Page:She-Gallants.djvu/19

 Plac. Then you are resolv'd to break with poor Mr. Bellamour.

Lucin. Not absolutely break with him, but suspend my Resolution till I know how Philabel continues inclin'd; for as I told you before, I must not lose both; and tho' the uneasiness and jealousy of Bellamour's Temper has loft him some part of my good Will, he is yet in the Balance.

Plac. Well, I vow Madam, methinks nothing's so pleasing as to see one's Lover jealous; sometimes in Fury, then presently at your Feet; now raging to part, then submissive for a Reconciliation; for, what's a Woman's pow'r, unless she could matter a Lover of all Humours?

Lucin. Yes, I would master him: I would have my Lover my Slave; a thing cast to please and obey me; like my Glove, to draw on or off as I think fitting; but then this Lover must not be jealous; that Chews too much like a Contention for the Mastery; every Look and Action is to be enquir'd into, and a strict account exacted of all that's done or said. No, give me the Lover that's free, who never pries into my Affairs, who has his Secrets, and lets me have mine; for so all private Reck'nings are handsomely discharg'd, no matter for the rest, that's the Husband for me.

Plac. But while you suffer so much main Stock to be spent abroad, there must needs run a great deal behind-hand to you. Lord! I should be so sorry to see you pick up a Husband from a Side-box at a Play, or the Gallery in St. Jamess Church, and so after the first year be forc'd to live in the Fleet, or the Kings Bench.

Lucin. And why not, rather than marry a dull, fat Fool, with a great Estate, whose Faculties are all choak'd up with Flegm; a Lump, whose only sign of Life is sweating; we may melt his Grease, but not extract one wholesome Drop out of him.—No, give me a Man without a Fortune, rather than a Fortune without a Man. I had rather beg with a brisk, lively, young Fellow, than reign with a heavy, bloated, overgrown Blockhead.

Plac. Your Aunt, Madam.

Rh