Chapter 29

Enter _Frederick_ and _Laura_.

_Fred._ _Laura_, consider well my Quality, And be not angry with your Father’s Confidence, Who left us here alone.

_Lau._ He will repent that Freedom when he knows What use you’ve made on’t, Sir.

_Fred._ Fy, fy, _Laura_, a Lady bred at Court, and Yet want complaisance enough to entertain A Gallant in private! this coy Humour Is not _à-la-mode_.--Be not so peevish with a Heart that dies for you.

_Lau._ Pray tell me, Sir, what is’t in me that can Encourage this?

_Fred._ That which is in all lovely Women, _Laura_; A thousand Blushes play about your Cheeks, Which shows the briskness of the Blood that warms them. --If I but tell you how I do adore you, You strait decline your Eyes; Which does declare you understand my meaning, And every Smile or Frown betrays your thoughts, And yet you cry, you do not give me cause.

Enter _Maid_.

_Maid._ _Curtius_, Madam, waits without.

_Fred._ I do not like his haste, --Tell him he cannot be admitted now.

_Lau._ Sir, he is one that merits better treatment from you; How can you injure thus the Man you love?

_Fred._ Oh Madam, ask your Eyes, those powerful Attracts. And do not call their Forces so in question, As to believe they kindle feeble Fires, Such as a Friendship can surmount. No, _Laura_, They’ve done far greater Miracles.

_Lau._ Sir, ‘tis in vain you tell me of their Power, Unless they could have made a nobler Conquest Than Hearts that yield to every petty Victor. --Look on me well, Can nothing here inform you of my Soul, And how it scorns to treat on these Conditions? [Looks on him, he gazes with a half Smile.

_Fred._ Faith, no, _Laura_. I see nothing there but wondrous Beauty, And a deal of needless Pride and Scorn, And such as may be humbled.

_Lau._ Sir, you mistake, that never can abate. But yet I know your Power may do me injuries; But I believe you’re guilty of no Sin, Save your Inconstancy, which is sufficient; And, Sir, I beg I may not be the first [Kneels and weeps. May find new Crimes about you.

_Fred._ Rise, _Laura_, thou hast but too many Beauties, Which pray be careful that you keep conceal’d. [Offers to go.

_Lau._ I humbly thank you, Sir.

_Fred._--But why should this interposing Virtue check me? --Stay, _Laura_, tell me; must you marry _Curtius_?

_Lau._ Yes, Sir, I must.

_Fred._ _Laura_, you must not.

_Lau._ How, Sir!

_Fred._ I say you shall not marry him, Unless you offer up a Victim, That may appease the Anger you have rais’d in me.

_Lau._ I’ll offer up a thousand Prayers and Tears.

_Fred._ That will not do. Since thou’st deny’d my just Pretensions to thee, No less than what I told you of shall satisfy me.

_Lau._ Oh, where is all your Honour and your Virtue?

_Fred_. Just where it was, there’s no such real thing. I know that thou wert made to be possest, And he that does refuse it, loves thee least. --There’s danger in my Love, and your Delay, And you are most secure whilst you obey. [He pulls her gently.

_Lau._ Then this shall be my safety, hold off, [She draws a Dagger. Or I’ll forget you are my Prince. [He laughs.

_Fred._ Pretty _Virago_, how you raise my Love? --I have a Dagger too; what will you do? [Shows her a Dagger.

Enter _Curtius_.

_Cur._ How! the Prince! arm’d against _Laura_ too! [Draws.

_Fred._ Traitor, dost draw upon thy Prince?

_Cur._ Your Pardon, Sir, I meant it on a Ravisher, A foul misguided Villain, [Bows. One that scarce merits the brave name of Man; One that betrays his Friend, forsakes his Wife, And would commit a Rape upon my Mistress.

_Fred._ Her Presence is thy Safety, be gone and leave me.

_Cur._ By no means, Sir; the Villain may return, To which fair _Laura_, should not be expos’d.

_Fred._ Slave, dar’st thou disobey? [Offers to fight.

_Cur._ Hold, Sir, and do not make me guilty of a Sin, Greater than that of yours.

Enter _Salvator_.

_Salv._ Gods pity me; here’s fine doings!--Why, how Came this roistring Youngster into my House? Sir, Who sent for you, hah?

_Cur._ Love.

_Salv._ Love, with a Witness to whom? my Daughter? --No, Sir, she’s otherwise dispos’d of I can assure You. Be gone and leave my House, and that quickly Too; and thank me that I do not secure Thee for a Traitor.

_Cur._ Will you not hear me speak?

_Salv._ Not a word, Sir, go, be gone; unless your Highness will have him apprehended. [To _Fred._

_Fred._ No, Sir, it shall not need--_Curtius_, look To hear from me.-- [Comes up to him, and tells him so in a menacing Tone, and go out severally.

_Salv._ Go, Mrs. _Minks_, get you in.

[Ex. _Salv._ and _Lau._