The Busie Body Part 20

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.