Sir _Cau_. Where are you, my Dear? [_Leads him to the bed_.
L. _Ful_. Where shou’d I be--in Bed; what, are you by dark?
Sir _Cau_. Ay, the Candle went out by Chance.
[Gayman _signs to him to be gone; he makes grimaces
as loath to go, and Exit_.
SCENE VI. _Draws over, and represents another Room in the same House_.
_Enter_ Parson, Diana, _and_ Pert _drest in_ Diana’s _Clothes_.
_Dia_. I’ll swear, Mrs. _Pert_, you look very prettily in my Clothes;
and since you, Sir, have convinc’d me that this innocent Deceit is not
unlawful, I am glad to be the Instrument of advancing Mrs. _Pert_ to a
Husband, she already has so just a Claim to.
_Par_. Since she has so firm a Contract, I pronounce it a lawful
Marriage--but hark, they are coming sure--
_Dia_. Pull your Hoods down, and keep your Face from the Light.
[_Diana runs out_.
_Enter_ Bearjest _and_ Noisey _disordered_.
_Bea_. Madam, I beg your Pardon--I met with a most devilish Adventure;
--your Pardon too, Mr. Doctor, for making you wait.--But the business
is this, Sir--I have a great mind to lie with this young Gentlewoman
to Night, but she swears if I do, the Parson of the Parish shall know it.
_Par_. If I do, Sir, I shall keep Counsel.
_Bea_. _And that’s civil, Sir--Come, lead the way,
With such a Guide, the Devil’s in’t if we can go astray_.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE VII. _Changes to the Anti-chamber_.
_Enter Sir_ Cautious.
Sir _Cau_. Now cannot I sleep, but am as restless as a Merchant in
stormy Weather, that has ventur’d all his Wealth in one Bottom.--Woman
is a leaky Vessel.--if she should like the young Rogue now, and they
should come to a right understanding--why, then I am a--Wittal--that’s
all, and shall be put in Print at _Snow-hill_, with my Effigies o’th’
top, like the sign of Cuckolds Haven.--Hum--they’re damnable
silent--pray Heaven he have not murdered her, and robbed her--hum--hark,
what’s that?--a noise!--he has broke his Covenant with me, and shall
forfeit the Money--How loud they are? Ay, ay, the Plot’s discovered,
what shall I do?--Why, the Devil is not in her sure, to be refractory
now, and peevish; if she be, I must pay my Money yet--and that would be
a damn’d thing.--sure they’re coming out--I’ll retire and hearken how
’.is with them. [_Retires_.
_Enter Lady_ Fulbank _undrest_, Gayman, _half undrest upon
his Knees, following her, holding her Gown_.
L. _Ful_. Oh! You unkind--what have you made me do? Unhand me, false
Deceiver--let me loose--
Sir _Cau_. Made her do?--so, so--’tis done--I’m glad of that--
[_Aside peeping_.
_Gay_. Can you be angry, _Julia_?
Because I only seiz’d my Right of Love.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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