The Beaux-Stratagem | Page 8

a blaze.
Aim. With all my heart; and we have lived justly, Archer: we can't say
that we have spent our fortunes, but that we have enjoyed 'em. {210}
Arch. Right! so much pleasure for so much money. We have had our
pennyworths; and, had I millions, I would go to the same market
again.--O London! London!--Well, we have had our share, and let us be
thankful: past pleasures, for aught I know, are best, such as we are sure
of; those to come may disappoint us. {217}
Aim. It has often grieved the heart of me to see how some inhuman
wretches murder their kind fortunes; those that, by sacrificing all to one
appetite, shall starve all the rest. You shall have some that live only in
their palates, and in their sense of tasting shall drown the other four:
others are only epicures in appearances, such who shall starve their

nights to make a figure a days, and famish their own to feed the eyes of
others: a contrary sort confine their pleasures to the dark, and contract
their specious acres to the circuit of a muff-string. {228}
Arch. Right! But they find the Indies in that spot where they consume
'em, and I think your kind keepers have much the best on't: for they
indulge the most senses by one expense, there's the seeing, hearing, and
feeling, amply gratified; and, some philosophers will tell you, that from
such a commerce there arises a sixth sense, that gives infinitely more
pleasure than the other five put together, {237}
Aim. And to pass to the other extremity, of all keepers I think those the
worst that keep their money.
Arch. Those are the most miserable wights in being, they destroy the
rights of nature, and disappoint the blessings of Providence. Give me a
man that keeps his five senses keen and bright as his sword, that has
'em always drawn out in their just order and strength, with his reason as
commander at the head of 'em, that detaches 'em by turns upon
whatever party of pleasure agreeably offers, and commands 'em to
retreat upon the least appearance of disadvantage or danger! For my
part, I can stick to my bottle while my wine, my company, and my
reason, hold good; I can be charmed with Sappho's singing without
falling in love with her face: I love hunting, but would not, like Actæon,
be eaten up by my own dogs; I love a fine house, but let another keep it;
and just so I love a fine woman. {255}
Aim. In that last particular you have the better of me.
Arch. Ay, you're such an amorous puppy, that I'm afraid you 'll spoil
our sport; you can't counterfeit the passion without feeling it.
Aim. Though the whining part be out of doors in town, 'tis still in force
with the country ladies: and let me tell you, Frank, the fool in that
passion shall-outdo the knave at any time.
Arch. Well, I won't dispute it now; you command for the day, and so I
submit: at Nottingham, you know, I am to be master. {266}

Aim. And at Lincoln, I again.
Arch. Then, at Norwich I mount, which, I think, shall be our last stage;
for, if we fail there, we'll embark for Holland, bid adieu to Venus, and
welcome Mars.
Aim. A match!--Mum!
Re-enter Boniface.
Bon. What will your worship please to have for supper?
Aim. What have you got?
Bon. Sir, we have a delicate piece of beef in the pot, and a pig at the
fire.
Aim. Good supper-meat, I must confess. I can't eat beef, landlord.
{278}
Arch. And I hate pig.
Aim. Hold your prating, sirrah! do you know who you are?
Bon. Please to bespeak something else; I have everything in the house.
Aim. Have you any veal?
Bon. Veal! sir, we had a delicate loin of veal on Wednesday last.
Aim. Have you got any fish or wildfowl? {287}
Bon. As for fish, truly, sir, we are an inland town, and indifferently
provided with fish, that 's the truth on't; and then for wildfowl--we have
a delicate couple of rabbits. {291}
Aim. Get me the rabbits fricasseed.
Bon. Fricasseed! Lard, sir, they 'll eat much better smothered with

onions.
Arch. Psha! Damn your onions!
Aim. Again, sirrah!--Well, landlord, what you please. But hold, I have a
small charge of money, and your house is so full of strangers that I
believe it may be safer in your custody than mine; for when this fellow
of mine gets drunk he tends to nothing.--Here, sirrah, reach me the
strong-box. {301}
Arch. Yes, sir.--[Aside.] This will give us a reputation.
[Brings Aimwell the box.
Aim. Here, landlord; the locks are sealed down both for your security
and mine;