The town-fopp, or, Sir Timothy Tawdrey a comedy : as it is acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's theatre / written by Mrs. A. Behn.

The Scene a Street.

Enter Friendlove disguis'd as before.

Friend.

I find Diana knows me not, and this years absence, since I fir•••• made my Addresses to her, has alter'd me much, or she has lost the re∣membrance of a Man, whom she ever disesteem'd till in this lucky dress, the price of her Favour is Bellmour's life; I need not have been brib'd for that, his breach of Faith both to my sister and my self, enough incites me to Revenge—He has not yet enjoy'd her, that blessing is reserv'd for me alone; and tho' the Priest have join'd 'em, that Marriage may be disan∣null'd, and she has a Fortune sufficient to excuse her other faults.

Enter Bellmour sad.

—Hah! the Man I seek—so near my Lodgings too—Sir!

Bell.

Sir!

Friend.

Traytor! thou knowst me, and my bus'ness.

—Look on this face, if thou dar'st look on him, whom thou hast doubly wrong'd—and draw thy Sword.

Bell.

Thou shou'dst be Friendlove, Brother to Celinda.

Friend.

And Lover of Diana too—oh quickly draw, Or I shall leave thee like a Coward, dead.

Bell.

No, rather like a Sacrifice,

[Offers to embrace him.

And thou shou'dst be the Priest should offer it; But that I have yet For some few moments, bus'ness for my life.

Friend.

I can allow no time for bus'ness now, My injuries are in haste, and so am I.

Bell.

Should'st thou stab here, a thousand gaping wounds, Upon this false, this perjur'd heart of mine, It wou'd not part with life, unless 'twere laid Near to the Sacred Altar of my Vows. Lo at the feet of my fair injur'd Wife.

Friend.

Ha!—means ••e his Wife!

[Aside.

Canst thou repent thy injuries to her,

And leave the rest of all thy sins neglected?

Bell.

Those I have done to thee, tho' soul and barb'rous May plead the excuse of force—but those to her, Not thou, nor I, nor she, or Heav'n can pardon.

Friend.

Heav'ns! My sisters wrongs, and mine, may plead excuse, But those to her alone can ne're be pardon'd. —This place, Sir, is too open—come with me, For I've desir'd, and now resolve to kill thee.

Bell.

And so thou shalt, defenceless, I will yield, And leave my bosom, open to thy Sword. —But first conduct me to my Wife. For I will see her—nor can I dye unpardon'd.

Friend.

See his Wife!—of whom do you demand her?

Bell.

Of thee!—dar'st thou detain me?

[Offers to go in.

Friend.

Death how shou'd he know she's here!

[Aside.

—Stay, Sir, this way our bus'ness lies.

[Pulls him back.

Bell.

I ask not thine, but mine lies only this way.

[Offers to go in•• again.

Friend.

By Heav'n you shall not enter here!

Bell.

I know thou lovest her, And 'tis with reason thou deny'st an entrance To one so much unworthy to approach her.

Friend.

Yes, I do love her, and dare own it too; And will defend her from one so base and treacherous.

Bell.

Who dares ••eny thy Reasons?

Friend.

Sh'as made me take an Oath, to fight with thee. And every wound, my lucky Sword shou'd make, She bad me say, was sent thee from her hate.

Bell.

Oh I believe thee! prethee tell on, young man, That I may dye without the aid of wounds.

Friend.

To break thy heart, know then, she loves another. And has took back the Vows she made to thee, And given 'em to a Man more worthy of 'em.

Bell.

Alas! I credit thee—yet—then by Heav'n she's false! And I will know, why 'tis she is thus perjur'd.

[Offers to go.

—Nay now—nor Heav'n, nor Hell, shall hinder me. —Stand off, or to the number I'll add one sin more, And make my passage to her through thy heart.

Friend.

And so you shall Sir.

[They fight, Bellmour disarms Friend. and runs in.

—Disarm'd! by Heav'n you shall not so escape A Rage that is too just here to give o're.

The Scene changes to the inside of Friendloves Lodgings.

Enter Celinda, as before, met by Nurse.

Nur.

Oh Madam, here's Mr. Bellmour, he has wounded my young Master, who deni'd him entrance, and is come into the house, and all in Rage demands his Wife.

Cel.

Oh Heav'n! demands his Wife! is that sad Curse Added to all the rest—does he then love her?

Enter Bellmour with two Swords.

Nur.

Whether do you press Sir? And what's your business?

Bell.

To see my Wife, my Wife, impertinence. And must I meet with nought but opposition?

[Pushes her roughly away.

Cel.

Let him come in.

Nur.

Marry he lets himself in, I thank him.

Cel.

What Man art thou thus cover'd o're with horror!

Bell.

