Fragments -
Alison (sings)
Then who would not be a Bride,
Then who would not be a Bride,
For the sweetest Kiss,
Is not half of her Bliss:
This all will say, — who have try'd.
From Act I. Omitted in 1730.
Alison (speaks)
The best Advice comes sometimes out of season;
When Reason's on our Side, we side with Reason.
End of Act I. 1730 only.
Doggrell (speaks)
To your Relief your ardent Lover flies.
Ah! those attractive Lips, and dear deluding Eyes!
End of Act I. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
In love, he 's like the dog, (that foolish glutton)
Who for a shadow lost substantial mutton.
End of Act II. 1730 only.
Florinda (speaks)
Since Marriage binds us fast in lasting Bands,
Love that unites our Hearts, shall join our Hands.
End of Act II. 1713 only.
Chaucer (speaks)
Since the kind Stars to mutual Love constrain,
Why should the Tongue conceal our secret Pain?
Was it for this, inexorable Fair,
Your Magick drew me through the distant Air?
Tho' some curst Charm your wonted Speech denies,
At least shed Pity from those radiant Eyes,
And look me into Hope. — ...
We from the Ladies Eyes our Fate may learn,
And in those Glasses Love or Hate discern.
Beginning of Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (sings)
The Maiden and the Batchelor,
Pardie...are simple Elves,
And 'till they grow to Man and Wife,
Know nothing of themselves.
Then since we're each others by Nature design'd
Let's unite, and our Knowledge improve;
Here 's a Health to the Lass that is passively kind,
And the Youth that is active in Love.
Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
Women's Love is like Wild-fire
The more it burneth the more it doth desire.
Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
There 's double danger in an assignation;
Though we resist the man's solicitation,
We're often lost by woman's inclination.
End of Act III. 1730 only.
Alison (speaks)
Beauty, like Colour, owes it self to Light;
For Youth and Age boast equal Charms by Night;
And we can still please ev'ry Sense — but Sight.
End of Act III. 1713 only.
Chaucer (disguised as a Conjurer)
Thrice I wave my Wand around,
And Consecrate this Spot of Ground.
Zutphin , and Zephin , — ye that Reign
Far beyond the Northern Main.
Quickly, quickly take your Flight,
And leave the dark Abyss of Night;
Hither, hither, gently fly,
Ye milder Spirits of the Sky,
Let now my Science be your Care,
And bring her Lover to the Fair.
. . . . . . .
Swiftly, swiftly haste away,
And my inverted Wand obey:
Let no hurly-burly rise;
Nor Storms the Face of Heav'n disguise;
Let the Winds in silence lye,
Nor dreadful Lightnings streak the Sky;
Let Thunder sleep, and Calmness reign,
In Fire, in Air, in Earth, and Main,
Lightly skim the tops of Mountains,
Nor blast the Corn, nor taint the Fountains,
Swiftly, swiftly haste away,
And my inverted Wand obey.
Act IV. 1713 only.
Sir Harry Gauntlet (reads Doggrel's verses aloud)
Ye Gods! did Jove e'er taste such charms,
When prest in fair Alcmena 's arms?
I'm sure it could not be!
A triple night would not have done,
He would have blotted out the Sun,
Had he been pleas'd like me.
. . . . . . .
Beneath the sable veil's disguise,
Had you not hid your killing eyes,
It had been worse for me.
My Nun had then appear'd like Jove ,
I had been light'ning-struck for love
And dy'd like Semele .
Act IV. 1730.
Chaucer (reads Doggrel's verses aloud)
STANZAS, upon a Fair Lady making me Happy.
Ye Gods! did Jove e'er taste such Charms,
When prest in fair Alcmena 's Arms,
O ye Immortal Pow'rs!
For He in all his triple Night,
Did ne'er enjoy such soft Delight,
As I in half a one of yours.
. . . . . . .
Oh Ecstasie! what Wit can tell,
Those Charms that lie beneath your Veil
Those Lightnings of your Eye?
