prethee be kind and tast what it is She. Let me dye now you 'r grown a strange sort of a man To force a young Maid let her do what she can I fear now I blush to think what we 're doing And is this the End of all you Men's wooing He. At this pleasure all Aim both Godly and Sinners And none of 'em blush for 't but poor young beginners In pleasure both Sexes all Ages agree And those that take most most happy will be Chorus In pleasure both Sexes c. ACT III. SCENE the First Enter Olivia as a Man Teresia in Masquerade the Scene opens and discovers Lady Youthly Lady Blunder Mirtilla Manage Prince Frederick in a Rich Habit Welborn in one like his with a Cloak over him stands aside and several others of both Sexes Oliv. OH my dear Teresia I 'm lost in Love I 've seen a Man or rather 't is Angel so gay so soft so charming and so witty so dress'd so shap'd and Danc'd with such an Air Tere. Hey day Prithee where 's this Wonder to be seen Oliv. Why dost thou ask Hast thou not seen a man of Dress and Movement of uncommon Fashion Tere. A great many very odd and Fantastick I 'm sure my dear Man is none of ' em Sighs Oliv. Thy Heart when fir'd burns easily and soft but I am all impatient darts and flames all the effects of Love are panting in my Heart yet never saw his Face but see he comes and I must find a way to let him know the mischiefs he has done Mir. Endimion where 's Sir Morgan Oliv. At his usual Diversion Madam Drinking Mir. Do you wait near me to Night I may perhaps have kinder business for you e'er the morning Oliv. You heap too many Blessings on me Madam Prince Oh turn thy lovely Eyes upon thy Slave that waits and watches for a tender look Mir. Oh Sir why do you press a yielding heart too much undone by what you 've said already Oliv. Those soft Addresses must be those of Love Aside Mir. My Honour was in danger when I promis'd and yet I blush to tell you I was pleas'd and blest the dear necessity that forc'd me Oliv. Ha! 't is the man I love and Courts Mirtilla and she receives him with inviting looks 'Sdeath she 's a common Lover already I 'm arriv'd to Jealousie Enter George in Masquerade with a Paper on his Back and Breast goes to Mirtilla sees one Courting her Geo. What gilded thing is that I must disturb 'em 'T is I Mirtilla languishing for the appointed Happiness while you perhaps are taken up with different thoughts Mir. aside Lejere How very feeble do Old Lovers Charm Only the New and gay have pow'r to warm How shall I put him off For now my Ambitious Love declares for Frederick 't is great to enslave a Prince Lejere wait till I give the word perhaps it may be late go mix your self i' th' Crowd you may be else suspected Goes from him Tere. I have a shrewd guess that this shou'd be my man by his shape and mein Looking round about George Let me see What 's this written on his back To be Lett Ready Furnish'd Reading it A very good hearing So ho ho ho who 's within here Claps him on the back Geo. Who 's there Exit Olivia Tere. Love and Fortune Geo. Two very good Friends of mine prithee who art thou that bring'st ' em Tere. A wandring Nymph that has had a swinging Character of your Person and Parts if thou be'st the man prithee dear Stranger let me see thy Face and if I 'm not mistaken 't is ten to one but we may go near to strike up some odd Bargain or other Geo. And I am as likely a Fellow for some odd Bargain or other as ever you met with Look ye am I the man Tere. Let me see A very handsome Face inclining to round fine wanton Eyes with a Plaguy Roguish Lear plump round red Lips not tall nor low and extreamly well fashion'd Reads all this in her Tablets Ay ay you are the man Geo. I am glad on 't and prithee dear Creature let me see if thou art not the Woman Tere. Heav'n what Woman Sir Geo. Why any Woman that 's Pretty Witty Young and Good-natur'd Tere. I had rather shew any thing almost than my Face Geo. Faith and that 's kind but every thing in its due time I love to arrive at Happiness by degrees there 's as much Pleasure in the Journey of Love as in the Arrival to 't and the first Stage is a handsom Face Tere. Where you Bait a while take a short Survey and away Geo. To wit and good Humour wheâ—e a man finds Pleasure enough to engage him a long while Tere. Then to all the small Villages call'd little Freedoms Kissing Playing Fooling Sighing Dying and so on to the last Stage where Whip and Spur laid by all tir'd and dull you lazily lye down and sleep Geo. No I 'm a more vigorous Lover And since in the Country of True Love there remains a Terra Incâ—gnita I shall always be making new Discoveries Tere. True Love Is there such a thing in the whole Map of Nature Geo. Yes I once discover'd it in my Voyage round the World Tere. Sure 't is some Enchanted place and vanishes as soon as 't is approach'd Enter Sir Rowland Geo. Faith let 's set out for it and try if we lose our Labour we shall like Searchers for the Philosophers Stone find something that will recompence our pains Lady Youthly sees her and sends her Woman to take her from him Ha gone I must not part so with you I 'll have you in my Eye The Spanish Dance Whilst they Dance the Prince talks to Mirtilla Mir. This Night gives you an Assignation I tremble at the thought Ah why will you pursue me thus to Ruine Why with resistless Charms invade my Heart that cannot stand their Force alone without my Woman the Enterprize with you wou'd be too dangerous Prince Dangerous to be ador'd and at your Feet behold your Slave making Eternal Vows Mir. If I were sure that you wou'd pass no further Prince Let the fond God of Love be my Security will you not trust a Deity Mir. Whom should she trust that dares not trust her self Geo. That is some Lover whom I must observe Aside Mir. Alas the Foe 's within that will betray me Ambition and our Sexes Vanity Sir you must prevail Prince And in return for ever take my Soul Mir. Anon I 'll feign an illness and retire to my Apartment whither this Faithful Friend shall bring you Sir Pointing to Manage Geo. Hum that looks like some Love Bargain and Manage call'd to Witness By Heav'n gay Sir I 'll watch you Tere. But heark ye my Fellow-Adventurer are you not marry'd Geo. Marry'd that 's a Bug word prithee if thou hast any such Design keep on thy Mask lest I be tempted to Wickedness Tere. Nay truth is 't
to four Thousand Pounds a Year Geâ— What 's thâ—â— without Martilla Oliv. Prithee no more of her Love spoils a fine Gentleman Gaming Whoring and Fighting may qualify a man for Conversation but Love perverts all ones thoughts and makes us fit Company for none but ones self for even a Mistriss can scarce dispence with a sighing whining Lovers Company long tho' all he says flatters her Pride Geo. Why dost thou trifle with me when thou knowest the Violence of my Love Oliv. I wish I could any way divert your Thoughts from her I would not have your Joy depend on such a fickle Creature Geo. Mirtilla False What my Mirtilla False Oliv. Even your Mirtilla's False and Married to another Geo. Married Mirtilla Married 'T is impossible Oliv. Nay Married to that Bawling Drinking Fool Sir Morgan Blundeâ— Geo. Married and Married to Sir Morgan Blunder a sot an ill-bred senceless Fool almost too great a Fool to make a Country Justice Oliv. No doubt she had her Aims in 't he 's a very Convenient Husband I 'll assure you and that suits her Temper he has Estate and Folly enough and she has Youth and wantonness enough to match ' em Geo. Her choice gives me some Comfort and some Hopes for I 'll persue her but for Revenge not Love Oliv. Forget her rather for she 's not worth Revenge and that way 't will be none Prostitute in Soul as Body she doats even on me in Breeches Geo. On thee her Page doat on thee a Youth she knew thee not as Woman Oliv. No that Secret I have kept to do you Service At first she said she lov'd me for your sake because you recommended me and when I Sung or plaid upon my Flute would kiss my Cheek and Sigh and often when alone wou'd send for me and Smile and Talk and set my Hair in Curles to make me Saâ—â—y and Familiar with her Onâ— Day she said Endimiâ—n thy Name-sake was tâ—â—s Câ—ressd by Cynthia A Goddess did not scorn the humble Swâ—in whom by her Love she equall'd to her Deity she found that I had Sense to understand her and paid her Advances back with equal Ardour Geo. Oh! Curse where learnt she all this wickedness Aside Oliv. But she being oblig'd to go for Ilandeâ—s to see her Sister â—akâ— the Holy Habit I feign'd a Sickness to be lâ—â—â— behind hoping that Absence might abate her Flame yet she return'd more Amorous and fearing the Thefts of Love might wound her Honour she thought 〈◊〉 Husband would secure that shame and luckily my Aunt arriv'd sâ—om Wâ—â—â—â— and brought Sir Morgan with her who Lodging where wâ— did at Mrâ— Manages My Aunt that doats on Quality in either Sâ—â— made up this hasty Match unknown to me though for my sake Geo. What will not Faithless Woman do when she is raging Oliv. And now having so well prepar'd the way she grows impatient for an Opportunity and thou art Arriv'd most happily to succour me Geo. No for some Days keep this Habit on it may be useful to us but I must see this Faithless Perjur'd Woman which I must contrive with Mrs. Manage Oliv. Yet pray resolve to see my Father first for now 's the Critical Time to make thy Fortune he came to Town last Night and lodges here at Mrs. Manages with my Aunt Blunder Geo. What in the House with thee and not know thee Oliv. No more than a Priest Compassion he thinks me at Hackney making wax Babies where he intends to visit me within these three days But I forgot to tell you our Brother Sir Merlin Lodges in this House with you and shou'd he know you Geo. 