The Perjur'd Husband Part 6

_Aur._ He came to take his Leave, and 't had been rude Not to admit a Man of his high Birth On this Occasion; nor was you denied, But thro' Woman's Fears of your Suspicions.

She thought you would misconstrue the Count's Visit, As you have really done----I blam'd her for it, Indeed, this is the Truth--I hope _Alonzo_ Believes me now----

_Alon._ Believe Thee! Yes----As willingly as Martyrs A State of endless Joy.

I will so love, my Dear, that all Mankind Shall look with Envy on our mutual Bliss.

I'm like a Merchant tost at Sea by Storms, Who his last Course with Pray'rs and Toil performs; And the rich Cargo safely brought on Sh.o.r.e, He hugs it thus, and vows to part no more. [_Embraces her._

_Aur._ So in a flow'ry Mead a Serpent lurks, And the unwary Traveller surprizes, Where he suspects least Danger! Cursed Cheat. [_Aside._ Oh! that I could disclose the fatal Story!

But it must never out----I beg, _Alonzo_, You'd leave me for a while, and rest secure, You have my Love----

_Alon._ Then the bright Sun in all his circling Turn, Cannot behold a Man more truly happy, What you command, I readily obey.

Farewel, my Dear. [_Exit_ Alonzo.

_Aur._ Where art thou now, _Aurelia_?

How wilt thou 'scape that dreadful Precipice, On which thou art hurried on by thy fatal Pa.s.sion?

With conscious Horror I deceiv'd _Alonzo_; I hate this base Treachery, but 'twas unavoidable: The Truth had been more fatal---- More fatal!----No----For I must never wed My dear _Ba.s.sino_, whilst _Alonzo_ lives.

Oh! the distracting Thought! what shall I do?

Why! die _Aurelia_: That's the only Way, To keep thy Vows to both--Ha----die, said I?

But whether then? who knows what Punishment, Just Heav'n prepares for guilty Souls like mine.

But I must think no more, lest I grow mad with Thought, If there's a Power that guards us here below, Oh! look with pitying Eyes on poor _Aurelia_: Appease the Tumults of my anxious Fear, And load me with no more than I can bear.

[_Exeunt_ Aurelia, Florella.

SCENE II. _Lady_ Pizalta's _Lodgings_.

_Enter Lady_ Pizalta, Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in _Venice_ give for such a Servant?

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you----Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour----But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?

L. _Piz._ Oh! above all Men living, _Lucy_: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with----Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear Man again----The End of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the End of Life to me: For then must I be coop'd up with Age: Condemned to an eternal Coughing, Spitting, Snoring and Ill-nature----Then let me make the best of Life----since h.e.l.l cannot have a worse Plague in Store than I have felt already.

_Luc._ Indeed, Madam, I pity you: And wish 'twere in my Power to free you from this old wither'd Log, but tho' that's impossible, yet I may do you some little Services to make Life's tedious Journey pleasant----Let me see, I have it----What would you say now, Madam, if I should contrive a Way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?

L. _Piz._ That were worth a King's Revenue----Speak, quickly, how, how, good _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my Place attend you.

L. _Piz._ Rare Contrivance! but my Husband, _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in Sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious: But if he should, I have a way to bring you off----My Life on't----This Plot may be of Use to my design, I'll manage it with care. [_Aside._

L. _Piz._ Oh! the Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing and calling me to Bed: And my answering him, I'm coming, Dear; and while he imagines me in the next Room undressing, I'm happy in the Arms of my _Ludovico_. Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common--each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too----and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out----'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts.

Well, dear _Lucy_, I admire thy Contrivance----About it instantly----

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee first.----I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But, Madam, what's to be done with your brocade Night-Gown you tore last Night? it can ne'er be mended handsomely.

L. _Piz._ Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well as Law----Well, _Lucy_, if you manage this Intrigue with Care and Secrecy, the Gown is yours.

_Enter_ Page.

_Page._ Madam, my Lord desires to speak with you.

_Lucy._ Madam, I'll go about your Business: Your Ladyship's very humble Servant. [_Exit_ Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Tell him I'm coming----[_Exit_ Page.] Now by way of Mortification, must I go entertain my old jealous Husband.

[_Exit Lady_ Pizalta.

SCENE III. _The Piazza._

_Enter_ Ludovico _singing_.

_Give me but Wine, that Liquor of Life,_ _And a Girl that is wholesome and clean,_ _Two or three Friends, but the Devil a Wife,_ _And I'd not change State with a King._

_Enter_ Lucy.

_Lucy._ What singing, Signior! Well you're a pleasant Gentleman----

_Lud._ Ah! my little female _Mercury_, what Message bring'st thou?

Ha----will thy Lady bless me with another Sight----Ha----How----When?

where? I am all in a Flame.

_Lucy._ Come along with me, Sir, I'll help you to an Extinguisher presently.

_Lud._ If thou meanest thy Lady, with all my Heart--But I can tell thee, she'll rather prove Oil, than what you speak of----But, say, where am I to see my lovely Charmer?

_Lucy._ In her Chamber----

_Lud._ Good! But how the Devil can that be done?

_Lucy._ Nay, without the Help of a Conjuror, I a.s.sure you; if you dare take me for your Pilot, I'll warrant you Success in your Voyage----I'll set you safe in the Island of Love; 'tis your Business to improve the Soil.

_Lud._ I warrant thee, Girl; do you but bring me there once, and if I play not my Part, may I never more know the Pleasure of an Intrigue.

_Lucy._ Which, if I mistake not, is the streatest Curse can fall on you----Well, you must suffer a small Metamorphosis: What think you of personating me a little? That is, dressing in my Cloaths, and waiting on your Mistress in her Bed-chamber--Ha----

_Lud._ Egad, I'm afraid I shall make but an aukward Chamber-maid, I'm undisciplin'd in dressing a Lady's Head----

_Lucy._ Oh! Sir, your Commission won't reach so high as the Head: I believe my Lady will excuse little Matters: You can undress, I suppose.

_Lud._ Oh! the best and the quickest of any Man in _Venice_. But a Pox on't--Can'st find no other way?----I, I, I,----I like Petticoats in their proper Places, but I don't care to have my Legs in 'em.

_Lucy._ And so you resolve against it? Ha----

_Lud._ No, not absolutely resolve, Child: But--a----