Lor. O Sir, I’m glad I’ve found you; for I have the rarest News for you. Fred. What News? Lor. Oh the Devil, he’s angry;—Why, Sir, the prettiest young— Fred. There’s for your Intelligence. Strikes him, and goes out. Lor. So, very well; how mortal is the favour of Princes! these be turns of State now; what the Devil ails he trow; sure he could not be Offended with the News I have brought him; If he be, he’s strangely out of tune: And sure he has too much Wit to grow virtuous at these Years. No, no, he has had some repulse from a Lady; and that’s a wonder; for he has a Tongue and a Purse that seldom fails: if Youth and Vigour would Stretch as far, he were the wonder of the Age.

Enter Curtius.

Cur. Lorenzo, didst thou see the Prince? Lor. Marry, did I, and feel him too. Cur. Why, did he strike you? Lor. I’m no true Subject if he did not; and that Only for doing that Service which once was most acceptable To him.—Prithee what’s the matter with him, hah? Cur. I know not, leave me. Lor. Leave thee, what, art thou out of humour too? Let me but know who ’tis has disoblig’d thee, and I’ll— Cur. What wilt thou? Lor. Never see his Face more, if a Man. Cur. And what if a Woman? Lor. Then she’s an idle peevish Slut, I’ll warrant her. Cur. Conclude it so, and leave me. Lor. Nay, now thou hast said the only thing that could Keep me with thee, thou mayst be desperate; I’ll Tell you, Curtius, these female Mischiefs make Men Take dangerous Resolutions sometimes.

Enter Alberto.

Alb. Curtius, I’ve something to deliver to your Ear. Whispers.

Cur. Any thing from Alberto is welcome.

Lor. Well, I will be hang’d if there be not some Mischief in agitation; it cannot be wenching; They look all too dull and sober for that; And besides, then I should have been a party concern’d. Cur. The place and time. Alb. An hour hence i’th’ Grove by the River-side. Cur. Alone, thou say’st? Alb. Alone, the Prince will have it so. Cur. I will not fail a moment. Ex. Alb. —So this has eas’d my heart of half its Load. Lor. I’ll sneak away, for this is some fighting Business, and I may perhaps be invited a Second, A Compliment I care not for. Offers to go. Cur. Lorenzo, a word with you. Lor. ’Tis so, what shall I do now? Aside. Cur. Stay. Lor. I am a little in haste, my Lord. Cur. I shall soon dispatch you. Lor. I believe so, for I am half dead already With Fear. Aside. —Sir, I have promis’d to make a visit To a Lady, and— Cur. What I’ve to say will not detain you long. Lor. What a Dog was I, I went not When he first desir’d me to go! Oh Impertinency, thou art justly rewarded! Cur. Lorenzo, may I believe you love me? Lor. Now what shall I say, Ay or no? Aside. The Devil take me if I know. Cur. Will you do me a favour? Lor. There ’tis again. Aside. Cur. I know I may trust thee with a secret. Lor. Truly, Curtius, I cannot tell. In some cases I am not very retentive. Cur. I am going about a business, that perhaps May take up all the time I have to live, And I may never see thy Sister more; Will you oblige me in a Message to her? Lor. You know you may command me; —I’m glad ’tis no worse. Aside. Cur. Come, go with me into my Cabinet, And there I’ll write to Laura; And prithee if thou hear’st that I am dead, Tell her I fell a Sacrifice to her, And that’s enough, she understands the rest.

Lor. But harkye, Curtius, by your favour, this is but a Scurvy Tale to carry to your Mistress;

I hope you are not in earnest.

Cur. Yes.

Lor. Yes! why, what a foolish idle humour’s this in you? I vow ’twill go near to break the poor Girl’s Heart;—

Come, be advis’d, Man.

Cur. Perhaps I may consider on’t for that reason.

Lor. There are few that go about such businesses, But have one thing or other to consider in favour of Life; I find that even in the most magnanimous:— Prithee who is’t with? Cur. That’s counsel: and pray let this too which I have Told you be a Secret, for ’twill concern your Life. Lor. Good Curtius, take it back again then; For a hundred to one but my over-care of keeping it Will betray it. Cur. Thou lovest thy self better.

Lor. Well, that’s a comfort yet.

Exeunt.