Chapter 58

Enter _George Marteen_, in a rich Riding Habit, with his Valet _Britton_.

_Geo._ Were you with Mrs. _Manage_, _Britton_?

_Britt._ Yes, Sir; and she cries as much for her wanting room for you in her House, as she would have done some forty Years ago for a Disappointment of her Lover. But she assures me, the Lodging she has taken for you, is the best in all _Lincolns-Inn-Fields_.

_Geo._ And did you charge her to send _Mirtilla’s_ Page to me?

_Britt._ I did, Sir; and he’ll be with you instantly.

_Geo._ ‘Tis well--Then shall I hear some News of my _Mirtilla_. [Aside. _Britton_, haste thee, and get my Equipage in order; a handsome Coach, rich Liveries, and more Footmen: for ‘tis Appearance only passes in the World--And d’ye hear, take care none know me by any other Name than that of _Lejere_.

_Britt._ I shall, Sir. [Exit.

_Geo._ I came not from _Paris_ into _England_, as my old Father thinks, to reform into a dull wretched Life in _Wales._ No, I’ll rather trust my kind Mistress Fortune, that has still kept me like her Darling, than purchase a younger Brother’s narrow Stipend, at the expence of my Pleasure and Happiness.

Enter _Olivia_ in a Page’s Habit. She runs and embraces _George_.

_Oliv._ My ever charming Brother!

_Geo._ My best, my dear _Olivia_!

_Oliv._ The same lovely Man still! Thy Gallantry and Beauty’s all thy own; _Paris_ could add no Graces to thy Air; nor yet pervert it into Affectation.

_Geo._ Spare me, and tell me how _Mirtilla_ fares.

_Oliv._ I think, Brother, I writ you word to Paris, of a Marriage concluded betwixt me and _Welborn_?

_Geo._ That Letter I receiv’d: but from the dear _Mirtilla_, not one soft word; not one tender Line has blest my Eyes, has eas’d my panting Heart this tedious three Months space; and thou with whom I left the weighty Charge of her dear Heart, to watch her lovely Eyes, to give me notice when my Rivals press’d, and when she waver’d in her Faith to me, even thou wert silent to me, cruel Sister.

_Oliv._ Thou wilt be like a Lover presently, and tire the Hearer with a Book of Words, of heavy Sighs, dying Languishments, and all that huddle of Nonsense; and not tell me how you like my Marriage.

_Geo._ _Welborn’s_ my Friend, and worthy of thy Heart.

_Oliv._ I never saw him yet; and to be sold unseen, and unsigh’d for, in the Flower of my Youth and Beauty, gives me a strange aversion to the Match.

_Geo._ Oh! you’ll like him when you see him--But my _Mirtilla_.--

_Oliv._ Like him--no, no, I never shall--what, come a Stranger to my Husband’s Bed? ‘Tis Prostitution in the leudest manner, without the Satisfaction; the Pleasure of Variety, and the Bait of Profit, may make a lame excuse for Whores, who change their Cullies, and quit their nauseous Fools--No, no, my Brother, when Parents grow arbitrary, ‘tis time we look into our Rights and Privileges; therefore, my dear _George_, if e’er thou hope for Happiness in Love, assist my Disobedience.

_Geo._ In any worthy Choice be sure of me; but canst thou wish Happiness in Love, and not inform me something of _Mirtilla_?

_Oliv._ I’ll tell you better News--our hopeful elder Brother, Sir _Merlin_, is like to be disinherited; for he is, Heaven be thanked--

_Geo._ Marry’d to some Town-Jilt, the common fate of Coxcombs.

_Oliv._ Not so, my dear _George_, but sets up for a celebrated Rake-hell, as well as Gamester; he cou’d not have found out a more dextrous way to have made thee Heir to four Thousand Pounds a Year.

_Geo._ What’s that without _Mirtilla_?

_Oliv._ Prithee no more of her--Love spoils a fine Gentleman: Gaming, Whoring and Fighting may qualify a Man for Conversation; but Love perverts all one’s Thoughts, and makes us fit Company for none but one’s self; for even a Mistress can scarce dispense with a fighting, whining Lover’s Company long, though all he says flatters her Pride.

_Geo._ Why dost thou trifle with me, when thou knowest the Violence of my Love?

_Oliv._ I wish I could any way divert your Thoughts from her, I would not have your Joy depend on such a fickle Creature.

_Geo._ _Mirtilla_ false! What, my _Mirtilla_ false!

_Oliv._ Even your _Mirtilla’s_ false, and married to another.

_Geo._ Married! _Mirtilla_ married! ‘Tis impossible.

_Oliv._ Nay, married to that bawling, drinking Fool, Sir _Morgan Blunder_.

_Geo._ Married, and married to Sir _Morgan Blunder_! a Sot, an ill-bred senseless Fool; almost too great a Fool to make a Country Justice?

_Oliv._ No doubt, she had her Aims in’t, he’s a very convenient Husband, I’ll assure you, and that suits her Temper: he has Estate and Folly enough, and she has Youth and Wantonness enough to match ‘em.

