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Title: William Wycherley [Four Plays]

Author: William Wycherley

Contributor: Baron Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay

Editor: William C. Ward

Release date: August 25, 2017 [eBook #55426]

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIAM WYCHERLEY [FOUR PLAYS] ***




Produced by Clare Graham and Marc D'Hooghe at Free
Literature (online soon in an extended version,also linking
to free sources for education worldwide); Images generously
made available by the Internet Archive.







[THE PLAYS OF]
WILLIAM WYCHERLEY


_EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES_

BY W. C. WARD


UNEXPURGATED EDITION


LONDON
T.FISHER UNWIN
PATERNOSTER SQUARE

1893




[Illustration: _William Wycherley. From the Picture by Sir Peter
Lely._]




CONTENTS



INTRODUCTION.

WILLIAM WYCHERLEY,
[by Thomas Babington Macaulay].

LOVE IN A WOOD; OR, ST. JAMES'S PARK.

THE GENTLEMAN DANCING-MASTER.

THE COUNTRY WIFE.

THE PLAIN DEALER.

NOTES.





  As long as men are false and women vain,
  Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane,
  In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.
                                    EVELYN.




_INTRODUCTION._


William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most
eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced
with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have
perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan. Abandoning
the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found,
in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity
and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.
Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners,
a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life,
set forth by Shakespeare. It is a title, nevertheless, of limited
applicability. The manners portrayed in these comedies, if drawn
from the life, illustrate but one side of human character, and that
side the most superficial. To divert by wit and ingenuity being the
writer's aim, all allusion to the deeper motives of humanity was
rejected as impertinent, or admitted only as an occasional contrast
to the prevailing tone. Thus the artificiality of the characters is
the consequence rather of incompleteness than of untruth; they are,
as it were, but half characters; the dialogue is no longer, as with
Shakespeare, the means of their development, but the purpose of their
creation.

Living in an age of loose manners and corrupt morals, the result, as
has often been pointed out, of the unnatural state of repression which
accompanied the Puritan supremacy, Wycherley cannot be acquitted of
the vices of his time, nor can it be contended that it was altogether
with the object of lashing these vices that he decked them out with
all the allurements of brilliant dialogue and diverting situations.
Yet I venture to assert that, in spite of their licentiousness, these
comedies possess claims to recognition not lightly to be ignored. Nay,
more: that their very indecency, although the most open, is certainly
not the most pernicious form of immorality known to us in literature.
For as the harm of licentious allusions consists in their appeal to
the basest passions of human nature, so the appeal is stronger as the
impression of human passion is deeper. But these _simulacra_, these
puppet semblances of humanity, which Wycherley and his contemporaries
summon upon the stage for our diversion, what human passion can we
discover in these to which we should be in danger of unworthily
responding? As we read the plays no sense of reality disturbs us.
Transfer the language they employ, the actions they perform, to the
characters in a play of Shakespeare's, a novel of Richardson's, and our
resentment and detestation are instantly awakened. But the _dramatis
personæ_ of Wycherley or of Congreve are not, as the characters of
Shakespeare and Richardson, men and women whom we feel to be as real
and living as those with whom we daily associate. They merely simulate
humanity so far as is requisite for the proper enactment of their
parts. And herein lies the test: a Cordelia, an Iago, a Clarissa, a
Lovelace, are, to our feelings, real creatures of flesh and blood,
whom we love or hate, as the case may be. The characters of Wycherley
and Congreve, on the contrary, we neither love nor detest; we are
interested not in what they are, but only in what they say and do. They
have no further existence for us than as they act and speak on the
stage before our eyes; touch them, and, like ghosts in Elysium, they
turn to empty air in our grasp.

Another counter-influence to the unwholesomeness of these comedies
is the current of mirth which runs through them, more or less, from
end to end. For laughter may be reckoned in some sort an antidote to
sensuality, at least to sensuality in its vilest and most insinuating
mood. "There is no passion," as Sterne says, "so serious as lust;"
and we may safely conclude that when laughter is provoked, the wit of
expression or the ludicrousness of situation is more active to our
apprehension than the license of sentiment.

It is sometimes urged against the comedies of this school that Virtue,
in them, is brought on the stage only to be derided. But this charge
is manifestly unjust. Virtue, indeed, is an unfrequent guest in this
house of mirth; she finds a refuge in the house of mourning hard
by, in the tragedies of the times. Yet if she chance to cross the
unwonted threshold, it is not to be laughed out of countenance, but
more often to be entertained as an honoured guest. Take, for instance,
the character of Christina, in Wycherley's _Love in a Wood_, or even
that of Alithea, in _The Country Wife_; the sentiments of honour and
purity that are set on their lips, or expressed in their actions, are
evidently intended to excite our esteem and admiration. Nay, it may
even be affirmed that if, among these shadowy creatures, there be any
that affect us, beyond the others, with some sense of an approach to
living reality, it is precisely the virtuous characters from whom such
an impression is derived. It is true, on the other hand, that the sin
of adultery, so common to the dramatic plots of this period, is treated
not only without severity, but as a pleasant jest. To the husbands,
in general, small mercy is shown. Yet what husbands are these--these
Pinchwifes, Fondlewifes, _et hoc genus omne_? It is less the sanctity
of marriage that is attacked, or held up to ridicule, in their persons,
than their own vices, their jealousy, tyranny, or folly. And, after
all, it is by no means in the crime itself, but in the ingenuity of
intrigue, that we are expected to find diversion; and the utter absence
of genuine passion on the part of these stage criminals renders any
appeal to passion in ourselves out of the question.

It is not with any intention of excusing the license which abounds
in Wycherley's comedies that I have ventured to offer these few
considerations in their behalf. I contend only that their laughing
outrages upon decency, are infinitely less harmful, because more
superficial, than the sentimental lewdness which, arising from a deeper
depravity, instils a more subtle venom; that, condemn it as we needs
must, we may yet stop short of attaching to the immorality of the
dramatists of the Restoration such consequence as to debar ourselves,
for its sake, from enjoying to the full the admirable wit and ingenuity
which constitute the chief merit of their performances.

Wycherley produced but four comedies, which, however, contain almost
all of intrinsic value that remains from his pen. Besides these, he
himself published but one volume, a folio of _Miscellany-Poems_, which
appeared in 1704, when the author was sixty-four years of age. Of these
pieces nothing favourable can be affirmed even by the friendliest
critic. They form a strange _olla podrida_ of so-called philosophy and
obscenity; they are dull without weight, or lewd without wit; or if
even here and there a good thought occur, the ore is scarcely of such
value as to be worth the pains of separating from the dross. The book
suggests a curious picture of the veteran dramatist, ever and anon
laying aside his favourite Rochefoucauld or Montaigne to chuckle feebly
over the reminiscence of some smutty story of his youthful days. The
versification is, as Macaulay says, beneath criticism; Wycherley had
no spark of poetry in his whole composition. In fine, we may apply to
this volume, without qualification, Dryden's remarks upon poor Elkanah
Settle; "His style is boisterous and rough-hewn; his rhyme incorrigibly
lewd, and his numbers perpetually harsh and ill-sounding." Yet there is
one thing which redeems the volume from utter contempt, as a testimony,
not, indeed, to the author's talent, but to the constancy and
disinterestedness of his temper. I refer to the brave verses addressed
to his friend the Duke of Buckingham, on the occasion of that versatile
nobleman's disgrace and imprisonment in the Tower. The key note is
struck in the opening lines:

  "Your late Disgrace is but the Court's Disgrace,
  As its false accusation but your Praise."

These lines, it may be remarked, are intended as a rhymed couplet, and
may serve as one instance out of many of the "incorrigible lewdness" of
Wycherley's rhyme; but, paltry as the verses may be, the feeling which
prompted them was surely deserving of respect.

The pieces in prose and verse, which, "having the misfortune to fall
into the hands of a mercenary, were published in 1728, in 8vo, under
the title of _The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley Esq._," are
on the whole superior to the _Miscellany-Poems_, yet, excepting
perhaps some of the prose aphorisms which constitute the first part
of the collection, little or nothing is to be found, even here, worth
resuscitating. Such facility or occasional elegance as the verses
possess must be wholly ascribed to the corrections of Pope; but Pope
himself failed in the impracticable attempt to make a silk purse out of
a sow's ear. Some few of the best pieces, as the lines on _Solitude_,
might possibly pass muster as the worst in a better volume, while the
epistle to Dryden (who had invited Wycherley's collaboration in the
construction of a comedy--an honour which the younger author gratefully
and modestly declined) is interesting personally, and the strain of
elaborate compliment, to which, after the fashion of the day, Wycherley
treated his correspondents, is here, for once, not wholly misapplied.
The _Maxims_, however, contain better stuff than the verses, and fully
justify Pope's repeated hints to the author that "the greater part"
of his pieces "would make a much better figure as single maxims and
reflections in prose, after the manner of your favourite Rochefoucauld,
than in verse."[1] Although, for the most part, as trite as moral
aphorisms usually are, they are not without here and there a touch
of wit, of terseness, or even of wisdom. Here, for instance, is a
pretty simile:--"False friends, like the shadow upon a dial, are ever
present to the sunshine of our fortunes, and as soon gone when we
begin to be under a cloud." Here, again, is a touch of characteristic
satire:--"Old men give young men good counsel, not being able longer to
give them bad examples."[2] And for a specimen of his wisdom take the
following:--"The silence of a wise man is more wrong to mankind than
the slanderer's speech."

I have now noticed all that has appeared in print of Wycherley's
authorship beyond his letters to Pope (which possess at least the merit
of occasioning Pope's letters to Wycherley), and a few letters of
earlier date, published by Dennis,[3] which contain, however, nothing
of more consequence than a string of extravagant and affected encomiums
upon his correspondent. Something remains to be said on the subject
of our author's personal character, which I shall endeavour to set in
a juster light than that in which it is presented by Macaulay, whose
vivid scrutiny, like a strong torch-light, brings out the worse parts
into sharp relief, while it leaves the better in dense obscurity. It
is not to be doubted that Wycherley participated in the fashionable
follies and vices of the age in which he lived. His early intrigue
with the Duchess of Cleveland was notorious. The license of his own
writings is a standing witness against him, and the indecency of some
of the verses which he published in his old age proves that his mind
reverted to the scenes of his youth with feelings other than those of a
repentant sinner. Yet in accepting the evidence of Wycherley's writings
we should beware of over-rating its importance. Dryden's character
is well known as that of a modest and excellent man; yet Dryden
occasionally produced passages abundantly obscene. Libertinism was
the fashion of the age, and although the fashion had somewhat changed
when Wycherley published his _Miscellany-Poems_, we can feel little
surprise that the productions of an aged and infirm man should be
redolent rather of the days when he was crowned with honours and sated
with success, than of those later years of ill-health and obscurity.
In this man's composition the clay was assuredly mingled with pure
metal. Nothing in the testimony of his contemporaries is so striking
as the tone of affection and esteem which they continually assume in
speaking of him. Dryden writes to John Dennis that he has laid aside
his intention of commenting upon some friend's purpose of marriage;
"for, having had the Honour to see my Dear Friend Wycherley's Letter
to him on that occasion, I find nothing to be added or amended. But as
well as I love Mr. Wycherley, I confess I love myself so well, that
I will not shew how much I am inferior to him in Wit and Judgment, by
undertaking anything after him."[4] And Dryden's regard was gratefully
and cordially reciprocated. In his first letter to Wycherley Pope
refers to the high satisfaction which he experienced in hearing the
old dramatist, at their very first meeting, "doing justice to his dead
friend, Mr. Dryden." Wycherley's own epistle, in verse, to the great
poet I have already mentioned; it is filled with expressions, sincere
if exaggerated, of regard and admiration; and long after Dryden's
death, in an essay[5] which appeared not until its author had, himself,
been years in his grave, Wycherley writes of "my once good friend, Mr.
Dryden, whose Memory will be honour'd when I have no Remembrance."

His attachment to his friends, indeed, appears to have been a prominent
characteristic of his disposition. Major Pack, in a short memoir
prefixed to the _Posthumous Works_, declares that "he was as impatient
to hear his Friend calumniated, as some other people would be to find
themselves defamed. I have more than once," he adds, "been a witness of
that honourable Tenderness in his Temper."

His friendship with Pope is one of the best known incidents in his
life. It commenced in 1704, when Wycherley was sixty-four and Pope but
sixteen years of age, and, although at times interrupted, terminated
only with the death of the former in 1715. Their correspondence
displays on both sides the marks of sincere regard. Wycherley's
generous appreciation the young genius repaid with gratitude and
affection, which, however, in the moments even of its warmest ardour,
never degenerated into servility. The last published letter between
them is dated May 2, 1710. It was succeeded by a period of prolonged
estrangement. During the preceding year a silence of unusual duration
on the part of Wycherley had aroused the anxiety of Pope, who alludes
to it, in his correspondence with their common friend Cromwell, in
terms of heart-felt concern. Wycherley had been dangerously ill, and
Cromwell had acquainted Pope with the news of his recovery.

"You have delivered me," he replies, under date of Oct. 19, 1709,
"from more anxiety than he imagines me capable of on his account, as
I am convinced by his long silence. However the love of some things
rewards itself, as of Virtue, and of Mr. Wycherley. I am surprised at
the danger you tell me he has been in, and must agree with you that
our nation would have lost in him as much wit and probity, as would
have remained (for aught I know) in the rest of it. My concern for
his friendship will excuse me (since I know you honour him so much,
and since you know I love him above all men) if I vent a part of my
uneasiness to you, and tell you that there has not been wanting one to
insinuate malicious untruths of me to Mr. Wycherley, which, I fear,
may have had some effect upon him."

The correspondence was renewed, with all the old kindness, in the
following spring, but was soon again to be interrupted. Pope had, for
some years, been engaged upon the occasional correction and emendation
of Wycherley's worse than mediocre verses, and the unsparing honesty
with which he discharged this delicate office, however creditable to
his character, could not but be at times unpalatable to the author
now seventy years of age, and rendered peevish by ill-health and loss
of memory. His last published letter to Pope betrays some natural
indignation at the wholesale slaughter which the young poet was making
of his halting lines, although, with the politeness of an old courtier,
he thanks him for his freedom, which he "shall always acknowledge with
all sort of gratitude." It is probable, also, that some enemy of Pope
had again possessed the old man's ear with slanders, to which his
shattered memory would render him the more accessible, and Wycherley
again broke off the correspondence, leaving his friend to wonder how
he had displeased him, as knowing himself "guilty of no offence but of
doing sincerely just what he bid me."

Pope's references to Wycherley, during this new estrangement, show him
to have been deeply hurt. They indicate, however, more of sorrow than
of resentment, and his delight was unfeigned when, in the autumn of
1711, his friend was once more reconciled to him, and once more wrote
to him and spoke of him in terms of the warmest affection. Cromwell,
from whose correspondence with Pope we derive our information regarding
this second reconciliation narrates the following pleasant incident.

"Mr. Wycherley came to town on Sunday last, and, kindly surprised me
with a visit on Monday morning. We dined and drank together; and I
saying, 'To our loves,' he replied, 'It is Mr. Pope's health.'" On
these terms we leave them. Their correspondence of this date has not
been made public, nor do we know if malice or misunderstanding again
destroyed the concord thus happily re-established. Pope's letters to
Cromwell, moreover, cease about this time, and those which he addressed
to others contain no further mention of Wycherley, until in January
1716, he describes to Mr. Blount the closing scene of the life of "that
eminent comic poet, and our friend."

In after years, speaking of Wycherley, Pope said: "We were pretty well
together to the last: only his memory was so totally bad, that he did
not remember a kindness done to him, even from minute to minute. He was
peevish, too, latterly; so that sometimes we were out a little, and
sometimes in. He never did an unjust thing to me in his whole life; and
I went to see him on his death-bed."[6]

One more of his contemporaries I propose to bring forward as a witness
to our author's character. George Granville, Baron Lansdowne, to
the ordinary qualifications of an accomplished gentleman added some
pretensions, not altogether contemptible, to the rank of a minor poet.
He was the author of a vast number of elegantly written verses (usually
addressed to "Mira"), of a tragedy (_Heroic Love_) commended by Dryden,
and of an amusing comedy (_Once a Lover and always a Lover_) of the
school of Wycherley and Congreve. In the second volume of his collected
works is to be found an epistle in which he remarks, with some
minuteness, upon the character and disposition of his friend Wycherley.

This letter is not dated, but, from internal evidence, must have been
written about the year 1705 or 1706. Lansdowne sets out with declaring
that his partiality to Wycherley as a friend might render what he
says of him suspected, "if his Merit was not so well and so publickly
established as to set him above Flattery. To do him barely Justice,"
he continues, "is an Undertaking beyond my Skill." Further he writes:
"As pointed and severe as he is in his Writings, in his Temper he has
all the Softness of the tenderest Disposition; gentle and inoffensive
to every Man in his particular Character; he only attacks Vice as a
publick Enemy, compassionating the Wound he is under a Necessity to
probe." Yet, "in my Friend every Syllable, every Thought is masculine;"
and it was, questionless, from this particularity that he acquired
the sobriquet (alluding, at the same time, to _The Plain Dealer_) of
_Manly_ Wycherley. Of our Plain Dealer as a poet Lansdowne candidly
confesses--"It is certain he is no Master of Numbers; but a Diamond is
not less a Diamond for not being polish'd." And then, addressing his
correspondent: "Congreve," he writes, "is your familiar Acquaintance,
you may judge of Wycherley by him: they have the same manly way
of Thinking and Writing, the same Candour, Modesty, Humanity, and
Integrity of Manners: It is impossible not to love them for their
own Sakes, abstracted from the Merit of their Works." In conclusion
Lansdowne invites his correspondent to his lodging, to meet Wycherley,
as well as "a young Poet, newly inspired," whose "Name is Pope,"
who "is not above seventeen or eighteen years of age, and promises
Miracles," and whom Wycherley and Walsh "have taken under their Wing."

The foregoing testimonies are, I venture to think, sufficiently
explicit. Johnson, indeed, supposes Wycherley to have been "esteemed
without virtue, and caressed without good-humour," but a statement so
obviously self-contradictory deserves no consideration. One thing is
clear: that Wycherley was both beloved and honoured by men whose temper
and capacity give irrefragable authority to their judgment, and that
judgment, based, as it was upon personal and intimate acquaintance, it
were presumption to dispute.

The present text is that of the first editions, which I have carefully
collated with, and occasionally corrected by, the text of the edition
of 1713 (the last published during the author's life), and that of
Leigh Hunt's edition of 1849. I have usually followed the punctuation
of Leigh Hunt, who was the first to punctuate the plays accurately.

WM. C. WARD.




_WILLIAM WYCHERLEY._[7]


William Wycherley was born in 1640. He was the son of a Shropshire
gentleman of old family,[8] and of what was then accounted a good
estate. The property was estimated at £600 a year, a fortune which,
among the fortunes at that time, probably ranked as a fortune of £2,000
a year would rank in our days.

William was an infant when the civil war broke out; and, while he was
still in his rudiments, a Presbyterian hierarchy and a republican
government were established on the ruins of the ancient church and
throne. Old Mr. Wycherley was attached to the royal cause, and was not
disposed to intrust the education of his heir to the solemn Puritans
who now ruled the universities and the public schools. Accordingly,
the young gentleman was sent at fifteen to France. He resided some
time in the neighbourhood of the Duke of Montausier, chief of one of
the noblest families of Touraine. The Duke's wife, a daughter of the
house of Rambouillet, was a finished specimen of those talents and
accomplishments for which her house was celebrated. The young foreigner
was introduced to the splendid circle which surrounded the duchess,
and there he appears to have learned some good and some evil. In a few
years he returned to this country a fine gentleman and a Papist. His
conversion, it may safely be affirmed, was the effect not of any strong
impression on his understanding or feelings, but partly of intercourse
with an agreeable society in which the Church of Rome was the fashion,
and partly of that aversion to Calvinistic austerities which was then
almost universal amongst young Englishmen of parts and spirit, and
which, at one time, seemed likely to make one half of them Catholics
and the other half Atheists.

But the Restoration came. The universities were again in loyal
hands, and there was reason to hope that there would be again a
national church fit for a gentleman. Wycherley became a member of
Queen's College, Oxford, and abjured the errors of the Church of
Rome. The somewhat equivocal glory of turning, for a short time, a
good-for-nothing Papist into a very good-for-nothing Protestant is
ascribed to Bishop Barlow.

Wycherley left Oxford without taking a degree, and entered at the
Temple, where he lived gaily for some years, observing the humours of
the town, enjoying its pleasures and picking up just as much law as
was necessary to make the character of a pettifogging attorney or of a
litigious client entertaining in a comedy.

From an early age, he had been in the habit of amusing himself by
writing. Some wretched lines of his on the Restoration are still
extant. Had he devoted himself to the making of verses, he would have
been nearly as far below Tate and Blackmore as Tate and Blackmore
are below Dryden. His only chance for renown would have been that he
might have occupied a niche in a satire between Flecknoe and Settle.
There was, however, another kind of composition in which his talents
and acquirements qualified him to succeed; and to that he judiciously
betook himself.

In his old age he used to say that he wrote _Love in a Wood_ at
nineteen, _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ at twenty-one, the _Plain
Dealer_ at twenty-five, and _The Country Wife_ at one or two and
thirty. We are incredulous, we own, as to the truth of this story.
Nothing that we know of Wycherley leads us to think him incapable of
sacrificing truth to vanity. And his memory in the decline of his life
played him such strange tricks that we might question the correctness
of his assertion without throwing any imputation on his veracity. It
is certain that none of his plays was acted till 1672,[9] when he gave
_Love in a Wood_ to the public. It seems improbable that he should
resolve, on so important an occasion as that of a first appearance
before the world, to run his chance with a feeble piece, written
before his talents were ripe, before his style was formed, before he
had looked abroad into the world; and this when he had actually in
his desk two highly finished plays, the fruit of his matured powers.
When we look minutely at the pieces themselves, we find in every part
of them reason to suspect the accuracy of Wycherley's statement. In
the first scene of _Love in a Wood_, to go no further, we find many
passages which he could not have written when he was nineteen. There
is an allusion to gentlemen's periwigs, which first came into fashion
in 1663; an allusion to guineas, which were first struck in 1663;
an allusion to the vests which Charles ordered to be worn at court
in 1666; an allusion to the fire of 1666; and several allusions to
political and ecclesiastical affairs which must be assigned to times
later than the year of the Restoration--to times when the government
and the city were opposed to each other, and when the Presbyterian
ministers had been driven from the parish churches to the conventicles.
But it is needless to dwell on particular expressions. The whole air
and spirit of the piece belong to a period subsequent to that mentioned
by Wycherley. As to _The Plain Dealer_, which is said to have been
written when he was twenty-five, it contains one scene unquestionably
written after 1675, several which are later than 1668, and scarcely a
line which can have been composed before the end of 1666.

Whatever may have been the age at which Wycherley composed his plays,
it is certain that he did not bring them before the public till he
was upwards of thirty. In 1672, _Love in a Wood_ was acted with more
success than it deserved, and this event produced a great change
in the fortunes of the author. The Duchess of Cleveland cast her
eyes upon him and was pleased with his appearance. This abandoned
woman, not content with her complaisant husband and her royal keeper,
lavished her fondness on a crowd of paramours of all ranks, from dukes
to rope-dancers. In the time of the Commonwealth she commenced her
career of gallantry, and terminated it under Anne, by marrying, when
a great grandmother, that worthless fop, Beau Fielding. It is not
strange that she should have regarded Wycherley with favour. His figure
was commanding, his countenance strikingly handsome, his look and
deportment full of grace and dignity. He had, as Pope said long after,
"the true nobleman look," the look which seems to indicate superiority,
and a not unbecoming consciousness of superiority. His hair indeed, as
he says in one of his poems, was prematurely grey. But in that age of
periwigs this misfortune was of little importance.

The Duchess admired him, and proceeded to make love to him after
the fashion of the coarse-minded and shameless circle to which she
belonged. In the Ring, when the crowd of beauties and fine gentlemen
was thickest, she put her head out of her coach-window and bawled to
him--"Sir, you are a rascal; you are a villain;" and, if she is not
belied, she added another phrase of abuse which we will not quote, but
of which we may say that it might most justly have been applied to her
own children. Wycherley called on her Grace the next day, and with
great humility begged to know in what way he had been so unfortunate
as to disoblige her.[10] Thus began an intimacy from which the poet
probably expected wealth and honours. Nor were such expectations
unreasonable. A handsome young fellow about the court, known by the
name of Jack Churchill was, about the same time, so lucky as to become
the object of a short-lived fancy of the Duchess. She had presented
him with £4,500, the price, in all probability, of some title or some
pardon. The prudent youth had lent the money on high interest and on
landed security; and this judicious investment was the beginning of the
most splendid private fortune in Europe. Wycherley was not so lucky.
The partiality with which the great lady regarded him was indeed the
talk of the whole town; and, sixty years later, old men who remembered
those days told Voltaire that she often stole from the court to her
lover's chambers in the Temple, disguised like a country girl, with a
straw hat on her head, pattens on her feet and a basket in her hand.[11]

The poet was indeed too happy and proud to be discreet. He dedicated
to the Duchess the play which had led to their acquaintance, and in
the dedication expressed himself in terms which could not but confirm
the reports which had gone abroad. But at Whitehall such an affair
was regarded in no serious light. The lady was not afraid to bring
Wycherley to court and to introduce him to a splendid society, with
which, as far as appears, he had never before mixed. The easy king,
who allowed to his mistresses the same liberty which he claimed for
himself, was pleased with the conversation and manners of his new
rival. So high did Wycherley stand in the royal favour that once, when
he was confined by a fever to his lodgings in Bow Street, Charles,
who, with all his faults, was certainly a man of social and affable
disposition, called on him, sat by his bed, advised him to try a change
of air, and gave him a handsome sum of money to defray the expenses of
a journey.[12] Buckingham, then Master of the Horse and one of that
infamous ministry known by the name of the Cabal, had been one of the
Duchess's innumerable paramours. He at first showed some symptoms of
jealousy, but he soon, after his fashion, veered round from anger to
fondness, and gave Wycherley a commission in his own regiment and a
place in the royal household.

It would be unjust to Wycherley's memory not to mention here the only
good action, as far as we know, of his whole life. He is said to have
made great exertions to obtain the patronage of Buckingham for the
illustrious author of _Hudibras_, who was now sinking into an obscure
grave, neglected by a nation proud of his genius and by a court which
he had served too well. His grace consented to see poor Butler; and an
appointment was made. But unhappily two pretty women passed by; the
volatile Duke ran after them; the opportunity was lost and could never
be regained.

The second Dutch war, the most disgraceful war in the whole history
of England, was now raging. It was not in that age considered as by
any means necessary that a naval officer should receive a professional
education. Young men of rank, who were hardly able to keep their
feet in a breeze, served on board the King's ships, sometimes with
commissions and sometimes as volunteers. Mulgrave, Dorset, Rochester,
and many others left the playhouses and the Mall for hammocks and salt
pork; and, ignorant as they were of the rudiments of naval service,
showed, at least, on the day of battle, the courage which is seldom
wanting in an English gentleman. All good judges of maritime affairs
complained that, under this system, the ships were grossly mismanaged,
and that the tarpaulins contracted the vices, without acquiring the
graces, of the court. But on this subject, as on every other, the
government of Charles was deaf to all remonstrances where the interests
or whims of favourites were concerned. Wycherley did not choose to
be out of the fashion. He embarked, was present at a battle, and
celebrated it, on his return, in a copy of verses too bad for the
bellman.[13]

About the same time he brought on the stage his second piece, _The
Gentleman Dancing-Master_. The biographers say nothing, as far as we
remember, about the fate of this play. There is, however, reason to
believe that, though certainly far superior to _Love in a Wood_, it
was not equally successful. It was first tried at the west end of the
town, and, as the poet confessed, "would scarce do there." It was then
performed in Salisbury Court, but, as it should seem, with no better
event. For, in the prologue to _The Country Wife_, Wycherley described
himself as "the late so baffled scribbler."

In 1675, _The Country Wife_ was performed with brilliant success,
which, in a literary point of view, was not wholly unmerited. For,
though one of the most profligate and heartless of human compositions,
it is the elaborate production of a mind, not indeed rich, original
or imaginative, but ingenious, observant, quick to seize hints, and
patient of the toil of polishing.

_The Plain Dealer_, equally immoral and equally well written, appeared
in 1677. At first this piece pleased the people less than the critics;
but after a time its unquestionable merits and the zealous support of
Lord Dorset, whose influence in literary and fashionable society was
unbounded, established it in the public favour.

The fortune of Wycherley was now in the zenith and began to decline. A
long life was still before him. But it was destined to be filled with
nothing but shame and wretchedness, domestic dissensions, literary
failures and pecuniary embarrassments.

The King, who was looking about for an accomplished man to conduct the
education of his natural son, the young Duke of Richmond, at length
fixed on Wycherley. The poet, exulting in his good luck, went down to
amuse himself at Tunbridge, looked into a bookseller's shop on the
Pantiles, and, to his great delight, heard a handsome woman ask for
_The Plain Dealer_, which had just been published. He made acquaintance
with the lady, who proved to be the Countess of Drogheda, a gay young
widow with an ample jointure. She was charmed with his person and
his wit, and after a short flirtation, agreed to become his wife.
Wycherley seems to have been apprehensive that this connection might
not suit well with the King's plans respecting the Duke of Richmond. He
accordingly prevailed on the lady to consent to a private marriage. All
came out. Charles thought the conduct of Wycherley both disrespectful
and disingenuous. Other causes probably assisted to alienate the
sovereign from the subject who had lately been so highly favoured.
Buckingham was now in opposition and had been committed to the Tower;
not, as Mr. Leigh Hunt supposes, on a charge of treason, but by an
order of the House of Lords for some expressions which he had used in
debate. Wycherley wrote some bad lines in praise of his imprisoned
patron, which, if they came to the knowledge of the King, would
certainly have made his majesty very angry. The favour of the court
was completely withdrawn from the poet. An amiable woman with a large
fortune might indeed have been an ample compensation for the loss. But
Lady Drogheda was ill-tempered, imperious and extravagantly jealous.
She had herself been a maid of honour at Whitehall. She well knew in
what estimation conjugal fidelity was held among the fine gentlemen
there, and watched her town husband as assiduously as Mr. Pinchwife
watched his country wife. The unfortunate wit was, indeed, allowed to
meet his friends at a tavern opposite to his own house. But on such
occasions the windows were always open, in order that her ladyship, who
was posted on the other side of the street, might be satisfied that no
woman was of the party.

The death of Lady Drogheda released the poet from this distress; but
a series of disasters in rapid succession broke down his health, his
spirits and his fortune. His wife meant to leave him a good property
and left him only a lawsuit. His father could not or would not assist
him. He was at length thrown into the Fleet, and languished there
during seven years, utterly forgotten, as it should seem, by the gay
and lively circle of which he had been a distinguished ornament. In
the extremity of his distress, he implored the publisher who had been
enriched by the sale of his works to lend him twenty pounds, and was
refused. His comedies, however, still kept the stage and drew great
audiences, which troubled themselves little about the situation of
the author. At length, James the Second, who had now succeeded to
the throne, happened to go to the theatre on an evening when _The
Plain Dealer_ was acted. He was pleased with the performance, and
touched by the fate of the writer, whom he probably remembered as one
of the gayest and handsomest of his brother's courtiers. The King
determined to pay Wycherley's debts and to settle on the unfortunate
poet a pension of £200 a-year. This munificence on the part of a
prince who was little in the habit of rewarding literary merit, and
whose whole soul was devoted to the interests of his Church, raises
in us a surmise which Mr. Leigh Hunt will, we fear, pronounce very
uncharitable. We cannot help suspecting that it was at this time that
Wycherley returned to the communion of the Church of Rome.[14] That he
did return to the communion of the Church of Rome is certain. The date
of his reconversion, as far as we know, has never been mentioned by
any biographer. We believe that, if we place it at this time, we do no
injustice to the character either of Wycherley or James.

Not long after, old Mr. Wycherley died; and his son, now past the
middle of life, came to the family estate. Still, however, he was
not at his ease. His embarrassments were great; his property was
strictly tied up; and he was on very bad terms with the heir-at-law.
He appears to have led, during a long course of years, that most
wretched life, the life of an old boy about town. Expensive tastes
with little money and licentious appetites with declining vigour, were
the just penance for his early irregularities. A severe illness had
produced a singular effect on his intellect. His memory played him
pranks stranger than almost any that are to be found in the history
of that strange faculty.[15] It seemed to be at once preternaturally
strong and preternaturally weak. If a book was read to him before he
went to bed, he would wake the next morning with his mind full of the
thoughts and expressions which he had heard over night; and he would
write them down, without in the least suspecting that they were not his
own. In his verses the same ideas, and even the same words, came over
and over again several times in a short composition. His fine person
bore the marks of age, sickness and sorrow; and he mourned for his
departed beauty with an effeminate regret. He could not look without
a sigh at the portrait which Lely had painted of him when he was only
twenty-eight, and often murmured, _Quantum mutatus ab illo_.

He was still nervously anxious about his literary reputation, and, not
content with the fame which he still possessed as a dramatist, was
determined to be renowned as a satirist and an amatory poet. In 1704,
after twenty-seven years of silence, he again appeared as an author.
He put forth a large folio of miscellaneous verses, which, we believe,
has never been reprinted. Some of these pieces had probably circulated
through the town in manuscript. For, before the volume appeared, the
critics at the coffee-houses very confidently predicted that it would
be utterly worthless, and were in consequence bitterly reviled by the
poet in an ill-written foolish and egotistical preface. The book amply
vindicated the most unfavourable prophecies that had been hazarded.
The style and versification are beneath criticism; the morals are
those of Rochester. For Rochester, indeed, there was some excuse. When
his offences against decorum were committed, he was a very young man,
misled by a prevailing fashion. Wycherley was sixty-four. He had long
outlived the times when libertinism was regarded as essential to the
character of a wit and a gentleman. Most of the rising poets, Addison,
for example, John Philips and Rowe, were studious of decency. We can
hardly conceive anything more miserable than the figure which the
ribald old man makes in the midst of so many sober and well-conducted
youths.

In the very year in which this bulky volume of obscene doggerel was
published, Wycherley formed an acquaintance of a very singular kind.
A little, pale, crooked, sickly, bright-eyed urchin, just turned of
sixteen, had written some copies of verses in which discerning judges
could detect the promise of future eminence. There was, indeed, as
yet nothing very striking or original in the conceptions of the young
poet. But he was already skilled in the art of metrical composition.
His diction and his music were not those of the great old masters; but
that which his ablest contemporaries were labouring to do he already
did best. His style was not richly poetical; but it was always neat,
compact and pointed. His verse wanted variety of pause, of swell and
of cadence, but never grated harshly on the ear or disappointed it by
a feeble close. The youth was already free of the company of wits, and
was greatly elated at being introduced to the author of _The Plain
Dealer_ and _The Country Wife_.

