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SCENE II] THE OLD BACHELOR 67
Bell. A good hearing, Setter.
Vain. Well, I'll leave you with your engineer. [Exit.
Bell. And hast thou provided necessaries?
Set. All, all, sir; the large sanctified hat, and the little
precise band, and a swinging long spiritual cloak, to cover
carnal knavery—not forgetting the black patch, which Tribulation
Spintext wears, as I'm informed, upon one eye, as a
penal mourning for the ogling offences of his youth; and
some say, with that eye he first discovered the frailty of his
wife.
Bell. Well, in this fanatic father's habit will I confess
Lætitia.
Set. Rather prepare her for confession, sir, by helping her
to sin.
Bell. Be at your master's lodging in the evening, I shall
use the robes. [Exit.
Set. I shall, sir.—I wonder to which of these two gentlemen
I do most properly appertain?—The one USES me as his
attendant, the other (being the better acquainted with my
parts) employs me as a pimp; why that's much the more
honourable employment—by all means. I follow one as my
master, t'other follows me as his conductor.
Enter LUCY.
Lucy. [Aside.] There's the hang-dog his man. I had a
power over him in the reign of my mistress; but he is too
true a valet-de-chambre not to affect his master's faults; and
consequently is revolted from his allegiance.
Set. [Not perceiving LUCY.] Undoubtedly 'tis impossible
to be a pimp and not a man of parts. That is, without being
politic, diligent, secret, wary and so forth:—and to all this,
valiant as Hercules—that is, passively valiant and actively
obedient. Ah Setter, what a treasure is here lost for want of
being known!
Lucy. [Aside.] Here's some villainy a-foot, he's so
thoughtful; maybe I may discover something in my mask.
—[Aloud.] Worthy sir, a word with you.
[Puts on her mask.
Set. Why, if I were known, I might come to be a great
man—
Lucy. Not to interrupt your meditation—
Set. And I should not be the first that has procured his
greatness by pimping.