is too open come with me For I 've desir'd and now resolve to kill thee Bell. And so thou shalt defenceless I will yield And leave my bosom open to thy Sword But first conduct me to my Wife For I will see her nor can I dye unpardon'd Friend See his Wife of whom do you demand her Bell. Of thee dar'st thou detain me Offers to go in Friend Death how shou'd he know she 's here Aside Stay Sir this way our bus'ness lies Pulls him back Bell. I ask not thine but mine lies only this way Offers to go inâ— again Friend By Heav'n you shall not enter here Bell. I know thou lovest her And 't is with reason thou deny'st an entrance To one so much unworthy to approach her Friend Yes I do love her and dare own it too And will defend her from one so base and treacherous Bell. Who dares â—eny thy Reasons Friend Sh 'as made me take an Oath to fight with thee And every wound my lucky Sword shou'd make She bad me say was sent thee from her hate Bell. Oh I believe thee prethee tell on young man That I may dye without the aid of wounds Friend To break thy heart know then she loves another And has took back the Vows she made to thee And given 'em to a Man more worthy of ' em Bell. Alas I credit thee yet then by Heav'n she 's false And I will know why 't is she is thus perjur'd Offers to go Nay now nor Heav'n nor Hell shall hinder me Stand off or to the number I 'll add one sin more And make my passage to her through thy heart Friend And so you shall Sir They fight Bellmour disarms Friend and runs in Disarm'd by Heav'n you shall not so escape A Rage that is too just here to give o're The Scene changes to the inside of Friendloves Lodgings Enter Celinda as before met by Nurse Nur. Oh Madam here 's Mr. Bellmour he has wounded my young Master who deni'd him entrance and is come into the house and all in Rage demands his Wife Cel. Oh Heav'n demands his Wife is that sad Curse Added to all the rest does he then love her Enter Bellmour with two Swords Nur. Whether do you press Sir And what 's your business Bell. To see my Wife my Wife impertinence And must I meet with nought but opposition Pushes her roughly away Cel. Let him come in Nur. Marry he lets himself in I thank him Cel. What Man art thou thus cover'd o're with horror Bell. One sent from Hell to punish Perjury Where 's this perfidious Fair this blushless Maid That has by my example broke her Vows A President that Fiends wou'd shame to follow Cel. Who is' t you mean Sir Bell. A thing that has no name she is so bad One who so lately gave her self to me And now is flown into anothers Arms. One that attacks my life for the same sins Which she her self commits and thinks to live too Yet still she is my Wife whom I have injur'd Till when she was a Saint come lead me to her Tho' she be false as I yet I 'll forgive it Throws by the Swords Cel. Heav'ns he repents his Cruelty to her And never mentions me Ah then 't is time to die And that I may be sure of death Aside Well Sir I will conduct this happy Lady to you Bell. Gods happy whil'st I am wretched Ex. Cel. Oh what an Ague chills my shivering Limbs Turns my hot rage to softest love and shame Were I not here to dye here at her feet I wou'd not stand the shock of her Reproaches But yet she need not speak a look's sufficient To call up all my sins to my undoing She comes Oh Heav'n she comes Enter Celinda and Diana Like penitent Criminals thus with my Eyes declin'd I bow my head down for the last sad blow Stands bow'd Cel. Sir in obedience to your Commands I 've brought the Lady Dia. How the perfidious Bellmour The only object of my hate and scorn Bell. Say on my angry Deity Kneels Whil'st I thus trembling hear my fatal doom Like sinners conscious ne're to be forgiven I dare not lift my guilty Eyes towards Heaven Cel. Can I hear this and yet retain my life Dia. Had I but two days since beheld this Youth Thus prostrate at my feet I shou'd have thought My self more blest Than to have been the Deity he calls me Enter Friendlove Friend Defend me the Traytor here and at Diana's feet The fittest Altar for my Sacrifice Turn turn from what thou lovest and meet my justice Cel. Oh hold my dearest Brother Bellm. rises and turns