It is curious to trace the history of the intercourse which took place
between Wycherley and Pope--between the representative of the age
that was going out and the representative of the age that was coming
in--between the friend of Rochester and Buckingham and the friend of
Lyttleton and Mansfield. At first the boy was enchanted by the kindness
and condescension of his new friend, haunted his door and followed him
about like a spaniel from coffee-house to coffee-house. Letters full
of affection, humility and fulsome flattery were interchanged between
the friends. But the first ardour of affection could not last. Pope,
though at no time scrupulously delicate in his writings or fastidious
as to the morals of his associates, was shocked[16] by the indecency of
a rake who, at seventy, was still the representative of the monstrous
profligacy of the Restoration. As the youth grew older, as his mind
expanded and his fame rose, he appreciated both himself and Wycherley
more correctly. He felt a well-founded contempt for the old gentleman's
verses, and was at no great pains to conceal his opinion. Wycherley,
on the other hand, though blinded by self-love to the imperfections
of what he called his poetry, could not but see that there was an
immense difference between his young companion's rhymes and his own.
He was divided between two feelings. He wished to have the assistance
of so skilful a hand to polish his lines; and yet he shrank from the
humiliation of being beholden for literary assistance to a lad who
might have been his grandson.

Pope was willing to give assistance, but was by no means disposed to
give assistance and flattery too. He took the trouble to retouch whole
reams of feeble, stumbling verses, and inserted many vigorous lines,
which the least skilful reader will distinguish in an instant. But he
thought that by these services he acquired a right to express himself
in terms which would not, under ordinary circumstances, become one who
was addressing a man of four times his age. In one letter, he tells
Wycherley that "the worst pieces are such as, to render them very good,
would require almost the entire new writing of them." In another, he
gives the following account of his corrections: "Though the whole be as
short again as at first, there is not one thought omitted but what is
a repetition of something in your first volume or in this very paper;
and the versification throughout is, I believe, such as nobody can be
shocked at. The repeated permission you give me of dealing freely with
you, will, I hope, excuse what I have done; for, if I have not spared
you when I thought severity would do you a kindness, I have not mangled
you when I thought there was no absolute need of amputation."

Wycherley continued to return thanks for all this hacking and hewing,
which was, indeed, of inestimable service to his composition. But by
degrees his thanks began to sound very like reproaches. In private,
he is said to have described Pope as a person who could not cut out a
suit, but who had some skill in turning old coats.[17] In his letters
to Pope, while he acknowledged that the versification of the poems
had been greatly improved, he spoke of the whole art of versification
with scorn, and sneered at those who preferred sound to sense. Pope
revenged himself for this outbreak of spleen by return of post. He had
in his hands a volume of Wycherley's rhymes, and he wrote to say that
this volume was so full of faults that he could not correct it without
completely defacing the manuscript. "I am," he said, "equally afraid
of sparing you and of offending you by too impudent a correction."
This was more than flesh and blood could bear. Wycherley reclaimed his
papers in a letter in which resentment shows itself plainly through
the thin disguise of civility. Pope, glad to be rid of a troublesome
and inglorious task, sent back the deposit, and, by way of a parting
courtesy, advised the old man to turn his poetry into prose, and
assured him that the public would like his thoughts much better without
his versification. Thus ended this memorable correspondence.

Wycherley lived some years after the termination of the strange
friendship which we have described.[18] The last scene of his life
was, perhaps, the most scandalous. Ten days before his death, at
seventy-five, he married a young girl, merely in order to injure his
nephew, an act which proves that neither years nor adversity, nor
what he called his philosophy, nor either of the religions which he
had at different times professed, had taught him the rudiments of
morality.[19] He died in December, 1715, and lies in the vault under
the church of St. Paul in Covent Garden.

His bride soon after married a Captain Shrimpton, who thus became
possessed of a large collection of manuscripts. These were sold to a
bookseller. They were so full of erasures and interlineations that no
printer could decipher them. It was necessary to call in the aid of a
professed critic; and Theobald, the editor of Shakespeare and the hero
of the first _Dunciad_, was employed to ascertain the true reading. In
this way, a volume of miscellanies in verse and prose was got up for
the market. The collection derives all its value from the traces of
Pope's hand, which are everywhere discernible.

Of the moral character of Wycherley it can hardly be necessary for us
to say more. His fame as a writer rests wholly on his comedies, and
chiefly on the last two. Even as a comic writer, he was neither of
the best school, nor highest in his school. He was in truth a worst
Congreve. His chief merit, like Congreve's, lies in the style of his
dialogue. But the wit which lights up _The Plain Dealer_ and _The
Country Wife_ is pale and flickering when compared with the gorgeous
blaze which dazzles us almost to blindness in _Love for Love_ and _The
Way of the World_. Like Congreve, and, indeed, even more than Congreve,
Wycherley is ready to sacrifice dramatic propriety to the liveliness
of his dialogue. The poet speaks out of the mouths of all his dunces
and coxcombs, and makes them describe themselves with a good sense
and acuteness which puts them on a level with the wits and heroes.
We will give two instances, the first which occur to us, from _The
Country Wife_. There are in the world fools who find the society of old
friends insipid and who are always running after new companions. Such a
character is a fair subject for comedy. But nothing can be more absurd
than to introduce a man of this sort saying to his comrade, "I can deny
you nothing: for though I have known thee a great while, never go if I
do not love thee as well as a new acquaintance." That town-wits again,
have always been rather a heartless class, is true. But none of them,
we will answer for it, ever said to a young lady to whom he was making
love, "We wits rail and make love often but to show our parts: as we
have no affections, so we have no malice."[20]

Wycherley's plays are said to have been the produce of long and patient
labour. The epithet of "slow" was early given to him by Rochester,
and was frequently repeated.[21] In truth, his mind, unless we are
greatly mistaken, was naturally a very meagre soil, and was forced
only by great labour and outlay to bear fruit which, after all, was
not of the highest flavour. He has scarcely more claim to originality
than Terence. It is not too much to say that there is hardly anything
of the least value in his plays of which the hint is not to be found
elsewhere. The best scenes in _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ were
suggested by Calderon's _Maestro de Danzar_, not by any means one of
the happiest comedies of the great Castilian poet. _The Country Wife_
is borrowed from the _Ecole des Maris_ and the _Ecole des Femmes_. The
groundwork of _The Plain Dealer_ is taken from the _Misanthrope_ of
Molière. One whole scene is almost translated from the _Critique de
l'Ecole des Femmes._[22] Fidelia is Shakespeare's Viola stolen, and
marred in the stealing: and the widow Blackacre, beyond comparison
Wycherley's best comic character, is the Countess in Racine's
_Plaideurs_, talking the jargon of English instead of that of French
chicane.

The only thing original about Wycherley, the only thing which he could
furnish from his own mind in inexhaustible abundance, was profligacy.
It is curious to observe how everything that he touched, however pure
and noble, took in an instant the colour of his own mind. Compare
the _Ecole des Femmes_ with _The Country Wife_. Agnes is a simple
and amiable girl, whose heart is indeed full of love, but of love
sanctioned by honour, morality and religion. Her natural talents are
great. They have been hidden and, as it might appear, destroyed by
an education elaborately bad. But they are called forth into full
energy by a virtuous passion. Her lover, while he adores her beauty,
is too honest a man to abuse the confiding tenderness of a creature so
charming and inexperienced. Wycherley takes this plot into his hands;
and forthwith this sweet and graceful courtship becomes a licentious
intrigue of the lowest and least sentimental kind, between an impudent
London rake and the idiot wife of a country squire. We will not go
into details. In truth, Wycherley's indecency is protected against
the critics as a skunk is protected against the hunters. It is safe,
because it is too filthy to handle and too noisome even to approach.

It is the same with _The Plain Dealer_. How careful has Shakespeare
been in _Twelfth Night_ to preserve the dignity and delicacy of Viola
under her disguise! Even when wearing a page's doublet and hose, she
is never mixed up with any transaction which the most fastidious mind
could regard as leaving a stain on her. She is employed by the Duke on
an embassy of love to Olivia, but on an embassy of the most honourable
kind. Wycherley borrows Viola--and Viola forthwith becomes a pander of
the basest sort. But the character of Manly is the best illustration of
our meaning. Molière exhibited in his misanthrope a pure and noble mind
which had been sorely vexed by the sight of perfidy and malevolence
disguised under the forms of politeness. As every extreme naturally
generates its contrary, Alceste adopts a standard of good and evil
directly opposed to that of the society which surrounds him. Courtesy
seems to him a vice; and those stern virtues which are neglected by the
fops and coquettes of Paris become too exclusively the objects of his
veneration. He is often to blame; he is often ridiculous: but he is
always a good man; and the feeling which he inspires is regret that a
person so estimable should be so unamiable. Wycherley borrowed Alceste,
and turned him--we quote the words of so lenient a critic as Mr. Leigh
Hunt--into "a ferocious sensualist, who believed himself as great a
rascal as he thought everybody else." The surliness of Molière's hero
is copied and caricatured. But the most nauseous libertinism and the
most dastardly fraud are substituted for the purity and integrity of
the original. And, to make the whole complete, Wycherley does not
seem to have been aware that he was not drawing the portrait of an
eminently honest man. So depraved was his moral taste, that, while he
firmly believed that he was producing a picture of virtue too exalted
for the commerce of this world, he was really delineating the greatest
rascal that is to be found even in his own writings.




_LOVE IN A WOOD; OR ST. JAMES'S PARK._

  ----Excludit sanos Helicone poetas
  Democritus.[23]--HORAT.


Wycherley informed Pope that he wrote his first comedy. _Love in a
Wood_, at the age of nineteen--_i.e._ in the year 1659-60. If this
statement be accurate, the play must have undergone very considerable
alterations previous to its production on the stage; for not only
do we discover in it occasional allusions to events of later years,
but the whole piece displays an intimate acquaintance with life in
the metropolis scarcely commensurate with the opportunities of a
youth who, from the age of fifteen, when he was sent into France,
to that of twenty, when he became a student at Oxford, can have
passed but a few weeks, at the most, in London. From the _Biographia
Britannica_ we learn that Wycherley returned from France shortly
before the Restoration; from Wood's _Athenæ Oxonienses_ that he became
a fellow commoner of Queen's College, Oxford, also "a little before
the Restoration of Charles II., but wore not a gown, only lived in
the provost's lodgings," and "was entered in the public library (the
Bodleian) under the title of philosophiæ studiosus in July, 1660."
In the _Fasti Oxonienses_, however, the following entry occurs under
the year 1660: "In the month of July this year Will. Wicherley became
sojourner in Oxon for the sake of the public library." We are at
liberty, therefore, to conclude that between the date of his return to
England and the following July, part, at least, of our author's time
may have been spent in London, where he may possibly have composed
the first draught of his comedy, and where, at all events, his quick
observation would furnish him with material sufficient for a first
draught.

The year 1672 has been universally determined as that of the first
performance of _Love in a Wood_; I believe, nevertheless, incorrectly.
We are as certain as we can be, in the absence of direct evidence, that
Wycherley's second play, _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_, was first
brought upon the stage in 1671.[24] Now there is little doubt that _The
Gentleman Dancing-Master_ had been preceded by _Love in a Wood_, for
not only do the authorities generally concur in assigning an earlier
date to the production of the latter play, but Wycherley, in dedicating
it to the Duchess of Cleveland, refers pointedly to himself as a "new
author." Further in the dedication we find that her Grace had honoured
the poet by going to see his comedy twice together, _during Lent_, and
had been pleased, thereupon, to command from him a copy of the play,
with which he takes occasion to offer the dedicatory epistle. These
were not the days of long runs, even for the most successful dramas,
nor are we likely to err in assuming that the Duchess was present at an
early performance of the piece which she distinguished with her favour;
or that Wycherley prefixed her title to a comedy newly brought upon
the stage, rather than to one which had already been for some time the
property of the public, and which had been revived, as must then have
been the case, before the Duchess had seen it. Note, also, that the
dedication is addressed to the Duchess of Cleveland by that title. In
Lent, 1670, Barbara Palmer was Countess of Castlemaine: she was created
Duchess of Cleveland on the 3rd of August in the same year. Considering
then that the piece was certainly performed during Lent, that it cannot
have been produced later than 1671, and that the Duchess to whom it
was inscribed enjoyed not that title until the autumn of 1670, we may
conclude, with tolerable security, that the first performance of _Love
in a Wood_ took place some time during the spring of 1671.

Genest indeed, supposes it to have been brought out by the King's
Company after their removal to the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.[25]
Their own house in Drury Lane having been destroyed by fire in January,
1672, they opened, on the 26th of February following, the Lincoln's
Inn Fields Theatre, which had been untenanted since the migration of
the Duke's Company to Dorset Gardens in the preceding November, with
a representation of Beaumont and Fletcher's _Wit without Money_. This
was succeeded, in order, by _Arviragus and Philicia_ and Dryden's
_Marriage à la Mode_, after which, Genest thinks, _Love in a Wood_ was
produced. But, on this supposition, the first performance of _Love
in a Wood_ must have taken place later than that of _The Gentleman
Dancing-Master_, and in that case it seems hardly probable that
Wycherley should describe himself as a _new_ author in the dedication
to the former play. Moreover, the prologue to Wycherley's third
comedy, _The Country Wife_, contains a distinct allusion to the recent
ill-fortune of _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_, which we can scarcely
suppose the author would have thus referred to, had a successful play
of his been produced in the interval, and that by the same company
which brought forward _The Country Wife_. In fact, the only argument
which I can conceive it possible to adduce in support of Genest must be
based upon a conjecture that not only _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_,
but _Love in a Wood_ also, had failed to win the favour of the public,
and that it is the latter play to which allusion is intended in the
prologue to _The Country Wife_. That _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_
proved a failure is certain; that _Love in a Wood_ succeeded, we have
no direct evidence, but of circumstantial sufficient, I think, to prove
the point. The general assumption in its favour we may pass; but the
whole tone of the dedication, though it afford us no information, in
so many words, as to the fate of the piece, forbids us to believe that
it can have been indited by the "baffled scribbler" of a condemned
comedy. Indeed, had the piece thus failed, it is quite inconceivable
that Wycherley would have had the temerity to offer it to the Duchess;
he would rather have sent it into the world silently, and without the
flourish of a dedication, as was actually the case with _The Gentleman
Dancing-Master_. Dennis, moreover, declares expressly that _Love in a
Wood_ brought its author acquainted with the wits of the Court, and we
may question whether the reputation of an unprosperous playwright would
have proved the surest passport to their intimacy.

The reasons for rejecting the date of 1672 thus recounted, there
remains but to notice one inconsiderable particular, which, could we
allow it consequence, would tend to determine the production of _Love
in a Wood_ at a yet earlier date than that to which I have assigned
it. In a conversation with the Duchess, immediately after her visit to
his play, Wycherley, as reported by Dennis, continually addresses her
Grace by the title of "your Ladyship." I doubt not, however, that this
is a mere slip on the part of Dennis, nor can we easily imagine that
Wycherley deferred, until the autumn, the presentation of his play to a
lady who had "commanded" it of him, with such distinguishing marks of
favour, in the preceding spring.

_Love in a Wood_, then, was produced by the King's company, during the
spring of 1671, at the Theatre Royal, in Drury Lane. Some of the first
actors of the day took part in the performances. Hart, who in tragedy
yielded the palm to Betterton alone, appeared as Ranger, Mohun as
Dapperwit; Lacy the comedian, soon afterwards "creator" of Bayes, as
Alderman Gripe; and Kinaston, who in his youth, before women trod the
boards, had been famous in female parts, now, changing sides, enacted
the jealous lover, Valentine. The rôle of Lady Flippant was taken by an
actress well known to us from the pages of Pepys--his favourite Mrs.
Knipp, "a merry jade!"

Upon the whole this play must be owned inferior to Wycherley's
other dramas. It is excelled in unity of action by _The Gentleman
Dancing-Master_, in richness of humour by _The Country Wife_, in
strength of satire by _The Plain Dealer_. Nevertheless, it is a
highly diverting, witty comedy, and strikingly superior to most of
the new plays which, since the Restoration, had preceded it upon the
stage. Some critics would have us believe that Wycherley derived the
suggestion of this play from Sir Charles Sedley's comedy of _The
Mulberry Garden_. It is difficult to understand upon what grounds
this assertion is based. In the first place, although _The Mulberry
Garden_ was produced on the stage in 1668, nearly three years earlier
than _Love in a Wood_, it is exceedingly doubtful if it were earlier
written. Indeed, if Wycherley may be credited as to the year in which
his own play was composed, the question of priority is easily settled,
for _The Mulberry Garden_ cannot have been written until after the
Restoration, as its dénouement turns upon the proclamation of the King
by General Monk. Moreover, it is hardly possible that Wycherley should
have known anything of Sedley's play before its public representation,
as he seems not to have been acquainted with Sedley himself until after
the production of his own drama, so that our acceptance of the theory
that he borrowed from Sedley the hint of _Love in a Wood_ would involve
the unwarrantable conclusion that he also, in conversation with Pope,
antedated its composition by at least eight years. But further, the
only considerable point of resemblance between the two plays appears
to be that while in Wycherley's part of the action takes place in St.
James's Park, in Sedley's one of the scenes is laid in the Mulberry
Garden, which was certainly very near to St. James's Park, being,
in fact, situated at its western extremity. If the reader choose to
consider this remarkable coincidence sufficient to justify a charge
of plagiarism against Wycherley, I have nothing more to urge in his
defence.

_Love in a Wood_ was registered at Stationers' Hall on the 6th of
October, 1671, and was published in the following year.




TO HER GRACE
THE DUCHESS OF CLEVELAND.


Madam,

All authors whatever in their dedication are poets; but I am now to
write to a lady who stands as little in need of flattery, as her beauty
of art; otherwise I should prove as ill a poet to her in my dedication,
as to my reader in my play. I can do your Grace no honour, nor make you
more admirers than you have already; yet I can do myself the honour
to let the world know I am the greatest you have. You will pardon me,
Madam, for you know it is very hard for a new author, and poet too, to
govern his ambition: for poets, let them pass in the world ever so much
for modest, honest men, but begin praise to others which concludes in
themselves; and are like rooks, who lend people money but to win it
back again, and so leave them in debt to 'em for nothing; they offer
laurel and incense to their heroes, but wear it themselves, and perfume
themselves. This is true, Madam, upon the honest word of an author
who never yet writ dedication. Yet though I cannot lie like them, I
am as vain as they; and cannot but publicly give your Grace my humble
acknowledgments for the favours I have received from you:--this, I say,
is the poet's gratitude, which, in plain English, is only pride and
ambition; and that the world might know your Grace did me the honour
to see my play twice together. Yet, perhaps, my enviers of your favour
will suggest 'twas in Lent, and therefore for your mortification. Then,
as a jealous author, I am concerned not to have your Grace's favours
lessened, or rather my reputation; and to let them know, you were
pleased, after that, to command a copy from me of this play;--the only
way, without beauty and wit, to win a poor poet's heart.

'Tis a sign your Grace understands nothing better than obliging all the
world after the best and most proper manner. But, Madam, to be obliging
to that excess as you are (pardon me, if I tell you, out of my extreme
concern and service for your Grace) is a dangerous quality, and may
be very incommode to you; for civility makes poets as troublesome,
as charity makes beggars; and your Grace will be hereafter as much
pestered with such scurvy offerings as this, poems, panegyrics, and
the like, as you are now with petitions: and, Madam, take it from me,
no man with papers in 's hand is more dreadful than a poet; no, not a
lawyer with his declarations. Your Grace sure did not well consider
what ye did, in sending for my play: you little thought I would have
had the confidence to send you a dedication too. But, Madam, you find
I am as unreasonable, and have as little conscience, as if I had
driven the poetic trade longer than I have, and ne'er consider you had
enough of the play. But (having suffered now so severely) I beseech
your Grace, have a care for the future; take my counsel, and be (if
you can possible) as proud and ill-natured as other people of quality,
since your quiet is so much concerned, and since you have more reason
than any to value yourself:--for you have that perfection of beauty
(without thinking it so) which others of your sex but think they have;
that generosity in your actions which others of your quality have
only in their promises; that spirit, wit and judgment, and all other
qualifications which fit heroes to command, and would make any but
your Grace proud. I begin now, elevated by my subject, to write with
the emotion and fury of a poet, yet the integrity of an historian; and
I could never be weary--nay, sure this were my only way to make my
readers never weary too, though they were a more impatient generation
of people than they are. In fine, speaking thus of your Grace, I should
please all the world but you; therefore I must once observe and obey
you against my will, and say no more, than that I am,

Madam,

Your Grace's most obliged, and most humble servant,

WILLIAM WYCHERLEY.




PROLOGUE.


  Custom, which bids the thief from cart harangue
  All those that come to make and see him hang,
  Wills the damned poet (though he knows he's gone)
  To greet you ere his execution.
  Not having fear of critic 'fore his eyes,
  But still rejecting wholesome, good advice,
  He e'en is come to suffer here to-day
  For counterfeiting (as you judge) a play,
  Which is against dread Phœbus highest treason;
  Damn, damning judges, therefore, you have reason:--
  You he does mean who, for the selfsame fault,
  That damning privilege of yours have bought.
  So the huge bankers, when they needs must fail,
  Send the small brothers of their trade to jail;
  Whilst they, by breaking, gentlemen are made,
  Then, more than any, scorn poor men o' the trade.
  You hardened renegado poets, who
  Treat rhyming poets worse than Turk would do,
  But vent your heathenish rage, hang, draw, and quarter;
  His Muse will die to-day a fleering martyr;
  Since for bald jest, dull libel, or lampoon,
  There are who suffer persecution
  With the undaunted briskness of buffoon,
  And strict professors live of raillery,
  Defying porter's-lodge, or pillory.
  For those who yet write on our poet's fate,
  Should as co-sufferers commiserate:
  But he in vain their pity now would crave,
  Who for themselves, alas! no pity have,
  And their own gasping credit will not save;
  And those, much less, our criminal would spare,
  Who ne'er in rhyme transgress;--if such there are.
  Well then, who nothing hopes, need nothing fear:
  And he, before your cruel votes shall do it,
  By his despair declares himself no poet.




_DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._

Mr. RANGER,
Mr. VINCENT,
Mr. VALENTINE,
Young Gentlemen of the town.

Alderman GRIPE, seemingly precise, but a covetous,
lecherous, old Usurer of the city.

Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, a Coxcomb, always in pursuit of
women of great fortunes.

Mr. DAPPERWIT, a brisk, conceited, half-witted fellow of
the town.

Mrs. CROSSBITE'S Landlord, and his Prentices, Servants,
Waiters, and other Attendants.


CHRISTINA, VALENTINE'S Mistress.

LYDIA, RANGER'S Mistress.

Lady FLIPPANT, GRIPE'S Sister, an affected Widow in
distress for a husband, though still declaiming
against marriage.

Mrs. MARTHA, GRIPE'S Daughter.

Mrs. JOYNER, a Match-maker, or precise city bawd.

Mrs. CROSSBITE, an old cheating jill, and bawd to her
Daughter.

Miss LUCY, Mrs. CROSSBITE'S Daughter.

ISABEL, CHRISTINA'S Woman.

LEONORE, Servant to LYDIA.


SCENE--LONDON.




_LOVE IN A WOOD;
OR,
ST. JAMES'S PARK._


ACT THE FIRST.


SCENE I.--GRIPE'S _House, in the evening._

               _Enter_ Lady FLIPPANT _and_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_Lady Flip._ Not a husband to be had for money!--Come, come, I might
have been a better housewife for myself, as the world goes now, if I
had dealt for an heir with his guardian, uncle, or mother-in-law; and
you are no better than a chouse, a cheat.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I a cheat, madam!

_L. Flip._ I am out of my money, and patience too.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Do not run out of your patience, whatever you do:--'tis a
necessary virtue for a widow without a jointure, in truly.

_L. Flip._ Vile woman! though my fortune be something wasted, my
person's in good repair. If I had not depended on you, I had had a
husband before this time. When I gave you the last five pounds, did you
not promise I should be married by Christmas?

_Mrs. Joyn._ And I had kept my promise if you had co-operated.

_L. Flip._ Co-operated! what should I have done? 'Tis well known no
woman breathing could use more industry to get her a husband than I
have. Has not my husband's 'scutcheon walked as much ground as the
citizens' signs since the Fire?--that no quarter of the town might be
ignorant of the widow Flippant.

_Mrs. Joyn._ 'Tis well known, madam, indeed.

_L. Flip._ Have I not owned myself (against my stomach) the relict of a
citizen, to credit my fortune?

_Mrs. Joyn._ 'Tis confessed, madam.

_L. Flip._ Have I not constantly kept Covent-Garden church, St.
Martin's, the playhouses, Hyde Park, Mulberry garden,[26] and all the
other public marts where widows and maids are exposed?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Far be it from me to think you have an aversion to a
husband. But why, madam, have you refused so many good offers?

_L. Flip._ Good offers, Mrs. Joyner! I'll be sworn I never had an offer
since my late husband's.--If I had an offer, Mrs. Joyner!--there's the
thing, Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Then your frequent and public detestation of marriage is
thought real; and if you have had no offer, there's the thing, madam.

_L. Flip._ I cannot deny but I always rail against marriage;--which is
the widow's way to it certainly.

_Mrs. Joyn._ 'Tis the desperate way of the desperate widows, in truly.

_L. Flip._ Would you have us as tractable as the wenches that eat
oatmeal, and fooled like them too?

_Mrs Joyn._ If nobody were wiser than I, I should think, since the
widow wants the natural allurement which the virgin has, you ought to
give men all other encouragements, in truly.

_L. Flip._ Therefore, on the contrary, because the widow's fortune
(whether supposed or real) is her chiefest bait, the more chary she
seems of it, and the more she withdraws it, the more eagerly the busy
gaping fry will bite. With us widows, husbands are got like bishoprics,
by saying "No:" and I tell you, a young heir is as shy of a widow as of
a rook, to my knowledge.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I can allege nothing against your practice--but your
ill success; and indeed you must use another method with Sir Simon
Addleplot.

_L. Flip._ Will he be at your house at the hour?

_Mrs. Joyn._ He'll be there by ten:--'tis now nine. I'll warrant you he
will not fail.

_L. Flip._ I'll warrant you then I will not fail:--for 'tis more than
time I were sped.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Mr. Dapperwit has not been too busy with you, I
hope?--Your experience has taught you to prevent a mischance.

_L. Flip._ No, no, my mischance (as you call it) is greater than
that. I have but three months to reckon, ere I lie down with my port
and equipage, and must be delivered of a woman, a footman, and a
coachman:--for my coach must down, unless I can get Sir Simon to draw
with me.

_Mrs. Joyn._ He will pair with you exactly if you knew all. [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ Ah, Mrs. Joyner, nothing grieves me like the putting down
my coach! For the fine clothes, the fine lodgings,--let 'em go; for a
lodging is as unnecessary a thing to a widow that has a coach, as a
hat to a man that has a good peruke. For, as you see about town, she is
most properly at home in her coach:--she eats, and drinks, and sleeps
in her coach; and for her visits, she receives them in the playhouse.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Ay, ay, let the men keep lodgings, as you say, madam, if
they will.

  _Enter behind, at one door,_ GRIPE _and_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, _the
     latter in the dress of a_ Clerk; _at the other,_ Mrs. MARTHA.

_L. Flip._ Do you think if things had been with me as they have been,
I would ever have housed with this counter-fashion brother of mine,
(who hates a vest as much as a surplice,) to have my patches assaulted
every day at dinner, my freedom censured, and my visitants shut out of
doors?--Poor Mr. Dapperwit cannot be admitted.

_Mrs. Joyn._ He knows him too well to keep his acquaintance.

_L. Flip._ He is a censorious rigid fop, and knows nothing.

_Gripe._ So, so! [_Behind._

_Mrs. Joyn._ [_Aside._] Is he here?--[_To_ Lady FLIPPANT.] Nay, with
your pardon, madam, I must contradict you there. He is a prying
commonwealth's-man, an implacable magistrate, a sturdy pillar of his
cause, and--[_To_ GRIPE] But, oh me, is your worship so near then? if I
had thought you heard me--

_Gripe._ Why, why, Mrs. Joyner, I have said as much of myself ere now;
and without vanity, I profess.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I know your virtue is proof against vainglory; but the
truth to your face looks like flattery in your worship's servant.

_Gripe._ No, no; say what you will of me in that kind, far be it from
me to suspect you of flattery.

_Mrs. Joyn._ In truly, your worship knows yourself, and knows me, for I
am none of those--

_L. Flip._ [_Aside._] Now they are in--Mrs. Joyner, I'll go before to
your house, you'll be sure to come after me.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Immediately.--[_Exit_ Lady FLIPPANT.] But as I was saying,
I am none of those--

_Gripe._ No, Mrs. Joyner, you cannot sew pillows under folks' elbows;
you cannot hold a candle to the devil; you cannot tickle a trout to
take him; you--

_Mrs. Joyn._ Lord, how well you do know me indeed!--and you shall see I
know your worship as well. You cannot backslide from your principles;
you cannot be terrified by the laws; nor bribed to allegiance by office
or preferment; you--

_Gripe._ Hold, hold, my praise must not interrupt yours.

_Mrs. Joyn._ With your worship's pardon, in truly, I must on.

_Gripe._ I am full of your praise, and it will run over.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, sweet sir, you are--

_Gripe._ Nay, sweet Mrs. Joyner, you are--

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, good your worship, you are--[_Stops her mouth with
his handkerchief._

_Gripe._ I say you are--

_Mrs. Joyn._ I must not be rude with your worship.

_Gripe._ You are a nursing mother to the saints; through you they
gather together; through you they fructify and increase; and through
you the child cries from out of the hand-basket.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Through you virgins are married, or provided for as well;
through you the reprobate's wife is made a saint; and through you the
widow is not disconsolate, nor misses her husband.

_Gripe._ Through you--

_Mrs. Joyn._ Indeed you will put me to the blush.

_Gripe._ Blushes are badges of imperfection:--saints have no shame. You
are--are the flower of matrons, Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You are the pink of courteous aldermen.

_Gripe._ You are the muffler of secrecy.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You are the head-band of justice.

_Gripe._ Thank you, sweet Mrs. Joyner: do you think so indeed? You
are--you are the bonfire of devotion.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You are the bellows of zeal.

_Gripe._ You are the cupboard of charity.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You are the fob of liberality.

_Gripe._ You are the rivet of sanctified love or wedlock.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You are the picklock and dark-lantern of policy; and, in a
word, a conventicle of virtues.

_Gripe._ Your servant, your servant, sweet Mrs. Joyner! you have
stopped my mouth.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Your servant, your servant, sweet alderman! I have nothing
to say.

_Sir Sim._ The half pullet will be cold, sir.

_Gripe._ Mrs. Joyner, you shall sup with me.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Indeed I am engaged to supper with some of your man's
friends; and I came on purpose to get leave for him too.

_Gripe._ I cannot deny you anything. But I have forgot to tell you what
a kind of fellow my sister's Dapperwit is: before a full table of the
coffee-house sages, he had the impudence to hold an argument against
me in the defence of vests and protections; and therefore I forbid him
my house; besides, when he came I was forced to lock up my daughter
for fear of him, nay, I think the poor child herself was afraid of
him.--Come hither, child, were you not afraid of Dapperwit?

_Mrs. Mar._ Yes indeed, sir, he is a terrible man.--Yet I durst meet
with him in a piazza at midnight. [_Aside._

_Gripe._ He shall never come into my doors again.

_Mrs. Mar._ Shall Mr. Dapperwit never come hither again then?

_Gripe._ No, child.

_Mrs. Mar._ I am afraid he will.

_Gripe._ I warrant thee.

_Mrs. Mar._ [_Aside._] I warrant you then I'll go to him.--I am glad of
that, for I hate him as much as a bishop.

_Gripe._ Thou art no child of mine, if thou dost not hate bishops and
wits.--Well, Mrs. Joyner, I'll keep you no longer. [_To_ ADDLEPLOT.]
Jonas, wait on Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Good night to your worship.

_Gripe._ But stay, stay, Mrs. Joyner: have you spoken with the widow
Crossbite about her little daughter, as I desired?

_Mrs. Joyn._ I will to-morrow early; it shall be the first thing I'll
do after my prayers.

_Gripe._ If Dapperwit should contaminate her!--I cannot rest till I
have redeemed her from the jaws of that lion.--Good night.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Good gentleman. [_Exeunt_ GRIPE _and_ Mrs. MARTHA.

_Sir Sim._ Ha! ha! ha! Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ What's the matter, Sir Simon?

_Sir Sim._ Ha! ha! ha!--let us make haste to your house, or I shall
burst, faith and troth, to see what fools you and I make of these
people.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I will not rob you of any of the credit; I am but a feeble
instrument, you are an engineer.

_Sir Sim._ Remember what you say now when things succeed, and do not
tell me then,--I must thank your wit for all.

_Mrs. Joyn._ No, in truly, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, I am sure Dapperwit and I have been partners in many an
intrigue, and he uses to serve me so.

_Mrs. Joyn._ He is an ill man to intrigue with, as you call it.

_Sir Sim._ Ay, so are all your wits; a pox! if a man's understanding be
not so public as theirs, he cannot do a wise action but they go away
with the honour of it, if he be of their acquaintance.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Why do you keep such acquaintance then?

_Sir Sim._ There is a proverb, Mrs. Joyner, "You may know him by his
company."

_Mrs. Joyn._ No, no, to be thought a man of parts, you must always keep
company with a man of less wit than yourself.

_Sir Sim._ That's the hardest thing in the world for me to do, faith
and troth.

_Mrs. Joyn._ What, to find a man of less wit than yourself? Pardon my
raillery, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ No, no, I cannot keep company with a fool:--I wonder how men
of parts can do't, there's something in't.

_Mrs. Joyn._ If you could, all your wise actions would be your own, and
your money would be your own too.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, faith and troth, that's true; for your wits are
plaguily given to borrow. They'll borrow of their wench, coachman,
or linkboy, their hire, Mrs. Joyner; Dapperwit has that trick with a
vengeance.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Why will you keep company with him then, I say? for, to
be plain with you, you have followed him so long, that you are thought
but his cully;[27] for every wit has his cully, as every squire his led
captain.

_Sir Sim._ I his cully, I his cully, Mrs. Joyner! Lord, that I should
be thought a cully to any wit breathing!

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, do not take it so to heart, for the best wits of the
town are but cullies themselves.

_Sir Sim._ To whom, to whom, to whom, Mrs. Joyner?

_Mrs. Joyn._ To sempstresses and bawds.

_Sir Sim._ To your knowledge, Mrs. Joyner.--[_Aside._] There I was with
her.

_Mrs. Joyn._ To tailors and vintners, but especially to the French
houses.

_Sir Sim._ But Dapperwit is a cully to none of them; for he ticks.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I care not, but I wish you were a cully to none but me;
that's all the hurt I wish you.

_Sir Sim._ Thank you, Mrs. Joyner. Well, I will throw off Dapperwit's
acquaintance when I am married, and will only be a cully to my wife;
and that's no more than the wisest husband of 'em all is.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Then you think you shall carry Mrs. Martha?

_Sir Sim._ Your hundred guineas are as good as in your lap.