One sent from Hell, to punish Perjury! —Where's this perfidious Fair? this blushless Maid! That has by my example broke her Vows! A President that Fiends, wou'd shame to follow.

Cel.

Who is't you mean Sir?

Bell.

A thing that has no name, she is so bad! One who so lately gave her self to me, And now is flown into anothers Arms. One that attacks my life, for the same sins, Which she her self commits—and thinks to live too. —Yet still she is my Wife, whom I have injur'd: Till when, she was a Saint—come lead me to her. Tho' she be false as I, yet I'll forgive it.

[Throws by the Swords.

Cel.

Heav'ns! he repents his Cruelty to her, And never mentions me! Ah then 'tis time to die. And that I may be sure of death—

[Aside.

Well, Sir, I will conduct this happy Lady to you.

Bell.

Gods! happy!—whil'st I am wretched.

[Ex. Cel.

—Oh what an Ague chills my shivering Limbs, Turns my hot rage, to softest love, and shame, Were I not here to dye—here at her feet, I wou'd not stand the shock of her Reproaches. —But yet she need not speak, a look's sufficient To call up all my sins to my undoing— —She comes—Oh Heav'n! she comes—

Enter Celinda and Diana.

—Like penitent Criminals thus—with my Eyes declin'd, I bow my head down, for the last sad blow.

[Stands bow'd.

Cel.

Sir, in obedience to your Commands, I've brought the Lady.

Dia.

How! the perfidious Bellmour! The only object of my hate and scorn.

Bell.

Say on, my angry Deity—

[Kneels.

Whil'st I thus trembling hear my fatal doom Like sinners conscious, ne're to be forgiven, I dare not lift my guilty Eyes towards Heaven.

Cel.

Can I hear this? and yet retain my life!

Dia.

Had I but two days since beheld this Youth Thus prostrate at my feet, I shou'd have thought My self more blest, Than to have been the Deity he calls me.

Enter Friendlove.

Friend.

Defend me! the Traytor here! and at Diana's feet, The fittest Altar for my Sacrifice! —Turn, turn, from what thou lovest, and meet my justice!

Cel.

Oh hold, my dearest Brother!

[Bellm. rises, and turns about▪

Bellm.

Nay, now I'm ready for the welcom Sword, Since my Celinda's false, and cannot pardon.

Cel.

Oh do not dye with that prophane opinion. Celinda fal••e! or cannot pardon thee!

Dia.

Stay, generous Sir, my pity has forgiven him.

Bell.

Thou! why who art thou—Diana!

Dia.

Yes, that Diana Whom maugre all the Penitence thou shew'st, Can scarce forgive the injuries thou'st done her.

Bell.

I shew a Penitence for injuring thee! By Heav'n I never cou'd do one, or other, All that I am is the divine Celinda's.

Friend.

He's stark mad Î

[Aside.

Bell.

But since she cannot pardon, I can dye.

[Offers to fall on his Sword.

Cel.

Canst thou not credit me! she pardons thee. Live—and enjoy—Diana.

[Turns her face from him.

Bell.

What art thou? who knowst her heart so well! Art thou my Rival? the blessed Youth to whom She has given her Vows?—live—and enjoy—Diana! —Yes—yes—thou art my Rival, and I'll kill thee.

Cel.

Do, whilst I meet thy Sword.

[Opens her Arms, Dia. stays him, he lets fall his Sword, and gazes.

Bell.

Dull—dull Adorer! not to know my Saint. Oh how have I prophan'd? to what strange Idol Was that I kneel'd? Mistaking it for a Divinity!

Cel.

To your fair Wife Diana!

Bell.

Oh cruel Maid! Has Heav'n design'd me any but Celinda!

Dia.

Maid! bless me!—did I then love a Woman! —I am pleas'd thou shou'dst renounce me, make it good, And set me free from Fetters which I hate.

Bell.

If all our Laws can do't I will—for here Ends all my claim.

[To Cel.

Friend.

Was this the Wife you did demand of me?

Bell.

Yes, I had no other.

Dia.

Fair Maid! forgive me all my shameful Passion! And charge my fault upon your Beauty only.

Cel.

Excellent Creature! I shou'd sue for that Which my deceit will never make me hope.

Bell.

And art thou true to Love, and all thy Vows? Whilst I to save my Fortune, (That only which cou'd make me merit thee) Gave my unwilling hand to this fair Noble Maid. —Ah Friendlove, when thou hearst my Story told, Thou wilt forgive, and pity me.

Dia.

What was't you said Sir?—Friendlove.

Friend.

Yes, Madam, I hope the name can make no diff'rence: Or hate that still, so you love the Man.

Dia.

Tho' I'm again defeated, yet this last Proves least offensive, nor shall an empty word, Alter my fix'd Resolves, to love you still.

