The Busie Body Part 19

_Miran._ Farewell, old _Mammon_, and thy detested Walls; 'twill be no more sweet Sir _Francis_, I shall be compell'd to the odious Task of Dissembling no longer to get my own, and coax him with the wheedling Names of my _Precious_, my _Dear_, dear _Gardee_. Oh Heavens!

_Enter Sir _Francis_ behind._

Sir _Fran._ Ah, my sweet _Chargee_, don't be frighted. (_She starts._) But thy poor _Gardee_ has been abused, cheated, fool'd, betray'd, but no Body knows by whom.

_Miran._ (_Aside._) Undone! past Redemption.

Sir _Fran._ What won't you speak to me, _Chargee!_

_Miran._ I'm so surpriz'd with Joy to see you, I know not what to say.

Sir _Fran._ Poor, dear Girl! But do'e know that my Son, or some such Rogue, to rob or murder me, or both, contriv'd this Journey? For upon the Road I met my Neighbour _Squeezum_ well, and coming to Town.

_Miran._ Good lack, good lack! what Tricks are there in this World!

_Enter _Scentwell_, with a Diamond Necklace in her Hand; not seeing Sir _Francis_._

_Scentw._ Madam, be pleas'd to tye this Neck-lace on; for I can't get it into the-- (_Seeing Sir _Francis_._

_Miran._ The Wench is a Fool, I think! cou'd you not have carry'd it to be mended, without putting it in the Box?

Sir _Fran._ What's the matter?

_Miran._ Only Dear'e, I bid her, I bid her--Your ill Usage has put every thing out of my Head. But won't you go, _Gardee_, and find out these Fellows, and have them punish'd! and, and--

Sir _Fran._ Where shou'd I look them, Child? No I'll sit me down contented with my Safety, nor stir out of my own Doors, till I go with thee to a Parson.

_Miran._ (_Aside._) If he goes into his Closet I am ruin'd. Oh! bless me in this Fright, I had forgot Mrs. _Patch_.

_Patch._ Ay, Madam, and I stay for your speedy Answer.

_Miran._ (_Aside._) I must get him out of the House. Now a.s.sist me Fortune.

Sir _Fran._ Mrs. _Patch_, I profess I did not see you, how dost thou do, Mrs. _Patch_; well don't you repent leaving my _Chargee?_

_Patch._ Yes, every body must love her--but I came now--Madam, what did I come for, my Invention is at the last Ebb.

(_Aside to _Miranda_._

Sir _Fran._ Nay, never Whisper, tell me.

_Miran._ She came, dear _Gardee_ to invite me to her Lady's Wedding, and you shall go with me _Gardee_, 'tis to be done this Moment to a _Spanish_ Merchant; Old Sir _Jealous_ keeps on his Humour, the first Minute he sees her, the next he marries her.

Sir _Fran._ Ha, ha, ha, I'd go if I thought the sight of Matrimony wou'd tempt _Chargee_ to perform her Promise: There was a smile, there was a consenting Look with those pretty Twinklers, worth a Million. Ods precious, I am happier than the Great _Mogul_, the Emperour of _China_, or all the Potentates that are not in Wars. Speak, confirm it, make me leap out of my Skin.

_Miran._ When one has resolv'd, 'tis in vain to stand shall I, shall I, if ever I marry, positively this is my Wedding Day.

Sir _Fran._ Oh! happy, happy Man--Verily I will beget a Son, the first Night shall disinherit that Dog, _Charles_. I have Estate enough to purchase a Barony, and be the immortalizing the whole Family of the Gripes.

_Miran._ Come then _Gardee_, give me thy Hand, let's to this House of _Hymen_.

_My Choice is fix'd, let good or ill betide,_

Sir _Fran._ _The joyful Bridegroom, I_

_Miran._ _And I the happy Bride._

(Exeunt.

_Enter Sir _Jealous_ meeting a Servant._

_Serv._ Sir, here's a couple of Gentlemen enquire for you; one of 'em calls himself _Seignor Diego Babinetto_.

Sir _Jeal._ Ha! _Seignor Babinetto!_ Admit 'em instantly--Joyful Minute; I'll have my Daughter marry'd to Night.

_Enter _Charles_ in _Spanish_ Habit, with Sir _George_ drest like a Merchant._

Sir _Jeal._ Senior, beso Las Manos vuestra merced es muy bien venido en esta tierra.

_Char._ Senhor, soy muy humilde, y muy obligado Cryado de vuestra merced: Mi Padre Embia a vuestra merced, los mas profondos de sus respetos; y a Commissionado este Mercadel Ingles, de concluyr un negocio, que me Haze el mas dichoso hombre del mundo, Haziendo me su yerno.

Sir _Jeal._ I am glad on't, for I find I have lost much of my _Spanish_.

Sir, I am your most humble Servant. _Seignor Don Diego Babinetto_ has inform'd me that you are Commission'd by _Seignor Don Pedro_, &c. his worthy Father.

Sir _Geo._ To see an Affair of Marriage Consummated between a Daughter of yours, and _Seignor Diego Babinetto_ his Son here. True, Sir, such a Trust is repos'd in me as that Letter will inform you. I hope 'twill pa.s.s upon him.

(_Aside._) (_Gives him a Letter._

Sir _Jeal._ Ay, 'tis his Hand.

(_Seems to read._

Sir _Geo._ Good ---- you have counterfeited to a Nicety, _Charles._ (_Aside to _Charles_._

_Char._ If the whole Plot succeeds as well, I'm happy.

Sir _Jeal._ Sir I find by this, that you are a Man of Honour and Probity; I think, Sir, he calls you _Meanwell_.

Sir _Geo._ _Meanwell_ is my Name, Sir.

Sir _Jeal._ A very good Name, and very Significant.

_Char._ Yes, Faith if he knew all.

(_Aside._

Sir _Jeal._ For to Mean-well is to be honest, and to be honest is the Virtue of a Friend, and a Friend is the Delight and Support of Human Society.

Sir _Geo._ You shall find that I'll Discharge the part of a Friend in what I have undertaken, Sir _Jealous_.

_Char._ But little does he think to whom.

(_Aside._