Alon. Would to God ’twere come but to that, I was just upon the Point
of it when you enter’d. But I know not what the Devil there is in that
Face of yours, but it has debauch’d every sober Thought about me:
Faith, do not let us marry yet.
Euph. If we had not proceeded too far to retreat, I should be content.
Alon. What shall I come to? all on the sudden to leave delicious
whoring, drinking and fighting, and be condemn’d to a dull honest Wife.
Well, if it be my ill Fortune, may this Curse light on thee that has
brought me to’t: may I love thee even after we are married to that
troublesome Degree, that I may grow most damnable jealous of thee, and
keep thee from the Sight of all Mankind, but thy own natural Husband,
that so thou may’st be depriv’d of the greatest Pleasure of this Life,
the Blessing of Change.
Euph. I am sorry to find so much ill Nature in you; would you have the
Conscience to tie me to harder Conditions than I would you?
Alon. Nay, I do not think I shall be so wickedly loving; but I am
resolv’d to marry thee and try.
Euph. My Father, Sir, on with your Disguise. [To them _Carlo_.
Car. Well, Sir, how do you like my Daughter?
Alon. So, so, she’ll serve for a Wife.
Car. But do you find her willing to be so?
268 Alon. ’Tis not a half-penny matter for that, as long as my Father
and you are agreed upon the matter,
Car. Well, _Euphemia_, setting all foolish Modesty aside, how do you
like this Man?
Euph. As one, whom in Obedience to you, I am content to cast my self
away upon.
Car. How seems his Humour to you?
Euph. Indifferent, Sir, he is not very courtly, something rough and
hasty.
Car. I fear she has found his ill Quality of Valour too; and since ’tis
certain ’tis so, why should it be said that I ruin’d a Child to satisfy
my Appetite of Riches? [Aside.
Come, Daughter, can you love him, or can you not? For I’ll make but
short Work on’t; you are my Daughter, and have a Fortune great enough
to inrich any Man; and I’m resolv’d to put no Force upon your
Inclinations.
Euph. How’s this! nay, then ’tis time I left dissembling. [Aside.] Sir,
this Bounty in you has strangely overcome me, and makes me asham’d to
have withstood your Will so long.
Car. Do not dissemble with me, I say do not; for I am resolv’d you
shall be happy.
Euph. Sir, my Obedience shall—
Car. No more of your Obedience; I say again, do not dissemble, for I’m
not pleas’d with your Obedience.
Euph. This Alteration is very strange and sudden; pray Heaven he have
not found the Cheat. [Aside.
Love, Sir, they say will come after Marriage; pray let me try it.
Car. Few have found it so; nor shall you experience it at so dear a
Rate as your Ruin.
Euph. But, Sir, methinks I am grown to love him more since he spoke to
me, than before.
Car. The Effects of your Obedience again.
Euph. This is a strange Alteration, Sir; not all my Tears and Prayers
before I saw him, could prevail with you. I beseech you, Sir, believe
me.
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