Enter Brittle. Oh! are you there, Mr. Babbler? You are a pretty Fellow indeed; you have made fine Work! You cannot be told a Secret, but you must tell the Husband prefently. You understand me. Britt. Who, I tell the Husband, Friend! Clod. Yes, you; but I'll fee you hang'd before you fhall get any thing more out of me. You have made fine Work! All's difcover'd! The Cuckold, her Husband, knows all the Business. Britt. Well, but Clod. You may as well hold your Tongue, for you fhan't get a Word out of me, No, no, I have found you out, I'faith. Britt. This Fellow may be ufeful to affirm it to her Father and Mother. I'll try to bribe him. (Afide. (Puts his Hand in his Pocket to give him Money. Why look you, Friend, I'm forry this Matter isClod. Mum! You understand me. I know what you'd fay now, but 'twill not do. You'd have me to tell you what I know, but Mum! Softly! Not a Word. I'll warrant, you'd have me tell you what Answer she gave to the Letter. Britt. 'No, no, Friend; but Clod. Softly!-- You fhall get nothing out of me. You think I'll tell you now, that the Wife pro. mis'd to meet him, and that they are together now in that Room; but I'm not fuch a Fool. No, no, you'll tell the Husband again; you cannot be fecret, and fo good bye to you. You fhall get nothing out of me. You understand me. (Exit. Britt. I'm forry I can't make that ufe of him as Iintended; but however, he has difcover'd fomething to me, that may do as well. He faid her Gallant is with her now; I'll liften, (Goes to the Door, Oh Oh Sadness! 'tis but too true. Here's fine Doings. Now they fhall fee But I'll fend for her Parents. who's in the wrong, and who's in the right. She can't scape me now, unless the Devil affift her; and fee where they come in a lucky Hour. Enter Sir Peter Pride and Lady P. Father-in-law, you're welcome; and you, MadamI'm glad you are come, I was juft going to fend for you. Sir Peter. Why, what's the Matter, Son-in-law? Britt. Now you fee what a fine Daughter you have. Sir Peter. What! more Complaints! What is the Reason of all this? Britt. Do but hear me, and you shall know. Here has been her Gallant, and Sir Peter. Son-in-law, I'll not believe it. Will you never leave this fooling? We'll hear no more. Britt. No, no, I knew you wou'd never believe a Word I'fay; but the can be credited, because she's a Gentlewoman, forfooth. Now you fhall fee what a Gentlewoman I have got for a Wife. I have her faft now, faft in that Room with her Gallant, and that I hope will convince you. Lady. 'Tis falfe, thou base Villain. I know the fcorns to do fo base a thing. Britt, Pray now don't believe me, but walk in: If you find it not true, never mind any thing I fay, as long as I live. Sir Peter. Lead, Son-in-law. If I find 'em together, by this good Sword they both fhall die. Lady. But if 'tis not fo, which I do believe 'tis only your Jealoufy again, look to your felf, Son-inlaw, I'll fuffer thefe Affronts no longer. Britt. If they are not there now, I am a very Villain. Come along Softly (They all go in. SCENE Changes to a Chamber, and difcoLovemore, Mrs. Brittle, and vers Damaris. Love. You queftion your own Power, when you miftruft my Honour, Madam. Such Charms can never want Force to allay all Thoughts of wronging fo much Goodness. Mrs. Britt. Well, Sir, I do believe you to be a Man of Honour, and hope you will not wrong my good Opinion. Enter Sir Peter, Lady Pride and Brittle, behind them. They grow enrag'd to fee 'em together, and make Signs of Revenge. Sir Peter lays bis Hand upon his Sword. Therefore meet me this Evening at the Garden-Door about Nine, and there we'll difcourfe farther: If I find what you fay be real, perhaps I may be prevail'd upon to venture farther. Love. Madam, you bless me! (Kiffes her Hand. Let's draw nearer, and hear what they fay. (They go nearer. Dam. Oh Madam! Madam! my Mafter, Sir Peter, and my Lady, are juft behind you. Mrs. Britt. Let me alone to bring it off. (To Love. Afide. Be not you furpriz'd at any thing I lay, but feem to humour it. I'll I'll hear no more. (Seems to be angry with Lovemore. What do you tell me of your being amaz'd! Did you ever fee any thing in me, that cou'd encourage you to believe I was that Woman you took me for? I'll warrant you thought, because I feem'd to give you Encouragement before my Husband Yefterday, when he had enrag'd me, that I was in earnest? (They over hear, feem angry, and to threaten Brittle, who pretends by Signs to excufe bimself. Love. What mean you, Madam? (Confufedly. Mrs. Britt. But you will find your felf deceiv'd: For tho' my Husband gives me Provocations to use him at any rate, yet, Sir, I'd have you to know, I fcorn Revenge, and will not be brib'd to ftain my Honour, tho' all the Wealth of the whole World were laid at my Feet. Lady. Do you hear that, Son-in-law? They fill threaten, he looks Sneakingly. Mrs. Britt. No, Sir, my honourable Parents brought me up with the ftri&teft Care; taught me the nice Paths that lead to Everlasting Fame and Glory: And he, who dares attempt to make me lofe my Way, de ferves to be us'd thus, thus, and thus, Sir. (Gets near Sir Peter, Snatches his Cane, and runs at Lovemore, who gets behind Brittle. She beats Brittle unmercifully, while Lovemore gets off. Britt. Oh, Hold! Hold! What, will you murder (Brittle rubs his Shoulders. Sir Peter. Troth, Son-in-law, fhe ferv'd you right. Lady. You have not half what you deserve; And I cou'd find in my Heart to me? Sir Peter. Let him alone: I'll correct him. Son-in-law, You are a very impudent Fellow to ufe your Wife thus. What can you fay for your felf? (Feels his Arms and Head. Britt. Say for my felf! Why, I fay, 'tis all a TrickAnd a Contrivance to blind the Matter. Sir Peter. Is it not plain, you have wrong'd her Do you not fee fhe is a virtuous and a good Wife? Lady. Too good for him, a Clown. Britt. Well, well, I am over-reach'd, I fee. Sir Peter. Son-in-law, I charge you let me hear no more of this. And instantly ask your Wife's Pardon. Britt. How, Sir! Mrs. Britt. Oh! let him alone; 'twill be to no purpose. I'm a little out of Order. Damaris, Lead me to my Chamber. (Exeunt with Damaris. Sir Peter. I fay follow her, and ask her Pardon. Britt. If I do, the Curfe of Cuckoldom fall upon (Runs out another way. me. Lady. Ah, graceless Clown. Come, Sir Peter, let's follow, and fee how fhe does. (Are going. Enter Prudence. your Pru. Madam, my Lady prefents her Service to your Ladyship and Sir Peter; and would defire good Company at a Ball the Viscount treats her with. Lady. Our humble Thanks to her Ladyfhip. We will not fail to wait upon her. (Exeunt Sir Peter and Lady. Enter Widow, meeting Lovemore. Widow, Oh, Mr. Lovemore! I have expected you; I am glad you're come. Love. Madam, Your Ladyfhip does me too much Honour. Pray, Madam, when saw you Mr. Cuningham ? Widow. Oh, Sir! He has told me all. And now you talk of Mr. Cuningham Prudence, go |