_Guil._ Hah, I don’t like that word, it sounds terribly. [Aside.
_Lor._ This Fellow may be of use to me; being Doubtless very honest, because he is so very simple: For to say truth, we Men of Parts are sometimes Over-wise, witness my last night’s retreat From but a supposed Danger, and returning to fall Into a real one. Well, I’ll now to _Isabella_, And know her final Resolution; if _Clarina_ will Be kind, so; if not, there be those that will. --And though I cannot any Conquest boast For all the Time and Money I have lost, At least of _Isabel_ I’ll be reveng’d, And have the flattering Baggage soundly swing’d; And rather than she shall escape my Anger, My self shall be the Hero that shall bang her. [Exit.
_Isab._ Madam, turn your back to that side, For there _Antonio_ is hid; he must not see your Face: now raise your Voice, that he may hear what ‘tis you say.
_Ism._ I’ll warrant you, _Isabella_: Was ever wretched Woman’s Fate like mine, Forc’d to obey the rigid Laws of Parents, And marry with a Man I did not love?
_Ant._ Oh, there’s my cause of Fear. [_Ant._ peeps.
_Ism._ Though since I had him, thou know’st I have endeavour’d To make his Will my Law, Till by degrees and Custom, which makes things natural, I found this Heart, which ne’er had been engag’d To any other, grow more soft to him; And still the more he lov’d, the more I was oblig’d, And made returns still kinder; till I became Not only to allow, but to repay his Tenderness.
_Isab._ She counterfeits rarely. [Aside. Madam, indeed I have observ’d this truth.
_Ism._ My Lord, you’ve often told me that you lov’d me, Which I with Womens usual Pride believ’d; And now, encourag’d by my hopeful Promises, You look for some Returns: Sir, is it so?
_Alb._ What means she? Pray Heaven I answer right. [Aside. --Madam, if I have err’d in that belief, To know I do so, is sufficient punishment. --Lovers, Madam, though they have no returns, Like sinking Men, still catch at all they meet with; And whilst they live, though in the midst of Storms, Because they wish, they also hope for Calms.
_Ism._ And did you, Sir, consider who I was?
_Alb._ Yes, Madam, Wife unto my Friend _Antonio_, The only Man that has an Interest here: --But, Madam, that must still submit to Love.