SCENE XIII.

THE DOUBLE-DEALER.

Lord TOUCHWOOD and MASKWELL.

Lord Touch. Sure I was born to be controlled by those I should command: my very slaves will shortly give me rules how I shall govern them.

Mask. I am concerned to see your lordship discomposed.

Lord Touch. Have you seen my wife lately, or disobliged her?

Mask. No, my lord.-[Aside.] What can this mean?

Lord Touch. Then Mellefont has urged somebody to incense her.-Something she has heard of you which carries her beyond the bounds of patience.

Mask. [Aside.] This I feared.-[Aloud.] Did not your lordship tell her of the honours you designed me?

Lord Touch. Yes.

Mask. 'Tis that; you know my lady has a high spirit, she thinks I am unworthy.

Lord Touch. Unworthy! 'tis an ignorant pride in her to think so :-honesty to me is true nobility. However, 'tis my will it shall be so, and that should be convincing to her as much as reason.-By heaven, I'll not be wife-ridden! were it possible, it should be done this night.

Mask. [Aside.] By heaven he meets my wishes! -[Aloud.] Few things are impossible to willing minds.

Lord Touch. Instruct me how this may be done, you shall see I want no inclination.

Mask. I had laid a small design for to-morrow (as love will be inventing) which municate to your lordship; but it may be as well thought to comdone to-night.

Lord Touch. Here's company.-Come this way, and tell me.

Cyn. How's this! now I fear indeed. Lord Touch. Cynthia here!-Alone, fair cousin, and melancholy?

Cyn. Your lordship was thoughtful.

Lord Touch. My thoughts were on serious business, not worth your hearing.

and may be worth your hearing.

Cyn. Mine were on treachery concerning you,

Lord Touch. Treachery concerning me! pray be plain.-Hark! what noise!

no.

Mask. [Within] Will you not hear me?
Lady Touch. [Within.] No, monster ! traitor!

Cyn. [Aside.] My lady and Maskwell! this
may be lucky.-[Aloud.] My lord, let me entreat
you to stand behind this screen, and listen; per-
haps this chance may give you proof of what you
ne'er could have believed from my suspicions.
[They retire behind a screen.

CARELESS, CYNTHIA, and MELLEFONT. Cyn. Did Maskwell tell you anything of the chaplain's chamber?

Mel. No; my dear, will you get ready?-the things are all in my chamber; I want nothing but the habit.

Care. You are betrayed, and Maskwell is the villain I always thought him.

Cyn. When you were gone, he said his mind was changed, and bid me meet him in the chaplain's

SCENE XVII.

Lady TOUCHWOOD with a dagger, and MASKWELL.

Lady Touch. You want but leisure to invent fresh falsehood, and soothe me to a fond belief of all your fictions; but I will stab the lie that's forming in your heart, and save a sin, in pity`to your soul.

Mask. Strike then!-since you will have it so. Lady Touch. Ha! A steady villain to the last ! Mask. Come, why do you dally with me thus ? Lady Touch. Thy stubborn temper shocks me, and you knew it would. This is cunning all, and not courage; no, I know thee well: but thou shalt miss thy aim.

Mask. Ha! ha! ha!

Lady Touch. Ha! do you mock my rage? then this shall punish your fond, rash contempt!-[Goes to strike.]-Again smile!-and such a smile as lurk in each corner of that various face. O! that speaks in ambiguity! they were written in thy heart! that I, with this, Ten thousand meanings might lay thee open to my sight!-But then 'twill be too late to know.-Thou hast, thou hast found tainty. Speak then, and tell me.-Yet are you the only way to turn my rage; too well thou knowest my jealous soul could never bear uncer

SCENE XX.

THE DOUBLE-DEALER.

silent? Oh, I am bewildered in all passions! but thus my anger melts.-[ Weeps.]-Here, take this poniard, for my very spirits faint, and I want strength to hold it; thou hast disarmed my soul. [Gives the dagger. Lord Touch. [Aside. ] Amazement shakes mewhere will this end?

Mask. So, 'tis well-let your wild fury have a vent; and when you have temper, tell me.

Lady Touch. Now, now, now I am calm, and can hear you.

Mask. [Aside.] Thanks, my invention; and now I have it for you.-[Aloud.] First tell me what urged you to this violence? for your passion broke in such imperfect terms, that yet I am to learn the cause.

Lady Touch. My lord himself surprised me with the news you were to marry Cynthia :-that you had owned your love to him, and his indulgence would assist you to attain your ends.