'T is impossible I've not seen him or my Father these five Years Absence my Growth and this unexpected Equipage will not be penetrated by his Capacity Oliv. True he 'll never look for his Brother George in the Galantry and Person of Monsieur Lejere My good Father Expects you Home like the Prodigal Son all Torn and Tatter'd and as Penitent too Geo. To Plod on here in a Laborious Cheating all my Youth and Vigour in hopes of drunken Pleasures when I 'm old Or else go with him into Wales and there lead a thoughtless Life Hunt and Drink and make Love to none but Chambermaids No my Olivia I 'le Use the Sprightly Runnings of my Life and not hope distant Pleasures from its dregs Oliv. For that use your Discretion now Equip your self to your present business the more simply you are clad and look the better I 'll home and Expect you Exit Geo. Do so my good Sister a little formal Hipocrisy may do 't will relish after Liberty for a Pleasure is never so well Tasted as when it 's season'd with some opposition Enter Britton Britt Sir I 've News to tell you will surprize you Prince â—redrick is Arriv'd Geo. Is' t Possible I left him going for Flanders Britt Passing by our Door and seeing your Livery enquir'd for you and finding you here alighted just now But see Sir he 's here Enter Prince Fredrick they meet and Embrace Geo. My Life's preserver welcome to my Arms as health to sick men Fred. And thou to mine as the kind Mistress to the longing Lover My Soul's Delight and Darling of the Fair. Geo. Ah! Prince you touch my bleeding Wound Fred. Ha! Lejere leave to unhappy Lovers those sighs those folded Arms and down cast Eyes Geo. Then they are fit for me my Mistress Sir that Treasure of my Life for whom you 've heard me sigh is perjur'd false and married to an other Yet what is worse I find my Prince my Friend here in my Native Country and am not able to pay him what his Greatness merits Fred. You pain me when you compliment my Friendship Embracing Geo. Perhaps you will not think me worth this Honour when you shall hear my Story Prince Thou canst say nothing I can value less Geo. Perhaps too my way of Living has deceiv'd you being still receiv'd by Princes as Companions in all their Riots Loves and Divertisements where ev'n you did me the Honour to Esteem and call me Friend Prince What e're thou art I 'm sure thy Mind 's illustrious Geo. My Family I must confess is Honourable but Sir my Father was the Younger House of which my unhappy self was destin'd to be last I 'm a Cadet that out-cast of my Family and born to that Curse of our Old English Custom Whereas in other Countries Younger Brothers are train'd up to the Exercise of Arms where Honour and Renown attend the Brave we basely bind our Youngest out to Slavery to Lazy Trades idly confin'd to Shops or Merchants Books debasing of the Spirit to the mean Cunning how to Cheat and Chasser Prince A Custom insupportable Geo. To this to this low wretchedness of Life your Servant Sir was destin'd by his Parents and am yet this bound Indentur'd Slave Prince Thou hast no cause to quarrel with thy Stars since Vertue is most Vallu'd when Opprest
be Disloyal again a t'other side he gives a Wife so ill an Example for we are all Lyable to Temptations Sir Râ—â—l Well said if thou beest so it must be the Old Tempter himself aside Alone Look ye Madam I 'll propose a fâ—â—r Swap if you 'll consent that I shall marry Teresia I 'll consent that you shall Marry George L. Youth How my Grand-daughter Why I design'd her for your Eldest Son Sir Merlin and she has a good a fortune of Five Hundred a year that I cannot hinder her of and is too young for you Sir Rowl So is George for your Ladiship and as for his Fortune 't is more than likely I shall make him my Eldest Son L. Youth Say you so Sir well I 'll â—â—â—â—der and take Advice of my Friends Sir Row Consider alas Madam my House will be Besieg'd by all the Widows in Town I shall get more by shewing him than the Rhinoceros Gaâ— I 'll sell the young Rogue by Inch of Candle before he 's Debauch't and Spoil'd in this lew'd Town La. Yorth Well suppose Sir Rowl Nothing under Teresia Gad I think some old Dog-Star Reigns to Day that so many old Heats are burning in their Sockets I 'm in Love with this young Tittymouse here most damnably Well what say you Widow Speak now or you know the Proverb L. Youth Well Sir Rowland you are too hard for me Excunt all but Teresia Enter Olivia Runs to her and Embraces her Tere. 'T is as you said Olivia I am destin'd to your Father Oliv. What the Sentence is past then Tere. Ay but the Devil is in us if we stay till Execution Day Why this is worse than being mew'd up at Hackney-School My Fortune 's my own without my Grandmother and with that Stock I 'll set up for my self and see what Traffick this wide World affords a young beginner Oliv. That 's well resolv'd I am of the same mind rather than Marry Mr. Wellbâ—â—n whom I never saw But prethee let 's see what we have in Stock besides Ready Mony What Toys and Knick-nacks to invite Tere. Faith my Inventory is but small Let me see First one Preâ—â—y well made Machin call'd a Body of a very good Motion fit for several uses one Pretty Conceited Head-Peice that will fit any bodies Coxcomb when 't is Grave and Dull will sit an Alderman when Politick and busy a States-man turn it to intreigne will fit a City Wife and to Invention it will set up an Evidence Oliv. Very well Tere. Item one Tongue that will prattle Love if you put the Heart in time for they are Commodities I resolve shall go together I have Youth enough to Please a Lover and Wit enough to please my self Oliv. Most Excellent Trifles all As for my out-side I leave to the Discretion of the Chasserer but I have a rare Devise call'd an Invention that can do many Feats a Courage that wou'd stock a Coward and a pretty Implâ—ment call'd a Heart that will strike Fire with any convenient force I have â—â—â—ght thousand Pounds to let out on any able Security but not a Grâ—â—◠〈◊〉 I like the Man Tere. Thus 〈…〉 shall ruiâ— all the lâ—ws and â—â—do the Indian Houses but where 〈◊〉 we show Wâ—â—â— meet with the Love Merchants Oliv. What things you of the Gallery at 〈◊〉 Esay in Masks Tere. Sâ—â— a state 〈…〉 takeâ— up bâ— women of Quality and now run into Ridicule by all 〈…〉 Devils of the Town and is only a Trap for a Teâ—â—â— a small new 〈◊〉 â—â—sider or a City Culâ—â— where they Baul out their Eighteen Pence in Bâ—â—dy and Filthy Non-sense to the Disturbance of the whole House and the King's Peace the Man of Quality have forsaken Oliv. What think you of the Mall Tere. As too Publick to end an Intreague our Affairs require a Conquest as suddain as that of Caesar who came saw and overcame Oliv. 