_Mrs. Joyn._ But I am afraid this double plot of yours should fail: you
would sooner succeed if you only designed upon Mrs. Martha, or only
upon my Lady Flippant.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, then, you are no woman of intrigue, faith and troth:
'tis good to have two strings to one's bow. If Mrs. Martha be coy, I
tell the widow I put on my disguise for her; but if Mrs. Martha be kind
to Jonas, Sir Simon Addleplot will be false to the widow: which is no
more than widows are used to; for a promise to a widow is as seldom
kept as a vow made at sea, as Dapperwit says.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I am afraid they should discover you.

_Sir Sim._ You have nothing to fear; you have your twenty guineas in
your pocket for helping me into my service, and if I get into Mrs.
Martha's quarters, you have a hundred more; if into the widow's,
fifty:--happy go lucky! Will her ladyship be at your house at the hour?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Yes.

_Sir Sim._ Then you shall see when I am Sir Simon Addleplot and myself
I'll look like myself; now I am Jonas, I look like an ass. You never
thought Sir Simon Addleplot could have looked so like an ass by his
ingenuity.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Pardon me, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, do not flatter, faith and troth.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Come let us go, 'tis time.

_Sir Sim._ I will carry the widow to the French house.

_Mrs. Joyn._ If she will go.

_Sir Sim._ If she will go! why, did you ever know a widow refuse a
treat? no more than a lawyer a fee, faith and troth: yet I know too--

  No treat, sweet words, good mien, but sly intrigue
  That must at length the jilting widow fegue.[28] [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_The French House. A table, wine and candles._

               _Enter_ VINCENT, RANGER, _and_ DAPPERWIT.

_Dap._ Pray, Mr. Ranger, let's have no drinking to-night.

_Vin._ Pray, Mr. Ranger, let's have no Dapperwit to-night.

_Ran._ Nay, nay, Vincent.

_Vin._ A pox! I hate his impertinent chat more than he does the honest
Burgundy.

_Dap._ But why should you force wine upon us? we are not all of your
gusto.

_Vin._ But why should you force your chawed jests, your damned ends of
your mouldy lampoons, and last year's sonnets, upon us? we are not all
of your gusto.

_Dap._ The wine makes me sick, let me perish!

_Vin._ Thy rhymes make me spew.

_Ran._ At repartee already! Come, Vincent. I know you would rather have
him pledge you: here, Dapperwit--[_Gives him the glass._]--But why are
you so eager to have him drink always?

_Vin._ Because he is so eager to talk always, and there is no other way
to silence him.

                            _Enter_ Waiter.

_Wait._ Here is a gentleman desires to speak with Mr. Vincent.

_Vin._ I come. [_Exit_ VINCENT _with_ Waiter.

_Dap._ He may drink, because he is obliged to the bottle for all the
wit and courage he has; 'tis not free and natural like yours.

_Ran._ He has more courage than wit, but wants neither.

_Dap._ As a pump gone dry, if you pour no water down you will get none
out, so--

_Ran._ Nay, I bar similes too, to-night.

_Dap._ Why, is not the thought new? don't you apprehend it?

_Ran._ Yes, yes, but--

_Dap._ Well, well, will you comply with his sottishness too, and hate
brisk things in complaisance to the ignorant dull age? I believe
shortly 'twill be as hard to find a patient friend to communicate one's
wit to, as a faithful friend to communicate one's secret to. Wit has as
few true judges as painting, I see.

_Ran._ All people pretend to be judges of both.

_Dap._ Ay, they pretend; but set you aside, and one or two more--

_Ran._ But why, has Vincent neither courage nor wit?

_Dap._ He has no courage, because he beat his wench for giving me
_les doux yeux_ once; and no wit, because he does not comprehend
my thoughts; and he is a son of a whore for his ignorance. I take
ignorance worse from any man than the lie, because 'tis as much as to
say I am no wit.

                          _Re-enter_ VINCENT.

You need not take any notice, though, to him what I say.

_Vin._ Ranger, there is a woman below in a coach would speak with you.

_Ran._ With me? [_Exit_ RANGER.

_Dap._ This Ranger, Mr. Vincent, is as false to his friend as his wench.

_Vin._ You have no reason to say so, but because he is absent.

_Dap._ 'Tis disobliging to tell a man of his faults to his face. If he
had but your grave parts and manly wit, I should adore him; but, a pox!
he is a mere buffoon, a jack-pudding, let me perish!

_Vin._ You are an ungrateful fellow. I have heard him maintain you had
wit, which was more than e'er you could do for yourself.--I thought you
had owned him your Mæcenas.

_Dap._ A pox! he cannot but esteem me, 'tis for his honour; but I
cannot but be just for all that--without favour or affection. Yet I
confess I love him so well, that I wish he had but the hundredth part
of your courage.

_Vin._ He has had courage to save you from many a beating, to my
knowledge.

_Dap._ Come, come, I wish the man well, and, next to you, better than
any man! and, I am sorry to say it, he has not courage to snuff a
candle with his fingers. When he is drunk, indeed, he dares get a clap,
or so--and swear at a constable.

_Vin._ Detracting fop! when did you see him desert his friend?

_Dap._ You have a rough kind of a raillery, Mr. Vincent; but since you
will have it, (though I love the man heartily, I say,) he deserted me
once in breaking of windows, for fear of the constables--

                          _Re-enter_ RANGER.

But you need not take notice to him of what I tell you; I hate to put a
man to the blush.

_Ran._ I have had just now a visit from my mistress, who is as jealous
of me as a wife of her husband when she lies in:--my cousin Lydia,--you
have heard me speak of her.

_Vin._ But she is more troublesome than a wife that lies in, because
she follows you to your haunts. Why do you allow her that privilege
before her time?

_Ran._ Faith, I may allow her any privilege, and be too hard for her
yet. How do you think I have cheated her to-night?--Women are poor
credulous creatures, easily deceived.

_Vin._ We are poor credulous creatures, when we think 'em so.

_Ran._ Intending a ramble to St. James's Park to-night, upon some
probable hopes of some fresh game I have in chase, I appointed her to
stay at home; with a promise to come to her within this hour, that she
might not spoil the scent and prevent my sport.

_Vin._ She'll be even with you when you are married, I warrant you. In
the meantime here's her health, Dapperwit.

_Ran._ Now had he rather be at the window, writing her anagram in the
glass with his diamond, or biting his nails in the corner for a fine
thought to come and divert us with at the table.

_Dap._ No, a pox! I have no wit to-night. I am as barren and hide-bound
as one of your damned scribbling poets, who are sots in company for all
their wit; as a miser is poor for all his money. How do you like the
thought?

_Vin._ Drink, drink!

_Dap._ Well, I can drink this, because I shall be reprieved presently.

_Vin._ Who will be so civil to us?

_Dap._ Sir Simon Addleplot:--I have bespoke him a supper here, for he
treats to-night a new rich mistress.

_Ran._ That spark, who has his fruitless designs upon the bed-ridden
rich widow, down to the suckling heiress in her pissing-clout. He was
once the sport, but now the public grievance, of all the fortunes in
town; for he watches them like a younger brother that is afraid to be
mumped of his snip,[29] and they cannot steal a marriage, nor stay
their stomachs, but he must know it.

_Dap._ He has now pitched his nets for Gripe's daughter, the rich
scrivener, and serves him as a clerk to get admission to her; which the
watchful fop her father denies to all others.

_Ran._ I thought you had been nibbling at her once, under pretence of
love to her aunt.

_Dap._ I confess I have the same design yet, and Addleplot is but my
agent, whilst he thinks me his. He brings me letters constantly from
her, and carries mine back.

_Vin._ Still betraying your best friends!

_Dap._ I cannot in honour but betray him. Let me perish! the poor young
wench is taken with my person, and would scratch through four walls to
come to me.

_Vin._ 'Tis a sign she is kept up close indeed.

_Dap._ Betray him! I'll not be traitor to love for any man.

            _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT _with the_ Waiter.

_Sir Sim._ Know 'em! you are a saucy Jack-straw to question me, faith
and troth; I know everybody, and everybody knows me.

_All._ Sir Simon! Sir Simon! Sir Simon!

_Ran._ And you are a welcome man to everybody.

_Sir Sim._ Now, son of a whore, do I know the gentlemen?--A dog! would
have had a shilling of me before he would let me come to you!

_Ran._ The rogue has been bred at Court, sure.--Get you out, sirrah.
[_Exit_ Waiter.

_Sir Sim._ He has been bred at a French-house, where they are more
unreasonable.

_Vin._ Here's to you, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ I cannot drink, for I have a mistress within; though I would
not have the people of the house to know it.

_Ran._ You need not be ashamed of your mistresses, for they are
commonly rich.

_Sir Sim._ And because she is rich, I would conceal her; for I never
had a rich mistress yet, but one or other got her from me presently,
faith and troth.

_Ran._ But this is an ill place to conceal a mistress in; every waiter
is an intelligencer to your rivals.

_Sir Sim._ I have a trick for that:--I'll let no waiters come into the
room; I'll lay the cloth myself rather.

_Ran._ But who is your mistress?

_Sir Sim._ Your servant,--your servant, Mr. Ranger.

_Vin._ Come, will you pledge me?

_Sir Sim._ No, I'll spare your wine, if you will spare me Dapperwit's
company; I came for that.

_Vin._ You do us a double favour, to take him and leave the wine.

_Sir Sim._ Come, come, Dapperwit.

_Ran._ Do not go, unless he will suffer us to see his mistress too.
[_Aside to_ DAPPERWIT.

_Sir Sim._ Come, come, man.

_Dap._ Would you have me so uncivil as to leave my company?--they'll
take it ill.

_Sir Sim._ I cannot find her talk without thee.--Pray, gentlemen,
persuade Mr. Dapperwit to go with me.

_Ran._ We will not hinder him of better company.

_Dap._ Yours is too good to be left rudely.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, gentlemen, I would desire your company too, if you knew
the lady.

_Dap._ They know her as well as I; you say I know her not.

_Sir Sim._ You are not everybody.

_Ran._ Perhaps we do know the lady, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ You do not, you do not: none of you ever saw her in your
lives;--but if you could be secret, and civil--

_Ran._ We have drunk yet but our bottle a-piece.

_Sir Sim._ But will you be civil, Mr. Vincent?

_Ran._ He dares not look a woman in the face under three bottles.

_Sir Sim._ Come along then. But can you be civil, gentlemen? will you
be civil, gentlemen? pray be civil if you can, and you shall see her.

     [_Exit, and returns with_ Lady FLIPPANT _and_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_Dap._ How, has he got his jilt here! [_Aside._

_Ran._ The widow Flippant! [_Aside._

_Vin._ Is this the woman that we never saw! [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ Does he bring us into company!--and Dapperwit one! Though
I had married the fool, I thought to have reserved the wit as well as
other ladies. [_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ Nay, look as long as you will, madam, you will find them
civil gentlemen, and good company.

_L. Flip._ I am not in doubt of their civility, but yours.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You'll never leave snubbing your servants! Did you not
promise to use him kindly? [_Aside to_ Lady FLIPPANT.

_L. Flip._ [_Aside to_ Mrs. JOYNER.] 'Tis true.--[_Aloud._] We wanted
no good company, Sir Simon, as long as we had yours.

_Sir Sim._ But they wanted good company, therefore I forced 'em to
accept of yours.

_L. Flip._ They will not think the company good they were forced into,
certainly.

_Sir Sim._ A pox! I must be using the words in fashion, though I never
have any luck with 'em. Mrs. Joyner, help me off.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I suppose, madam, he means the gentlemen wanted not
inclination to your company, but confidence to desire so great an
honour; therefore he forced 'em.

_Dap._ What makes this bawd here? Sure, mistress, you bawds should be
like the small cards, though at first you make up a pack, yet, when the
play begins, you should be put out as useless.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Well, well, gibing companion: you would have the pimps
kept in only? you would so?

_Vin._ What, they are quarrelling!

_Ran._ Pimp and bawd agree now-a-days like doctor and apothecary.

_Sir Sim._ Try, madam, if they are not civil gentlemen; talk with 'em,
while I go lay the cloth--no waiter comes here.--[_Aside._] My mother
used to tell me, I should avoid all occasions of talking before my
mistress, because silence is a sign of love as well as prudence. [_Lays
the cloth._

_L. Flip._ Methinks you look a little yellow on't, Mr. Dapperwit. I
hope you do not censure me because you find me passing away a night
with this fool:--he is not a man to be jealous of, sure.

_Dap._ You are not a lady to be jealous of, sure.

_L. Flip._ No, certainly.--But why do you look as if you were jealous
then?

_Dap._ If I had met you in Whetstone's park,[30] with a drunken
foot-soldier, I should not have been jealous of you.

_L. Flip._ Fy, fy! now you are jealous, certainly; for people always,
when they grow jealous, grow rude:--but I can pardon it since it
proceeds from love certainly.

_Dap._ I am out of all hopes to be rid of this eternal old
acquaintance: when I jeer her, she thinks herself praised; now I call
her whore in plain English she thinks I am jealous. [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ Sweet Mr. Dapperwit, be not so censorious, (I speak for
your sake, not my own,) for jealousy is a great torment, but my honour
cannot suffer certainly.

_Dap._ No, certainly; but the greatest torment I have is--your love.

_L. Flip._ Alas! sweet Mr. Dapperwit, indeed love is a torment: but
'tis a sweet torment; but jealousy is a bitter torment.--I do not go
about to cure you of the torment of my love.

_Dap._ 'Tis a sign so.

_L. Flip._ Come, come, look up, man; is that a rival to contest with
you?

_Dap._ I will contest with no rival, not with my old rival your
coachman; but they have heartily my resignation; and, to do you a
favour, but myself a greater, I will help to tie the knot you are
fumbling for now, betwixt your cully here and you.

_L. Flip._ Go, go, I take that kind of jealousy worst of all, to
suspect I would be debauched to beastly matrimony.--But who are those
gentlemen, pray? are they men of fortunes, Mrs. Joyner?

_Mrs. Joyn._ I believe so.

_L. Flip._ Do you believe so, indeed?--Gentlemen--[_Advancing towards_
RANGER _and_ VINCENT.

_Ran._ If the civility we owe to ladies had not controlled our envy to
Mr. Dapperwit, we had interrupted ere this your private conversation.

_L. Flip._ Your interruption, sir, had been most civil and
obliging;--for our discourse was of marriage.

_Ran._ That is a subject, madam, as grateful as common.

_L. Flip._ O fy, fy! are you of that opinion too? I cannot suffer any
to talk of it in my company.

_Ran._ Are you married then, madam?

_L. Flip._ No, certainly.

_Ran._ I am sure so much beauty cannot despair of it.

_L. Flip._ Despair of it!--

_Ran._ Only those that are married, or cannot be married, hate to hear
of marriage.

_L. Flip._ Yet you must know, sir, my aversion to marriage is such,
that you, nor no man breathing, shall ever persuade me to it.

_Ran._ Cursed be the man should do so rude a thing as to persuade you
to anything against your inclination! I would not do it for the world,
madam.

_L. Flip._ Come, come, though you seem to be a civil gentleman, I think
you no better than your neighbours. I do not know a man of you all that
will not thrust a woman up into a corner, and then talk an hour to her
impertinently of marriage.

_Ran._ You would find me another man in a corner, I assure you, madam;
for you should not have a word of marriage from me, whatsoever you
might find in my actions of it; I hate talking as much as you.

_L. Flip._ I hate it extremely.

_Ran._ I am your man then, madam; for I find just the same fault with
your sex as you do with ours:--I ne'er could have to do with woman in
my life, but still she would be impertinently talking of marriage to me.

_L. Flip._ Observe that, Mrs. Joyner.

_Dap._ Pray, Mr. Ranger, let's go; I had rather drink with Mr. Vincent,
than stay here with you; besides 'tis Park-time.

_Ran._ [_To_ DAPPERWIT.] I come.--[_To_ Lady FLIPPANT.] Since you are
a lady that hate marriage, I'll do you the service to withdraw the
company; for those that hate marriage hate loss of time.

_L. Flip._ Will you go then, sir? but before you go, sir, pray tell me
is your aversion to marriage real?

_Ran._ As real as yours.

_L. Flip._ If it were no more real than mine--[_Aside._

_Ran._ Your servant, madam. [_Turns to go._

_L. Flip._ But do you hate marriage certainly? [_Plucks him back._

_Ran._ Certainly.

_L. Flip._ Come, I cannot believe it: you dissemble it only because I
pretend it.

_Ran._ Do you but pretend it then, madam?

_L. Flip._ [_Aside_] I shall discover myself--[_Aloud_] I mean, because
I hold against it, you do the same in complaisance:--for I have heard
say, cunning men think to bring the coy and untractable women to
tameness as they do some mad people--by humouring their frenzies.

_Ran._ I am none of those cunning men, yet have too much wit to
entertain the presumption of designing upon you.

_L. Flip._ 'Twere no such presumption neither.

_Dap._ Come away; 'sdeath! don't you see your danger?

_Ran._ Those aims are for Sir Simon.--Good night, madam.

_L. Flip._ Will you needs go, then?--[_To_ Sir SIMON] The gentlemen are
a-going, Sir Simon; will you let 'em?

_Sir Sim._ Nay, madam, if you cannot keep 'em, how should I?

_L. Flip._ Stay, sir; because you hate marriage, I'll sing you a new
song against it. [_Sings._

      A spouse I do hate,
  For either she's false or she's jealous;
      But give us a mate
  Who nothing will ask us or tell us.

      She stands on no terms,
  Nor chaffers, by way of indenture,
      Her love for your farms;
  But takes her kind man at a venture.

      If all prove not right,
  Without an act, process, or warning,
      From wife for a night
  You may be divorced in the morning.

      When parents are slaves,
  Their brats cannot be any other;
      Great wits and great braves
  Have always a punk[31] to their mother.

Though it be the fashion for women of quality to sing any song
whatever, because the words are not distinguished, yet I should have
blushed to have done it now, but for you, sir.

_Ran._ The song is edifying, the voice admirable--and, once more, I am
your servant, madam.

_L. Flip._ What, will you go too, Mr Dapperwit?

_Sir Sim._ Pray, Mr. Dapperwit, do not you go too.

_Dap._ I am engaged.

_Sir Sim._ Well, if we cannot have their company, we will not have
their room: ours is a private backroom; they have paid their reckoning,
let's go thither again.

_L. Flip._ But pray, sweet Mr. Dapperwit, do not go. Keep him, Sir
Simon.

_Sir Sim._ I cannot keep him. [_Exeunt_ VINCENT, RANGER, _and_
DAPPERWIT.

  It is impossible; (the world is so;)
  One cannot keep one's friend, and mistress too. [_Exeunt._




ACT THE SECOND.


SCENE I.--_St. James's Park at night._

               _Enter_ RANGER, VINCENT, _and_ DAPPERWIT.

_Ran._ Hang me, if I am not pleased extremely with this new-fashioned
caterwauling, this mid-night coursing in the park.

_Vin._ A man may come after supper with his three bottles in his head,
reel himself sober, without reproof from his mother, aunt, or grave
relation.

_Ran._ May bring his bashful wench, and not have her put out of
countenance by the impudent honest women of the town.

_Dap._ And a man of wit may have the better of the dumb show of
well-trimmed vest or fair peruke:--no man's now is whitest.

_Ran._ And now no woman's modest or proud; for her blushes are hid, and
the rubies on her lips are dyed, and all sleepy and glimmering eyes
have lost their attraction.

_Vin._ And now a man may carry a bottle under his arm instead of his
hat;--and no observing spruce fop will miss the cravat that lies on
one's shoulder, or count the pimples on one's face.

_Dap._ And now the brisk repartee ruins the complaisant cringe, or wise
grimace.--Something 'twas, we men of virtue always loved the night.

_Ran._ O blessed season!

_Vin._ For good-fellows.

_Ran._ For lovers.

_Dap._ And for the Muses.

_Ran._ When I was a boy I loved the night so well, I had a strong
vocation to be a bellman's apprentice.

_Vin._ I, a drawer.

_Dap._ And I, to attend the waits of Westminster, let me perish!

_Ran._ But why do we not do the duty of this and such other
places;--walk, censure, and speak ill of all we meet?

_Dap._ 'Tis no fault of mine, let me perish!

_Vin._ Fy, fy! satirical gentlemen, this is not your time; you cannot
distinguish a friend from a fop.

_Dap._ No matter, no matter; they will deserve amongst 'em the worst we
can say.

_Ran._ Who comes here, Dapperwit? [_People walk slowly over the stage._

_Dap._ By the toss of his head, training of his feet, and his elbows
playing at bo-peep behind his back, it should be my Lord Easy.

_Ran._ And who the woman?

_Dap._ My Lord what-d'ye-call's daughter, that had a child by--

_Vin._ Dapperwit, hold your tongue.

_Ran._ How! are you concerned?

_Vin._ Her brother's an honest fellow, and will drink his glass.

_Ran._ Prithee, Vincent, Dapperwit did not hinder drinking to-night,
though he spake against it; why, then, should you interrupt his
sport?--Now, let him talk of anybody.

_Vin._ So he will,--till you cut his throat.

_Ran._ Why should you on all occasions thwart him, contemn him, and
maliciously look grave at his jests only?

_Vin._ Why does he always rail against my friends, then, and my best
friend--a beer-glass?

_Ran._ Dapperwit, be your own advocate: my game, I think, is before me
there. [_Exit._

_Dap._ This Ranger, I think, has all the ill qualities of all your town
fops;--leaving his company for a spruce lord or a wench.

_Vin._ Nay, if you must rail at your own best friends, I may forgive
you railing at mine.

    _Enter_ LYDIA _and_ Lady FLIPPANT.--_They walk over the stage._

_Lyd._ False Ranger, shall I find thee here? [_Aside._

_Vin._ Those are women, are they not? [_To_ DAPPER.

_Dap._ The least seems to be my Lucy, sure. [_Aside._

_Vin._ Faith, I think I dare speak to a woman in the dark!--let's try.

_Dap._ They are persons of quality of my acquaintance;--hold!

_Vin._ Nay, if they are persons of quality of your acquaintance, I may
be the bolder with 'em. [_The_ Ladies _go off, they follow them._

                 _Re-enter_ LYDIA _and_ Lady FLIPPANT.

_Lyd._ I come hither to make a discovery to-night.

_L. Flip._ Of my love to you, certainly; for nobody but you could have
debauched me to the Park, certainly. I would not return another night,
if it were to redeem my dear husband from his grave.

_Lyd._ I believe you:--but to get another, widow.

_L. Flip._ Another husband, another husband, foh!

_Lyd._ There does not pass a night here but many a match is made.

_L. Flip._ That a woman of honour should have the word match in her
mouth!--but I hope, madam, the fellows do not make honourable love
here, do they? I abominate honourable love, upon my honour.

_Lyd._ If they should make honourable love here, I know you would
prevent 'em.

  _Re-enter_ VINCENT _and_ DAPPERWIT.--_They walk slowly towards the_
                                Ladies.

But here come two men will inform you what to do.

_L. Flip._ Do they come?--are they men certainly?

_Lyd._ Prepare for an assault, they'll put you to't.

_L. Flip._ Will they put us to't certainly? I was never put to't yet.
If they should put us to't, I should drop down, down, certainly.

_Lyd._ I believe, truly, you would not have power to run away.

_L. Flip._ Therefore I will not stay the push.--They come! they come!
oh, the fellows come! [Lady FLIPPANT _runs away,_ LYDIA _follows, and_
VINCENT _and_ DAPPERWIT _after them._

         _Re-enter_ Lady FLIPPANT _at the other side, alone._

_L. Flip._ So! I am got off clear! I did not run from the men, but my
companion. For all their brags, men have hardly courage to set upon
us when our number is equal; now they shall see I defy 'em:--for we
women have always most courage when we are alone. But, a pox! the lazy
rogues come not! or they are drunk and cannot run. Oh drink! abominable
drink! instead of inflaming love, it quenches it; and for one lover
it encourages, it makes a thousand impotent. Curse on all wine! even
Rhenish wine and sugar--

          _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, _muffled in a cloak._

But fortune will not see me want; here comes a single bully,--I wish he
may stand;--

  For now a-nights the jostling nymph is bolder
  Than modern satyr with his cloak o'er shoulder.

Well met, sir. [_She puts on her mask._

_Sir Sim._ How shall I know that, forsooth? Who are you? do you know me?

_L. Flip._ Who are you? don't you know me?

_Sir Sim._ Not I, faith and troth!

_L. Flip._ I am glad on't; for no man e'er liked a woman the better for
having known her before.

_Sir Sim._ Ay, but then one can't be so free with a new acquaintance as
with an old one; she may deny one the civility.

_L. Flip._ Not till you ask her.

_Sir Sim._ But I am afraid to be denied.

_L. Flip._ Let me tell you, sir, you cannot disoblige us women more
than in distrusting us.

_Sir Sim._ Pish! what should one ask for, when you know one's
meaning?--but shall I deal freely with you?

_L. Flip._ I love, of my life, men should deal freely with me; there
are so few men will deal freely with one--

_Sir Sim._ Are you not a fireship,[32] a punk, madam?

_L. Flip._ Well, sir, I love raillery.

_Sir Sim._ Faith and troth, I do not rally, I deal freely.

_L. Flip._ This is the time and place for freedom, sir.

_Sir Sim._ Are you handsome?

_L. Flip._ Joan's as good as my lady in the dark, certainly: but men
that deal freely never ask questions, certainly.

_Sir Sim._ How then! I thought to deal freely, and put a woman to the
question, had been all one.

_L. Flip._ But, let me tell you, those that deal freely indeed, take a
woman by--

_Sir Sim._ What, what, what, what?

_L. Flip._ By the hand--and lead her aside.

_Sir Sim._ Now I understand you; come along then.

               _Enter behind_ Musicians _with torches._

_L. Flip._ What unmannerly rascals are those that bring light
into the Park? 'twill not be taken well from 'em by the women,
certainly.--[_Aside._] Still disappointed!

_Sir Sim._ Oh, the fiddles, the fiddles! I sent for them hither to
oblige the women, not to offend 'em; for I intend to serenade the whole
Park to-night. But my frolic is not without an intrigue, faith and
troth: for I know the fiddles will call the whole herd of vizard masks
together; and then shall I discover if a strayed mistress of mine be
not amongst 'em, whom I treated to-night at the French-house; but as
soon as the jilt had eat up my meat and drunk her two bottles, she ran
away from me, and left me alone.

_L. Flip._ How! is it he? Addleplot!--that I could not know him by his
faith and troth! [_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ Now I would understand her tricks; because I intend to marry
her, and should be glad to know what I must trust to.

_L. Flip._ So thou shalt;--but not yet. [_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ Though I can give a great guess already; for if I have any
intrigue or sense in me, she is as arrant a jilt as ever pulled pillow
from under husband's head, faith and troth. Moreover she is bow-legged,
hopper-hipped, and, betwixt pomatum and Spanish red, has a complexion
like a Holland cheese, and no more teeth left than such as give a _haut
goût_ to her breath; but she is rich, faith and troth.

_L. Flip._ [_Aside._] Oh rascal! he has heard somebody else say
all this of me. But I must not discover myself, lest I should be
disappointed of my revenge; for I will marry him. [_The_ Musicians
_approaching, exit_ FLIPPANT.

_Sir Sim._ What, gone!--come then, strike up, my lads.

 _Enter_ Men _and_ Women _in vizards--a Dance, during which_ Sir SIMON
ADDLEPLOT, _for the most part, stands still in a cloak and vizard; but
sometimes goes about peeping, and examining the_ Women's _clothes--the
                       Dance ended, all exeunt._

   _Re-enter_ Lady FLIPPANT _and_ LYDIA, _after them_ VINCENT _and_
                              DAPPERWIT.

_L. Flip._ [_To_ LYDIA.] Nay, if you stay any longer, I must leave you
again. [_Going off._

_Vin._ We have overtaken them at last again. These are they: they
separate too; and that's but a challenge to us.

_Dap._ Let me perish! ladies--

_Lyd._ Nay, good madam, let's unite, now here's the common enemy upon
us.

_Vin._ Damn me! ladies--

_Dap._ Hold, a pox! you are too rough.--Let me perish! ladies--

_Lyd._ Not for want of breath, gentlemen:--we'll stay rather.

_Dap._ For want of your favour rather, sweet ladies.

_L. Flip._ [_Aside._] That's Dapperwit, false villain! but he must
not know I am here. If he should, I should lose his thrice agreeable
company, and he would run from me as fast as from the bailiffs. [_To_
LYDIA.] What! you will not talk with 'em, I hope?

_Lyd._ Yes, but I will.

_L. Flip._ Then you are a Park-woman certainly, and you will take it
kindly if I leave you.

_Lyd._ No, you must not leave me.

_L. Flip._ Then you must leave them.

_Lyd._ I'll see if they are worse company than you, first.

_L. Flip._ Monstrous impudence!--will you not come? [_Pulls_ LYDIA.

_Vin._ Nay, madam, I never suffer any violence to be used to a woman
but what I do myself: she must stay, and you must not go.

_L. Flip._ Unhand me, you rude fellow!

_Vin._ Nay, now I am sure you will stay and be kind; for coyness in a
woman is as little sign of true modesty, as huffing in a man is of true
courage.

_Dap._ Use her gently, and speak soft things to her.

_Lyd._ [_Aside._] Now do I guess I know my coxcomb.--[_To_ DAPPERWIT.]
Sir, I am extremely glad I am fallen into the hands of a gentleman that
can speak soft things; and this is so fine a night to hear soft things
in;--morning, I should have said.

_Dap._ It will not be morning, dear madam, till you pull off your
mask.--[_Aside._] That I think was brisk.

_Lyd._ Indeed, dear sir, my face would frighten back the sun.

_Dap._ With glories more radiant than his own.--[_Aside._] I keep up
with her, I think.

_Lyd._ But why would you put me to the trouble of lighting the world,
when I thought to have gone to sleep?

_Dap._ You only can do it, dear madam, let me perish!

_Lyd._ But why would you (of all men) practise treason against your
friend Phœbus, and depose him for a mere stranger?

_Dap._ I think she knows me. [_Aside._

_Lyd._ But he does not do you justice, I believe; and you are so
positively cock-sure of your wit, you would refer to a mere stranger
your plea to the bay-tree.

_Dap._ She jeers me, let me perish! [_Aside._

_Vin._ Dapperwit, a little of your aid; for my lady's invincibly dumb.

_Dap._ Would mine had been so too! [_Aside._

_Vin._ I have used as many arguments to make her speak, as are
requisite to make other women hold their tongues.

_Dap._ Well, I am ready to change sides.--Yet before I go, madam, since
the moon consents now I should see your face, let me desire you to pull
off your mask; which to a handsome lady is a favour, I'm sure.

_Lyd._ Truly, sir, I must not be long in debt to you for the
obligation; pray let me hear you recite some of your verses; which to a
wit is a favour, I'm sure.

_Dap._ Madam, it belongs to your sex to be obliged first; pull off your
mask, and I'll pull out my paper.--[_Aside._] Brisk again, of my side.

_Lyd._ 'Twould be in vain, for you would want a candle now.

_Dap._ [_Aside._] I dare not make use again of the lustre of her
face.--[_To_ LYDIA.] I'll wait upon you home then, madam.

_Lyd._ Faith, no; I believe it will not be much to our advantages to
bring my face or your poetry to light: for I hope you have yet a pretty
good opinion of my face, and so have I of your wit. But if you are for
proving your wit, why do not you write a play?

_Dap._ Because 'tis now no more reputation to write a play, than it is
honour to be a knight. Your true wit despises the title of poet, as
much as your true gentleman the title of knight; for as a man may be
a knight and no gentleman, so a man may be a poet and no wit, let me
perish!

_Lyd._ Pray, sir, how are you dignified or distinguished amongst the
rates of wits? and how many rates are there?

_Dap._ There are as many degrees of wits as of lawyers: as there is
first your solicitor, then your attorney, then your pleading-counsel,
then your chamber-counsel, and then your judge; so there is first
your court-wit, your coffee-wit, your poll-wit, or politic-wit, your
chamber-wit, or scribble-wit, and last of all, your judge-wit, or
critic.

_Lyd._ But are there as many wits as lawyers? Lord, what will become of
us!--What employment can they have? how are they known?

_Dap._ First, your court-wit is a fashionable, insinuating, flattering,
cringing, grimacing fellow--and has wit enough to solicit a suit of
love; and if he fail, he has malice enough to ruin the woman with a
dull lampoon:--but he rails still at the man that is absent, for you
must know all wits rail; and his wit properly lies in combing perukes,
matching ribbons, and being severe, as they call it, upon other
people's clothes.

_Lyd._ Now, what is the coffee-wit?

_Dap._ He is a lying, censorious, gossiping, quibbling wretch, and sets
people together by the ears over that sober drink, coffee: he is a wit,
as he is a commentator, upon the Gazette; and he rails at the pirates
of Algier, the Grand Signior of Constantinople, and the Christian Grand
Signior.

_Lyd._ What kind of man is your poll-wit?

_Dap._ He is a fidgetting, busy, dogmatical, hot-headed fop, that
speaks always in sentences and proverbs, (as other in similitudes,) and
he rails perpetually against the present government. His wit lies in
projects and monopolies, and penning speeches for young parliament men.

_Lyd._ But what is your chamber-wit, or scribble-wit?

_Dap._ He is a poring, melancholy, modest sot, ashamed of the world:
he searches all the records of wit, to compile a breviate of them
for the use of players, printers, booksellers, and sometimes cooks,
tobacco-men; he employs his railing against the ignorance of the age,
and all that have more money than he.

_Lyd._ Now your last.

_Dap._ Your judge-wit, or critic, is all these together, and yet has
the wit to be none of them: he can think, speak, write, as well as the
rest, but scorns (himself a judge) to be judged by posterity: he rails
at all the other classes of wits, and his wit lies in damning all but
himself:--he is your true wit.

_Lyd._ Then, I suspect you are of his form.

_Dap._ I cannot deny it, madam.

_Vin._ Dapperwit, you have been all this time on the wrong side; for
you love to talk all, and here's a lady would not have hindered you.

_Dap._ A pox! I have been talking too long indeed here; for wit is lost
upon a silly weak woman, as well as courage. [_Aside._

_Vin._ I have used all common means to move a woman's tongue and mask;
I called her ugly, old, and old acquaintance, and yet she would not
disprove me:--but here comes Ranger, let him try what he can do; for,
since my mistress is dogged, I'll go sleep alone. [_Exit._

                          _Re-enter_ RANGER.

_Lyd._ [_Aside._] Ranger! 'tis he indeed: I am sorry he is here,
but glad I discovered him before I went. Yet he must not discover
me, lest I should be prevented hereafter in finding him out. False
Ranger!--[_To_ Lady FLIPPANT.] Nay, if they bring fresh force upon us,
madam, 'tis time to quit the field. [_Exeunt_ LYDIA _and_ Lady FLIPPANT.

_Ran._ What, play with your quarry till it fly from you!

_Dap._ You frighten it away.

_Ran._ Ha! is not one of those ladies in mourning?

_Dap._ All women are so by this light.

_Ran._ But you might easily discern. Don't you know her?

