_Alb._ Sure thou hast a design to make her hate me.
_Ant._ Do you think so in earnest, why, was she angry?
_Alb._ Oh! hadst thou seen her pretty blushing Scorn, Which she would fain have hid, Thou wouldst have pitied what I made her suffer.
_Ant._ Is't possible!
And didst present her with the Box of Jewels?
_Alb._ Yes.
_Ant._ And kneel, and cry and swear, and--
_Alb._ All, all.
_Ant._ I hardly gave thee time for so much Courtship, --But you are sure she was displeased with it?
_Alb._ Extremely.
_Ant._ Enough, _Alberto_; adieu to thee and Friendship.
_Alb._ What mean you?
_Ant._ Ask your own Guilt, it will inform thee best.
_Alb._ Thou canst not think _Clarina_ has abus'd thee.
_Ant._ I do not think she has, nor have you try'd her; In that you have not only disoblig'd me, But now you would impose upon my Weakness --Did I not see how unconcern'd you were, And hardly paying her a due respect; And when she even invited thee to speak, Most rudely thou wert silent?
_Alb._ Be calm, _Antonio_, I confess my error, And hate that Virtue taught me to deceive thee; --Here, take my Hand,-- I'll serve you in good earnest.
_Ant._ And now I do believe thee, Go--thou shalt lose no time, I must away, My Soul's in torment, till I am confirm'd Of my _Clarina's_ Virtue; I do believe thou hast a generous Shame, For what thou'st said and done to me thy Friend.
For could I doubt thy Love, oh, how ridiculous This act of mine would seem!
But 'tis to thee, as to my Soul I come, Disputing every petty Crime and Doubt.
_Alb._ _Antonio_, if there need an Oath between us--
_Ant._ No, I credit thee; go in, And prithee dress thy Eyes in all their Charms; For this uncertainty disturbs me more, Than if I knew _Clarina_ were a--Whore.
[Exeunt severally.
ACT II.
SCENE I. The Apartment of _Frederick_.
Enter _Frederick_ with a Letter, and _Galliard_.
_Fred._ Not allow me to speak to her, say ye, 'tis strange; Didst say it was the Prince that sent thee?
_Gal._ My Lord, I did, but he says, he cares not for A thousand Princes.
_Fred._ I am resolv'd I will see this Woman; --Harkye, go back again and say-- [Whispers.
Enter _Lorenzo_ drunk.
_Lor._ Hah, the Prince--he must not see me In this pickle; for I would not lose my Reputation Of Wenching for this of Drinking; And I am sure I cannot be excellent at both, They are inconsistent.
_Gal._ I shall, my Lord. [Exit.
_Lor._ Your Highness's humble Servant.
_Fred._ Ha, ha, what, _Lorenzo_ in debauch?
_Lor._ Now my Tongue will betray me:-- Faith, my Lord, I have took six, but am come briskly off; By this hand, my Lord, I am Cock over five Stout Rogues too, I can tell you, at this sport.
_Fred._ I did not think thou hadst had that Virtue.
_Lor._ I'll tell you, Sir, 'tis necessary those of my Office and Quality should have more Virtues Than one to recommend them; But to tell you truth, for now I am most apt for that, I was drunk in mere Malice to day.
_Fred._ Malice, against whom, prithee?
_Lor._ Why, why, Sir, the humorous old Fellow, My Father, He will not hear reason from me when I am sober.
My Lord, you know _Curtius_ is an honest Fellow, And one of us too; My Sister _Laura_ is a good pretty Wench, He loves her, and she likes him; And because this testy old Blade has done himself, Do you think I can bring him to consider?
No, not for my Life, he won't consider, Sir; And now am I got drunk to see how that will edify him.
_Fred._ How! is _Laura_, the Mistress of _Curtius_, your Sister?
_Lor._ Yes, marry is she, Sir, at least by the Mother's side; And to tell you truth, We are too good-natur'd to believe _Salvator_ our Father.
_Fred._ Thy Sister, and Daughter to _Salvator_?
_Lor._ So said my Mother, but she was handsome; And on my conscience liv'd e'en in such another Debauch'd World as 'tis now, let them say What they will of their primitive Virtue.
_Fred._ May not I see this Sister of thine, _Lorenzo_?
_Lor._ Yes, by _Venus_, shall you, Sir, An she were my Mother.
_Fred._ But art sure thy Father will permit us?
_Lor._ My Father permit us!
He may do what he will when I am sober, But being thus fortify'd with potent Wine, He must yield obedience to my Will.
Why, my Lord, I'll tell you, I'll make him ask me blessing when I am in this Almighty Power.
_Fred._ And is thy Sister so very fine?