'T is true besides there 's so many Cruisers we shall never Board a Prize What think you of the Church Tere. An Hippocritical shift of all masks I hate that of Religion and it shou'd be the last place I 'de wish to meet a Lover in unless to Marry him Oliv. And Faith that 's the last thing a Lover shou'd do but we are compell'd to hast 't is our last Refuge if we cou'd but see and like our men the business were soon dispatcht Let me see Faith e'n put on Breeches too and thus disguis'd seek our Fortune I am within these three days to be fetch'd from Hackney School where my Father believes me still to be and thou in that time to be Marry'd to the old Gentleman Faith resolve and let 's in and Dress thee away here 's my Lady they run out SCENE II. Enter Mirtilla and Mrs. Manage Miâ—t Ah let me have that Song again Song By Mr. Gildon I. NO Delia no! What man can range From such Seraphic Pleasure 'T is want of Charms that make us change To grasp the Fury Treasure What man of sense wou'd quit a certain Bliss For hopes and empty Possibilities II. Vain Fools their sure Possessions spend In hopes of Chymic Treasure But for their fancy'd Riches find Both want of Gold and Pleasure Rich in my Delia I can wish no more The Wand'rer like the Chymist must be poor Man Not see him Madam I protest he 's Handsomer and Handsomer Paris has giv'n him such an Air Lord he 's all over Monsieur Not see him Madam Why I hope you do not like the Foolish sort of Wives design a strict Obedience to your Husband Mir. Away a Husband when absence that sure Remedy of Love had heal'd the Bleeding Wound Lejere had made by Heaven I thought I ne're shou'd Love again but since Endimion has Inspir'd my Soul and for that Youth I burn I pine I languish Enter George richly drest stands at a distance gazing on Mirtilla Man See Madam there 's an Object may put out that Flame and may revive the Old one Mir. Shame and confusion Lâ—jere turns and walks away Geo. Yonder she is That Mien and Shape I know thâ— the False Face be turn'd with shame away Offers to Advance and Stops S'death I tremble Yet came well fortified with Pride and Anger I see thou 'st in thy Eyes a little Modesty goes to her nearer That wou'd conceal the Treasons of thy Heart Mir. Perhaps it is their scorn that you mistake Geo. It may be so she that sets up for Jilting shou'd go on 'T were mean to find remorse so young and soon Oh this gay Town has Gloriously improv'd you amongst the rest that taught you Perjury Mir. Alas When was it Sworn Geo. In the Blest Age of Love When every Pow'r look't down and heard thy Vows Mir. I was a Lover then shou'd Heav'n concern its self with Lover's Perjuries 't wou'd find no leisure to preserve the Universe Geo. And was the Woman so strong in thee thou could'st not wait a little Were you so raving
would be glad to Reads know Hum ' a Woman's Hand Opens it The Lady you saw last Thursday in the Mall you had in Bed with you last Night Adieu Oh! dull Divinity of Love that by no Instinct no sympathizing Pains or Pleasure could instruct my Sense how near I was to Happiness Enter George fine Lejere behold me here the most unlucky Fellow breathing Thou know'st I told thee how I was in love with a young Woman in the Mall And this very Night I had this very Woman in my Arms. Geo. Is this your ill Luck Sir Wel. 'Sdeath all the while I took her for a Man But finding me asleep she softly ' rose and by a Light yet burning in my Chamber she writ this Billet and left it on my Table Gives it George he reads it Geo. By all that Good Olivia And were you very Honest Sir Wel. To my eternal Shame as chast as Ice Geo. What will you say now Charles if I bring this Woman to you again Wel. Canst thou Oh let me kiss thy Lips away Geo. For all her Frollick Charles she 's very honest a Fortune and of Quality and were 't not for Olivia thou shouldst marry her Wel. Olivia I ne'er saw and now 't will be too late Geo. Nay then Sir I must fight in her Defence Wel. You fight in her defence Why dost thou love her By all that 's Good I will resign her to thee Geo. You shall not Sir and know she is my Sister Wel. Olivia thy Sister Geo. Ask no more Questions but defend your self if you refuse to marry her for her Honour 's mine Wel. Were she an Angel I must love this Woman Geo. Then thou shalt have her Hast and get a Licence no more trust my Friendship Go. Exit Welborn Enter Olivia Olivia where did you lie last Night Nay do not blush for you may yet be Vertuous Oliv. Virtuous Not the young Roses in the bud secur'd nor breaking Morn ungaz'd at by the Sun nor falling Snow has more of Purity Geo. I do believe you but your dangerous Frolicks will make the World talk shamefully Oliv. Let him talk on I will not humour Fools Geo. No more here 's Manage Contrive an Assignation with Mirtilla but do not hide again where none may find you This done I 'll tell you more and make you happy How now Manage is the Prince stirring Man He 's in his dressing Room Sir This from my Lady Sir Slides the Letter into Olivia 's hand as she passes out Geo. What have you there Olivia Takes the Billet Oliv. An Assignation from your perjur'd Mistriss Sir Geo. 'T is well You must obey the Summons And wind her up to all the height of Love then let her loose to Shame I 'll bring her Lover in the height of Dalliance who when he sees her Persidy will hate her Oliv. And then the lovely Man stands fair for me Aside Geo. Go write an Answer back and wait her hour Exeunt severally SCENE the Second The Dressing-Room Discovers the Prince at his Toylet dressing Musick and a Song Enter Lejere waits till the Song is ended The Prince sees him comes to him with Joy and falls about his Neck SONG by Mr. Gildon AH Charmion shroud those killing Eyes That dart th' Extreams of Pleasure Else Celadon tho' favour'd dies As well as him that you despise Tho' with this diff'rent measure While ling'ring Pains drag on his Fate Dispatch is all th' Advantage of my State For ah you kill with Love as well as Hate 2. Abate thy Luxury of Charms And only Part discover Your Tongue as well as Eyes had Arms To give a Thousand fatal Harms To the poor listening Lover Thy Beams Glory 's Veil'd shou'd be And like the Front of Heav'n unseen pass by For to behold 'em in full force we dye Prince Lydia Oh! I faint I dye with thy Beauty's Luxury By heaven I 'm all Rapture Love and Joy Such a dear Night Lejere Poets may fancy pressing Goddesses on downy Beds of Clouds But oh Lejere Those Gods were never half so blest as I Geo. What pity 't were to wake you from this Dream Prince It is not in the Power of Time nor Age For even then Mirtilla will have Charms Oh how she speaks how well she 'll grace a Story Geo. How gay her Wit how movingly she writes Prince I do believe she do's A little seriously Geo. Would it displease you should you see a Billet from her Prince That 's as it were directed Gravely Geo. You would not credit what you saw last night Prince Nor wou'd have lost that Night for all the Treasure the vast Ocean hidâ—â— Geo. I wou'd not have a Man so good and great be made a Woman's Pâ—operty There Sir Gives him the Billet Prince I 'll not believe it her's there are a thousand ways to ruin Innocence if she be false she 's damn'd Confirm me and of course I shall despise her You cure me when you shew her worth my Scorn Geo. Will you be rul'd then and believe it Friendship in me Prince I will Geo. Give her by Absence but an Opportunity feign some Excuse to leave the Town to day Prince See where she comes Enter Mirtilla Adorn'd with all the beauteous Wonders of her Sex The Gods of Love are playing in her Eyes and give us Wounds from ev'ry graceful Motion Ah my Mirtilla how shall I support the Absence of a many coming Hours that languish being from thee but a moment Mir. I hope my Lord Fate is not so unkind to let me live without you many Hours Prince Can all this be dissembl'd Aside to George Geo. How much more have I heard yet all was false Prince I must this Day this tedious live-long Day be absent from thy sight but shall be back i'th'Evening I 'll leave Lejere to wait on your Commands Mir. Lejere shall ever Sir be dear to me But I 'll retire and sigh till your Return That World affords no Pleasure where you are not Prince Do you hear that Sir Aside to George Till Night thou dearest Blessing of my Life Adieu Mirtilla going out pulls Lejere by the Sleeve Mir. Thou little mischievous informing Thing how vainly hast thou lavish'd out Invention Smiling Exit Prince By Heaven methinks 't were Sin but to suspect her Geo. Think so I 'll trouble your Repose no more I 've done my Duty and I wou'd not see you made a Prince Property Ha A loath'd convenient Tool A Woman's Implement S'death she that off Loose to the nasty Love of every Tool that will be Flatter'd Cozen'd Jilted Cuckolded No more I will unseen convey my self into the Closet in my Dressing-Room 't is near her Bed And if I find her Wanton Geo. If you find her The Youth is waiting now that shall convince you Prince Where Oh set the happy Slave but in my View and Geo. No faith Sir be convinc'd before you strike for fear she jilt you out of Sense and Reason Prince
