The Rival Ladies | ||
1
Act First.
Scene First.
Enter Gonsalvo, Servant.The Scene a Wood.
Gons.
Nay, 'twas a strange as well as cruel Storm,
To take us almost in the Port of Sevil,
And drive us up as far as Barcellona;
The whole Plate-Fleet was scatter'd, some part wrack'd;
There one might see the Sailors diligent
To cast o'r-board the Merchants envy'd Wealth,
While he, all Pale, and Dying, stood in doubt
Whether to ease the Burden of the Ship
By Drowning of his Ingots, or himself.
Serv.
Fortune is a Woman every where,
2
Gons.
Had that been all
I should not have Complain'd but ere we could
Repair our Ship, to drive us back again
Was such a Cruelty—
Serv.
Yet that short time you staid at Barcellona
You Husbanded so well, I think you left
A Mistress there.
Gons.
I made some small Essays
Of Love, what might have been I cannot tell:
But to leave that, upon what part of Spain
Are we now cast?
Serv.
Sir, I take that City to be Alicante.
Gons.
Some days must of necessity be spent
In looking to our Ship; then back again
For Sevil.
Serv.
There you'r sure you shall be welcome.
Gons.
I, if my Brother Rodorick be return'd
From Flanders; but 'tis now three Years since I
Have heard from him, and since I saw him twelve.
Serv.
Your growth, and your long absence in the Indies
Have alter'd you so much, he'l scarcely know you.
Gons.
I'm sure I should not him, and less my Sister;
Who, when I with my Uncle went this Voyage,
Was then one of those little prating Girls
Of whom fond Parents tell such tedious stories:
Well, go you back.
Serv.
I go Sir.
Gons.
And take care
None of the Sea-men slip ashore.
Serv.
I shall Sir;
[Exit Servant.
Gons.
Ile walk a little while among these Trees,
Now the fresh Evening air blows from the Hills,
And breaths the sweetness of the Orange flowers
Upon me, from the Gardens neer the City.
Robbers within.
1 Rob.
I say, make sure, and Kill him;
Hip.
For Heaven's dear sake have pity on my Youth;
[Within.
3
Some violence is offer'd in the Wood
By Robbers to a Traveller: Who ere
Thou art, humanity obliges me
To give thee succour.
Hip.
Help! Ah cruel men!
[Within.
Gons.
This way I think the Voice came, 'tis not far.
[Exit.
The Scene draws, and discovers Hippolito bound to a Tree, and two Robbers by him with drawn Swords.
2 Rob.
Strip him, and let him go:
1 Rob.
Dispatch him quite; off with his Doublet quickly.
Hip.
Ah me unfortunate!
Enter Gonsalvo, seizes the Sword of one of them, and runs him through; then after a little resistance Disarms the other.
2 Rob.
If you have mercy in you spare my Life;
I never was consenting to a Deed
So black as Murder, though my Fellow urg'd me:
I only meant to Rob, and I am punisht
Enough, in missing of my wicked aim.
Gons.
Do they rob Angels here? This sweet Youth has
A Face so like one which I lately saw
It makes your Crime of Kin to Sacrilege:
But Live; and henceforth
Take nobler Courses to maintain your Life:
Here's something that will rescue you from want,
Till you can find employment.
[Gives him Gold, and unbinds Hippolito.
Hip.
What strange adventure's this! How little hop'd I,
When thus Disguis'd I stole from Barcellona,
To be reliev'd by brave Gonsalvo here?
[Aside.
2 Rob.
That Life you have preserv'd shall still be yours;
And that you may perceive, how much my Nature
Is wrought upon by this your generous Act;
That goodness you have shown to me, Ile use
To others for your Sake, if you dare trust me
A moment from your Sight.
4
Nay, take your Sword,
I will not so much crush a Budding virtue
As to suspect.
[Gives him his Sword.
[Exit Robber.
—Sweet Youth, you shall not leave me
Till I have seen you safe.
Hip.
You need not doubt it:
Alas! I find I cannot if I would;
I am but freed to be a greater Slave:
[Aside.
How much am I oblig'd, Sir, to your Valour?
Gons.
Rather to your own Sweetness, pretty Youth;
You must have been some way preserv'd, though I
Had not been neer; my Aid did but prevent
Some Miracle more slowly setting out
To save such Excellence.
Hip.
How much more gladly could I hear those words,
If he that Spoke them knew he Spoke to me!
[Aside.