_Dap._ No.

_Ran._ Did you talk with her?

_Dap._ Yes, she is one of your brisk silly baggages.

_Ran._ 'Tis she, 'tis she!--I was afraid I saw her before; let us
follow 'em: prithee make haste.--[_Aside._] 'Tis Lydia. [_Exeunt._

  _Re-enter, on the other side_, LYDIA _and_ Lady FLIPPANT--DAPPERWIT
             _and_ RANGER _following them at a distance._

_Lyd._ They follow us yet, I fear.

_L. Flip._ You do not fear it certainly; otherwise you would not have
encouraged them.

_Lyd._ For Heaven's sake, madam, waive your quarrel a little, and let
us pass by your coach, and so on foot to your acquaintance in the old
Pall-mall[33]: for I would not be discovered by the man that came up
last to us. [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--CHRISTINA'S _Lodging._

                    _Enter_ CHRISTINA _and_ ISABEL.

_Isa._ For Heaven's sake, undress yourself, madam! They'll not return
to-night: all people have left the Park an hour ago.

_Chris._ What is't o'clock?

_Isa._ 'Tis past one.

_Chris._ It cannot be!

_Isa._ I thought that time had only stolen from happy lovers:--the
disconsolate have nothing to do but to tell the clock.

_Chris._ I can only keep account with my misfortunes.

_Isa._ I am glad they are not innumerable.

_Chris._ And, truly, my undergoing so often your impertinency is not
the least of them.

_Isa._ I am then more glad, madam, for then they cannot be great; and
it is in my power, it seems, to make you in part happy, if I could but
hold this villainous tongue of mine: but then let the people of the
town hold their tongues if they will, for I cannot but tell you what
they say.

_Chris._ What do they say?

_Isa._ Faith, madam, I am afraid to tell you, now I think on't.

_Chris._ Is it so ill?

_Isa._ O, such base, unworthy things!

_Chris._ Do they say I was really Clerimont's wench, as he boasted;
and that the ground of the quarrel betwixt Valentine and him was not
Valentine's vindication of my honour, but Clerimont's jealousy of him?

_Isa._ Worse, worse a thousand times! such villainous things to the
utter ruin of your reputation!

_Chris._ What are they?

_Isa._ Faith, madam, you'll be angry: 'tis the old trick of lovers to
hate their informers, after they have made 'em such.

_Chris._ I will not be angry.

_Isa._ They say then, since Mr. Valentine's flying into France you are
grown mad, have put yourself into mourning, live in a dark room, where
you'll see nobody, nor take any rest day or night, but rave and talk to
yourself perpetually.

_Chris._ Now, what else?

_Isa._ But the surest sign of your madness is, they say, because you
are desperately resolved (in case my Lord Clerimont should die of his
wounds) to transport yourself and fortune into France to Mr. Valentine,
a man that has not a groat to return you in exchange.

_Chris._ All this, hitherto, is true; now to the rest.

_Isa._ Indeed, madam, I have no more to tell you. I was sorry, I'm
sure, to hear so much of any lady of mine.

_Chris._ Insupportable insolence!

_Isa._ [_Aside._] This is some revenge for my want of sleep
to-night.--[_Knocking at the door._] So, I hope my old second is come;
'tis seasonable relief. [_Exit._

_Chris._ Unhappy Valentine! couldst thou but see how soon thy absence
and misfortunes have disbanded all thy friends, and turned thy slaves
all renegadoes, thou sure wouldst prize my only faithful heart!

              _Enter_ Lady FLIPPANT, LYDIA, _and_ ISABEL.

_L. Flip._ Hail, faithful shepherdess! but, truly, I had not kept my
word with you, in coming back to-night, if it had not been for this
lady, who has her intrigues too with the fellows as well as you.

_Lyd._ Madam, under my Lady Flippant's protection, I am confident
to beg yours; being just now pursued out of the Park by a
relation of mine, by whom it imports me extremely not to be
discovered:--[_Knocking at the door._] but I fear he is now at the
door.--[_To_ ISABEL, _who goes out._] Let me desire you to deny me to
him courageously;--for he will hardly believe he can be mistaken in me.

_Chris._ In such an occasion, where impudence is requisite, she will
serve you as faithfully as you can wish, madam.

_L. Flip._ Come, come, madam, do not upbraid her with her assurance, a
qualification that only fits her for a lady's service. A fine woman of
the town can be no more without a woman that can make an excuse with
assurance, than she can be without a glass, certainly.

_Chris._ She needs no advocate.

_L. Flip._ How can any one alone manage an amorous intrigue? though the
birds are tame, somebody must help draw the net. If 'twere not for a
woman that could make an excuse with assurance, how should we wheedle,
jilt, trace, discover, countermine, undermine, and blow up the stinking
fellows? which is all the pleasure I receive, or design by them; for
I never admitted a man to my conversation, but for his punishment,
certainly.

_Chris._ Nobody will doubt that, certainly.

                          _Re-enter_ ISABEL.

_Isa._ Madam, the gentleman will not be mistaken: he says you are here,
he saw you come in; he is your relation, his name's Ranger, and is come
to wait upon you home. I had much ado to keep him from coming up.

_Lyd._ [_To_ CHRISTINA.] Madam, for Heaven's sake, help me! 'tis yet
in your power; if but, while I retire into your dining-room, you will
please to personate me, and own yourself for her he pursued out of the
Park: you are in mourning too, and your stature so much mine it will
not contradict you.

_Chris._ I am sorry, madam, I must dispute any command of yours. I
have made a resolution to see the face of no man, till an unfortunate
friend of mine, now out of the kingdom, return.

_Lyd._ By that friend, and by the hopes you have to see him, let me
conjure you to keep me from the sight of mine now. Dear madam, let your
charity prevail over you superstition.

_Isa._ He comes, he comes, madam! [LYDIA _withdraws, and stands unseen
at the door._

                            _Enter_ RANGER.

_Ran._ Ha! this is no Lydia. [_Aside._

_Chris._ What, unworthy defamer, has encouraged you to offer this
insolence?

_Ran._ She is liker Lydia in her style than her face. I see I am
mistaken; but to tell her I followed her for another, were an affront
rather than an excuse. She's a glorious creature! [_Aside._

_Chris._ Tell me, sir, whence had you reason for this your rude pursuit
of me, into my lodgings, my chamber? why should you follow me?

_Ran._ Faith, madam, because you ran away from me.

_Chris._ That was no sign of an acquaintance.

_Ran._ You'll pardon me, madam.

_Chris._ Then, it seems, you mistook me for another, and the night
is your excuse, which blots out all distinctions. But now you are
satisfied in your mistake, I hope you will seek out your woman in
another place.

_Ran._ Madam, I allow not the excuse you make for me. If I have
offended, I will rather be condemned for my love, than pardoned for my
insensibility.

_Lyd._ How's that? [_Aside._

_Chris._ What do you say?

_Ran._ Though the night had been darker, my heart would not have
suffered me to follow any one but you:--he has been too long acquainted
with you to mistake you.

_Lyd._ What means this tenderness? he mistook me for her sure. [_Aside._

_Chris._ What says the gentleman? did you know me then, sir?

_Ran._ [_Aside._] Not I, the devil take me! but I must on
now.--[_Aloud._] Could you imagine, madam, by the innumerable crowd of
your admirers, you had left any man free in the town, or ignorant of
the power of your beauty?

_Chris._ I never saw your face before, that I remember.

_Ran._ Ah, madam! you would never regard your humblest slave; I was
till now a modest lover.

_Lyd._ Falsest of men! [_Aside._

_Chris._ My woman said, you came to seek a relation here, not a
mistress.

_Ran._ I must confess, madam, I thought you would sooner disprove my
dissembled error, than admit my visit, and was resolved to see you.

_Lyd._ 'Tis clear! [_Aside._

_Ran._ Indeed, when I followed you first out of the Park, I was
afraid you might have been a certain relation of mine, for your
statures and habits are the same; but when you entered here, I was
with joy convinced. Besides, I would not for the world have given her
troublesome love so much encouragement, to have disturbed my future
addresses to you; for the foolish woman does perpetually torment me to
make our relation nearer; but never more in vain than since I have seen
you, madam.

_Lyd._ How! shall I suffer this? 'tis clear he disappointed me to-night
for her, and made me stay at home that I might not disappoint him of
her company in the Park. [_Aside._

_Chris._ I am amazed! but let me tell you, sir, if the lady were
here, I would satisfy her the sight of me should never frustrate her
ambitious designs upon her cruel kinsman.

_Lyd._ I wish you could satisfy me. [_Aside._

_Ran._ If she were here, she would satisfy you she were not capable of
the honour to be taken for you:--though in the dark. Faith, my cousin
is but a tolerable woman to a man that had not seen you.

_Chris._ Sure, to my plague, this is the first time you ever saw me!

_Ran._ Sure, to the plague of my poor heart, 'tis not the hundredth
time I have seen you! For, since the time I saw you first, you have not
been at the Park, playhouse, Exchange,[34] or other public place, but I
saw you; for it was my business to watch and follow.

_Chris._ Pray, when did you see me last at the Park, playhouse, or
Exchange?

_Ran._ Some two, three days, or a week ago.

_Chris._ I have not been this month out of this chamber.

_Lyd._ That is to delude me. [_Aside._

_Chris._ I knew you were mistaken.

_Ran._ You'll pardon a lover's memory, madam.--[_Aside._] A pox! I have
hanged myself in my own line. One would think my perpetual ill-luck in
lying should break me of the quality; but, like a losing gamester, I am
still for pushing on, till none will trust me.

_Chris._ Come, sir, you run out of one error into a greater: you would
excuse the rudeness of your mistake, and intrusion at this hour into my
lodgings, with your gallantry to me,--more unseasonable and offensive.

_Ran._ Nay, I am in love I see, for I blush and have not a word to say
for myself.

_Chris._ But, sir, if you will needs play the gallant, pray leave my
house before morning, lest you should be seen go hence, to the scandal
of my honour. Rather than that should be, I'll call up the house and
neighbours to bear witness I bid you begone.

_Ran._ Since you take a night visit so ill, madam, I will never wait
upon you again but by day. I go, that I may hope to return; and, for
once, I wish you a good night without me.

_Chris._ Good night, for as long as I live. [_Exit_ RANGER.

_Lyd._ And good night to my love, I'm sure. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Though I have done you an inconsiderable service, I assure
you, madam, you are not a little obliged to me.--[_Aside._] Pardon me,
dear Valentine!

_Lyd._ I know not yet whether I am more obliged than injured: when I
do, I assure you, madam, I shall not be insensible of either.

_Chris._ I fear, madam, you are as liable to mistakes as your kinsman.

_Lyd._ I fear I am more subject to 'em: it may be for want of sleep,
therefore I'll go home.

_Chris._ My Lady Flippant, good night.

_L. Flip._ Good night, or rather good morrow, faithful shepherdess.

_Chris._ I'll wait on you down.

_Lyd._ Your coach stays yet, I hope.

_L. Flip._ Certainly. [_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_The Street before_ CHRISTINA'S _Lodging._

                    _Enter_ RANGER _and_ DAPPERWIT.

_Dap._ I was a faithful sentinel: nobody came out, let me perish!

_Ran._ No, no, I hunted upon a wrong scent; I thought I had followed a
woman, but found her an angel.

_Dap._ What is her name?

_Ran._ That you must tell me. What very fine woman is there lives
hereabouts?

_Dap._ Faith, I know not any. She is, I warrant you, some fine woman of
a term's standing or so in the town; such as seldom appear in public,
but in their balconies, where they stand so constantly, one would think
they had hired no other part of the house.

_Ran._ And look like the pictures which painters expose to draw in
customers;--but I must know who she is. Vincent's lodging is hard by,
I'll go and inquire of him, and lie with him to-night: but if he will
not let me, I'll lie with you, for my lodging is too far off.

_Dap._ Then I will go before, and expect you at mine. [_Exeunt._


SCENE IV.--VINCENT'S _Lodging._

  _Enter_ VINCENT _and_ VALENTINE _in a riding habit, as newly from a
                               journey._

_Vin._ Your mistress, dear Valentine, will not be more glad to see you!
but my wonder is no less than my joy, that you would return ere you
were informed Clerimont were out of danger. His surgeons themselves
have not been assured of his recovery till within these two days.

_Val._ I feared my mistress, not my life. My life I could trust again
with my old enemy Fortune; but no longer my mistress in the hands of my
greater enemies, her relations.

_Vin._ Your fear was in the wrong place, then: for though my Lord
Clerimont live, he and his relations may put you in more danger of your
life than your mistress's relations can of losing her.

_Val._ Would any could secure me her! I would myself secure my life,
for I should value it then.

_Vin._ Come, come; her relations can do you no hurt. I dare swear, if
her mother should but say, "Your hat did not cock handsomely," she
would never ask her blessing again.

_Val._ Prithee leave thy fooling, and tell me if, since my departure,
she has given evidences of her love, to clear those doubts I went away
with:--for as absence is the bane of common and bastard love, 'tis the
vindication of that which is true and generous.

_Vin._ Nay, if you could ever doubt her love, you deserve to doubt on;
for there is no punishment great enough for jealousy--but jealousy.

_Val._ You may remember, I told you before my flight I had quarrelled
with the defamer of my mistress, but I thought I had killed my rival.

_Vin._ But pray give me now the answer which the suddenness of your
flight denied me;--how could Clerimont hope to subdue her heart by the
assault of her honour?

_Val._ Pish! it might be the stratagem of a rival to make me desist.

_Vin._ For shame! if 'twere not rather to vindicate her, than satisfy
you, I would not tell you how like a Penelope she has behaved herself
in your absence.

_Val._ Let me know.

_Vin._ Then know, the next day you went she put herself in mourning,
and--

_Val._ That might be for Clerimont, thinking him dead, as all the world
besides thought.

_Vin._ Still turning the dagger's point on yourself! hear me out. I say
she put herself into mourning for you--locked herself in her chamber
this month for you--shut out her barking relations for you--has not
seen the sun or the face of man since she saw you--thinks and talks of
nothing but you--sends to me daily to hear of you--and, and, in short,
(I think,) is mad for you. All this I can swear; for I am to her so
near a neighbour, and so inquisitive a friend for you--

                           _Enter_ Servant.

_Serv._ Mr. Ranger, sir, is coming up.

_Vin._ What brings him now? he comes to lie with me.

_Val._ Who, Ranger?

_Vin._ Yes. Pray retire a little, till I send him off:--unless you have
a mind to have your arrival published to-morrow in the coffee houses.
[VALENTINE _retires to the door behind._

                            _Enter_ RANGER.

_Ran._ What! not yet a-bed? your man is laying you to sleep with
usquebaugh or brandy; is he not so?

_Vin._ What punk[35] will not be troubled with you to-night, therefore
I am?--is it not so?

_Ran._ I have been turned out of doors, indeed, just now, by a
woman,--but such a woman, Vincent!

_Vin._ Yes, yes, your women are always such women!

_Ran._ A neighbour of yours, and I'm sure the finest you have.

_Vin._ Prithee do not asperse my neighbourhood with your acquaintance;
'twould bring a scandal upon an alley.

_Ran._ Nay, I do not know her; therefore I come to you.

_Vin._ 'Twas no wonder she turned you out of doors, then; and if she
had known you, 'twould have been a wonder she had let you stay. But
where does she live?

_Ran._ Five doors off, on the right hand.

_Vin._ Pish! pish!--

_Ran._ What's the matter?

_Vin._ Does she live there, do you say?

_Ran._ Yes; I observed them exactly, that my account from you might be
exact. Do you know who lives there?

_Vin._ Yes, so well, that I know you are mistaken.

_Ran._ Is she not a young lady scarce eighteen, of extraordinary
beauty, her stature next to low, and in mourning?

_Val._ What is this? [_Aside._

_Vin._ She is; but if you saw her, you broke in at window.

_Ran._ I chased her home from the Park, indeed, taking her for another
lady who had some claim to my heart, till she showed a better title
to't.

_Vin._ Hah! hah! hah!

_Val._ Was she at the Park, then? and have I a new rival? [_Aside._

_Vin._ From the Park did you follow her, do you say?--I knew you were
mistaken.

_Ran._ I tell you I am not.

_Vin._ If you are sure it was that house, it might be perhaps her woman
stolen to the Park, unknown to her lady.

_Ran._ My acquaintance does usually begin with the maid first, but now
'twas with the mistress, I assure you.

_Vin._ The mistress!--I tell you she has not been out of her doors
since Valentine's flight. She is his mistress,--the great heiress,
Christina.

_Ran._ I tell you then again, I followed that Christina from the Park
home, where I talked with her half an hour, and intend to see her to
morrow again.

_Val._ Would she talk with him too! [_Aside._

_Vin._ It cannot be.

_Ran._ Christina do you call her? Faith I am sorry she is an heiress,
lest it should bring the scandal of interest, and the design of lucre,
upon my love.

_Vin._ No, no, her face and virtues will free you from that censure.
But, however, 'tis not fairly done to rival your friend Valentine in
his absence; and when he is present you know 'twill be dangerous, by
my Lord Clerimont's example. Faith, if you have seen her, I would not
advise you to attempt it again.

_Ran._ You may be merry, sir, you are not in love; your advice I come
not for, nor will I for your assistance;--Good night. [_Exit._

_Val._ Here's your Penelope! the woman that had not seen the sun, nor
face of man, since my departure! for it seems she goes out in the
night, when the sun is absent, and faces are not distinguished.

_Vin._ Why! do you believe him?

_Val._ Should I believe you?

_Vin._ 'Twere more for your interest, and you would be less deceived.
If you believe him, you must doubt the chastity of all the fine women
in town, and five miles about.

_Val._ His reports of them will little invalidate his testimony with me.

_Vin._ He spares not the innocents in bibs and aprons. I'll secure you,
he has made (at best) some gross mistake concerning Christina, which
to-morrow will discover; in the meantime let us go to sleep.

_Val._ I will not hinder you, because I cannot enjoy it myself:--

  Hunger, Revenge, to sleep are petty foes,
  But only Death the jealous eyes can close.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE THIRD.


SCENE I.--_A Room in_ Mrs. CROSSBITE'S _House._

               _Enter_ Mrs. JOYNER _and_ Mrs. CROSSBITE.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Good morrow, gossip.

_Mrs. Cros._ Good morrow;--but why up so early, good gossip?

_Mrs. Joyn._ My care and passionate concern for you and yours would not
let me rest, in truly.

_Mrs. Cros._ For me and mine?

_Mrs. Joyn._ You know we have known one another long; I think it be
some nine-and-thirty years since you were married.

_Mrs. Cros._ Nine-and thirty years old, mistress! I'd have you to
know, I am no far-born child; and if the register had not been burned
in the last great fire, alas!--but my face needs no register sure;
nine-and-thirty years old, said you?

_Mrs. Joyn._ I said you had been so long married; but, indeed, you bear
your years as well as any she in Pepper-alley.

_Mrs. Cros._ Nine-and-thirty, mistress!

_Mrs. Joyn._ This it is; a woman, now-a-days, had rather you should
find her faulty with a man, I warrant you, than discover her age, I
warrant you.

_Mrs. Cros._ Marry, and 'tis the greatest secret far. Tell a miser he
is rich, and a woman she is old,--you will get no money of him, not
kindness of her. To tell me I was nine-and-thirty--(I say no more)
'twas un-neighbourly done of you, mistress.

_Mrs. Joyn._ My memory confesses my age, it seems, as much as my face;
for I thought--

_Mrs. Cros._ Pray talk nor think no more of any one's age; but say what
brought you hither so early.

_Mrs. Joyn._ How does my sweet god-daughter, poor wretch?

_Mrs. Cros._ Well, very well.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Ah, sweet creature! Alas! alas!--I am sorry for her.

_Mrs. Cros._ Why, what has she done to deserve your sorrow, or my
reprehension?

            _Enter_ LUCY, _and stands unseen at the door._

_Lucy._ What, are they talking of me? [_Aside._

_Mrs. Joyn._ In short, she was seen going into the meeting-house of the
wicked, otherwise called the playhouse, hand in hand with that vile
fellow Dapperwit.

_Mrs. Cros._ Mr. Dapperwit! let me tell you, if 'twere not for Master
Dapperwit, we might have lived all this vacation upon green cheese,
tripe, and ox cheek. If he had it, we should not want it; but, poor
gentleman! it often goes hard with him,--for he's a wit.

_Mrs. Joyn._ So, then, you are the dog to be fed, while the house is
broken up! I say, beware! The sweet bits you swallow will make your
daughter's belly swell, mistress; and, after all your junkets, there
will be a bone for you to pick, mistress.

_Mrs. Cros._ Sure, Master Dapperwit is no such manner of man!

_Mrs. Joyn._ He is a wit, you say; and what are wits, but contemners
of matrons, seducers, or defamers of married women, and deflowerers
of helpless virgins, even in the streets, upon the very bulks[36];
affronters of midnight magistracy, and breakers of windows? in a word--

_Mrs. Cros._ But he is a little wit, a modest wit, and they do no such
outrageous things as your great wits do.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, I dare say, he will not say himself he is a little
wit if you ask him.

_Lucy._ Nay, I cannot hear this with patience.--[_Comes forward._] With
your pardon, mother, you are as much mistaken as my godmother in Mr.
Dapperwit; for he is as great a wit as any, and in what he speaks or
writes as happy as any. I can assure you, he contemns all your tearing
wits, in comparison of himself.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Alas, poor young wretch! I cannot blame thee so much as
thy mother, for thou art not thyself. His bewitching madrigals have
charmed thee into some heathenish imp with a hard name.

_Lucy._ Nymph, you mean, godmother.

_Mrs. Joyn._ But you, gossip, know what's what. Yesterday, as I told
you, a fine old alderman of the city, seeing your daughter in so ill
hands as Dapperwit's, was zealously, and in pure charity, bent upon her
redemption; and has sent me to tell you, he will take her into his care
and relieve your necessities, if you think good.

_Mrs. Cros._ Will he relieve all our necessities?

_Mrs. Joyn._ All.

_Mrs. Cros._ Mine, as well as my daughter's?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Yes.

_Mrs. Cros._ Well fare his heart!--D'ye hear, daughter, Mrs. Joyner has
satisfied me clearly; Dapperwit is a vile fellow, and, in short, you
must put an end to that scandalous familiarity between you.

_Lucy._ Leave sweet Mr. Dapperwit!--oh furious ingratitude! Was he not
the man that gave me my first Farrendon[37] gown, put me out of worsted
stockings and handkerchiefs, taught me to dress, talk, and move well?

_Mrs. Cros._ He has taught you to talk indeed; but, huswife, I will not
have my pleasure disputed.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, indeed, you are too tart with her, poor sweet soul.

_Lucy._ He taught me to rehearse, too,--would have brought me into the
playhouse, where I might have had as good luck as others: I might have
had good clothes, plate, jewels, and things so well about me, that my
neighbours, the little gentlemen's wives of fifteen hundred or two
thousand pounds a year, should have retired into the country, sick with
envy of my prosperity and greatness.

_Mrs. Joyn._ If you follow your mother's counsel, you are like to enjoy
all you talk of sooner than by Dapperwit's assistance:--a poor wretch
that goes on tick for the paper he writes his lampoons on, and the very
ale and coffee that inspire him, as they say.

_Mrs. Cros._ I am credibly informed so, indeed, Madam Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Well, I have discharged my conscience; good morrow to you
both. [_Exeunt severally._


SCENE II.--Mrs. CROSSBITE'S _Dining-room._

                    _Enter_ DAPPERWIT _and_ RANGER.

_Dap._ This is the cabinet in which I hide my jewel; a small house, in
an obscure, little, retired street, too.

_Ran._ Vulgarly, an alley.

_Dap._ Nay, I hide my mistress with as much care as a spark of the town
does his money from his dun after a good hand at play; and nothing but
you could have wrought upon me for a sight of her, let me perish.

_Ran._ My obligation to you is great; do not lessen it by delays of the
favour you promised.

_Dap._ But do not censure my honour; for if you had not been in a
desperate condition,--for as one nail must beat out another, one
poison expel another, one fire draw out another, one fit of drinking
cure the sickness of another,--so, the surfeit you took last night of
Christina's eyes shall be cured by Lucy's this morning; or as--

_Ran._ Nay, I bar more similitudes.

_Dap._ What, in my mistress's lodging? that were as hard as to bar
a young parson in the pulpit, the fifth of November, railing at the
Church of Rome; or as hard as to put you to bed to Lucy and defend you
from touching her; or as--

_Ran._ Or as hard as to make you hold your tongue.--I shall not see
your mistress, I see.

_Dap._ Miss Lucy! Miss Lucy!--[_Knocks at the door and returns._]--The
devil take me, if good men (I say no more) have not been upon their
knees to me, to see her, and you at last must obtain it.

_Ran._ I do not believe you.

_Dap._ 'Tis such as she; she is beautiful without affectation; amorous
without impertinency; airy and brisk without impudence; frolic without
rudeness; and, in a word, the justest creature breathing to her
assignation.

_Ran._ You praise her as if you had a mind to part with her; and yet
you resolve, I see, to keep her to yourself.

_Dap._ Keep her! poor creature, she cannot leave me; and rather than
leave her, I would leave writing lampoons or sonnets almost.

_Ran._ Well, I'll leave you with her then.

_Dap._ What, will you go without seeing her?

_Ran._ Rather than stay without seeing her.

_Dap._ Yes, yes, you shall see her; but let me perish if I have not
been offered a hundred guineas for a sight of her; by--I say no more.

_Ran._ [_Aside._] I understand you now.--[_Aloud._] If the favour be to
be purchased, then I'll bid all I have about me for't.

_Dap._ Fy, fy, Mr. Ranger! you are pleasant, i'faith. Do you think I
would sell the sight of my rarity?--like those gentlemen who hang out
flags at Charing Cross, or like--

_Ran._ Nay, then I'm gone again.

_Dap._ What, you take it ill I refuse your money? rather than that
should be, give us it; but take notice I will borrow it. Now I think
on't, Lucy wants a gown and some knacks.

_Ran._ Here.

_Dap._ But I must pay it you again: I will not take it unless you
engage your honour I shall pay it you again.

_Ran._ You must pardon me; I will not engage my honour for such a
trifle. Go, fetch her out.

_Dap._ Well, she's a ravishing creature: such eyes and lips, Mr. Ranger!

_Ran._ Prithee go.

_Dap._ Such neck and breasts, Mr. Ranger!

_Ran._ Again, prithee go.

_Dap._ Such feet, legs, and thighs, Mr. Ranger!

_Ran._ Prithee let me see 'em.

_Dap._ And a mouth no bigger than your ring!--I need say no more.

_Ran._ Would thou wert never to speak again!

_Dap._ And then so neat, so sweet a creature in bed, that, to my
knowledge, she does not change her sheets in half a year.

_Ran._ I thank you for that allay to my impatience.

_Dap._ Miss Lucy! Miss Lucy! Miss!--[_Knocking at the door._

_Ran._ Will she not open? I am afraid my pretty miss is not stirring,
and therefore will not admit us. Is she not gone her walk to Lamb's
Conduit?[38]

_Dap._ Fy, fy, a quibble next your stomach in a morning! What if she
should hear us? would you lose a mistress for a quibble? that's more
than I could do, let me perish!--She's within, I hear her.

_Ran._ But she will not hear you; she's as deaf as if you were a dun or
a constable.

_Dap._ Pish! give her but leave to gape, rub her eyes, and put on her
day pinner; the long patch under the left eye; awaken the roses on
her cheeks with some Spanish wool, and warrant her breath with some
lemon-peel; the doors fly off the hinges, and she into my arms. She
knows there is as much artifice to keep a victory as to gain it; and
'tis a sign she values the conquest of my heart.

_Ran._ I thought her beauty had not stood in need of art.

_Dap._ Beauty's a coward still without the help of art, and may have
the fortune of a conquest but cannot keep it. Beauty and art can no
more be asunder than love and honour.

_Ran._ Or, to speak more like yourself, wit and judgment.

_Dap._ Don't you hear the door wag yet?

_Ran._ Not a whit.

_Dap._ Miss! miss! 'tis your slave that calls. Come, all this tricking
for him!--Lend me your comb, Mr. Ranger.

_Ran._ No, I am to be preferred to-day, you are to set me off. You are
in possession, I will not lend you arms to keep me out.

_Dap._ A pox! don't let me be ungrateful; if she has smugged herself up
for me, let me prune and flounce my peruke a little for her. There's
ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere
stranger in the playhouse.

_Ran._ A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very
playhouse, or in the presence.

_Dap._ But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis a greater neglect
of her than himself. Pray lend me your comb.

_Ran._ I would not have men of wit and courage make use of every fop's
mean arts to keep or gain a mistress.

_Dap._ But don't you see every day, though a man have never so much wit
and courage, his mistress will revolt to those fops that wear and comb
perukes well. I'll break off the bargain, and will not receive you my
partner.

_Ran._ Therefore you see I am setting up for myself. [_Combs his
peruke._

_Dap._ She comes, she comes!--pray, your comb. [_Snatches_ RANGER'S
_comb._

                        _Enter_ Mrs. CROSSBITE.

_Mrs. Cros._ Bargain!--what, are you offering us to sale?

_Dap._ A pox! is't she?--Here take your comb again, then. [_Returns the
comb._

_Mrs. Cros._ Would you sell us? 'tis like you, y'fads.

_Dap._ Sell thee!--where should we find a chapman? Go, prithee, mother,
call out my dear Miss Lucy.

_Mrs. Cros._ Your Miss Lucy! I do not wonder you have the conscience to
bargain for us behind our backs, since you have the impudence to claim
a propriety in us to my face.

_Ran._ How's this, Dapperwit?

_Dap._ Come, come, this gentleman will not think the worse of a woman
for my acquaintance with her. He has seen me bring your daughter to the
lure with a chiney-orange, from one side of the playhouse to the other.

_Mrs. Cros._ I would have the gentleman and you to know my daughter is
a girl of reputation, though she has been seen in your company; but is
now so sensible of her past danger, that she is resolved never more to
venture her pitcher to the well, as they say.

_Dap._ How's that, widow? I wonder at your confidence.

_Mrs. Cros._ I wonder at your old impudence, that where you have had so
frequent repulses you should provoke another, and bring your friend
here to witness your disgrace.

_Dap._ Hark you, widow, a little.

_Mrs. Cros._ What, have you mortgaged my daughter to that gentleman;
and now would offer me a snip to join in the security!

_Dap._ [_Aside._] She overhead me talk of a bargain;--'twas
unlucky.--[_Aloud._] Your wrath is grounded upon a mistake; Miss Lucy
herself shall be judge; call her out, pray.

_Mrs. Cros._ She shall not; she will not come to you.

_Dap._ Till I hear it from her own mouth, I cannot believe it.

_Mrs. Cros._ You shall hear her say't through the door.

_Dap._ I shall doubt it unless she say it to my face.

_Mrs. Cros._ Shall we be troubled with you no more then?

_Dap._ If she command my death, I cannot disobey her.

_Mrs. Cros._ Come out, child.

                _Enter_ LUCY, _holding down her head._

_Dap._ Your servant, dearest miss: can you have--

_Mrs. Cros._ Let me ask her.

_Dap._ No, I'll ask her.

_Ran._ I'll throw up cross or pile[39] who shall ask her.

_Dap._ Can you have the heart to say you will never more break a
cheese-cake with me at New Spring Garden,[40] the Neat-house, or
Chelsea? never more sit in my lap at a new play? never more wear a
suit of knots of my choice? and, last of all, never more pass away an
afternoon with me again in the Green Garret?--do not forget the Green
Garret.

_Lucy._ I wish I had never seen the Green Garret.--Damn the Green
Garret!

_Dap._ Damn the Green Garret!--You are strangely altered!

_Lucy._ 'Tis you are altered.

_Dap._ You have refused Colby's Mulberry-garden, and the French houses,
for the Green Garret; and a little something in the Green Garret
pleased you more than the best treat the other places could yield; and
can you of a sudden quit the Green Garret?

_Lucy._ Since you have a design to pawn me for the rent, 'tis time to
remove my goods.

_Dap._ Thou art extremely mistaken.

_Lucy._ Besides, I have heard such strange things of you this morning.

_Dap._ What things?

_Lucy._ I blush to speak 'em.

_Dap._ I know my innocence, therefore take my charge as a favour. What
have I done?

_Lucy._ Then know, vile wit, my mother has confessed just now thou wert
false to me, to her too certain knowledge; and hast forced even her to
be false to me too.

_Dap._ Faults in drink, Lucy, when we are not ourselves, should not
condemn us.

_Lucy._ And now to let me out to hire like a hackney!--I tell you my
own dear mother shall bargain for me no more; there are as little as I
can bargain for themselves now-a-days, as well as properer women.

_Mrs. Cros._ Whispering all this while!--Beware of his snares again:
come away, child.

_Dap._ Sweet, dear miss--

_Lucy._ Bargain for me!--you have reckoned without your hostess, as
they say. Bargain for me! bargain for me! [_Exit._

_Dap._ I must return, then, to treat with you.

_Mrs. Cros._ Treat me no treatings, but take a word for all. You shall
no more dishonour my daughter, nor molest my lodgings, as you have done
at all hours.

_Dap._ Do you intend to change 'em, then, to Bridewell, or Long's
powdering-tub?[41]

_Mrs. Cros._ No, to a bailiff's house, and then you'll be so civil, I
presume, as not to trouble us.

_Ran._ Here, will you have my comb again, Dapperwit?

_Dap._ A pox! I think women take inconstancy from me worse than from
any man breathing.

_Mrs. Cros._ Pray, sir, forget me before you write your next lampoon.
[_Exit._

    _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT _in the dress of a_ Clerk.--RANGER
                     _retires to the background._

_Sir Sim._ Have I found you? have I found you in your by-walks, faith
and troth? I am almost out of breath in following you. Gentlemen when
they get into an alley walk so fast, as if they had more earnest
business there than in the broad streets.

_Dap._ [_Aside._]--How came this sot hither? Fortune has sent him to
ease my choler.--You impudent rascal, who are you, that dare intrude
thus on us? [_Strikes him._

_Sir Sim._ Don't you know me, Dapperwit? sure you know me. [_Softly._

_Dap._ Will thou dishonour me with thy acquaintance too? thou rascally,
insolent, pen-and-ink man. [_Strikes him again._

_Sir Sim._ Oh! oh! sure you know me! pray know me. [_Softly._

_Dap._ By thy saucy familiarity, thou shouldst be a marker at a
tennis-court, a barber, or a slave that fills coffee.

_Sir Sim._ Oh! oh!

_Dap._ What art thou? [_Kicks him._

_Sir Sim._ Nay, I must not discover myself to Ranger for a kick or two.
Oh, pray hold, sir: by that you will know me. [_Delivers him a letter._

_Dap._ How, Sir Simon!

_Sir Sim._ Mum, mum, make no excuses, man; I would not Ranger should
have known me for five hundred--kicks.

_Dap._ Your disguise is so natural, I protest, it will excuse me.

_Sir Sim._ I know that, prithee make no excuses, I say. No ceremony
between thee and I, man:--read the letter.