Cyn. [Aside to Lord TOUCHWOOD.] How, my lord!

Lord Touch. [Aside to CYNTHIA.] Pray forbear all resentments for a while, and let us hear the rest.

Mask. I grant you in appearance all is true; I seemed consenting to my lord; nay, transported with the blessing. But could you think that I, who had been happy in your loved embraces, could e'er be fond of an inferior slavery.

Lord Touch. [Aside.] Ha! O poison to my ears! what do I hear!

Cyn. Nay, good my lord, forbear resentment, let us hear it out.

Lord Touch. Yes, I will contain, though I could burst.

Mask. I that had wantoned in the rich circle of your world of love, could I be confined within the puny province of a girl! No-yet though I dote on each last favour more than all the rest; though I would give a limb for every look you cheaply throw away on any other object of your love; yet so far I prize your pleasures o'er my own, that all this seeming plot that I have laid has been to gratify your taste, and cheat the world, to prove a faithful rogue to you.

Lady Touch. If this were true!-but how can
it be?

Mask. I have so contrived that Mellefont will
presently, in the chaplain's habit, wait for Cynthia
in your dressing-room: but I have put the change
upon her that she may be otherwhere employed.-
Do you procure her night-gown, and, with your
hoods tied over your face, meet him in her stead;
you may go privately by the back stairs, and, un-
perceived, there you may propose to reinstate him
in his uncle's favour, if he'll comply with your
desires; his case is desperate, and I believe he'll
yield to any conditions.-If not, here take this;
you may employ it better than in the heart of one
[Gives the dagger.
who is nothing when not yours.
Lady Touch. Thou canst deceive everybody,—
nay, thou hast deceived me; but 'tis as I would
wish.-Trusty villain! I could worship thee!

Mask. No more.-There wants but a few minutes
of the time; and Mellefont's love will carry him
there before his hour.

Lady Touch. I go, I fly, incomparable Maskwell!

SCENE XVIII.

MASKWELL.

So, this wasa pinch indeed; my invention was upon
the rack, and made discovery of her last plot: I
hope Cynthia and my chaplain will be ready, I'll
prepare for the expedition.

SCENE XIX.

CYNTHIA and Lord TOUCHWOOD.

Cyn. Now, my lord.

Lord Touch. Astonishment binds up my rage! of dark deceit has this discovered! I am confounded Villany upon villany! Heavens, what a long track when I look back, and want a clue to guide me through the various mazes of unheard-of treachery. My wife! damnation! my hell!

Cyn. My lord, have patience, and be sensible
how great our happiness is that this discovery was
not made too late.

Lord Touch. I thank you, yet it may be still
Where's
too late, if we don't presently prevent the execu-
tion of their plots.- Ha, I'll do't.
Mellefont, my poor injured nephew?-How shall I
make him ample satisfaction?-

Cyn. I dare answer for him.

Lord Touch. I do him fresh wrong to question his forgiveness; for I know him to be all goodness." -Yet my wife! damn her!-She'll think to meet him in that dressing-room;-was't not so? and Maskwell will expect you in the chaplain's chamber. For once, I'll add my plot too. Let us haste to find out, and inform my nephew; and do you quickly as you can bring all the company into this gallery.-I'll expose the strumpet and the villain.

SCENE XX.

Lord FROTH and Sir PAUL.

Lord Froth. By heavens, I have slept an age! -Sir Paul, what o'clock is't? Past eight, on my and a slumber there is the prettiest amusement ! conscience! my lady's is the most inviting couch; But where's all the company?—

Sir Paul. The company, gadsbud, I don't know, my lord, but here's the strangest revolution, all turned topsy-turvy; as I hope for Providence.

Lord Froth. O heavens, what's the matter? where's my wife?

Sir Paul. All turned topsy-turvy, as sure as a

gun.

Lord Froth. How do you mean? my wife!
Sir Paul. The strangest posture of affairs!
Lord Froth. What, my wife?

Sir Paul. No, no, I mean the family.-Your lady's affairs may be in a very good posture; I saw her go into the garden with Mr. Brisk.

Lord Froth. How? where? when? what to do? Sir Paul. I suppose they have been laying their heads together.

Lord Froth. How?

THE DOUBLE-DEALER.

Lord FROTH, Sir PAUL, Lady FROTH, and BRISK.

Brisk. My lord, your humble servant:-sir Paul, yours. The finest night!