No longer then your Beauty shroud,
Nor place the Sun behind a Cloud,
For ah! fair Nun, I faint, I die.
Act IV. 1713.
Busy (speaks)
I'll act with zeal that never yet was shown;
First do my lady's job, and next my own.
End of Act IV. 1730.
Chaucer (speaks)
Now Blithe and Debonnaire, I'll relish Life,
Nor sour it with that lasting Evil — Wife:
My Love at random through the Sex shall fly,
And Treach'rous Vows allure them to comply:
I'll artfully each tender Fair subdue,
And, like themselves, for half an hour be true.
End of Act IV. 1713.
Chaucer (extemporizes some verses)
I.
Daphne , a coy and foolish Dame,
Flew from Apollo 's Charms,
Had he confess'd in Verse his Flame,
She had flown into his Arms.
II.
Whenever Orpheus touch'd the Lyre,
Or sung melodious Airs,
He made the very Stones admire,
And tam'd the fiercest Bears.
III.
Are Ladies Hearts more hard than Stone,
Are Wolves and Bears less fierce?
Then, prithee, Nymph, no longer frown,
But own the Pow'r of Verse.
Act V. 1713 only.
Chaucer (speaks)
Marriage, the chiefest Good that Mortals know,
Doubles our Joy, while it divides our Woe:
What anxious Cares can then our Bliss controul,
When Heav'n assents, and Love unites our Soul?
Act V. 1713 only.
Florinda (speaks)
Love like an Apparition's unconfin'd,
And scorns a Leading-String though young and blind;
Woman by Nature all Restraint disdains;
And she that wears will chuse the Nuptial Chains.
Act V. 1713 only.
Alison (sings)
I.
There was a Swain full fair,
Was tripping it over the Grass,
And there he spy'd with her Nut-brown Hair,
A Pretty tight Country Lass.
Fair Damsel, says he,
With an Air brisk and free,
Come let us each other know:
She blush'd in his Face,
And reply'd with a Grace,
Pray forbear, Sir. — — — no, no, no, no.
II.
The Lad being bolder grown,
Endeavour'd to steal a Kiss,
She cry'd, Pish! — let me alone,
But held up her Nose for the Bliss.
And when he begun,
She would never have done,
But unto his Lips she did grow,
Near smother'd to Death,
As soon as she'ad Breath,
She stammer'd out, no, no, no, no.
III.
Come, come, says he, pretty Maid,
Let's walk to yon' private Grove,
Cupid always delights in the cooling Shade,
There, I'll read thee a Lesson of Love.
She mends her Pace,
And hastes to the Place,
But if her Love Lecture you'd know;
Let a bashful young Muse,
Plead the Maiden's Excuse,
And answer you, — no, no, no, no.
Act V. 1713 only.
Doggrel ( " hums a Tune")
Fair Amaryllis in a pleasant Grove,
For her dear Boy a flow'ry Garland wove.
For Damon stay'd; — Damon , the Loveliest Swain;
And she the fairest Nymph of all the Plain.
Thus she complains, while all the Feather'd Throng,
And Silence, list'ned to the mournful Song.
Act V. 1713 only.
Sir Harry Gauntlet (speaks)
When superstition hath the mind engross'd,
Judgment is laid asleep, and reason lost:
By fancy'd omens we have joy and sorrow,
Sit moap'd at home, or gad abroad to-morrow;
By that we sink our joys, our fears enhance,
And all we do, is right or wrong by chance.
But shall I censure visionary schemes?
Myrtilla , no. — I thank your stars and dreams.
Alison (speaks)
For through the sex this pious humour runs;
Were there no men, all women would be nuns.
End of Act V. 1730.
Chaucer (speaks)
She who by Rules of Superstition goes,
Upon her self does rig'rous Laws impose;
While Fancy gives or takes away Repose.
Yet why should I this female whim deride,
Since to her Stars I owe my beauteous Bride?
Through the whole Sex this Pious Humour runs,
Were there no Men, all Women would be Nuns.
End of Act V. 1713.
