The City Bride | Page 8

his Arabella's sad Complaint; tell him, I grieve, I faint, I die; tell him
any thing that may stay him.
Sym. Yes Forsooth.
Arab. Intreat him to return; nay, urge him all thou canst to make him
come again: Nay haste, good Symon, fly if thou canst, for I can stir no
further.
Sym. Well, well, Forsooth, I am gone.
[Exit Symon.
Arab. Alas, how wretched and forlorn am I!
I she whom once so many did admire, Whose Wit and Charms the
coldest Hearts cou'd fire! Now wretched Maid, and most unhappy Wife,
In Sighs and in Complaints must end my Life. Abandoned by my
Husband, e're enjoyed, With thoughts of Pleasure, yet untasted, cloy'd.
He leaves me now to my sad Frights a Prey; O, my dear Bonvile!
whither dost thou stray? Unheard, alas! I make my amarous Moans;
The Winds and Waves refuse to bear my Groans: Eccho her self can't
suffer my Complaint, But with repeated Sighs grows tir'd and faint.
Where to find him, good Heaven direct me! For losing him, I more than
lose my self.
[Rises, and Exit.
Sum. I must after her, she's worth my Acquaintance, and has good

Moveables about her I perceive, what e're the Ready is. The next
Turning has a most convenient Hollow for the Purpose, and there I'll
make her sure. Now Luck, or never.
[Exit after Arabella.
Reenter Arabella, and Summerfield after her.
Ara. I'm at a stand already, and know not where I am.
Sum. I'll direct you, Madam; Well overtaken.
Ara. Bless me, Sir; What are you?
Sum. A Man.
Ara. An honest Man, I hope?
Sum. Yes faith in some Respects, I'm very honest, but not altogether so;
I were not fit to live in the World if I were too honest, Child.
Ara. Alas! then I begin to fear: Pray tell me what you are?
Sum. Why, faith, an honest Thief.
Ara. How, honest, and yet a Thief? I never heard they were of Kin
before; Pray, Heaven, I find it now.
Sum. Indeed! a very honest Thief.
Ara. Well, Sir, since that's your Title, pray use me kindly: Nay, I'm sure
you will, there's something in your Looks which speaks you mild and
noble.
Sum. Yes, I am a Gentleman, and you shall find me so; for I'll not offer
you the least shew of Violence, or offer to corrupt your Chastity; thô
indeed you are tempting Fair, and might inflame a colder Heart than
mine: Yet Ravishing's no part of my Profession as yet; or if it were, you
look so charming Innocent, you wou'd disarm my wildest Thoughts.

Ara. Blessings on your Goodness!
Sum. Are you a Maid, or Wife?
Ara. I am both, Sir.
Sum. Then this it seems is your Wedding-day, and these the Hours of
Interim that keep you in that double State?
Ara. Indeed you are in the right.
Sum. Come then, I'll be brief, and hinder not your desired Hymen. You
have some superfluous Toys I see about you, which you must deliver; I
mean, that Chain of Gold and Pearl about your Neck, and those pretty
Bracelets about your Arms, (pray, Heaven, they prove not Emblems of
the combined Hemp which is to halter mine); come, Madam, pray
deliver 'em.
Ara. Nay, I intreat you, Sir, to take 'em, for I cannot give 'em, they are
lock'd you see, and truly I have not the Key about me; it may be you are
furnish'd with Instruments that may unloose 'em, I pray do.
Sum. No faith, Madam, I'm but a Beginner in this same Business, and
am wholly unprovided of any Pick-lock Tools besides this Sword.
[Draws his Sword.
Ara. O, good Sir, do not shew me that, 'tis too frightful; pray hurt me
not, for I do yield them freely: Use your Hands, perhaps their strength
will serve to tear 'em from me without more ado. Some Pain I'll quietly
endure, provide you do not hurt me much.
Sum. Alas, dear Lady, I'll use you as gently as I can upon my Word;
but 'tis devilish strong.--If I hurt you, pray speak.
[He endeavours to break the Chain about her Neck.]
Ara. Not much, Sir.

Sum. I am glad on't,--S'death, I can't do it.
[She draws his Sword, and stands upon her Guard.
Ara. No Sir, nor shall not now: You a Highway-man and guard your
self no better: Come, Sir, what Money have you? Deliver quickly.
Sum. Not a Cross by this foolish Hand of mine!
Ara. How, no Money, 'twere pity then to take this from thee; Here, take
it again, I know you'l use me ne're the worse for what I have done.
[Gives him his Sword again.]
Sum. No, by my Life!
Ara. I do believe you; and now pray hear