_Geo._ Her Choice gives me some Comfort, and some Hopes; for I’ll pursue her, but for Revenge, not Love.

_Oliv._ Forget her rather, for she’s not worth Revenge, and that way ’.will be none; prostitute in Soul as Body, she doats even on me in Breeches.

_Geo._ On thee, her Page? doat on thee, a Youth! she knew thee not as Woman.

_Oliv._ No, that Secret I have kept to do you Service.--At first she said she lov’d me for your sake, because you recommended me; and when I sung, or plaid upon my Flute, wou’d kiss my Cheek, and sigh, and often (when alone) wou’d send for me, and smile, and talk, and set my Hair in Curls, to make me saucy and familiar with her. One Day she said, _Endimion_, thy Name-sake was thus caress’d by _Cynthia_: A Goddess did not scorn the humble Swain, whom by her Love she equal’d to her Deity. She found that I had Sense to understand her, and paid her Advances back with equal Ardour.

_Geo._ Oh, Curse! where learnt she all this Wickedness? [Aside.

_Oliv._ But she being oblig’d to go for _Flanders_, to see her Sister take the holy Habit, I feign’d a Sickness to be left behind, hoping that Absence might abate her Flame; yet she return’d more amorous, and fearing the Thefts of Love might wound her Honour, she thought a Husband would secure that Shame; and luckily my Aunt arriv’d from _Wales_, and brought Sir _Morgan_ with her, who lodging where we did, at Mrs. _Manage’s_, my Aunt (that doats on Quality in either Sex) made up this hasty Match, unknown to me, though for my sake.

_Geo._ What will not faithless Woman do, when she is raging?

_Oliv._ And now having so well prepar’d the way, she grows impatient for an Opportunity; and thou art arriv’d, most happily to succour me.

_Geo._ No, for some days keep this habit on, it may be useful to us; but I must see this faithless perjur’d Woman, which I must contrive with Mrs. _Manage_.

_Oliv._ Yet pray resolve to see my Father first; for now’s the critical time to make thy Fortune: he came to Town last night, and lodges here at Mrs. _Manage’s_, with my Aunt _Blunder_.

_Geo._ What, in the House with thee, and not know thee?

_Oliv._ No more than a Priest Compassion; he thinks me at _Hackney_, making Wax Babies, where he intends to visit me within these three days,--But I forgot to tell you, our Brother, Sir _Merlin_, lodges in this House with you; and shou’d he know you--

_Geo._ ‘Tis impossible--I’ve not see him, or my Father, these five Years. Absence, my Growth, and this unexpected Equipage, will not be penetrated by his Capacity.

_Oliv._ True, he’ll never look for his Brother _George_, in the Gallantry and Person of Monsieur _Lejere_--My good Father expects you home, like the prodigal Son, all torn and tatter’d, and as penitent too.

_Geo._ To plod on here, in a laborious Cheating, all my Youth and Vigour, in hopes of drunken Pleasures when I’m old; or else go with him into _Wales_, and there lead a thoughtless Life, hunt, and drink, and make love to none but Chamber-maids. No, my _Olivia_, I’ll use the sprightly Runnings of my Life, and not hope distant Pleasures from its Dregs.

_Oliv._ For that, use your Discretion; now equip your self to your present Business; the more simply you are clad and look, the better. I’ll home and expect you. [Exit.

_Geo._ Do so, my good Sister; a little formal Hypocrisy may do, ‘twill relish after Liberty; for a Pleasure is never so well tasted, as when it’s season’d with some Opposition.

Enter _Britton_.

_Britt._ Sir, I’ve News to tell you, will surprize you; Prince _Frederick_ is arriv’d.

_Geo._ Is’t possible? I left him going for _Flanders_.

_Britt._ Passing by our Door, and seeing your Livery, he enquir’d for you; and finding you here, alighted just now. But see, Sir, he’s here.

Enter Prince _Frederick_; they meet and embrace.

_Geo._ My Life’s Preserver, welcome to my Arms as Health to sick Men.

_Prince._ And thou to mine as the kind Mistress to the longing Lover; my Soul’s Delight, and Darling of the Fair.

_Geo._ Ah Prince! you touch my bleeding Wound.

_Prince._ Ha, _Lejere_! leave to unhappy Lovers those Sighs, those folded Arms, and down-cast Eyes.

_Geo._ Then they are fit for me; my Mistress, Sir, that Treasure of my Life, for whom you’ve heard me sigh, is perjur’d, false, and married to another. Yet what is worse, I find my Prince, my Friend, here in my native Country, and am not able to pay him what his Greatness merits.

_Prince._ You pain me when you compliment my Friendship. [Embracing.

_Geo._ Perhaps you will not think me worth this Honour, when you shall hear my Story.

_Prince._ Thou canst say nothing I can value less.

_Geo._ Perhaps too my way of Living has deceiv’d you, being still receiv’d by Princes, as Companions in all their Riots, Loves, and Divertisements; where ev’n you did me the Honour to esteem, and call me Friend.

_Prince._ Whate’er thou art, I’m sure thy Mind’s illustrious.

