Chapter 41

_Enter two Porters and_ Rag, _bearing_ Gayman _in a Chest; set it down, he comes forth with a Dark-lanthorn_.

_Gay_. Set down the Chest behind yon hedge of Roses--and then put on those Shapes I have appointed you--and be sure you well-favour’dly bang both _Bearjest_ and _Noisey_, since they have a mind to see the Devil.

_Rag_. Oh, Sir, leave ‘em to us for that; and if we do not play the Devil with ‘em, we deserve they shou’d beat us. But, Sir, we are in Sir _Cautious_ his Garden, will he not sue us for a Trespass?

_Gay_. I’ll bear you out; be ready at my Call.

[_Exeunt_.

--Let me see--I have got no ready stuff to banter with--but no matter, any Gibberish will serve the Fools--’tis now about the hour of Ten--but Twelve is my appointed lucky Minute, when all the Blessings that my Soul could wish, shall be resign’d to me.

_Enter_ Bredwel.

--Hah! who’s there? _Bredwel_?

_Bred_. Oh, are you come, Sir--and can you be so kind to a poor Youth, to favour his Designs, and bless his Days?

_Gay_. Yes, I am ready here with all my Devils, both to secure you your Mistress, and to cudgel your Captain and Squire, for abusing me behind my Back so basely.

_Bred_. ‘Twas most unmanly, Sir, and they deserve it--I wonder that they come not.

_Gay_. How durst you trust her with him?

_Bred_. Because ‘tis dangerous to steal a City-Heiress, and let the Theft be his--so the dear Maid be mine--Hark--sure they come--

_Enter_ Bearjest, _runs against_ Bredwel.

--Who’s there? Mr. _Bearjest_?

_Bea_. Who’s that? _Ned_? Well, I have brought my Mistress, hast thou got a Parson ready, and a License?

_Bred_. Ay, ay, but where’s the Lady?

_Bea_. In the Coach, with the Captain at the Gate. I came before, to see if the Coast be clear.

_Bred_. Ay, Sir; but what shall we do? here’s Mr. _Gayman_ come on purpose to shew you the Devil, as you desir’d.

_Bea_. Sho! a Pox of the Devil, Man--I can’t attend to speak with him now.

_Gay_. How, Sir! D’ye think my Devil of so little Quality, to suffer an Affront unrevenged?

_Bea_. Sir, I cry his Devilship’s Pardon: I did not know his Quality. I protest, Sir, I love and honour him, but I am now just going to be married, Sir; and when that Ceremony’s past, I’m ready to go to the Devil as soon as you please.

_Gay_. I have told him your Desire of seeing him, and shou’d you baffle him?

_Bea_. Who, I, Sir! Pray, let his Worship know, I shall be proud of the Honour of his Acquaintance; but, Sir, my Mistress and the Parson wait in _Ned’s_ Chamber.

_Gay_. If all the World wait, Sir, the Prince of Hell will stay for no Man.

_Bred_. Oh, Sir, rather than the Prince of the Infernals shall be affronted, I’ll conduct the Lady up, and entertain her till you come, Sir.

_Bea_. Nay, I have a great mind to kiss his--Paw, Sir; but I cou’d wish you’d shew him me by day-light, Sir.

_Gay_. The Prince of Darkness does abhor the Light. But, Sir, I will for once allow your Friend the Captain to keep you company.

_Enter_ Noisey _and_ Diana.

_Bea_. I’m much oblig’d to you, Sir; oh, Captain-- [_Talks to him_.

_Bred_. Haste, Dear; the Parson waits, To finish what the Powers design’d above.

_Dia_. Sure nothing is so bold as Maids in Love! [_They go out_.

_Noi_. Psho! he conjure--he can flie as soon.

_Gay_. Gentlemen, you must be sure to confine your selves to this Circle, and have a care you neither swear, nor pray.

_Bea_. Pray, Sir! I dare say neither of us were ever that way gifted.

A horrid Noise.

_Gay_.

_Cease your Horror, cease your Haste. And calmly as I saw you last, Appear! Appear! By thy Pearls and Diamond Rocks, By thy heavy Money-Box, By thy shining Petticoat, That hid thy cloven Feet from Note; By the Veil that hid thy Face, Which else had frighten’d humane Race_: [Soft Musick ceases. _Appear, that I thy Love may see, Appear, kind Fiends, appear to me_.

A Pox of these Rascals, why come they not?

_Four enter from the four corners of the Stage, to Musick that plays; they dance, and in the Dance, dance round ‘em, and kick, pinch, and beat ‘em_.

_Bea_. Oh, enough, enough! Good Sir, lay ‘em, and I’ll pay the Musick--

_Gay_. I wonder at it--these Spirits are in their Nature kind, and peaceable--but you have basely injur’d some body--confess, and they will be satisfied--

_Bea_. Oh, good Sir, take your _Cerberuses_ off--I do confess, the Captain here, and I have violated your Fame.

_Noi_. Abus’d you,--and traduc’d you,--and thus we beg your pardon--

_Gay_. Abus’d me! ‘Tis more than I know, Gentlemen.

_Bea_. But it seems your Friend the Devil does.

_Gay_. By this time _Bredwel’s_ married. --Great _Pantamogan_, hold, for I am satisfied, [_Ex. Devils_. And thus undo my Charm-- [_Takes away the Circle, they run out_. So, the Fools are going, and now to _Julia’s_ Arms.

[_Going_.