University of Virginia Library

The SCENE an Out-lying rustick Part.
Enter a Ruffian and his Trull.
Ruff.

“A plague upon these Rogues, how wary they are grown;
not a Door open now, but double-barr'd and chain'd;
nor a Window, but skreen'd up with a Case of Wood like a Spice-Box;
and their Locks unpickable.

Trull.

“Hang thee, thou'rt too great a Bungler at thy Trade, too
merciful, that's thy Fault; thou art as sweet a Thief, that Sin excepted,
as ever suffer'd; that's a proud Word, and I'll maintain it.

Ruff.

“Come, prithee let's shog off, and browze an Hour or two;
'tis too near Morning now for any Prize.

Doll.

“I'll be hang'd before I stir without some Purchase.

Enter Viola.
Ruff.

“Peace, ye fleed Whore, thou hast a Mouth like a Blood-Hound;
here comes a Nightshade.

Doll.

“A Gentlewoman Whore, by this good Owl-light. I'll
case her to her Skin.

Ruff.

“Peace, I say.

Viol.
“Oh poor cheap Viola! this little Beauty,
“Some little Treasure too, and my rich Love,
“A Dow'r so infinite, slighted and despised
“For one dark Night's debauch!—Where shall I wander?—
“Back to my Father I must ne'er return.
“Our jealous Nation never pardons Crimes
“Of my deep Die, a Rebel Daughter's Flight—
“Thus far thro' Shades and Night I've past secure:
“When Day shall rise to light my farther Walk
“I'll seek some honest Service, there my Name,
“My Folly, and my little Wealth conceal'd,
“Under that safe Retreat, when I have studied
“If possible to forget this faithless Man:
For my last Refuge I'll t'a Cloyster fly,
Banish'd from Love, a widow'd Virgin dye.

Ruff.

“What's this, a Prayer or a Homily? or a Ballad of good
Counsel?—A Gown she has, I'm sure.

Doll.

Ay, her Pray'rs she may keep for her own wearing. But
that falls to our Share.

Viol.

“For Heav'n's sake, what are you?

Ruff.

“One of the Grooms of your Wardrobe. Come, uncase,
uncase.

Viol.

“Pray, do not hurt me, Sir!

Ruff.

No, Child, no hurt; only lighten a little of your outside
Burden, to give you a Taste of a cool Morning Breeze.

Viol.

“Here take my Gown if that will do you Pleasure.

Doll.

“So, now be quick and bind her; make all safe.

Ruff.

“Come, I must bind you: Not a Word, no crying.

Viol.

“Do what you will, indeed I will not cry.

[They bind her to a Tree.
Ruff.

Now for the Lining of your Petticoats: Your Pockets, Gypsey,
your Pockets.

Viol.
Dear Heaven, my Jewels.

[Aside.
Val.
[Within]
“Why, Sancho, Rascal, what makes you lag behind!

Ruff.
Ha! We are betray'd: Scour, Strumpet, scour.

Doll.
Run, Rogue, run.

[Exeunt running.
Viol.
This Voice, kind Heav'n, spoke timely to preserve
My little Treasure; but my Reputation
That dearer Jewel's lost. For oh, what Load
Of Shame will this unhappy Night throw on me.

Enter Valerio.
Val.
“Sirrah, Lead down the Horses easily.
“I'll walk a Foot till I get down the Hill. 'Tis very early,
“I shall reach home betimes. How now! who's here?
“He had a rude Heart that did this.

Viol.
“Gentle Sir,
“If you have that which honest Men call Pity,
“And be as far from Evil as you shew,
“Help a poor Maid that this Night by bad Fortune
“Has been thus used by Robbers.

Val.
“Beshrew his Heart that wou'd not help thee, Sweet one.—
“This Thief was half a Lawyer by his Bonds.
“How long have you been ty'd here?

Viol.
Not so long
As otherwise I had been, had not Heav'n
Sent your propitious Hand to my Deliverance—

[Unbinds her.
Val.
“Now let me know to whom I have done this Courtesy,
“That I may thank my early rising for it.

Viol.
“Sir, all I am, you see.

Val.
“You have a Name I'm sure, a Kindred, Father, Friend,
“Or something that must own you. She's a handsome young Wench.

Viol.
“Sir, you see all I dare reveal, and as
“You are a Gentleman press me no farther:
“For there begins a Grief, whose Bitterness
“Will break a stronger Heart than I have in me;
“And 'twou'd but make you heavy with the hearing.
“For your own Goodness-sake, desire it not.

Val.
“If you'd not have me inquire that, how do you live then!

Viol.
“How I have liv'd is still one Question,
“That must not be resolv'd.
“How I desire to live is in your liking,
“So worthy an Opinion I have of you.

Val.
“Is in my Liking! How, I prethee? Tell me. Faith,
“I'll do thee any Good lies in my Pow'r.
“She has an Eye wou'd raise a Bedrid Man.
[Aside.
“Come, leave your Fear, and tell me.

Viol.
“I wou'd serve.

Val.
“Who wou'd'st thou serve! Nay, do not weep, and tell me.

Viol.
“Serve some good Woman, Sir, and such a Wife,
“If you be married, I imagine yours.

Val.
“Alas, thou'rt young and tender—Let me see thy Hand.
“This was ne'er made to wash or wind up Water,
“Beat Cloaths, or rub a Floor—By this good Light
“The softest Hand that e'er I touch'd.

[Aside.
Viol.
“Dare you accept me, Sir, my Heart is honest.
“Amongst your vertuous charitable Deeds
“This will not be the least.

Val.
“Thou can'st in a Chamber!—

Viol.
“In a Chamber, Sir?

Val.
“I mean wait there upon a Gentlewoman!
“How quick she is! I like that mainly too;
“I'll have her tho' I keep her by main Strength,
Aside.
“Like a Town besieg'd: For I know I shall have the Enemy afore me in a Week.

Viol.
“Sir, I can few too, and make pretty Laces;
“Dress a Head handsom, teach young Gentlewomen:
“For in all these I have a little Knowledge.

Val.
“'Tis well: No doubt I shall increase that Knowledge.
“I like her better still: How she provokes me!
[Aside.
“Pretty young Maid, you shall serve a good Gentlewoman, tho' I say't
“That will not be unwilling you should please me;
“Nor I forgetful if you do.

Viol.
“I am the happier.

Val.
“My Man shall make some shift to carry you behind him.
“I'll work her as I go, I know she's Wax.
“I could beget a Worthy on this Wench.

[Aside.
Viol.
Sir, for this Gentleness Heav'n ten fold requite you.

Val.
“'Tis a kind Wench. However others use thee,
“Be Sure I'll be a loving Master to thee.