Sir _Cau_. By all means--for if the Searchers come, they’ll never be so
uncivil to ransack thy Lodgings; and we are bound in Christian Charity
to do for one another--Some rich Commodities, I am sure--and some fine
Knick-knack will fall to thy share, I’ll warrant thee
--Pox on him for a young Rogue, how punctual he is! [_Aside_.
_Enter with the Chest_.
--Go, my Dear, go to Bed--I’ll send Sir _Nicholas_ a Receit for the
Chest, and be with thee presently--
[_Ex. severally_.
[Gayman _peeps out of the Chest, and looks round him wondring_.
_Gay_. Hah, where am I? By Heaven, my last Night’s Vision--’Tis that
inchanted Room, and yonder’s the Alcove! Sure ‘twas indeed some Witch,
who knowing of my Infidelity--has by Inchantment brought me hither--
’.is so--I am betray’d--[_Pauses_. Hah! or was it _Julia_, that last
night gave me that lone Opportunity?--but hark, I hear some coming--
[_Shuts himself in_.
_Enter Sir_ Cautious.
Sir _Cau_. [_Lifting up the Chest-lid_.] So, you are come, I see--
[_Goes, and locks the door_.
_Gay_. Hah--he here! nay then, I was deceiv’d, and it was _Julia_ that
last night gave me the dear Assignation. [_Aside_.
[_Sir_ Cautious _peeps into the Bed-chamber_.
L. _Ful_. [_Within_.] Come, Sir _Cautious_, I shall fall asleep, and
then you’ll waken me.
Sir _Cau_. Ay, my Dear, I’m coming--she’s in Bed--I’ll go put out the
Candle, and then--
_Gay_. Ay, I’ll warrant you for my part--
Sir _Cau_. Ay, but you may over-act your part, and spoil all--But, Sir,
I hope you’ll use a Christian Conscience in this business.
_Gay_. Oh, doubt not, Sir, but I shall do you Reason.
Sir _Cau_. Ay, Sir, but--
_Gay_. Good Sir, no more Cautions; you, unlike a fair Gamester, will
rook me out of half my Night--I am impatient--
Sir _Cau_. Good Lord, are you so hasty? if I please, you shan’t go
at all.
_Gay_. With all my soul, Sir; pay me three hundred Pound, Sir--
Sir _Cau_. Lord, Sir, you mistake my candid meaning still. I am content
to be a Cuckold, Sir--but I wou’d have things done decently, d’ye
mind me?
_Gay_. As decently as a Cuckold can be made, Sir.--But no more
disputes, I pray, Sir.
Sir _Cau_. I’m gone--I’m gone--but harkye, Sir, you’ll rise before day?
[_Going out, returns_.
_Gay_. Yet again--
Sir _Cau_. I vanish, Sir--but harkye--you’ll not speak a word, but let
her think ‘tis I?
_Gay_. Be gone, I say, Sir-- [_He runs out_.
I am convinc’d last night I was with _Julia_.
Oh Sot, insensible and dull!
_Enter softly Sir_ Cautious.
Sir _Cau_. So, the Candle’s out--give me your hand.
[_Leads him softly in_.
SCENE V. _Changes to a Bed-chamber_.
_Lady_ Fulbank _suppos’d in Bed. Enter Sir_ Cautious
_and_ Gayman _by dark_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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