Susanna Centlivre

“ How, Mistress, have you trick'd my Husband out of a thousand Pistoles, and never told me of it?
Lucy. Nay, Madam, don't frown——Remember you have trick'd him out of something too, which I never told him of—Don't urge me to more Discoveries.
Lud. (aside.) So——Here's Trick upon Trick: But, Faith, you shall never trick me out of my Liberty. I'm not so fond of a Wife to marry a Chamber-maid, tho' with ten Times as much Money: And so, sweet Mistress Abigail, your humble Servant. ”

“ Ne'er to admit a Passion in your Breast?
Aur. Oh! Dear Florella, press not a Confession,
Which but too well my Eyes themselves disclose.
Alas! I love—I love to such Excess,
That tho' I know I'm lov'd again, my Mind
Is still perplex'd with Doubts and jealous Fears.
Flor. You love and are belov'd! Then sure you reach
The Height of human Bliss, and bounteous Heaven
Can scarce give more——But who's the happy Man;
Is it not Count Bassino?
Aur. Oh! charming Name; there's Musick in that Sound!
Yes, Count Bassino is the Man I love. ”

“ Florella here! she comes opportunely——she may inform me of what I yet but fear——Good-morrow, Florella: How fares my Love, my dear Aurelia?
Flor. Signior, Good-morrow; you are an early Visitant.
Alon. Not for a Man in Love; but answer me, How does Aurelia?
Flor. Well in Health——Only she's now and then in a little Fit of Melancholy, such as usually proceeds from timorous Doubts about that dreadful State of Matrimony. You know the Time draws nigh that gives her to your Arms.
Alon. By Heaven! 'Tis an Age, there's six Days yet to come. ”

“ Reputation, what several Sorts of Slavery do we undergo to preserve thee! for to be thought virtuous, we are forced to be constantly railing against Vice, tho' our Tongues and Maxims seldom agree.
Lucy. Alas! Madam, that Pretence is grown too common: For the Men now take it for granted, that a Lady is very near surrendering, when once she holds out that Flag of Defiance. ”

“ Exit Lucy, Ludovico.
SCENE IV. Pizalto's Lodgings.
Enter Pizalto with a Bond in his Hand.
Piz. Well—My Wife's a fine Woman! a very fine Woman! But a Pox she's a Wife still, and this young Jade runs in my Head plaguily: Well——here 'tis under my Hand; a Thousand Pistoles——A great Sum for a Maidenhead, as Maidenheads go now-a-days——Ah, had I been young now.
Enter Lucy.
Oh! are you come! Here, here, Lucy: Here's a Fortune for thee, worth twenty Maidenheads, adod! I have not so much Money by me at present, but there's Security. ”

“ Adod, I'll give thee a hundred Crowns.
Lucy. No Injury, say you, my Lord? Why, I wonder you should be so jealous of my Lady, and preach such religious Maxims to her, when your own Principles are quite opposite.
Piz. Look ye, Child, a Man may do that, which would look abominable in a Wife——A Woman's Reputation is a nice Thing——
Lucy. 'Tis so——and therefore 'tis but Reason I should take Care of mine.
Piz. Prithee, no more of that: Thy Reputation shall be safe; I'll marry thee to my Gentleman. ”

“ Lucy. No, indeed, Sir—But I'm certain, an old Man's Business can't be great. [Aside.
Piz. [Gives her a Looking-glass.] Here, Child, this will tell thee—Look in't, look in't, I say——Ah! ah! thou hast a pretty pouting Lip, a delicate roguish Eye, such an Ogle, such a Cast——Ah! Rogue——Faith, thou'rt very pretty: And, in short, if any one rival thy Lady, it will be thee, Lucy——Egad, I have Fire in me, yet.
Lucy, aside. O' my Conscience, and little too. I believe: Yet I wish he has enough to serve my Ends. I'll make my Fortune——Lord, Sir, what do you mean? I rival my Lady! Heaven forbid ”

