The City Bride | Page 4

can you think an Answer
of this killing Nature, a just return for all my faithful Love?
Cla. As to that I have already said.
Fri. Oh speak, from whence this Coldness doth arise! Be at least so
kind as to tell me that; Is it some late Disgust you have conceived of my
Person; or rather your desire, (I fear) of some unworthier, happy
Creature, base in the Attempt, as you unkind in thinking of a Change; if
neither.
I must impute it to your Woman's Will, Still pleased with what it
fancies, Good or Ill.
Cla. Be't what it will, thus it is, and with this Answer pray rest satisfied;
there is but one way ever to win me and draw me unto Marriage, which
whosoever finds, 'tis like he may have me, if not, I am still my own.
Fri. Oh name it then! Thou dearest Treasure of my Life! my Soul! my
All! I am in a maze of Extasie, to think there's any means to gain you,

and hope you'l be so kind to tell me how I may be happy.
Cla. I'll retire a while; and with my self resolve what must be done, and
in the end send you my Resolution.
[Exit Clara.
Fri. I'll here expect it: What more can I desire, than now be satisfied
and know my Dooom.
Suspence is the worst Torment we endure, 'Tis Knowledge make the
Wound both safe and sure.
Enter Spruce and Mr. Venter.
Spru. How now Jack! What all alone Man?
Fri. No, for I have heard some say, Men are ne're less alone, then when
alone. The reason I suppose is this, because they have Crowds of
Thoughts, that still perplex the Mind; which wou'd be, like the Soul
retired and free, thereby to enjoy that sweet repose, which nought but
that can Grant.
Spru. Pshaw! Pox of this Morality and dull Stuff; Prithee let us be
Merry, and Entertain the Bride and Bridegroom. Ods fish there a
parcel of rare Creatures within! But of all Mrs. Clara for my Money.
Mr. Ven. And truly, I am of your Opinion Mr. Spruce; for setting aside
her present Melancholly and Discontent, I think she is beyond
Comparison with any other.
Spr. Od's nigs, I know the Cause of her Disorder.
Ven. What I pray?
Spr. Why, I'll tell ye; In all Conditions of Estates, Professions, and
Degrees, in Arts or Sciences, yee know there's a kind of Envious
Emulation.

Mr. Ven. Right.
Spr. So in this of Arabella's Marrying; for Clara being Lady of much
the same Birth and Quality, Grieves I--suppose to see her Rival get the
start of her.
Mr. Ven. Troth like enough.
Fri. Y'are Pleasant Gentlemen--Or else because she having had so
many Courtiers----
Spr. And you among the rest Jack.
Fri. She now perhaps does cast a more favourable Eye upon some one
that does not like her.
Spr. Why Faith, and that may be too.
Enter Lucy with a Letter.
Lucy. Sir, my Mistriss presents her humble Service to you, and has sent
you this Letter; pray Heaven it be to your liking Sir.
Fri. I thank the kind Lucy: There, there's for the Postage Girle: [Gives
her Money.] She has kept her Promise for once I see; I'm resolved to
read it, thô I were sure my Death was Comprehended in it.
Reads. Try all your Friends, and find out the best and nearest to your
Heart, That done, be sure to kill him for my sake. This fail not to do, if
you respect and Love (as you pretend.)
Clara.
'Tis as I fear'd, and what I know she most desires: Mischief, and
Murder, are all her Sexes Practice, and Delight? Yet such is the
Extravagancy of my Passion, I must obey the Mandate, thô to my
certain Ruine: 'Tis strangely difficult, and does require Mature
Deliberation.

[Exit.
Spr. What has Friendly left us?
Mr. Ven. I believe the Letter was the occasion, it may be it was a
Challenge.
Spr. A Challenge! No, no; Women don't use to bring Challenges, I
rather believe 'tis an Amour; And that Letter as you call it a Billet
Deux, which is to Conduct him to the place appointed; and in some
Sence you may take that for a Challenge.
Mr. Ven. And she the Civil Embassadress to usher him in.
Spr. Yes, yes, but see the Bride and Bridegroom, with the rest of the
good Company.
Enter Justice Merry-man, Bonvile, Arabella, Mrs. Venter and others, as
Guests Invited to the Wedding.
Mer. Son Bonvile, what call ye the Gentleman we met at the Garden
Door?
Bon. Friendly Sir, a most approv'd and worthy Gentleman, and one of
my chiefest Guests.
Mer. Ay, ay, it may be so: But yet me thought