Love in the dark, or, The man of bus'ness a comedy : acted at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties servants / written by Sir Francis Fane, Junior, Knight of the Bath.

The SCENE, Cornanti's House.

Intrigo like a Moor, Eunuch.

Eun.

Here, will you play at Cards?

Shews him Cards.

Will you play at Mora?

Opens his Hand, and throws out his Fingers.

This fellow's no better company than one of my Master's Sta∣tues. A murrain of this jealousie, we shall never have but Mopes and Owls in our House.

Enter Trivultio like the Duegna, with a Muffler on.

Oh, are you come? then my Lady may come forth.

Runs and opens the door for his Lady

Enter Bellinganna.

Bell.

Oh, Vigilia, how does thy swell'd Face?

Triv.

Something better, Madam, with a Medicin I had from the Speciale.

Curtsying.

Intr.

May not this be an occasion Adaequate, or Quadra∣ting to my Designe? She is never to be spoke with, with∣out her Duegna; and if she over-hears, they are all one.

Aside.

Oh, Madam, 'tis I.

Coming close to Bellinganna.

Bell.

Who are you?

Intr.

Oh, 'tis I, 'tis I, 'tis more discreet not to name Tri∣vultio.

Aside.

Bell.

Which of the I's? there's many of the name, Sir.

Intr.

'Tis I my self.

Bell.

Better and better: but who are you yourself?

Intr.

Oh, Madam, I tell you 'tis I my self; who should it be else? Your Beauty is the cause of my present deformity.

Bell.

Well, Sir, I'm sorry I could not contrive a better dis∣guise; my Husband is so extreamly careful of my conver∣sation, a less would not have blinded him.

Triv.

So, so, y'faith, the next word is into the Bed-chamber; But I'll forbid the Banes.

Aside.

Intr.

Madam, to my Conception, this Disguise is a most prudent Veil for illicite Love.

Bell.

Methinks Trivultio talks a little idly: Pray Heaven he have the Wit I fancied.

Aside.

Intr.

And, withal, let me tell you, Madam, under the Rose, (pray let it go no farther) you are not the first Lady, whose Secrets I have participated; and, though I say it that should not, manag'd with circumspection and taciturnity.

Triv.

Ha, ha, he! Under the Rose! nay then I smell a Rat.

Oh, I shall burst with laughing.—

Aside.

Madam, methinks this Man looks not like Trivultio.

Bell.

Trivultio! why Trivultio?

Seems strange.

Triv.

Why, Madam, you walk not in the dark to me. Did not you invite him by your Confessor? 'Twas a pretty invention.

Bell.

Ay me! Nay, if these Confessors betray us, what will become of us poor Women: But who could have thought this Man of Heaven could have pick'd out the meaning of an amorous Message?

Triv.

And did not I see you throw down a Note to Tri∣vultio.?

Bell.

I, to abuse him.

Triv.

I take it very unkindly, that I, that have been em∣ploy'd by you, upon so many difficult occasions, should now be left out. Turn out your Black, that we may talk more freely.

Bell.

Pray, Sir, stay without, and have a little patience.

Int.

Patience, Madam! there lies my Talent. I have wait∣ed seven years for the kiss of a fair Lady's Hand, and when it came, 'twas with her Glove on too.

Exit.

Bell.

Oh admirable!

Triv.

God b'ye, good patient Pack-Horse. Well, Madam, you sent for Trivultio, it seems; but suppose he were here, would you not discover him to your Hus∣band?

Bell.

No, indeed: I would employ him about some busi∣ness; but, it may be, not such as he imagines. He shall have free Ingress and Regress: that's as much as a civil Woman can say.

Triv.

Why then here he is.

Pulls off his Disguise.

Bell.

Trivultio here and there too! May I believe my senses?

Triv.

The very same. How could I think you lov'd an AEthiop?

Bell.

Oh, any shape that carried you within it

Drollingly.

But where's the old Serpent, whose Skin you wear?

Triv.

At my Lodging.

Bell.

Oh the crafty old Quean! you paid her well for this. Who would have thought this wild fellow would have come upon so slight an invitation! But I'll make use of the occasi∣on, for my Cousin Aurana's sake, and to plague my Husband for his jealousie.

Aside.

And who's this Black?

Triv.

Oh, I shall dye!—Oh, 'tis I, 'tis I

Laughs.

'Tis he himself, indeed, Madam; the first of the name. An Original. Who should it be else?

Bell.

Oh, I know him: the Statesman and the Courtier!

Laughs.

Triv.

And the most peerless Coxcomb that ever Nature made, or Art improv'd; but how he came hither in this re∣verend Form I was design'd for, I cannot guess; unless it were by instinct to be jear'd.

Bell.

'Tis strange, unless my Husband sent him for a spy.

Triv.

No, no, 'twas his destiny: no conceited trick could scape him.

Bell.

Put on your Veil, and call him in.

Calls him in.

Re-enter Intrigo

Come hither, Sir; why do you injure your self so much, by concealing your name? your grave and wise deportment, speaks you to be an excellent person, whom Fame has made known to me, by the name of Intrigo.

No Clouds can keep the Sun from shining through 'em. How could your Parts and Prudence be obscur'd?

Those Essences betray you.

Intr.

Well, Madam. that you may not think your Favours mis-plac'd, I will not say I am the person you speak of, but ne∣ver a man in Italy could have manag'd this design with so much dexterity, as the person you wot of: and, now I have said so much of him, I must beg your pardon, I shall say no more.

Bell.

You're a modest Man, Sir. Well, you are better read in Women, than to doubt my kindness to you. But this kind of Amours must be manag'd with much Prudence, Circum∣spection, and Taciturnity.

Int.

Taciturnity! my own words! 'Tis a signe she likes e'm

Aside.

Bell.

Here is my Duegna, without whose consent we can do nothing. The greatest tye upon her secrecy, will be to make her party to the crime: make your addresses to her first, and oblige her with your Love. You know the Out-works must be taken, before the main Garrison: when that's done, I will not say you shall command me, but I leave you to guess it.

Int.

Oh, Divine Madam. Malvezzi, nor Paruta could not have deliverd a more Political Precept. Let me alone for this Province. Now the God of Love and Prudence assist me.

Comes up to Trivultio, and waits on him out most ceremoniously. Bell follows.