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46 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT i
poor rogue! Any hour of the day or night will serve her.
But do you know nothing of a new rival there?
Vain. Yes, Heartwell, that surly, nld, pretended womanhater,
thinks her virtuous; that's one reason why I fail her:
I would have her fret herself out of conceit with me, that
she may entertain some thoughts of him. I know he visits
her every day.
Bell. Yet rails on still, and thinks his love unknown to
us. A little time will swell him so, he must he forced to
give it birth; and the discovery must needs be very pleasant
from himself, to see what pains he will take, and how he
will strain to be delivered of a secret when he has miscarried
of it already.
Vain. Well, good morrow, let's dine together; I'll meet
at the old place.
Bell, With all my heart; it lies convenient for us to pay
our afternoon services to our mistresses. T find I am damnably
in love, I'm so uneasy for not having seen Belinda
yesterday.
Vain. But I saw my Araminta, yet am as impatient.
\Erit.
Bell. Why, what a cormorant in love am I! who, not
contented with the slavery of honourable love in one place,
and the pleasure of enjoying some half a scorr mistresses
of my own acquiring, must yet take Vainlove's business
upon my hands, because it lay too heavy upon his: so am
not only forced to lie with other men's wives for 'em, but
must also undertake the harder task of obliging their
mistresses.—I must take up or I shall never hold out; flesh
and blood cannot bear it always.
Enter SHARPER.
Sharp. I'm sorry to see this, Ned; once a man comes to
his soliloquies I give him for gone.
Bell. Sharper, I'm glad to see thec.
Sharp. What, is Belinda cruel, that you are so thoughtful?
Bell. No faith, not for that.—But there's a business of
consequence fallen out to-day, that requires some consideration.
Sharp. Prithee, what mighty business of consequence canst
thou have?
Bell. Why, you must know 'tis a piece of work toward