ARAMINTA, BELINDA, VAINLOVE, SHARPER.
SHARP. There is in true beauty, as in courage, somewhat which narrow
souls cannot dare to admire. And see, the owls are fled, as at the break
of day.
BELIN. Very courtly. I believe Mr. Vainlove has not rubbed his eyes
since break of day neither, he looks as if he durst not approach. Nay,
come, cousin, be friends with him. I swear he looks so very simply—ha,
ha, ha. Well, a lover in the state of separation from his mistress is
like a body without a soul. Mr. Vainlove, shall I be bound for your good
behaviour for the future?
VAIN. Now must I pretend ignorance equal to hers, of what she knows as
well as I. [_Aside_.] Men are apt to offend (’tis true) where they find
most goodness to forgive. But, madam, I hope I shall prove of a temper
not to abuse mercy by committing new offences.
ARAM. So cold! [_Aside_.]
BELIN. I have broke the ice for you, Mr. Vainlove, and so I leave you.
Come, Mr. Sharper, you and I will take a turn, and laugh at the
vulgar—both the great vulgar and the small. O Gad! I have a great
passion for Cowley. Don’t you admire him?
SHARP. Oh, madam! he was our English Horace.
BELIN. Ah so fine! so extremely fine! So everything in the world that I
like—O Lord, walk this way—I see a couple; I’ll give you their history.