Chapter 70

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.

250 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_.

251 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, 252 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.