The fatal marriage, or, The innocent adultery a play acted at the Theatre Royal by their Majesties servants / written by Tho. Southerne.

ACT II. SCENE I.

Enter Villeroy and Carlos.

Carl.

THE Part I act in your Interest, goes against The grain of my good Nature and Conscience: But since 'tis necessary to your Service; And will be my Sister's advantage in the end I'm better reconcil'd to't.

Vil.

My Interest! O never think I can intend to raise An Interest from Isabella's wrongs. Your Father may have interested ends, In her undoing: but my heart has none. Her Happiness must be my Interest, And that I wou'd restore.

Carl.

Why so I mean.

These hardships that my Father lays upon her,

I'm sorry for; and wish I cou'd prevent:

But he will have his way. Since there was nothing to be hop'd from her prosperity, the change of her Fortune may alter the condition of her thoughts, and make at last for you.

Vil.

She is above her Fortune.

Carl.

Try her agen. Women commonly love according to the circumstances they are in.

Vil.

Common VVomen may.

Carl.

Since you are not accessary to the Injustice, you may be perswaded to take the advantage of other Peoples Crimes.

Vil.

I must despise all those advantages, That indirectly can advance my love. No, tho' I live but in the hopes of her; And languish for th' enjoyment of those hopes.

I'de rather pine in a consuming want Of what I wish, than have the Blessing mine, From any reason, but consenting Love. O! let me never have it to remember; I cou'd betray her, coldly to comply: When a clear, generous choice bestows her on me, I know to value the unequal'd Gift: I wou'd not have it, but to value it.

Carl.

Take your own way: remember, What I offer'd, came from a Friend.

Vil.

I understand it so. I'le serve her for her self, Without the thought of a Reward.

[Exit.

Car.

Agree that point between you. If you marry her any way, you do my business.

Enter Frederick and Jaqueline to him.

Fred.

Well, all goes well, I hope.

Carl.

As I cou'd wish. I can't stay with you: I must be near, if occasion be, to lend a helping hand: When this Marriage is over, I design to come in for a snack of Fernando's Family.

[Exit.

Fred.

The more the merrier, his VVife says. I hope to dispose of the Daughter my self.

Jaq.

You Men of Intrigue are commonly lookt upon to be the idle part of Mankind, that have nothing to do: now I am of a contrary Opinion—

Fred.

Why so, Jaqueline?

Jaq.

Because a right good Whoremaster is never at the end of his business.

Enter Fabian in a Fryar's Habit.

Fred.

How! Fabian turn'd Fryar!

Fab.

As you see, Frederick; you will all come to a se∣rious sense of your Sins, one time or other, as I have done. I have had a good Father, and I have been an

ungracious Boy to him; that's the truth on't. Therefore to make him what satisfaction I can, for my past faults, I have taken this Habit, with an intention to pray for him—

Fred.

Why thou art not mad, Fabian?

Fab.

Not mad of a Monastery, I assure you. I am ne∣ver the nearer being a Saint, for putting on the Habit of Piety: the Profession and the practice of it are two things in the Schools; and wise Men distinguish 'em into several Interests. In short, I have told our honest Abbot the whole History of my Father's Jealousie, Covetousness, and Hard∣heartedness to his VVife and Children: He, good Man, making it a point of Conscience to contribute as much as he can to a Work of Charity, has giv'n me leave to put on this Habit, for the carrying on the method of his Cure.

Fred.

But what do you propose by this?

Fab.

Why, I propose that every body shall be the bet∣ter for it, but my Father. For, upon the credit of this my Reformation, believing, from my Cloathing, that I shall have no more occasion for the Transitory things of this VVorld, his Pocket will plead for me, and the old Fellow take me into favour agen.

Fred.

That's something indeed.

Fab.

Then, in the first place, if you miscarry to Night in your design upon my Sister, I shall be able to deliver a Letter, and bring it about another time.

Fred.

Very well.

Fab.

Secondly, I intend to put the means honestly into my Mother's hands, to make my Father a Cuckold, if she pleases.

Jaq.

These are very good reasons indeed, Sir.

Fab.

Besides these advantages to the Publick, I have a private reason of my own, to be reveng'd upon the Per∣son of the old Gentleman. I must not discover too much of my contrivance, for fear of lessening the pleasure in bringing it about—

I shall have occasion of some witty Rogue, that can be mis∣chievous, when there's no danger: I think that's pretty near your Character, Jaqueline.

Jaq.

O, Sir, you do me too much Honour.

Fab.

Can't you spare him a little?

Fred.

Not well to Night: to Morrow—

Fab.

Will do my business. I have one part of my Farce, the Fryars will scruple a little: Jaqueline must act that: The whole Fraternity are concern'd in my Plot, I assure you.

Jaq.

I'm glad to hear that, Sir; I love a Plot where the Clergy's concern'd: They will always be sure of the Benefit, without the danger of the beating: I am mainly of their Principles.

Fab.

I am something in haste at present: To Morrow you shall know more.

[Exeunt.