Britt. Oh horrid ! 'tis fo.

(Afide. Clod. How he fnores now, if a Body were to hear him! Poor Cuckold! He little dreams what his Wife and my Master are doing. Ha, ha, ha.

Britt. Oh! this is my Country Chap again. (Afide. Clod. Poor Cuckold, 'tis good enough for him. For as they fay, he uses her mighty ill. But, Damaris, muft thee and I part thus?. One little Bit to ftay my Stomach, Damaris: 'Tis fit, we fhou'd follow our Leaders. (Goes to Kifs.

Britt. I can hold no longer. Who goes there? (Hits bim a Box. Clod. Odd fo! Oh! Oh! Who's that? Oh! Puts his Stick a-crofs, and in running out-flops against the Scenes, at laft gets off.

Britt. So He's gone. Here's a Discovery at laft! Here's a fine Virtuous Wife for you! But now all will out in spite of her. I'll fend inftantly for her Parents; they fhall fee now who's in the right. Oh blefs us! What, make her Husband a Cuckold! Oh! Monftrous! (Goes to the Door, and calls. Jeremy! the Varlet's a fleep, I'll warrant. Jeremy, I fay.

(Jer. above) Do you call, Sir?

Britt. Yes, I do call. Come down quickly, I must fend you to my Father-in law's.

Fer. I come, Sir. (Puts a Rope out, and flides down, Britt. Make hafte, Sirrah, How long you are coming. Ah! Villain !

Jeremy treads upon his Toes, and gets from him, You have trod upon my Corns, and lam'd me. Come hither, and be hang'd.

Fer. I dare not, Sir, you'll beat me.

Britt. Ah! 'tis well I ftand in need of thee.

(Comes to bim. Run to my Father and Mother-in-Law, and tell 'em, intreat to speak with 'em this Moment; tell 'em I'll

never trouble 'em again as long as I live; beg 'em by

all means to come.

Fer. Yes, Sir,

(Exit.

Britt, Now they fhall fee what a Daughter they have,

Now I fhall fure convince 'em of their Error!:
But I hear fome body coming.!

May be I fhall make a farther Difcovery. (Stands afide,

Enter Lovemore, Mrs. Brittle, Damaris, and
Clod pole.

Mrs. Britt. Nay, Sir, I've ftay'd long enough for one time: Should my Husband wake, and mifs me, I were undone.

I must be gone.

Love, Stay one Minute longer, I beseech you, Madam.

I have not told you yet

Mrs.Britt. No more, Sir, if you love me. Fare

wel.

Love, Oh, ftay! How can you go, and leave me fo foon?

You will have time enough to lie by that dull, ftupid Clod, your Husband, e'er the Morning: Methinks I grudge him the leaft Look of you, fince he knows not how to value fo rich a Jewel. Let him live, and pore o'er his Bags, his Drofs, and worldly Gains, whilft we know better how to waste our youthful Hours in fofteft Kiffes, and everlasting Joys.

Britt, Oh, blafting Sound! But I have heard enough, Now to my Poft.

(Exit. Mrs. Britt. Good Night, Sir: Now I must be gone.

Love. When fhall I be thus blefs'd again?

Mrs.

Mrs. Britt. To Morrow I'll fend for you; and, if poffible, appoint another Meeting.

Love. Till then, ten thousand Angels wait on thee. One Kiss e'er we part,

Oh, I could dwell for ever on thy Lips!

Sure, there's Enchantment on 'em.

Mrs. Britt. Farewel!

(Kifles ber.

Love. Adieu, my lovely Charmer. (Exit with Clod. Mrs. Britt. Now, Damaris, let's fteal in: Softly! Softly!

Dam. O Lord, Madam! We are undone! The Door is fast fince we have been out.

(Pushes against it. Mrs. Britt. What fhall we do now,,Damaris?

Dam. I wish my Mafter has not been down.
Mrs. Britt. Let's call Jeremy foftly.

Both, Jeremy! Feremy!

(They both call up to the Window in a soft Tone.

Brittle at the Window above.

Britt. Feremy! Feremy!

Dam. Oh, Madam, my Master!

Mrs. Britt. Loft! Undone for ever!

(In their Tone.

Britt. Ah! Ha! my fweet Lady! Have I caught you at laft!

Feremy! Feremy!

Where has your fweet Ladyfhip been, I pray, that you are so afraid of being discover'd? Come, I know you have a Lie in readiness: Let's have it.

Mrs. Britt. No where but juft with Damaris, to take a little of the fresh Air; that's all, indeed, sweet Husband.

Brit. To take the fresh Air, quotha! Ah, I rather believe 'twas to take a Heat, you Witch

you.

Mrs.

Mrs. Britt. Pray, Husband, let the Door be open'd?

Britt. No: You shall stay there till your Parent's

come.

you

I have fent for them: They fhall fee what Hours keep. And know of your Gallant you juft parted from, your vigorous Lover.

Dam. Madam, he over heard all,

And we are undone.

(Afide to her.

Britt. What, have you no Excufe ready?

No Invention? You and your wicked Inftrument there, that stands like the Serpent at Eve's Elbow, to tempt her to Sin.

What, is your Prompter to Wickedness dumb?
I'd fain hear how you intend to excufe it.

Mrs. Britt. I don't go about to excufe it, Husband.

Britt. No, That's because you don't know how.

Mrs. Britt. I do confefs, I have been to meet a Gentleman, but not alone; Damaris was with me. And fure there was no Crime in a little harmlefs Chat.

Britt. No, no, not in the leaft; making me a Cuc kold is no harm at all.

Mrs. Britt. Pray, Husband, let me in, and I'll never do the like again, as long as I live, but you fhall hence-forward find me the moft dutiful Wife, that you could wifh for: Pray, Husband, truft me but this once.

Britt, No.

A

Mrs. Britt: Do not difgrace me to my Parents, by expofing me at this unfeafonable Hour, in which I do confefs I am much to blame

Britt. Oh! Do you fo?

Mrs. Britt. But forgive me now, I'll never do it again.

3

Britt.

Britt. Hang them that believes you, I say. Mrs. Britt. I am fure I never injur'd you in all my Life; but am as innocent as the Child unborn, from doing the Ill, which you fufpect.

Britt. It may be fo: 'Twas not your Fault then. Mrs. Britt. Pray, dear Husband, believe me, and let me in.

Britt. No.

Mrs. Britt. On my Knees I ask your Pardon, do but open the Door.

Britt No.

Mrs. Britt. If you let me in this time, 'twill work upon me more, than all the Liberty in the World cou'd do befide.

Britt. I care not.

Mrs. Britt. Indeed, Husband, I love you dearly, and love you only: How can you then be fo cruel to refuse me?

Britt. Ah, cunning Crocodile ?

Now you are caught, 'tis dear Husband, fweet Hus band, 'tis only you I love: But at another time, 'tis good for nothing old Fool, No, no, I know you well enough, and fo fhall your Parents now.

Mrs. Britt. Pray, Husband, let the Door be open'd Britt. No.

Mrs. Britt. Try me but this once.

Britt. I tell you, no.

Mrs. Britt. Not once more?

Britt. No.

Mrs. Britt. If you provoke me, I may despair, grow defperate, and do a Deed, which you may re

pent.

Britt. Good lack! What will your fweet Ladyship do?

Mrs. Britt. I'll kill my felf with this Knife here.

(Shews her Fan.

Britt. Oh, very well!

Mrs.