about Bellm. Nay now I 'm ready for the welcom Sword Since my Celinda's false and cannot pardon Cel. Oh do not dye with that prophane opinion Celinda falâ—e or cannot pardon thee Dia. Stay generous Sir my pity has forgiven him Bell. Thou why who art thou Diana Dia. Yes that Diana Whom maugre all the Penitence thou shew'st Can scarce forgive the injuries thou 'st done her Bell. I shew a Penitence for injuring thee By Heav'n I never cou'd do one or other All that I am is the divine Celinda's Friend He 's stark mad ÃŽ Aside Bell. But since she cannot pardon I can dye Offers to fall on his Sword Cel. Canst thou not credit me she pardons thee Live and enjoy Diana Turns her face from him Bell. What art thou who knowst her heart so well Art thou my Rival the blessed Youth to whom She has given her Vows live and enjoy Diana Yes yes thou art my Rival and I 'll kill thee Cel. Do whilst I meet thy Sword Opens her Arms Dia. stays him he lets fall his Sword and gazes Bell. Dull dull Adorer not to know my Saint Oh how have I prophan'd to what strange Idol Was that I kneel'd Mistaking it for a Divinity Cel. To your fair Wife Diana Bell. Oh cruel Maid Has Heav'n design'd me any but Celinda Dia. Maid bless me did I then love a Woman I am pleas'd thou shou'dst renounce me make it good And set me free from Fetters which I hate Bell. If all our Laws can do 't I will for here Ends all my claim To Cel. Friend Was this the Wife you did demand of me Bell. Yes I had no other Dia. Fair Maid forgive me all my shameful Passion And charge my fault upon your Beauty only Cel. Excellent Creature I shou'd sue for that Which my deceit will never make me hope Bell. And art thou true to Love and all thy Vows Whilst I to save my Fortune That only which cou'd make me merit thee Gave my unwilling hand to this fair Noble Maid Ah Friendlove when thou hearst my Story told Thou wilt forgive and pity me Dia. What was 't you said Sir Friendlove Friend Yes Madam I hope the name can make no diff'rence Or hate that still so you love the Man Dia. Tho' I 'm again defeated yet this last Proves least offensive nor
of keeping yet as you Sir Timothy have done much to your glory I assure you Sir Tim. Who I Sir You do me much Honour I must confess I do not find the softer Sex cruel I am received as well as another Man of my Parts Friend Of your Money you mean Sir Sir Tim. Why Faith Ned thou art i' th' right I love to buy my pleasure for by Fortune there 's as much pleasure in Vanity and Variety as any Sins I know What think'st thou Ned Friend I am not of your mind I love to love upon the square and that I may be sure not to be cheated with false Ware I present 'em nothing but my heart Sir Tim. Yes and have the consolation of seeing your frugal Huswifery Miss sit in the Pit at a Play in a long Scarf and Night-gown for want of Points and Garniture Friend If she be clean and pretty and drest in Love I can excuse the rest and so will she Sir Tim. I vow to Fortune Ned thou must come to London and be a little manag'd ' Slife Man should'st thou talk so aloud in good Company thou would'st be counted a strange Fellow Pretty and drest with Love a fine Figure by Fortune No Ned the painted Chariot gives a Lustre to every ordinary Face and makes a Woman look like Quality ay so like by Fortune that you shall not know one from t'other till some scandalous out-of-favor'd-laid-aside-Fellow of the Town cry Damn her for a Bitch how scornfully the Whore regards me She has forgot since Iack such a one and I club'd for the keeping of her when both our Stocks well manag'd wou'd not amount to above seveâ— shillings six pence a week besides now and then a Treat of a Breastoâ— Mutton from the next Cooks Then the other laughs and cryes I Rott her And tells his Story too and concludes with who maâ—nages the Gilt now Why Faith some dismal Coxcomb or other yoâ— may be sure replies the first But Ned these are Râ—gues and Rascals thâ— value no Mans Reputation because they despise their own But Faith 〈◊〉 have laid aside all these vanities now I have thought of Matrimony bâ—â— I desire my Reformation may be a secret because as you know for 〈◊〉 Man of my Address and the rest 'T