The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
_Mask._ They are rich, I suppose?
_Beat._ Now you are talking of them again: But they are as rich, as they
are fair.
_Mask._ Then they have the Indies: Well, but their names, my sweet
mistress.
_Beat._ Sweet servant, their names are----
_Mask._ Their names are--out with it boldly--
_Beat._ A secret--not to be disclosed.
_Mask._ A secret, say you? Nay, then, I conjure you, as you are a woman,
tell it me.
_Beat._ Not a syllable.
_Mask._ Why, then, as you are a waiting-woman; as you are the sieve of
all your lady's secrets, tell it me.
_Beat._ You lose your labour; nothing will strain through me.
_Mask._ Are you so well stopped in the bottom?
_Beat._ It was enjoined me strictly as a secret.
_Mask._ Was it enjoined thee strictly, and canst thou hold it? Nay,
then, thou art invincible: But, by that face, that more than ugly face,
which I suspect to be under thy veil, disclose it to me.
_Beat._ By that face of thine, which is a natural visor, I will not tell
thee.
_Mask._ By thy----
_Beat._ No more swearing, I beseech you.
_Mask._ That woman's worth little, that is not worth an oath: Well, get
thee gone; now I think on't, thou shalt not tell me.
_Beat._ Shall I not? Who shall hinder me? They are Don Alonzo de
Ribera's daughters.
_Mask._ Out, out: I'll stop my ears.
_Beat._ They live hard by, in the _Calle maior_.
_Mask._ O, infernal tongue--
_Beat._ And are going to the next chapel with their father.
_Mask._ Wilt thou never have done tormenting me? In my conscience, anon
thou wilt blab out their names too.
_Beat._ Their names are Theodosia and Jacintha.
_Mask._ And where's your great secret now?
_Beat._ Now, I think, I am revenged on you, for running down my poor old
master.
_Mask._ Thou art not fully revenged, till thou hast told me thy own name
too.
_Beat._ 'Tis Beatrix, at your service, sir; pray remember I wait on
them.
_Mask._ Now I have enough, I must be going.
_Beat._ I perceive you are just like other men; when you have got your
ends, you care not how soon you are going. Farewell:--you'll be constant
to me?
_Mask._ If thy face, when I see it, do not give me occasion to be
otherwise.
_Beat._ You shall take a sample, that you may praise it, when you see it
next.
[_She pulls up her veil._
_Enter_ WILDBLOOD _and_ BELLAMY.
_Wild._ Look, there's your dog with a duck in's mouth.--Oh, she's got
loose, and dived again.
[_Exit_ BEATRIX.
_Beat._ Well, Maskall, what news of the ladies of the lake?
_Mask._ I have learned enough to embark you in an adventure. They are
daughters to one Don Alonzo de Ribera, in the _Calle maior_, their names
Theodosia and Jacintha, and they are going to their devotions in the
next chapel.
_Wild._ Away then, let us lose no time. I thank heaven, I never found
myself better inclined to godliness, than at this present.
[_Exeunt._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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