Enter the Robber again with Don Manuel, and Julia bound.
My Brother and my Sister Pris'ners too!
They cannot sure discover me through this
Disguise; however Ile not Venture it.
[Steps behind the Trees.
2 Rob.
This Gentleman and Lady
[To Gonsalvo privately.
My Fellows bound.
[Exit Robber.
Man.
We must prepare to Dye;
This is the Captain of the Picarons.
Jul.
Me-thinks he looks like one; I have a strange
Aversion to that Man; He's fatal to me.
Gons.
I ne'r saw Excellence in Woman-kind
[Stares on her.
Till now, and yet discern it at the first:
Perfection is discover'd in a moment.
He that ne'r saw the Sun before, yet knows him.
Jul.
How the Villain stares upon me!
Gons.
Wonder prepares my Soul, and then Love enters:
But wonder is so close pursu'd by Love,
That like a Fire it warms as soon as born.
5
If we must Dye, what need these Circumstances?
Jul.
Heav'n defend me from him.
Gons.
Why Madam, can you doubt a Rudeness from me?
Your very Fears and Griefs create an awe,
Such Majesty they bear; me-thinks I see
Your Soul retir'd within her inmost Chamber,
Like a fair Mourner sit in State, with all
The silent Pomp of Sorrow round about her.
Man.
Your Language does express a Man bred up
To worthier ways than those you follow now:
Gons.
What does he mean?
[Aside,
Man.
If (as it seems) you Love; Love is a passion
Which kindles honour into noble Acts:
Restore my Sisters liberty; oblige her,
And see what Gratitude will work.
Gons.
All this is stranger yet.
Man.
What ere a Brothers power
To morrow can do for you, claim it boldly.
Gons.
I know not why you think your selves my Pris'ners;
This Ladies freedome is a thing too precious
To be dispos'd by any but her Self:
But value this small Service as you please,
Which you reward too Prodigally, Ly
Permitting me to Pay her more.
Jul.
Love from an Out-law? from a Villain love?
If I have that pow'r on thee thou pretend'st,
Go and persue thy Mischiefs, but presume not
To follow me:—come Brother.
[Exeunt Julia, Manuel.
Gons.
Those foul names of Out-law, and of Villain,
I never did deserve: They raise my wonder.
[Walks.
Dull that I was, not to find this before?
She took me for the Captain of the Robbers:
It must be so; Ile tell her her mistake.
Goes out hastily, and returns immediately.
She's gone, She's gone, and who or whence she is
I cannot tell; me-thinks she should have left
A Track so bright I might have follow'd her;
Like setting Suns that Vanish in a Glory.
O Villain that I am! O hated Villain!
6
Hip.
I cannot suffer you to wrong your self
So much; for though I do not know your Person,
Your Actions are too fair, too noble, Sir,
To merit that foul Name:
Gons.
Prithee do not flatter me, I am a Villain,
That admirable Lady said I was.
Hip.
I fear you Love her, Sir.
Gons.
No, no; not Love her:
Love is the name of some more gentle passion;
Mine is a Fury grown up in a moment
To an extremity, and lasting in it:
An heap of Powder set on Fire, and burning
As long as any ordinary Fewel.
Hip.
How could he Love so soon? and yet alas!
What cause have I to ask that question?
Who lov'd him the first Minute that I saw him:
I cannot leave him thus, though I perceive
His heart ingag'd another way.
[Aside.
Sir, can you have such pity on my Youth,
[To him.
On my forsaken, and my helpless Youth,
To take me to your Service?
Gons.
Would'st thou serve
A Mad-man? how can he take care of thee
Whom Fortune and his Reason have abandon'd?
A Man that saw, and Lov'd, and disoblig'd,
Is Banish'd, and is Mad, all in a moment.
Hip.
Yet you alone have Title to my Service;
You make me Yours by your preserving me:
And that's the title Heav'n has to Mankind.
Gons.
Prithee no more.
Hip.
I know your Mistriss too:
Gons.
Ha! dost thou know the person I adore?
Answer me quickly; Speak, and Ile receive thee:
Hast thou no Tongue?
Hip.
Why, Did I say I knew her?
7
To Live with-him, is but to be Unhappy.
[Aside.
Gons.
Thou false and lying Boy, to say thou knewst her;
Prethee say something, though thou Cosen'st me.
Hip.
Since you will know, her name is Julia, Sir,
And that young Gentleman you saw, her Brother,
Don Manuel de Torres.
Gons.