_Dap._ What, you have not opened it!

_Sir Sim._ Prithee, don't be angry, the seal is a little cracked: for I
could not help kissing Mrs. Martha's letter. The word is, now or never.
Her father she finds will be abroad all this day, and she longs to see
your friend Sir Simon Addleplot:--faith 'tis a pretty jest; while I am
with her, and praising myself to her at no ordinary rate. Let thee and
I alone at an intrigue.

_Dap._ Tell her I will not fail to meet her at the place and time. Have
a care of your charge; and manage your business like yourself, for
yourself.

_Sir Sim._ I warrant you.

_Dap._ The gaining Gripe's daughter will make me support the loss of
this young jilt here. [_Aside._

_Ran._ [_Coming forward._] What fellow's that?

_Dap._ A servant to a friend of mine.

_Ran._ Methinks he something resembles our acquaintance Sir Simon;
but it is no compliment to tell him so: for that knight is the most
egregious coxcomb that ever played with lady's fan.

_Sir Sim._ So! thanks to my disguise, I know my enemies! [_Aside._

_Ran._ The most incorrigible ass, beyond the reproof of a kicking rival
or a frowning mistress. But, if it be possible, thou dost use him worse
than his mistress or rival can; thou dost make such a cully of him.

_Sir Sim._ Does he think so too? [_Aside._

_Dap._ Go, friend, go about your business.--[_Exit_ Sir SIMON.] A pox!
you would spoil all, just in the critical time of projection. He brings
me here a summons from his mistress, to meet her in the evening; will
you come to my wedding?

_Ran._ Don't speak so loud, you'll break poor Lucy's heart. Poor
creature, she cannot leave you; and, rather than leave her, you would
leave writing of lampoons or sonnets--almost.

_Dap._ Come, let her go, ungrateful baggage!--But now you talk of
sonnets, I am no living wit if her love has not cost me two thousand
couplets at least.

_Ran._ But what would you give, now, for a new satire against women,
ready made?--'Twould be as convenient to buy satires against women
ready made, as it is to buy cravats ready tied.

_Dap._ Or as--

_Ran._ Hey, come away, come away, Mr., or as--[_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_A Room in_ Mrs. CROSSBITE'S _House._

                   _Enter_ Mrs. JOYNER _and_ GRIPE.

_Gripe._ Peace, plenty, and pastime be within these walls!

_Mrs. Joyn._ 'Tis a small house, you see, and mean furniture; for no
gallants are suffered to come hither. She might have had ere now as
good lodgings as any in town; her Mortlake[42] hangings, great glasses,
cabinets, china, embroidered beds, Persia carpets, gold-plate, and
the like, if she would have put herself forward. But your worship
may please to make 'em remove to a place fit to receive one of your
worship's quality; for this is a little scandalous, in truly.

_Gripe._ No, no; I like it well enough:--I am not dainty. Besides,
privacy, privacy, Mrs. Joyner! I love privacy in opposition to the
wicked, who hate it. [_Looks about._

_Mrs. Joyn._ What do you look for, sir?

_Gripe._ Walls have ears; but, besides, I look for a private place to
retire to, in time of need. Oh! here's one convenient. [_Turns up a
hanging, and discovers the slender provisions of the family._]

_Mrs. Joyn._ But you see, poor innocent souls, to what use they put
it;--not to hide gallants.

_Gripe._ Temperance is the nurse of chastity.

_Mrs. Joyn._ But your worship may please to mend their fare; and, when
you come, may make them entertain you better than, you see, they do
themselves.

_Gripe._ No, I am not dainty, as I told you. I abominate
entertainments;--no entertainments, pray, Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ No! [_Aside._

_Gripe._ There can be no entertainment to me more luscious and savoury
than communion with that little gentlewoman.--Will you call her out? I
fast till I see her.

_Mrs. Joyn._ But, in truly, your worship, we should have brought a
bottle or two of Rhenish and some Naples biscuit, to have entertained
the young gentlewoman. 'Tis the mode for lovers to treat their
mistresses.

_Gripe._ Modes! I tell you, Mrs. Joyner, I hate modes and forms.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You must send for something to entertain her with.

_Gripe._ Again entertaining!--we will be to each other a feast.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I shall be ashamed, in truly, your worship.--Besides, the
young gentlewoman will despise you.

_Gripe._ I shall content her, I warrant you; leave it to me.

_Mrs. Joyn._ [_Aside._] I am sure you will not content me, if you will
not content her; 'tis as impossible for a man to love and be a miser,
as to love and be wise, as they say.

_Gripe._ While you talk of treats, you starve my eyes; I long to see
the fair one; fetch her hither.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I am ashamed she should find me so abominable a liar;
I have so praised you to her, and, above all your virtues, your
liberality; which is so great a virtue, that it often excuses youth,
beauty, courage, wit, or anything.

_Gripe._ Pish, pish! 'tis the virtue of fools; every fool can have it.

_Mrs. Joyn._ And will your worship want it, then? I told her--

_Gripe._ Why would you tell her anything of me? you know I am a modest
man. But come, if you will have me as extravagant as the wicked, take
that and fetch us a treat, as you call it.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Upon my life a groat! what will this purchase?

_Gripe._ Two black pots of ale and a cake, at the cellar.--Come, the
wine has arsenic in't.

_Mrs. Joyn._ [_Aside._] Well, I am mistaken, and my hopes are abused: I
never knew any man so mortified a miser, that he would deny his lechery
anything; I must be even with thee then another way. [_Exit._

_Gripe._ These useful old women are more exorbitant and craving in
their desires than the young ones in theirs. These prodigals in white
perukes spoil 'em both; and that's the reason, when the squires come
under my clutches, I make 'em pay for their folly and mine, and 'tis
but conscience:--oh, here comes the fair one at last!

    _Re-enter_ Mrs. JOYNER _leading in_ LUCY, _who hangs backwards
                            as she enters._

_Lucy._ Oh Lord, there's a man, godmother!

_Mrs. Joyn._ Come in, child, thou art so bashful--

_Lucy._ My mother is from home too, I dare not.

_Mrs. Joyn._ If she were here, she'd teach you better manners.

_Lucy._ I'm afraid she'd be angry.

_Mrs. Joyn._ To see you so much an ass.--Come along, I say.

_Gripe._ Nay, speak to her gently; if you won't, I will.

_Lucy._ Thank you, sir.

_Gripe._ Pretty innocent! there is, I see, one left of her age; what
hap have I! Sweet little gentlewoman, come sit down by me.

_Lucy._ I am better bred, I hope, sir.

_Gripe._ You must sit down by me.

_Lucy._ I'd rather stand, if you please.

_Gripe._ To please me, you must sit, sweetest.

_Lucy._ Not before my godmother, sure.

_Gripe._ Wonderment of innocence!

_Mrs. Joyn._ A poor bashful girl, sir: I'm sorry she is not better
taught.

_Gripe._ I am glad she is not taught; I'll teach her myself.

_Lucy._ Are you a dancing-master then, sir? But if I should be dull,
and not move as you would have me, you would not beat me, sir, I hope?

_Gripe._ Beat thee, honeysuckle! I'll use thee thus, and thus, and
thus. [_Kisses her._] Ah, Mrs. Joyner, prithee go fetch our treat now.

_Mrs. Joyn._ A treat of a groat! I will not wag.

_Gripe._ Why don't you go? Here, take more money, and fetch what you
will; take here, half-a-crown.

_Mrs. Joyn._ What will half-a-crown do?

_Gripe._ Take a crown then, an angel, a piece;[43]--begone!

_Mrs. Joyn._ A treat only will not serve my turn; I must buy the poor
wretch there some toys.

_Gripe._ What toys? what? speak quickly.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Pendants, necklaces, fans, ribbons, points, laces,
stockings, gloves--

_Gripe._ Hold, hold! before it comes to a gown.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Well remembered, sir; indeed she wants a gown, for she has
but that one to her back. For your own sake you should give her a new
gown, for variety of dresses rouses desire, and makes an old mistress
seem every day a new one.

_Gripe._ For that reason she shall have no new gown; for I am naturally
constant, and as I am still the same, I love she should be still the
same. But here, take half a piece for the other things.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Half a piece!--

_Gripe._ Prithee, begone!--take t'other piece then--two pieces--three
pieces--five! here, 'tis all I have.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I must have the broad-seal ring too, or l stir not.

_Gripe._ Insatiable woman! will you have that too! Prithee spare me
that, 'twas my grandfather's.

_Mrs. Joyn._ That's false, he had ne'er a coat.--So! now I go; this is
but a violent fit, and will not hold. [_Aside._

_Lucy._ Oh! whither do you go, godmother? will you leave me alone?

_Mrs. Joyn._ The gentleman will not hurt you; you may venture yourself
with him alone.

_Lucy._ I think I may, godmother.--[_Exit_ Mrs. JOYNER.] What! will you
lock me in, sir? don't lock me in, sir. [GRIPE, _fumbling at the door,
locks it._

_Gripe._ 'Tis a private lesson, I must teach you, fair.

_Lucy._ I don't see your fiddle, sir; where is your little kit?

_Gripe._ I'll show it thee presently, sweetest.--[_Sets a chair against
the door._]--Necessity, mother of invention!--Come, my dearest. [_Takes
her in his arms._

_Lucy._ What do you mean, sir? don't hurt me, sir, will you--Oh! oh!
you will kill me! Murder! murder!--Oh! oh!--help! help! oh!

      _The door is broken open; enter_ Mrs. CROSSBITE, _and her_
              Landlord, _and his_ 'Prentice, _in aprons._

_Mrs. Cros._ What, murder my daughter, villain!

_Lucy._ I wish he had murdered me.--Oh! oh!

_Mrs. Cros._ What has he done?

_Lucy._ Why would you go out, and leave me alone? unfortunate woman
that I am!

_Gripe._ How now, what will this end in? [_Aside._

_Mrs. Cros._ Who brought him in?

_Lucy._ That witch, that treacherous false woman, my godmother, who has
betrayed me, sold me to his lust.--Oh! oh!--

_Mrs. Cros._ Have you ravished my daughter, then, you old goat?
ravished my daughter!--ravished my daughter! speak, villain.

_Gripe._ By yea and by nay, no such matter.

_Mrs. Cros._ A canting rogue, too! Take notice, landlord, he has
ravished my daughter, you see her all in tears and distraction; and see
there the wicked engine of the filthy execution.--[_Pointing to the
chair._]--Jeremy, call up the neighbours, and the constable,--False
villain! thou shalt die for it.

_Gripe._ Hold! hold!--[_Aside._]--Nay, I am caught.

_Mrs. Cros._ Go, go, make haste--

_Lucy._ Oh! oh!--

_Mrs. Cros._ Poor wretch!--Go quickly.

_Gripe._ Hold! hold!--Thou young spawn of the old serpent! wicked, as I
thought thee innocent! wilt thou say I would have ravished thee?

_Lucy._ I will swear you did ravish me.

_Gripe._ I thought so, treacherous Eve!--then I am gone, I must shift
as well as I can.

_Lucy._ Oh! oh!--

_Mrs. Cros._ Will none of you call up the neighbours, and the authority
of the alley?

_Gripe._ Hold, I'll give you twenty mark[44] among you to let me go.

_Mrs. Cros._ Villain! nothing shall buy thy life.

_Land._ But stay, Mrs. Crossbite, let me talk with you.

_Lucy._ Oh! oh!--

_Land._ Come, sir, I am your friend:--in a word, I have appeased her,
and she shall be contented with a little sum.

_Gripe._ What is it? what is it?

_Land._ But five hundred pounds.

_Gripe._ But five hundred pounds!--hang me then, hang me rather.

_Land._ You will say I have been your friend.

_Pren._ The constable and neighbours are a-coming.

_Gripe._ How, how; will you not take a hundred? pray use conscience in
your ways. [_Kneels to_ Mrs. CROSSBITE.

_Mrs. Cros._ I scorn your money! I will not take a thousand.

_Gripe._ [_Aside._] My enemies are many, and I shall be a scandal
to the faithful, as a laughing-stock to the wicked.--[_Aloud._]
Go, prepare your engines for my persecution; I'll give you the best
security I can.

_Land._ The instruments are drawing in the other room, if you please to
go thither.

_Mrs. Cros._ Indeed, now I consider, a portion will do my daughter
more good than his death. That would but publish her shame; money will
cover it--_probatum est_, as they say. Let me tell you, sir, 'tis a
charitable thing to give a young maid a portion. [_Exeunt._


SCENE IV.--LYDIA'S _Lodging._

       _Enter_ LYDIA _and_ Lady FLIPPANT, _attended by_ LEONORE.

_Lyd._ 'Tis as hard for a woman to conceal her indignation from her
apostate lover, as to conceal her love from her faithful servant.

_L. Flip._ Or almost as hard as it is for the prating fellows
now-a-days to conceal the favours of obliging ladies.

_Lyd._ If Ranger should come up, (I saw him just now in the street,)
the discovery of my anger to him now would be as mean as the discovery
of my love to him before.

_L. Flip._ Though I did so mean a thing as to love a fellow, I would
not do so mean a thing as to confess it, certainly, by my trouble to
part with him. If I confessed love, it should be before they left me.

_Lyd._ So you would deserve to be left, before you were. But could you
ever do so mean a thing as to confess love to any?

_L. Flip._ Yes; but I never did so mean a thing as really to love any.

_Lyd._ You had once a husband.

_L. Flip._ Fy! madam, do you think me so ill bred as to love a husband?

_Lyd._ You had a widow's heart, before you were a widow, I see.

_L. Flip._ I should rather make an adventure of my honour with a
gallant for a gown, a new coach, a necklace, than clap my husband's
cheeks for them, or sit in his lap. I should be as ashamed to be caught
in such a posture with a husband, as a brisk well-bred spark of the
town would be to be caught on his knees at prayers--unless to his
mistress.

                    _Enter_ RANGER _and_ DAPPERWIT.

_Lyd._ Mr. Ranger, 'twas obligingly done of you.

_Ran._ Indeed, cousin, I had kept my promise with you last night, but
this gentleman knows--

_Lyd._ You mistake me; but you shall not lessen any favour you do to
me. You are going to excuse your not coming to me last night, when I
take it as a particular obligation, that though you threatened me with
a visit, upon consideration you were so civil as not to trouble me.

_Dap._ This is an unlucky morning with me! here's my eternal
persecution, the widow Flippant. [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ What, Mr. Dapperwit! [DAPPERWIT _retires to the back of the
stage, followed by_ LADY FLIPPANT.

_Ran._ Indeed, cousin, besides my business, another cause I did
not wait on you was, my apprehension you were gone to the Park,
notwithstanding your promise to the contrary.

_Lyd._ Therefore, you went to the Park to visit me there,
notwithstanding your promise to the contrary?

_Ran._ Who, I at the Park! when I had promised to wait upon you at your
lodging! But were you at the Park, madam?

_Lyd._ Who, I at the Park! when I had promised to wait for you at
home! I was no more at the Park than you were. Were you at the Park?

_Ran._ The Park had been a dismal desert to me, notwithstanding all the
good company in it, if I had wanted yours.

_Lyd._ [_Aside._] Because it has been the constant endeavour of men
to keep women ignorant, they think us so; but 'tis that increases
our inquisitiveness, and makes us know them ignorant as false. He is
as impudent a dissembler as the widow Flippant, who is making her
importunate addresses in vain, for aught I see.

      [Lady FLIPPANT _comes forward, driving_ DAPPERWIT _from one
                 side of the stage to the other._

_L. Flip._ Dear Mr. Dapperwit! merciful Mr. Dapperwit!

_Dap._ Unmerciful Lady Flippant!

_L. Flip._ Will you be satisfied?

_Dap._ Won't you be satisfied?

_L. Flip._ That a wit should be jealous; that a wit should be jealous!
there's never a brisk young fellow in the town, though no wit, Heaven
knows, but thinks too well of himself, to think ill of his wife or
mistress. Now, that a wit should lessen his opinion of himself;--for
shame!

_Dap._ I promised to bring you off, but I find it enough to shift for
myself--[_Softly, apart to_ RANGER.

_Lyd._ What! out of breath, madam!

_L. Flip._ I have been defending our cause, madam; I have beat him out
of the pit. I do so mumble these prating, censorious fellows they call
wits, when I meet with them.

_Dap._ Her ladyship, indeed, is the only thing in petticoats I dread.
'Twas well for me there was company in the room; for I dare no more
venture myself with her alone, than a cully that has been bit dares
venture himself in a tavern with an old rook.

_L. Flip._ I am the revenger of our sex, certainly.

_Dap._ And the most insatiable one I ever knew, madam; I dare not
stand your fury longer.--Mr. Ranger, I will go before and make a
new appointment with your friends that expect you at dinner at the
French-house; 'tis fit business still wait on love.

_Ran._ Do so--but now I think on't, Sir Thomas goes out of town this
afternoon, and I shall not see him here again these three months.

_Lyd._ Nay, pray take him with you, sir.

_L. Flip._ No, sir, you shall not take the gentleman from his
mistress.--[_Aside to_ DAPPERWIT.] Do not go yet, sweet Mr. Dapperwit.

_Lyd._ Take him with you, sir; I suppose his business may be there to
borrow or win money, and I ought not to be his hindrance: for when he
has none, he has his desperate designs upon that little I have;--for
want of money makes as devout lovers as Christians.

_Dap._ I hope, madam, he offers you no less security than his liberty.

_Lyd._ His liberty is as poor a pawn to take up money on as honour.
He is like the desperate bankrupts of this age, who, if they can get
people's fortunes into their hands, care not though they spend them in
jail all their lives.

_L. Flip._ And the poor crediting ladies, when they have parted with
their money, must be contented with a pitiful composition, or starve,
for all them.

_Ran._ But widows are commonly so wise as to be sure their men are
solvable before they trust 'em.

_L. Flip._ Can you blame 'em! I declare I will trust no man. Pray, do
not take it ill, gentlemen: quacks in their bills, and poets in the
titles of their plays, do not more disappoint us, than gallants with
their promises; but I trust none.

_Dap._ Nay, she's a very Jew in that particular. To my knowledge,
she'll know her man, over and over again, before she trust him.

_Ran._ Well, my dearest cousin, good-morrow. When I stay from you so
long again, blame me to purpose, and be extremely angry; for nothing
can make me amends for the loss of your company, but your reprehension
of my absence. I'll take such a chiding as kindly as Russian wives do
beating.

_Lyd._ If you were my husband, I could not take your absence more
kindly than I do.

_Ran._ And if you were my wife, I would trust you as much out of my
sight as I could, to show my opinion of your virtue.

_L. Flip._ A well-bred gentleman, I warrant.--Will you go then, cruel
Mr. Dapperwit? [_Exeunt_ RANGER _and_ DAPPERWIT, _followed by_ Lady
FLIPPANT.

_Lyd._ Have I not dissembled well, Leonore?

_Leo._ But, madam, to what purpose? why do you not put him to his
trial, and see what he can say for himself?

_Lyd._ I am afraid lest my proofs, and his guilt, should make him
desperate, and so contemn that pardon which he could not hope for.

_Leo._ 'Tis unjust to condemn him before you hear him.

_Lyd._ I will reprieve him till I have more evidence.

_Leo._ How will you get it?

_Lyd._ I will write him a letter in Christina's name, desiring to meet
him; when I shall soon discover if his love to her be of a longer
standing than since last night; and if it be not, I will not longer
trust him with the vanity to think she gave him the occasion to follow
her home from the Park; so will at once disabuse him and myself.

_Leo._ What care the jealous take in making sure of ills which they,
but in imagination, cannot undergo!

_Lyd._

  Misfortunes are least dreadful when most near:
  'Tis less to undergo the ill, than fear. [_Exeunt._




ACT THE FOURTH.


SCENE I.--_A Room in_ GRIPE'S _House._

      _Enter_ Mrs. JOYNER _and_ GRIPE, _the latter in a blue gown
                            and nightcap._

_Mrs. Joyn._ What, not well, your worship! This it is, you will be
laying out yourself beyond your strength. You have taken a surfeit of
the little gentlewoman, I find. Indeed you should not have been so
immoderate in your embraces; your worship is something in years, in
truly.

_Gripe._ Graceless, perfidious woman! what makest thou here? art thou
not afraid to be used like an informer, since thou hast made me pay
thee for betraying me?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Betray your worship! what do you mean? I an informer! I
scorn your words!

_Gripe._ Woman, I say again, thou art as treacherous as an informer,
and more unreasonable; for he lets us have something for our money
before he disturb us.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Your money, I'm sure, was laid out faithfully; and I went
away because I would not disturb you.

_Gripe._ I had not grudged you the money I gave you:--but the five
hundred pounds! the five hundred pounds! Inconscionable, false woman,
the five hundred pounds!--You cheated, trepanned, robbed me, of the
five hundred pounds!

_Mrs. Joyn._ I cheat you! I rob you!--well, remember what you say, you
shall answer it before Mr. Doublecap and the best of--

_Gripe._ Oh, impudent woman, speak softly!

_Mrs. Joyn._ I will not speak softly; for innocence is loud as well as
barefaced. Is this your return, after you have made me a mere drudge to
your filthy lusts?

_Gripe._ Speak softly; my sister, daughter, and servants, will hear.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I would have witnesses, to take notice that you blast my
good name, which was as white as a tulip, and as sweet as the head of
your cane, before you wrought me to the carrying on the work of your
fleshly carnal seekings.

_Gripe._ Softly! softly! they are coming in.

               _Enter_ Lady FLIPPANT _and_ Mrs. MARTHA.

_L. Flip._ What's the matter, brother?

_Gripe._ Nothing, nothing, sister, only the godly woman is fallen into
a fit of zeal against the enormous transgressions of the age. Go! go!
you do not love to hear vanity reproved; pray begone!

_Mrs. Joyn._ Pray stay, madam, that you may know--

_Gripe._ [_Aside to_ Mrs. JOYNER.] Hold! hold! here are five guineas
for thee,--pray say nothing.--[_Aloud._] Sister, pray begone, I
say.--[_Exeunt_ Lady FLIPPANT _and_ Mrs. MARTHA.] Would you prejudice
your own reputation to injure mine?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Would you prejudice your own soul to wrong my repute, in
truly? [_Pretends to weep._

_Gripe._ Pray have me in excuse. Indeed, I thought you had a share of
the five hundred pounds, because you took away my seal-ring; which they
made me send, together with a note to my cash-keeper for five hundred
pounds. Besides, I thought none but you knew it was my wonted token to
send for money by.

_Mrs. Joyn._ 'Tis unlucky I should forget it, and leave it on the
table!--But oh the harlotry! did she make that use of it then? 'twas no
wonder you did not stay till I came back.

_Gripe._ I stayed till the money released me.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Have they the money, then? five hundred pounds!

_Gripe._ Too certain.

_Mrs. Joyn._ They told me not a word of it; and have you no way to
retrieve it?

_Gripe._ Not any.

_Mrs. Joyn._ [_Aside._] I am glad of it.--[_Aloud._] Is there no law
but against saints?

_Gripe._ I will not for five hundred pounds publish my transgression
myself, lest I should be thought to glory in't: though, I must confess,
'twould tempt a man to conform to public praying and sinning, since
'tis so chargeable to pray and sin in private.

_Mrs. Joyn._ But are you resolved to give off a loser?

_Gripe._ How shall I help it?

_Mrs. Joyn._ Nay, I'll see you shall have what the young jade has, for
your money; I'll make 'em use some conscience, however.--Take a man's
money for nothing!

_Gripe._ Thou sayest honestly, indeed. And shall I have my pennyworths
out of the little gentlewoman for all this?

_Mrs. Joyn._ I'll be engaged body for body for her, and you shall take
the forfeiture on me else.

_Gripe._ No, no, I'll rather take your word, Mrs. Joyner.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Go in and dress yourself smug, and leave the rest to me.

_Gripe._ No man breathing would give-off a loser, as she says.
[_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_Another Room in the same._

    Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT _discovered sitting at a desk writing as a_
                  Clerk, Lady FLIPPANT _jogging him._

_Sir Sim._ 'Tis a lord's mortgage, and therefore requires the more
haste:--pray do not jog me, madam.

_L. Flip._ Dull rascal! [_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ They cannot stay for money as other folks. If you will not
let me make an end on't, I shall lose my expedition-fee.

_L. Flip._ There are some clerks would have understood me before this.
[_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ Nay, pray be quiet, madam; if you squeeze me so to the wall,
I cannot write.

_L. Flip._ [_Aside._] 'Tis much for the honour of the gentlemen of
this age, that we persons of quality are forced to descend to the
importuning of a clerk, a butler, coachman, or footman; while the
rogues are as dull of apprehension, too, as an unfledged country squire
amongst his mother's maids! [_Jogs him again._

_Sir Sim._ Again! Let me tell you, madam, familiarity breeds contempt:
you'll never leave till you have made me saucy.

_L. Flip._ I would I could see that.

_Sir Sim._ I vow and swear then, get you gone! or I'll add a black
patch or two to those on your face.--[_Aside._] I shall have no time to
get Mrs. Martha out, for her.

_L. Flip._ Will you, sir, will you! [_Jogs him again._

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] I must have a plot for her, she is a coy
woman.--[_Aloud._] I vow and swear if you pass this crevice,[45] I'll
kiss you in plain English.

_L. Flip._ I would I could see that!--do you defy me! [_Steps to
him--he kisses her._

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] How's this! I vow and swear, she kisses as
tamely as Mrs. Ticklish, and with her mouth open too.

_L. Flip._ I thought you would have been ashamed to have done so to
your master's own sister!

_Sir Sim._ I hope you'll be quiet now, madam?

_L. Flip._ Nay, I'll be revenged of you sure.

_Sir Sim._ If you come again, I shall do more to you than
that.--[_Aside._] I'll pursue my plot and try if she be honest.

_L. Flip._ You do more to me than that! nay, if you'll do more to me
than that--[_She throws down his ink and runs out, he following her._

                         _Enter_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I must visit my young clients in the meantime.

             _Re-enter_ Sir SIMON, _holding up his hands._

What's the matter, Sir Simon?

_Sir Sim._ Lord! who would have thought it?

_Mrs. Joyn._ What ails you, Sir Simon?

_Sir Sim._ I have made such a discovery, Mrs. Joyner!

_Mrs. Joyn._ What is't?

_Sir Sim._ Such a one that makes me at once glad and sorry; I am sorry
my Lady Flippant is naught, but I'm glad I know it:--thanks still to my
disguise.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Fy! fy!

_Sir Sim._ Nay, this hand can tell--

_Mrs. Joyn._ But how?

_Sir Sim._ She threw down my ink-glass, and ran away into the next
room; I followed her, and, in revenge, threw her down upon the
bed:--but, in short, all that I could do to her would not make her
squeak.

_Mrs. Joyn._ She was out of breath, man, she was out of breath.

_Sir Sim._ Ah, Mrs. Joyner, say no more, say no more of that!

                       _Re-enter_ Lady FLIPPANT.

_L. Flip._ You rude, unmannerly rascal!

_Mrs. Joyn._ You see she complains now.

_Sir Sim._ I know why, Mrs. Joyner, I know why. [_Aside to_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_L. Flip._ I'll have you turned out of the house; you are not fit for
my brother's service.

_Sir Sim._ Not for yours, you mean, madam. [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ I'll go and acquaint my brother--

_Mrs. Joyn._ [_Aside to_ Lady FLIPPANT.] Hold, hold, madam, speak not
so loud:--'tis Sir Simon Addleplot, your lover, who has taken this
disguise on purpose to be near you, and to watch and supplant his rival.

_L. Flip._ What a beast was I, I could not discover it! you have undone
me! why would you not tell me sooner of it? [_Aside to_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I thought he had been discernible enough.

_L. Flip._ I protest, I knew him not; for I must confess to you, my
eyes are none of the best since I have used the last new wash of
mercury-water.--What will he think of me!

_Mrs. Joyn._ Let me alone with him.--[_To_ Sir SIMON.] Come, come, did
you think you could disguise yourself from my lady's knowledge? she
knew you, man, or else you had ne'er had those liberties. Alas, poor
lady, she cannot resist you!

_L. Flip._ 'Tis my weakness.

_Sir Sim._ How's this!--but here comes my master.

                   _Enter_ GRIPE _and_ Mrs. MARTHA.

_Gripe._ Come, Mrs. Joyner, are you ready to go?

_Mrs. Joyn._ I am ever ready when your worship commands.

_L. Flip._ Brother, if you go to t'other end of the town, you'll set me
down near the playhouse?

_Gripe._ The playhouse! do you think I will be seen near the playhouse?

_L. Flip._ You shall set me down in Lincoln's-inn-fields, then? for I
have earnest business there.--[_Apart to_ Sir SIMON.] When I come home
again, I'll laugh at you soundly, Sir Simon.

_Sir Sim._ Has Joyner betrayed me then! 'tis time to look to my hits.
[_Aside._

_Gripe._ Martha, be sure you stay within now. If you go out, you shall
never come into my doors again.

_Mrs. Mar._ No, I will not, sir; I'll ne'er come into your doors again,
if once I should go out.

_Gripe._ 'Tis well said, girl. [_Exeunt_ GRIPE, Mrs. JOYNER, _and_ Lady
FLIPPANT.

_Sir Sim._ 'Twas prettily said: I understand you, they are dull, and
have no intrigue in 'em. But dear sweet Mrs. Martha, 'tis time we were
gone; you have stole away your scarfs and hood from your maid, I hope?

_Mrs. Mar._ Nay, I am ready, but--

_Sir Sim._ Come, come, Sir Simon Addleplot, poor gentleman, is an
impatient man, to my knowledge.

_Mrs. Mar._ Well, my venture is great, I'm sure, for a man I know not.
But pray, Jonas, do not deceive me; is he so fine a gentleman, as you
say he is?

_Sir Sim._ Pish! pish! he is the--gentleman of the town, faith and
troth.

_Mrs. Mar._ But may I take your word, Jonas?

_Sir Sim._ 'Tis not my word, 'tis the word of all the town.

_Mrs. Mar._ Excuse me, Jonas, for that:--I never heard any speak well
of him but Mr. Dapperwit and you.

_Sir Sim._ That's because he has been a rival to all men, and a gallant
to all ladies. Rivals and deserted mistresses never speak well of a man.

_Mrs. Mar._ Has he been so general in his amours? his kindness is not
to be valued then.

_Sir Sim._ The more by you; because 'tis for you he deserts all the
rest, faith and troth.

_Mrs. Mar._ You plead better for him than he could for himself, I
believe; for, indeed, they say he is no better than an idiot.

_Sir Sim._ Then, believe me, madam--for nobody knows him better than
I--he has as much wit, courage, and as good a mien to the full, as I
have.--He an idiot!

_Mrs. Mar._ The common gull; so perspicuous a fop, the women find him
out:--for none of 'em will marry him.

_Sir Sim._ You may see, now, how he and you are abused. For that he
is not married, is a sign of his wit; and for being perspicuous,
'tis false; he is as mysterious as a new parliament-man, or a young
statesman newly taken from a coffee-house or tennis-court.

_Mrs. Mar._ But is it a sign of his wit because he is not married?

_Sir Sim._ Yes, yes; your women of the town ravish your fops: there's
not one about the town unmarried that has anything.

_Mrs. Mar._ It may be then he has spent his estate.

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] How unluckily guessed!--[_Aloud._] If he had, he
has a head can retrieve it again.

_Mrs. Mar._ Besides, they say he has the modish distemper.

_Sir Sim._ He can cure it with the best French chirurgeon in town.

_Mrs. Mar._ Has his practice on himself been so much?

_Sir Sim._ Come, come.--

  Fame, like deserted jilt, does still belie men;
  Who doubts her man, must be advised by Hymen;
  For he knows best of any how to try men.  [_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_The old Pall Mall._

                    _Enter_ RANGER _and_ DAPPERWIT.

_Ran._ Now the Lucys have renounced us, hey for the Christinas! She
cannot use me worse than your honourable mistress did you.

_Dap._ A pox! some young heir or another has promised her marriage.
There are so many fools in the world, 'tis impossible for a man of wit
to keep his wench from being a lady, let me perish!

_Ran._ But have you no other acquaintance that sticks to her vocation,
in spite of temptations of honour or filthy lucre? I declare, I make
honourable love merely out of necessity, as your rooks play on the
square rather than not play at all.

         _Enter_ LEONORE _masked, with a letter in her hand._

_Dap._ Come, the devil will not lose a gamester: here's ready money for
you, push freely.

_Ran._ Thou art as well met as if by assignation. [_To_ LEONORE.

_Leo._ And you are as well met as if you were the man I looked for.

_Ran._ Kind rogue!

_Leo._ Sweet sir!

_Ran._ Come, I am thy prisoner, (without more words,) show but thy
warrant. [_Goes to pull off her mask._

_Leo._ You mistake, sir; here is my pass. [_Gives him the letter._

_Ran._ A letter! and directed to me!

[_Reads._] "I cannot put up the injuries and affronts you did
me last night;"--a challenge, upon my life! and by such a
messenger!--"therefore conjure you by your honour, at eight o'clock
precisely, this evening, to send your man to St. James's gate, to wait
for me with a chair, to conduct me to what place you shall think most
fit, for the giving of satisfaction to the injured--Christina."

Christina! I am amazed! What is it o'clock, Dapperwit?

_Dap._ It wants not half an hour of eight.

_Ran._ [_To_ LEONORE.] Go then back, my pretty herald, and tell my fair
enemy the service she designs my man is only fit for my friend here;
whose faith and honour she may be secure of. He shall immediately go
wait for her at St James's gate, whilst I go to prepare a place for our
rencounter, and myself to die at her feet. [_Exit_ LEONORE.] Dapperwit,
dear Dapperwit.

_Dap._ What lucky surprisal's this?

_Ran._ Prithee ask no questions, till I have more leisure and less
astonishment. I know you will not deny to be an instrument in my
happiness.

_Dap._ No, let me perish! I take as much pleasure to bring lovers
together as an old woman; or as a bankrupt gamester loves to look on,
though he has no advantage by the play; or as a bully that fights not
himself, yet takes pleasure to set people together by the ears, or as--

_Ran._ 'Sdeath! is this a time for similitudes?

_Dap._ You have made me miscarry of a good thought now, let me perish!

_Ran._ Go presently to St. James's gate, where you are to expect the
coming of a lady ('tis Christina), accompanied by that woman you saw
e'en now. She will permit you to put her into a chair, and then conduct
her to my lodging; while I go before to remove some spies, and prepare
it for her reception.

_Dap._ Your lodging? had you not better carry her to Vincent's? 'tis
hard by; and there a vizard mask has as free egress and regress as at
the playhouse.

_Ran._ Faith, though it be not very prudent, yet she shall come thither
in my vindication; for he would not believe I had seen her last night.

_Dap._ To have a fine woman, and not tell on't as you say, Mr. Ranger--

_Ran._ Go, and bring her to Vincent's lodging; there I'll expect you.
[_Exeunt severally._


SCENE IV.--_The Street before_ VINCENT'S _Lodging._

                    _Enter_ CHRISTINA _and_ ISABEL.

_Isa._ This is the door, madam; here Mr. Vincent lodges.

