University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Enter Victoria and Olivia.
Vict.
Sister, whatever the matter is, methinks
We don't see half the Company that us'd
To meet here anights, when we were last
In Town.

Oliv.
'Tis true, but methinks 'tis much better than the long
Walk at home: for in my opinion
Half a score young men, and fine Ladies
Well drest, are a greater Ornament to
A Garden, than a Wilderness of Sycamores,
Orange, and Lemmon Trees; and the rustling
Of rich Vests and Silk Pettycoats, better
Musick than the purling of Streams,
Chirping of Birds, or any of our Country
Entertainments: and that I hope the place
Will afford us yet, as soon as the Plays
Are done.

Vict.
Sister, what wou'd you give to see
Estridge come in now?

Oliv.
'Tis impossible, he wou'd not miss his
Devotion to the Park, for all I could give,
Such an Evening as this: besides the two
Garnitures he brought out of France are
Soil'd, his Feather broke, and he has been
So out of humour these two days, there's
No enduring him; he lost his Money too
Last night I hear; and losing Gamesters
Are but ill company.

Vict.
Fye Sister, you make him a saver with
A look; and Fine, in but thinking he is so:
You deserve not so compleat a Servant,
But I hope you'le be as obliging to
His face, as you are severe to him
Behind his back.

Oliv.
The only way to oblige most men
Is to use 'um thus, a little now and then;
Even to their faces, it gives 'um an
Opinion of our wit; and is consequently
A Spur to theirs: the great pleasure
Of Gaming were lost, if we saw one
Anothers hands; and of Love, if we knew one
Anothers Hearts: there would be no room
For good Play in the One, nor for Address
In the Other; which are the refin'd parts
Of both. But what would you give to see Horatio?

Vict.
To see Horatio, as I knew him once,
I would all other happiness renounce;
But he is now anothers, and my aim
Is not to nourish, but to staye my flame:
I dare not hope my Captive to regain,
So many Charms contribute to his Chain.
Althea's Slave, let false Horatio live,
Whilst I for freedom, not for Empire strive.

Oliv.
Fye Sister, leave this Ryming at least.

Enter to them Estridge and Modish.
Estr.
Ladys, it is our wonder to find any body
Here at this time of Day, and no less our
Happiness to meet with you; all the world
Is at the Park, where we had been our
Selves, but that we saw your Livery
At the Gate.

Vict.
I pray let us not keep you here Gentlemen,
Your Mistresses will curse us, and your
Selves too, by and by, if the Garden shou'd
Not fill.

Est.
If we wish any company, Ladies, 'tis for
Your sakes, not our own.

Mod.
For my part I wou'd ne're desire a
Garden fuller than this is now; we
Are two to two, and may be hand to
Hand when you please.

Oliv.
I don't know what you think, but in
My mind the More the Merrier, especially
In these places.

Est.
I, for show, Madam, but it happens in
Great Companys, as at Feasts, we see a
Great deal, and fall to heartily of nothing,
And for the most part rise hungry: and 'tis
With Lovers, Madam, as with great
Bellied Women, if they find what they
Long for, they care not whether there
Be any thing else or no.

Vict.
What in love already? sure the air of
This place is a great softner of mens hearts.

Mod.
How can it chuse, having so many
Lovers sighs daily mixt with it? but 'twere
A much better quality in't, Madam, if
It could incline Ladies to believe, and look
With pity on those flames they raise.

Oliv.
'Tis too early to make Love this two Hours.
Flames and Pity wou'd sound much better
In the Evening.

Mod.
'Tis not with love, Madam, as with meaner
Arguments; I might entertain you with
My passion for an age, and yet have as
Much left for anon, as if I had not
Spoke one word; the Sea is easier emptied
Then a Lovers breast.

Oliv.
What say you, Sir, is this your opinion too?

Est.
Yes faith, Madam, and I think a Lover can
No more say at once, what he hath to
Say to his Mistress, than a man can eat
At once for his whole life time.

Oliv.
Nay, if it be so endless, I should beg of
My Servant, when ever I have one,
E'ne to keep it to himself for altogether.

Est.
There you betray your ignorance,
With your pardon, Madam; to see the
Fair Olivia, and not love her, is not
More impossible, than to love her, and not
Tell her on't. Silent Lovers you may read
Of, and in Romances too, but Heavens
Forbid you shou'd e're meet with any.

Oliv.
If they knew how little they were like
To get by being otherwise, I'm confident
I shou'd meet with none else.

Est.
Well, Madam, I perceive Love, like Wine,
Makes our Discourse seem extravagant
To those that are not wound up to
The same height: But had you any spark
Of what I feel, I should have had
Another Answer.

Oliv.
Why, what Answer?

Est.
Nay, I know not, but some pretty one,
That love wou'd have devis'd for you;
No more to be imagin'd by you now,
Than what you shall talk of next
In your sleep. In the mean time, Ladies,
Will you do us the honour to eat Syllabubs?

Oliv.
Sister, let's go, so they'l promise to say
Nothing but what they think to us when
We are there.

Mod.
You may do what you please, Ned, but 'tis
A liberty I dare not use my self to, for
Fear of an ill habit.

Estr.
You are very confident of our good opinion,
Ladies; I believe there are few women
In Town wou'd accept of our Company
On these terms.

Vict.
Faith, Sister, let's bate 'um that circumstance,
Truth is a thing meerly necessary for witnesses,
And Historians, and in these places doth but
Curb invention, and spoil good Company;
We will only confine 'um to what's
Probable.

Mod.
Content, and I dare swear 'twill be better
For all Parties.

[Exeunt.