Enter _Antonio_ in haste with _Hippolyta_; weeping as passing over the
Stage.
Ant. Come, let us haste, I fear we are pursu’d.
Hip. Ah, whither shall we fly?
Ant. We are near the Gate, and must secure our selves with the Darkness
of the Night in _St. Peter’s_ Grove, we dare not venture into any
House. [Exeunt.
Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ above in the Balcony.
Clar. Can’st thou not see him yet?
Dorm. Good lack a-day, what an impatient thing is a young Girl in love!
Clar. Nay, good _Dormida_, let not want of Sleep make thee testy.
250 Dorm. In good time—are you my Governess, or I yours, that you are
giving me Instructions? Go get you in, or I shall lay down my Office.
Clar. Nay, wait a little longer, I’m sure he will come.
Dorm. You sure! you have wondrous Skill indeed in the Humours of Men:
how came you to be so well acquainted with them? you scarce ever saw
any but Don _Marcel_, and him too but thro a Grate or Window, or at
Church; and yet you are sure. I am a little the elder of the two, and
have manag’d as many Intrigues of this kind as any Woman, and never
found a constant just Man, as they say, of a thousand; and yet you are
sure.
Clar. Why, is it possible _Marcel_ should be false?
Dorm. _Marcel!_ No, no, Sweet-heart, he is that Man of a thousand.
Clar. But if he should, you have undone me, by telling me so many
pretty things of him.
Dorm. Still you question my Ability, which by no means I can indure;
get you in I say.
Clar. Do not speak so loud, you will wake my Mother.
Dorm. At your Instructions again; do you question my Conduct and
Management of this Affair? Go watch for him your self: I’ll have no
more to do with you back nor edge. [Offers to go.
Clar. Will you be so barbarous to leave me to my self, after having
made it your Business this three Months to sollicit a Heart which was
but too ready to yield before; after having sworn to me how honourable
all his Intents were; nay, made me write to him to come to night? And
now when I have done this, and am all trembling with fear and shame
(and yet an infinite Desire to see him too) [Sighs] thou wilt abandon
me: go, when such as you oblige, ’tis but to be insolent with the more
freedom.
Dorm. What, you are angry I’ll warrant. [Smiles.
Clar. I will punish my self to pay thee back, and will not see
_Marcel_.
251 Dorm. What a pettish Fool is a Maid in love at fifteen! how
unmanageable! But I’ll forgive all—go get you in, I’ll watch for your
Lover; I would not have you disoblige a Man of his Pretensions and
Quality for all the World. [_Clarinda_ goes in.
Enter _Alonzo_ below.
Alon. Now do I want _Lovis_ extremely, to consult with him about this
Business: For I am afraid the Devil, or Love, or both are so great with
me, that I must marry this fair Inchantress, which is very unlucky;
but, since _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_ refuse to see me, I hold my self no
longer ingag’d in Honour to _Hippolyta_.
Dorm. [above.] Whist, whist, Sir, Sir.
Alon. Who’s there?
Dorm. ’Tis I, your Servant, Sir; oh you are a fine Spark, are you not,
to make so fair a Creature wait so long for you? there, there’s the
Key, open the Door softly and come in. [Throws him down a Key in a
Handkerchief.
Alon. What’s this? But I’ll ask no Questions, so fair a Creature, said
she? Now if ’twere to save my Life cannot I forbear, I must go in:
Shou’d _Euphemia_ know this, she would call it Levity and Inconstancy;
but I plead Necessity, and will be judg’d by the amorous Men, and not
the jealous Women: For certain this Lady, whoe’er she be, designs me a
more speedy Favour than I can hope from _Euphemia_, and on easier Terms
too. This is the Door that must conduct to the languishing _Venus_.
[Opens the Door and goes in, leaving it unshut.
Enter _Marcel_ with his Sword drawn.
Mar. Thus far I have pursu’d the Fugitives,
Who by the help of hasty Fear and Night,
Are got beyond my Power; unlucky Accident!
Had I but kill’d _Antonio_, or _Hippolyta_,
Either had made my Shame supportable.
But tho I have mist the Pleasure of Revenge,
252 I will not that of Love.
One Look from fair _Clarinda_ will appease
The Madness which this Disappointment rais’d. [Walks looking towards
the Window.
None appears yet: _Dormida_ was to throw me down the Key. The Door is
open, left so to give me entrance. [Goes to the Door.