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SCENE II] THE OLD BACHELOR 63
GAVDT [Sings.] Thus to a ripe consenting maid,
Poor, old, repenting Delia said:—
Would you long preserve your lover?
Would you still his goddess reign?
Never let him all discover,
Never let him much obtain.
Men will admire, adore, and die,
While wishing at your feet they lie:
But admitting their embraces
Wakes 'em from the golden dream;
Nothing's new besides our faces,
Every woman is the same.
Aram. So, how d'ye like the song, gentlemen?
Bell. 0, very well performed; but I don't much admire the
words.
Aram. I expected it—there's too much truth in 'em. If
Mr. Gavot will walk with us in the garden, we'll have it
once again. You may like it better at second hearing. You'll
bring my cousin?
Bell. Faith, madam, I dare not speak to her, but I'll make
signs. \Addresses BELINDA in dumb show.
Belin. 0 fob! your dumb rhetoric is more ridiculous than
your talking impertinence; as an ape is a much more troublesome
animal than a parrot.
Aram. Ay, cousin, and 'tis a sign the creatures mimic
nature well; for there are few men but do more silly things
than they say.
Bell. Well, I find my apishness has paid the ransom for
my speech, and set it at liberty, though I confess I could be
well enough pleased to drive on a love-bargain in that silent
manner: 'twould save a man a world of lying and swearing
at the year's end. Besides, I have had a little experience,
that brings to mind—
When wit and reason both have failed to move,
Kind looks and actions (from success) do prove,
Even silence may be eloquent in love. [Exeunt.