Lady Froth. My dear, Mr. Brisk and I have been star-gazing, I don't know how long.

Sir Paul. Does it not tire your ladyship; are not you weary with looking up?

Lady Froth. Oh, no, I love it violently.-My dear, you're melancholy.

Lord Froth. No, my dear; I'm but just awake. Lady Froth. Snuff some of my spirit of hartshorn.

Lord Froth. I've some of my own, thank you, my dear.

Lady Froth. Well, I swear, Mr. Brisk, you understood astronomy like an old Egyptian.

Brisk. Not comparably to your ladyship; you are the very Cynthia of the skies, and queen of

stars.

Lady Froth. That's because I have no light but what's by reflection from you, who are the

sun.

Harkee, shall you

Brisk. Madam, you have eclipsed me quite, let me perish!-I can't answer that. Lady Froth. No matter.. and I make an almanac together? Brisk. With all my soul.-Your ladyship has made me the man in't already, I'm so full of the wounds which you have given.

Lady Froth. O finely taken! I swear now you are even with me. O Parnassus! you have an infinite deal of wit.

Sir Paul. So he has, gadsbud, and so has your ladyship.

SCENE XXII.

Lord FROTH, Sir PAUL, Lady FROTH, BRISK, Lady PLYANT,
CARELESS, and CYNTHIA.

Lady Ply. You tell me most surprising things;
bless me, who would ever trust a man!
heart aches for fear they should be all deceitful
O my
alike.

Care. You need not fear, madam, you have charms to fix inconstancy itself.

Lady Ply. O dear, you make me blush! Lord Froth. Come, my dear, shall we take leave of my lord and lady?

Cyn. They'll wait upon your lordship presently.

Lord FROTH, Sir PAUL, Lady FROTH, BRISK, Lady PLYANT,
CARELESS, CYNTHIA; Lady TOUCHWOOD
affrighted, Lord TOUCHWOOD after her, disguised in a
runs out
parson's habit.

Lady Touch. O, I'm betrayed!-Save me! help me!

Lord Touch. Now, what evasion, strumpet? Lady Touch. Stand off! let me go. Lord Touch. Go, and thy own infamy pursue thee.-[Exit Lady TOUCHWOOD.]-You stare as you were all amazed.-I don't wonder at it-but too soon you'll know mine, and that woman's shame.

SCENE XXIV.

Lord TOUCHWOOD, Lord FROTH, Lady FROTH, Sir PAUL,
Lady PLYANT, CYNTHIA, BRISK, CARELESS; MELLEFONT
disguised in a parson's habit, and pulling in MASKWELL.
Servants.

less, your hand. [To MASKWELL.] Do you hold
Mel. Nay, by heaven, you shall be seen!-Care-
down your head? Yes, I am your chaplain; look
in the face of your injured friend, thou wonder of
all falsehood!

Lord Touch. Are you silent, monster?

Mel. Good heavens! how I believed and loved this man!-Take him hence, for he's a disease to my sight.

Lord Touch. Secure that manifold villain. Care. Miracle of ingratitude! [Servants seize him. Brisk. This is all very surprising, let me perish! Lady Froth. You know I told you Saturn looked little more angry than usual.

Lord Touch. We'll think of punishment at leisure, but let me hasten to do justice, in rewarding virtue and wronged innocence.-Nephew, I I hope I have your pardon, and Cynthia's. Mel. We are your lordship's creatures.

Lord Touch. And be each other's comfort.-Let me join your hands.-Unwearied nights and wishhealth, and circling joys, tread round each happy ing days attend you both; mutual love, lasting year of your long lives.

Let secret villany from hence be warn'd;
Howe'er in private mischiefs are conceived,
Torture and shame attend their open birth;
Like vipers in the womb, base treachery lies,
Still gnawing that whence first it did arise;
No sooner born, but the vile parent dies.

[Exeunt omnes.

THE DOUBLE-DEALER.

EPILOGUE

SPOKEN BY MRS. MOUNTFORD.

COULD poets but foresee how plays would take,
Then they could tell what epilogues to make;
Whether to thank or blame their audience most:
But that late knowledge does much hazard cost:
'Till dice are thrown, there's nothing won nor lost.
So, till the thief has stolen, he cannot know
Whether he shall escape the law or no.
But poets run much greater hazards far,
Than they who stand their trials at the bar,
The law provides a curb for its own fury,
And suffers judges to direct the jury:

But in this court, what difference does appear!
For every one's both judge and jury here;
Nay, and what's worse, an executioner.
All have a right and title to some part,
Each choosing that in which he has most art.
The dreadful men of learning all confound,
Unless the fable's good, and moral sound.
The vizor-masks that are in pit and gallery,
Approve or damn the repartee and raillery.
The lady critics, who are better read,
Inquire if characters are nicely bred;

If the soft things are penn'd and spoke with grace:
They judge of action, too, and time, and place;
In which we do not doubt but they're discerning,
For that's a kind of assignation learning.

