Mel. I'll do't.

Cynt. And I'll do't.

Mel. This very next ensuing Hour of eighta Clock, is the last Minute of her Reign, unless the Devil afsist her in propria perfona.

Cynt. Well, if the Devil should assist her, and your Plot miscarry.

Mel. Ay, what am I to trust to then?

Cynt. Why if you give me very clear Demonstration that it was the Devil, I'll allow for irrefistible Odds. But if I find it to be only Chance, or Destiny, or unlucky Stars, or any thing but the very Devil, I'm inexorable: Only still I'll keep my Word, and live a Maid for your fake.

Mel. And you won't die one, for your own, sa still there's Hope.

Cynt. Here's my Mother-in-Law, and your Friend Careless, I would not have 'em see us together yet.

I

SCENE II.

CARELESS and Lady PLYANT.

Lady PLYANT.

Swear, Mr. Careless, you are very ery alluringAnd lay so many fine Things, and nothing is fo moving to me as a fine Thing. Well, I must do you this Justice, and declare in the Face of the World, never any Body gain'd so far upon me as your self; with Blushes I must own it, you have shaken, as I may say, the very Foundation of my HonourWell, fure if I escape your Importunities, I shall value-my self as long as I live, I swear.

Care. And despise me,

[Sighing. L. P.

L. P. The last of any Man in the World, by

my Purity; now you make me fwear O Gra titude forbid, that I should ever be wanting in a respectful Acknowledgment of an intire Refignation of all my best Wishes, for the Person and Parts of so accomplish'd a Person, whose Merit challenges much more, I'm sure, than my illiterate Praifes can description

Care. (In a whining Tone.) Ah Heav'ns, Madain, you ruin me with Kindness; your charming Tongue pursues the Victory of your Eyes, while at your Feet your poor Adorer dies.

L. P. Ah! Very fine.

Care. (Still whining.) Ah why are you so Fair, so bewitching Fair? O let me grow to the Ground here, and feast upon that Hand; O let me press it to my Heart, my trembling Heart, the nimble Movement shall instruct your Pulse, and teach it to alarm Defire.

not yield quickly..

[Zoons I'm almost at the end of my Cant, if she does (Afide.) L. P. O that's so passionate and fine, I cannot hear it-I am not safe if I stay, and must leave you.

Care. And must you leave me! Rather let me languish out a wretched Life, and breath my Soul beneath your Feet.

[I must say the same Thing over again, and can't (Afide.)

help it.

L. P. I swear I'm ready to languish too - O my Honour! Whither is it going? I protest you have given me the Palpitation of the Heart. Care. Can you be so cruel.

L. P. O rise I beseech you, say no more 'till you rife-Why did you kneel so long? I swear I was so transported, I did not fee it. - Well, to shew you how far you have gain'd upon me;

E 4

I af

furç

fure you if Sir Paul should die, of all Mankind there's none I'd sooner make my second Choice.

Care. O Heav'n! I can't out-live this Night without your Favour - I feel my Spirits faint, a gemeral Dampness overspreads my Face, a cold deadly Dew already vents through all my Pores, and will to Morrow wash me for ever from your Sight, and drown me in my Tomb.

L. P. O you have conquer'd, sweet, melting, moving Sir, you have conquer'd - What Heart of Marble can refrain to weep, and yield to such sad Sayings.[Cries,

Care. I thank Heav'n, they are the saddest that I ever faid-Oh!

[ I shall never contain Laughter. (Aside.)

L. P. Oh, I yield my self all up to your uncontroulable Embraces - Say, thou dear dying Man, when, where, and how. Ah, there's Sir Paul.

Care. 'Slife, yonder's Sir Paul; but if he were not come, I'm so transported I cannnot speak This Note will inform you.

[Gives her a Note.

III.

Mellefont.

Cynt. I would obey you to my Power, Sir; but if I have not him, I have sworn never to marry.

Si

Sir Paul. Never to marry! Heav'ns forbid; must

I neither have Sons nor Grandsons ? must the Family of the Plyants be utterly extinct for want of Islue Male. Oh Impiety! But did you swear, did that sweet Creature swear! ha? How durst you swear without my Consent, ah? Gads-bud, who

am I?.

Cynt. Pray don't be angry, Sir; when I swore, I had your Consent; and therefore I swore.

Sir Paul. Why then the revoking my Consent does annul, or make of none effect your Oath: So you may unfwear it again - The Law will allow it. Cynt. Ay, but my Conscience never will. Sir Paul, Gads-bud no matter for that, Confcience and Law never go together; you must not expect that.

L. P. Ay, but Sir Paul, I conceive if she has sworn, d'ye mark me, if she has once sworn, it is most unchristian, inhuman, and obscene that the shou'd break it. I'll make up the Match again, because Mr. Careless said it would oblige him.

[Afide.

Sir Paul. Does your Ladyship conceive soWhy I was of that Opinion once too - Nay if your Ladyship conceives so, I'm of that Opinion again; but I can neither find my Lord nor my Lady to know what they intend. f

L. P. I'm fatisfy'd that my Cousin Mellefont has been much wrong'd.

Cynt. (Afide.) I'm amaz'd to find her of our fide, for I'm fure she lov'd him.

L. P. I know my Lady Touchwood has no Kindness for him; and besides I have been inform'd by Mr. Careless, that Meliefont had never any thing more than a profound Respect - That he has own'd himself to be my Admirer 'tis true, but he was pever so presumptuous to entertain any dishonourable

ES

rable Notions of Things; so that if this be made plain I don't see how my Daughter can in Confcience, or Honour, or any thing in the World Sir Paul. Indeed if this be made plain, as my Lady your Mother says, Child

L. P. Plain! I was inform'd of it by Mr. Carelefs And I aflure you Mr. Careless is a Person - that has a most extraordinary Respect and Honour for you, Sir Paul.

Cynt. (Afide.) And for your Ladyship too, I believe, or else you had not chang'd Sides so soon; now I begin to find it.

Sir Paul. I am much obliged to Mr. Careless really, he is a Person that I have a great Value for; not only for that, but because he has a great Veneration for your Ladyship.

L. P. O las, no indeed, Sir Paul, 'tis upon your Account.

Sir Paul. No I protest and vow, I have no Title to his Esteem, but in having the Honour to appertain in some Measure to your Ladyship, that's all.

L. P. O law now, I swear and declare, it shan't be so, you're too modeft, Sir Paul.

Sir Paul. It becomes me, when there is any Comparison made, between

L. P. O fy, fy, Sir Paul, you'll put me out of Countenance - Your very obedient and affectionate Wife, that's all - And highly honour'd in that Title.

Sir Paul. Gads - bud I am transported! Give me leave to kiss your Ladyships Hand.

Cynt. That my poor Father should be so very filly! [Afide.

L. P. My Lip indeed, Sir Paul, I fswear you

shall.

He kiffes her, and bows very low.

Sir Paul. I humbly thank your Ladyship - I don't