_Ral_. Yes, and took on most heavily--the Doctors gave her over--and
there was the Devil to do to get her to consent to this Marriage--but
her Fortune was small, and the hope of a Ladyship, and a Gold Chain at
the Spittal Sermon, did the Business--and so your Servant, Sir.
[_Ex_. Ralph.
_Bel_. So, here’s a hopeful Account of my sweet self now.
_Enter Post-man with Letters_.
_Post_. Pray, Sir, which is Sir _Feeble Fainwou’d’._?
_Bel_. What wou’d you with him, Friend?
_Post_. I have a Letter here from the _Hague_ for him.
_Bel_. From the _Hague_! Now have I a curiosity to see it--I am his
Servant--give it me--[_Gives it him, and Exit_.--Perhaps here may be
the second part of my Tragedy, I’m full of Mischief, _Charles_--and have
a mind to see this Fellow’s Secrets. For from this hour I’ll be his evil
Genius, haunt him at Bed and Board; he shall not sleep nor eat; disturb
him at his Prayers, in his Embraces; and teaze him into Madness. Help
me, Invention, Malice, Love, and Wit: [_Opening the Letter_.
Ye Gods, and little Fiends, instruct my Mischief. [_Reads_.
Dear Brother,
_According to your desire I have sent for my Son from
_St. Omer’s_, whom I have sent to wait on you in_ England;
_he is a very good Accountant, and fit for Business, and much
pleased he shall see that Uncle to whom he’s so obliged, and
which is so gratefully acknowledged by--Dear Brother, your
affectionate Brother_,
Francis Fainwou’d.
--Hum--hark ye, _Charles_, do you know who I am now?
_Gay_. Why, I hope a very honest Friend of mine, _Harry Bellmour_.
_Bel_. No, Sir, you are mistaken in your Man.
_Gay_. It may be so.
_Bel_. I am, d’ye see, _Charles_, this very individual, numerical young
Mr.--_what ye call ‘um Fainwou’d_, just come from _St. Omers_ into
_England_--to my Uncle the Alderman. I am, _Charles_, this very Man.
_Gay_. I know you are, and will swear’t upon occasion.
_Bel_. This lucky Thought has almost calm’d my mind.
And if I don’t fit you, my dear Uncle,
May I never lie with my Aunt.
_Gay_. Ah, Rogue--but prithee what care have you taken about your
Pardon? ‘twere good you should secure that.
_Bel_. There’s the Devil, _Charles_,--had I but that--but I have had a
very good Friend at work, a thousand Guyneys, that seldom fails; but yet
in vain, I being the first Transgressor since the Act against Duelling.
But I impatient to see this dear delight of my Soul, and hearing from
none of you this six weeks, came from _Brussels_ in this disguise--for
the _Hague_ I have not seen, though hang’d there--but come--let’s away,
and compleat me a right _St. Omer’s_ Spark, that I may present my self
as soon as they come from Church.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II. _Sir_ Cautious Fulbank’s _House_.
_Enter Lady_ Fulbank, Pert _and_ Bredwel. Bredwel _gives her a Letter_.
_Lady_ Fulbank _reads_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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