The Perjur'd Husband by Centlivre Susanna

Author:Centlivre, Susanna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, drama, tragedy
Publisher: Distributed Proofreaders Canada
Published: 1761-06-11T00:00:00+00:00

SCENE II. Lady Pizalta's Lodgings.

Enter Lady Pizalta, Lucy.

L. Piz. Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in Venice give for such a Servant?

Lucy. (Aside.) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you——Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour——But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?

L. Piz. Oh! above all Men living, Lucy: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with——Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear Man again——The End of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the End of Life to me: For then must I be coop'd up with Age: Condemned to an eternal Coughing, Spitting, Snoring and Ill-nature——Then let me make the best of Life——since Hell cannot have a worse Plague in Store than I have felt already.

Luc. Indeed, Madam, I pity you: And wish 'twere in my Power to free you from this old wither'd Log, but tho' that's impossible, yet I may do you some little Services to make Life's tedious Journey pleasant——Let me see, I have it——What would you say now, Madam, if I should contrive a Way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?

L. Piz. That were worth a King's Revenue——Speak, quickly, how, how, good Lucy?

Luc. Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my Place attend you.

L. Piz. Rare Contrivance! but my Husband, Lucy?

Luc. Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in Sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious: But if he should, I have a way to bring you off——My Life on't——This Plot may be of Use to my design, I'll manage it with care. [Aside.

L. Piz. Oh! the Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing and calling me to Bed: And my answering him, I'm coming, Dear; and while he imagines me in the next Room undressing, I'm happy in the Arms of my Ludovico. Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common—each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too——and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out——'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts. Well, dear Lucy, I admire thy Contrivance——About it instantly——

Lucy. (Aside.) About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee first.——I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But, Madam, what's to be done with your brocade Night-Gown you tore last Night? it can ne'er be mended handsomely.

L. Piz. Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well as Law——Well, Lucy, if you manage this Intrigue with Care and Secrecy, the Gown is yours.

Enter Page.

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