being satisfy'd that the Reputation of Mrs. BEHN is not affected by the malicious Endeavours of some of my Enemies I now present it under your Patronage Sir to the more competent Judges Proud of the Opportunity of Offering you an occasion of so agreeable a Province as the Protection of the unfortunate and letting the World know how much I am Sir Your Humble Servant Ch. Gildon An ACCOVNT of the Life of the Incomparable Mrs. BEHN MRS. Behn was a woman of so Celebrated a fame while she liv'd and so esteem'd by all that have read any thing of her writing since her Death that I suppose a short Account of her Life will be a very grateful present to the Ingenious To give a perfect draught of her is a task of more weight than my present Time and Affairs will allow or indeed my Abilities for to draw her to the Life one must write like her that is with all the softness of her Sex and all the fire of ours But an indifferent sketch of so Admirable a Woman will be welcome where no better is to be had and that value which the Artist cannot give it will gain from the Original Her Maiden Name was Johnson her father was a Gentleman of a good Family in Canterbury in Kent Her Childhood she pass'd in that City but not without the promises of the extraordinary Excellencies of her Riper years both in Wit and Beauty she had always agreat Inclination for Poetry and was truly born a Poet not made nor form'd by Industry I must not be particular in all the little Accidents of her Child-hood for that wou'd be more than my Reader would Pardon tho most Writers of Lives take care to omit not the least trivial Actions of the very infancy of the Persons they wou'd Celebrate and indeed make them often more considerable than any of their Life But one motive to that Impertinence I want Prolixity for I aim at as short a Relation as possible She was very Young when she went with her Father Mother Brother and Sisters to Suriâ—â—m which Voyage was in nothing so considerable as the Admirable History of Orâ—onoko which it produc'd and which has given the occasion of so Celebrated a Tragedy The disappointmens of fortune in the loss of her Relations and Friends there oblig'd her to return for England where she Marry'd Mr. Behn an Eminent Merchant and in the time of the Watch War grew to such an esteem for Wit nay and Judgment too and which is more uncommon in the Fair Sex Secresy and Management of Publick Affairs that she was employ'd by K. Charles the Second in several Negotiations in Flauders which requir'd Industry and Caution and which she quitted with all the Applause Success cou'd gain a Beautiful Woman in the heart of a King that had always a peculiar value for that Sex How grateful he was or whether her service made his satisfaction extend to a reward I have forgot But to that soft Court we owe her exerting her Poetical Genius which for many years gave the sensible part of the Town so many agreeable Diversions She was of a generous and open temper an easy and free Conversation with abundance of Wit and nice Reasoning above most if not all that I have ever observ'd in that Sex which tho often happy in a brisk Wit and pleasant Repartee yet are for want of Education Study and Application of Mind generally to seek in the nicer Observations and Reflections of Judgment The finer sort of Reasoning is most commonly out of their way and indeed not so agreeable as a genteel railery and at most a superficial Argumentation built on the first Appearances of things which are too often a very false and unfaithful Foundation But Mrs. Behn in the nicest Metaphysical points would Argue with judgment and extreamly happy distinctions she would with an engaging Air enforce her Notions with all the Justness of the most able Philosopher tho not with his Majestical Roughness which made all she said more prevalent with her Hearers But this is not half her true Praise for her Conversation was general and never impertinent her Vanity gave no Alloy to her Wit and was no more than might justly Spring from Conscious Virtue she never insinuated her Merit by any other means than the Fine Things she spoke which oblig'd others to praise her so much that she could not put her Friends to the Blush to praise her self tho that is a Vanity much more agreeable in a Lady than in a Man in the first it saves a Man the Expence of Flatter whilst he may cheaply do 't by saying Amen to what the Lady advances of her own but in the latter 't is intolerable and without excuse of either Pleasure or Profit To give the Reader a view of Her or her Works as they both require would swell into a Volume and provoke too much the Envy of the rest of her Sex who whilst the First Place every thing is not given to her may lose their Malice and Envy in a generous Emulation of out-doing her in some excellence or other After what I have said of Mrs. Behn 't will be concluded that she was too great a favourite of Nature to have many obligations to fortune at least the latter part of her Life found her Circumstances much below her Desert and after a tedious Sickness and several years foregoing Indisposition she dy'd soon after the Revolution and lies now Bury'd in the Cloysters of Westminster-Abby under a plain Marble Stone with two Wretched Verses for her Epitaph who had her self Wrote so many good Her Muse was never subject to the Curse of bringing forth with Pain for she always Writ with the greatest case in the world and that in the midst of Company and Discourse of other matters I saw her my self write Oroonoko and keep her turn in Discoursing with several then present in the Room Among several Pieces that I saw of hers in her own hand-writing this following Play was one which spight of the malice of some and folly of others who are dully vain of being hard to please as my Lord Rochester says has intrinsick value enough to recommend it self to the VVorld and condemn the Brutal Treatment it met with the first day PROLOGUE by an unknown hand Spoke by Mr. Powel AS Rivals of each other jealous prove And both strive which shall gain the Lady's Love So we for your Affections daily Vse Not the intrigues in the Galery Who squeezes hand of Phillis mask'd that stood Oâ—ling for sale in Vâ—lvet Scarf and Hood Can with more passion his dear Nymph pursue Than we to make Diversion sâ—t for you Grant we may please and we 've our outmost Aim 'T is to your favour only we lay Claim In what can we oblige Cou'd we present you With Mistress Young and safe it wou'd content you Then husbands weary'd out with Spouse alone And hen-peck'd Keepers that drudge on with one I fancy
can ne'er be happy in a low Voice and Raising him Prin. My Transport is too high for a disguise give me some hope promise me some Relief or at your Feet I 'll pierce a Wounded Heart Mir. Rise and hope for all you wish Alas he Faints She takes him up he falls upon her Bosom Page Hold him fast Madam between your Arms and he 'll recover presently Stand all away Prince Oh! tell me wilt thou bless my Youth and Love Oh! Swear 〈◊〉 thou should'st break for Women wou'd be Gods but for inconstancy Page See he begins to come to himself again keep off Mir. You have a thousand Charms that may secure you The Ceremony of my Nuptials is e'ry ev'ning Celebrated the noise of which draws all the Town together be here in Masquerade and I 'll tontrive it so that you shall speak with me this Night alone Prince So now let my Soul take Air L. Blun. What pitty 't is so fine a Gentleman shou'd be thus Mir. You must be bringing home your Fops to me and see what comes of it As she passes out Sir Morg. Fops I thought him no more a Fop than I do my own Natural Cousen here Exit Mir. in scorn Prin. Where am I The Page has Whisper'd him Sir Mer. Why here Sir here at Sir M. Blun. Lodging in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields Prince That 's well he has told me Where have I been this long half hour and more Sir Mer. Nay the Lord Knows Prin. I fancy'd I saw a lovely Woman Sir Merl. Fancy'd why so you did man my Lady Mirtiâ—a Blunder Prince methought I slept upon her snowy Bosom and dream't I was in Heav'n where I claim'd her Sir Merl. Good lack aday why so you did Sir ha ha ha Prince And rav'd on Love and talk'd abundance of Non-sence Sir Morg. Ha ha ha by my Troth and so you did Sir Prince I ask your Pardon Sir 't is an infirmity I have that ever takes me at the Approach of a Fine Woman which made me so unwilling to see your Lady Sir Morg. Lookee I ask your Pardon heartily or so d' ye see and am sorry you are not in a Condition to Visit her often Prince I shall be better when-I'm us'd to her 't is the first time only affects me Sir Morg. Pray Sir be Pleas'd to use your self to her or so d' ye see she's a civil person and a Person of Quality before I marry'd her d' ye see L. Blun. My Son tells you Truth Sir Prince Madam I doubt it not pray beg her Pardon and do you give me yours Bows and Kisses her hand and goes out L. Blun. A most Accomplisht Person Exeunt SCENE III. Enter Olivia and Teresia in Men's Cloaths Oliv. WEll the Ball do's not begin these three Hours and we 'll divert our selves at my Aunt 's Bassett-Table which you see is Preparing her Natural Propensity to oblige both Sexes makes her keep a Bank on purpose to bring 'em together There we shall see the Old and the Young the Ugly and the Handsome Fools that have Mony and Wits that have none and if the Table afford us nothing to please the Appetite we 'll abroad for Forage Enter Sir Merlin pulling in George follow'd by Sir Morgan Page and â—ootmen to George Sir Merl. Nay Sir I am resolv'd you shall Honour my Aunt 's Basset-Table Geo. My Aunt 's Basset-Table There may