_Chris._ 'Tis no matter, we will pass it by; lest the people of our
lodgings should watch us. But if he should not be here now!

_Isa._ Who, Mr. Valentine, madam? I warrant you my intelligencer dares
not fail me.

_Chris._ Did he come last night, said he?

_Isa._ Last night late.

_Chris._ And not see me yet! nay, not send to me!--'tis false, he is
not come,--I wish he were not. I know not which I should take more
unkindly from him, exposing his life to his revengeful enemies, or
being almost four-and-twenty hours so near me, and not let me know't.

_Isa._ A lover's dangers are the only secrets kept from his mistress;
he came not to you because he would not purchase his happiness with
your fear and apprehensions.

_Chris._ Nay, he is come, I see, since you are come about again of his
side.

_Isa._ Will you go in, madam, and disprove me, if you can? 'tis better
than standing in the street.

_Chris._ We'll go a little further first, and return. [_Exeunt._


SCENE V.--VINCENT'S _Lodging._

                   _Enter_ VINCENT _and_ VALENTINE.

_Vin._ I told you I had sent my man to Christina's this morning, to
inquire of her maid, (who seldom denies him a secret,) if her lady had
been at the Park last night; which she peremptorily answered to the
contrary, and assured him she had not stirred out since your departure.

_Val._ Will not chambermaids lie, Vincent?

_Vin._ Will not Ranger lie, Valentine?

_Val._ The circumstances of his story proved it true.

_Vin._ Do you think so old a master in the faculty as he will want the
varnish of probability for his lies?

_Val._ Do you think a woman, having the advantage of her sex, and
education under such a mistress, will want impudence to disavow a truth
that might be prejudicial to that mistress?

_Vin._ But if both testimonies are fallible, why will you needs believe
his? we are apter to believe the things we would have, than those we
would not.

_Val._ My ill luck has taught me to credit my misfortunes and doubt my
happiness.

_Vin._ But fortune we know is inconstant.

_Val._ And all of her sex.

_Vin._ Will you judge of fortune by your experience, and not do your
mistress the same justice? Go see her, and satisfy yourself and her;
for if she be innocent, consider how culpable you are, not only in your
censures of her, but in not seeing her since your coming.

_Val._ If she be innocent, I should be afraid to surprise her, for her
sake; if false, I should be afraid to surprise her for my own.

_Vin._ To be jealous and not inquisitive is as hard as to love
extremely and not to be something jealous.

_Val._ Inquisitiveness as seldom cures jealousy, as drinking in a fever
quenches the thirst.

_Vin._ If she were at the Park last night, 'tis probable she'll not
miss this. Go watch her house, see who goes out, who in; while I, in
the meantime, search out Ranger: who, I'll pawn my life, upon more
discourse shall avow his mistake.--Here he is; go in:--how luckily is
he come! [VALENTINE _retires to the door behind._

                            _Enter_ RANGER.

Ranger, you have prevented me: I was going to look you out, between
the scenes at the playhouse, the coffee-house, tennis-court, or
Gifford's.[46]

_Ran._ Do you want a pretence to go to a bawdy-house?--but I have other
visits to make.

_Vin._ I forget. I should rather have sought you in Christina's
lodgings, ha! ha! ha!

_Ran._ Well, well, I'm just come to tell you that Christina--

_Vin._ Proves not, by daylight, the kind lady you followed last night
out of the Park.

_Ran._ I have better news for you, to my thinking.

_Vin._ What is't?

_Ran._ Not that I have been in Christina's lodging this morning; but
that she'll be presently here in your lodging with me.

_Val._ How! [_Aside._

_Vin. [Retiring, and speaking softly to_ VALENTINE.] You see now, his
report was a jest, a mere jest.--[_To_ RANGER.] Well, must my lodging
be your vaulting-school[47] still? thou hast appointed a wench to come
hither, I find.

_Ran._ A wench! you seemed to have more reverence for Christina last
night.

_Vin._ Now you talk of Christina, prithee tell me what was the meaning
of thy last night's romance of Christina?

_Ran._ You shall know the meaning of all when Christina comes: she'll
be here presently.

_Vin._ Who will? Christina?

_Ran._ Yes, Christina.

_Vin._ Ha! ha! ha!

_Ran._ Incredulous envy! thou art as envious as an impotent lecher at a
wedding.

_Vin._ Thou art either mad, or as vain as a Frenchman newly returned
home from a campaign, or obliging England.

_Ran._ Thou art as envious as a rival; but if thou art mine, there's
that will make you desist; [_gives him a letter_] and if you are not my
rival, entrusting you with such a secret will, I know, oblige you to
keep it, and assist me against all other interests.

_Vin._ Do you think I take your secret as an obligation? don't I know,
lovers, travellers, and poets, will give money to be heard? But what's
the paper? a lampoon upon Christina, hatched last night betwixt squire
Dapperwit and you, because her maid used you scurvily?

_Ran._ No, 'tis only a letter from her, to show my company was not so
disgustful to her last night, but that she desires it again to-day.

_Val._ A letter from her! [_Aside._

_Vin._ A letter from Christina! [_Reads._]--Ha! ha! ha!

_Ran._ Nay, 'tis pleasant.

_Vin._ You mistake, I laugh at you, not the letter.

_Ran._ I am like the winning gamester, so pleased with my luck, I will
not quarrel with any who calls me a fool for't.

_Vin._ Is this the style of a woman of honour?

_Ran._ It may be, for ought you know; I'm sure 'tis well if your female
correspondents can read.

_Vin._ I must confess I have none of the little letters, half name
or title, like your Spanish Epistles Dedicatory; but that a man so
frequent in honourable intrigues as you are, should not know the
summons of an impudent common woman, from that of a person of honour!

_Ran._ Christina is so much a person of honour she'll own what she has
writ when she comes.

_Vin._ But will she come hither indeed?

_Ran._ Immediately. You'll excuse my liberty with you; I could not
conceal such a happiness from such a friend as you, lest you should
have taken it unkindly.

_Vin._ Faith, you have obliged me indeed; for you and others would
often have made me believe your honourable intrigues, but never did me
the honour to convince me of 'em before.

_Ran._ You are merry, I find, yet.

_Vin._ When you are happy I cannot be otherwise.

_Ran._ [_Aside._] But I lose time; I should lay a little parson in
ambush, that lives hard by, in case Christina should be impatient to
be revenged of her friends, as it often happens with a discontented
heiress. Women, like old soldiers, more nimbly execute than they
resolve. [_Going out._

_Vin._ What now! you will not disappoint a woman of Christina's quality?

_Ran._ I'll be here before she comes, I warrant you. [_Exit._

_Vin._ I do believe you truly!--What think you, Valentine?

_Val._ [_Coming forward._] I think, since she has the courage to
challenge him, she'll have the honour of being first in the field.

_Vin._ Fy, your opinion of her must be as bad, as Ranger's of himself
is good, to think she would write to him. I long till his bona-roba[48]
comes, that you may be both disabused.

_Val._ And I have not patience to stay her coming, lest you should be
disabused.

                    _Enter_ CHRISTINA _and_ ISABEL.

_Vin._ Here she is, i'faith; I'm glad she's come.

_Val._ And I'm sorry. But I will to my post again, lest she should say
she came to me. [_Retires as before._

_Vin._ [_Aside._] By heavens, Christina herself! 'tis she! [CHRISTINA
_pulls off her mask._

_Val._ 'Tis she:--cursed be these eyes! more cursed than when they
first betrayed me to that false bewitching face. [_Aside._

_Chris._ You may wonder, sir, to see me here--

_Vin._ I must confess I do.

_Chris._ But the confidence your friend has in you is the cause of
mine; and yet some blushes it does cost me to come to seek a man.

_Val._ Modest creature! [_Aside._

_Vin._ How am I deceived! [_Aside._

_Chris._ Where is he, sir? why does he not appear, to keep me in
countenance? pray call him, sir; 'tis something hard if he should know
I'm here.

_Vin._ I hardly can myself believe you are here, madam.

_Chris._ If my visit be troublesome or unseasonable, 'tis your friend's
fault; I designed it not to you, sir. Pray call him out, that he may
excuse it, and take it on himself, together with my shame.

_Vin._ How impatient she is! [_Aside._

_Chris._ Or do you delay the happiness I ask, to make it more welcome?
I have stayed too long for it already, and cannot more desire it. Dear
sir, call him out. Where is he? above, or here within? I'll snatch
the favour which you will not give.--[_Goes to the door and discovers_
VALENTINE.] What! Do you hide yourself for shame?

_Val._ [_Coming forward._] I must confess I do.

_Chris._ To see me come hither--

_Val._ I acknowledge it. [VALENTINE _offers to go out._

_Chris._ Before you came to me? But whither do you go? come, I can
forgive you.

_Val._ But I cannot forgive you.

_Chris._ Whither do you go? you need not forge a quarrel to prevent
mine to you: nor need you try if I would follow you, you know I
will;--I have, you see.

_Val._ That impudence should look so like innocence! [_Aside._

_Chris._ Whither would you go? why would you go?

_Val._ To call your servant to you.

_Chris._ She is here; what would you have with her?

_Val._ I mean your lover,--the man you came to meet.

_Chris._ Oh heavens! what lover? what man? I came to see no man but
you, whom I had too long lost.

_Val._ You could not know that I was here.

_Chris._ Ask her; 'twas she that told me. [_Points to_ ISABEL.

_Val._ How could she know?

_Chris._ That you shall know hereafter.

_Val._ No, you thought me too far out of the way to disturb your
assignation; and I assure you, madam, 'twas my ill-fortune, not my
design: and that it may appear so, I do withdraw, as in all good
breeding and civility I am obliged; for sure your wished-for lover's
coming.

_Chris._ What do you mean? are you a-weary of that title?

_Val._ I am ashamed of it, since it grows common. [_Going out._

_Chris._ Nay, you will not, shall not go.

_Val._ My stay might give him jealousy, and so do you injury, and him
the greatest in the world: heavens forbid! I would not make a man
jealous; for though you call a thousand vows, and oaths, and tears to
witness (as you safely may), that you have not the least of love for
me, yet if he ever knew how I have loved you, sure he would not, could
not believe you.

_Chris._ I do confess, your riddle is too hard for me to solve;
therefore you are obliged to do't yourself.

_Val._ I wish it were capable of any other interpretation than what you
know already.

_Chris._ Is this that generous good Valentine? who has disguised him
so? [_Weeps._

_Vin._ Nay, I must withhold you then. [_Stops_ VALENTINE _going out._]
Methinks she should be innocent; her tongue, and eyes, together with
that flood that swells 'em, do vindicate her heart.

_Val._ They show but their long practice of dissimulation. [_Going out._

_Vin._ Come back: I hear Ranger coming up: stay but till he comes.

_Val._ Do you think I have the patience of an alderman?

_Vin._ You may go out this way, when you will, by the back-stairs; but
stay a little, till--Oh, here he comes.

       _Re-enter_ RANGER. _Upon his entrance_ CHRISTINA _puts on
                              her mask._

_Val._ My revenge will now detain me. [VALENTINE _retires again._

_Ran._ [_Aside._]--What, come already! where is Dapperwit?--[_Aloud._]
The blessing's double that comes quickly; I did not yet expect you
here, otherwise I had not done myself the injury to be absent. But I
hope, madam, I have not made you stay long for me.

_Chris._ I have not staid at all for you.

_Ran._ I am glad of it, madam.

_Chris._ [_To_ ISABEL.] Is not this that troublesome stranger who
last night followed the lady into my lodgings?--[_Aside._] 'Tis he.
[_Removing from him to the other side._

_Ran._ [_Aside._] Why does she remove so disdainfully from
me?--[_Aloud._] I find you take it ill I was not at your coming here,
madam.

_Chris._ Indeed I do not; you are mistaken, sir.

_Ran._ Confirm me by a smile then, madam; remove that cloud, which makes
me apprehend foul weather. [_Goes to take off her mask._]--Mr. Vincent,
pray retire; 'tis you keep on the lady's mask, and no displeasure which
she has for me.--Yet, madam, you need not distrust his honour or his
faith.--But do not keep the lady under constraint; pray leave us a
little, Master Vincent.

_Chris._ You must not leave us, sir; would you leave me with a
stranger?

_Val._ How's that! [_Aside._

_Ran._ [_Aside._] I've done amiss, I find, to bring her hither.--Madam,
I understand you--[_Apart to_ CHRISTINA.

_Chris._ Sir, I do not understand you.

_Ran._ You would not be known to Mr. Vincent.

_Chris._ 'Tis your acquaintance I would avoid.

_Ran._ [_Aside._] Dull brute that I was, to bring her hither!--I have
found my error, madam; give me but a new appointment, where I may meet
you by and by, and straight I will withdraw as if I knew you not.
[_Softly to her._

_Chris._ Why, do you know me?

_Ran._ [_Aside._] I must not own it.--No, madam, but--[_Offers to
whisper._

_Chris._ Whispering, sir, argues an old acquaintance; but I have not
the vanity to be thought of yours, and resolve you shall never have the
disparagement of mine.--Mr. Vincent, pray let us go in here.

_Ran._ How's this! I am undone, I see; but if I let her go thus, I
shall be an eternal laughing-stock to Vincent. [_Aside._

_Vin._ Do you not know him, madam? I thought you had come hither on
purpose to meet him.

_Chris._ To meet him!

_Vin._ By your own appointment.

_Chris._ What strange infatuation does delude you all? you know, he
said he did not know me.

_Vin._ You writ to him; he has your letter.

_Chris._ Then, you know my name sure? yet you confessed but now you
knew me not.

_Ran._ I must confess your anger has disguised you more than your mask:
for I thought to have met a kinder Christina here.

_Chris._ [_Aside._] Heavens! how could he know me in this place? he
watched me hither sure; or is there any other of my name.--[_Aloud._]
That you may no longer mistake me for your Christina, I'll pull off
that which soothes your error. [_Pulls off her mask._

_Ran._ Take but t'other vizard off too, (I mean your anger,) and I'll
swear you are the same, and only Christina which I wished, and thought,
to meet here.

_Chris._ How could you think to meet me here?

_Ran._ [_Gives her the letter._] By virtue of this your commission;
which now, I see, was meant a real challenge: for you look as if you
would fight with me.

_Chris._ The paper is a stranger to me; I never writ it. You are abused.

_Vin._ Christina is a person of honour, and will own what she has
written, Ranger.

_Ran._ [_Aside._] So! the comedy begins; I shall be laughed at
sufficiently if I do not justify myself; I must set my impudence to
hers. She is resolved to deny all, I see, and I have lost all hope of
her.

_Vin._ Come, faith, Ranger--

_Ran._ You will deny too, madam, that I followed you last night from
the Park to your lodging, where I staid with you till morning? you
never saw me before, I warrant.

_Chris._ That you rudely intruded last night into my lodging, I cannot
deny; but I wonder you have the confidence to brag of it: sure you will
not of your reception?

_Ran._ I never was so ill-bred as to brag of my reception in a lady's
chamber; not a word of that, madam.

_Val._ [_Aside._] How! If he lies, I revenge her; if it I be true, I
revenge myself. [VALENTINE _draws his sword, which_ VINCENT, _seeing,
thrusts him back, and shuts the door upon him before he is discovered
by_ RANGER.

         _Enter_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE, _stopping at the door._

_Lyd._ What do I see! Christina with him! a counterplot to mine, to
make me and it ridiculous. 'Tis true, I find, they have been long
acquainted, and I long abused; but since she intends a triumph, in
spite, as well as shame, (not emulation,) I retire. She deserves no
envy, who will be shortly in my condition; his natural inconstancy will
prove my best revenge on her--on both. [_Exeunt_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE.

                          _Enter_ DAPPERWIT.

_Dap._ Christina's going away again;--what's the matter?

_Ran._ What do you mean?

_Dap._ I scarce had paid the chairmen, and was coming up after her, but
I met her on the stairs, in as much haste as if she had been frightened.

_Ran._ Who do you talk of?

_Dap._ Christina, whom I took up in a chair just now at St. James's
gate.

_Ran._ Thou art mad! here she is, this is Christina.

_Dap._ I must confess I did not see her face; but I am sure the lady is
gone that I brought just now.

_Ran._ I tell you again this is she: did you bring two?

_Chris._ I came in no chair, had no guide but my woman there.

_Vin._ When did you bring your lady, Dapperwit?

_Dap._ Even now, just now.

_Vin._ This lady has been here half-an-hour.

_Ran._ He knows not what he says, he is mad: you are all so; I am so
too.

_Vin._ 'Tis the best excuse you can make for yourself, and by owning
your mistake you'll show you are come to yourself. I myself saw your
woman at the door, who but looked in, and then immediately went down
again;--as your friend Dapperwit too affirms.

_Chris._ You had best follow her that looked for you; and I'll go seek
out him I came to see.--Mr. Vincent, pray let me in here.

_Ran._ 'Tis very fine! wondrous fine! [CHRISTINA _goes out a little,
and returns._

_Chris._ Oh! he is gone! Mr. Vincent, follow him; he were yet more
severe to me in endangering his life, than in his censures against
me. You know the power of his enemies is great as their malice;--just
Heaven preserve him from them, and me from this ill or unlucky man!
[_Exeunt_ CHRISTINA, ISABEL, _and_ VINCENT.

_Ran._ 'Tis well--nay, certainly, I shall never be master of my senses
more: but why dost thou help to distract me too?

_Dap._ My astonishment was as great as yours to see her go away again;
I would have stayed her if I could.

_Ran._ Yet again talking of a woman you met going out, when I talk of
Christina!

_Dap._ I talk of Christina too.

_Ran._ She went out just now; the woman you found me with was she.

_Dap._ That was not the Christina I brought just now.

_Ran._ You brought her almost half an hour ago;--'sdeath, will you give
me the lie?

_Dap._ A lady disappointed by her gallant, the night before her
journey, could not be more touchy with her maid or husband, than you
are with me now after your disappointment; but if you thank me so, I'll
go serve myself hereafter. For aught I know, I have disappointed Mrs.
Martha for you, and may lose thirty thousand pounds by the bargain.
Farewell! a raving lover is fit for solitude. [_Exit._

_Ran._ Lydia, triumph! I now am thine again. Of intrigues, honourable
or dishonourable, and all sorts of rambling, I take my leave; when we
are giddy, 'tis time to stand still. Why should we be so fond of the
by-paths of love, where we are still waylaid with surprises, trepans,
dangers, and murdering disappointments?--

  Just as at blindman's buff we run at all,
  Whilst those that lead us laugh to see us fall;
  And when we think we hold the lady fast,
  We find it but her scarf, or veil, at last. [_Exit._




ACT THE FIFTH.


SCENE I.--_St. James's Park._

   _Enter_ DAPPERWIT _and_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, _the latter leading_
                             Mrs. MARTHA.

_Sir Sim._ At length you see I have freed the captive lady for her
longing knight, Mr. Dapperwit:--who brings off a plot cleverly now?

_Dap._ I wish our poets were half so good at it.--Mrs. Martha, a
thousand welcomes! [DAPPERWIT _kisses and embraces_ Mrs. MARTHA.

_Sir Sim._ Hold, hold, sir: your joy is a little too familiar, faith
and troth!

_Dap._ Will you not let me salute Mrs. Martha?

_Mrs. Mar._ What, Jonas, do you think I do not know good breeding? must
I be taught by you?

_Sir Sim._ I would have kept the maidenhead of your lips for your sweet
knight, Mrs. Martha, that's all; I dare swear you never kissed any man
before but your father.

_Mrs. Mar._ My sweet knight, if he will be knight of mine, must be
contented with what he finds, as well as other knights.

_Sir Sim._ So smart already, faith and troth!

_Mrs. Mar._ Dear Mr. Dapperwit I am overjoyed to see you; but I thank
honest Jonas for't. [_She hugs_ DAPPERWIT.

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] How she hugs him!

_Mrs. Mar._ Poor Mr. Dapperwit, I thought I should never have seen you
again; but I thank honest Jonas there--

_Sir Sim._ Do not thank me, Mrs. Martha, any more than I thank you.

_Mrs. Mar._ I would not be ungrateful, Jonas.

_Sir Sim._ Then reserve your kindness only for your worthy, noble,
brave, heroic knight, who loves you only, and only deserves your
kindness.

_Mrs. Mar._ I will show my kindness to my worthy, brave, heroic knight,
in being kind to his friend, his dear friend, who helped him to me.
[_Hugs_ DAPPERWIT _again._

_Sir Sim._ But, Mistress Martha, he is not to help him always; though
he helps him to be married, he is not to help him when he is married.

_Mrs. Mar._ What, Mr. Dapperwit, will you love my worthy knight less
after marriage than before? that were against the custom; for marriage
gets a man friends, instead of losing those he has.

_Dap._ I will ever be his servant and yours, dear madam; do not doubt
me.

_Mrs. Mar._ I do not, sweet dear Mr. Dapperwit; but I should not
have seen you these two days if it had not been for honest Jonas
there--[_She kisses_ DAPPERWIT.

_Sir Sim._ [_Apart to_ DAPPERWIT.] For shame! though she be young and
foolish, do not you wrong me to my face.

_Dap._ Would you have me so ill bred as to repulse her innocent
kindness?--what a thing it is to want wit!

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] A pox! I must make haste to discover myself, or
I shall discover what I would not discover; but if I should discover
myself in this habit, 'twould not be to my advantage. But I'll go,
put on my own clothes, and look like a knight.--[_Aloud._] Well, Mrs.
Martha, I'll go seek out your knight: are you not impatient to see him?

_Mrs. Mar._ Wives must be obedient; let him take his own time.

_Sir Sim._ Can you trust yourself a turn or two with Master Dapperwit?

_Mrs. Mar._ Yes, yes, Jonas--as long as you will.

_Sir Sim._ [_Aside._] But I would not trust you with him, if I could
help it.--

  So married wight sees what he dares not blame;
  And cannot budge for fear, nor stay for shame. [_Exit._

_Dap._ I am glad he is gone, that I may laugh. 'Tis such a miracle of
fops, that his conversation should be pleasant to me, even when it
hindered me of yours.

_Mrs. Mar._ Indeed, I'm glad he is gone too, as pleasant as he is.

_Dap._ I know why, I know why, sweet Mrs. Martha. I warrant you, you
had rather have the parson's company than his?--now you are out of your
father's house, 'tis time to leave being a hypocrite.

_Mrs. Mar._ Well, for the jest's sake, to disappoint my knight, I would
not care if I disappointed myself of a ladyship.

_Dap._ Come, I will not keep you on the tenters; I know you have a mind
to make sure of me: I have a little chaplain (I wish he were a bishop
or one of the friars) to perfect our revenge upon that zealous Jew,
your father.

_Mrs. Mar._ Do not speak ill of my father; he has been your friend, I'm
sure.

_Dap._ My friend!

_Mrs. Mar._ His hard usage of me conspired with your good mien and wit,
and to avoid slavery unto him, I stoop to your yoke.

_Dap._ I will be obliged to your father for nothing but a portion; nor
to you for your love; 'twas due to my merit.

_Mrs. Mar._ You show yourself Sir Simon's original; if 'twere not for
that vanity--

_Dap._ I should be no wit--'tis the badge of my calling; for you can
no more find a man of wit without vanity than a fine woman without
affectation: but let us go before the knight comes again.

_Mrs. Mar._ Let us go before my father comes; he soon will have the
intelligence.

_Dap._ Stay, let me think a little. [_Pauses._

_Mrs. Mar._ What are you thinking of? you should have thought before
this time, or I should have thought rather.

_Dap._ Peace! peace!

_Mrs. Mar._ What are you thinking of?

_Dap._ I am thinking what a wit without vanity is like. He is like--

_Mrs. Mar._ You do not think we are in a public place, and may be
surprised and prevented by my father's scouts!

_Dap._ What! would you have me lose my thought?

_Mrs. Mar._ You would rather lose your mistress, it seems.

_Dap._ He is like--I think I am a sot to-night, let me perish.

_Mrs. Mar._ Nay, if you are so in love with your thought--[_Offers to
go._

_Dap._ Are you so impatient to be my wife?--He is like--he is like--a
picture without shadows, or--or--a face without patches--or a diamond
without a foil. These are new thoughts now, these are new!

_Mrs. Mar._ You are wedded already to your thoughts, I see;--good night.

_Dap._ Madam, do not take it ill:--

  For loss of happy thought there's no amends;
  For his new jest true wit will lose old friends.

That's new again,--the thought's new. [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_Another part of the same._

         _Enter_ GRIPE, _leading_ LUCY; Mrs. JOYNER _and_ Mrs.
                        CROSSBITE _following._

_Gripe._ Mrs. Joyner, I can conform to this mode of public walking by
moonlight, because one is not known.

_Lucy._ Why, are you ashamed of your company?

_Gripe._ No, pretty one; because in the dark, or as it were in the
dark, there is no envy nor scandal. I would neither lose you nor my
reputation.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Your reputation! indeed, your worship, 'tis well known
there are as grave men as your worship; nay, men in office too, that
adjourn their cares and businesses, to come and unbend themselves at
night here, with a little vizard-mask.

_Gripe._ I do believe it, Mrs. Joyner.

_Lucy._ Ay, godmother, and carries and treats her at Mulberry-garden.

_Mrs. Cros._ Nay, does not only treat her, but gives her his whole
gleaning of that day.

_Gripe._ They may, they may, Mrs. Crossbite; they take above six in the
hundred.

_Mrs. Cros._ Nay, there are those of so much worth and honour and love,
that they'll take it from their wives and children to give it to their
misses; now your worship has no wife, and but one child.

_Gripe._ Still for my edification! [_Aside._

_Mrs. Joyn._ That's true, indeed; for I know a great lady that cannot
follow her husband abroad to his haunts, because her Ferrandine is
so ragged and greasy, whilst his mistress is as fine as fi'pence, in
embroidered satins.

_Gripe._ Politicly done of him indeed! If the truth were known, he is a
statesman by that, umph--

_Mrs. Cros._ Truly, your women of quality are very troublesome to their
husbands: I have heard 'em complain, they will allow them no separate
maintenance, though the honourable jilts themselves will not marry
without it.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Come, come, mistress; sometimes 'tis the craft of those
gentlemen to complain of their wives' expenses to excuse their own
narrowness to their misses; but your daughter has a gallant that can
make no excuse.

_Gripe._ So, Mrs. Joyner!--my friend, Mrs. Joyner--

_Mrs. Cros._ I hope, indeed, he'll give my daughter no cause to dun
him; for, poor wretch! she is as modest as her mother.

_Gripe._ I profess, I believe it.

_Lucy._ But I have the boldness to ask him for a treat.--Come, gallant,
we must walk towards the Mulberry-garden.

_Gripe._ So!--I am afraid, little mistress, the rooms are all taken up
by this time.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Will you shame yourself again? [_Aside to_ GRIPE.

_Lucy._ If the rooms be full we'll have an arbour.

_Gripe._ At this time of night!--besides, the waiters will ne'er come
near you.

_Lucy._ They will be observant of good customers, as we shall be. Come
along.

_Gripe._ Indeed, and verily, little mistress, I would go, but that I
should be forsworn if I did.

_Mrs. Joyn._ That's so pitiful an excuse!--

_Gripe._ In truth, I have forsworn the place ever since I was pawned
there for a reckoning.

_Lucy._ You have broken many an oath for the good old cause, and will
you boggle at one for your poor little miss? Come along.

                    _Enter_ Lady FLIPPANT _behind._

_L. Flip._ Unfortunate lady that I am! I have left the herd on purpose
to be chased, and have wandered this hour here; but the Park affords
not so much as a satyr for me, and (that's strange!) no Burgundy man
or drunken scourer will reel my way. The rag-women, and cinder-women,
have better luck than I.--But who are these? if this mongrel light
does not deceive me, 'tis my brother,--'tis he:--there's Joyner, too,
and two other women. I'll follow 'em. It must be he, for this world
hath nothing like him;--I know not what the devil may be in the other.
[_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_Another part of the same._

       _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, _in fine clothes_, DAPPERWIT
            _and_ Mrs. MARTHA, _unseen by him at the door._

_Sir Sim._ Well, after all my seeking, I can find those I would not
find; I'm sure 'twas old Gripe, and Joyner with him, and the widow
followed. He would not have been here, but to have sought his daughter,
sure; but vigilant Dapperwit has spied them too, and has, no doubt,
secured her from him.

_Dap._ And you. [_Aside._

_Sir Sim._ The rogue is as good at hiding, as I am at stealing, a
mistress. 'Tis a vain, conceited fellow, yet I think 'tis an honest
fellow:--but, again, he is a damnable whoring fellow; and what
opportunity this air and darkness may incline 'em to, Heaven knows;
for I have heard the rogue say himself, a lady will no more show her
modesty in the dark than a Spaniard his courage.

_Dap._ Ha! ha! ha!--

_Sir Sim._ Nay, if you are there, my true friend, I'll forgive your
hearkening, if you'll forgive my censures.--I speak to you, dear Madam
Martha; dear, dear--behold your worthy knight--

_Mrs. Mar._ That's far from neighbours.

_Sir Sim._ Is come to reap the fruit of his labours.

_Mrs. Mar._ I cannot see the knight; well, but I'm sure I hear Jonas.

_Sir Sim._ I am no Jonas, Mrs. Martha.

_Mrs. Mar._ The night is not so dark, nor the peruke so big, but I can
discern Jonas.

_Sir Sim._ Faith and troth, I am the very Sir Simon Addleplot that is
to marry you; the same Dapperwit solicited you for; ask him else, my
name is not Jonas.

_Mrs. Mar._ You think my youth and simplicity capable of this cheat;
but let me tell you, Jonas, 'tis not your borrowed clothes and titles
shall make me marry my father's man.

_Sir Sim._ Borrowed title! I'll be sworn I bought it of my laundress,
who was a court-laundress; but, indeed, my clothes I have not paid for;
therefore, in that sense, they are borrowed.

_Mrs. Mar._ Prithee, Jonas, let the jest end, or I shall be presently
in earnest.

_Sir Sim._ Pray, be in earnest, and let us go; the parson and supper
stay for us, and I am a knight in earnest.

_Mrs. Mar._ You a knight! insolent, saucy fool.

_Sir Sim._ The devil take me, Mrs. Martha, if I am not a knight now!
a knight-baronet too! A man ought, I see, to carry his patent in his
pocket when he goes to be married; 'tis more necessary than a licence.
I am a knight indeed and indeed now, Mrs. Martha.

_Mrs. Mar._ Indeed and indeed, the trick will not pass, Jonas.

_Sir Sim._ Poor wretch! she's afraid she shall not be a lady.--Come,
come, discover the intrigue, Dapperwit.

_Mrs. Mar._ You need not discover the intrigue, 'tis apparent already.
Unworthy Mr. Dapperwit, after my confidence reposed in you, could you
be so little generous as to betray me to my father's man? but I'll be
even with you.

_Sir Sim._ Do not accuse him, poor man! before you hear him.--Tell her
the intrigue, man.

_Dap._ A pox! she will not believe us.

_Sir Sim._ Will you not excuse yourself? but I must not let it rest
so.--Know, then, Mrs. Martha--

_Mrs. Mar._ Come, I forgive thee before thy confession, Jonas; you
never had had the confidence to have designed this cheat upon me but
from Mr. Dapperwit's encouragement--'twas his plot.

_Sir Sim._ Nay, do not do me that wrong, madam.

_Mrs. Mar._ But since he has trepanned me out of my father's house, he
is like to keep me as long as I live; and so good night, Jonas.

_Sir Sim._ Hold, hold, what d'ye mean both? prithee tell her I am Sir
Simon, and no Jonas.

_Dap._ A pox! she will not believe us, I tell you.

_Sir Sim._ I have provided a supper and parson at Mulberry-garden, and
invited all my friends I could meet in the Park.

_Dap._ Nay, rather than they shall be disappointed, there shall be
a bride and bridegroom to entertain 'em; Mrs. Martha and I will go
thither presently.

_Sir Sim._ Why, shall she be your bride?

_Dap._ You see she will have it so.

_Sir Sim._ Will you make Dapperwit your husband?

_Mrs. Mar._ Rather than my father's man.

_Sir Sim._ Oh, the devil!

_Mrs. Mar._ Nay, come along, Jonas, you shall make one at the wedding,
since you helped to contrive it.

_Sir Sim._ Will you cheat yourself, for fear of being cheated?

_Mrs. Mar._ I am desperate now.

_Sir Sim._ Wilt thou let her do so ill a thing, Dapperwit, as to marry
thee? open her eyes, prithee, and tell her I am a true knight.

_Dap._ 'Twould be in vain, by my life! you have carried yourself so like
a natural clerk--and so adieu, good Jonas. [_Exeunt_ Mrs. MARTHA _and_
DAPPERWIT.

_Sir Sim._ What! ruined by my own plot, like an old cavalier! yet like
him, too, I will plot on still, a plot of prevention. So! I have
it--her father was here even now, I'm sure; well--I'll go tell her
father of her, that I will!

  And punish so her folly and his treachery:
  Revenge is sweet, and makes amends for lechery.

[_Exit._


SCENE IV.--_Another part of the same._

                     _Enter_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE.

_Lyd._ I wish I had not come hither to-night, Leonore.

_Leo._ Why did you, madam, if the place be so disagreeable to you?

_Lyd._ We cannot help visiting the place often where we have lost
anything we value: I lost Ranger here last night.

_Leo._ You thought you had lost him before, a great while ago; and
therefore you ought to be the less troubled.

_Lyd._ But 'twas here I missed him first, I'm sure.

_Leo._ Come, madam, let not the loss vex you; he is not worth the
looking after.

_Lyd._ It cannot but vex me yet, if I lost him by my own fault.

_Leo._ You had but too much care to keep him.

_Lyd._ It often happens, indeed, that too much care is as bad as
negligence; but I had rather be robbed than lose what I have carelessly.

_Leo._ But, I believe you would hang the thief if you could.

_Lyd._ Not if I could have my own again.

_Leo._ I see you would be too merciful.

_Lyd._ I wish I were tried.

_Leo._ But, madam, if you please, we will waive the discourse; for
people seldom (I suppose) talk with pleasure of their real losses.

_Lyd._ 'Tis better than to ruminate on them; mine, I'm sure, will not
out of head nor heart.

_Leo._ Grief is so far from retrieving a loss, that it makes it
greater; but the way to lessen it is by a comparison with others'
losses. Here are ladies in the Park of your acquaintance, I doubt not,
can compare with you; pray, madam, let us walk and find 'em out.

_Lyd._ 'Tis the resentment, you say, makes the loss great or little;
and then, I'm sure, there is none like mine: however, go on. [_Exeunt._


SCENE V.--_Another part of the same._

                   _Enter_ VINCENT _and_ VALENTINE.

_Vin._ I am glad I have found you, for now I am prepared to lead you
out of the dark and all your trouble: I have good news.

_Val._ You are as unmerciful as the physician who with new arts keeps
his miserable patient alive and in hopes, when he knows the disease is
incurable.

_Vin._ And you, like the melancholy patient, mistrust and hate your
physician, because he will not comply with your despair: but I'll cure
your jealousy now.