_Geo._ My Family, I must confess, is honourable; but, Sir, my Father was the younger House, of which my unhappy self was destin’d to be last: I’m a _Cadet_, that Out-cast of my Family, and born to that curse of our old _English_ Custom. Whereas in other Countries, younger Brothers are train’d up to the Exercise of Arms, where Honour and Renown attend the Brave; we basely bind our youngest out to Slavery, to lazy Trades, idly confin’d to Shops or Merchants Books, debasing of the Spirit to the mean Cunning, how to cheat and chaffer.

_Prince._ A Custom insupportable!--

_Geo._ To this, to this low wretchedness of Life, your Servant, Sir--was destin’d by his Parents, and am yet this bound indentur’d Slave.

_Prince._ Thou hast no cause to quarrel with thy Stars, since Virtue is most valu’d when opprest--Are all your Merchants Apprentices thus gay?

_Geo._ Not all--but, Sir, I could not bow my Mind to this so necessary Drudgery; and yet however, I assum’d my native Temper, when out o’th’ Trading City; in it, I forc’d my Nature to a dull slovenly Gravity, which well enough deceiv’d the busy Block-heads; my Clothes and Equipage I lodg’d at this End of the Town, where I still pass’d for something better than I was, whene’er I pleas’d to change the Trader for the Gentleman.

_Prince._ And liv’d thus undiscover’d--

_Geo._ With Ease, still lov’d and courted by the Great, ever play’d high with those durst venture most; and durst make Love where’er my Fancy lik’d: but sometimes running out my Master’s Cash, (which was supply’d still by my Father) they sent me, to reform my expensive Life, a Factor, into _France_--still I essay’d to be a plodding Thriver, but found my Parts not form’d for dirty Business.

_Prince._ There’s not a Thought, an Action of thy Soul, that does not tend to something far more glorious.

_Geo._ If yet you think me worthy of your Favour, command that Life you have so oft preserv’d.

_Prince._ No more;--Thou hast increas’d my Value for thee.--Oh! take my Heart, and see how’t has been us’d by a fair Charmer, since I saw thee last--That sullen day we parted, you for _England_, you may remember I design’d for _Flanders_.

_Geo._ I do, with Melancholy, Sir, remember it.

_Prince._ Arriv’d at _Ghent_, I went to see an _English_ Nun initiated, where I beheld the pretty Innocent, deliver’d up a Victim to foolish Chastity; but among the Relations, then attending the Sacrifice, was a fair Sister of the young Votress, but so surpassing all I’ad seen before, that I neglecting the dull holy Business, paid my Devotion to that kneeling Saint.

_Geo._ That was the nearest way to Heaven, my Lord.

_Prince._ Her Face, that had a thousand Charms of Youth, was heighten’d with an Air of Languishment; a lovely Sorrow dwelt upon her Eyes, that taught my new-born-Passion Awe and Reverence.

_Geo._ This Description of her fires me.-- [Aside.

_Prince._ Her dimpl’d Mouth, her Neck, her Hand, her Hair, a Majesty and Grace in every Motion, compleated my Undoing; I rav’d, I burnt, I languish’d with Desire, the holy Place cou’d scarce contain my Madness: with Pain, with Torture, I restrain’d my Passion when she retir’d, led sadly from the Altar. I, mixing with the Croud, enquir’d her Name and Country; her Servant told me, that she was of Quality, and liv’d in _England_, nay, in this very Town: this gave me Anguish not to be conceiv’d, till I resolv’d to follow her, which is the cause you find me here so soon. Thy Aid, thy Aid, _Lejere_, or I am lost.

_Geo._ I wish to live no longer than to serve your Highness: if she be, Sir, a Maid of Quality, I shall soon find her out, and then you’ll easily conquer. You’ve all the Youth, and Beauty, that can charm; and what gains most upon a Woman’s Heart, you’ve a powerful Title, Sir, a sort of Philter, that ne’er fails to win. But you’ve not told me yet the Lady’s Name.

_Prince._ I had forgot that;--’Tis in these Tablets written: [Gives him the Tablets. I’m now in haste, going to receive some Bills: I lodge at _Welborn’s_, who came over with me, being sent for to be marry’d.

_Geo._ I know the House, ‘tis in _Southampton-Square_: I’ll wait upon your Highness-- [Exit _Prince_. Let me see--Daughter to a deceas’d Lord; a Maid, and no Dowry, but Beauty; living in _Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields_. [Opening the Tablets, reads. --Ha!--her Name _Mirtilla_! _Mirtilla_! [Pauses. Prince, thou hast paid thyself for all the Favours done me. _Mirtilla!_ [Pauses. Why, yes, _Mirtilla_! He takes but what she has given away already.--

Oh! damn her, she has broke her Faith, her Vows, and is no longer mine--And thou’rt my Friend. [Pauses again.

_Mirtilla’s_ but my Mistress, and has taken all the Repose of my poor Life away--Yes, let him take her, I’ll resign her to him; and therefore shut my Eyes against her Charms: fix her Inconstancy about my Heart, and scorn whatever she can give me. [Exit.