The Fatal Jealousie (1673) | Page 7

come, she must be here; for she was not in her own Bed to Night, and where should She be, but with you?
_Jasp._ With me! what the Devil should she do with me? Can't her Old Chopps mumble her Beads o're, but I Must keep count of her _Pater Nosters_: No, no, she's Gon on Pilgrimage to some Shrine, to beg Children For my Lady; 'tis a devout Old Woman.
_Flor._ Devout! I, her Devotion and yours are much alike, The Fit ne're took you but once in your Lives, and Then, 'tis true you wept at Prayers, that was, at your Own Christnings.
_Jasp._ Prethee more Charity, sweet dear _Flora_; come, let Me kiss thee.
_Flor._ Pray forbear, I'de sooner kiss a Horse.
_Jasp._ Why so scornful, dear _Flora_?
_Flor._ That's not my bus'ness; come, tell me, where's the Nurse?
_Jasp._ Prethee, why dost ask me for the Nurse? Dost think I am so hot to make Love to a Monument? Why, she's Old enough to be Mother of all Mankind; her skin's Turn'd to parchment, he that should enjoy her, had as Good lye with a bundle of Old Records. In truth, she's Fit for nothing now, but to be hang'd up amongst the Monsters in a 'Pothecaries Shop, where, with abuse to The Beast, she would be taken for a large Apes skin stufft With Hay. Ah, Flora, if she were as Young as thou art, then't might be likely, I might find her when she was lost.
_Flor._ Well, if she be not here now, I'm sure it was not for Nothing you once lost your way into her Chamber, And staid all Night.
_Jasp._ Meer Drunkenness, by this Light, Flora! Why, if it had Been a Vault full of Dead Carkasses, I should have slipt Into it in the pickle I was in--Nay, for ought I know, With more pleasure too.
[Enter Nurse.
_Nurse._ Now out upon you for a Rogue, There's no enduring this.
_Jasp._ Do but hear me, Nurse.
_Flor._ Ay, hear him, Nurse, he'l be sure to recant and Swear you're as sweet as--a--fogh--so sweet--
_Nurse._ What, Hussy, dare you abuse me--I that gave suck To my Lady before thou wast born--you Young Whore.
_Flor._ Young Whore! why not Old Whore, Nurse, as well as Young Whore?
_Nurse._ You damn'd Young Slut, I'le tear out your Eyes.
_Flor._ My Feet shall save my Eyes, except you can out-run Me to my Lady.
[Exit Flora.
_Jasp._ Have not you made fine work now? I but dissembled To take off suspition--and you must shew your self, I'm sure I shall be turn'd away for your folly.
_Nurse._ But dissembled, said you? Marry, there's dissembling indeed.
_Jasp._ Nay, Nurse, consider, dost think I would have spoke so In thy hearing, had it been for any other thing? But Prethee kiss me--I protest thou'rt as sweet as Arsifettito.
_Nurse._ _Arsifettito!_ What's that?
_Jasp._ A Rich perfume the Chymists make, and good against Fits o' th' Mother. But what shall I do now? I shall Be turn'd away.
_Nurse._ I'le warrant thee, I'le place thee with Eugenia, she Shall take care of thee for mine and a Friends sake Of hers.
_Jasp._ Ay, ay, that's _Francisco_; but you have promis'd me Often to tell me a secret concerns them; prethee Do't now, Nurse.
_Nurse._ But will you ne're speak on't? If you do, I shall Get no more money for thee, _Jasper_; that's the way, I get all, Chuck; no, no, no matter what's between them, Trust thou to me.
_Jasp._ Well, Nurse, I thought you had Lov'd me, but I see You do not; you know I can keep secrets.
_Nurse._ Ay, but this is such a one I dare not tell it; besides, It was not _Eugenia_s fault at first--alas, poor Fool, she was in a sad taking, when she found Her Couzen Francisco in Bed with her.
_Jasp._ In Bed, sayst thou?
_Nurse._ Lord bless me! what have I done? If you should Tell now.
_Jasp._ Ne're fear it, tell me all: I would not for the World have mist this Story, it makes a full amends For all my Crosses; come, Nurse, prethee quickly Tell me all passages.
_Nurse._ I tell no more, my mind misgives me I've said Too much already.
_Jasp._ Not tell me more, Old Beldame? Speak it quickly, Or what I know shall soon unto my Lord.
_Nurse._ How now! Is this dissembling too?
_Jasp._ No, 'tis as great a truth as what you told me of, _Don Francisco_'s Bedding with _Eugenia_; tell me the Rest, and by it save your Life.
_Nurse._ Dear Jasper, be not angry, and I will.
_Jasp._ Come, Nurse, do it, and then we'l kiss and be Friends. I shall have use of her. [Aside.
_Nurse._ Now thou shalt have my heart; and thus it is: Don Francisco doth often meet Eugenia i'th' Garden, who, to avoid suspition, after her Sisters In Bed, by my means gets her Night-Gown, and Puts