Volume Iv Part 121 (1/2)
_Prince._ Ah! wouldst thou see me on a Precipice, and not prevent my Danger?
_Geo._ To mightier Friends.h.i.+p I cou'd all surrender, and silently have born her Perjuries; but those to you, awaken'd all my Rage: but she has out-trick'd me, and I beg her Pardon--And to secure her yours, have lov'd anew, and beg Protection in your Lodgings, Sir, for a young Maid whom I design to marry.
_Prince._ Command my Life, my Fortune, and my Sword, for the unwilling Injury I have done thee--And is this the charming, perjur'd Fair, _Mirtilla_?
_Geo._ It is, Sir.
_Prince._ Since it is possible that you cou'd cease to love this Gallant Man, whom I have heard with so much tender Pa.s.sion tell your Loves, what sacred Vows had past, and what Endearments, how can I hope from thee a lasting Faith?--Yet on the Oaths that thou hast sworn to me--by all thy Hopes of Pardon for thy Perjuries, to ease my panting Heart--once speak the Truth--Didst thou not take this Woman for a Man?
_Mir._ I did--and were she so, I wou'd with Pride own all the Vows I've broke.
_Prince._ Why, this is fair--and though I buy this Knowledge at the vast Price of all my Repose; yet I must own, 'tis a better Bargain than chaff'ring of a Heart for feign'd Embraces--Thou hast undone me--yet must have my Friends.h.i.+p; and 'twill be still some Ease in this Extreme, to see thee yet repent, and love _Lejere_.
_Mir._ No, Sir, this Beauty must be first declining, to make me take up with a former Lover.
_Geo._ No, Sir, I have dispos'd my Heart another way; and the first knowledge of her Falshood cur'd me: Her Marriage I forgave--that thing of Form--but never could her Fondness to this Youth.
_Prince._ Who's this Lady, Sir, whose Pardon I must beg?
_Geo._ My Sister, Sir, who I disguis'd on purpose to be a Guard to this suspected Fair One.
Enter _Welborn_.
_Wel._ Ha, she's there!
Now every Feature points me out my Conqueress.--Nay, start not--I have found Thee, thou malicious Charmer, to bring me so near to Bliss, and not afford me one kind hint.
_Oliv._ And are not you a very dull Fellow, that lov'd and long'd, and had the Maid so near you, and yet needed a Hint?
_Wel._ Nay, if you conceal'd your precious Talent, how shou'd it profit any body?
_Oliv._ Conceal'd it!--No, Faith, I made a very fair Tender; but you refus'd it, as not being current Coin.
_Wel._ But if you most feloniously, and unlawfully deface our Sovereign's Image, so as it may be as soon taken for the Grand Signior's, I may suspect the Metal too.
_Oliv._ What say you if I tender it before these lawful Witnesses?
_Wel._ I'll take it for good Payment--I _Charles Welborn_--
_Oliv._ Ha, _Welborn_! [Aside.
_Wel._ Take thee--whom?--Gad, if the Parson of the Parish knew your Name no better than I--'twill be but a blind Bargain.
_Geo._ _Olivia Marteen_--
_Wel._ My destin'd Wife!
_Geo._ The very same: Have you the Parson ready?
_Wel._ He waits in my Chamber.
_Oliv._ Madam, I beg you'll lend me something more becoming my s.e.x.