ords, so I do: I know the great
Work of Salvation to the Nation is to be wrought by me, verily.
_Crom._ Do, cant on, till Heaven drop Kingdoms in thy Mouth: Dull, silly
Sot, thou Ruin of our Interest; thou fond, incorrigible, easy Fool.
Enter _Page_.
_Page._ My Lord, the Committee of Safety waits your coming.
_Fleet._ Why, law you now, forsooth-- I profess verily, you are
ingeniously the hardest of Belief-- tell the Honourable Lords I'm
coming: Go, Lady-mother, go home with my Wife; and verily you'll see
things go to your wish-- I must to Coach.
_L. Fleet._ Madam, your humble Servant. [To La. _Lam._
_Fleet._ Honour'd Lady, I kiss your Hands.
[Exeunt _Crom._ _Fleet_, and L. _Fleet._
Enter _Loveless_.
_Lov._ Was this the thing that is to be Protector?
This little sniveling Fellow rule three Kingdoms?
But leave we Politicks, and fall to Love,
Who deals more Joys in one kind happy moment
Than Ages of dull Empire can produce.
_L. Lam._ Oh Gods! shall I who never yielded yet,
But to him to whom three Kingdoms fell a Sacrifice,
Surrender at first Parley?
_Lov._ Perhaps that Lover made ye gayer Presents,
But cou'd not render you a Heart all Love,
Or Mind embyass'd in Affairs of Blood.
--I bring no Guilt to fright you from my Embraces,
But all our Hours shall be serene and soft.
_L. Lam._ Ah, _Gilliflower_, thy Aid, or I am lost;
Shall it be said of me in after Ages,
When my Fame amongst Queens shall be recorded,
That I, ah Heavens! regardless of my Country's Cause,
Espous'd the wicked Party of its Enemies,
The Heathenish Heroicks? ah, defend me!
_Lov._ Nay-- by all that's--
_L. Lam._ Ah, hold! Do not profane my Ears with Oaths or Execrations,
I cannot bear the Sound.
_Lov._ Nay, nay-- by Heav'n I'll not depart your Lodgings, till that
soft Love that plays so in your Eyes give me a better Proof-- by--
_L. Lam._ Oh hold, I die, if you proceed in this Abomination.
_Lov._ Why do you force me to't? d'ye think to put me off with such a
Face-- such Lips-- such Smiles-- such Eyes, and every Charm-- You've
made me mad, and I shall swear my Soul away, if disappointed now.
_Gil._ Ah, save the Gentleman's Soul, I beseech ye, Madam.
_L. Lam._ I'm much inclin'd to Acts of Piety-- And you have such a
Power, that howe'er I incommode my Honour--
[Leaning on him, smiling. He goes to lead her out, Enter La.
_Desbro_.
--_Desbro_ here! How unseaso
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