be mony Stirring among these Fools and Fortune may befriend me aside Sir Merl. Sir Morgan Pray know this worthy Gentleman I have the Honour to lodge in the House with him They salute one another Sir Mer. together Sir This is Sir Morgan Blunder a Person of Quality in Wales I assure you Geo. I question it not Sir and am proud of the Honour of Kissing your Hands Tere. Yonder 's a handsom Gentleman Oliv. My Brother George as I live 't is as I cou'd wish aside Enter Welborn Welb. Lejere Geo. Welborn Welcome from Paris I heard of your Arrival from Prince Fredrick Welb. Yes I am come to my Destruction Friend Geo. Ay thour' t to be Marry'd I hear to a Welch Fortune Welb. Tho Matrimony be a sufficient Curse yet that 's not the worst I am fall'n most damnably in Love since I arriv'd with a young Creature I saw in the Mall t'other Night of Quality she was I dare swear by all that was about her but such a Shape a Face a Wit a Mind as in a moment quite subdu'd my Heart she had another Lady with her whom dogging her Coach I found to be a Neighbour of mine and Grand-Daughter to the Lady Youthly but who my Conqueror was I never since could learn Oliv. ' Slife Teresia yonder 's the Handsome Fellow that entertain'd us with so much Wit on Thursday last in the Mall Tere. What when you Chang'd your Breeches for Petticoats at my Lodgings Oliv. That Night and ever since I have felt a sort of a Tendre for him Tere. As I do for his Friend Pray Heav'n he be not Marry'd I fear he has lay'd an Imbargo on my Heart before it puts out of the Port. Geo. Are you not for the Basset Welb. No I 've business at the Ball to Night besides my Lady Blunder has a Quarrel to me for last Night's Debauch I 'll wait on you in the Morning Exit Welborn Geo. Well you to your Business and I to mine Speaks as the rest go out Let the Dull Trading Fool by Business Live Statesmen by Plots the Courtier cringe to thrive The Fop of Noise and Wealth be Cullied on And purchase no one Joy by being undone Whilst I by Nobler careless ways advance Since Love and Fortune are acquired by Chance Exeunt Omnes The End of the Second Act. A SONG Sung by Sir Rowland in the Second Act. To TERESIA THO the young prize Cupid's Fire 'T is more val'd by the Old The Sun's warmth we now admire More than when the Season's cold Dialogue in the Masque at the beginning of the third Act. He TIme and Place you see conspire With tender Wishes fierce desire See the willing Victim stands To be offer'd by your hands Ah! Let me on Lov 's Altars lying Clasp my Goddess whilst I'm dying She. Oh Lord what hard words and strange things d'ye say Your Eyes to seem closing and iust dying away Ah! Pray what d' ye want Explain but your mind Which did I but know perhaps I 'de be kind He. My pretty soft maid full of innocent Charms I languish to sigh out my Soul in thy Arms Oh! then if I 'm lov'd deny not the Bliss But tell me I 'm happy with a ravishing Kiss She. Oh! Fie Sir I vow I cannot endure you Be civil or else I 'll cry out I assure you I will not be Kiss'd so nor tumbl'd not I I 'll tell all your tricks that I will if I dye He. Nay never dissemble nor smother that Fire Your Blushes and Eyes betray your desire The pratic'd not Innocent dally with bliss Then
is a thousand pity's to spoil a handsom man to make a dull Husband of I have known an Old Batter'd Bully of Seventy unmarry'd more agreeable for a Gallant than any scurvy out-of-Humour'd Husband at Eight and Twenty Geo. Gad a thousand times Tere. Know I have Five Hundred Pounds a Year Geo. Good Tere. And the Devil and all of Expectations from an Old Woman Geo. Very good Tere. And this Youth and little Beauty to lay out in love Pulls off her Mask Geo. Teresia the lovely Maid design'd for my Mother now what a Dog am I that gives me the greater Gust to her and wou'd fain Cuckold my Father Talks to her aside Mirtilla seems to faint Man My Lady faints help help Mir. Only the beat Oppresses me but let it not disturb the Company I 'll take the Air a little and return Goes cut with Manage Geo. Is this design'd or real perhaps she is retir'd for me Mâ—s. Manage Manage Re-enters he pulls her by the sleeve Man Ha! Monsieur Lejere what shall I feign to put him off withal Aside Geo. Why dost thou start How do's my dear Mirtilla Man Reposing Sir a while but anon I 'll wait on her for your admittance Prince Frederick puts on Welborn 's Cloak goes out and Welborn enters into the Company dress'd like the Prince Geo. Ha she spoke in passing by that gay thing What means it but I 'll trace the Mystery Sir Row The young People are Lazy and here 's nothing but gaping and peeping in one anothers Vizards come Madam let you and I shame 'em into Action Sir Rowland and Lady Youthly Dance After the Dance enter Olivia with a Letter Olivia gives Welborn the Letter Well Ha! what 's this Sir a Challenge Oliv. A Soft One Sir Well A Billet whoe'er the Lady be Reads She merits something for but believing I am worth her Mirth Oliv. I know not Sir how great a Jest you may make of it but I assure you the Lady is in earnest and if you be at leisure to hear Reason from her Well Fair and softly my Dear Love Messenger I am for no hasty Bargains not but I shou'd be glad to hear Reason from any of the Sex But I have been so damnably Jilted Is she of Quality Oliv. Yes Well Then I 'll not hear any thing from her they are troublesome and insolent and if she have a Husband to hide her Intriegues she has recourse to all the little Arts and Cunnings of her Sex and she that jilts her Husband will her Lover Oliv. She is not troubled with a Husband Sir Well What she 's parted from the Fool then she 's Expensive and for want of Alimony jilts all the believing Block-heads that she meets with Oliv. But this is a Maid Sir Well Worse still At every turn she 's raving on her Honour then if she have a Kinsman or a Brother I must be Challeng'd Oliv. Sir you mistake my Lady is for Matrimony Well How Oliv. You have not forsworn it I hope Well Not so but Oliv. If a Lady Young and Handsom and Ten Thousand Pounds Well Nay I am not positive Enter Sir Morgan and Sir Merlin Drunk Singing Sir Morg. and Sir Merl. Singing Wise Coxcombs be damn'd here 's a Health to the Man That since Life is but short lives as long as he can Sir Morg. Where is my Lady Mirtilla Rogues Sir Merl. And my Mistress Rascals For we are resolv'd to shew our selves in Triumph to our Wives and Mistresses L. You. Your Mistress Sir Merlin mistake not your Mark Sir Merl. Ha! Art thou there old Cathedral Why thou look'st as magnificently as Old Queen Bess in the Westminster-Cupboard Sir Mâ—rg Lookee as de see when Adam wore a Beard she was in her Prime or so de see Sings L. You. Sir you are a saucy Jack and your Father shall correct you Sir Merl. My Father my Father 's an old Tost de see and I hope to see him hang'd Sir Row Here 's a Heathen-Christian see his Father hang'd Sir Merl. Ay hang'd and all the old Fathers in Christendom Why what-a-Pox shou'd Fathers trouble the World for When I come to Reign in Parliament I will enact it Felony for any Father to have so little Grace to live that has a Son at Years of Discretion Sir Row A damn'd Rogue I 'll disinherit him immediately L. Blun. Is it so great a Crime Brother for a Gentleman to be Drunk Sir Merl. You Lye like a Son of a Whore I have been drinking Confusion to all the Fathers and Husbands in England Sir Morg. How Sir Confusion to Husbands Lookee de see Sir swallow me that Word or I 'll make you deposite all the conjugal Wine you have drunk Sir Merl. I deposite all your Wine Sirrah you 're a Blunderbuss Sir Morg. Sirrah you are a diminitive Bully Sir Merl. Sirrah you 're the Whore of Babylon and I defie you Sir Morg. Lookee de see I scorn to draw upon a drunken Man or so I being sober but I boldly challenge you into the Cellar where thou shalt drink till thou renounce thy Character or talk Treason enough to hang thee and that 's fair and civil Sir Merl. Agreed and when I 'm drunk enough to ravish I 'll Cuckold my old Dad and fight him for his Mistress Sir Row I have no Patience I 'll kill the Dog because I 'll have the Law on my side Come on Sir Draws the Ladies run out Sir Merlin draws George runs in and parts ' em Geo. Villain Rascal What draw upon thy Father Sir Row Pray Sir who are you that I may thank you for my Life Geo. One Sir whose Duty ' t was Pulls off his Visard Sir Row What my dear George I 'll go and cut off the Intaâ— of my Estate presently and thou shalt have it all Boy thou shalt Exeunt all but George Geo. Fortune is still my Friend Had but Mirtilla been so I wonder that she sends not to me My Love 's impatient and I cannot wait while the dull Sot is boozing with his Brother-Fools in the Cellar I 'll softly to the Chamber of my Love Perhaps she waits me there Exit SCENE the Second A Chamber and Alcove discovers Mirtilla and Prince Frederick Prince Oh! I am ravish'd with excess of Joy Mir. Enough my charming Prince Oh you have said enough Prince Never my Mirtilla The Sun that views the World nor the bright Moon that favours Loverâ— Stealths shall ever see that Hour Vast as thy Beauties are my young Desires and every new Possession kindles new Flames soft as thy Eyes soft as thy render Touches and e'er the Pantings of my Heart are laid new Transports from new Wishes dance about it and still remains in Love's Harmonious Order Kisses and Embraces her Enter George softly Geo. This House I know and this should be her Bed-Chamber because the Best and yet methought I heard another Voice but I may be mistaken Prince I faint with Pleasure of each tender Clasp
