Gay. Oh! why all this?
By all the Powers above, by this dear Hand,
And by this Ring, which on this Hand I place,
On which I’ve sworn Fidelity to Love;
I never had a Wish or soft Desire
To any other Woman,
Since Julia sway’d the Empire of my Soul.
L. Ful. Hah, my own Ring I gave him last night. [Aside.
—Your Jewel, Sir, is rich:
Why do you part with things of so much value,
So easily, and so frequently?
Gay. To strengthen the weak Arguments of Love.
L. Ful. And leave your self undone?
Gay. Impossible, if I am blest with Julia.
L. Ful. Love’s a thin Diet, nor will keep out Cold.
You cannot satisfy your Dunning Taylor,
To cry—I am in Love!
Though possible you may your Seamstress.
Gay. Does ought about me speak such Poverty?
L. Ful. I am sorry that it does not, since to maintain
This Gallantry, ‘tis said you use base means,
Below a Gentleman.
Gay. Who dares but to imagine it’s a Rascal, A Slave, below a beating—what means my Julia?
L. Ful. No more dissembling, I know your Land is gone
—I know each Circumstance of all your Wants;
Therefore—as e’er you hope that I should love you ever—
Tell me—where ‘twas you got this Jewel, Sir.