is not altogether so Jantee Friend Sir I assure you it shall be so great a Secret for me that I will never ask you who the happy Woman is that 's chosen for this great work of your Conversion Sir Tim. Ask me No you need not because you know already Friend Who I I protest Sir Timothy Sir Tim. No Swearing dear Ned for 't is not such a Secret but I will trust my Intimates these are my Friends Ned pray know them This Mr Sham and this by fortune a very honest Fellow Bows to ' em Mr Sharp and may be trusted with a bus'ness that concerns you as well as me Friend Me What do you mean Sir Timothy Sir Tim. Why Sir you know what I mean Friend Not I Sir Sir Tim. What not that I am to marry your Sister Celinda Friend Not at all Bell. O this unsufferable Sott Aside Friend My Sister Sir is very nice Sir Tim. That 's all one Sir the old People have adjusted the matter and they are the most proper 〈◊〉 a Negotiation of that kind which saves us the trouble of a tedious Courtship Friend That the old People have agreed the matter is more than I know Sir Tim. Why Lord Sir will you persuade me to that don 't you know that your Father according to the method in such cases being certain of my Estate came to me thus Sir Timothy Tawdrey You are a young Gentleman and a Knight I knew your Father well and my right worshipful Neighbor our Estates lie together therefore Sir I have a desire to have a near Relation with you At which I interrupted him and cryâ—d Oh Lord Sir I vow to Fortune you do me the greatest Honour Sir and the rest Bell. I can endure no more he marry fair Celinda Friend Prethee let him alone Aside Sir Tim. To which he answer'd I have a good Fortune Have but my Son Ned and this Girl call'd Celinda whom I will make a Fortune sutable to yours your honoured Mother the Lady Tawdrey and I have as good as concluded the match already To which I who tho I say it am well enoâ—gh bred for a Knight answer'd the Civility thus I vow to Fortune Sir I did not swear but cry'd I protest Sir Celinda deserves no no I lye again 't was merits I Celinda merits a much better Husband than I. Friend You speak more truth than you are aware of Aside Well Sir I 'll bring you to my Sister and if she likes you as well as my Father does she 's yours otherwise I have so much tenderness for her as to leave her choice free Sir Tim. Oh Sir you Compliment Alons Entrons Exeunt Scene 2. A Chamber Enter Celinda and Nurse Cel. I wonder my Brother stayes so long sure Mr Bellmour is not yet arriv'd yet he sent us word he would be here to day Lord how impatient I grow Nur. Ay so methinks if I had the hopes of enjoying so sweet a Gentleman as Mr Bellmour I shou'd be so too But I am past it Well I have had my pantings and heavings my impatience and qualms my heats and my colds and my I know not what 's But I thank my stars I have done with all those Fooleries Cel. Fooleries Is there any thing in life but Love Wou'dst thou praiâ—e Heaven for thy Being Without that grateful part of it For I confess I Love Nur. You need not your sighs and daily nay and nightly too disorders plainly enough betray the truth Cel. Thou speak'st as if it were a Sin But if it be so you your self help'd to make me wicked For e're I saw Mr Bellmour you spoke the kindest things of him As would have mov'd the dulleâ—t Maid to Love And e're I saw him I was quite undone Nur. Quite undone Now God forbid it What for Loving You said but now there was no life without it Cel. But since my Brother came from Italy And brought young Bellmour to our house How very little thou hadst said of him How much above thy praise I found the Youth Nur. Very pretty You are grown a notable Proficient in Love And you are resolv'd if he please to Marry him Cel. Or I must dye Nur. I but you know the Lord Plotwell has the possession of all his Estate and if he Marry without his liking has power to take away all his Fortune and then I think it were not so good Marrying him Cel. Not Marrying him Oh canst thou think so poorly of me Yes I wou'd Marry him tho' our scanty Fortune Cou'd onely purchase us A loanly Cottage in some silent place All cover'd oâ—re with Thatch Defended from the outrages of storms By leafless Trees in Winter and from heat
