Faith, we made but a broken voyage by your chart; but now I am
bound for another port: I told you the colonel was my rival.
_Vizard._ The colonel--curs'd misfortune! another. [_Aside._
_Sir H._ But the civilest in the world; he brought me word where my
mistress lodges. The story's too long to tell you now, for I must fly.
_Vizard._ What, have you given over all thoughts of Angelica?
_Sir H._ No, no; I'll think of her some other time. But now for the Lady
Lurewell. Wit and beauty calls.
That mistress ne'er can pall her lover's joys,
Whose wit can whet, whene'er her beauty cloys.
Her little amorous frauds all truths excel,
And make us happy, being deceived so well. [_Exit._
_Vizard._ The colonel my rival too!----How shall I manage? There is but
one way----him and the knight will I set a tilting, where one cuts
t'other's throat, and the survivor's hanged: so there will be two rivals
pretty decently disposed of. [_Exit._
SCENE IV.
LADY LUREWELL'S _Lodgings_.
_Enter_ LADY LUREWELL _and_ PARLY.
_Lady L._ Has my servant brought me the money from my merchant?
_Parly._ No, madam: he met Alderman Smuggler at Charing-Cross, who has
promised to wait on you himself immediately.
_Lady L._ 'Tis odd that this old rogue should pretend to love me, and at
the same time cheat me of my money.
_Parly._ 'Tis well, madam, if he don't cheat you of your estate; for
you say the writings are in his hands.
_Lady L._ But what satisfaction can I get of him?----Oh! here he comes!
_Enter_ SMUGGLER.
Mr. Alderman, your servant; have you brought me any money, sir?
_Smug._ 'Faith, madam, trading is very dead; what with paying the taxes,
losses at sea abroad, and maintaining our wives at home, the bank is
reduced very low; money is very scarce.
_Lady L._ Come, come, sir; these evasions won't serve your turn: I must
have money, sir--I hope you don't design to cheat me?
_Smug._ Cheat you, madam! have a care what you say: I'm an alderman,
madam----Cheat you, madam! I have been an honest citizen these
five-and-thirty years.
_Lady L._ An honest citizen! Bear witness, Parly--I shall trap him in
more lies presently. Come, sir, though I am a woman, I can take a
remedy.
_Smug._ What remedy, madam? You'll go to law, will ye? I can maintain a
suit of law, be it right or wrong, these forty years--thanks to the
honest practice of the courts.
_L
|