--Prithee what didst do with Callis?
_Val._ When I saw no Reason wou"d do good on her, I follow"d her into the Wardrobe, and as she was looking for something in a great Chest, I tumbled her in by the Heels, s.n.a.t.c.ht the Key of the Apartment where you were confin"d, lockt her in, and left her bauling for help.
_Flor._ "Tis well you resolve to follow my Fortunes, for thou darest never appear at home again after such an Action.
_Val._ That"s according as the young Stranger and I shall agree-- But to our business-- I deliver"d your Letter, your Note to _Belvile_, when I got out under pretence of going to Ma.s.s, I found him at his Lodging, and believe me it came seasonably; for never was Man in so desperate a Condition. I told him of your Resolution of making your escape to day, if your Brother would be absent long enough to permit you; if not, die rather than be _Antonio"s_.
_Flor._ Thou shou"dst have told him I was confin"d to my Chamber upon my Brother"s suspicion, that the Business on the _Molo_ was a Plot laid between him and I.
_Val._ I said all this, and told him your Brother was now gone to his Devotion, and he resolves to visit every Church till he find him; and not only undeceive him in that, but caress him so as shall delay his return home.
_Flor._ Oh Heavens! he"s here, and _Belvile_ with him too.
[They put on their Vizards.
Enter Don _Pedro_, _Belvile_, _Willmore_; _Belvile_ and Don _Pedro_ seeming in serious Discourse.
_Val._ Walk boldly by them, I"ll come at a distance, lest he suspect us.
[She walks by them, and looks back on them.
_Will._ Ha! A Woman! and of an excellent Mien!
_Ped._ She throws a kind look back on you.
_Will._ Death, tis a likely Wench, and that kind look shall not be cast away-- I"ll follow her.
_Belv._ Prithee do not.
_Will._ Do not! By Heavens to the Antipodes, with such an Invitation.
[She goes out, and _Will._ follows her.
_Belv._ "Tis a mad Fellow for a Wench.
Enter _Fred._
_Fred._ Oh Colonel, such News.
_Belv._ Prithee what?
_Fred._ News that will make you laugh in spite of Fortune.
_Belv._ What, _Blunt_ has had some d.a.m.n"d Trick put upon him, cheated, bang"d, or clapt?
_Fred._ Cheated, Sir, rarely cheated of all but his Shirt and Drawers; the unconscionable Wh.o.r.e too turn"d him out before Consummation, so that traversing the Streets at Midnight, the Watch found him in this _Fresco_, and conducted him home: By Heaven "tis such a slight, and yet I durst as well have been hang"d as laugh at him, or pity him; he beats all that do but ask him a Question, and is in such an Humour--
_Ped._ Who is"t has met with this ill usage, Sir?
_Belv._ A Friend of ours, whom you must see for Mirth"s sake. I"ll imploy him to give _Florinda_ time for an escape.
[Aside.
_Ped._ Who is he?
_Belv._ A young Countryman of ours, one that has been educated at so plentiful a rate, he yet ne"er knew the want of Money, and "twill be a great Jest to see how simply he"ll look without it. For my part I"ll lend him none, and the Rogue knows not how to put on a borrowing Face, and ask first. I"ll let him see how good "tis to play our parts whilst I play his-- Prithee, _Fred._ do go home and keep him in that posture till we come.
[Exeunt.
Enter _Florinda_ from the farther end of the Scene, looking behind her.
_Flor._ I am follow"d still-- hah-- my Brother too advancing this way, good Heavens defend me from being seen by him.
[She goes off.
Enter _Willmore_, and after him _Valeria_, at a little distance.
_Will._ Ah! There she sails, she looks back as she were willing to be boarded, I"ll warrant her Prize.
[He goes out, _Valeria_ following.
Enter _h.e.l.lena_, just as he goes out, with a Page.
_h.e.l.l._ Hah, is not that my Captain that has a Woman in chase?-- "tis not _Angelica._ Boy, follow those People at a distance, and bring me an Account where they go in.-- I"ll find his Haunts, and plague him every where.-- ha-- my Brother!
[Exit Page.
[_Bel._ _Wil._ _Ped._ cross the Stage: _h.e.l.l._ runs off.
_Scene changes to another Street. Enter _Florinda_._
_Flor._ What shall I do, my Brother now pursues me.
Will no kind Power protect me from his Tyranny?
--Hah, here"s a Door open, I"ll venture in, since nothing can be worse than to fall into his Hands, my Life and Honour are at stake, and my Necessity has no choice.
[She goes in.
Enter _Valeria_, and _h.e.l.lena"s_ Page peeping after _Florinda_.
_Pag._ Here she went in, I shall remember this House. [Exit Boy.
_Val._ This is _Belvile"s_ Lodgings; she"s gone in as readily as if she knew it-- hah-- here"s that mad Fellow again, I dare not venture in-- I"ll watch my Opportunity.
[Goes aside.
Enter _Willmore_, gazing about him.
_Will._ I have lost her hereabouts-- Pox on"t she must not scape me so.
[Goes out.
_Scene changes to _Blunt"s_ Chamber, discovers him sitting on a Couch in his Shirt and Drawers, reading._
_Blunt._ So, now my Mind"s a little at Peace, since I have resolv"d Revenge-- A Pox on this Taylor tho, for not bringing home the Clothes I bespoke; and a Pox of all poor Cavaliers, a Man can never keep a spare Suit for "em; and I shall have these Rogues come in and find me naked; and then I"m undone; but I"m resolv"d to arm my self-- the Rascals shall not insult over me too much. [Puts on an old rusty Sword and Buff-Belt.]
--Now, how like a Morrice-Dancer I am equipt-- a fine Lady-like Wh.o.r.e to cheat me thus, without affording me a Kindness for my Money, a Pox light on her, I shall never be reconciled to the s.e.x more, she has made me as faithless as a Physician, as uncharitable as a Churchman, and as ill-natur"d as a Poet. O how I"ll use all Women-kind hereafter! what wou"d I give to have one of "em within my reach now! any Mortal thing in Petticoats, kind Fortune, send me; and I"ll forgive thy last Night"s Malice-- Here"s a cursed Book too, (a Warning to all young Travellers) that can instruct me how to prevent such Mischiefs now "tis too late.
Well "tis a rare convenient thing to read a little now and then, as well as hawk and hunt.
[Sits down again and reads.
Enter to him _Florinda_.