The Busie Body Part 9

_Char._ Secure me, why you won't fight.

_Marpl._ What then! I can call People to part ye.

_Char._ Well, but it is no Duel, Consequently no Danger. Therefore prithee be Answer'd.

_Marpl._ What is't a Mistress then?--Mum--You know I can be silent upon occasion.

_Char._ I wish you cou'd be Civil too: I tell you, You neither Must nor Shall go with me. Farewel.

(_Exit._

_Marpl._ Why then--I Must and Will follow you.

_Exit._

_The End of the Second Act._

ACT the Third

_Enter _Charles_._

_Char._ Well, here's the House, which holds the Lovely Prize quiet and serene; here no noisie Footmen throng to tell the World, that Beauty dwells within; no Ceremonious Visit makes the Lover wait; no Rival to give my Heart a Pang; who wou'd not scale the Window at Midnight without fear of the Jealous Father's Pistol, rather than fill up the Train of a Coquet, where every Minute he is jostled out of Place. (_Knocks softly._) Mrs. _Patch_, Mrs. _Patch._

_Enter _Patch_._

_Patch._ Oh, are you come, Sir? All's safe.

_Char._ So in, in then.

_Enter _Marplot_._

_Marpl._ There he goes: Who the Devil lives here? Except I can find out that, I am as far from knowing his Business as ever; gad I'll watch, it may be a Bawdy-House, and he may have his Throat cut; if there shou'd be any Mischief, I can make Oath, he went in. Well, _Charles_, in spight of your Endeavour to keep me out of the Secret; I may save your Life, for ought I know: At that Corner I'll plant my self; there I shall see whoever goes in, or comes out. Gad, I love Discoveries.

_(Exit._

SCENE _Draws. _Charles_, _Isabinda_, and _Patch_._

_Isab._ _Patch_, look out sharp; have a care of Dad.

_Patch._ I warrant you.

_(Exit._

_Isab._ Well, Sir, if I may judge your Love by your Courage, I ought to believe you sincere; for you venture into the Lyons Den when you come to see me.

_Char._ If you'd consent whilst the furious Beast is abroad, I'd free you from the Reach of his Paws.

_Isab._ That wou'd be but to avoid one Danger, by running into another; like the poor Wretches, who fly the Burning s.h.i.+p, and meet their Fate in the Water. Come, come, _Charles_, I fear if I consult my Reason, Confinement and Plenty is better than Liberty and Starving. I know you'd make the Frolick pleasing for a little time, by Saying and Doing a World of tender things; but when our small Substance is once Exhausted, and a Thousand Requisits for Life are Wanting; Love, who rarely dwells with Poverty, wou'd also fail us.

_Char._ Faith, I fancy not; methinks my Heart has laid up a Stock will last for Life; to back which, I have taken a Thousand Pound upon my Uncle's Estate; that surely will support us, till one of our Fathers relent.

_Isab._ There's no trusting to that my Friend, I doubt your Father will carry his Humour to the Grave, and mine till he sees me settled in _Spain_.

_Char._ And can ye then cruelly Resolve to stay till that curs'd _Don_ arrives, and suffer that Youth, Beauty, Fire and Wit, to be sacrific'd to the Arms of a dull _Spaniard_, to be Immur'd and forbid the Sight of any thing that's Humane.

_Isab._ No, when it comes to the Extremity, and no Stratagem can Relieve us, thou shalt List for a Soldier, and I'll carry thy Knapsack after thee.

_Char._ Bravely Resolv'd; the World cannot be more Savage than our Parents, and Fortune generally a.s.sists the Bold; therefore Consent now: Why shou'd we put it to a future Hazard? who knows when we shall have another Opportunity?

_Isab._ Oh, you have your Ladder of Ropes, I suppose, and the Closet Window stands just where it did; and if you han't forgot to write in Characters, _Patch_ will find a way for our a.s.signations. Thus much of the _Spanish_ Contrivance, my Father's Severity has taught me, I thank him; tho' I hate the Nation, I admire their Management in these Affairs.

_Enter _Patch_._

_Patch._ Oh, Madam, I see my Master coming up the Street.

_Char._ Oh the Devil, wou'd I had my Ladder now; I thought you had not expected him till Night; why, why, why, why; what shall I do, Madam?

_Isab._ Oh, for Heaven's sake! don't go that way, you'll meet him full in the Teeth: Oh unlucky Moment!--

_Char._ Adsheart, can you shut me into no Cupboard, Ram me into no Chest, ha?

_Patch._ Impossible, Sir, he Searches every Hole in the House.

_Isab._ Undone for ever! if he sees you, I shall never see you more.

_Patch._ I have thought on't: Run you to your Chamber, Madam; and Sir, come you along with me, I'm certain you may easily get down from the Balcone.

_Char._ My Life, _Adieu_--Lead on, Guide.

(_Exit._

_Isab._ Heaven preserve him.

(_Exit._

SCENE Changes to the Street.

_Enter Sir _Jealous_, with _Marplot_ behind him_._

Sir _Jeal._ I don't know what's the matter; but I have a strong Suspicion, all is not right within; that Fellow's sauntring about my Door, and his Tale of a Puppy, had the Face of a Lye, methought. By St.

_Jago_, if I shou'd find a Man in the House, I'd make Mince-Meat of him--

_Marpl._ Ah, poor _Charles_--ha? Agad he is old--I fancy I might bully him, and make _Charles_ have an Opinion of my Courage.

Sir _Jeal._ My own Key shall let me in; I'll give them no Warning.

(_Feeling for his Key._

_Marpl._ What's that you say, Sir. (_Going up to Sir _Jealous_._