The Rover Act III Chapter III

The Garden, in the Night

Enter Florinda undres’d, with a Key, and a little Box

FLOR. Well, thus far I’m in my way to Happiness; I have got my self free from Callis; my Brother too, I find by yonder light, is gone into his Cabinet, and thinks not of me: I have by good Fortune got the Key of the Garden Back-door, I’ll open it, to prevent Belvile’s knocking, a little noise will now alarm my Brother. Now am I as fearful as a young Thief

[Unlocks the Door.]

HARK. what noise is that? Oh,’twas the Wind that plaid amongst the Boughs. Belvile stays long, methinks it’s time stay for fear of a surprise, I’ll hide these Jewels in yonder Jessamin

[She goes to lay down the Box

Enter Willmore drunk

WILL.What the Devil is become of these Fellows, Belvile and Frederick? They promis’d to stay at the next corner for me, but who the Devil knows the corner of a full Moon? Now whereabouts am I? hah what have we here? a Garden! a very convenient place to sleep in hah what has God sent us here? a Female by this light, a Woman; I’m a Dog if it be not a very Wench

FLOR. He’s come! hah who’s there?

WILL.Sweet Soul, let me salute thy Shoe-string

FLOR. ’Tis not my Belvile good Heavens, I know him not. Who are you, and from whence come you?

WILL.Prithee prithee, Child not so many hard Questions let it suffice I am here, Child Come, come kiss me

FLOR. Good Gods! what luck is mine?

WILL.Only good luck, Child, parlous good luck Come hither, ’tis a delicate shining Wench, by this Hand she’s perfum’d, and smells like any Nosegay. Prithee, dear Soul, let’s not play the Fool, and lose time, precious time for as Gad shall save me, I’m as honest a Fellow as breathes, tho I am a little disguised at present. Come, I say, why, thou may’st be free with me, I’ll be very secret. I’ll not boast who ’twas obliged me, not I for hang me if I know thy Name

FLOR. Heavens! what a filthy beast is this!

WILL.I am so, and thou oughtst the sooner to lie with me for that reason, for look you, Child, there will be no Sin in’t, because ’twas neither designed nor premeditated; ’tis pure Accident on both sides that’s a certain thing now Indeed should I make love to you, and you vow Fidelity and swear and lye till you believed and yielded Thou art therefore (as thou art a good Christian) obliged in Conscience to deny me nothing. Now come, be kind, without any more idle prating

FLOR. Oh, I am ruin’d wicked Man, unhand me

WILL.Wicked! Egad, Child, a Judge, were he young and vigorous, and saw those Eyes of thine, would know ’twas they gave the first blow the first provocation. Come, prithee let’s lose no time, I say this is a fine convenient place

FLOR. Sir, let me go, I conjure you, or I’ll call out

WILL.Ay, ay, you were best to call Witness to see how finely you treat me do

FLOR. I’ll cry Murder, Rape, or any thing, if you do not instantly let me go

WILL.A Rape! Come, come, you lye, you Baggage, you lye: What, I’ll warrant you would fain have the World believe now that you are not so forward as I. No, not you, why at this time of Night was your Cobweb-door set open, dear Spider but to catch Flies? Hah come or I shall be damnably angry. Why what a Coil is here

FLOR. Sir, can you think

WILL.That you’d do it for nothing? oh, oh, I find what you’d be at look here, here’s a Pistole for you here’s a work indeed here take it, I say

FLOR. For Heaven’s sake, Sir, as you’re a Gentleman

WILL.So now she would be wheedling me for more what, you will not take it then you’re resolved you will not. Come, come, take it, or I’ll put it up again; for, look ye, I never give more. Why, how now, Mistress, are you so high i’th’ Mouth, a Pistole won’t down with you? hah why, what a work’s here in good time come, no struggling, be gone But an y’are good at a dumb Wrestle, I’m for ye, look ye, I’m for ye

[She struggles with him

Enter Belvile and Frederick

BEL. The Door is open, a Pox of this mad Fellow, I’m angry that we’ve lost him, I durst have sworn he had followed us
Fred. But you were so hasty, Colonel, to be gone

FLOR. Help, help, Murder! help oh, I’m ruin’d
Belv. Ha, sure that’s Florinda’s Voice.[Comes up to them
A Man! Villain, let go that Lady

.[A noise

WILL.turns and draws, Fred. interposes

FLOR. Belvile! Heavens! my Brother too is coming, and ’twill be impossible to escape. Belvile, I conjure you to walk under my Chamber-window, from whence I’ll give you some instructions what to do This rude Man has undone us.[Exit

WILL.Belvile!

Enter Pedro, Stephano, and other Servants with Lights

PED. I’m betray’d; run, Stephano, and see if Florinda be safe.[Exit Steph
So whoe’er they be, all is not well, I’ll to Florinda’s Chamber

[They fight, and Pedro’s Party beats ’em out; going out, meets Stephano

STEPH.. You need not, Sir, the poor Lady’s fast asleep, and thinks no harm: I wou’d not wake her, Sir, for fear of frightning her with your danger

PED. I’m glad she’s there Rascals, how came the Garden-Door open?

STEPH. That Question comes too late, Sir: some of my Fellow-Servants Masquerading I’ll warrant

PED. Masquerading! a leud Custom to debauch our Youth there’s something more in this than I imagine

[Exeunt