The City Bride | Page 4

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, th? 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, th? 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 he seemed somewhat displeased, th? Son, Hah, What think you?
Bon. No sure Sir, he cannot be Angry, when his Friend's so happy.
Mer. I can't tell Boy, but I believe there's something more than ordinary in the matter. Why should he leave the Company else? And Mrs. Clara I miss her too. Why Gentlemen, why do you suffer this?
Ara. Unknown to any Sir, she withdrew soon as we rise from Table.
Mer. Sick of the Maid perhaps; because she sees you Mrs. Bride her Quondam Play fellow Married before her; Heh Gentlemen, heh!
Mr. Ven. 'Troth like enough Brother Merry-man.
Mer. Go, go, find her out for shame