The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 2

_Jasp._ No, Nurse, I said, I was troubl'd with a Night-Mare, And should be worse, were it not for thy Company.

_Nurse._ Nay, I am good Friend of thine every way.

_Jasp._ That's true; but Nurse make haste, for I am d.a.m.nably afraid _Flora_ suspects us e're since She took me in your Chamber, and if she shou'd Take you here, and tell my Lady, I should be turn'd Away, for you know she loves me not e're since I Gave my Lord notice of her meeting _Don Lewis_, To give him the money and Jewels, her Father Left privately in her hands for him when he dy'd.

_Nurse._ I Chuck, but why didst thou do so?

_Jasp._ In hopes to have got some of the money for my Discovery, what made her tempt me with the Trust of money, and give me none to keep Counsel.

But prethee Nurse be gone.

_Nurse._ I, give me but one buss, and I will.

[Kisses him, and is going.

_Jasp._ What a belch was there to perfume it?

[She comes back.

_Nurse._ Sweet Rogue, I cannot go without the other kiss.

_Jasp._ Oh, Nurse! you will undo me; prethee no more.

_Nurse._ What, Rascal, slight my favours? you shall repent it.

_Jasp._ No, Nurse, think not so, but--

_Flora within._ Why, Nurse, Nurse, my Lady wants you; come away there, I know where you have been all Night.

_Jasp._ Why, there 'tis--this is what I fear'd, I am undone, A plague of Cubbard Love--step into the Closet.

_Nurse._ What's that you say, Cubbard Love?

_Jasp._ No, no, prethee no Arguments, but step into the Closet.

_Flora within._ Why, Nurse, I say! why don't you come away?

My Lady wants you.

[_Jasper_ goes to the Door.

_Jasp._ _Flora_, what's the matter with you? Nurse is not here; Do but come in and see.

[Enter _Flora_.

_Flor._ Come, come, she must be here; for she was not in her own Bed to Night, and where should She be, but with you?

_Jasp._ With me! what the Devil should she do with me?

Can't her Old Chopps mumble her Beads o're, but I Must keep count of her _Pater Nosters_: No, no, she's Gon on Pilgrimage to some Shrine, to beg Children For my Lady; 'tis a devout Old Woman.

_Flor._ Devout! I, her Devotion and yours are much alike, The Fit ne're took you but once in your Lives, and Then, 'tis true you wept at Prayers, that was, at your Own Christnings.

_Jasp._ Prethee more Charity, sweet dear _Flora_; come, let Me kiss thee.

_Flor._ Pray forbear, I'de sooner kiss a Horse.

_Jasp._ Why so scornful, dear _Flora_?

_Flor._ That's not my bus'ness; come, tell me, where's the Nurse?

_Jasp._ Prethee, why dost ask me for the Nurse? Dost think I am so hot to make Love to a Monument? Why, she's Old enough to be Mother of all Mankind; her skin's Turn'd to parchment, he that should enjoy her, had as Good lye with a bundle of Old Records. In truth, she's Fit for nothing now, but to be hang'd up amongst the Monsters in a 'Pothecaries Shop, where, with abuse to The Beast, she would be taken for a large Apes skin stufft With Hay. Ah, _Flora_, if she were as Young as thou art, then't might be likely, I might find her when she was lost.

_Flor._ Well, if she be not here now, I'm sure it was not for Nothing you once lost your way into her Chamber, And staid all Night.

_Jasp._ Meer Drunkenness, by this Light, _Flora_! Why, if it had Been a Vault full of Dead Carka.s.ses, I should have slipt Into it in the pickle I was in--Nay, for ought I know, With more pleasure too.

[Enter Nurse.

_Nurse._ Now out upon you for a Rogue, There's no enduring this.

_Jasp._ Do but hear me, Nurse.

_Flor._ Ay, hear him, Nurse, he'l be sure to recant and Swear you're as sweet as--a--fogh--so sweet--

_Nurse._ What, Hussy, dare you abuse me--I that gave suck To my Lady before thou wast born--you Young Wh.o.r.e.

_Flor._ Young Wh.o.r.e! why not Old Wh.o.r.e, Nurse, as well as Young Wh.o.r.e?

_Nurse._ You d.a.m.n'd Young s.l.u.t, I'le tear out your Eyes.

_Flor._ My Feet shall save my Eyes, except you can out-run Me to my Lady.

[Exit _Flora_.

_Jasp._ Have not you made fine work now? I but dissembled To take off suspition--and you must shew your self, I'm sure I shall be turn'd away for your folly.

_Nurse._ But dissembled, said you? Marry, there's dissembling indeed.

_Jasp._ Nay, Nurse, consider, dost think I would have spoke so In thy hearing, had it been for any other thing? But Prethee kiss me--I protest thou'rt as sweet as _Arsifett.i.to_.

_Nurse._ _Arsifett.i.to!_ What's that?

_Jasp._ A Rich perfume the Chymists make, and good against Fits o' th' Mother. But what shall I do now? I shall Be turn'd away.

_Nurse._ I'le warrant thee, I'le place thee with _Eugenia_, she Shall take care of thee for mine and a Friends sake Of hers.

_Jasp._ Ay, ay, that's _Francisco_; but you have promis'd me Often to tell me a secret concerns them; prethee Do't now, Nurse.

_Nurse._ But will you ne're speak on't? If you do, I shall Get no more money for thee, _Jasper_; that's the way, I get all, Chuck; no, no, no matter what's between them, Trust thou to me.

_Jasp._ Well, Nurse, I thought you had Lov'd me, but I see You do not; you know I can keep secrets.