_Friend_. Lady, I am a Soldier--yet in my gentlest Terms I humbly beg to kiss your lovely Hands-- Death! there"s Magick in the Touch.
By Heaven, you carry an Artillery in every part.
_Dia_. This is a Man indeed fit for my purpose. [_Aside_.
_Friend_. Nay, do not view me, I am no lovely Object; I am a Man bred up to Noise and War, And know not how to dress my Looks in Smiles; Yet trust me, fair one, I can love and serve As well as an _Endymion_, or _Adonis_.
Wou"d you were willing to permit that Service!
_Dia_. Why, Sir?--What cou"d you do?
_Friend_. Why--I cou"d die for you.
_Dia_. I need the Service of the living, Sir.
But do you love me, Sir?
_Friend_. Or let me perish, flying from a single Enemy.
I am a Gentleman, and may pretend to love you; And what you can command, I can perform.
_Dia_. Take heed, Sir, what you say, for I"m in earnest.
_Friend_. Command me any thing that"s just and brave; And, by my Eyes, "tis done.
_Dia_. I know not what you call just or brave; But those whom I do the Honour to command, Must not capitulate.
_Friend_. Let him be blasted with the Name of Coward, That dares dispute your Orders.
_Dia_. Dare you fight for me?
_Friend_. With a whole Army; "tis my Trade to fight.
_Dia_. Nay, "tis but a single Man.
_Friend_. Name him.
_Dia_. _Bellmour_.
_Friend_. Of _Yorkshire_? Companion to young _Friendlove_, that came lately from _Italy_?
_Dia_. Yes, do you know him?
_Friend_. I do, who has oft spoke of _Bellmour_; We travel"d into _Italy_ together--But since, I hear, He fell in love with a fair cruel Maid, For whom he languishes.
_Dia_. Heard you her Name?
_Friend_. _Diana_, rich in Beauty, as in Fortune.
--Wou"d she had less of both, and more of Pity; And that I knew not how to wish, till now That I became a Lover, perhaps as unsuccessful. [_Aside_.
_Dia_. I knew my Beauty had a thousand Darts, But knew not they cou"d strike so quick and home. [_Aside_.
Let your good Wishes for your Friend alone, Lest he being happy, you shou"d be undone.
For he and you cannot be blest at once.
_Friend_. How, Madam!
_Dia_. I am that Maid he loves, and who hates him.
_Friend_. Hate him!
_Dia_. To Death.
_Friend_. Oh, me unhappy! [_Aside_.
_Dia_. He sighs and turns away--am I again defeated?
Surely I am not fair, or Man"s insensible.
_Friend_. She knows me not-- And "twas discreetly done to change my Shape: For Woman is a strange fantastick Creature; And where before, I cou"d not gain a Smile, Thus I may win her Heart. [_Aside_.
--Say, Madam, can you love a Man that dies for you?
_Dia_. The way to gain me, is to fight with _Bellmour_.
Tell him from me you come, the wrong"d _Diana_; Tell him you have an Interest in my Heart, Equal to that which I have made in yours.
_Friend_. I"ll do"t; I will not ask your Reason, but obey.
Swear e"er I go, that when I have perform"d it, You"ll render me Possession of your Heart.
_Dia_. By all the Vows that Heaven ties Hearts together with, I"ll be entirely yours.
_Friend_. And I"ll not be that conscientious Fool, To stop at Blessings "cause they are not lawful; But take "em up, when Heaven has thrown "em down, Without the leave of a Religious Ceremony. [_Aside_.
Madam, this House, which I am Master of, You shall command; whilst I go seek this _Bellmour_.
_Dia_. But e"er you go, I must inform you why I do pursue him with my just Revenge.
_Friend_. I will attend, and hear impatiently.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II. _A Baudy House_.
_Enter Mrs_. Driver _and_ Betty Flaunt.i.t.
_Flaunt_. _Driver_, prithee call for a Gla.s.s, that I may set my self in order, before I go up; for really my Knight has not been at home all this Night, and I am so confus"d--
_Enter one with a Gla.s.s, and two Wenches_, Jenny _and_ Doll.
Lord, Mrs. _Driver_, I wonder you shou"d send for me, when other Women are in Company; you know of all things in the World, I hate Wh.o.r.es, they are the pratingst leudest poor Creatures in Nature; and I wou"d not, for any thing, Sir _Timothy_ shou"d know that I keep Company, "twere enough to lose him.
Mrs. _Driv_. Truly, Mrs. _Flaunt.i.t_, this young Squire that you were Sent to for, has two or three Persons more with him that must be accommodated too.
_Flaunt_. _Driver_, though I do recreate my self a little sometimes, yet you know I value my Reputation and Honour.