Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the firstVanbrugh, John
General
Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the first
Vanbrugh, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 18th century; English drama -- Restoration, 1660-1700
Don _Guz._ Was there then no Merit in flying to her Assistance when I
heard her Cries?
_Jacin._ As much as the Constable and the Watch might have pretended
to--something to drink.
Don _Guz._ This is all Raillery; 'tis, impossible she can be pleas'd
with such an Attempt.
_Jacin._ 'Tis impossible she can be pleas'd with being reduc'd to make
the Attempt upon you.
Don _Guz._ But was this a proper Way to save her Blushes?
_Jacin._ 'Twas in the dark; that's one Way.
Don _Guz._ But it must look like downright Violation.
_Jacin._ If it did not feel like it, what did that signify? Come, Sir,
Waggery apart: You know I'm your Servant; I have given you Proofs on't.
Therefore, don't distrust me now, if I tell you, this Quarrel may be
made up with the Wife, tho' perhaps not with the Husband. In short, she
thinks you were first in her Chamber, and has not the worse Opinion of
you for it; she makes Allowance for your Sufferings, and has still Love
enough for you, not to be displeas'd with the utmost Proofs you can
give, that you have still a warm Remain for her.
Don _Guz._ If this be true, and that she thought 'twas me, why did me
cry out to expose me?
_Jacin._ Because at this Time she did not think 'twas you. Will that
content you? And now she does think 'twas you, your Business is to
let her think so on; for, in a Word, I can see she's concern'd at the
Danger she has brought you into, and, I believe, wou'd be heartily glad
to see you well out on't.
Don _Guz._----'Tis impossible she can forgive me.
_Jacin._ Oons--Now Heaven forgive me, for I had a great Oath upon the
very Tip of my Tongue; you'd make one mad with your Impossibles, and
your Innocence, and your Humilities. 'Sdeath, Sir, do you think a Woman
makes no Distinction between the Assaults of a Man she likes and one
she don't? My Lady hates Don _John_, and if she thought 'twas he had
done this Job, she'd hang him for't in her own Garters; she likes you,
and if you shou'd do such another, you might still die in your Bed like
a Bishop, for her.
Don _Guz._ Well, I'll dispute no farther. I put myself into thy Hands.
What am I to do next?
_Jacin._ Why, do as she bids you; be in the Way at the old Rendezvous,
she'll take the first Occasion she can to speak to you; and when you
meet, do as I bid you, and instead of your Innocent and Humble, be
Guilty and Resolute. Your Mistress is now marry'd, Sir; consider that.
She has chang'd her Situation, and so must you your Battery. Attack a
Maid gently, a Wife warmly, and be as rugged with a Widow as you can.
Good bye t'ye, Sir.
[_Exeunt several Ways._
+SCENE+, _Don_ Felix's _House_.
_Enter Don ~Pedro~ solus._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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