 | Neglected Virtue : or, the Vnhappy Conquerour |  |
SCENE I.
A Town.Enter Bretton, Lycastes, Castilio Junior, with Officers.
Lyc.
My Lord, I cannot help complaining at the injust manner of
your Proceedings; I do assure you, Sir, I am as much concern'd
for the loss of your Daughter as you can be, and on my Honour
will join with you in the search of her:
Cast. Jun.
Pish, pish, ne'er mind him, my Lord, he's a cunning Warener,
and has more Burrows than one I dare ingage for him.
Brett.
I am resolv'd I will not leave a House unsearch'd in the whole
City till I've found her.
I will assist your Lordship, but for you, Sir, I'le call you to an
account some other time.
Cast. Jun.
Prithee what care I what thou dost, what the Devil, when
a Man's Mare's broke out of his Ground, won't you allow him the liberty
of looking after her?
Enter Amadine in Boy's Cloathes.
Am.
So, Heaven be thank'd, I'me got safe hitherto, let me but come
once to the Arms of my dear Lycastes and I am happy; ha! bless me,
what do I see! my Father and his Myrmidons! what will become of
me? If I offer to go 'twill shew suspicious, I must stand the brunt let
what will come on't.
Brett.
How now, what Boy is that? come hither Sirrah.
Am.
Then what a most glorious Sight 'twill be, to see me riding
upon one of the Horns o'th'Moon; To have my Palace made of Amber,
and a hundred little twinkling Stars for my Attendance.
Brett.
What a Devil is the Boy mad?
Cast. Jun.
I don't know that, but I am sure his Discourse is above
my Understanding.
Brett.
Harke'e Child, dost thou dwell here in the City?
Am.
Yes an't please you Sir, but I am going to remove my Habitation:
I have an Authority from Jove to be a Cloud-maker, and Juno
has promised me an Apartment in her own Court.
Lyc.
Alas, the poor Child's Lunatick; I think 'twere well to send
him to the Hospital of Madfolks till we can learn what Family he is of.
Am.
Heaven grant you wou'd, for I'me sure I shall be mad outright,
unless I escape these watchfull Dragons.
Brett.
Nay, nay, look ye, my Passion is not so great as to lessen my
Charity, and indeed I think my self bound in duty, as I am in Authority,
to succour the Unfortunate.
Hey day, what the Devil have we here?
Cast. Jun.
Gad I don't know, it's half Fish half Flesh I believe:
Lyc.
I suppose 'tis one of the Amazonian Ladies lately arriv'd at Court.
Ari.
Ha! I find the House is beset, Lycastes there, and my Cozen not
among 'em? then do I begin to fear every thing has not happen'd
right.
Well, I'le be going; pray Gentleman, if Juno, Jove, or Mercury
inquire for me, tell 'em I am but just gone to Cupid's Palace, and will
attend 'em in Counsell immediately.
Brett.
Here, one of you take the Boy; let him be kept safe in the
Hospital, till further enquiry be made of him.
Cast. Jun.
Ay, ay, don't let us be troubl'd with other peoples Madness.
[Exit Amadine.
Ari.
As I live 'tis she: now Brain assist me, and if I find not some
way to fit this Politician, may I dye a Maid when my Mind's brimfull
of Matrimony. Your Servant, Sir.
Cast. Jun.
Your Servant, Sir, or Madam; or Madam, and Sir; for
by my troth you may be both for ought I know: Pray, what wou'd
you have with me?
Ari.
You have lost a Mistress if I am not mistaken, Sir.
Cast. Jun.
No faith Child, I'le answer for thee thou art not mistaken
in that; but I'me much mistaken if you can tell me how to get her
agen.
Ari.
Indeed Sir but I can.
Brett.
How, how's that, Madam? Pray take pity on a poor fond
Father, that has lost an only Child.
Ari.
Your Daughter left you Sir this very moment.
Brett.
If that be the best of your Intelligence pray do you leave us
too; what the Devil have we not been in search of her these 8 hours?
Ari.
Why that same little thing you thought a mad Boy was Amadine
your Daughter.
Brett.
What, you know her then?
Ari.
Yes, 'twas I helpt her to make her Escape; but I having since
consider'd what a great Grief so loving a Father must of necessity have
for so sweet a Daughter, thought it my Duty to acquaint you where
she was, that you might justly punish her Disobedience.
Enter Simpson.
Brett.
How now Cozen, what News bring you? have you heard
ought of my Daughter yet?
Coz.
Only this, Sir; we took her Cloathes with a young Youth,
who said the Person that left them had a Suit of his in the Room of
'em.
Prithee peace, the lost Sheep's heard of, come, come, Father-in-law,
let's make haste after her, for who knows as mad as she
pretends to be, but she may have wit enough to give us the goe-by
once agen.
Brett.
Ay, ay, come Co en and Gentlemen, Mr. Lycastes, we discharge
you, and for you, Madam, for this singular Favour, I shall be
very proud you would command my House.
Cast. Jun.
And do me the Honour too Dame at my Wedding.
Ari.
How now Lycastes, what's the occasion of your Melancholy?
Lyc.
You have undone me.
Ari.
What in letting you know where to find your lost Mistress?
Lyc.
In letting me know I have for ever lost her.
Ari.
Never trouble thy self for that, but take my word for it thou
sha't have her.
Lyc.
How!
Ari.
Ariena says it, and it shall be so.
Lyc.
Ariena!
Ari.
The very same; come, come, we have no time for Talking,
we must be at the Heels of 'em, and if I don't perform my Promise to
thee, may I be sixty odd before any Man makes his Address to me.
[Exeunt.
Enter Artaban, solus, Disguis'd.
Arta.
The Great Alcides, when of old surpriz'd,
Amongst the Lydian Dames his Warlike Limbs,
Wrapt in soft Silks, and those unconquer'd Hands
Wielding the Distaffe, which that Sword had born,
Blush'd less in his, than I in this Disguise.
Oh Phraates, I again will see thy Court,
Tho' my vow'd Death shou'd meet these forward steps;
'Tis better far to feel, than fear our Fate.
Oh Alinda!
For thee my Armour to these Weeds are chang'd,
For thee my Resolution's barr'd, for thee
My very Rage luxuriant grown, is stopt,
Like the great Thunderer, tho' his mounted Arms
Charg'd with Destruction, aiming at his Foes,
By a kind Goddess, whose prevailing Charms
Are far more powerfull than his angry Bolts.
| Neglected Virtue : or, the Vnhappy Conquerour | |