young haâ—dsom Sir where are you Calls Olivia Geo. Do you hear that Sir Man Oh are you here Runs against Olivia Oliv. Slife 't is Manage how shall I escape Aside Man Come Sir my Lady Mirtilla has dismist her troublesom Lovers for your more agreeable Company Geo. Do hear that Sir Man Come softly on Sir and follow me Oliv. I 'm all Obedience She cannot Ravish me and that 's a Comfort Aside going out Prince Oh Lejere can this be possible Can there be such a Woman Geo. Follow him Sir and see Prince See what Be witness of her Infamy Hell Hell and all the Fires of Lust possess her when she 's so old and lewd all Mankind shun her I ll be a Coward in my own diâ—e Revenge and use no manly Mercy But oh I faint I faint with Rage and Love which like two meeting Tydes swell into Storms Bear me a minute to my Couch within Geo. What have I done now I repent my Rashness Scene draws off discovers Mirtilla at her Toylet drest Enter Manage leading Olivia in as Endymion who falls at Mirtilla 's feet whilst she 's there sings a Song she takes him up Mir. Rise When Lovers are alone they pardon Ceremony I sent for you to end the Night with me say how shall we imploy it Oliv. I 'll sigh and gaze upon your lovely Face Mir. Nothing but sigh and gaze we shall grow dull Oliv. I 'll tell you Tales of Love and sing you Songs Mir. Thy Voice 't is true can charm a thousand ways but Lovers time their Joys these for the Day those for the lovely Night And when they would be silently in love have Musick of soft Sighs and gentler Whispers Oliv. Oh Love inspires all this What shall I do Aside Mir. Nay think not because I sent for you alone while Night and Silence favour Lovers Stealths to take advantage of my yielding Heart Oliv. I wou'd to Heaven she were in earnest now A Noise Enter Manage Man Oh hide your Favourite Madam do you hear Mir. A jealous Lover only comes in such a Storm Dear to my Heart whose safety is my Life Submit to be conceal'd but where Oh heavens he comes 'T is for you I fear They search for a place Man He comes Mir. Here let my Train secure you Till now I never found the right Use of long Trains and Farthingals She kneels Man puts her Train over Olivia Enter Prince and George at the Door Geo. 'Sdeath you have made these Pauses and Alarms to give her time to Jilt you Prince Pray heaven she do I 'd not be undeceiv'd for all the Sun surveys Enterâ— Mir. My Lord the Prince now you are kind indeed Goâ—s and embrace him hah what means this Uncâ—â—cern Prince I thougâ—t 〈◊〉 left you sick extreamly sick Mir. And are youâ—g lov'd to find my Health return Prince No wondrous glad of it You 're mighty Gay Mirtilla much in Glory Mir. Can he who lays his Fortune at my Feet think me too glorious for his Arms and Eyes Geo. Fifty to one the Gypsâ— jiâ—s him yet Aside Prince Pray heaven she lyes but handsomly Aside for mine Mirtilla Ha ha Mir. Am I not yours You cannot doubt my Vows Geo. She 'll do 't and make me love her anew for her rare dexterity at dissembling Prince I left you wearied going to your Bed but find you at your Toylet gayly drestâ— is if some Conquest you design'd e'er morning Mir. Maâ—â—â—â— Sir from the Fire secur'd these Trifles and I was trying several Dresseâ—on that this slight Beauty that you say has charm'd you might when yoâ— sâ—â— it next compleat the Conquest Geo. And that thou wilt if Flattery can do 't Prince Now were she guilty as I am sure she is not this softness would undo me and appease me Mir. You seem as if you doubted what I say This while Oliv. gets off unsâ—en By all the Powers Prince Hâ—â—d I scorn to need an Oath to six my Faith Oh! thou art all Divine and canst not err Embraces her Curs'd be the Tongue that daâ—es profane thy Vertue and curs'd the listning Fool that dares believe it Geo. What a poor wretched baflled thing is Man by feebler Woman aw'd and made a Coxcomb Mir. Durst any one traduce my Vertue Sir and is it possible that you could hear it Then perish all the Beauties you have flatter'd Tears her Head-things Prince Come to my Arms thou Charmer of my Soul and if one spark of Jealousie remain one of those precious Tears shall quench the Câ—ime Oh come and let me lead thee to thy Bed and breathe new Vows into thy panting Bosom Leads her off she looks back on Geo and smiles Geo. Now all the Plagues of injur'd Lovers wreck thee 'Sdeath where has she hid Olivia or how am I deceiv'd 'T is Day and with it new Invention rise to damn this Woman to the sin of Shame Break all the Chains that hold the Princely Youth and sink her with her fancy'd Pow'r and Vanity Exit Scene changes to Lady Youthly ' s. Enter Sir Rowland half drest Lady Blunder in an Undress Lady Youthly in her morning-dress Teresia and Mr. Twang Sir Row Morrow my Lady Youthly and thank you for my Nights Lodging You are as early up as if it had been your Wedding-day L. You. Truly Sir Rowland that I intend Sir Row But where 's the Bridegroom Madam Enter Roger. how now Roger what no news yet of George Râ—g Alas none Sir none till the Rubbish be removed Sir Row Rubbish What what is George become the Rubbish of the World then Weeps Twang Why Man is but dust as a man may say Sir L. Blun. But are you sure Roger my Jewel my Sir Moggy escap'd Rog. The Watch drew him out of the Cellar-window Madam L. You. How Mr. Twang the Young Gentleman burnt Oh falls in a Chair Tire Alas my Grandmother faints with your ill News Good Sir Rowland comfort her and dry your Eyes Sir Row Burnt Madam No no only the House fell on him or so Feigns Chearfulness and speaks to Lady Youthly La. You. How the House fell on him Oh! Sir Row Ah Madam that 's all why the young Rogue has a Back like an Elephant 't will bear a Castle Madam La. You. Alas good Man What a Mercy 't is Mr. Twang to have a Back like an Elephant La. Blun. Of what wonderful Use it is upon Occasion Sir Row Ay but but I shall never see him more Back nor Breast Weeps Twang Good Sir discomfort not my Lady Consider man 's a flower Sir Row Ay but George was such a Flower He was Mr. Twang he was the very Pink of Prentices Ah! what a rare Rampant Lord Mayor he wou'd have made And what a Swinging Sheriff Cries Tere. What cry so near your Wedding-day Sir Rowland Sir Row Well if he be gone Peace be with him and ' Ifaks Sweet-heart we 'll Marry and beget new Sons and Daughters but but I shall ne'er beget
Come to my Closet from thence we may observe all that passes in her Chamber from whence I 'll break upon the perjur'd Fair like Thunder from a Cloud and more destructive Exeunt Seene discovers Mirtilla and Manage Mir. Is the Prince gone Man Yes Madam Mir. Then bring Endimion to me Man Madam I wish you 'd think no more of him for I foresee that this Amour must Ruine you Remember you have left a Husband for the Prince Mir. A Husband my Drudge to toil for me and save me the Expence of careful Thoughts My Cloak my Led-Horse for Necessity to fill my Train no more but Endimion waits Exit Manage There is a native Generosity in me that checks my Inconstancy to this great Man yet I have so much Woman in my Soul cannot pain my self to do him Justice A new desire of humouring my Wish sways all my Interest and controuls all my Honour Why should I lose a Pleasure for a Promise since Time that gives our Youth so short a Date may well excuse our needful Perjury Enter Manage and Olivia she runs and Embraces him Let the young bashful Maid unskill'd in Love deny the pressing Swain Let wither'd Age who fondly dreams of Virtue lose the dear Opportunities of Life The coming Hours present themselves to us and are too nice not to be snatch'd when offer'd Oliv. So hasty this disarms me of Excuse Aside Mir. Why are thy Eyes bent down Why dost thou pause Oliv. So hot I must prepare to shew my Sex's Evidence if nothing else will do Unbuttons her Coat Mir. What not a Word Advance thou bashful Youth Love in thy Eyes and Coward in thy Heart The one all Fire the other too much Ice Prince and George looking out Prince Yet stay me my Lejere from my hasty Vengeance Oliv. Ah Madam how are you mistaken 'T