“ There's no living upon Love thou knowest——Tho' Faith I could live well enough too.
Lucy. Well, suppose I help you to a Lady with a round Sum; you'd keep your Word, and marry her?
Lud. I am a Gentleman, I scorn to break my Word.
Lucy. Well, Sir, come to the Mask, and I'll engage you a Mistress, if you are not over-curious.
Lud. With all my Heart:
I'm now resolv'd to leave this Wenching-Trade;
For no man's safe upon a Hackney Jade;
Th' Allay of Danger makes the Pleasure Pain,
A Virtuous Wife will always be same.
The End of the Fourth Act.
ACT V. SCENE I.
A Mask in Bassino's Lodgings. ”

“ Ah! adod, I must buss thee; [Kisses her.] Ah! Rogue, methinks I'm a young, lusty, vigorous Fellow again——Thou shalt find I am, Girl.
Lucy, aside. I believe I shall fail you, old Gentleman. Well, my Lord, make it up a thousand Pistoles, and I am your's else I'll die a Maid, I'm resolv'd.
Piz. A thousand Pistoles, why thou art the most unconscionable Wench in Italy: Why, 'tis a Price for a Duchess in some Countries. Come, come, prithee be reasonable, Lucy? ”

“ I know Murder is as venial a Sin here, as Adultery is in some Countries; And I am too apprehensive of my mortal Part not to avoid Danger——Therefore, Madam, you have an infallible Security——if I should betray you, I bring myself into Jeopardy, and of all Pleasures, Self-Preservation is the dearest. ”

“ Three Days will soon be o'er, and your Return,
Shall make me fully blest——If I should stay
'Twould look like base Distrust, and I can't think
Bassino would be false——
Bass. (aside.) Oh! Heaven that I were not!
Arm. Indeed, my Lord, I think you're truly happy.
Scarce does any Age produce so good a Wife.
Bass. Oh! that I could reward this wondrous Goodness!
Pla. My Lord, what makes you sigh?
Bass. To part from thee: But since 'tis your Desire,
It shall be so. Armando, to thy Charge
I here commit the Treasure of my Soul,
Take Care of her, and think that on her Safety
My Life depends. ”

“ We will consider when we have nothing else to do, but at present there's a Matter of the greatest Moment, which I must impart to you——Therefore, come dear Rogue, come——
L. Piz. [Looking on her Watch.] Hold——I have outstaid my Time, and must return Home instantly, to prevent Discoveries.
Lud. Faith, Madam, this is not fair——to raise a Man's Expectation, and then disappoint him! Would you be serv'd so yourself now?
L. Piz. I'll endeavour to disengage myself from my jealous Husband, and contrive another Meeting. ”

“ Tears the Ground in a distracted Manner.
A Passage thro' the Earth, and hide my Face for ever.
Alon. (Within.) Where where's this Villain? Where's Bassino?
Aur. 'Tis Alonzo's Voice.
Oh! fly, my Lord, fly from his just Revenge.
Enter Alonzo hastily.
Bass. Fly——
Where shall I fly from Justice? No, Heaven is kind
In sending him to help my Journey forward.
Alon. Where's Bassino?
Bass. (Rising.) Here Sir, I stand.
Alon. Then there stands a Villain——Ha—what
Do I see!——Aurelia murder'd!
Oh! treacherous Maid, thy Love has cost thee dear,
Think on thy broken Vows, and call to Heaven for Mercy. ”

“ Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common—each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too——and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out——'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts. ”

“ Nay, without the Help of a Conjuror, I assure you; if you dare take me for your Pilot, I'll warrant you Success in your Voyage——I'll set you safe in the Island of Love; 'tis your Business to improve the Soil.
Lud. I warrant thee, Girl; do you but bring me there once, and if I play not my Part, may I never more know the Pleasure of an Intrigue.
Lucy. Which, if I mistake not, is the streatest Curse can fall on you——Well, you must suffer a small Metamorphosis: What think you of personating me a little? That is, dressing in my Cloaths, and waiting on your Mistress in her Bed-chamber—Ha——
Lud. ”

