Chapter 24

Enter _Frederick_ with a Letter, and _Galliard_.

_Fred._ Not allow me to speak to her, say ye, ‘tis strange; Didst say it was the Prince that sent thee?

_Gal._ My Lord, I did, but he says, he cares not for A thousand Princes.

_Fred._ I am resolv’d I will see this Woman; --Harkye, go back again and say-- [Whispers.

Enter _Lorenzo_ drunk.

_Lor._ Hah, the Prince--he must not see me In this pickle; for I would not lose my Reputation Of Wenching for this of Drinking; And I am sure I cannot be excellent at both, They are inconsistent.

_Gal._ I shall, my Lord. [Exit.

_Lor._ Your Highness’s humble Servant.

_Fred._ Ha, ha, what, _Lorenzo_ in debauch?

_Lor._ Now my Tongue will betray me:-- Faith, my Lord, I have took six, but am come briskly off; By this hand, my Lord, I am Cock over five Stout Rogues too, I can tell you, at this sport.

_Fred._ I did not think thou hadst had that Virtue.

_Lor._ I’ll tell you, Sir, ‘tis necessary those of my Office and Quality should have more Virtues Than one to recommend them; But to tell you truth, for now I am most apt for that, I was drunk in mere Malice to day.

_Fred._ Malice, against whom, prithee?

_Lor._ Why, why, Sir, the humorous old Fellow, My Father, He will not hear reason from me when I am sober. My Lord, you know _Curtius_ is an honest Fellow, And one of us too; My Sister _Laura_ is a good pretty Wench, He loves her, and she likes him; And because this testy old Blade has done himself, Do you think I can bring him to consider? No, not for my Life, he won’t consider, Sir; And now am I got drunk to see how that will edify him.

_Fred._ How! is _Laura_, the Mistress of _Curtius_, your Sister?

_Lor._ Yes, marry is she, Sir, at least by the Mother’s side; And to tell you truth, We are too good-natur’d to believe _Salvator_ our Father.

_Fred._ Thy Sister, and Daughter to _Salvator_?

_Lor._ So said my Mother, but she was handsome; And on my conscience liv’d e’en in such another Debauch’d World as ‘tis now, let them say What they will of their primitive Virtue.

_Fred._ May not I see this Sister of thine, _Lorenzo_?

_Lor._ Yes, by _Venus_, shall you, Sir, An she were my Mother.

_Fred._ But art sure thy Father will permit us?

_Lor._ My Father permit us! He may do what he will when I am sober, But being thus fortify’d with potent Wine, He must yield obedience to my Will. Why, my Lord, I’ll tell you, I’ll make him ask me blessing when I am in this Almighty Power.

_Fred._ And is thy Sister so very fine?

_Lor._ The Girl is well, and if she were not my Sister, I would give you a more certain Proof of my Opinion of her; She has excellent good Hair, fine Teeth, And good Hands, and the best natur’d Fool-- Come, come, Sir, I’ll bring you to her, And then I’ll leave you; For I have a small Affair of Love to dispatch.

_Fred._ This is a freedom that sutes not with the Humour of an _Italian_.

_Lor._ No, faith, my Lord; I believe my Mother play’d Foul play with some _Englishman_; I am so willing to do you a good office to my Sister. And if by her Humour you become of that opinion too, I shall hope to render myself more acceptable To you by that Franchise.

Enter _Galliard_, whispers.

_Fred._ Thou knowest my grateful Temper, --No matter; here, carry this Letter to _Cloris_, And make some excuse for my not coming this Evening. [Gives him a Letter, and goes out with _Lorenzo_.

_Gal._ So, poor Lass, ‘tis a hundred to one if she be not Lay’d by now, and _Laura_ must succeed her: Well, even _Frederick_, I see, is but a Man, But his Youth and Quality will excuse him; And ‘twill be call’d Gallantry in him, When in one of us, ‘tis Ill-nature and Inconstancy. [Exit.