_Val._ You know, all diseases grow worse by relapses.

_Vin._ Trust me once more.

_Val._ Well, you may try your experiments upon me.

_Vin._ Just as I shut the door upon you, the woman Ranger expected came
up stairs; but finding another woman in discourse with him, went down
again; I suppose, as jealous of him, as you of Christina.

_Val._ How does it appear she came to Ranger?

_Vin._ Thus: Dapperwit came up after he had brought her, just then, in
a chair from St. James's by Ranger's appointment; and it is certain
your Christina came to you.

_Val._ How can that be? for she knew not I was in the kingdom.

_Vin._ My man confesses, when I sent him to inquire of her woman about
her lady's being here in the Park last night, he told her you were
come; and she, it seems, told her mistress.

_Val._ [_Aside._] That might be.--[_Aloud._] But did not Christina
confess, Ranger was in her lodging last night?

_Vin._ By intrusion, which she had more particularly informed me of, if
her apprehensions of your danger had not posted me after you; she not
having yet (as I suppose) heard of Clerimont's recovery. I left her,
poor creature! at home, distracted with a thousand fears for your life
and love.

_Val._ Her love, I'm sure, has cost me more fears than my life; yet
that little danger is not past (as you think) till the great one be
over.

_Vin._ Open but your eyes, and the fantastic goblin's vanished, and
all your idle fears will turn to shame; for jealousy is the basest
cowardice.

_Val._ I had rather, indeed, blush for myself than her.

_Vin._ I'm sure you will have more reason. But is not that Ranger there?

         _Enter_ RANGER, _followed by_ CHRISTINA _and_ ISABEL;
                   _after them_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE.

_Val._ I think it is.

_Vin._ I suppose his friend Dapperwit is not far off; I will examine
them both before you, and not leave you so much as the shadow of doubt:
Ranger's astonishment at my lodging confessed his mistake.

_Val._ His astonishment might proceed from Christina's unexpected
strangeness to him.

_Vin._ He shall satisfy you now himself to the contrary, I warrant you;
have but patience.

_Val._ I had rather, indeed, he should satisfy my doubts than my
revenge; therefore I can have patience.

_Vin._ But what women are those that follow him?

_Val._ Stay a little--

_Ran._ Lydia, Lydia--poor Lydia!

_Lyd._ If she be my rival, 'tis some comfort yet to see her follow him,
rather than he her. [_To_ LEONORE.

_Leo._ But if you follow them a little longer, for your comfort you
shall see them go hand in hand.

_Chris._ Sir! sir!--[_To_ RANGER.

_Leo._ She calls to him already.

_Lyd._ But he does not hear, you see; let us go a little nearer.

_Vin._ Sure it is Ranger!

_Val._ As sure as the woman that follows him closest is Christina.

_Vin._ For shame! talk not of Christina; I left her just now at home,
surrounded with so many fears and griefs she could not stir.

_Val._ She is come, it may be, to divert them here in the Park; I'm
sure 'tis she.

_Vin._ When the moon, at this instant, scarce affords light enough to
distinguish a man from a tree, how can you know her?

_Val._ How can you know Ranger, then?

_Vin._ I heard him speak.

_Val._ So you may her too, I'll secure you, if you will draw but a
little nearer; she came, doubtless, to no other end but to speak with
him: observe--

_Chris._ [_To_ RANGER.] Sir, I have followed you hitherto; but now, I
must desire you to follow me out of the company; for I would not be
overheard nor disturbed.

_Ran._ Ha! is not this Christina's voice? it is, I am sure; I cannot be
deceived now.--Dear madam--

_Vin._ It is she indeed. [_Apart to_ VALENTINE.

_Val._ Is it so?

_Chris._ Come, sir--[_To_ RANGER.

_Val._ Nay, I'll follow you too, though not invited. [_Aside._

_Lyd._ I must not, cannot stay behind. [_Aside._ [_They all go off
together hastily._

             _Re-enter_ CHRISTINA, ISABEL, _and_ VALENTINE
                         _on the other side._

_Chris._ Come along, sir.

_Val._ So! I must stick to her when all is done; her new servant
has lost her in the crowd, she has gone too fast for him; so much
my revenge is swifter than his love. Now shall I not only have the
deserted lover's revenge, of disappointing her of her new man, but an
opportunity infallibly at once to discover her falseness, and confront
her impudence. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Pray come along, sir, I am in haste.

_Val._ So eager, indeed!--I wish that cloud may yet withhold the moon,
that this false woman may not discover me before I do her. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Here no one can hear us, and I'm sure we cannot see one
another.

_Val._ 'Sdeath! what have I giddily run myself upon? 'Tis rather a
trial of myself than her;--I cannot undergo it. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Come nearer, sir.

_Val._ Hell and vengeance! I cannot suffer it--I cannot. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Come, come; yet nearer,--pray come nearer.

_Val._ It is impossible! I cannot hold! I must discover myself, rather
than her infamy. [_Aside._

_Chris._ You are conscious, it seems, of the wrong you have done me,
and are ashamed, though in the dark. [_Speaks, walking slowly._

_Val._ How's this! [_Aside._

_Chris._ I'm glad to find it so; for all my business with you is, to
show you your late mistakes, and force a confession from you of those
unmannerly injuries you have done me.

_Val._ What! I think she's honest; or does she know me?--sure she
cannot. [_Aside._

_Chris._ First, your intrusion, last night, into my lodging; which, I
suppose, has begot your other gross mistakes.

_Val._ No, she takes me for Ranger, I see again. [_Aside._

_Chris._ You are to know, then, (since needs you must,) it was not me
you followed last night to my lodging from the Park, but some kinswoman
of yours, it seems, whose fear of being discovered by you prevailed
with me to personate her, while she withdrew, our habits and our
statures being much alike; which I did with as much difficulty, as she
used importunity to make me; and all this my Lady Flippant can witness,
who was then with your cousin.

_Val._ I am glad to hear this. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Now, what your claim to me, at Mr. Vincent's lodging, meant;
the letter and promises you unworthily, or erroneously, laid to my
charge, you must explain to me and others, or--

_Val._ How's this! I hope I shall discover no guilt but my own:--she
would not speak in threats to a lover. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Was it because you found me in Mr. Vincent's lodgings you took
a liberty to use me like one of your common visitants? but know, I came
no more to Mr. Vincent than you. Yet, I confess, my visit was intended
to a man--a brave man, till you made him use a woman ill; worthy the
love of a princess, till you made him censure mine; good as angels,
till you made him unjust:--why, in the name of honour, would you do't?

_Val._ How happily am I disappointed!--poor injured Christina! [_Aside._

_Chris._ He would have sought me out first, if you had not made him
fly from me. Our mutual love, confirmed by a contract, made our hearts
inseparable, till you rudely, if not maliciously, thrust in upon us,
and broke the close and happy knot: I had lost him before for a month,
now for ever. [_Weeps._

_Val._ My joy and pity makes me as mute as my shame; yet I must
discover myself. [_Aside._

_Chris._ Your silence is a confession of your guilt.

_Val._ I own it. [_Aside._

_Chris._ But that will not serve my turn; for straight you must go
clear yourself and me to him you have injured in me! if he has not made
too much haste from me to be found again. You must, I say; for he is a
man that will have satisfaction; and in satisfying him, you do me.

_Val._ Then he is satisfied.

_Chris._ How! is it you? then I am not satisfied.

_Val._ Will you be worse than your word?

_Chris._ I gave it not to you.

_Val._ Come, dear Christina, the jealous, like the drunkard, has his
punishment with his offence.

                          _Re-enter_ VINCENT.

_Vin._ Valentine! Mr. Valentine!

_Val._ Vincent!--

_Vin._ Where have you been all this while? [VALENTINE _holds_ CHRISTINA
_by the hand; who seems to struggle to get from him._

_Val._ Here with my injured Christina.

_Vin._ She's behind with Ranger, who is forced to speak all the tender
things himself; for she affords him not a word.

_Val._ Pish! pish! Vincent; who is blind now? who deceived now?

_Vin._ You are; for I'm sure Christina is with him. Come back and see.
[_They go out on one side, and return on the other._

         _Re-enter_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE, _followed by_ RANGER.

_Ran._ [_To_ LYDIA.] Still mocked! still abused! did you not bid me
follow you where we might not be disturbed or overheard?--and now not
allow me a word!

_Vin._ Did you hear him? [_Apart to_ VALENTINE.

_Val._ Yes, yes, peace. [_Apart to_ VINCENT.

_Ran._ Disowning your letter and me at Mr. Vincent's lodging, declaring
you came to meet another there, and not me, with a great deal of such
affronting unkindness, might be reasonable enough, because you would
not entrust Vincent with our love; but now, when nobody sees us nor
hears us, why this unseasonable shyness?

_Lyd._ It seems she did not expect him there, but had appointed to meet
another:--I wish it were so. [_Aside._

_Ran._ I have not patience!--do you design thus to revenge my intrusion
into your lodging last night? sure if you had then been displeased with
my company, you would not have invited yourself to't again by a letter?
or is this a punishment for bringing you to a house so near your own,
where, it seems, you were known too? I do confess it was a fault; but
make me suffer any penance but your silence, because it is the certain
mark of a mistress's lasting displeasure.

_Lyd._ My--is not yet come. [_Aside._

_Ran._ Not yet a word! you did not use me so unkindly last night, when
you chid me out of your house, and with indignation bid me begone. Now,
you bid me follow you, and yet will have nothing to say to me; and I am
more deceived this day and night than I was last night;--when, I must
confess, I followed you for another--

_Lyd._ I'm glad to hear that. [_Aside._

_Ran._ One that would have used me better; whose love I have
ungratefully abused for yours; yet from no other reason but my natural
inconstancy.--[_Aside._] Poor Lydia! Lydia!

_Lyd._ He muttered my name sure; and with a sigh. [_Aside._

_Ran._ But as last night by following (as I thought) her, I found you,
so this night, by following you in vain, I do resolve, if I can find
her again, to keep her for ever.

_Lyd._ Now I am obliged, and brought into debt, by his
inconstancy:--faith, now cannot I hold out any longer; I must discover
myself. [_Aside._

_Ran._ But, madam, because I intend to see you no more, I'll take my
leave of you for good and all; since you will not speak, I'll try if
you will squeak. [_Goes to throw her down, she squeaks._

_Lyd._ Mr. Ranger! Mr. Ranger!

_Vin._ Fy! Fy! you need not ravish Christina sure, that loves you so.

_Ran._ Is it she! Lydia all this while!--how am I gulled! and Vincent
in the plot too! [_Aside._

_Lyd._ Now, false Ranger!

_Ran._ Now, false Christina too!--you thought I did not know you now,
because I offered you such an unusual civility.

_Lyd._ You knew me!--I warrant you knew, too, that I was the Christina
you followed out of the Park last night! that I was the Christina that
writ the letter too!

_Ran._ Certainly, therefore I would have taken my revenge, you see, for
your tricks.

_Val._ Is not this the same woman that took refuge in your house last
night, madam? [_To_ CHRISTINA.

_Chris._ The very same.

_Val._ What, Mr. Ranger, we have chopped, and changed, and hid our
Christinas so long and often, that at last we have drawn each of us our
own?

_Ran._ Mr. Valentine in England!--the truth on't is, you have juggled
together, and drawn without my knowledge; but since she will have it
so, she shall wear me for good and all now. [_Goes to take her by the
hand._

_Lyd._ Come not near me.

_Ran._ Nay, you need not be afraid I would ravish you, now I know you.

_Lyd._ And yet, Leonore, I think 'tis but justice to pardon the fault I
made him commit? [_Apart to_ LEONORE, RANGER _listens._

_Ran._ You consider it right, cousin; for indeed you are but merciful
to yourself in it.

_Lyd._ Yet, if I would be rigorous, though I made a blot, your
oversight has lost the game.

_Ran._ But 'twas rash woman's play, cousin, and ought not to be played
again, let me tell you.

                          _Enter_ DAPPERWIT.

_Dap._ Who's there? who's there?

_Ran._ Dapperwit.

_Dap._ Mr. Ranger, I am glad I have met with you, for I have left my
bride just now in the house at Mulberry-garden, to come and pick up
some of my friends in the Park here to sup with us.

_Ran._ Your bride! are you married then? where is your bride?

_Dap._ Here at Mulberry-garden, I say, where you, these ladies and
gentlemen, shall all be welcome, if you will afford me the honour of
your company.

_Ran._ With all our hearts:--but who have you married? Lucy?

_Dap._ What! do you think I would marry a wench? I have married an
heiress worth thirty thousand pounds, let me perish!

_Vin._ An heiress worth thirty thousand pounds!

_Dap._ Mr. Vincent, your servant; you here too?

_Ran._ Nay, we are more of your acquaintance here, I think.--Go, we'll
follow you, for if you have not dismissed your parson, perhaps we may
make him more work. [_Exeunt._


SCENE VI.--_The Dining-room in Mulberry-garden House._

        _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT, GRIPE, Lady FLIPPANT, Mrs.
           MARTHA, Mrs. JOYNER, Mrs. CROSSBITE, _and_ LUCY.

_Sir Sim._ 'Tis as I told you, sir, you see.

_Gripe._ Oh, graceless babe! married to a wit! an idle, loitering,
slandering, foul-mouthed, beggarly wit! Oh that my child should ever
live to marry a wit!

_Mrs. Joyn._ Indeed, your worship had better seen her fairly buried, as
they say.

_Mrs. Cros._ If my daughter there should have done so, I would not have
given her a groat.

_Gripe._ Marry a wit!

_Sir Sim._ Mrs. Joyner, do not let me lose the widow too:--for if you
do, (betwixt friends,) I and my small annuity are both blown up: it
will follow my estate. [_Aside to_ Mrs. JOYNER.

_Mrs. Joyn._ I warrant you. [_Aside._

_L. Flip._ Let us make sure of Sir Simon to-night, or--[_Aside to_ Mrs.
JOYNER.

_Mrs. Joyn._ You need not fear it.--[_Aside._] Like the lawyers, while
my clients endeavour to cheat one another, I in justice cheat 'em both.

_Gripe._ Marry a wit!

     _Enter_ DAPPERWIT, RANGER, LYDIA, VALENTINE, CHRISTINA, _and_
      VINCENT. DAPPERWIT _stops them, and they stand all behind._

_Dap._ What, is he here! Lucy and her mother! [_Aside._

_Gripe._ Tell me how thou camest to marry a wit.

_Mrs. Mar._ Pray be not angry, sir, and I'll give you a good reason.

_Gripe._ Reason for marrying a wit!

_Mrs. Mar._ Indeed, I found myself six months gone with child, and saw
no hopes of your getting me a husband, or else I had not married a wit,
sir.

_Mrs. Joyn._ Then you were the wit.

_Gripe._ Had you that reason? nay, then----[_Holding up his hands._

_Dap._ How's that! [_Aside._

_Ran._ Who would have thought, Dapperwit, you would have married a
wench?

_Dap._ [_To_ RANGER.]--Well, thirty thousand pounds will make me
amends; I have known my betters wink, and fall on for five or
six.--[_To_ GRIPE _and the rest._] What! you are come, sir, to
give me joy? you Mrs. Lucy, you and you? well, unbid guests are
doubly welcome.--Sir Simon, I made bold to invite these ladies and
gentlemen.--For you must know, Mr. Ranger, this worthy Sir Simon does
not only give me my wedding supper, but my mistress too; and is, as it
were, my father.

_Sir Sim._ Then I am, as it were, a grandfather to your new wife's
_Hans en kelder_;[49] to which you are but, as it were, a father!
there's for you again, sir--ha, ha!--

_Ran._ Ha! ha! ha!--[_To_ VINCENT.

_Dap._ Fools sometimes say unhappy things, if we would mind 'em;
but--what! melancholy at your daughter's wedding, sir?

_Gripe._ How deplorable is my condition!

_Dap._ Nay, if you will rob me of my wench, sir, can you blame me for
robbing you of your daughter? I cannot be without a woman.

_Gripe._ My daughter, my reputation, and my money gone!--but the last
is dearest to me. Yet at once I may retrieve that, and be revenged for
the loss of the other: and all this by marrying Lucy here: I shall get
my five hundred pounds again, and get heirs to exclude my daughter and
frustrate Dapperwit; besides, 'tis agreed on all hands, 'tis cheaper
keeping a wife than a wench. [_Aside._

_Dap._ If you are so melancholy, sir, we will have the fiddles and a
dance to divert you; come!

                              _A Dance._

_Gripe._ Indeed, you have put me so upon a merry pin, that I resolve to
marry too.

_L. Flip._ Nay, if my brother come to marrying once, I may too; I
swore I would, when he did, little thinking--

_Sir Sim._ I take you at your word, madam.

_L. Flip._ Well, but if I had thought you would have been so quick with
me--

_Gripe._ Where is your parson?

_Dap._ What! you would not revenge yourself upon the parson?

_Gripe._ No, I would have the parson revenge me upon you; he should
marry me.

_Dap._ I am glad you are so frolic, sir; but who would you marry?

_Gripe._ That innocent lady. [_Pointing to_ LUCY.

_Dap._ That innocent lady!

_Gripe._ Nay, I am impatient, Mrs. Joyner; pray fetch him up if he be
yet in the house.

_Dap._ We were not married here:--but you cannot be in earnest.

_Gripe._ You'll find it so; since you have robbed me of my housekeeper,
I must get another.

_Dap._ Why, she was my wench!

_Gripe._ I'll make her honest then.

_Mrs. Cros._ Upon my repute he never saw her before:--but will your
worship marry my daughter then?

_Gripe._ I promise her and you, before all this good company, to-morrow
I will make her my wife.

_Dap._ How!

_Ran._ Our ladies, sir, I suppose, expect the same promise from us.
[_To_ VALENTINE.

_Val._ They may be sure of us without a promise; but let us (if we can)
obtain theirs, to be sure of them.

_Dap._ But will you marry her to-morrow?--[_To_ GRIPE.

_Gripe._ I will, verily.

_Dap._ I am undone then! ruined, let me perish!

_Sir Sim._ No, you may hire a little room in Covent Garden, and set up
a coffee-house:--you and your wife will be sure of the wits' custom.

_Dap._

  Abused by him I have abused!--
  Fortune our foe we cannot overwit;
  By none but thee our projects are cross-bit.

_Val._ Come, dear madam, what, yet angry?--jealousy sure is much more
pardonable before marriage than after it; but to-morrow, by the help of
the parson, you'll put me out of all my fears.

_Chris._ I am afraid then you would give me my revenge, and make me
jealous of you; and I had rather suspect your faith than you should
mine.

_Ran._ Cousin Lydia, I had rather suspect your faith too, than you
should mine; therefore let us e'en marry to-morrow, that I may have
my turn of watching, dogging, standing under the window, at the door,
behind the hanging, or--

_Lyd._ But if I could be desperate now and give you up my liberty,
could you find in your heart to quit all other engagements, and
voluntarily turn yourself over to one woman, and she a wife too? could
you away with the insupportable bondage of matrimony?

_Ran._ You talk of matrimony as irreverently as my Lady Flippant: the
bondage of matrimony! no--

  The end of marriage now is liberty.
  And two are bound--to set each other free.




EPILOGUE

SPOKEN BY DAPPERWIT.[50]

  Now my brisk brothers of the pit, you'll say
  I'm come to speak a good word for the play;
  But gallants, let me perish! if I do,
  For I have wit and judgment, just like you;
  Wit never partial, judgment free and bold,
  For fear or friendship never bought or sold,
  Nor by good-nature e'er to be cajoled.
  Good-nature in a critic were a crime,
  Like mercy in a judge, and renders him
  Guilty of all those faults he does forgive,
  Besides, if thief from gallows you reprieve,
  He'll cut your throat; so poet saved from shame,
  In damned lampoon will murder your good name.
  Yet in true spite to him and to his play,
  Good faith, you should not rail at them to-day
  But to be more his foe, seem most his friend,
  And so maliciously the play commend;
  That he may be betrayed to writing on,
  And poet let him be,--to be undone.




_THE GENTLEMAN DANCING-MASTER._


               "Non satis est risu diducere rictum
  Auditorus: et est quædam tamen his quoque virtus."[51]--HORAT.


If we may trust the author's statement to Pope, this admirable comedy
was written when Wycherley was twenty-one years of age, in the year
1661-2. It is impossible to fix with certainty the date of its first
performance. The Duke's Company, then under the management of the widow
of Sir William Davenant, opened its new theatre in Dorset Gardens,
near Salisbury Court, on the 9th of November, 1671, with a performance
of Dryden's _Sir Martin Mar-all_, and Wycherley's "Prologue to the
City" points to the production of his play in the new theatre shortly
after its opening. Genest states, on the authority of Downes, that
"_The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ was the third new play acted at this
theatre, and that several of the old stock plays were acted between
each of the new ones." _Sir Martin Mar-all_, having been three times
performed, was succeeded by Etherege's _Love in a Tub_, which, after
two representations, gave place to a new piece, Crowne's tragedy of
_Charles the Eighth_. This was played six times in succession, and
was followed, probably after an interval devoted to stock pieces, by
a second novelty, an adaptation by Ravenscroft from Molière, entitled
_The Citizen turn'd Gentleman, or Mamamouchi_, which ran for nine days
together. _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ was then acted, probably after
another short interval, and must therefore have been produced either in
December, 1671, or in January, 1672. Genest, in fact, places it first
on his list of plays performed at the Dorset Gardens Theatre during the
year 1672, although, in his list for the preceding year, immediately
after _The Citizen turn'd Gentleman_, he mentions Lord Orrery's comedy
of _Mr. Anthony_ as "nearly certain" to have been brought out in
the season of 1671-2. But this, again, was a new piece, making the
third produced at Dorset Gardens, without including _The Gentleman
Dancing-Master_, and must consequently have been brought forward
later than Wycherley's play. Of _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ Genest
observes that "it was not much liked, and was acted only six times."

But it is by no means clear that the first performance at Dorset
Gardens was the actual first performance of our comedy. The opening
verses of the prologue, indeed, seem to imply a previous and
unsuccessful performance, probably by the same company, at their old
theatre in Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. This, at least, as it
seems to me, is the most obvious interpretation of the following lines:

  "Our author (like us) finding 'twould scarce do
  At t'other end o' th' town, is come to you;
  And, _since 'tis his last trial,_ has that wit
  To throw himself on a substantial pit."

The presumption, therefore, is strongly in favour of 1671 as the year
in which _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ was first brought upon the
stage. It was published, without a dedication or the names of the
actors, in 1673. The remarks about "packing to sea" in the epilogue,
which, like the prologue, was written for the production, or rather,
as we may suppose, the revival of the piece at the theatre in Dorset
Gardens, refer, questionless, to the impending war with the Dutch,
against whom the formal declaration of war was issued on the 17th of
March, 1672.

The incident upon which the plot turns is borrowed from Calderon's
comedy, _El Maestro de Danzar_, but a brief review of the corresponding
scenes in that drama will prove how trifling was Wycherley's obligation
to the great Spanish poet. Leonor, the heroine of the piece, is
enjoying a stolen interview with her lover, Don Enrique, in an
apartment of her father's house in Valencia. Meanwhile, lest their
voices should be overheard, Ines, Leonor's maid, stations herself
without the chamber, singing and accompanying herself with the guitar.
She presently enters, declaring that an instrument so out of tune
will attract suspicion, and Don Enrique takes up the guitar for the
purpose of tuning it. At this juncture the father, Don Diego, appears
suddenly upon the scene. In reply to his questioning, Leonor explains
that, dancing being little in fashion at the Court, she had formerly
neglected that accomplishment; but that, finding herself, on that
account, looked down upon in Valencia, where dancing was all the mode,
she had engaged a master, who had but just taken up the guitar which
her maid had brought him, when her father entered. This explanation
proving satisfactory to Don Diego, he seats himself, and desires that
the lesson may proceed. But here a new difficulty arises, for Don
Enrique owns, in an "aside" to his mistress, that he understands little
or nothing of dancing. The lady, however, is equal to the occasion,
and, affecting diffidence, tells her father that he must wait until
she has taken a few lessons. He, nevertheless, insisting, Don Enrique
takes again the guitar, and, under pretence of tuning it, screws up the
string until it snaps, declaring then that the strings are worn, and
that the instrument is broken. Leonor now suggests that the maestro
shall carry away the guitar, to get it set in order, and shall come
again on the morrow or in the evening; and Don Diego, acquiescing, bids
him neglect not to return, trusting him for the payment. Don Enrique
responding that he will not fail, although he has many lessons to give,
the old cavalier dismisses him with a "Vaya con Dios." In a later scene
Don Enrique is again with Leonor, of whom he has conceived unjust
suspicions, and is bestowing upon her the full benefit of his jealousy,
when Ines announces the approach of Don Diego, and the lover, at his
mistress's earnest appeal, again takes up the guitar, and pretends
to be giving her a lesson. The father inquires after his daughter's
improvement, and again insists on seeing her dance, a mock performance
this time actually ensuing. And again, in another scene, the lovers,
similarly interrupted, have recourse to a similar method of diverting
Don Diego's suspicions.

In these few incidents, and in the name of Don Diego, which our author
has employed as the adopted appellation of his Spain-loving Englishman,
are to be found the only points of resemblance between the two plays.
The merits of the one lie in a direction totally diverse from that
in which the excellencies of the other are to be sought. Wycherley's
play is fairly overflowing with wit and mirth, qualities in which the
Spanish drama is somewhat deficient. On the other hand, the English
play affords no counterpart to the high moral tone and exalted passion
which are distinguishing characteristics of Calderon's comedy.

_The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ is constructed with greater simplicity
and unity of action than _Love in a Wood_, and, although less
powerfully written than _The Country Wife_, it is also far less
exceptionable, and more uniformly pleasing.




PROLOGUE TO THE CITY

NEWLY AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE DUKE'S COMPANY FROM LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS
TO THEIR NEW THEATRE NEAR SALISBURY-COURT.

  Our author (like us) finding 'twould scarce do
  At t'other end o' th' town, is come to you;
  And, since 'tis his last trial, has that wit
  To throw himself on a substantial pit;
  Where needy wit or critic dare not come,
  Lest neighbour i' the cloak, with looks so grum,
  Should prove a dun;
  Where punk in vizor dare not rant and tear
  To put us out, since Bridewell is so near:
  In short, we shall be heard, be understood,
  If not, shall be admired, and that's as good.
  For you to senseless plays have still been kind,
  Nay, where no sense was, you a jest would find:
  And never was it heard of, that the city
  Did ever take occasion to be witty
  Upon dull poet, or stiff player's action,
  But still with claps opposed the hissing faction.
  But if you hissed, 'twas at the pit, not stage;
  So, with the poet, damned the damning age,
  And still, we know, are ready to engage
  Against the flouting, ticking gentry, who
  Citizen, player, poet, would undo:--
  The poet! no, unless by commendation,
  For on the 'Change wits have no reputation:
  And rather than be branded for a wit,
  He with you able men would credit get.




DRAMATIS PERSONÆ


Mr. GERRARD,
Mr. MARTIN,
Young Gentlemen of the town, and friends.

Mr. PARIS, or Monsieur de PARIS, a vain coxcomb, and
rich city heir, newly returned from France, and mightily
affected with the French language and fashions.

Mr. JAMES FORMAL, or Don DIEGO, an old rich Spanish
merchant, newly returned home, much affected with the
habit and customs of Spain, and Uncle to PARIS.

A little Blackamoor, Lackey to FORMAL.

A Parson.

A French Scullion.


HIPPOLITA, FORMAL'S Daughter.

Mrs. CAUTION, FORMAL'S Sister, an impertinent precise old
woman.

PRUE, HIPPOLITA'S Maid.

A Lady.

Mrs. FLIRT,
Mrs. FLOUNCE,
Two common Women of the town.

Servants, Waiter, and Attendants.


SCENE--LONDON.




_THE GENTLEMAN DANCING-MASTER._


ACT THE FIRST.


SCENE I.--Don DIEGO'S _House, in the evening._

                     _Enter_ HIPPOLITA _and_ PRUE.

_Hip._ To confine a woman just in her rambling age! take away her
liberty at the very time she should use it! O barbarous aunt! O
unnatural father! to shut up a poor girl at fourteen, and hinder her
budding! All things are ripened by the sun:--to shut up a poor girl at
fourteen!--

_Prue._ 'Tis true, miss, two poor young creatures as we are!

_Hip._ Not suffered to see a play in a twelve-month!--

_Prue._ Nor go to Punchinello,[52] nor Paradise!--

_Hip._ Nor to take a ramble to the Park nor Mulberry-garden![53]--

_Prue._ Nor to Totnam-court, nor Islington![54]--

_Hip._ Nor to eat a syllabub in New Spring garden[55] with a cousin!--

_Prue._ Nor to drink a pint of wine with a friend at the Prince in the
Sun!--

_Hip._ Nor to hear a fiddle in good company!--

_Prue._ Nor to hear the organs and tongs at the Gun in Moorfields!--

_Hip._ Nay, not suffered to go to church, because the men are sometimes
there!--Little did I think I should ever have longed to go to church.

_Prue._ Or I either;--but between two maids--

_Hip._ Nor see a man!--

_Prue._ Nor come near a man!--

_Hip._ Nor hear of a man!--

_Prue._ No, miss; but to be denied a man! and to have no use at all of
a man!--

_Hip._ Hold, hold!--your resentment is as much greater than mine,
as your experience has been greater. But all this while, what do we
make of my cousin, my husband elect, as my aunt says? We have had his
company these three days; is he no man?

_Prue._ No, faith, he's but a monsieur. But you'll resolve yourself
that question within these three days; for by that time he'll be your
husband, if your father come to-night--

_Hip._ Or if I provide not myself with another in the mean time: for
fathers seldom choose well; and I will no more take my father's choice
in a husband, than I a would in a gown, or a suit of knots. So that if
that cousin of mine were not an ill-contrived, ugly, freakish fool, in
being my father's choice I should hate him. Besides, he has almost made
me out of love with mirth and good-humour; for he debases it as much
as a jack-pudding, and civility and good breeding more than a city
dancing-master.

_Prue._ What! won't you marry him then, madam?

_Hip._ Would'st thou have me marry a fool, an idiot?

_Prue._ Lord! 'tis a sign you have been kept up indeed, and know little
of the world, to refuse a man for a husband only because he's a fool!
Methinks he's a pretty apish kind of a gentleman, like other gentlemen,
and handsome enough to lie with in the dark, when husbands take their
privileges; and for the day-times, you may take the privilege of a wife.

_Hip._ Excellent governess! you do understand the world, I see.

_Prue._ Then you should be guided by me.

_Hip._ Art thou in earnest then, damned jade?--would'st thou have me
marry him?--Well, there are more poor young women undone, and married
to filthy fellows by the treachery and evil counsel of chambermaids,
than by the obstinacy and covetousness of parents.

_Prue._ Does not your father come on purpose out of Spain to marry you
to him? Can you release yourself from your aunt or father any other
way? Have you a mind to be shut up as long as you live? For my part,
though you can hold out upon the lime from the walls here, salt, old
shoes, and oatmeal, I cannot live so: I must confess my patience is
worn out.

_Hip._ Alas, alas, poor Prue! your stomach lies another way: I will
take pity of you, and get me a husband very suddenly, who may have a
servant at your service. But rather than marry my cousin, I will be a
nun in the new protestant nunnery they talk of; where, they say, there
will be no hopes of coming near a man.

_Prue._ But you can marry nobody but your cousin, miss: your father you
expect to-night; and be certain his Spanish policy and wariness, which
has kept you up so close ever since you came from Hackney school, will
make sure of you within a day or two at farthest.

_Hip._ Then 'tis time to think how to prevent him--stay--

_Prue._ In vain, vain, miss!

_Hip._ If we knew but any man, any man, though he were but a little
handsomer than the devil, so that he were a gentleman!

_Prue._ What if you did know any man? if you had an opportunity, could
you have confidence to speak to a man first? but if you could, how
could you come to him, or he to you? nay, how could you send to him?
for though you could write, which your father in his Spanish prudence
would never permit you to learn, who should carry the letter?--But we
need not be concerned for that, since we know not to whom to send it.

_Hip._ Stay--it must be so--I'll try however--

                      _Enter_ Monsieur de PARIS.

_Mons. Serviteur! serviteur! la cousine;_ I come to give the _bon
soir_, as the French say.

_Hip._ O, cousin! you know him; the fine gentleman they talk of so much
in town.

_Prue._ What! will you talk to him of any man else?

_Mons._ I know all the _beau monde, cousine_.

_Hip._ Master--

_Mons._ Monsieur Taileur, Monsieur Esmit, Monsieur--

_Hip._ These are Frenchmen--

_Mons. Non, non_; voud you have me say Mr. Taylor, Mr. Smith? Fi! fi!
_tête non!_--

_Hip._ But don't you know the brave gentleman they talk so much of in
town?

_Mons._ Who? Monsieur Gerrard?

_Hip._ What kind of man is that Mr. Gerrard? and then I'll tell you.

_Mons._ Why--he is truly a pretty man, a pretty man--a pretty so
so--kind of man, for an Englishman.

_Hip._ How a pretty man?

_Mons._ Why, he is conveniently tall--but--

_Hip._ But what?

_Mons._ And not ill-shaped--but--

_Hip._ But what?

_Mons._ And handsome, as 'tis thought, but--

_Hip._ But! what are your exceptions to him?

_Mons._ I can't tell you, because they are innumerable, innumerable,
_ma foi!_

_Hip._ Has he wit?

_Mons._ Ay, ay, they say, he's witty, brave, and _de bel humeur_, and
well-bred, with all that--but--

_Hip._ But what? does he want judgment?

_Mons. Non, non_: they say he has good sense and judgment; but it is
according to the account Englis--for--

_Hip._ For what?

_Mons._ For, _jarni!_ if I think it.

_Hip._ Why?

_Mons._ Why?--why his tailor lives within Ludgate--his _valet de
chambre_ is no Frenchman--and he has been seen at noon-day to go into
an English eating-house--

_Hip._ Say you so, cousin!

_Mons._ Then for being well-bred, you shall judge:--First, he can't
dance a step, nor sing a French song, nor swear a French oate, nor use
the polite French word in his conversation; and in fine, can't play
at hombre--but speaks base good Englis, with the commune home-bred
pronunciation; and in fine, to say no more, he never carries a
snuff-box about with him.

_Hip._ Indeed!

_Mons._ And yet this man has been abroad as much as any man, and does
not make the least show of it, but a little in his mien, not at all in
his discour, _jarni!_ He never talks so much as of St. Peter's church
at Rome, the Escurial, or Madrid; nay, not so much as of Henry IV., of
Pont-neuf, Paris, and the new Louvre, nor of the Grand Roi.

_Hip._ 'Tis for his commendation, if he does not talk of his travels.

_Mons._ Auh! auh!--_cousine_--he is conscious to himself of his wants,
because he is very envious; for he cannot endure me.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] He shall be my man then for that.--Ay, ay! 'tis the
same, Prue.--[_Aloud._] No, I know he can't endure you, cousin.

_Mons._ How do you know it--who never stir out? _tête non!_

_Hip._ Well--dear cousin,--if you will promise me never to tell my
aunt, I'll tell you.

