ARAMINTA, VAINLOVE.
VAIN. I find, madam, the formality of the law must be observed, though
the penalty of it be dispensed with, and an offender must plead to his
arraignment, though he has his pardon in his pocket.
ARAM. I’m amazed! This insolence exceeds t’other; whoever has
encouraged you to this assurance, presuming upon the easiness of my
temper, has much deceived you, and so you shall find.
VAIN. Hey day! Which way now? Here’s fine doubling. [_Aside_.]
ARAM. Base man! Was it not enough to affront me with your saucy
passion?
VAIN. You have given that passion a much kinder epithet than saucy, in
another place.
ARAM. Another place! Some villainous design to blast my honour. But
though thou hadst all the treachery and malice of thy sex, thou canst not
lay a blemish on my fame. No, I have not erred in one favourable thought
of mankind. How time might have deceived me in you, I know not; my
opinion was but young, and your early baseness has prevented its growing
to a wrong belief. Unworthy and ungrateful! be gone, and never see me
more.
VAIN. Did I dream? or do I dream? Shall I believe my eyes, or ears?
The vision is here still. Your passion, madam, will admit of no farther
reasoning; but here’s a silent witness of your acquaintance. [_Takes our
the letter_, _and offers it_: _she snatches it_, _and throws it away_.]
ARAM. There’s poison in everything you touch. Blisters will follow—
VAIN. That tongue, which denies what the hands have done.
ARAM. Still mystically senseless and impudent; I find I must leave the
place.
VAIN. No, madam, I’m gone. She knows her name’s to it, which she will
be unwilling to expose to the censure of the first finder.
ARAM. Woman’s obstinacy made me blind to what woman’s curiosity now
tempts me to see. [_Takes up the letter_.]