Then who would not be a Bride,
Then who would not be a Bride,
For the sweetest Kiss,
Is not half of her Bliss:
This all will say, — who have try'd.
From Act I. Omitted in 1730.
Alison (speaks)
The best Advice comes sometimes out of season;
When Reason's on our Side, we side with Reason.
End of Act I. 1730 only.
Doggrell (speaks)
To your Relief your ardent Lover flies.
Ah! those attractive Lips, and dear deluding Eyes!
End of Act I. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
In love, he 's like the dog, (that foolish glutton)
Who for a shadow lost substantial mutton.
End of Act II. 1730 only.
Florinda (speaks)
Since Marriage binds us fast in lasting Bands,
Love that unites our Hearts, shall join our Hands.
End of Act II. 1713 only.
Chaucer (speaks)
Since the kind Stars to mutual Love constrain,
Why should the Tongue conceal our secret Pain?
Was it for this, inexorable Fair,
Your Magick drew me through the distant Air?
Tho' some curst Charm your wonted Speech denies,
At least shed Pity from those radiant Eyes,
And look me into Hope. — ...
We from the Ladies Eyes our Fate may learn,
And in those Glasses Love or Hate discern.
Beginning of Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (sings)
The Maiden and the Batchelor,
Pardie...are simple Elves,
And 'till they grow to Man and Wife,
Know nothing of themselves.
Then since we're each others by Nature design'd
Let's unite, and our Knowledge improve;
Here 's a Health to the Lass that is passively kind,
And the Youth that is active in Love.
Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
Women's Love is like Wild-fire
The more it burneth the more it doth desire.
Act III. 1713 only.
Alison (speaks)
There 's double danger in an assignation;
Though we resist the man's solicitation,
We're often lost by woman's inclination.
End of Act III. 1730 only.
Alison (speaks)
Beauty, like Colour, owes it self to Light;
For Youth and Age boast equal Charms by Night;
And we can still please ev'ry Sense — but Sight.
End of Act III. 1713 only.
Chaucer (disguised as a Conjurer)
Thrice I wave my Wand around,
And Consecrate this Spot of Ground.
Zutphin , and Zephin , — ye that Reign
Far beyond the Northern Main.
Quickly, quickly take your Flight,
And leave the dark Abyss of Night;
Hither, hither, gently fly,
Ye milder Spirits of the Sky,
Let now my Science be your Care,
And bring her Lover to the Fair.
. . . . . . .
Swiftly, swiftly haste away,
And my inverted Wand obey:
Let no hurly-burly rise;
Nor Storms the Face of Heav'n disguise;
Let the Winds in silence lye,
Nor dreadful Lightnings streak the Sky;
Let Thunder sleep, and Calmness reign,
In Fire, in Air, in Earth, and Main,
Lightly skim the tops of Mountains,
Nor blast the Corn, nor taint the Fountains,
Swiftly, swiftly haste away,
And my inverted Wand obey.
Act IV. 1713 only.
Sir Harry Gauntlet (reads Doggrel's verses aloud)
Ye Gods! did Jove e'er taste such charms,
When prest in fair Alcmena 's arms?
I'm sure it could not be!
A triple night would not have done,
He would have blotted out the Sun,
Had he been pleas'd like me.
. . . . . . .
Beneath the sable veil's disguise,
Had you not hid your killing eyes,
It had been worse for me.
My Nun had then appear'd like Jove ,
I had been light'ning-struck for love
And dy'd like Semele .
Act IV. 1730.
Chaucer (reads Doggrel's verses aloud)
STANZAS, upon a Fair Lady making me Happy.
Ye Gods! did Jove e'er taste such Charms,
When prest in fair Alcmena 's Arms,
O ye Immortal Pow'rs!
For He in all his triple Night,
Did ne'er enjoy such soft Delight,
As I in half a one of yours.
. . . . . . .
Oh Ecstasie! what Wit can tell,
Those Charms that lie beneath your Veil
Those Lightnings of your Eye?
