The Busie Body Part 21

Sir _Geo._ Sir _Jealous_, you are too pa.s.sionate. Give me leave, I'll try by gentle Words to work her to your Purpose.

Sir _Jeal._ I pray do, Mr. _Meanwell_, I pray do; she'll break my Heart.

(_weeps_) There is in that, Jewels of the Value of 3000 _l._ which were her Mother's; and a Paper wherein I have settled one half of my Estate upon her now, and the whole when I dye. But provided she marries this Gentleman, else by St. _Jago_, I'll turn her out of Doors to beg or starve. Tell her this, Mr. _Meanwell_, pray do.

(_Walks off._

Sir _Geo._ Ha! this is beyond Expectation--Trust to me, Sir, I'll lay the dangerous Consequence of disobeying you at this Juncture before her, I warrant you.

_Char._ A sudden Joy runs thro' my Heart like a propitious Omen.

(_Aside._

Sir _Geo._ Come, Madam, do not blindly cast your Life away just in the Moment you would wish to have it.

_Isab._ Pray cease your Trouble, Sir, I have no Wish but sudden Death to free me from this hated _Spaniard_. If you are his Friend inform him what I say; my Heart is given to another Youth, whom I love with the same strength of Pa.s.sion that I hate this _Diego_; with whom, if I am forc'd to wed, my own Hand shall cut the Gordian Knot.

Sir _Geo._ Suppose this _Spaniard_ which you strive to shun should be the very Man to whom you'd flye?

_Isab._ Ha!

Sir _Geo._ Would you not blame your rash Result, and curse those Eyes that would not look on _Charles_.

_Isab._ On _Charles!_ Oh you have inspir'd new Life, and collected every wandring Sense. Where is he? Oh! let me flye into his Arms.

(_Rises._

Sir _Geo._ Hold, hold, hold, 'Zdeath, Madam, you'll ruin all, your Father believes him to be _Seignor Barbinetto_. Compose your self a little, pray Madam.

(_He runs to Sir _Jealous_._

_Char._ Her Eyes declare she knows me.

(_Aside._

Sir _Geo._ She begins to hear Reason, Sir, the fear of being turn'd out of Doors has done it.

(_Runs back to_ Isabinda.

_Isab._ 'Tis he, oh! my ravish'd Soul.

Sir _Geo._ Take heed, Madam, you don't betray your self. Seem with Reluctance to consent, or you are undone, (_runs to Sir _Jealous_._) speak gently to her, Sir, I'm sure she'll yield, I see it in her Face.

Sir _Jeal._ Well, _Isabinda_, can you refuse to bless a Father, whose only Care is to make you happy, as Mr. _Meanwell_ has inform'd you.

Come, wipe thy Eyes; nay, prithee do, or thou wilt break thy Father's Heart; see thou bring'st the Tears in mine to think of thy undutiful Carriage to me.

(_Weeps._

_Isab._ Oh! do not weep, Sir, your Tears are like a Ponyard to my Soul; do with me what you please, I am all Obedience.

Sir _Jeal._ Ha! then thou art my Child agen.

Sir _Geo._ 'Tis done, and now Friend the Day's thy own.

_Char._ The happiest of my Life, if nothing Intervene.

Sir _Jeal._ And wilt thou love him?

_Isab._ I will endeavour it, Sir.

_Enter Servant._

_Serv._ Sir, Here is Mr. _Tack.u.m_.

Sir _Jeal._ Show him into the Parlour--_Senior tome vind sueipora; cete Momenta les Junta les Manos._ (_Gives her to_ Charles.

_Char._ Oh! transport--_Senior yo la recibo Como se deve un Tesoro tan Grande._ Oh! my Joy, my Life, my Soul.

(_Embrace._

_Isab._ My Faithful everlasting Comfort.

Sir _Jeal._ Now, Mr. _Meanwell_ let's to the Parson, _Who, by his Art will join this Pair for Life,_ _Make me the happiest Father, her the happiest Wife._ (_Exit._

SCENE Changes to the Street before Sir _Jealous_'s Door.

_Enter _Marplot_, Solus._

_Marpl._ I have hunted all over the Town for _Charles_, but can't find him; and by _Whisper_'s scouting at the End of the Street, I suspect he must be in this House again. I'm inform'd too that he has borrow'd a _Spanish_ Habit out of the _Play-house_. What can it mean?

_Enter a Servant of Sir _Jealous_'s to him, out of the House._

Hark'e, Sir, do you belong to this House?

_Serv._ Yes, Sir.

_Marpl._ Pray can you tell if there be a Gentleman in it in _Spanish_ Habit?

_Serv._ There is a _Spanish_ Gentleman within, that is just a going to marry my young Lady, Sir.

_Marpl._ Are you sure he is a _Spanish_ Gentleman?

_Serv._ I'm sure he speaks no _English_, that I hear of.

_Marpl._ Then that can't be him I want; for 'tis an _English_ Gentleman, tho' I suppose he may be dress'd like a _Spaniard_, that I enquire after.

_Serv._ Ha! who knows but this may be an Impostor? I'll inform my Master; for if he shou'd be impos'd upon, he'll beat us all round.

(_Aside._) Pray, come in, Sir, and see if this be the Person you enquire for.

SCENE Changes to the Inside the House.

_Enter _Marplot_._

_Marpl._ So, this was a good Contrivance: If this be _Charles_, now will he wonder how I found him out.

_Enter Servant and _Jealous_._