University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Tittillinda's Lodgings.
Enter Tittillinda, speaking as she enters to Blousidora.
Titt.
'Tis needless, Blousidora: While you darn
Those stockings, I will mend this ruffled shirt;
For well I know you have your hands full all,
In this so-general wash.—And now for thinking!
[Sits down.
Perhaps, ere now, the fatal moment's past,
And either Abrahamides and I
Are doom'd to misery, or completely blest.
Fain would I hope, but still am check'd by fear;
And yet, who knows? Fortune perhaps may smile:
Then, Tittillinda once again will shine,
Be ever clean, and ever smartly drest;
And fear no more those prudish prying eyes,
Which smile contempt, yet envy me my joys.
Here comes my love.

Enter Abrahamides, hastily.
Abr.
Oh, Tittillinda, all our hopes are lost!

Titt.
Forbid it, love! What, could the Dungs prevail?

Abr.
Eternal curses seize their coward hearts!
Prevail they do; but not by Valour's arm.
This is no time to tell thee now, my love;
For their fell blood-hounds hunt me at the heels.

Titt.
What can I do?

Abr.
Hast thou no secret place,
Where I may lay conceal'd till danger's past?
Home I can ne'er return.

Titt.
Oh, yes, my love;
Within that room a secret closet stands,
That will escape the search of keenest eyes.
Thither retire.
[Noise without.]
We must and will come in!

Abr.
By Heav'n, they're here!
The blood-hounds now have trac'd me to my lair.

[Exit.
Enter two Constables, &c.
Titt.
Well, what's your business?

1st Con.
Madam, we are come
In search of a fell murderer; who, we are told,
Has taken refuge here.

Titt.
I know of none.

2d Con.
Denying him is vain; for he was seen
To enter here.

Titt.
Whom do you mean?

1st Con.
Why, Abrahamides:
You know him well.

Titt.
I do; and what of that?
For twice three days I have not seen him here.

2d Con.
We cannot lose our time: If you refuse
To yield him up, why then we seize on you.

Titt.
I yield him up? No! was he here indeed,
My life should pay the forfeit ere I'd yield him.

2d Con.
Then seize her!

Titt.
Stand off!

Enter Abrahamides, and knocks him down.
Abr.
Hell-hounds, stand off! Behold the man you seek!

1st Con.
Then seize on him!

Titt.
Stand off! Barbarians, hold!
Let me once more enfold him in these arms,
And take one long, one last farewell!

Abr.
Oh, cease;
Nor vainly struggle with our froward fate!—
Lead to my dungeon.

1st Con.
Bring him along!
Let's have no whimp'ring here.

Titt.
Hold! one moment hold,
'Till I have caught him once more in my arms!

2d Con.
Tear them asunder.

Titt.
Oh, Abrahamides!

Abr.
Oh, Tittillinda!

[Exeunt.