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The Old Bachelor: a Comedy by William Congreve
page 45 of 134 (33%)

BELIN. Ay, on my conscience, and the most impertinent and
troublesome of duns--a dun for money will be quiet, when he sees
his debtor has not wherewithal. But a dun for love is an eternal
torment that never rests -

BELL. Until he has created love where there was none, and then
gets it for his pains. For importunity in love, like importunity
at Court, first creates its own interest and then pursues it for
the favour.

ARAM. Favours that are got by impudence and importunity, are like
discoveries from the rack, when the afflicted person, for his ease,
sometimes confesses secrets his heart knows nothing of.

VAIN. I should rather think favours, so gained, to be due rewards
to indefatigable devotion. For as love is a deity, he must be
served by prayer.

BELIN. O Gad, would you would all pray to love, then, and let us
alone.

VAIN. You are the temples of love, and 'tis through you, our
devotion must be conveyed.

ARAM. Rather poor silly idols of your own making, which upon the
least displeasure you forsake and set up new. Every man now
changes his mistress and his religion as his humour varies, or his
interest.

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