Beaux judge of dress; the witlings judge of songs;
The cuckoldom, of ancient right, to cits belongs.
Poor poets thus the favour are denied

Even to make exceptions, when they're tried.
'Tis hard that they must every one admit ;
Methinks I see some faces in the pit
Which must of consequence be foes to wit.
You who can judge, to sentence may proceed;
But though he cannot write, let him be freed
At least from their contempt who cannot read.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

CHARLES, EARL OF DORSET AND MIDDLESEX,

LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S HOUSEHOLD, AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, &c. MY LORD.-A young poet is liable to the same vanity and indiscretion with a young lover; and the great man who smiles upon one, and the fine woman who looks kindly upon t'other, are both of them in danger of having the favour published with the first opportunity.

But there may be a different motive, which will a little distinguish the offenders. For though one should have a vanity in ruining another's reputation, yet the other may only have an ambition to advance his own. And I beg leave, my Lord, that I may plead the latter, both as the cause and excuse of this dedication.

Whoever is king, is also the father of his country; and as nobody can dispute your Lordship's monarchy in poetry; so all that are concerned ought to acknowledge your universal patronage; and it is only presuming on the privilege of a loyal subject, that I have ventured to make this my address of thanks to your Lordship; which, at the same time, includes a prayer for your protection.

I am not ignorant of the common form of poetical dedications, which are generally made up of panegyrics, where the authors endeavour to distinguish their patrons by the shining characters they give them above other men. my Lord, is not my business at this time, nor is your Lordship now to be distinguished. I am contented with the honour I do myself in this epistle, without the vanity of attempting to add to or explain your Lordship's character. But that,

I confess it is not without some struggling that I behave myself in this case as I ought; for it is very hard to be pleased with a subject, and yet forbear it. But I choose rather to follow Pliny's precept, than his example, when in his panegyric to the Emperor Trajan he says-" Nec minus considerabo quid aures ejus pati possint, quam quid virtutibus debeatur."

I hope I may be excused the pedantry of a quotation, when it is so justly applied. Here are some lines in the print (and which your Lordship read before this play was acted) that were omitted on the stage, and particularly one whole scene in the third Act, which not only helps the design forward with less precipitation, but also heightens the ridiculous character of Foresight, which indeed seems to be maimed without it. But I found myself in great danger of a long play, and was glad to help it where I could. Though notwithstanding my care, and the kind reception it had from the town, I could heartily wish it yet shorter; but the number of different characters represented in it would have been too much crowded in less room.

This reflection on prolixity (a fault for which scarce any one beauty will atone) warns me not to be tedious now, and detain your Lordship any longer with the trifles of, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, and most humble servant, WILL. CONGREVE.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

SIR SAMPSON LEGEND, Father to VALENTINE and BEN.
VALENTINE, fallen under his Father's displeasure by
his expensive way of living, in love with ANGELICA.
SCANDAL, his Friend, a free speaker.
TATTLE, a half-witted Beau, vain of his amours, yet
valuing himself for secrecy.

BEN, SIR SAMPSON's younger Son, half home-bred, and
half sea-brid, designed to marry MISS PRUE.
FORESIGHT, an illiterate old fellow, peevish and posi-
tive, superstitious, and pretending to understand
Astrology, Palmistry, Physiognomy, Omens, Dreams,
&c. Uncle to ANGELICA.
JEREMY, Servant to VALENTINE.
TRAPLAND, a Scrivener.

BUCKRAM, a Lawyer.
SNAP, a Bailiff.

ANGELICA, Niece to FORESIGHT, of a considerable For-
tune in her own hands.

MRS. FORESIGHT, second Wife to FORESIGHT.
MRS. FRAIL, Sister to MRS. FORESIGHT, a Woman of
the Town.

MISS PRUE, Daughter to FORESIGHT by a former Wife,
a silly awkward country Girl.
Nurse to MISS PRUE.

JENNY, Maid to ANGELICA.

Steward, Sailors, and Servants.

SCENE, LONDON.