is not Coldness in me but Mir. What Bashfulness Oh Love will lend thee Courage This Trembling is the soft Effects of it Oliv. Oh how vilely she 's mistaken Mir. Come to my Bed and press the Roses down and lend more sweetness to 'em than they bring She leading him to her Bed The Prince enters with Lejere holding his Sword in hand he takes hold of Olivia Prince Love thus I fling thy gaudy Fetters off and am no more a Slave to faithless Beauty The Prince helding Olivia by the Bosom of her Coat her Breast appears to Mirtilla Mir. Ha! what do I see Two Female rising Breasts By Heav'n a Woman Oh fortunate Mischance This while George is arguing with the Prince not to hurt Olivia Prince No I will not hurt thee cease thy trembling Mir. Oh Sir 't were Sin to hurt the lovely Youth Prince No Madam since I have taken back my Heart I can present you with another Lover Gives Olivia to her Mir. Ha! another Lover What means my Prince Prince Eternally to leave you to your Frailty Mir. Can you so easily cancel all your Vows Then kill me at your Feet I do implore it Kneels and Weeps Prince Away I do forgive Thee wretched Woman But yet be gone least Love and Rage return and I should kill you yet with your young Darling Mir. Whom mean you Sir this lovely Maid Oliv. Maid What means she Sure she cannot know me Prince Talk on false Woman till thou hast perswaded my Eyes and Ears out of their native Faculties I scorn to credit other Evidences Mir. Try 'em once more and then repent and dye Opens Olivia's Bosom shews her Breasts Prince Ha by Heav'n a Woman Mir. You that wou'd smile at my suppos'd undoing present your self no more before my Eyes 'T was to perplex you that I feign'd this Passion I saw you had your Spies to watch for Mischief To George And poison all my Happiness with the Prince And since I 'm thought so Criminal I 'll take an everlasting Leave of you To the Prince When I am dead may she you honour next repay your Tenderness as I have done But may she never meet my wretched Fate She snatches Olivia 's Sword out Prince Hold thou most valu'd Treasure of the World or turn the pointed Weapon to my heart Mir. No I 'm false unworthy of your Love Geo. Yes by Heav'n But thou hast Jilted him so handsomly thou 'st vanquish'd all my Rage Mir. Yes I am false false to this Gallant Man To George False to my Husband to my Sexes Fame for you more Charming I alas am perjur'd Prince Lejere have I then injur'd thee Geo. This is the Fatal Beauty Sir for whom so often you have seen me languish Prince Ah! woud'st thou see me on a Precipice and not prevent my Danger Geo. To mightier Friendship I cou'd all surrender and silently have born her Perjuries but those to you awaken'd all my Rage but she has out-trick'd me and I beg her Pardon And to secure her yours have lov'd anew and beg Protection in your Lodgings Sir for a young Maid whom I design to marry Prince Command my Life my Fortune and my Sword for the unwilling Injury I have done thee And is this the charming perjur'd Fair Mirtilla Geo. It is Sir Prince Since it is possible that you cou'd cease to love this Gallant Man whom I have heard with so much tender Passion tell your Loves what sacred Vows had past and what Endearments how can I hope from thee a lasting Faith Yet on the Oaths that thou hast sworn to me by all thy Hopes of Pardon for thy Perjuries to ease my panting Heart once speak the Truth Didst thou not take this Woman for a Man Mir. I did and were she so I wou'd with Pride own all the Vows I 've broke Prince Why this is fair and tho' I buy this Knowledge at the vast Price of all my Repose yet I must own 't is a better Bargain then chaff'ring of a Heart for feign'd Embraces Thou hast undone me yet must have my Friendship and 't will be still some Ease in this Extream to see thee yet repent and love Lejere Mir. No Sir this Beauty must be first declining to make me take up with a former Lover Geo. No Sir I have dispos'd my Heart another way and the first knowledge of her Falshood cur'd me Her Marriage I forgave that thing of form But never cou'd her Fondness to this Youth Prince Who 's this Lady Sir whose Pardon I must beg Geo. My Sister Sir who I disguis'd on purpose to be a Guard to this suspected Fair One. Enter Welborn Wel. Ha! she 's there Now every Feature points me out my Conqueress Nay start not I have found Thee thou malicious Charmer to bring me so near to Bliss and not afford me one kind hint Oliv. And are not you a very dull Fellow that lov'd and long'd and had the Maid so near you and yet needed a Hint Wel. Nay if you conceal'd your precious Talent how shou'd it profit any Body Oliv. Conceal'd it No Faith I made a very fair Tender but you refus'd
Are all your Merchants Apprentices thus Gay Geo. Not all But Sir I could not bow my mind to this so necessary Drudgery and yet however I assum'd my Native Temper when out o' th' Trading City in it I forc'd my Nature to a dull sâ—oâ—enly Gravity which well enough deceiv'd the busy Block-heads my Cloaths and Equipage I ledg'd at this End of the Town where I still paâ—â—'d for something better than I was when e're I Pleas'd to change the Trader for the Gentleman Prince And liv'd thus undiscover'd Geo. With Ease still Lov'd and Courted by the Great ever Play'd high with those durst venture most and durst make Love where're my fancy lik'd but sometimes running out my Masters Cash which was supply'd still by my Father they sent me to Reform my Expensive Life a Factor into â—rance still I Essay'd to be a Plodding Thriver but found my Parts not form'd for Dirty business Prince There 's not a Thought an Action of thy Soul that does not tend to something far more Glorious Geo. If yet you think me worthy of your Favour command that Life you have so oft preserv'd Prince No more Thou hast encreast my Value for thee Oh! take my Heart and see how 't has been us'd by a Fair Charmer since I saw thee last that sullen day we Parted you for England you may remember I design'd for Flanders Geo. I do with Malancholly Sir remember it Prince Arriv'd at Ghent I went to see an English Nun Initiated where I beheld the pretty Innocent deliver'd up a Victim to Foolish Chastity but among the Relation then attending the Sacrifice was a Fair Sister of the Young Votress but so surpassing all I 'd seen before that I neglecting the Dull Holy Business Pay'd my Devotion to that Kneeling Saint Geo. That was the nearest way to Heaven my Lord. Prince Her Face that had a thousand Charms of Youth was height'n'd with an Air of Languishment a lovely Sorrow dwelt upon her Eyes that Taught my New born-Passion Awe and Reverence Geo. This Description of her Fires me aside Prince Her Dimpl'd Mouth her Neck her Hand her Hair a Majesty and Grace in every Motion compleated my Undoing I rav'd I burnt I languish'd with desire the Holy Place cou'd scarce contain my madness with Pain with Torture I restrain'd my Passion when she retir'd â—ed sadly from the Alter I mixing with the Crowd enquir'd her Name and Countâ—y her Servant told me that she was of Quality and liv'd in England nay in this very Town this gave me Anguish not to be conâ—â—â—d till I resolv'd to follow her which is the cause you find me here so soonâ— thy Aid thy Aid Lejere or I am lost Geo. I wish to live no longer then to serve your Highness if she be Sir 〈◊〉 Maid of Quality I shall soon find her out and then you 'l easily Conquer You 've all the Youth and Beauty that can Charm and what gains most â—pon a womans heart you 've powerful Title Sir a sort of Philter that â—r sails to win But you 've not told me yet the Ladies name Prince I had forgot that 'T is in these Tablets write I 'm now in hast going to receive same Bills I Gives him the Tablets â—odg at Wilborns who came over with me being sent for to be Marry'd Geo. I know the House 't is in Southampton-Sâ—â—tare I 'll wait upon your â—â—â—â—se Exit Prince Geo Let me see Daughter to a Deceâ—â—'d Lord a Maid Opening the tablets reads and no Dowry but Beauty Living in Lâ—â—â—lns-Inn-Fields Haâ— her Name Mirtilla Mirtilla Pauses Prince thou hast paid thy self for all the Favours done me Mirtilla Pauses Why yes Mirtilla He takes but what she has given away already Oh! Damn her she has broke her Faith her Vows and is no longer mine And thou' rt my Friend Pauses again Mirtilla's but my Mistriss and has taken all the Repose of my poor Life away Yes let him take her I 'll reisign her to him and therefore shut my Eyes against her Charms Fix her inconstancy about my Heart and scorn whatever she can give me Exit SCENE II. A Chamber Enter Sir Morgan Blunder in a Night-Gown and Cap to him Manage with a Candle Man Your Lady mother has sent you a Candle Sir Sir Morg. Good Mrs. Manage remember my kind Love to my Lady mother and tell her I thank her for her Posset but never eat in a