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Show The Conftant Couple. 37 Converfation, that he beg'd their Company next Day; they confented, and next Night, Parly Par. Ay, next Night, Madam, next Night (I'm afraid) was a Night indeed. Lure. He brib'd m y Maid, with his Gold, out of her Hone-fty ; and me, with his Rhetorick, out of m y Honour. She admitted him to m y Chamber, and there hevow'd, and fwore, and wept, and figh'd, and conquer'd. (Weeps. Par. Alack a day, poor Fifteen ! (Weeps. Lure. He fwore that he wou'd come down from Oxford in a Fortnight, and marry me. Par. The old Bait! the old Bait! I was cheated juft fo m y felf; [Afide.] But had not you the wit to know his N a m e all this while? Lure. Alas! what Wit had Innocence like mine? He told me, that he was under an Obligation to /his Companions of concealing himfelf then, but that he wou'd write to m e in two Days, and let me know his N a m e and Quality. After all the binding Oaths of Conftancy, joining Hands, exchanging Hearts, I gave him a Ring with this Motto, Love and Honour, then we parted; but I never faw the dear Deceiver more. Par. N o , nor never will, I warrant you. Lure. I need not tell m y Griefs, which m y Father's Death made a fair pretence for ; he left me fole Heirefs and Executrix to Three thoufand Pounds a Year: At laft, m y Love for this fingle Diffembler turn'd to a hatred of the whole Sex; and refolving to divert m y Melancholy, and make my large Fortune fubfervient to m y Pleafure and Revenge, I went to Travel, where, in moft Courts of Europe, I have done fome Execution. Here I will play m y laft Scene; then retire to m y Country-Houfe, live fblitary, and die a Penitent. Par. But don't you ftill love this dear Diffembler ? Lure. Moft certainly : 'Tis Love of him that keeps m y Anger warm, reprefenting the Bafenefs of Mankind full in view ; and makes m y Refentments work. We fhall have that old impotent Lecher, Smuggler, here to Night; I have a Plot tofwingehim, and his precife Nephew, Viz,ard. Par. I think, Madam, you manage every body that comes in your way. Lure. No, Parly, thofe Men, whofe Pretenfions I found juft and honourable , I fairly difmift , by letting thein know my firm Refolutions never to marry. But thofe Villains that wou'd attempt m y Honour, I've feldom fail'd to manage, Par. |
