I must take care of you. Imo. I'm at the end [To Imoinda. Of all my care: here will I die with him. [Holding Oroonoko. Oro. You shall not force her from me. [He holds her. Gov. Then I must [They force her from him. Try other means, and conquer force by force : Imo. I do not ask to live, kill me but here. ACT V. SCENE I. Enter STANMORE, LUCY, and CHARLOTTE. Stanmore. "'Tis strange we cannot hear of him: can nobody "give an account of him? "Luc. Nay, I begin to despair; I give him for gone. "Stan. Not so, I hope. "Luc. There are so many disturbances in this de"vilish country! would we had never seen it! "Stan. This is but a cold welcome for you, Ma"dam, after so troublesome a voyage. "Char. A cold welcome indeed, Sir, without my Acousin Welldon: he was the best friend I had in "the world. "Stan. He was a very good friend of yours in"deed, Madam. "Luc. They have made him away, murdered him "for his money, I believe; he took a considerable sum out with him; I know that has been his ruin. "Stan. That has done him no injury, to my know"ledge; for this morning he put into my custody "what you speak of; I suppose, a thousand pounds, "for the use of this lady. "Char. I was always obliged to him; and he has "shewn his care of me, in placing my little affairs " in such honourable hands. "Stan. He gave me a particular charge of you, "Madam; very particular, so particular, that you "will be surprized when I tell you. "Char. What, pray, Sir? "Stan. I am engaged to get you a husband; I pro"mised that before I saw you; and, now I have "seen you, you must give me leave to offer you my"self. "Luc. Nay, cousin, never be coy upon the mat"ter; to my knowledge, my brother always design"ed you for this gentleman. "Stan. You hear, Madam, he has given me his "interest, and 'tis the favour I would have begged "of him. Lord! you are so like him――― "Char. That you are obliged to say, that you "like me for his sake. "Stan. I should be glad to love you for your "own.' Char. If I should consent to the fine things you can say to me, how would you look at last, to find 'em' thrown away on an old acquaintance? Stan. An old acquaintance! Char. Lord, how easily are you men to be imposed upon! I am no cousin newly arrived from England, not I; but the very Welldon you wot of. Stan. Welldon ! Char. Not murdered, nor made away, as my sister would have you believe; but am, in very good health, your old friend in breeches that was, and now your humble servant in petticoats. Stan. I am glad we have you again. But what service can you do me in petticoats, pray? Char. Can't you tell what? Stan. Not I, by my troth: I have found my friend and lost my mistress, it seems, which I did not expect from your petticoats. Char. Come, come, you have had a friend of your mistress long enough; 'tis high time now to have a mistress of your friend. Stan. What do you say? Char. I am a woman, Sir. Stan. A woman! Char. As arrant a woman as you would have had me but now, I assure you. Stan. And at my service? Char. If you have any for me in petticoats. Stan. Yes, yes, I shall find you employment. "Char. You wonder at my proceeding, I believe. "Stan. 'Tis a little extraordinary, indeed. "Char. I have taken some pains to come into your "favour. "Stan. You might have had it cheaper à great "deal. "Char. I might have married you in the person of my English cousin, but could not consent to cheat you, even in the thing I had a mind to. "Stan. 'Twas done as you do every thing." Char. I need not tell you, I made that little plot, and carried it on only for this opportunity. I was resolved to see whether you liked me as a woman, or not if I had found you indifferent, I would have endeavoured to have been so too: but you say you like me, and therefore I have ventured to discover the truth. Stan. Like you! I like you so well, that I am afraid you won't think marriage a proof on't: shall I give you any other? Char. No, no, I'm inclined to believe you, and that shall convince me. At more leisure I'll satisfy you how I came to be in man's clothes; for no ill, I assure you, though I have happened to play the "They have assisted me in marrying "my sister, and have gone a great way in befriend"ing your cousin Jack with the widow. forgive me for pimping for your family?" rogue in 'em. Can you Enter JACK STANMORE. Stan. So, Jack, what news with you? 7. Stan. I am the forepart of the widow you know; she's coming after, with the body of the family, the young 'squire, in her hand, my son-in-law that is to be, with the help of Mr. Welldon. Char. Say you so, Sir? [Clapping Jack upon the back. Enter Widow LACKITT, with her son DANIEL. Wid. So, Mrs. Lucy, I have brought him about again; I have chastised him; I have made him as supple as a glove for your wearing, to pull on, or throw off, at your pleasure. Will you ever rebel again? will you, sirrah? but come, come, down on your marrow-bones, and ask her forgiveness. [Daniel kneels] Say after me: pray forsooth, wife. Dan. Pray forsooth wife. Luc. Well, well, this is a day of good-nature, and so I take you into favour but first take the oath of allegiance. [He kisses her hand and rises. ] If ever you do so again Dan. Nay, marry if I do, I shall have the worst on't. Luc. Here's a stranger, forsooth, would be glad to be known to you, a sister of mine, pray salute her. Starts at Charlotte. Wid. Your sister, Mrs. Lucy! What do you mean ? this is your brother, Mr. Welldon: do you think. I do not know Mr. Welldon? |