The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 04Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 04
Dryden, John
English literature
_Cam._ Still you speak, as if what we did were choice, and not
necessity. You know their uncle is suspicious of me, and consequently
jealous of all my servants; but if we employ yours, who is not
suspected, because you are a stranger, I doubt not to get an
assignation with the younger sister.
_Aur._ Well, use your own way, Camillo: but if it ever succeed with
his management--
_Cam._ You must understand then, Benito, that this old Signior Mario
has two nieces, with one of which I am desperately in love, and--
_Ben._ [_Aside to him._] I understand you already, sir, and you desire
love reciprocal. Leave your business in my hands; and, if it succeed
not, think me no wiser than my master.
_Cam._ Pray take me with you. These sisters are great beauties, and
vast fortunes; but, by a clause in their father's will, if they marry
without their uncle's consent, are to forfeit all. Their uncle, who is
covetous and base to the last degree, takes advantage of this clause;
and, under pretence of not finding fit matches for them, denies his
consent to all who love them.
_Ben._ Denies them marriage! Very good, sir.
_Cam._ More than this, he refuses access to any suitor, and immures
them in a mean apartment on the garden side, where he barbarously
debars them from all human society.
_Ben._ Uses them most barbarously! Still better and better.
_Cam._ The younger of these sisters, Violetta, I have seen often in
the garden, from the balcony in this chamber, which looks into it;
have divers times shot tickets on the point of an arrow, which she has
taken; and, by the signs she made me, I find they were not ill
received.
_Ben._ I'll tell you now, just such an amour as this had I once with a
young lady, that--
_Aur._ Quote yourself again, you rogue, and my feet shall renew their
acquaintance with your buttocks.
_Cam._ Dear Benito, take care to convey this ticket to Violetta; I saw
her just now go by to the next chapel: be sure to stand ready to give
her holy water, and slip the ticket into the hand of her woman
Beatrix; and take care the elder sister, Laura, sees you not, for she
knows nothing of our amour.
_Ben._ A word to the wise. Have you no service to Laura? [_To_ AUR.
_Aur._ None that I shall trouble you withal; I'll see first what
returns you make from this voyage, before I put in my venture with
you. Away; begone, Mr Mercury.
_Ben._ I fly, Mr Jupiter. [_Exit._
_Aur._ This lady, Laura, I have seen from your balcony, and was seen
by her. Methought, too, she looked with a languishing eye upon me, as
who should say, Are you a man, and have no pity for a poor distressed
virgin? For my part, I never found so much disposition in myself to
love any woman at first sight. Handsome she is; of that I am certain.
_Cam._ And has wit, I dare assure you; but I have not heard she has
admitted of any gallantry.
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