warrant thee Nurse Oh how I hope and fear this nights success Exeunt Scene a Chamber Celinda in her Night Aâ—tire leaning on a Table Enter to her Bellmour and Nurse Cel. Oh Heavens Mr. Bellmour at this late hour in my Chamber Bell. Yes Madam but will approach no nearer till you permit me And sure you know my Soul too well to fear Cel. I do Sir and you may approach yet nearer And let me know your business Bell. Love is my bus'ness that of all the world Only my flame as much surmounts the rest As is the Objects beauty I adore Cel. If this be all to tell me of your Love To morrow might have done as well Bell. Oh no to morrow would have been too late Too late to make returns to all my pain What disagreeing thing offends your Eyes I 've no deformity about my Person I 'm Young and have a Fortune great as any That do pretend to serve you And yet I find my interest in your heart Below those happy ones that are my Rivals Nay every Fool that can but plead his Title And the poor interest that a Parent gives him Can merit more than I. What else my lovely Maid can give a freedom To that same talking idle Knighted Fopp Cel. Oh if I am so wretched to be his Surely I cannot live For Sir I must confess I cannot love him Bell. But thou may'st do as bad and marry him And that 's a sin I cannot over live No hear my Vows Cel. But are you â—ir in earnest Bell. In earnest Yes by all that 's good I am I Love you more than I do Life or Heav'nâ— Cel. Oh what a pleasure 't is to hear him say so Aside But pray how long Sir have you Lov'd me so Bell. From the first moment that I saw your Eyes Your charming killing Eyes I did adore 'em And ever since have languisht day and night Nur. Come come ne're stand asking of questions But follow your inclinations and take him at his word Bell. Celinda take her counsel Perhaps this is the last opportunity Nay and by Heaven the last of all my Life If you refuse me now Say will you never marry Man but me Cel. Pray give me till to morrow Sir to answer you For I have yet some fears about my Soul That take away my rest Bell. To morrow You must then marry oh fatal word Another a Beast a Fool thaâ— knows not how to value you Cel. Is' t possible my Fate shou'd be so near Nur. Nay then dispose of your self I say and leave dissembling 't is high time Bell. This night the Letter came the dreadful News Of thy being married and to morrow too Oh answer me or I shall die with fear Cel. I must confess it Sir without a blush For 't is no sin to Love that I cou'd wish Heaven and my Father were inclin'd my way But I am all obedience to their wills Bell. That Sigh was kind But ere to morrow this time You 'll want this pitying sense and feeâ— no pantings But those which joyes and pleasures do create Cel. Alas Sir what is' t you 'd have me do Bell. Why I wou'd have you Love and after that You need not be instructed what to do Give me your Faith give me your Solemn Vow To be my Wife and I shall be at peace Cel. Have you consider'd Sir your own condition 'T is in your Uncles power to take your Fortune If in your choice you disobey his will And Sir you know that mine is much below you Bell. Oh I shall calm his Rage By urging so much Reason as thy Beauty And my own flame on which my Life depends He now has kindly sent for me to London I fear his bus'ness Yet if you 'll yield to marry me We 'll keep it secret till our kinder Stars Have made provision for the blest discovery Come give me your Vows or we must part for ever Cel. Part oh 't is a fatal word I will do any thing to save that Life To which my own so nearly is alli'd Enter Friendllove Friâ—nd So forward Sister Bell. Ha! Friendlove Friend Was it so kindly done to gain my Sister Without my knowledge Bell. Ah Friend 'T was from her self alone That I wou'd take the blessing which I ask Friend And Iâ—ll assist her Sir to give it you Here take him as an Honour and be thankful Bell. I as a blessing sent from Heaven receive her And e're I sleep will justifie my Claim And make her mine Friend Be not so hasty Friend Endeavor first to reconcile your Uncle to 't Bell. By such delayes we 're lost Hast thou forgot