Lavin.
Gallop apace, ye firy-footed Steeds,
Tow'rds Phœbus Lodging. Such a Charioteer
As Phaëton would lash you to the West,
And bring in cloudy Night immediately.
Spread thy close Curtains Love-performing Night
To sober-suited Matron all in black;
That jealous eyes may wink, and Marius
Leap to these Arms untalkt-of and unseen.
Oh! give me Marius; and when he shall dy,

Take him, and cut him out in little Stars;
And he will make the Face of Heav'n so fine,
That all the world shall grow in love with Night,
And pay no worship to the gaudy Sun.
Oh! I have bought the Mansion of a Love,
But not possest it.... Tedious is this Day,
As is the Night before some Festival
To an impatient Child that has new Robes, Enter Nurse and Clodius.
And may not wear 'em. Welcome, Nurse: what news?
How fares the Lord of all my Joys, my Marius?

Nurse.
Oh! a Chair! a Chair! no Questions, but a Chair! So.

Lavin.
Nay, prithee Nurse, why dost thou look so sad?
Oh! do not spoil the Musick of good Tidings
With such a melancholick wretched Face.

Nurse.
Oh! I am weary, very weary. Clodius, my Cordial-bottle.
Fy! how my bones ake! what a Jaunt have I had!

Lavin.
Do not delay me thus, but quickly tell me,
Will Marius come to night? speak, will he come?

Nurse.

Alas! alas! what haste? oh! cannot you stay a little? oh! do not you see that I'm out of breath? oh this Ptisick! Clodius, the Cordial.

Lavin.
Th' Excuse thou mak'st for this unkind Delay
Is longer then the Tale thou hast to tell.
Is thy News good or bad? answer to that.
Say either, and I'll stay the Circumstance.

Nurse.

Well, you have made a simple Choice: you know not how to chuse a man. Yet his Leg excells all mens. And for a Hand and a Foot and a Shape, though they are not to be talkt of.... yet they are past compare. What, have you Din'd within?

Lavin.
No, no: what foolish Questions dost thou ask?
What says he of his Coming? what of that?

Nurse.
Oh! how my Head akes! what a Head have I!
It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.
My Back o'tother side! ah! my Back! my Back!
Beshrew your heart for sending me about
To catch my Death.... This Back of mine will break. [Drinks.

Lavin.
Indeed I'm sorry if thou art not well.
But prithee tell me, Nurse, what says my Love?

Nurse.

Why, your Love says like an honest Gentleman, and a kind Gentleman, and a handsome.... and I'll warrant a vertuous Gentleman. [Drinks.] Well... what? where's your Father?

Lavin.
Where's my Father? why, he's at the Senate.
How odly thou reply'st?

Your Love says like an honest Gentleman,
Where's your Father?

Nurse.
Oh good Lady dear!
Are you so hot? marry come up, I trow.
Is this a Poultice for my aking Bones?
Henceforward do your Messages your self.

Lavin.
Nay, prithee be not angry, Nurse; I meant
No ill. Speak kindly, will my Marius come?

Nurse.
Will he? will a Duck swim?

Lavin.
Then he will come.

Nurse.
Come? why, he will come upon all four, but he'll come.
Go, get you in, and say your Prayers: go.

Lavin.
For Blessings on my Marius and Thee.

Nurse.
Well, it would be a sad thing though....

Lavin.
What?

Nurse.

If Marius should not come now .... for there's old doings at the Gates, they are at it ding-dong. Tantarara go the Trumpets; Shout, cry the Souldiers; Clatter go the Swords. I'll warrant... I made no small haste....

Lavin.
And is my Marius there? alas my Fears! [Trumpets.
The Noise comes this way. Guard my Love, ye Gods,
Or strike me with your Thunder when he falls. [Exeunt.

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