Say I should take thee, Boy, and should employ thee
To that fair Lady, wouldst thou serve me faithfully?
Hip.
You ask me an hard question; I can Dye
For you, perhaps I cannot Woo so well.
Gons.
I knew thou wouldst not do't.
Hip.
I swear I would:
But, Sir, I grieve to be the Messenger
Of more unhappy News; She must be Married
This Day to one Don Rodorick de Sylva,
Betwixt whom and her Brother there has been
A long (and it was thought a mortal) Quarrel,
But now it must for ever end in Peace:
For hapning both to Love each others Sisters,
They have concluded it in a cross Marriage;
Which, in the Pallace of Don Rodorick,
They went to Celebrate from their Country-house,
When, taken by the Thieves, you rescu'd them.
Gons.
Me-thinks I am grown patient on a suddain;
And all my Rage is gone: Like losing Gamesters
Who fret and storm, and swear at little Losses:
But, when they see all hope of Fortune vanish'd,
Submit and gain a Temper by their Ruine.
Hip.
Would you could cast this Love, which troubles you
Out of your mind.
Gons.
I cannot Boy; but since
Her Brother, with intent to Cozen me,
Made me the promise of his best assistance;
Ile take some course to be reveng'd of him.
Is going out,
But stay, I charge thee, Boy, discover not
To any who I am;
8
Alas, I cannot, Sir, I know you not.
Gons.
Why, there's it; I am Mad again; Oh Love!
Hip.
Oh Love!
[Exeunt ambo.
Scene the Second.
Enter two Servants of Don Rodorick's, placing Chairs, and Talking as they place them.1 Serv.
Make ready quickly there; Don Manuel
And his fair Sister, that must be our Lady,
Are coming in.
2.
They have been long expected;
'Tis Evening now, and the Canonique hours
For Marriage are past.
1.
The nearer Bed-time
The better still; my Lord will not deferr it:
He swears the Clergy are no fit Judges
Of our Necessities.
2.
Where is my Lord?
1.
Gone out to meet his Bride.
2.
I wonder that my Lady Angellina
Went not with him, She's to be Married too.
1.
I do not think she Fancies much the Man;
Only, to make the Reconcilement perfect
Betwixt the Families, she's Passive in it;
The choice being but her Brother's, not her Own.
2.
Troth, wer't my case, I car'd not who chose for me:
1.
Nor I; 'twould save the Process of a tedious Passion,
A long Law-suit of Love, which quite consumes
An honest Lover ere he gets of Possession:
I would come plump, and fresh, and all my Self,
Serv'd up to my Brides Bed like a fat Fowl,
Before the Frost of Love had nipt me through.
I look on Wives as on good dull Companions,
For elder Brothers to Sleep out their time with;
All we can hope for in the Marriage-bed,
9
Who lays my Pillow for me.
Enter a Poet with Verses.
2.
Now, what's your business Friend?
Poet.
An Epithalamium, to the Noble Bridegrooms.
1.
Let me see; Whats here? as I live
[Takes it.
Nothing but down-right Bawdry: Sirrah, Rascal,
Is this an Age for Ribaldry in Verse?
When every Gentleman in Town, speaks it
With so much better grace, than thou canst write it:
I'le beat thee with a staff of thy own own Rhimes.
Poet.
Nay, Good Sir?
[Runs off, and Exit.
2.
Peace, They are here.
Enter Don Rodorick, Don Manuel, Julia, and Company.
1.
My Lord looks sullenly, and fain would hide it.
2.
Howe'r he weds Don Manuels Sister, yet
I fear he's hardly reconcil'd to him.
Jul.
I tremble at it still.
Rod.
I must confess
Your danger great: But, Madam, since 'tis past
To speak of it were to renew your Fears.
My noble Brother, welcome to my Breast.
Some call my Sister; say, Don Manuel
Her Bridegroom waits.
Man.
Tell her, in both the Houses
There now remains no Enemy but she.
Rod.
In the mean time lets Dance; Madam, I hope
You'l grace me with your Hand:—
Enter Leonora, Woman to Angellina; Takes the two Men aside.
Leon.
O Sir, my Lady Angellina!
Rod.
Why comes she not?
10
Is fall'n extreamly Sick.
Both.
How!
Leon.
Nay, Trouble not your selves too much,
These Fits are usual with Her; and not Dangerous.
Rod.
O rarely Counterfeited.
[Aside.
Man.
May not I see her?
Leon.
