 | The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery |  |
Scene I.
Fernando's House.Fernando meeting Fabian in a Friars Habit.
Fer.
How now, Son, what News with you? Bless you,
bless you—tho' I am but in an indifferent humor,
of Blessing at present.
Fab.
Sir, I come out of my Duty to see you.
Fer.
Why, that's well: I am lusty, as to that matter still,
but your Sister, like a vagrant, a vagabond Jade, is run away
from me: Let her alone, see who'll have the worst on't; thy
Estate will be the better for it by some Thousands.
Fab.
Alas! my Estate, Sir! I have done with the things of
this World.
Fer.
Nay, I don't perswade you; I wou'd not go about
to alter your Holy resolution—But a Scurvy Jade! if I had
known of her Disobedience a little sooner, I cou'd have the better
afforded to have been kinder to thee—
Fab.
You have been kinder than I deserv'd, in forgiving
me.
Fer.
For I am afraid I was not so kind as I shou'd have been
to thee—ha?
Fab.
O dear Sir.
Indeed I am; there might be faults on my side; If
truth wou'd out, I believe I lov'd my Money a little too well,
did I not? ha?
Fab.
I did not deserve it, Sir.
Fer.
But I'll make thee amends. We old Fellows seldom
think of doing good for our Children, till they are out of the
way of receiving it. Well, and how dost thou like a Religious
Life? ha?
Fab.
Very well, Sir.
Fer.
Why, very well, 'tis better than rambling up and down
the Town, spending thy time and Money with the Prophane.
When I die, I shall leave a swinging Legacy to the Monastery,
upon thy account.
Fab.
Upon your own, Sir, we shall pray for you.
Fer.
No, no, I'll not put you to the trouble.
Fab.
And help you out of Purgatory.
Fer.
Ah! my Purgatory is in this World; and a young
Wife my Tormenter. Good Son call her to me.
[Exit Fabian.
Let me see, I have lost my Daughter, but then I have saved
my Money; all Daughters are lost to their Parents, one time
or other; why then the cheapest way of getting rid of 'em, is
always the best for the Family. If Frederick has got her, and
will play the Honourable Fool to Marry her, for Love, that is,
without a Penny of Portion; he is in the way of repenting his
Bargain, and not I, I take it; but then I shou'd have Married
her to my old Friend Francisco—why, my old Friend Francisco
is luckily rid of a damn'd young Wife, that wou'd as certainly
have made him a—
Enter Julia and Fabian.
Jul.
A what, Husband? as who? you are always bringing
your filthy Comparisons into the Family: You put this business
so often into my Head, it may fan upon your own, one
day.
Fer.
Fie, fie, Wife, I did not mean thee; that undutiful
Daughter of mine I was reflecting upon; bless us! I warrant
you; what a Penitent she will be in a little time! We shall
have her come, with her looks down, and her Belly up, full of
Jul.
Not if she be wise: What Woman that has but the
least sense of what it is to be happy, would not prefer want,
hunger, any thing, to such an intollerable Slavery?
Fer.
Why then you are of her opinion, it seems?
Jul.
Have a care of making me so.
Fer.
I shall have a care of other Peoples making you so.
Jul.
Jealousie, and ill Usage may do much.
Fer.
A good opportunity may do more.
Jul.
One with the other, Husband.
Fer.
Wou'd make you run away from your Husband? ha?
Jul.
Ay, and run to another Man too; any thing, if my
Virtue would permit me.
Fer.
Your Virtue! ah! when I stand to the mercy of your
Virtue, I'll be contented to fall by that folly: No, no, I have
a trick worth two on't: I'll keep you out of the temptation,
and then 'tis not much matter whether you have any Virtue,
or no.
Jul.
Pray, do, lock me up, that your Neighbours may
know you dare not trust me at your Kinsmans Wedding.
Fab.
Sir, you and my Mother are invited: Villeroy is your
Relation, and will take it ill, if you don't go.
Fer.
Yes, yes, Wife, we will go—
Fab.
Or I shall be disappointed.
[Aside.
Fer.
Hanging days are commonly Holy-days; I love to see
the execution of a Husband: They have had their jest long
enough upon me, I shall be glad to laugh in my turn. Besides,
'tis a publick Wedding, is it not?
Jul.
Why, What's that to the purpose?
Fab.
'Tis kept publickly.
Fer.
Why so much the better; there's less danger of you,
Wife: These publick Entertainments seldom do any body
hurt, but those that make 'em. All the young Fellows I know
will be designing upon the New Married Woman; you must
not take it ill, Wife; every one in their turn, you have had
yours already. When the Husband invites, 'tis a sort of a
mannerly gratitude to be civil to his Wife.
They say indeed, whoever dances with the Bride, the
Husband pays the Fidler.
Fer.
Ay, ay, let 'em all dance with her, if Cuckolds would
honestly declare themselves, their number would go near to
keep 'em in countenance: I hope to see 'em so much in fashion,
that no body may laugh at his Neighbour.
[Exeunt.
| The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery | |