The City Bride (1696) Part 16

1st _W. Neigh._ Aye, aye, speak Neighbour, pray speak your Mind, and fear not.

_Peg._ I shall be thought too weak to yield at first Sight.

2d _W. Neigh._ Paw! paw! that's only Nicety.

_Peg._ Well then I do love him dearly and dearly, so I do.

[_Runs and kisses him_.

_Comp._ And I thee with all my Heart and Soul.

[Comp. _kisses_ Peg.

Now we'll be merry, and have a Song, shall we not my Neighbours?

3d _Neigh._ Marry will we, Neighbour _Luff_ and Mrs. Bride, will ye give us a Song?

_Peg._ With all my Heart, come Neighbour.

A DIALOGUE.

Man:

_Faith and Troth I love thee dearly, Tho I do but bluntly woo, Prithy then resolve me clearly, Whether I am beloved by you.

Long I shall not keep a pother, Like a senseless whining Beau; If you won't I'll court another Who will never say me no._

Woman:

_Friend, your self, nor Humour neither With my Fancy disagree, Yet I must find clearer Weather Er'e I venture out to Sea.

Court another at your Pleasure Win her in the Honey-moon, She may chance repent at leisure, For believing you too soon._

Man:

_Leave your d.a.m.n'd Fantastick Trials, Which procure a Lover's Pain, Pox upon these sham-Denials, 'Tis but spending time in vain.

With Embraces happy make me, Nature fram'd you to be kind; Kiss me, and the Devil take me If I ever change my Mind._

Woman:

_I'll pursue the good old Fashion, Practise still by those are wise, Throughly try my Lover's Pa.s.sion, E're I let him grasp the Prize.

Spite of Oaths you wou'd forsake me, Shou'd I let you once embrace: If I kiss, the Devil take me, Till the Parson has said Grace._

Chorus.

_Since then Nation Has made it a Fashion, Let's send for a Black Coat, whilst we're in the Mind.

But it is d.a.m.n'd Slavery, And Priestly Knavery, That Parsons must conjure e're Lovers be kind._

_Com._ So, so, here now shall we be Man and Wife again to Morrow, as good as ever. What tho we met as Strangers, we may happen to love ne're the worse for all that--Gentlemen and Neighbours, I invite ye all to my Wedding.

_Omnes._ We'l not fail you, and wish you Joy.

_Com._ Did I not tell you that I would fetch it cleverly off? Let any Man call me Cuckold if he dares now.

_Petti._ 'Tis slander in him I a.s.sure you who-ever does.

_Com._ Nay it will be _Petti Lacenary_ at least, and without Compa.s.s of the General Pardon too: And for the Child, let me hear him that dares say, I am not the Father.

_Petti._ Sure none will dare dispute it.

_Com._ Or that my Wife that is to be, is not as honest a Woman as some other Mens Wives are.

_Petti._ No question of that.

_Com._ O how fine and smooth my Brows are now!

_1 M. Neigh._ Aye but when you're married, they'll come to themselves again I warrant ye.

_Com._ My Friends, if you please, you may call me Mr. Bridegroom now, for the Guests are all bidden to the Wedding.

_1 M. Neigh._ We know it, Mr. Bridegroom, they are Indeed, and we'll not fail you upon our Words.

_Comp._

_Come then, brisk Widow, e're the next Ebb and Tide, I'le be thy Bridegroom, and thou sha't be my Bride._

_Exeunt omnes._

_The End of the Fourth ACT._

ACT the Fifth.

_Enter_ Arabella _on one Side_.

Summerfield _meeting her from the other_.

_Ara._ Mr. _Summerfield_, I now am truly happy, my Prayers at last are heard; and Heaven has restored my Husband to my Arms.

_Sum._ I just now heard the joyful News, and thought to have been my self the welcome Messenger of his Return, but find I'me come too late; have you seen him?

_Art._ No; as yet I have not.

_Sum._ 'Tis somewhat strange!

_Ara._ Others perhaps may judg it so, but my uncommon Joy for his Return, admits no other Thought, but those of Transport for his Safety.