_Enter_ Sir Signal _a little groping_.
Sir _Sig_. There"s no finding my way out,--and now does Fear make me fancy this some inchanted Castle.--
_Enter_ Tick, _listening_.
_Tick_. Hah, an inchanted Castle!
Sir _Sig_. Belonging to a monstrous Giant; who having spirited away the King of _Tropicipopican"s_ Daughter, keeps her here inclos"d, and that I a wandring Knight am by fickle Fortune sent to her Deliverance.
[Tick _listens_.
_Tick_. How"s that! spirited away the King of _Tropicipopican"s_ Daughter; bless me, what unlawful Wickedness is practis"d in this Romish Heathenish Country! [_Aside_.
Sir _Sig_. And yet the Devil of any Dwarf, Squire or Damsel have I met with yet,--wou"d I were cleanlily off this business--hah, Lights, as I live, and People coming this way!--bless me from the Giant!--Oh Lord, what shall I do!-- [_Falls on his Knees_.
_Tick_. I fear no Giants, having Justice on my Side; but Reputation makes me tender of my Person.--Hah--what"s this, a Curtain; I"ll wind my self in this, it may secure me.
[_Winds himself in a Window-Curtain_.
Sir _Sig_.--They"re entering, what shall I do?--hah--here"s a Corner; defend me from a Chimney.
[_Creeps to the Corner of the Window, and feels a s.p.a.ce between Tick"s Legs and the Corner; creeps in, and stands up just behind_ Tickletext. _Enter_ Gal. _leading_ Laura; Sab. _with Lights just after "em_; Jul. Oct.
Mor. _and_ c.r.a.p.
_Oct_. Just in the happy Minute!
_Gal_. I"ve sworn by every G.o.d, by every Power divine, to marry thee, and save thee from the Tyranny of a forc"d Contract.--Nay, Gad, if I lose a fine Wench for want of Oaths this bout, the Devil"s in me.
_Oct_. What think ye now, Sir?
_Jul_. d.a.m.nation on her, set my Rage at Liberty, That I may kill "em both.
[Mor. _holds him_.
_Mor_. I see no cause for that, she may be virtuous yet.
_Oct_. Do ye think as such to pa.s.s her off on me, Or that I"ll bear the Infamy of your Family?
No, I scorn her now, but can revenge my Honour on a Rival.
_Mor_. Nay, then I"ll see fair Play,--turn and defend thy Life.
[_Goes to_ Gal. _who turns_.
_Jul_. Whilst I do Justice on the Prost.i.tute:--hah-- Defend me, "tis the Woman that I love.
[_He gazes, she runs to_ Gal.
_Lau. Octavio_!
_Oct_. _Laura!_ My Sister, perfidious shameful-- [_Offers to kill her_.
_Jul_. Hold, thy Sister this? that Sister I"m to marry.
_Lau_. Is this then _Julio_? and do all the Powers conspire to make me wretched?
_Oct_. May I be dumb for ever.
[_Holds his Sword down, and looks sadly;_ Jul. _holds_ Lau. _by one hand, pleads with_ Oct. _with the other_.
_Enter_ Fillamour _and_ Pet.
_Fil_.--Hah, _Galliard!_ in danger too.
[_Draws, steps to "em_, Mor. _puts between_.
_Oct_. _Fillamour_ here! how now, what"s the matter, Friend?
[_They talk whilst enter_ Marcella _and_ Cornelia.
_Cor_. Hah, new Broils; sure the Devil"s broke loose to night.--my Uncle, as I live!
[Mor. _pleads between_ Fil. _and_ Octavio.
_Mar_. And _Octavio!_ Where shall we fly for Safety?
_Cor_. I"ll even trust to my Breeches, "tis too late to retreat;--s"life, here be our Cavaliers too; nay then, ne"er fear falling into the Enemies hands.
_Fil_. I, I fled with _Marcella!_ had I been blest with so much Love from her, I wou"d have boasted on"t i"th" face of Heaven.
_Mor_. La ye, Sir. [_To_ Octavio.
_Fil_. The lovely Maid I own I have a Pa.s.sion for; But by the Powers above, the Flame was sacred, And wou"d no more have past the Bounds of Honour Or Hospitality, than I wou"d basely murder; and were she free, I wou"d from all the World make her for ever mine.
_Mor_. Look ye, Sir, a plain case this.
_Gal_. He tells ye simple truth, Sir.
_Oct_. Was it not you this scarce past night I fought with here, in the House by dark, just when you had exchanged yours Vows with her?
_Lau_. Heavens! was it he? [_Aside_.
_Fil_. This Minute was the first I ever enter"d here.
_Jul_. "Twas I, Sir, was that interrupted Lover,--and this the Lady.
_Lau_. And must I yield at last? [_Aside_.
_Oct_. Wonders and Riddles!
_Gal_. And was this the _Silvianetta_, Sir, you told the Story of?
[_Slily_.
_Jul_. The same whom Inclination, Friends, and Destiny, conspire to make me blest with.
_Gal_. So many Disappointments in one night wou"d make a Man turn honest in spite of Nature.