She does by me, deny her Self that honour.
[As she Speaks steals a Note into his hand.
I shall return, I hope, with better News;
In the mean time she prays, you'l not disturb
The Company.
[Exit Leonora.
Rod.
This troubles me exceedingly.
Man.
A Note put privately into my hand
By Angellina's Woman? She's my Creature:
There's something in't; I'l read it to my Self.—
[Aside.
Rod.
Brother, what Paper's that?
Man.
Some begging Verses
Deliver'd me this Morning on my Wedding.
Rod.
Pray let me see 'um:
Man.
I have many Copies,
Please you to entertain your Self with these.
[Gives him another Paper.
Please you to entertain your Self with these.
[Manuel reads.
Sir,
My Lady feigns this Sickness to delude you:
Her Brother hates you still; and the Plot is,
That he shall Marry first your Sister,
And then deny you his.—
Yours Leonora.—
Her Brother hates you still; and the Plot is,
That he shall Marry first your Sister,
And then deny you his.—
Yours Leonora.—
Postcript.
Since I writ this, I have so wrought upon her,(Who of her Self, is Timorous enough)
That she believes her Brother will betray her,
Or else be forc'd to give her up to You;
Therefore, unknown to him, she means to Fly:
Come to the Garden door at seven this Evening,
And there you may Surprize her; mean time I
Will keep her ignorant of all things, that
Her fear may still Increase.
11
Rod.
How now? how does your Lady?
Leon.
So ill, she cannot possibly wait on you.
Man.
Kind Heav'n give me her Sickness.
Rod.
Those are wishes:
What's to be done?
Man.
We must deferr our Marriages.
Rod.
Leonora, now!
[Aside to her.
Leon.
My Lady, Sir, has absolutely charg'd
Her Brother's should go forward.
Rod.
Absolutely!
Leon.
Expresly, Sir, because she says there are
So many honourable Persons here,
Whom to Defraud of their intended Mirth,
And of each others Company, were rude:
So hoping your Excuse.
[Exit Leonora.
Rod.
That privilege of Pow'r which Brothers have
In Spain, I never us'd: Therefore submit
My Will to hers, but with much sorrow, Sir;
My happiness should go before, not wait
On yours: Lead on.
Man.
Stay, Sir, though your fair Sister in respect
To this Assembly seems to be content
Your Marriage should proceed, we must not want
So much good Manners as to suffer it.
Rod.
So much good manners, Brother?
Man.
—I have said it.
Should we to show our Sorrow for her Sickness,
Provoke our easie Souls to careless Mirth,
As if our drunken Revels were design'd
For joy of what she Suffers?
Rod.
'Twill be over
In a few Days.
Man.
Your stay will be the less.
Rod.
All things are now in Readiness, and must not
Be put off, for a peevish Humour thus.
12
They must; or I shall think you mean not fairly:
Rod.
Explain your Self.
Man.
That you would Marry first,
And afterwards refuse me Angellina.
Rod.
—Think so.
Man.
You are
Rod.
Speak softly.
Man.
A foul Villain.
Rod.
Then—
Man.
Speak softly.
Rod.
I'l find a time to tell you, you are one.
Man.
'Tis well.
Ladies, you wonder at our private Whispers,
[To the company.
But more will wonder when you know the cause;
The Beauteous Angellina is fall'n Ill;
And since she cannot with her presence grace
This days Solemnity, the Noble Rodorick
Thinks fit it be Deferr'd, till she recover;
Then, we both hope to have your Companies.
Lad.
Wishing her Health, we take our Leaves.
[Exeunt company.
Rod.
Your Sister yet will Marry me.
Man.
She will not: come hither Julia:
Jul.
What strange afflicting News is this you tell us?
Man.
'Twas all this false Man's Plot, that when he had
Possest you, he might cheat me of his Sister?
Jul.
Is this true, Rodorick? Alas his silence
Does but too much confess it: How I blush
To own that Love I cannot yet take from thee!
Yet for my Sake be Friends.
Man.
'Tis now too late:
I am by honour hinder'd.
Rod.
I by hate.
Jul.
What shall I do?
Man.
Leave him, and come away;
Thy Virtue bids thee.
Jul.
But Love bids me stay.
13
Her Love's so like my Own, that I should blame
The Brothers passion in the Sisters flame.
Rodorick, we shall meet—He little thinks
I am as sure this Night of Angellina,
As he of Julia.
[Aside.
[Exit Manuel.
Rod.