Friend.

Then I am blest!

Bell.

But yet the office of the Priest has past. What remedy for that?

Dia.

My Uncle's pow'r; the nearness of our blood, The contradiction of our circumstances.

Bell.

And above all that, my Contract with Celinda. —Methinks I feel a joy spread o're my heart, The blessed omen of approaching happiness.

Cel.

I do believe thee, for by sympathy, Mine takes new fire and hope.

Dia.

I have already writ to my Uncle, and the Messenger assur'd me, he would gratifie my desires; that done, I will be yours.

[To Friendlove. Bell.

Bell.

But why thus drest? it might have led my Rage Full of despair, and jealousie to have hurt thee,

Cel.

Sir, when the Letter came of your being Married, I will not tell you all the effects it had Upon my desperate Soul; But this I know, I had resolv'd to dye. But first to see you, your Page inform'd the Nurse, All that had past, and of the last Nights Ball; And much concern'd, she got this Habit for me, And inform'd me how 'twas I was to Act. And that my Brother (describing of his dress) was gone before; This made me haste, lest e're I came, His Rage had done the bus'ness which it went for.

Friend.

And so it had, hadst thou not hinder'd me, For I, Sir, was the Man, who drew on you.

Bell.

And was it thou that didst defend my heart, That I might live to pay thy goodness back.

Cel.

It was to save your life, and to expose my own.

Dia.

Come, let's in, and consult what's best for us to do.

Bell.

Come my Celinda, Let us no longer doubt, the Pow'rs above Will be propitious to United Love.

[Ex. Cel.

Enter Servant.

Serv.

Sir, my Lord Plotwell is at the door in his Coach.

Dia.

My Uncle come! Sir, we will not doubt our Fortune. But how came he to know of my being here?

Serv.

Madam, I fear he follow'd me, after I had given him the Let∣ter.

Enter Lord Plotwell, Charles, Trusty.

Lord. Bellmour and Diana kneeling!

[Bellmour and Diana kneels.

—Rise, the joy I have to see you thus, makes me Resolve to grant you any thing, and pardon all that's past.

Bell.

Be not so hasty in your goodness, Sir, Lest you repent as fast.

Dia.

Sir, we have an humble Suit to you.

Lord.

What is it ye can jointly ask, I will not grant?

Dia.

By all th••t Love you ever had for me, By all those Infant charms, which us'd to please you When on your Lap, you taught my Tongue that Art Which made those dear impress••ons on your Heart▪

Which ever since to my advantage grew, I do conjure you hear me now I sue, And grant the mighty grace I beg of you.

Lord.

What is it you wou'd ask?

Bell.

Oh dress your Face and Eyes in gentler Looks, If you wou'd have us hope for any mercy.

Lord.

Rise, and whate're you ask, I'll freely grant.

Dia.

That you'll undo that knot, that ties us two.

Lord.

How! this Request from thee! who lov'd him once, And wish'd no good beyond possessing him.

Dia.

Heaven has not, Sir, decreed us for each other, Something of Fate or Chance Has otherwise dispos'd those first Resolves.

Lord.

Too virtuous Maid, I know thou dost but feign, His wickedness has forc'd thee to this change.

Dia.

No, Sir, were he the only Man Of kind and good, I never wou'd be his. —And if you shou'd compel me, I shou'd live The infamous Reproach of my whole Sex.

Lord.

Well, and you Sir, that are the cause of this, What canst thou say to move me for thy Pardon?

Bell.

I am so guilty in your opinion, My Prayers wou'd but make yours merciless; I only say Celinda is my Wife, And I shou'd injure this too generous Maid, Not to adore her equal to her merit.

Lord.

I see, Sir, you have found your Wits again. —Well, I see there's no opposing Destiny, And I have still such tenderness for thee,

[To Dia.

That hadst thou pleaded his Cause to me before, I shou'd have been less cruel to him. —Where is that Lady which you so admire, Whose beauty does eclipse that of Diana.

Bellmour goes out, and brings in Celinda.

Dia.

This, Sir, is she who merits more than I.

Lord.

She's fair indeed; here Franck, I give thee thy Celinda, whose beauty Excuses all thy faults of disobedience.

Bell.

Thus low, I thank you for this goodness Sir.

[Kneels.

Lord.

There only wants the ceremony of the Law to undo what's be∣tween you and Diana, if she remain a Virgin.

Bell.

For me by Heav'n she is, And for the rest I do not doubt her virtue.

Dia.

You may believe him, Sir▪ and this alone's the Man 〈…〉〈…〉 I will, or never will be happy.

Lord.

Mr. Friendlove, I give consent to't, he has a Noble Character, and what he wants in Fortune, has in Virtue—take her young Man.

Friend.

