here: the two white posts.
HEART. And who would you visit there, say you? (O'ons, how my heart
aches.)
SHARP. Pshaw, thou'rt so troublesome and inquisitive. My, I'll tell
you; 'tis a young creature that Vainlove debauched and has forsaken. Did
you never hear Bellmour chide him about Sylvia?
HEART. Death, and hell, and marriage! My wife! [_Aside_.]
SHARP. Why, thou art as musty as a new-married man that had found his
wife knowing the first night.
HEART. Hell, and the Devil! Does he know it? But, hold; if he should
not, I were a fool to discover it. I'll dissemble, and try him.
[_Aside_.] Ha, ha, ha. Why, Tom, is that such an occasion of
melancholy? Is it such an uncommon mischief?
SHARP. No, faith; I believe not. Few women but have their year of
probation before they are cloistered in the narrow joys of wedlock. But,
prithee, come along with me or I'll go and have the lady to myself. B'w'y
George. [_Going_.]
HEART. O torture! How he racks and tears me! Death! Shall I own my
shame or wittingly let him go and whore my wife? No, that's
insupportable. O Sharper!
SHARP. How now?
HEART. Oh, I am married.
SHARP. (Now hold, spleen.) Married!
HEART. Certainly, irrecoverably married.
SHARP. Heaven forbid, man! How long?
HEART. Oh, an age, an age! I have been married these two hours.
SHARP. My old bachelor married! That were a jest. Ha, ha, ha.
HEART. Death! D'ye mock me? Hark ye, if either you esteem my
friendship, or your own safety--come not near that house--that corner-
house--that hot brothel. Ask no questions.
SHARP. Mad, by this light.
Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure:
Married in haste, we may repent at leisure.
SCENE IX.
SHARPER, SETTER.
SET. Some by experience find these words misplaced:
At leisure married, they repent in haste.
As I suppose my master Heartwell.
SHARP. Here again, my Mercury!
SET. Sublimate, if you please, sir: I think my achievements do deserve
the epithet--Mercury was a pimp too, but, though I blush to own it, at
this time, I must confess I am somewhat fallen from the dignity of my
function, and do condescend to be scandalously employed in the promotion
of vulgar matrimony.
SHARP. As how, dear, dexterous pimp?
SET. Why, to be brief, for I have weighty affairs depending--our
stratagem succeeded as you intended--Bluffe turns errant traitor; bribes
me to make a private conveyanc
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