Madam, To what an Extasie of Joy
Your Goodness raises me! This was an act
Of Kindness which no Service e'r can pay.
Jul.
Yes, Rodorick, 'tis in your Pow'r to quit
The Debt you owe me.
Rod.
Do but name the way.
Jul.
Then briefly thus, 'tis to be just to me
As I have been to you.
Rod.
You cannot doubt it.
Jul.
You know I have adventur'd for your sake
A Brothers anger, and the Worlds opinion:
I Value neither; for a setled Virtue
Makes it self Judge, and satisfy'd within,
Smiles at that common Enemy, the World.
I am no more affraid of flying Censures,
Than Heav'n of being Fir'd with mounting Sparkles.
Rod.
But wherein must my Gratitude consist?
Jul.
Answer your Self, by thinking what is fit
For me to do.
Rod.
By Marriage, to confirm
Our mutual Love.
Jul.
Ingratefull Rodorick!
Canst thou name Marriage, while thou entertain'st
A Hatred so unjust against my Brother?
Rod.
But, unkind Julia, you know the causes
Of Love and Hate are hid deep in our Stars,
And none but Heav'n can give account of both.
Jul.
Too well, I know it; for my Love to thee
Is Born by Inclination, not by Judgment;
And makes my Virtue shrink within my heart,
As loath to leave it, and as loath to mingle.
Rod.
What would you have me do?
14
Since I must tell thee,
Lead me to some near Monastery; there,
(Till Heav'n find out some way to make us Happy)
I shall be kept in safety from my Brother:
Rod.
But more from me; What hopes can Rodorick have,
That she who leaves him freely, and unforc'd,
Should ever of her own accord return?
Jul.
Thou hast too great assurance of my Faith,
That in despight of my own Self I love thee;
Be friends with Manuel, I am thine, till when
My Honour's;—Lead me.
[Exeunt.
Scene the Third.
Enter Don Manuel, Solus.The Scene is the Representation of a Street discover'd by Twilight.
Man.
This is the time and place where I expect
My fugitive Mistress; if I meet with her
I may forget the wrongs her Brother did me:
If otherwise, his Blood shall expiate them.
I hope her Woman keeps her Ignorant
How all things pass'd, according to her promise.
A door opens—Enter Angellina in Boys Cloaths. Leonora behind at the Door.
Leon.
I had forgot to tell him of this Habit
She has put on; but sure hee'l know her in it.
[Aside.
Man.
Who goes there?
Ang.
'Tis Don Manuels Voice; I must run back:
The Door shut on me? Leonora, Where?
Does she not follow me?—I am betray'd.
Man.
What are you?
Ang.
A poor Boy.
15
Do you belong to Rodorick?
Ang.
Yes, I do.
Man.
Here's Money for you, tell me where's his Sister:
Ang.
Just now I met her coming down the stairs,
Which lead into the Garden.
Man.
'Tis well, leave me
In silence.
Ang.
With all my heart; Was ever such a scape!
[Exit. running.
Man.
She cannot now be long; sure by the Moon-shine
I shall discover her:
Enter Rodorick, and Julia.
This must be she; Ile seize her.
Jul.
Help me, Rodorick;
Rod.
Unhand the Lady, Villain.
Man.
Rodorick!
I'm glad we meet alone; now is the time
To end our Difference.
Rod.
I cannot stay.
Man.
You must.
Rod.
I will not:
Man.
'Tis base to injure any Man; but yet
'Tis far more base, once done not to defend it.
Rod.
Is this an hour for Valiant Men to Fight?
They love the Sun should witness what they do;
Cowards have Courage when they see not Death:
And fearfull Hares, that sculk in forms all Day,
Yet Fight their feeble Quarrels by the Moon-light.
Man.
No, Light and Darkness are but poor distinctions
Of such, whose Courage comes by fits and starts.
Rod.
Thou urgest me above my patience:
This minute of my Life was not my own,
But hers I love beyond it:
They draw, and Fight.
Jul.
Help, help; none hear me!
16
O Rodorick! O Brother!—
Enter Gonsalvo, and Hippolito.
Jul.
Who ere you are, if you have honour part 'um.—
[Manuel stumbles, and falls.
Gons.
Hold, Sir, you are too Cruel; he that Kills
At such advantage fears to Fight again.
[Holds Rodorick.
Man.
Cavalier, I may Live to thank you for this favour.
[Rises.
Rod.
I will not quit you so.
Man.
