A Street.
Enter Antonio in haste with Hippolyta; weeping as passing over
the Stage.
Ant. Come, let us haste, I fear we are pursu’d.
Hip. Ah, whither shall we fly?
Ant. We are near the Gate, and must secure our selves with the Darkness of the Night in St. Peter’s Grove, we dare not venture into any House.
[Exeunt.
Enter Clarinda and Dormida above in the Balcony.
Clar. Can’st thou not see him yet?
Dorm. Good lack a-day, what an impatient thing is a young Girl in love!
Clar. Nay, good Dormida, let not want of Sleep make thee testy.
Dorm. In good time — are you my Governess, or I yours, that you are giving me Instructions? Go get you in, or I shall lay down my Office.
Clar. Nay, wait a little longer, I’m sure he will come.
Dorm. You sure! you have wondrous Skill indeed in the Humours of Men: how came you to be so well acquainted with them? you scarce ever saw any but Don Marcel, and him too but thro a Grate or Window, or at Church; and yet you are sure. I am a little the elder of the two, and have manag’d as many Intrigues of this kind as any Woman, and never found a constant just Man, as they say, of a thousand; and yet you are sure.
Clar. Why, is it possible Marcel should be false?
Dorm. Marcel! No, no, Sweet-heart, he is that Man of a thousand.
Clar. But if he should, you have undone me, by telling me so many pretty things of him.
Dorm. Still you question my Ability, which by no means I can indure; get you in I say.
Clar. Do not speak so loud, you will wake my Mother.
Dorm. At your Instructions again; do you question my Conduct and Management of this Affair? Go watch for him your self: I’ll have no more to do with you back nor edge.
[Offers to go.
Clar. Will you be so barbarous to leave me to my self, after having made it your Business this three Months to sollicit a Heart which was but too ready to yield before; after having sworn to me how honourable all his Intents were; nay, made me write to him to come to night? And now when I have done this, and am all trembling with fear and shame (and yet an infinite Desire to see him too) [Sighs] thou wilt abandon me: go, when such as you oblige, ’tis but to be insolent with the more freedom.
Dorm. What, you are angry I’ll warrant.
[Smiles.
Clar. I will punish my self to pay thee back, and will not see Marcel.
Dorm. What a pettish Fool is a Maid in love at fifteen! how unmanageable! But I’ll forgive all — go get you in, I’ll watch for your Lover; I would not have you disoblige a Man of his Pretensions and Quality for all the World.
[Clarinda goes in.
Enter Alonzo below.
Alon. Now do I want Lovis extremely, to consult with him about this Business: For I am afraid the Devil, or Love, or both are so great with me, that I must marry this fair Inchantress, which is very unlucky; but, since Ambrosio and Marcel refuse to see me, I hold my self no longer ingag’d in Honour to Hippolyta.
Dorm. [above.] Whist, whist, Sir, Sir.
Alon. Who’s there?
Dorm. ’Tis I, your Servant, Sir; oh you are a fine Spark, are you not, to make so fair a Creature wait so long for you? there, there’s the Key, open the Door softly and come in.
[Throws him down a Key in a Handkerchief.
Alon. What’s this? But I’ll ask no Questions, so fair a Creature, said she? Now if ‘twere to save my Life cannot I forbear, I must go in: Shou’d Euphemia know this, she would call it Levity and Inconstancy; but I plead Necessity, and will be judg’d by the amorous Men, and not the jealous Women: For certain this Lady, whoe’er she be, designs me a more speedy Favour than I can hope from Euphemia, and on easier Terms too. This is the Door that must conduct to the languishing Venus.
[Opens the Door and goes in, leaving it unshut.
Enter Marcel with his Sword drawn.
Mar. Thus far I have pursu’d the Fugitives,
Who by the help of hasty Fear and Night,
Are got beyond my Power; unlucky Accident!
Had I but kill’d Antonio, or Hippolyta,
Either had made my Shame supportable.
But tho I have mist the Pleasure of Revenge,
I will not that of Love.
One Look from fair Clarinda will appease
The Madness which this Disappointment rais’d.
[Walks looking towards the Window.
None appears yet: Dormida was to throw me down the Key. The Door is open, left so to give me entrance.
[Goes to the Door.