summons; and wind her up to all the height of Love; then let her loose to Shame. I'll bring her Lover in the height of Dalliance, who, when he sees her Perfidy, will hate her.

_Oliv._ And then the lovely Man stands fair for me. [Aside.

_Geo._ Go write an Answer back--and wait her hour.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE II. _The Dressing-Room. Discovers the _Prince_ at his Toylet, dressing. Musick and a Song._

Enter _George_, waits till the Song is ended. The _Prince_ sees him, comes to him with Joy, and falls about his Neck.

SONG, by Mr. _Gildon_.

I.

_Ah _Charmion!_ shroud those killing Eyes, That dart th' extremes of Pleasure, Else _Celidon_, though favour'd, dies As well as him that you despise, Though with this diff'rent measure: While lingring Pains drag on his Fate, } Dispatch is all th' Advantage of my State; } For ah! you hill with Love, as well as Hate._ }

II.

_Abate thy Luxury of Charms, And only Part discover; Your Tongue, as well as Eyes, has Arms To give a Thousand fatal Harms To the poor listening Lover: Thy Beams, like Glorys veil'd shou'd be, And like the Front of Heav'n, unseen, pa.s.s by; For to behold 'em, in full force, we die._

_Prince._ _Mirtilla_, O! I faint, I die with thy Beauty's Luxury! by Heaven, I'm all Rapture, Love, and Joy: Such a dear Night, _Lejere_!--Poets may fancy pressing G.o.ddesses, on downy Beds of Clouds--But oh, _Lejere_!--Those G.o.ds were never half so blest as I!

_Geo._ What pity 'twere to wake you from this Dream.

_Prince._ It is not in the power of Time nor Age: For even then _Mirtilla_ will have Charms! Oh, how she speaks! how well she'll grace a Story!

_Geo._ How gay her Wit! how movingly she writes!

_Prince._ I do believe she does. [A little seriously.

_Geo._ Would it displease you, should you see a Billet from her?

_Prince._ That's as it were directed. [Gravely.

_Geo._ You would not credit what you saw last Night.

_Prince._ Nor wou'd have lost that Night for all the Treasure the vast Ocean hides.

_Geo._ I wou'd not have a Man, so good and great, be made a Woman's Property--There, Sir.

[Gives him the Billet.

_Prince._ I'll not believe it her's; there are a thousand ways to ruin Innocence; if she be false--she's d.a.m.n'd. Confirm me, and of course I shall despise her. You cure me, when you shew her worth my Scorn.

_Geo._ Will you be rul'd then, and believe it Friends.h.i.+p in me?

_Prince._ I will.