Enter a Servant.

Serv. My Lord, the Dancers you spoke for, wait without.

Vifc. Let 'em enter. Will you please to fit, Ladies ?

A DANCE.

Widow. Prudence, go tell Mr. Lovemore, I'd fpeak. with him this Evening. Phil you may take a Turn in Sir, if you think it no Trouble, Company.

Cun. Madam, most willingly.

(Exit Prudence. the Garden. And, you may bear her (To Cuningham. (Exit with Phil.

Widow. Why are you fo melancholy, my Lord? Vifc. Nothing that's worth the naming. But if you'll walk into the next Room, I'll tell you.

Widow. My Lord, you are a Man of Honour, and I dare truft my felf with you.

Vifc. Madam, if I deferve it not, may you always keep a Whip and a Bell, to fcourge me from you like a Cur.

Enter Clodpole and Damaris: He gives her a Letter.

Dam:

You

Ou are a fine Spark, are you not, to discover all the Bufinefs, and let it come to my Matter's Hearing?

Clod. Why ay, that's true, as you fay; but who wou'd have thought that he could have known it! But now to our own Bufinefs, Damaris

Ꭰ

Doft

Doft thou not love me, Damaris?

Thou know't I love thee with all my Heart.

Good lack! How it beats! Odd, you may hear it thump all over the House.

Damaris

How can't thou be fo hard-hearted?

Dam. Phaw! Prithee leave fooling.

Clod. One Kifs, Damaris, to revive me.

(Kiffes ber..

-Canft thou not fpare a little

Dam. Of what, Fool?

Clod. Why, of Odd, you know well enough. What, I need not name it to thee.

Dam. I know nothing of the Matter.

Clod. Ay, but you do. Why, I ask but a little tiney, tiney Bit. Do, prithee now do. Dam. I'll fee you at the Devil first.

Clod. Do, Damaris Spare but a Bit now; and bate me as much on the Wedding-Night.

Dam. No, I thank you, good Clodpole: I have too often been fnapt that way already. (Afide. But fee- yonder comes my Lady and my MafterStep with me into the next Room, he must not see you. Clod. Ay, any where, any where: Quickly, good Damaris.

Enter Barnaby Brittle and Mrs. Brittle.

(Exit.

Britt. I tell you again, that Marriage is a very facred Thing, and ought not to be profan'd at this Rate.

Mrs. Britt. What do you tell me of Marriage, I have other things to mind.

Britt. Truly, I do believe as much; that's the trueft Word you ever fpoke: But I think you ought to mind what I fay. Am I not your Husband? And

are not you bound in Duty by that Tye, to be obedient and just in all your Ways?

Enter Lovemore on the other fide bowing. She fees bim, and Curtefies to him.

What's that for? What, do you banter me? Mrs. Britt. Keep your Inftructions for those that want 'em, my Thoughts are other ways employ'd. (She Curtefies, Lovemore bows. Brittle fees him not, and thinks she does it in fcorn to him.

Britt, What, you are practifing your Airs against you meet your Gallant, are you? And trying how to behave your felf to him? But I fhall fpoil your Defign, I fhall. (He Bows, fhe Curtefies again. Leave off your Tricks with a Vengeance, and mind what I fay to you. (Lovemore keeps Bowing to her. Again, don't provoke me, I fay, don't; if you do, you may chance to repent it. I fay, that Marriage

Mrs. Britt. I know it, Dear; you need fay no

more.

(She takes Brittle round the Neck, and beckons Lovemore, who comes and kiffes her Hand over her Husband's Shoulders all the while.

You know I love you dearly, by this I do. (Kiffes him. Why will you not be fatisfied? Had I the World to give, it cou'd not make me more happy than this Minute. (Lovemore ftill kisses her Hand. Britt. Ah diffembling Crocodile?

What, now you think to wheedle me.

Mrs. Britt. Be fatisfied with this: Hence forward, if you deserve it, I give you my Heart for ever, which, till this Minute, I did not think to do.

(She Speaks to Lovemore. Britt. Ah, would 'twere in your Power to keep your

Word.

Mrs. Britt. Indeed I will, let that content you; and learn to merit that rich Jewel, which this Mo ment I put within your Power.

(Beckons Lovemore, who bows, and Exit.

Britt. If thou would'st be thus kind always, how happy fhould I be! But that's impoffible! Would you but think fometimes upon the Vow you made in Church, that folemn Vow of Marriage, 'twould put you in Mind of your Duty.

Mrs. Britt. How can I think of any thing, when you will not give me leave fo much as to peep abroad for Air? Do you think a Woman can ever be in a good Humour, that is lock'd up, and kept from what the likes? But I'm refolv'd to bear it no longer.

(She walks backward and forward. Britt. Good lack! What's your Mind chang'd already? I thought 'twas too good to last long.

Mrs. Britt. But hence-forward you fhan't think to make a Fool of me at this rate. I'll find a way to get out, for all your Spies; and then look to't I'l ufe you as you deserve.

Britt. Tempt me no farther, I befeech you; if you do, I thall ufe you as you deferve. Patience! and I have need enough of it at this time.

Mrs. Britt. I'm refolv'd to encourage every Man, that makes Love to me. I'll kifs and be I'll kifs and be wanton, fince

you provoke me to't. Love, and be belov'dand not be fubject to the nafty Humours of an oldJealous- I can't find a Name bad enough for thee. (He fpits in his Hand. Britt, Odd, I've a great Mind to fpoil that handfome Face. The Devil tempts me strangely I must be gone; for if I ftay, I fhall certainly be provok'd to do her a Mischief.

:

(Runs off

Enter Damaris with a Letter.

Dam. I waited till my Mafter was gone, to deliver you this Letter; Madam, Mr. Lovemore's Man is within, and waits for an Answer.

Mrs. Britt. Give it me, Damaris, quickly.
Dam. I need not bid you read it,.
read it, fince you

from whom it comes.

you know

Mrs. Britt. Oh! 'tis extremely pretty, Damaris. I'll in, and write an Answer presently.

(Exit. Dam. So fhe has fnapt the Bait at the firft Angling; how she'll get clear of the Hook, I know not, he's here himself!

Enter Lovemore and Clodpole.

Ha!

Love. Pretty Mrs. Damaris, I'm glad to fee you. Is your Lady within?

Dam. Yes, Sir, writing an Answer to your Letter, I fuppofe. You fee, I deliver'd it with Care.

Love. Oh, I understand you; there's for thy Pains. (Gives her Money, she puts her Hand behind her,

and takes it.

Dam. Oh, dear Sir, by no means. But fince you will have it fo, pray command me.

Love. Can't thou contrive to let me speak with thy Mistress?

Dam. If you pleafe, Sir, I'll fhew you to her.
Love. Thou wilt oblige me for ever.

(Exit Love. and Dam. Clod. Hift! Damaris! Odd, I fhall have a rare Wife of her, if she gets Money fo faft. Here's a piece of Gold got without the leaft Trouble, as they say. But foftly! Who have we here?