Chapter 37

Enter _Laura_ and _Cloris_ like a Boy, as before.

_Lau._ Forward, dear _Cloris_.

_Clo._ And, Madam, ‘twas upon a Holyday, It chanc’d Prince _Frederick_ came into our Village, On some reports were made him of my Beauty, Attended only by the noble _Curtius_: They found me in the Church at my Devotion, Whom _Frederick_ soon distinguished from the rest; He kneel’d down by me, and instead of Prayer, He fell to praise--but ‘twas my Beauty only; --That I could tell you, of my strange surprize! My Zeal was all disordered, and my Eyes Fed on the false, not real Sacrifice. --I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide, Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy’d.

_Lau._ And did you know him then?

_Clo._ Not till he left me: --But, to be short, Madam, we parted there; But e’er he went he whisper’d in my ear, And sigh’d, Ah, _Cloris_! e’er you do depart, Tell me, where ‘tis you will dispose my Heart? --Pray give me leave to visit it again, Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain. I, only blushing, gave him my consent; He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went. That night, alas, I took but little rest; } The new and strange Disorder in my Breast } Can, Madam, only by your self be guest. }

_Lau._ I’ll not deny that I’m a Lover too, And can imagine what was felt by you.

_Clo._ No sooner did the welcome Day appear, But _Lucia_ brought me word the Prince was there; His very Name disorder’d me much more, Than did his Sight or Touch the day before; So soon my rising Love grew up to power, So soon he did become my Conqueror. --How pale and trembling, when he did appear, I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear. --But I’ll omit the many visits paid, Th’ unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made, My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ, How all my Doubts were answer’d by his Wit; How oft he vow’d to marry me, whilst I Durst not believe the pleasing Perjury: --And only tell you, that one night he came, Led by designs of an impatient Flame; When all the House was silently asleep, Except my self, who Love’s sad Watch did keep; Arm’d with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare, His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear; So many wild and frantick things he said, And so much Grief and Passion too betray’d, So often vow’d he’d finish there his Life, If I refus’d him to become his Wife; That I half-dying, said it should be so; Which though I fear’d, Oh, how I wish’d it too! Both prostrate on the Ground i’th’ face of Heaven, His Vows to me, and mine to him were given: --And then, oh, then, what did I not resign! With the assurance that the Prince was mine. [Weeps.

_Lau._ Poor _Cloris_, how I pity thee! Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor; --_Curtius_ is banish’d, _Frederick_ still pursues me, And by a cruel Father I’m confin’d, And cannot go to serve my self or thee. [One knocks.

_Lor._ [Without.] Sister _Laura_, Sister.

_Lau._ It is my Brother, would he would be kind, And set us free; he shall not see thee, And I’ll persuade him. [As she puts _Cloris_ into her Closet, enter _Lorenzo_ with a Letter.

_Lor._ Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a right _Italian_, should I grow jealous, and enrag’d at I know not what: hah, Sister! What are you doing here? Open your Cabinet, and let me see’t.

_Lau._ Sir, ‘tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.

_Lor._ ‘Tis so, I care not for that, I’ll see’t.

_Lau._ Pray do not, Brother.

_Lor._ Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.

_Lau._ ‘Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince, And he dares not take it ill. [Aside. --Here, Sir, [Gives him the Key.

_Lor._ And here’s for you too; a Letter from _Curtius_, And therefore I would not open it: I took it up At the Post-house. [She reads, and seems pleas’d. Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of hers, And give me a slash o’er the Face for peeping I were but rightly serv’d; And why the Devil should I expect my Sister should Have more Virtue than my self? She’s the same flesh and blood: or why, because She’s the weaker Vessel, Should all the unreasonable burden of the Honour Of our House, as they call it, Be laid on her Shoulders, whilst we may commit A thousand Villanies? but ‘tis so-- Here, open the Door; I’ll put her before me, however. [She opens the Door, and brings out _Cloris_.

_Lau._ Sir, ‘tis _Philibert_ from the Prince.

_Lor._ Why, how now, Youngster, I see you intend To thrive by your many Trades; So soon, so soon, i’faith? but, Sirrah, This is my Sister, and your Prince’s Mistress; Take notice of that.

_Clo._ I know not what you mean.

_Lor._ Sir, you cannot deceive me so; And you were right serv’d, you would be made fit For nothing but the great _Turk’s Seraglio_.

_Clo._ You mistake my business, Sir.

_Lor._ Your Blushes give you the lye, Sirrah; But for the Prince’s sake, and another reason I have, I will pardon you for once.

_Lau._ He has not done a fault, and needs it not.

_Lor._ Was he not alone with thee? And is not that enough? Well, I see I am no _Italian_ In Punctillio’s of honourable Revenge. There is but one experiment left to prove my self so; And if that fail, I’ll e’en renounce my Country. --Boy, harkye,--there is a certain kindness You may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.

_Clo._ You shall command me any thing.

_Lor._ Prithee how long hast thou been set up for thy self, Hah?

_Clo._ As how, Sir?

_Lor._ Poh, thou understand’st me.

_Clo._ Indeed I do not, Sir; what is’t you mean?

_Lor._ A smooth-fac’d Boy, and ask such a Question? Fy, fy, this Ignorance was ill counterfeited To me that understand the World.

_Clo._ Explain your self, Sir.

_Lor._ Lookye, ten or twenty Pistoles will do you No hurt, will it?

_Clo._ Not any, Sir.

_Lor._ Why, so, ‘tis well any thing will make thee Apprehend.

_Clo._ I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.

_Lor._ That’s kindly said-- I see a Man must not be too easy of belief: had I been so, This Boy would have been at, what d’ye mean, Sir? And, Lord, I understand you not. Well, _Philibert_, here’s earnest to bind the Bargain; I am now in haste; when I see thee next, I’ll tell thee more. [_Lorenzo_ whispers to _Laura_.

_Clo._ This ‘tis to be a Favourite now; I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince, Which I’ll be sure to do.

_Lor._ Nay, it must be done, for she has us’d me basely; Oh, ‘tis a Baggage.

_Lau._ Let me alone to revenge you on _Isabella_, Get me but from this Imprisonment.

_Lor._ I will: whilst I hold the old Man in a dispute, Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay’st her home.

_Lau._ I warrant you, Sir, this was happy; Now shall I see _Curtius_.

_Lor._ _Philibert_, I advise you to have a care of Wenching: ‘twill spoil a good Face, And mar your better market of the two. [Ex. _Lor._

_Lau._ Come, let us haste, and by the way, I’ll tell thee Of a means that may make us all happy.

[Exeunt.