Ile breath, and then—
Jul.
Is there no way to save their Lives?
Hip.
Run out of sight,
If 'tis concerning you they Quarrel.
[Julia retires to a Corner.
Hip.
Help, help, as you are Cavaliers; the Lady
For whom you thus contend, is seiz'd by some
Night-robbing Villains.
All.
Which way took they?
Hip.
'Twas so dark I could not see distinctly:
Rod.
Let us divide; I this way.
[Exit.
Gons.
Down yonder street Ile take.
Man.
And I down that.
[Exeunt severally.
Hip.
Now, Madam, may we not lay by our fear?
They are all gone.
Jul.
'Tis true, but we are here,
Expos'd to Darkness without guide or aid,
But of our selves.
Hip.
And of our selves affraid.
Jul.
These dangers while 'twas Light I could despise,
Then I was Bold; but watch'd by many Eyes:
Ah! could not Heav'n for Lovers find a way,
That prying People still might sleep by Day.
17
Hip.
Me-thinks I'm certain I discover some;
Jul.
This was your speaking of 'um made 'um come.
Hip.
There is but one, perhaps he may go by.
Ang.
Where had I courage for this bold disguise,
Which more my Nature than my Sex belies?
Alas! I am betraid to darkness here;
Darkness which Virtue hates, and Maids most fear:
Silence and Solitude dwell every where:
Doggs cease to bark; the Waves more faintly roar,
And rowl themselves asleep upon the Shore:
No noise but what my Foot-steps make, and they
Sound dreadfully, and Louder than by Day:
They double too, and every step I take
Sounds thick me-thinks, and more than one could make.
Ha! Who are these?
I wish'd for Company, and now I fear.
Who are you gentle People that go there?
Jul.
His Voice is soft as is the upper Air,
Or dying Lovers words: O pity us.
Ang.
O pity me! Take freely as your own
My Gold, my Jewels; spare my Life alone.
Hip.
Alas he fears as much as we.
Jul.
What say you
Sir, Will you joyn with us.
Amid.
Yes Madam, but
If you would take my Sword, you'l use it better.
Hip.
I, But you are a Man.
Amid.
Why, so are you:
Hip.
Truly my fear had made me quite forget it.
Enter Gonsalvo.
Gons.
Hippolito! How barbarous was I
To leave my Boy! Hippolito!
Hip.
Here, here.
18
Jul.
What is become Sir, of those Gentlemen?
Gons.
Madam, They all went several ways; not like
To meet.
Jul.
What will become of me!
Gons.
'Tis late,
And I a stranger in the Town: yet all
Your dangers shall be mine.
Jul.
You'r noble, Sir.
Gons.
I'l pawn the hopes of all my Love, to see
You safe.
Jul.
Who ere your Mistress be, she has
My curses if, she prove not Kind.
Ang.
And mine.
Hip.
My Sister will repent her when she knows
For whom she makes that Wish; but I'l say nothing
Till Day discovers it: A Door opens,
[Aside.
I hope it is some Inn.
[A Door opens, at which a Servant appears.
Ang.
Friend, can you Lodge us here?
Serv.
Yes Friend, we can:
Jul.
How shall we be dispos'd?
Serv.
As Nature would;
The Gentleman and you: I have a rule,
That when a Man and Woman ask for Lodging
They are ever Husband and Wife.
Jul.
Rude and Unmanner'd:
Gons.
Sir, this Lady must be Lodged apart:
Serv.
Then the two Boys that are good for nothing
But one another, they shall go together.
Ang.
Lye with a Man? sweet Heav'n defend me!
Hip.
Alas, friend, I ever lye alone.
Serv.
Then to save trouble, Sir, because 'tis late
One of the Youths shall be dispos'd with you.
Ang.
Who I! not for the World.
Hip.
Neither of us; for though I would not Lodge with you
My self; I never can indure he should.
Ang.
Why then, to end the difference, if you please
19
Hip.
No, She and I will Lodge together rather.
Serv.
You are sweet Youths indeed; not for the World
You would not Lodge with Men! none but the Lady
Would serve your turn.
Ang.
Alas I had forgot I am a Boy;
I am so lately one.
[Aside.
Serv.
Well, well; all shall be Lodg'd apart.
Gons.
to Hip.
I did not think you Harbour'd wanton thoughts:
So young, so Bad!
Hip.
I can make no defence
But must be sham'd by my own Innocence.
Exeunt omnes.
The Rival Ladies | ||