To morrow she 's design'd anothers Bride Friend For that let me alone t' evade Bell. If you must yet delay me Give me leave not to interest such wealth without security And I Celinda will instruct you how to satisfie my fears Kneels and takes her by the hand Bears witness to my Vows May every Plague that Heaven inflicts on Sin Fall down in thunder on my head If e're I marry any but Celinda Or if I do not marry thee fair Maid Nur. Heartily sworn as I vow Cel. And here I wish as solemnly the same May all arrive to me If e're I marry any Man but Bellmour Nur. We are Witnesses as good as a thousand Friend But now my Friend I 'de have you take your leave the day comes on apace and youâ—ve not seen your Uncle since your arrival Bell. 'T is death to part with thee my fair Celinda But our hard Fates imposes this separation Farewell Remember thou' rt all mine Cel. What have I else of joy to think upon Go go depart Bell. I will but 't is as Misers part with Gold Or people full of Health depart from Life Friend Go Sister to your Bed and dream of him Ex. Cel. and Nurse Bell. Whilst I prepare to meet this Fopp to fight him Friend Hang him he 'll ne're meet thee to beat a Watch or kick a Drawer or batter Windows is the highest pitch of Valor he e're arriv'd to Bell. However I 'll expect him lest he be Fool-hardy enough to keep his word Friend Shall I wait on thee Bell. No no thereâ—s no need of that Good morrow my best Friend Friend But e're you go my dearest Friend and Brother Now you are sure of all the joyes you wish From Heav'n do not forgetful grow of that great trust I gave you of all mine but like a Friend Assist me in my great concern of Love With fair Diana your lovely Cozen You know how long I have ador'd that Maid But still her haughty Pride repell'd my flame And all itâ— fierce efforts Bell. She has a spirit equal to her Beauty As mighty and tyrannick yet she has goodness And I believe enough inclin'd to Love When once her Pride 's orecome I have the honour To be the Confident of all her thoughts And to â—ugment thy hopes 't is not long since She did
he lov'd another A Maid he call'd Celinda Cel. Oh blessed Man Dia. How Sir Cel. To leave thee free to leave thee yet a Virgin Dia. Yes I have vow'd he never shall possess me Cel. Oh how you bless me but you still are Married And whil'st you are so I must languish Aside Dia. Oh how his softness moves me But can all this disorder spring from Love Cel. Or may I still prove wretched Dia. And can you think there are no wayes For me to gratifie that Love What wayes am I constrain'd to use to work out my Revenge Aside Cel. How mean you Madam Dia. Without a Miracle look on my Eyes And Beauty which you say can kindle Fires She that can give may too retain desires Cel. She 'll Ravish me let me not understand you Dia. Look on my Wrongs Wrongs that would melt a frozen Chastity That a Religious Vow had made to Heaven And next survey thy own perfections Cel. Hah Dia. Art thou so young thou canst not apprehend me Fair bashful Boy hast thou the pow'r to move And yet not know the bus'ness of thy Love Cel. How in an instant thou hast I hill d my blood And made me know no Woman can be good 'T is Sin enough to yield but thus to sue Heaven 't is my bus'ness and not meant for you Dia. How little Love is understood by thee 'T is Custom and not Passion you pursue Because enjoyment first was nam'd by me It does destroy what shou'd your flame renew My easie yielding does your fire abate And mine as much your tedious Courtship hate Tell Heaven you will hereafter sacrifice And see how that will please the Deities The ready Victim is the Noblest way Your Zeal and Obligations too to pay Cel. I think the Gods wou'd hardly be ador'd If they their blessings shou'd unaskt afford And I that Beauty can no more admire Who e're I sue can yield to my desire Dia. Dull Youth farewell For since 't is my Revenge that I pursue Less Beauty and more Man as well may do Offers to go Enter Friendlove disguis'd as one from a Camp Cel. Madam you must not go with this mistake Holds her Friend Celinda has inform'd me true 't is she Good morrow Brother what so early at your devotions Cel. O my