no human stratagem, but by my providential stars, designed to shew the dangers wandering youth incurs, by the pursuit of an unlawful love; to plunge me headlong in the snares of vice, and then to free me by the hands of virtue: Here, on my knees, I humbly beg my fair preserver's pardon; my thanks are needless, for myself I owe: And now, for ever, do protest me yours. Old Mir. Tall, all di dall! [Sings.] Kiss me, daughter-no, you shall kiss me first, [To LAMORCE.] for you're the cause on't.-Well, Bisarre, what say you to the captain? Bis. I like the beast well enough, but I don't understand his paces so well as to venture him in a strange road. Old Mir. But marriage is so beaten a path, that you can't go wrong. Bis. Ay, 'tis so beaten that the way is spoiled. Dur. There is but one thing should make me thy husband-I could marry thee to-day, for the privilege of beating thee to-morrow. Old Mir. Come, come, you may agree for all this; -Mr Dugar', are not you pleased with this? Dug. So pleased, that, if I thought it might secure your son's affection to my sister, I would double her fortune. Y. Mir. Fortune! Has she not given me mine? my life-estate-my all? and what is more, her virtuous self? Behold the foil [Pointing to LAMORCE.] that sets this brightness off! [To ORIANA.] Here view the pride, [To ORIANA.] and scandal of the sex! What liberty can be so tempting there, [TO LAMORCE, As a soft, virtuous, am'rous bondage here? [TO ORLANA. THE END. |