“ L. Piz. Well—Men use us very barbarously: They will neither suffer us to be honest, nor allow us to be thought so——Here, take this Key, and secure every thing that concerns my Reputation: And if my Husband wakes ere I come back, you may easily find some Excuse to prevent his Enquiries: for the Carnival allows us more Liberty, than at other times we dare pretend to——I know thy Honesty, and will rely upon't.
Lucy. Yes, indeed, Madam, I am honest at the Bottom.
L. Piz. Well, I'll be gone: 'Tis about the Hour. ”

“ A Chamber in Signior Pizalto's House.
Enter Lady Pizalta, Lucy.
Lady Piz. Did you deliver my Letter to Ludovico, Lucy?
Lucy. Madam, I did; I found him in his Study, reading the Lover's Watch, which he swears does not at all agree with his Constitution. He hates Injunctions of Love, like those of Penance: For the one, says he, is no more pleasurable to the Body, than the other beneficial to the Soul.
L. Piz. What a fine Gallant I'm like to have with these Principles! Well——what did he say to a Summons from a Woman of my Quality? ”

“ Hold, hold! been't so lavish——a sparing Gamester is the likeliest to keep in Stock——whilst a profuse Hand at one Cast throws all he has away.
Lud. To fear that, were to doubt your Charms, in which a Lover is sure to find constant Supplies——But we lose Time——Let's retire to my Lodgings, where I'll give thee the best Proofs of my Love I can? ”

“ Exeunt Aurelia, Florella.
SCENE II. Lady Pizalta's Lodgings.
Enter Lady Pizalta, Lucy.
L. Piz. Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in Venice give for such a Servant?
Lucy. (Aside.) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you——Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour——But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?
L. Piz. Oh! above all Men living, Lucy: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with——Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? ”

“ Lucy. No——hold there, Sir: Women and Lawyers ne'er refund a fee: But 'tis your best Way to be patient now, I'll not take Blows.
L. Piz. Why all this Whispering? Why mayn't I know the Business?
Piz. I am mistaken if you have not known too much Business already: But I am right enough serv'd——I had more Ground before than I could manage; I had no Need of my Neighbour's.
Lucy. Right, my Lord; Ground that lies fallow will breed Weeds in Time; but you'rs is clear yet.
Piz. Damn your Jests; I shall expect a better Account, do you hear? I'll find a Servant to see you out of Doors. ”

“ But at present my Commission reaches no further than to know your Lodgings; if any Thing comes on't, I fancy 'twill not displease you.
Lud. (Aside.) Hum——This is but a Pettifogger in Intrigues, I find——Egad, I'm like to be pretty well employ'd during the Carnival——Well, considering I am a Stranger here, this Hit may be a lucky one, and the Lady handsome——Egad, I'll fancy her so at least, wer't but for the Pleasure of Expectation.
Lucy. What are you studying, Sir? Are you so long resolving whether you shall accept a Lady's Favour, or no? ”

“ Bassino and Aurelia talking together; Florella and other Maskers.
A Spanish Entry.
While the Dance is performing, enter Armando, and gives
Bassino two Letters, which he opens and reads.
Lady Pizalta and Lucy advance to the Front of the Stage.
L. Piz. Oh! Lucy, I'm undone——
That Stranger there has charm'd my Heart: I feel
The Pow'r of conquering Love; quick, quickly tell me,
What shall I do to ease this racking Passion?
Lucy. Nay, Madam, I fancy your Passion has little Occasion for Lenitives; it blazes so violently at first, 'tis like to be soon extinguish'd. ”

“ A Chamber in Aurelia's House.
Two Arm-Chairs. Aurelia sola.
Aur. I wonder much at my Bassino's Stay:
Oh! Love! how swiftly fly thy Hours away
When we are blest! How tedious are thy Minutes
When cruel Absence parts two longing Lovers!
Enter Florella.
Is my Bassino come? speak——
Flor. ”