[_They going out, meet Sir_ Anthony _with Musick: they return_.
Sir _Anth_. Come, come, Gentlemen, this is the House, and this the Window
belonging to my Lady’s Bed-chamber: Come, come, let’s have some neat,
soft, brisk, languishing, sprightly Air now.
_Fop_. Old Meriwill--how shall I pass by him!
[_Stand by_.
Sir _Anth_. So, here’s Company too; ‘tis very well--Not have the Boy?
I’ll warrant this does the Business--Come, come, screw up your
Chitterling.
[_They play_.
--Hold, hold a little--Good morrow, my Lady _Galliard_.
--Give your Ladyship Joy.
_Char_. What do I hear, my Lady _Galliard_ joy’d?
_Fop_. How, married her already?
_Char_. Oh, yes, he has. Lovely and false, hast thou deceiv’d my Faith?
Mrs. _Clack_. Oh, Heavens, Mr. _Foppington_, she faints.--ah me!
[_They hold her, Musick plays.
Enter_ Wilding _and_ Dresswell, _disguis’d as before_.
_Wild_. Ah, Musick at _Galliard’s_ Door!
Sir _Anth_. Good morrow, Sir _Charles Meriwill_: give your Worship and
your fair Lady Joy.
_Wild_. Hah, Meriwill married the Widow!
_Dres_. No matter; prithee advance, and mind thy own Affairs.
_Wild_. Advance, and not inquire the meaning on’t!
Bid me not eat, when Appetite invites me;
Not draw, when branded with the Name of Coward;
Nor love, when Youth and Beauty meet my Eyes--
Hah!--
[_Sees Sir_ Charles _come into the Balcony undrest_.
Sir _Char_. Good morrow, Uncle. Gentlemen, I thank ye: Here, drink the
King’s Health, with my Royal Master’s the Duke.
[_Gives ‘em Money_.
_Fid_. Heaven bless your Honour, and your virtuous Bride.
_Fop. Wilding_! undone.
[_Shelters_ Charlot, _that she may not see_ Wilding.
_Wild_. Death and the Devil, Meriwill above!
Sir _Anth_. Ah, the Boy’s Rival here! By George, here may be breathing
this Morning--No matter, here’s two to two; come, Gentlemen, you must in.
[_Thrusts the Musick in, and goes in_.
_Dres_. Is’t not what you expected? nay, what you wisht?
_Wild_. What then? it comes too suddenly upon me--
E’er my last Kiss was cold upon her Lips,
Before the pantings of her Breast were laid,
Rais’d by her joys with me; Oh, damn’d deluding Woman!
_Dres_. Be wise, and do not ruin where you love.
_Wild_. Nay, if thou com’st to reasoning, thou hast lost me.
[_Breaks from him, and runs in_.
_Char_. I say ‘twas _Wilding’s_ Voice, and I will follow it.
_Fop_. How, Madam, wou’d you after him?
_Char_. Nay, force me not; by Heaven, I’ll cry a Rape,
Unless you let me go--Not after him!
Yes, to the infernal Shades--Unhand me, Sir.
_Fop_. How, Madam, have you then design’d my Ruin?
_Char_. Oh, trust me, Sir, I am a Maid of Honour.
[_Runs in after_ Wild.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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