'Tis such an Honour, Sir, that (my Gratitude) without the mighty Passion I have for her, would make me ever thankful.

Lord.

This Term, we shall make the former Marriage void, till then love on, and fear no frowns from Fortune—but Nephew—now I hope your Brother shall have his Portion.

Bell.

My dearest Charles, forgive me all that's past, And share the Fortune, Heaven has given thy Brother.

Char.

The joy I have, Sir, to be undeceiv'd, is much the greatest bles∣sing Heav'n can send me.

Enter Sir Timothy follow'd by Phillis, Sham, Sharp, and Betty Flauntit.

Sir Tim.

I am pursu'd by two impertinent Women, prethee Friendlove, tell 'em I am gone out at the Back-door, and send 'em away.

Lord.

What's the News here?

Sir Tim.

How Celinda here, and Bellmour too! nay, now wou'd I com∣pound for my Life, at any rate, by Fortune.

Phill.

Sir, this Villain here has abus'd me, and with a false Marriage has rob'd me of my Honour.

Bell.

How!

Sir Tim.

My Lord, I say this young Jilt wou'd rob me of my self, and courting her, and enjoying her only for a Miss, would persuade me I am Married to her.

Flaunt.

Sir, I say, I am doubly wrong'd; first by this false Knight, who has belong'd to me these three years, which gives me a right to him, as good as if I were Married to him; who has now unlawfully left my Bed, for that of this Gillflurt, who on the other side takes away my Knight, and consequently eats the bread out of my mouth.

Bell.

What means all this? Speak some of ye that know.

Flaunt.

Oh Lord! who's here? the fine Squire.

[Aside.

Trust.

Sir Timothy Tawdrey, Sir, is Married to Mrs. Phillis.

Sir Tim.

How can that be a Marriage, when he who join'd us, was but a hired Fellow, drest like a Parson?

Trust;

Sir, 'twas Parson Tickle-text, that Marry'd 'em.

Sir Tim.

Oh what a damn'd lying Pimp is this!—Sham didst not thou hire a Fellow, (because I was damnably in Love, and in haste) to Marry us, that was no Parson?

Sham.

Why truly Sir—I did go to hire such an one—

Sir Tim.

Look ye there now.

Sham.

But cou'd meet with none; and because you said you shou'd dye if you enjoy'd her not presently, and that she wou'd not yield on any other terms, but those of Marriage, I e'ne brought the Parson that Trusty had provided for you.

Sir Tim.

Oh Villain to betray me! and for no Reward!

Trust.

Yes indeed, Sir, the 400 Guineys you left behind my young Mistresses Looking-glass fell to his share.

Sir Tim.

What's my Money gone! and am I Marry'd too! This 'tis not to use to go to Church; for then I might have chanc'd to know the Parson.

Bell.

Death you Dog! you deserve to dye, for your base designs up∣on a Maid of her quality—how durst you, Sister, without my leave, Marry that Rascal?

Phill.

Sir, you deny'd me my Portion, and my Uncle design'd to turn me out of doors▪ and in my despairs, I accepted of him.

Flaunt.

Married! and to a Wife of no Fortune! that's the worst part on't—what shall I do?

Bell.

Renounce this lewd Fool, and I'll make thee a Fortune sutable to thy quality.

Sir Tim.

Say you so?—Renounce me Sir! I'de have you to know I merit her: and as for Lewdness, I name no body Bellmour—but on∣ly some have the Art of hiding it better than I—but for Whoring, Drinking, Dicing, and all the deadly sins that thereupon depend, I thank my stars I come short of you: And since you say, I shall not have your Sister, by Fortune, I will have your Sister, and love your Sister, and lie with your Sister, in spite of you.

Lord.

Well Sir Timothy, since my Neece has done amiss, 'tis too late to mend it—and that you may not repent, I'll take care her Fortune shall be sutable to the Jointure you'll make her.

Bell.

With this Proviso that you make no Settlements to Misses, Sir Timothy—I am not so unreasonable to tye you up from all of that Pro∣fession; that were to spoil a fashionable Husband, and so put you quite out of Fopp Road.

Lord.

This day we'll set apart for mirth, And all must make my house their happy home.

Bell.

To thee, Celinda, all my good I owe, My Life, my Fortune, and my Honour too, Since all had perish'd by a broken Vow.

Flaunt.

What am I like to lose my Timy? Canst thou have the heart to leave me for ever? I who have been true and constrant to you.

Sir Tim.

Alas! now do I melt again, by Fortune—thou art a Fool, dost think I wou'd have had her, but for her Fortune; which shall only serve to make thee out-flaunt all the Cracks in Town—go—go home and ex∣pect me, thou'lt have me all to thy self within this day or two.

Since Marriage but a larger Licence is For every Fopp of Mode to keep a Miss.