Brother 's come and luckily relieves me Aside Friend Your Orizons are made to a fair Saint Pray Sir what Lady 's that Or is it blasphemy to repeat her name By my bright Arms she 's fair With what a charming Fierceness she charges through my body to my heart Death how her glitt'ring Eyes give fire and wound And have already pierc'd my very Soul May I approach her Brother Cel. Yes if you dare there 's danger in it tho' She has Charms that will bewitch you I dare not stand their mischief Ex. Friend Lady I am a Soldier yet in my gentlest terms I humbly beg to kiss your lovely hands Death there 's Magick in the touch By Heaven you carry an Artillery in every part Dia. This is a Man indeed fit for my purpose Aside Friend Nay do not view me I am no lovely object I am a Man bred up to Noise and War And know not how to dress my looks in smiles Yet trust me fair one I can love and serve As well as an Endymion or Adonis Wou'd you were willing to permit that service Dia. Why Sir What cou'd you do Friend Why I cou'd die for you Dia. I need the service of the living Sir But do you love me Sir Friend Or let me perish flying from a single Enemy I am a Gentleman and may pretend to love you And what you can command I can perform Dia. Take heed Sir what you say for I 'm in earnest Friend Command me any thing that 's just and brave And by my Eyes 't is done Dia. I know not what you call just or brave But those whom I do the honour to command Must not capitulate Friend Let him be blasted with the name of Coward That dares dispute your orders Dia. Dare you fight for me Friend With a whole Army 't is my Trade to fight Dia. Nay 't is but a single Man Friend Name him Dia. Bellmour Friend Of Yorkshire Companion to young Friendlove that came lately from Italy Dia. Yes do you know him Friend I do who has oft spoke of Bellmour We Travel'd into Italy together But since I hear He fell in Love with a fair cruel Maid For whom he languishes Dia. Heard you her name Friend Diana rich in Beauty as in Fortune Wou'd she had less of both and more of pity And that I knew not how to wish till now That I became a Lover perhaps as unsuccessful Dia. I knew my Beauty had a thousand Darts But knew not they cou'd strike so quick and home Aside Let your good wishes for your Friend alone Lest he being happy you shou'd be undone For he and you cannot be blest at once Friend How Madam Dia. I am that Maid he loves and who hates him Friend Hate him Dia. To death Friend Oh me unhappy Aside Dia. He sighs and turns away am I again defeated Surely I am not fair or Man's insensible Friend She knows me not And 't was discreetly done to change my shape For Woman is a strange Fantastick Creature And where before I cou'd not gain a smile Thus I may win her heart Aside Say Madam can you love a Man that dies for you Dia. The way to gain me is to fight with Bellmour Tell him from me you come the wrong'd Diana Tell him y 'ave an interest in my heart Equal to that which I have made in yours Friend I 'll do 't I will not ask your Reason but obey Swear e're I go that when I have perform'd it You 'll render me possession of your heart Dia. By all the Vows that Heaven tyes hearts together with I 'll be entirely yours Friend And I 'll not be that conscientious Fool To stop at blessings 'cause they are not lawful But take 'em up when Heaven has thrown 'em down Without the leave of a Religious Ceremony Aside Madam this House which I am Master of You shall command whil'st I go seek this Bellmour Dia. But e're you go I must inform you why I do pursue him with my just Revenge Friend I will attend and hear impatiently Ex. Scene a Bawdy-house Enter Mrs. Driver and Betty Flauntit Flaunt Driver prethee call for a Glass that I may set my self in order before I go up for really my Knight has not been at home all this night and I am so confus'd Enter one with a Glass and two Wenches Lord Mrs. Driver I wonder you shou'd send for me when other Womeâ— are in company you know of all things in the World I hate Whores they are the pratingst lewdest poor Creatures in nature and I wou'd not for any thing Sir Timothy shou'd know that I keep company 't were enough to lose him Mrs.