morning after hard drinking over night Man Ah Sir but now you 're marry'd to a fine Lady you ought to make much of your self Sir Mor. Good Madam as little of your Matrimony as of your Candle my stomach is plaguy squemish and a hair of the Old Dog 's worth both of ' em Oh! sick sick Enter Sir Merlin singing a Song in braise of a Rake hell's Life A Song The Town-Rake Written by Mr. Motteux I. WHat Life can compare with the Jolly Town-Rake's When in Youth his full Swing of all pleasure he takes At Noon be get up for a Whet and to dine And wings the dâ—ll hours with Mirth Musick and Wine Then Jogs to the Play-house and chats with the Masks And thence to The Rose where he takes his Three Flasks There great as a Caesar he revels when drunk And scours all he meets as he reels to his Punk Then finds the dear Girl in his Arms when he wakes What Life can compare with tue folly Town-Rake's II. He like the Great Turk has his Favourite She But the Town 's his Seraglio and still he lives free Sometimes she 's a Lady but as he must range Black Betty or Oyster-Doll serves for a Change As he varies his Sports his whole Life is a Feast He thinks him that 's soberest the most like a Beast At Houses of Pleasure breaks Windows and Doors Kicks Bullies and Cullies then lies with their Whores Rare work for the Surgeon and Midwife he makes What Life can compare with the Jolly Town-Rake's III. Thus in Covent-Garden he makes his Campaign And no Coffee-house haunts but to settle his Brain He laughs at dry Morals and never does think Vnless 't is to get the best Wenches and Drink He dwells in a Tavern and lies ev'ry where And improving his hours lives an Age in a Year For as Life is uncertain he loves to make haste And thus he lives longest because he lives fast Then a Leap in the Dark to the Devil he takes What Death can compare with the Jolly Town-Rake's Sir Mer. Why how now Sir Morgan I see you 'l make a Husband of the Right Town Mode What married but four days and at your separate Appartment already Sir Morg. A Plague of your what de call ums Sir Merl. Rakhells you would say Cousin an honourable Appellation for men of Bravery Sir Morg. Ay ay your Rakehells I was never so mudl'd with Treason Tierce Claret Oaths and Dice all the Days of my Life Was I in case to do Family duty S'life you drank down all
my Love all my Prudence too Gad forgive me for it Sir Merl. Why how the Devil cam'st thou to bear thy Liquor so ill Ods my Life you Drunk like a French man new come to the University Sir Morg. Pox I can bear their Drinking as well as any Man but your London way of Boming and Politics does not agree with my Constitution look ye Cousen set quietly to 't and I 'll stand my Ground but to have Screaming Whores Noisy Bullies Rattling Dice Swearing and Cursing Gamsters Cous turns the Head of a Country Drinker more than the Wine Sir Merl. Oh! Use Cousen will make an able Man Sir Morg. Use Cousen Use me no Uses for if ever you catch me at your Damn'd Clubs again I 'll give you my Mother for a Maid why you talk down right Treason Sir Merl. Treason ay Sir Morg. Ah Cousen why we talk't enough to Hang us all Sir Merl. My Honest Country Couz when wilt thou understand the Cuelphs and the Gibelins and learn to talk Treason o' this side the Law Bilk a Whore without Remorse break Windows and not pay for 'em Drink your Bottle without asking Questions Kill your Man without letting him Draw Play away your Mony without fear of your Spouse and stop her Mouth by Undermining her Nose Sir Mor. Come come look you Cousin one word of Advice now I 'm sober what the Devil should provoke thee and me to put our selves on our Twelve Godfathers for a Frolick We who have Estates I shou'd be loth to leave the World with a scurvy Song composed by the Poet Sternold Enter at the Door Sir Rowland hearkning Or why de see shou'd I expose my Noddle to the Billmen in Flannel and lie in the Roundhouse when I may go to bed in a whole skin with my Lady Wife Sir Merl. Gad Sir Morgan thou hast sometimes pretty smart Satyrical Touches with thee Use but Will 's Coffee a little and with thy Estate and that Talent thou maist set up for a Wit Sir Morg. Mercy upon me Sir Merlin thou art stark mad What I a Wit I had rather be one of your Rakehells for look ye a man may sweat and stare or so break Windows and Drawers Heads or so unâ—â—g a Needy Whore and yet keep ones Estate but shou'd I turn Wit 't were impossible for a Wit with an Estate is like a Prisoner among the Canibalâ— Sir Merl. How so good Sir Morgan Sir Morg. Why the Needy Rogues only feed him with praise to fatten him for their Palates and then devour him Sir Merl. I applaud your Choice Cousin for what man of 〈◊〉 wou'd not prefer a Rake to a Wit The one enioys the pleasures the other can only Rail at and that not out of Conscience but Impotence for alas a Wit has no quarrel to Vice in perfection but what the Fox had to the Grapes He can't play away his Hundred Pound at sight his Third Day won't afford it and therefore he Rails at Caâ—â—eâ—â—eâ—s Whores siâ—â—â— him as much as Noblemen and for the same cause mony These care not to sell their Carcasses for a Sonnet nor these to scatter their 〈…〉 be told an Old Tale of a Tub they were so well acquainted with before Sir Morg. What 's that Sir Merlin Sir Merl. Why their Praise For the Poets Flattery seldom reaches the Patron 's Vanity And what 's too strong season'd for the rest of the World is too weak for their Palates Sir Morg. Why look ye Cousin you 're a shrewd 〈◊〉 Whence learn'd you this Satyr for I 'm sure 't is none of thy own 〈◊〉 should as soon suspect thee guilty of Good Nature as Wit Sir Merl. I scorn it and therefore I confess I stole the Observation from a Poet but the Devil pick his Bones for diverting me from the Noble Theam of Rakehells Sir Morg. Noble Theam Sir Merlin look yee de see Don't mistake me I think 't is a very scurvy one and I wou'd not have your Father know that you set up for such a Reprobate for Sir Rowland would certainly disinherit thee Sir Merl. O keep your musty morals to your self good Country Couz They 'll do you service to your Welch Criminals for stealing an Hen or breaking up a Wenches inclosure or so Sir Morgan but for me I despise 'em I have not been admitted into the Family of the Rakehellorums for this Sir Let my Father drink Old Adam read the Pilgrim's Progress The Country Justices Calling or for a Regale drink the dull manufacture or Malt and Water I desâ—e him he can't cut off the Entail of what is setled on me and for the rest I 'le trust Dame â—ortune and pray to the Three Fatal Sisters to cut his Rotten Thâ—â—d in Two before he thinks of any such Wickedness Enter Sir Rowland in a great Rage Sir Rowl Will you so Sir Why how now Sirrah get you out of my House Rogue get out of my Doors Rascal beats him Enter Lady Blunder Lady Blund Upon my Honour now Brother what 's the matter Whence this Ungenerous Disturbance Sir Rowl What 's the matter the Disturbance Why sister this Rogue here this unintelligible graceless Rascal here will needs 〈◊〉 up for a Rakehell when there 's scarce such a thing in the Nation above an Ale-draper's Son and chuses to be awkerdly out of Fashion meerly for the sake of Tricking and Poverty and keeps company with the senseless profane lazy idle Noisie Groveling Rascals purely for the sake of spending his Estate like a Notorious Blockhead But I 'le take care he shall not have what I can dispose of You 'l be a Rake-hell will you Lady Blun. How Cousin Sure you 'l not be such a filthy beastly thing will you Sir Meâ—l Lord Aunt I only go to the Club sometimes to improve my â—â—lf in the Art of Living and the Accomplishments of a fiue Gentleman Sir â—ow A fine Gentleman Sot a fine Coxcomb beats him Sir Mâ—rg Hold hold good Unkle my Cousin has been only drawn in a â—â—â—ie or sâ— do see beâ—â— Heir to a good Estate and that 's what his Club 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 off Old Tavern Scores and buy Utensils for Whores in Faâ—â—â—â— Sir Râ—â— My Estate sold to pay Tavern Scores and keep Nasty Whores 〈◊〉 â—â—â—n Whores â—ay filthy creatures do they deal in Whores Pray 〈◊〉 what 's a Râ—â—e-hell Sir Iâ—â—â— A Rake-hell is a man that deâ—ies Law and good manners nay and good â—eâ—â—e too haâ—â— both Morality and Religion and that not for any Reason for he never thinks but meerly because he don't understand 'em â—â—â—'s the Whore's proâ—eâ—tion and punishment the Bawds Tool the Sharpers Bubble the Viâ—â—â—râ— Property the Drawers Terror the Glasiers Beneâ—â—tor in short a â—eaâ—ing thoughtless heedless ridiculous universal Coxâ—â—o Sir Merl. O Lord Aunt no more like him than an Attorney's like an honest man Why a Rake-hell is Sir Row What siraah what you rebel strikes him La. Blun. Nay Good Brother permit my Nephew to tell us