No longer then your Beauty shroud,
Nor place the Sun behind a Cloud,
For ah! fair Nun, I faint, I die.
Act IV. 1713.
Busy (speaks)
I'll act with zeal that never yet was shown;
First do my lady's job, and next my own.
End of Act IV. 1730.
Chaucer (speaks)
Now Blithe and Debonnaire, I'll relish Life,
Nor sour it with that lasting Evil — Wife:
My Love at random through the Sex shall fly,
And Treach'rous Vows allure them to comply:
I'll artfully each tender Fair subdue,
And, like themselves, for half an hour be true.
End of Act IV. 1713.
Chaucer (extemporizes some verses)
I.
Daphne , a coy and foolish Dame,
Flew from Apollo 's Charms,
Had he confess'd in Verse his Flame,
She had flown into his Arms.
II.
Whenever Orpheus touch'd the Lyre,
Or sung melodious Airs,
He made the very Stones admire,
And tam'd the fiercest Bears.
III.
Are Ladies Hearts more hard than Stone,
Are Wolves and Bears less fierce?
Then, prithee, Nymph, no longer frown,
But own the Pow'r of Verse.
Act V. 1713 only.
Chaucer (speaks)
Marriage, the chiefest Good that Mortals know,
Doubles our Joy, while it divides our Woe:
What anxious Cares can then our Bliss controul,
When Heav'n assents, and Love unites our Soul?
Act V. 1713 only.
Florinda (speaks)
Love like an Apparition's unconfin'd,
And scorns a Leading-String though young and blind;
Woman by Nature all Restraint disdains;
And she that wears will chuse the Nuptial Chains.
Act V. 1713 only.
Alison (sings)
I.
There was a Swain full fair,
Was tripping it over the Grass,
And there he spy'd with her Nut-brown Hair,
A Pretty tight Country Lass.
Fair Damsel, says he,
With an Air brisk and free,
Come let us each other know:
She blush'd in his Face,
And reply'd with a Grace,
Pray forbear, Sir. — — — no, no, no, no.
II.
The Lad being bolder grown,
Endeavour'd to steal a Kiss,
She cry'd, Pish! — let me alone,
But held up her Nose for the Bliss.
And when he begun,
She would never have done,
But unto his Lips she did grow,
Near smother'd to Death,
As soon as she'ad Breath,
She stammer'd out, no, no, no, no.
III.
Come, come, says he, pretty Maid,
Let's walk to yon' private Grove,
Cupid always delights in the cooling Shade,
There, I'll read thee a Lesson of Love.
She mends her Pace,
And hastes to the Place,
But if her Love Lecture you'd know;
Let a bashful young Muse,
Plead the Maiden's Excuse,
And answer you, — no, no, no, no.
Act V. 1713 only.
Doggrel ( " hums a Tune")
Fair Amaryllis in a pleasant Grove,
For her dear Boy a flow'ry Garland wove.
For Damon stay'd; — Damon , the Loveliest Swain;
And she the fairest Nymph of all the Plain.
Thus she complains, while all the Feather'd Throng,
And Silence, list'ned to the mournful Song.
Act V. 1713 only.
Sir Harry Gauntlet (speaks)
When superstition hath the mind engross'd,
Judgment is laid asleep, and reason lost:
By fancy'd omens we have joy and sorrow,
Sit moap'd at home, or gad abroad to-morrow;
By that we sink our joys, our fears enhance,
And all we do, is right or wrong by chance.
But shall I censure visionary schemes?
Myrtilla , no. — I thank your stars and dreams.
Alison (speaks)
For through the sex this pious humour runs;
Were there no men, all women would be nuns.
End of Act V. 1730.
Chaucer (speaks)
She who by Rules of Superstition goes,
Upon her self does rig'rous Laws impose;
While Fancy gives or takes away Repose.
Yet why should I this female whim deride,
Since to her Stars I owe my beauteous Bride?
Through the whole Sex this Pious Humour runs,
Were there no Men, all Women would be Nuns.
End of Act V. 1713.
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