The Busie Body - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
Sir _Geo._ Therefore, Sir, I must intreat the Presence of your fair Daughter, and the a.s.sistance of your Chaplain; for _Seignor Don Pedro_ strictly enjoyn'd me to see the Marriage Rites perform'd as soon as we should arrive, to avoid the Accidental Overtures of _Venus_.
Sir _Jeal._ Overtures of _Venus!_
Sir _Geo._ Ay, Sir, that is, those little Hawking Females that traverse the Park, and the Play-house to put off their damag'd Ware--they fasten upon Foreigners like Leeches, and watch their Arrival as carefully, as the _Kentish_ Men do a s.h.i.+p-wreck. I warrant you they have heard of him already.
Sir _Jeal._ Nay, I know this Town swarms with them.
Sir _Geo._ Ay, and then you know the _Spaniards_ are naturally Amorous, but very Constant, the first Face fixes 'em, and it may be dangerous to let him ramble e'er he is tied.
_Char._ Well hinted.
(_Aside._
Sir _Jeal._ Pat to my Purpose--Well, Sir, there is but one thing more, and they shall be married instantly.
_Char._ Pray Heaven, that one thing more don't spoil all.
(_Aside._
Sir _Jeal._ _Don Pedro_ writ me Word in his last but one, that he design'd the Sum of Five Thousand Crowns by way of Joynture for my Daughter; and that it shou'd be paid into my Hand upon the Day of Marriage.
_Char._ Oh! the Devil.
(_Aside._
Sir _Jeal._ In order to lodge it in some of our Funds, in case she should become a Widow, and return for _England_.
Sir _Geo._ Pox on't, this is an unlucky Turn. What shall I say?
(_Aside._
Sir _Jeal._ And he does not mention one Word of it in this Letter.
_Char._ I don't know how he should.
(_Aside._
Sir _Geo._ Humph! True, Sir _Jealous_, he told me such a Thing, but, but, but, but--he, he, he, he--he did not imagine that you would insist upon the very Day, for, for, for, for Money you know is dangerous returning by Sea, an, an, an, an--
_Char._ Zounds, say we have brought it in Commodities.
(_Aside to Sir_ George.
Sir _Geo._ And so Sir, he has sent it in Merchandize, _Tobacco_, _Sugars_, _Spices_, _Limons_, and so forth, which shall be turn'd into Money with all Expedition: In the mean time, Sir, if you please to accept of my Bond for Performance.
Sir _Jeal._ It is enough, Sir, I am so pleas'd with the Countenance of _Seignor Diego_, and the Harmony of your Name, that I'll take your Word, and will fetch my Daughter this Moment. Within there (_Enter Servant_) desire Mr. _Tack.u.m_ my Neighbour's Chaplain to walk hither.
_Serv._ Yes, Sir.
(_Exit._
Sir _Jeal._ Gentlemen, I'll return in an Instant.
(_Exit._
_Char._ Wondrous well. Let me embrace thee.
Sir _Geo._ Egad that 5000 _l._ had like to have ruin'd the Plot.
_Char._ But that's over! And if Fortune throws no more Rubs in our way.
Sir _Geo._ Thou'lt carry the Prize--but hist, here he comes.
_Enter Sir _ Jealous_, dragging in _Isabinda_._
Sir _Jeal._ Come along, you stubborn Baggage you, come along.
_Isab._ Oh hear me, Sir! hear me but speak one Word, Do not destroy my everlasting Peace; My Soul abhors this _Spaniard_ you have chose Nor can I wed him without being curst.
Sir _Jeal._ How's that!
_Isab._ Let this Posture move your tender Nature. (_Kneels._ For ever will I hang upon these Knees; Nor loose my Hands till you cut off my hold, If you refuse to hear me, Sir.
_Char._ Oh! that I cou'd discover my self to her.
(_Aside_
Sir _Geo._ Have a care what you do. You had better trust to his Obstinacy.
(_Aside_
Sir _Jeal._ Did you ever see such a perverse s.l.u.t: Off I say Mr.
_Meanwell_ pray help me a little.
Sir _Geo._ Rise, Madam, and do not disoblige your Father, who has provided a Husband worthy of you, one that will Love you equal with his Soul, and one that you will Love, when once you know him.
_Isab._ Oh! never, never. Cou'd I suspect that Falshood in my Heart, I wou'd this Moment tear it from my Breast, and streight present him with the Treacherous Part.
_Char._ Oh! my charming faithful Dear.
(_Aside._
Sir _Jeal._ Falshood! why, who the Devil are you in Love with? Ha! Don't provoke me, for by St. _Jago_ I shall beat you, Housewife.
_Char._ Heaven forbid; for I shall infallibly discover my self if he should.
(_Aside._
Sir _Geo._ Have Patience, Madam! and look at him: Why will you prepossess your self against a Man that is Master of all the Charms you would desire in a Husband?
Sir _Jeal._ Ay, look at him, _Isabinda_, _Senior pase vind adelante._
_Char._ My Heart bleeds to see her grieve, whom I imagin'd would with Joy receive me. _Seniora obligue me vuestra merced de sumano._
Sir _Jeal._ (_Pulling up her Head._) Hold up your Head, hold up your Head, Housewife, and look at him: Is there a properer, handsomer, better shap'd Fellow in _England_, ye Jade you. Ha! see, see the obstinate Baggage shuts her Eyes; by St. _Jago_, I have a good Mind to beat 'em out.
(_Pushes her down._
_Isab._ Do then, Sir, kill me, kill me instantly.
'Tis much the kinder Action of the Two, For 'twill be worse than Death to wed him.
