L. _Rod_. Cozen, did you ever hear the like? The _Collonel's_ such an
Enemy to Marriage?
Mrs. _Lov_. An Enemy to Marriage, Madam!
L. _Rod_. As obstinately bent against it, as if he were incapable of Love;
not that his Principles concern me, yet such Heresy in Men shou'd be
subdu'd.
Mrs. _Lov_. Perhaps, Madam, the _Collonel_ may have had some strange
misfortune in the Army, Cannon Bullets fly at such an ugly random rate.
L. _Rod_. Ha, ha, ha, how I laugh at such thin Disguises, as if a ratling
Officer in this fortune-hunting Age, cou'd have Philosophy to slight my
Person and Estate; but I'll applaud his happy choice of Liberty; say, 'tis
a generous Thought, so like my self, I'll settle a Platonick Friendship
with him, then faulter in my Speech, and seem confus'd, as if my Sexes
weakness must discover a Passion which my haughty Soul wou'd hide. The
greedy _Collonel_ catches at the Bait, deep Sighs, and sheepish Looks
confess the Lover; then with what sparkling Pride I'll boast my Power,
bravely assert my wonted Resolutions, rally the blustering Heroe, and
pursue new Conquests.
_As the Sun's early Beams attract and warm,
So Ladies with their easie glances Charm;
Vain Coxcombs cringe with transport and surprize,
Feel kindling Fire, and feed upon their Eyes;
'Till like the Sun, the dazling Nymphs display_
Meridian _heat, and scorch the Fools away_.
_End of the Third_ ACT.
ACT IV. SCENE _continues_.
_Lady_ Rodomont, _and Mrs_. Lovejoy.
Mrs. _Lov_. Why, Madam, shou'd your Ladyship keep so many Fellows in
suspence, is it only to mortifie other Women, and maintain the Vanity of
being universally admir'd; you won't marry, and yet love to be courted:
In other matters your Ladiship's gen'rous enough, but as for parting with
your Lovers, you are as stingy as the Widow _Scrape-all_, that lets out
her Mourning-Coach to Funerals.
La. _Rod_. Cozen, we're alone, and I'll discover t' you the Soul of ev'ry
Woman: Vanity is the predominant Passion in our Sex, what Lady that has
Beauty, Wit and Fortune, does not excel in Dress, brighten in Talk, and
dazle in her Equipage; and Lovers are but Servants out o' Liveries: Who
then that has Attractions to command, to sooth, to frown, to manage as we
please, wou'd raise those crawling Wretches that adore us, that fawn and
sigh, and catch at ev'ry Glance, but once embolden'd, as our Courage fails
us, the flatt'ring Knaves exert their Sovereign Sway, and crush the
darling Pow'r we possess.
Mrs. _Lov_. 'Tis their Prerogative to rule at last, our Reign is short,
because 'tis too Tyrannical; we're pleas'd to have Admirers gaze upon us,
they're pleas'd with gazing, 'cause they cannot help it; but yet they
think us strange fantastick Creatures, and curse themselves for loving
such vain Toys; for my part, I'm for ballancing the pow'r of both Sexes,
if a fine Gentleman addresses a fine Lady, his Reception ought to be
suitable to his Merit, and when two fine People get together--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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