_Mons._ I won't, I won't, _jarni!_

_Hip._ Nor to be concerned yourself, so as to make a quarrel of it.

_Mons. Non, non_--

_Hip._ Upon the word of a gentleman?

_Mons. Foi de chevalier_, I will not quarrel.

_Prue._ Lord, miss! I wonder you won't believe him without more ado.

_Hip._ Then he has the hatred of a rival for you.

_Mons. Malepeste!_

_Hip._ You know my chamber is backward, and has a door into the gallery
which looks into the back yard of a tavern, whence Mr. Gerrard once
spying me at the window, has often since attempted to come in at that
window by the help of the leads of a low building adjoining; and,
indeed, 'twas as much as my maid and I could do to keep him out.

_Mons. Ah, le coquin!_--

_Hip._ But nothing is stronger than aversion; for I hate him perfectly,
even as much as I love you--

_Prue._ I believe so, faith!--but what design have we now on foot?
[_Aside._

_Hip._ This discovery is an argument, sure, of my love to you.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, say no more, cousin, I doubt not your amour for me,
because I doubt not your judgment. But what's to be done with this
fanfaron?--I know where he eats to-night--I'll go find him out,
_ventre bleu!_--

_Hip._ O, my dear cousin, you will not make a quarrel of it? I thought
what your promise would come to!

_Mons._ Would you have a man of honour--

_Hip._ Keep his promise?

_Mons._ And lose his mistress?--That were not for my honour, _ma foi!_

_Hip._ Cousin, though you do me the injury to think I could be false,
do not do yourself the injury to think any one could be false to you.
Will you be afraid of losing your mistress? To show such a fear to your
rival, were for his honour, and not for yours, sure.

_Mons._ Nay, cousin, I'd have you know I was never afraid of losing my
mistress in earnest.--Let me see the man can get my mistress from me,
_jarni!_--But he that loves must seem a little jealous.

_Hip._ Not to his rival: those that have jealousy hide it from their
rivals.

_Mons._ But there are some who say, jealousy is no more to be hid than
a cough:--but it should never be discovered in me, if I had it, because
it is not French at all--_ventre bleu!_

_Hip._ No, you should rally your rival, and rather make a jest of your
quarrel to him; and that, I suppose, is French too.

_Mons._ 'Tis so, 'tis so, _cousine_; 'tis the veritable French method;
for your Englis, for want of wit, drive every thing to a serious grum
quarrel, and then would make a jest on't, when 'tis too late, when they
can't laugh, _jarni!_

_Hip._ Yes, yes, I would have you rally him soundly: do not spare him a
jot.--But shall you see him to-night?

_Mons._ Ay, ay.

_Hip._ Yes; pray be sure to see him for the jest's sake.

_Mons._ I will--for I love a jest as well as any _bel esprit_ of 'em
all--da!

_Hip._ Ay, and rally him soundly; be sure you rally him soundly, and
tell him just thus:--that the lady he has so long courted, from the
great window of the Ship tavern, is to be your wife to-morrow, unless
he come at his wonted hour of six in the morning to her window to
forbid the banns; for 'tis the first and last time of asking; and if he
come not, let him for ever hereafter stay away, and hold his tongue.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! a ver good jest, _tête bleu!_

_Hip._ And if the fool should come again, I would tell him his own, I
warrant you, cousin. My gentleman should be satisfied for good and all,
I'd secure him.

_Mons. Bon, bon._

_Prue._ Well, well, young mistress; you were not at Hackney school for
nothing, I see; nor taken away for nothing.--A woman may soon be too
old, but is never too young to shift for herself. [_Aside._

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! _cousine_, dou art a merry grig, _ma foi!_--I long
to be with Gerrard; and I am the best at improving a jest--I shall have
such divertisement to-night, _tête bleu!_

_Hip._ He'll deny, may be, at first, that he ever courted any such lady.

_Mons._ Nay, I am sure he'll be ashamed of it, I shall make him look
so sillily, _tête non!_--I long to find him out.--Adieu, adieu, _la
cousine_.

_Hip._ Shall you be sure to find him?

_Mons. Indubitablement_, I'll search the town over, but I'll find
him: ha! ha! ha!--[_Exit_ MONSIEUR, _and returns._]--But I'm afraid,
_cousine_, if I should tell him you are to be my wife to-morrow, he
would not come: now, I am for having him come for the jest's sake,
_ventre!_--

_Hip._ So am I, cousin, for having him come too for the jest's sake.

_Mons._ Well, well, leave it to me:--ha! ha! ha!

                         _Enter_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Mrs. Caut._ What's all this giggling here?

_Mons._ Hey! do you tinke we'll tell you? no, fait, I warrant you,
_tête non!_--ha! ha! ha!--

_Hip._ My cousin is overjoyed, I suppose, that my father is to come
to-night.

_Mrs. Caut._ I am afraid he will not come to-night:--but you'll stay
and see, nephew?

_Mons. Non, non_: I am to sup at t'other end of the town to-night--La,
la, la--Ra, ra, ra--[_Exit, singing._

_Mrs. Caut._ I wish the French levity of this young man may agree with
your father's Spanish gravity.

_Hip._ Just as your crabbed old age and my youth agree.

_Mrs. Caut._ Well, malapert, I know you hate me, because I have been
the guardian of your reputation: but your husband may thank me one day.

_Hip._ If he be not a fool, he would rather be obliged to me for my
virtue than to you, since, at long run, he must, whether he will or no.

_Mrs. Caut._ So, so!

_Hip._ Nay, now I think on't, I'd have you to know, the poor man,
whosoe'er he is, will have little cause to thank you.

_Mrs. Caut._ No!--

_Hip._ No; for I never lived so wicked a life as I have done this
twelvemonth, since I have not seen a man.

_Mrs. Caut._ How, how! if you have not seen a man, how could you be
wicked? how could you do any ill?

_Hip._ No, I have done no ill; but I have paid it with thinking.

_Mrs. Caut._ O that's no hurt! to think, is no hurt:--ancient, grave,
and godly, cannot help thoughts.

_Hip._ I warrant, you have had 'em yourself, aunt?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, yes, when I cannot sleep.

_Hip._ Ha! ha!--I believe it. But know, I have had those thoughts
sleeping and waking; for I have dreamt of a man.

_Mrs. Caut._ No matter, no matter, so that it was but a dream: I have
dreamt myself. For you must know, widows are mightily given to dream;
insomuch that a dream is waggishly called "the Widow's Comfort."

_Hip._ But I did not only dream--[_Sighs._

_Mrs. Caut._ How, how! did you more than dream? speak, young harlotry!
confess; did you more than dream? How could you do more than dream in
this house? speak, confess!

_Hip._ Well, I will then. Indeed, aunt, I did not only dream, but I was
pleased with my dream when I awaked.

_Mrs. Caut._ Oh, is that all?--Nay, if a dream only will please you,
you are a modest young woman still: but have a care of a vision.

_Hip._ Ay; but to be delighted when we wake with a naughty dream, is a
sin, aunt; and I am so very scrupulous, that I would as soon consent to
a naughty man as to a naughty dream.

_Mrs. Caut._ I do believe you.

_Hip._ I am for going into the throng of temptations.

_Mrs. Caut._ There I believe you again.

_Hip._ And making myself so familiar with them, that I would not be
concerned for 'em a whit.

_Mrs. Caut._ There I do not believe you.

_Hip._ And would take all the innocent liberty of the town:--to tattle
to your men under a vizard in the playhouses, and meet 'em at night in
masquerade.

_Mrs. Caut._ There I do believe you again; I know you would be
masquerading: but worse would come on't, as it has done to others who
have been in a masquerade, and are now virgins but in masquerade, and
will not be their own women again as long as they live. The children of
this age must be wise children indeed if they know their fathers, since
their mothers themselves cannot inform 'em! O, the fatal liberty of
this masquerading age! when I was a young woman--

_Hip._ Come, come, do not blaspheme this masquerading age, like
an ill-bred city-dame, whose husband is half broke by living
in Covent-garden, or who has been turned out of the Temple or
Lincoln's-Inn upon a masquerading night. By what I've heard, 'tis a
pleasant, well-bred, complaisant, free, frolic, good-natured, pretty
age: and if you do not like it, leave it to us that do.

_Mrs. Caut._ Lord, how impudently you talk, niece! I'm sure I remember
when I was a maid--

_Hip._ Can you remember it, reverend aunt?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, modest niece,--that a raw young thing, though almost
at woman's estate, (that was then at thirty or thirty-five years of
age,) would not so much as have looked upon a man--

_Hip._ Above her father's butler or coachman.

_Mrs. Caut._ Still taking me up! Well, thou art a mad girl; and so good
night. We may go to bed; for I suppose now your father will not come
to-night. [_Exit._

_Hip._ I'm sorry for it; for I long to see him.--[_Aside._] But I lie:
I had rather see Gerrard here; and yet I know not how I shall like
him. If he has wit, he will come; and if he has none, he would not be
welcome. [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_The French House.--A table, bottles, and candles._

         _Enter_ Mr. GERRARD, MARTIN, _and_ Monsieur de PARIS.

_Mons._ 'Tis ver veritable, _jarni!_ what the French say of you
Englis: you use the debauch so much, it cannot have with you the
French operation; you are never enjoyee. But come, let us for once
be _infiniment gaillard_, and sing a French sonnet. [_Sings,--"La
bouteille, la bouteille, glou, glou."_

_Mar._ [_To_ GERRARD.] What a melodious fop it is!

_Mons._ Auh! you have no complaisance.

_Ger._ No, we can't sing; but we'll drink to you the lady's health,
whom (you say) I have so long courted at her window.

_Mons._ Ay, there is your complaisance: all your Englis complaisance
is pledging complaisance, _ventre!_--But if I do you reason here,
[_Takes the glass._]--will you do me reason to a little French
_chanson à boire_ I shall begin to you?--[_Sings._] _"La bouteille, la
bouteille--"_

_Mar._ [_To_ GERRARD.] I had rather keep company with a set of
wide-mouthed, drunken cathedral choristers.

_Ger._ Come, sir, drink; and he shall do you reason to your French
song, since you stand upon't.--Sing him "Arthur of Bradley," or "I am
the Duke of Norfolk."

_Mons._ Auh! _tête bleu!_--an Englis catch! fy! fy! _ventre!_--

_Ger._ He can sing no damned French song.

_Mons._ Nor can I drink the damned Englis wine. [_Sets down the glass._

_Ger._ Yes, to that lady's health, who has commanded me to wait upon
her to-morrow at her window, which looks (you say) into the inward yard
of the Ship tavern, near the end of what-d'ye-call't street.

_Mons._ Ay, ay; do you not know her? not you! _vert bleu!_

_Ger._ But, pray repeat again what she said.

_Mons._ Why, she said she is to be married to-morrow to a person of
honour, a brave gentleman, that shall be nameless, and so, and so
forth.--[_Aside._] Little does he think who 'tis!

_Ger._ And what else?

_Mons._ That if you make not your appearance before her window
to-morrow at your wonted hour of six in the morning, to forbid the
banns, you must for ever hereafter stay away and hold your tongue; for
'tis the first and last time of asking.--Ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ 'Tis all a riddle to me: I should be unwilling to be fooled by
this coxcomb. [_Aside._

_Mons._ I won't tell him all she said, lest he should not go: I would
fain have him go for the jest's sake--Ha! ha! ha! [_Aside._

_Ger._ Her name is, you say, Hippolita, daughter to a rich Spanish
merchant.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, you don't know her, not you! _à d'autre, à d'autre, ma
foi!_--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Well, I will be an easy fool for once.

_Mar._ By all means go.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, by all means go--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ [_Aside._] To be caught in a fool's trap--I'll venture
it.--[_Drinks to him._] Come, 'tis her health.

_Mons._ And to your good reception--_tête bleu!_--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Well, monsieur, I'll say this for thee, thou hast made the best
use of three months at Paris as ever English squire did.

_Mons._ Considering I was in a dam Englis pension too.

_Mar._ Yet you have conversed with some French, I see; footmen, I
suppose, at the fencing-school? I judge it by your oaths.

_Mons._ French footmen! well, well, I had rather have the conversation
of a French footman than of an Englis 'squire; there's for you, da--

_Mar._ I beg your pardon, monsieur; I did not think the French footmen
had been so much your friends.

_Ger._ Yes, yes, I warrant they have obliged him at Paris much more
than any of their masters did. Well, there shall be no more said
against the French footmen.

_Mons. Non, de grace!_--you are always turning the nation _Française_
into ridicule, dat nation so accomplie, dat nation which you imitate
so, dat in the conclusion, you butte turn yourself into ridicule, _ma
foi!_ If you are for de raillery, abuse the Dutch, why not abuse the
Dutch? _les gros villains, pendards_, insolents; but here in your
England, _ma foi!_--you have more honeur, respecte, and estimation for
de Dushe swabber, who come to cheat your nation, den for de Franch
footman, who come to oblige your nation.

_Mar._ Our nation! then you disown it for yours, it seems.

_Mons._ Well! wat of dat? are you the disobligee by dat?

_Ger._ No, monsieur, far from it; you could not oblige us, nor your
country, any other way than by disowning it.

_Mons._ It is de brutal country, which abuse de France, and reverence
de Dushe; I will maintain, sustain, and justifie, dat one little
Franch footman have more honeur, courage, and generosity, more good
blood in his vaines, an mush more good manners an civility den all de
State-General together, _jarni!_--Dey are only wise and valiant wen dey
are drunkee.

_Ger._ That is, always.

_Mons._ But dey are never honest wen dey are drunkee; dey are de only
rogue in de varlde who are not honeste when dey are drunk--_ma foi!_

_Ger._ I find you are well acquainted with them, monsieur.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, I have made the toure of Holland, but it was _en
poste_, dere was no staying for me, _tête non!_--for de gentleman can
no more live dere den de toad in Ir'land, _ma foi!_ for I did not see
on' chevalier in de whole countree: alway, you know, de rebel hate de
gens de quality. Besides, I had made sufficient observation of the
_canaille barbare_ de first nightee of my arrival at Amsterdamme: I did
visit, you must know, one of de principal of de State-General, to whom
I had recommendation from England, and did find his excellence weighing
soap, _jarni!_--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Weighing soap!

_Mons._ Weighing soap, _ma foi!_ for he was a wholesale chandeleer; and
his lady was taking de tale of chandels wid her own witer hands, _ma
foi!_ and de young lady, his excellence daughter, stringing harring,
stringing harring, _jarni!_--

_Ger._ So!--and what were his sons doing?

_Mons._ Augh--his son (for he had but one) was making the tour of
France, Espagne, Italy, and Germany, in a coach and six; or rader, now
I tink on't, gone of an embassy hider to dere master Cromwell, whom dey
did love and fear, because he was someting de greater rebel. But now I
talk of de _rebelle_, none but the rebel can love the _rebelle_. And so
much for you and your friend the Dushe; I'll say no more, and pray do
you say no more of my friend de Franch, not so mush as of my friend de
Franch footman--da--

_Ger._ No, no;--but, monsieur, now give me leave to admire thee, that
in three months at Paris you could renounce your language, drinking,
and your country, (for which we are not angry with you,) as I said, and
come home so perfect a Frenchman, that the draymen of your father's own
brewhouse would be ready to knock thee on the head.

_Mons._ Vel, vel, my father was a merchant of his own beer, as the
_noblesse_ of Franch of their own wine.--But I can forgive you that
raillery, that bob,[56] since you say I have the eyre _Français_:--but
have I the eyre _Français_?

_Ger._ As much as any French footman of 'em all.

_Mons._ And do I speak agreeable ill Englis enough?

_Ger._ Very ill.

_Mons. Véritablement?_

_Ger. Véritablement._

_Mons._ For you must know, 'tis as ill breeding now to speak good
Englis as to write good Englis, good sense, or a good hand.

_Ger._ But, indeed, methinks you are not slovenly enough for a
Frenchman.

_Mons._ Slovenly! you mean negligent?

_Ger._ No, I mean slovenly.

_Mons._ Then I will be more slovenly.

_Ger._ You know, to be a perfect Frenchman, you must never be silent,
never sit still, and never be clean.

_Mar._ But you have forgot one main qualification of a true Frenchman,
he should never be sound, that is, be very pocky too.

_Mons._ Oh! if dat be all, I am very pocky; pocky enough, _jarni!_ that
is the only French qualification may be had without going to Paris, _ma
foi!_

                            _Enter_ Waiter.

_Wait._ Here are a couple of ladies coming up to you, sir.

_Ger._ To us!--did you appoint any to come hither, Martin?

_Mar._ Not I.

_Ger._ Nor you, monsieur?

_Mons._ Nor I.

_Ger._ Sirrah, tell your master, if he cannot protect us from the
constable, and these midnight coursers, 'tis not a house for us.

_Mar._ Tell 'em you have nobody in the house, and shut the doors.

_Wait._ They'll not be satisfied with that, they'll break open the
door. They searched last night all over the house for my Lord Fisk, and
Sir Jeffery Jantee, who were fain to hide themselves in the bar under
my mistress's chair and petticoats.

_Mons._ Wat, do the women hunt out the men so now?

_Mar._ Ay, ay, things are altered since you went to Paris; there's
hardly a young man in town dares be known of his lodging for 'em.

_Ger._ Bailiffs, pursuivants, or a city constable, are modest people in
comparison of them.

_Mar._ And we are not so much afraid to be taken up by the watch as by
the tearing midnight ramblers, or huzza women.

_Mons. Jarni!_ ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Where are they? I hope they are gone again.

_Wait._ No, sir, they are below at the stair-foot, only swearing at
their coachman.

_Ger._ Come, you rogue, they are in fee with you waiters, and no
gentleman can come hither, but they have the intelligence straight.

_Wait._ Intelligence from us, sir! they should never come here, if we
could help it. I am sure we wish 'em choked when we see them come in;
for they bring such good stomachs from St James's Park, or rambling
about in the streets, that we poor waiters have not a bit left; 'tis
well if we can keep our money in our pockets for 'em. I am sure I have
paid seventeen and sixpence in half-crowns for coach-hire at several
times for a little damned tearing lady, and when I asked her for it
again one morning in her chamber, she bid me pay myself, for she had no
money; but I wanted the courage of a gentleman; besides, the lord that
kept her was a good customer to our house and my friend, and I made a
conscience of wronging him.

_Ger._ A man of honour!

_Mons. Vert_ and _bleu!_ pleasant, pleasant, _ma foi!_

_Ger._ Go, go, sirrah, shut the door, I hear 'em coming up.

_Wait._ Indeed I dare not; they'll kick me down stairs, if I should.

_Ger._ Go, you rascal, I say. [_The_ Waiter _shuts the door, 'tis
thrust open again._

    _Enter_ FLOUNCE _and_ FLIRT _in vizards, striking the_ Waiter,
                      _and come up to the table._

_Ger._ [_Aside._] Flounce and Flirt, upon my life!--[_Aloud._] Ladies,
I am sorry you have no volunteers in your service; this is mere
pressing, and argues a great necessity you have for men.

_Flou._ You need not be afraid, sir; we will use no violence to you;
you are not fit for our service: we know you.

_Flirt._ The hot service you have been in formerly makes you unfit for
ours now; besides, you begin to be something too old for us; we are for
the brisk huzzas of seventeen or eighteen.

_Ger._ Nay, faith, I am not too old yet; but an old acquaintance will
make any man old:--besides, to tell you the truth, you are come a
little too early for me, for I am not drunk yet. But there are your
brisk young men, who are always drunk, and, perhaps, have the happiness
not to know you.

_Flou._ The happiness not to know us!

_Flirt._ The happiness not to know us!

_Ger._ Be not angry, ladies; 'tis rather happiness to have pleasure to
come than to have it past, and therefore these gentlemen are happy in
not knowing you.

_Mar._ I'd have you to know, I do know the ladies too, and I will not
lose the honour of the ladies' acquaintance for anything.

_Flou._ Not for the pleasure of beginning an acquaintance with us, as
Mr. Gerrard says: but it is the general vanity of you town fops to
lay claim to all good acquaintance and persons of honour; you cannot
let a woman pass in the Mall at midnight, but, damn you, you know her
straight, you know her;--but you would be damned before you would say
so much for one in a mercer's shop.

_Ger._ He has spoken it in a French-house, where he has very good
credit, and I dare swear you may make him eat his words.

_Mons._ She does want a gown, indeed; she is in her _déshabillé_.
This _déshabillé_ is a great mode in England; the women love the
_déshabillé_ as well as the men, _ma foi!_ [_Peeping under her scarf._

_Flirt._ Well, if we should stay and sup with you, I warrant you would
be bragging of it to-morrow amongst your comrades, that you had the
company of two women of quality at the French-house, and name us.

_Mar._ Pleasant jilts! [_Aside._

_Ger._ No, upon our honours, we would not brag of your company.

_Flou._ Upon your honours?

_Mar._ No, faith.

_Flou._ Come, we will venture to sit down then: yet I know the vanity
of you men; you could not contain yourselves from bragging.

_Ger._ No, no; you women now-a-days have found out the pleasure of
bragging, and will allow it the men no longer.

_Mar._ Therefore, indeed, we dare not stay to sup with you; for you
would be sure to tell on't.

_Ger._ And we are young men who stand upon our reputations.

_Flou._ You are very pleasant, gentlemen.

_Mar._ For my part I am to be married shortly, and know 'twould quickly
come to my mistress's ear.

_Ger._ And for my part I must go visit to-morrow betimes a new city
mistress; and you know they are as inquisitive as precise in the city.

_Flirt._ Come, come; pray leave this fooling; sit down again, and let
us bespeak supper.

_Ger._ No, faith, I dare not.

_Mar._ Besides, we have supped.

_Flou._ No matter, we only desire you should look on while we eat, and
put the glass about, or so. [GERRARD _and_ MARTIN _offer to go._

_Flirt._ Pray, stay.

_Ger._ Upon my life I dare not.

_Flou._ Upon our honours we will not tell, if you are in earnest.

_Ger._ Pshaw! pshaw!--I know the vanity of you women; you could not
contain yourselves from bragging.

_Mons. Ma foi!_ is it certain? ha! ha! ha!--Hark you, madam, can't you
fare well but you must cry roast-meat?

  You spoil your trade by bragging of your gains;
  The silent sow (madam) does eat most grains.--da--

_Flirt._ Your servant, monsieur fop.

_Flou._ Nay, faith, do not go, we will no more tell--

_Mons._ Than you would of a clap, if you had it; dat's the only secret
you can keep, _jarni!_

_Mar._ I am glad we are rid of these jilts.

_Ger._ And we have taken a very ridiculous occasion.

_Mons._ Wat! must we leave the lady then? dis is dam civility Englis,
_ma foi!_

_Flirt._ Nay, sir, you have too much of the French air, to have so
little honour and good breeding. [_Pulling him back._

_Mons._ Dee you tinke so then, sweet madam, I have mush of de French
eyre?

_Flirt._ More than any Frenchman breathing.

_Mons._ Auh, you are the curtoise dame; _morbleu!_ I shall stay then,
if you think so. Monsieur Gerrard, you will be certain to see the lady
to-morrow? pray not forget, ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ No, no, sir.

_Mar._ You will go then?

_Ger._ I will go on a fool's errand for once. [_Exeunt_ GERRARD _and_
MARTIN.

_Flou._ What will you eat, sir?

_Mons._ Wat you please, madam.

_Flou._ D'ye hear, waiter? then some young partridge.

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Flirt._ Some ruffs.

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Flirt._ Some young pheasants.

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Flirt._ Some young rabbits; I love rabbits.

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Flou._ Stay--

_Mans._ Dis Englis waiter wit his "Wat else, madam," will ruin me,
_tête non!_ [_Aside._

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Mans._ "Wat else, madam," agen!--call up the French waiter.

_Wait._ What else, madam?

_Mons._ Again!--call up the French waiter or _cuisinier, mort! tête!
ventre! vite!_--Auh, madam, the stupidity of the Englis waiter! I hate
the Englis waiter, _ma foi!_ [_Exit_ Waiter.

_Flirt._ Be not in passion, dear monsieur.

_Mons._ I kiss your hand, _obligeante_ madam.

                      _Enter a French_ Scullion.

_Cher Pierrot, serviteur, serviteur._--[_Kisses the_ Scullion.]--_Or-ça
à manger._

_Scull. En voulez-vous_ de cram schiquin?

_Flou._ Yes.

_Scull._ De partrish, de faysan, de quailles?

_Mons._ [_Aside._] This _bougre_ vil ruine me too; but he speak wit dat
_bel_ eyre and grace, I cannot bid him hold his tongue, _ventre! C'est
assez, Pierrot, va-t'en._ [_Exit_ Scullion, _and returns._

_Scull._ And de litel plate de--

_Mons. Jarni! va-t'en._ [_Exit_ Scullion, _and returns._

_Scull._ And de litel plate de--

_Mons. De grace_, go dy way. [_Exit_ Scullion, _and returns._

_Scull._ And de litel de--

_Mons. De fromage de Brie, va-t'en!_--go, go.

_Flou._ What's that? cheese that stinks?

_Mons._ Ay, ay, be sure it stinke extremente. _Pierrot, va-t'en;_ but
stay till I drink dy health:--here's to dat pretty fellow's health,
madam.

_Flirt._ Must we drink the scullion's health?

_Mons._ Auh, you will not be _désobligeante_, madam; he is the
_cuisinier_ for a king, nay, for a cardinal or French abbot. [_Drinks.
Exit_ Scullion.

_Flou._ But how shall we divertise ourselves till supper be ready?

_Flirt._ Can we have better _divertissement_ than this gentleman?

_Flou._ But I think we had better carry the gentleman home with us, and
because it is already late, sup at home, and divertise the gentleman at
cards, till it be ready.--D'ye hear, waiter? let it be brought, when
'tis ready, to my lodging hard by, in Mustard-Alley, at the sign of the
Crooked-billet.

_Mons._ At the Crooked-billet!

_Flirt._ Come, sir, come.

_Mons. Morbleu!_ I have take the vow (since my last clap) never to go
again to the _bourdel_.

_Flou._ What is the _bourdel_?

_Mons._ How call you the name of your house?

_Flirt._ The Crooked-billet.

_Mons._ No, no, the--bawdy-house, _vert_ and _bleu!_

_Flirt._ How, our lodging! we'd have you to know--

_Mons._ Auh, _morbleu!_ I would not know it; de Crooked-billet, ha! ha!

_Flirt._ Come, sir.

_Mons._ Besides, if I go wit you to the _bourdel_, you will tell,
_morbleu!_

_Flou._ Fy! fy! come along.

_Mons._ Beside, I am to be married within these two days; if you should
tell now--

_Flirt._ Come, come along, we will not tell.

_Mons._ But you will promise then to have the care of my honour? pray,
good madam, have de care of my honour, pray have de care of my honour.
Will you have care of my honour? pray have de care of my honour, and do
not tell if you can help it; pray, dear madam, do not tell. [_Kneels to
them._

_Flirt._ I would not tell for fear of losing you, my love for you will
make me secret.

_Mons._ Why, do you love me?

_Flirt._ Indeed I cannot help telling you now, what my modesty ought to
conceal, but my eyes would disclose it too:--I have a passion for you,
sir.

_Mons._ A passion for me!

_Flirt._ An extreme passion, dear sir; you are so French, so mightily
French, so agreeable French--but I'll tell you more of my heart at
home: come along.

_Mons._ But is your pation sincere?

_Flirt._ The truest in the world.

_Mons._ Well then, I'll venture my body with thee for one night.

_Flirt._ For one night! don't you believe that; and so you would leave
me to-morrow? but I love you so, I cannot part with you, you must keep
me for good and all, if you will have me. I can't leave you for my
heart.

_Mons._ How! keep, _jarni!_ de whore Englis have notinge but keepe,
keepe in dere mouths now-a-days, _tête non!_--Formerly 'twas enoughe to
keep de shild, _ma foi!_

_Flirt._ Nay, I will be kept, else--but, come, we'll talk on't at home.

_Mons._ Umh--so, so, ver vel; de amour of de whore does alway end in
keep, ha! keep, _ma foi!_ keep, ha!--

  The punk that entertains you wit her passion,
  Is like kind host who makes the invitation,
  At your own cost, to his _fort bonne collation._

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE SECOND.


SCENE I.--Don DIEGO'S _House in the morning._

       _Enter_ Don DIEGO _in a Spanish habit, and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Don._ Have you had a Spanish care of the honour of my family? that is
to say, have you kept my daughter close in my absence, as I directed?

_Mrs. Caut._ I have sir, but it was as much as I could do.

_Don._ I knew that; for 'twas as much as I could do to keep up her
mother;--I that have been in Spain, look you.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay 'tis a hard task to keep up an Englishwoman.

_Don._ As hard as it is for those who are not kept up to be honest,
look you, _con licencia_, sister.

_Mrs. Caut._ How now, brother! I am sure my husband never kept me up.

_Don._ I knew that, therefore I cried _con licencia_, sister, as the
Spaniards have it.

_Mrs. Caut._ But you Spaniards are too censorious, brother.

_Don._ You Englishwomen, sister, give us too much cause, look you;--but
you are sure my daughter has not seen a man since my departure?

_Mrs. Caut._ No, not so much as a churchman.

_Don._ As a churchman! _voto!_ I thank you for that; not a churchman!
not a churchman!

_Mrs. Caut._ No, not so much as a churchman; but of any, one would
think one might trust a churchman.

_Don._ No, we are bold enough in trusting them with our souls, I'll
never trust them with the body of my daughter, look you, _guarda!_ You
see what comes of trusting churchmen here in England; and 'tis because
the women govern the families, that chaplains are so much in fashion.
Trust a churchman!--trust a coward with your honour, a fool with your
secret, a gamester with your purse, as soon as a priest with your wife
or daughter; look you, _guarda!_ I am no fool, look you.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, I know you are a wise man, brother.

_Don._ Why, sister, I have been fifteen years in Spain for it, at
several times, look you: now in Spain, he is wise enough that is grave,
politic enough that says little, and honourable enough that is jealous;
and though I say it, that should not say it, I am as grave, grum, and
jealous, as any Spaniard breathing.

_Mrs. Caut._ I know you are, brother.

_Don._ And will be a Spaniard in everything still, and will not
conform, not I, to their ill-favoured English customs, for I will wear
my Spanish habit still, I will stroke my Spanish whiskers still, and I
will eat my Spanish _olio_ still; and my daughter shall go a maid to
her husband's bed, let the English custom be what 'twill: I would fain
see any finical, cunning, insinuating monsieur of the age, debauch, or
steal away my daughter. But, well, has she seen my cousin? how long has
he been in England?

_Mrs. Caut._ These three days.

_Don._ And she has seen him, has she? I was contented he should see
her, intending him for her husband; but she has seen nobody else upon
your certain knowledge?

_Mrs. Caut._ No, no, alas! how should she? 'tis impossible she should.

_Don._ Where is her chamber? pray let me see her.

_Mrs. Caut._ You'll find her, poor creature, asleep, I warrant you: or,
if awake, thinking no hurt, nor of your coming this morning.

_Don._ Let us go to her, I long to see her, poor innocent wretch.
[_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_A Room in_ Don DIEGO'S _House._

        _Enter_ HIPPOLITA, GERRARD, _and_ PRUE _at a distance._

_Ger._ Am I not come upon your own summons, madam? and yet receive me
so?

_Hip._ My summons, sir! no, I assure you; and if you do not like your
reception, I cannot help it; for I am not used to receive men, I'd have
you to know.

_Ger._ She is beautiful beyond all things I ever saw. [_Aside._

_Hip._ I like him extremely! [_Aside._

_Ger._ Come, fairest, why do you frown?

_Hip._ Because I am angry.

_Ger._ I am come on purpose to please you, then; do not receive me so
unkindly.

_Hip._ I tell you, I do not use to receive men.--There has not been a
man in the house before, but my cousin, this twelvemonth, I'd have you
to know.

_Ger._ Then you ought to bid me the more welcome, I'd have you to know.

_Hip._ What! do you mock me too? I know I am but a home-bred simple
girl! but I thought you gallants of the town had been better bred than
to mock a poor girl in her father's own house. I have heard, indeed,
'tis a part of good breeding to mock people behind their backs, but not
to their faces.

_Ger._ [_Aside._] Pretty creature! she has not only the beauty, but the
innocency of an angel.--[_To_ HIPPOLITA.] Mock you, dear miss! no, I
only repeated the words because they were yours, sweet miss; what we
like we imitate.

_Hip._ "Dear miss! sweet miss!" how came you and I so well acquainted?
this is one of your confident tricks, too, as I have been told; you'll
be acquainted with a woman in the time you can help her over a bench
in the playhouse, or to her coach. But I need not wonder at your
confidence, since you could come in at the great gallery window, just
now. But, pray, who shall pay for the glass you have broken?

_Ger._ Pretty creature! your father might have made the window bigger
then, since he has so fine a daughter, and will not allow people to
come in at the door to her.

_Hip._ A pleasant man!--well, 'tis harder playing the hypocrite with
him, I see, than with my aunt or father; and if dissimulation were not
very natural to a woman, I'm sure I could not use it at this time: but
the mask of simplicity and innocency is as useful to an intriguing
woman as the mask of religion to a statesman, they say. [_Aside._

_Ger._ Why do you look away, dearest miss?

_Hip._ Because you quarrelled with me just now for frowning upon you,
and I cannot help it, if I look upon you.

_Ger._ O! let me see that face at any rate.

_Hip._ Would you have me frown upon you? for I shall be sure to do't.

_Ger._ Come, I'll stand fair: you have done your worst to my heart
already.

_Hip._ Now I dare not look upon him, lest I should not be able to keep
my word. [_Aside._

_Ger._ Come, I am ready:--[_Aside._] and yet I am afraid of her
frowns.--[_To_ HIPPOLITA.] Come, look, Ih--am ready, Ih--am ready.

_Hip._ But I am not ready. [_Aside._

_Ger._ Turn, dear miss, come, Ih--am ready.

_Hip._ Are you ready then? I'll look. [_Turns upon him._]--No, faith, I
cannot frown upon him, if I should be hanged. [_Aside._

_Ger._ Dear miss, I thank you, that look has no terror in't.

_Hip._ No, I cannot frown for my heart for blushing, I don't use to
look upon men, you must know.

_Ger._ If it were possible anything could, those blushes would add to
her beauty: well, bashfulness is the only out-of-fashioned thing that
is agreeable. [_Aside._

_Hip._ Ih--h--like this man strangely, I was going to say loved him.
Courage then, Hippolita! make use of the only opportunity thou canst
have to enfranchise thyself. Women formerly (they say) never knew how
to make use of their time till it was past; but let it not be said
so of a young woman of this age.--My damned aunt will be stirring
presently:--well, then, courage, I say, Hippolita!--thou art full
fourteen years old,--shift for thyself. [_Aside._

_Ger._ So! I have looked upon her so long, till I am grown bashful too.
Love and modesty come together like money and covetousness, and the
more we have, the less we can show it. I dare not look her in the face
now, nor speak a word. [_Aside._

_Hip._ What, sir, methinks you look away now!

_Ger._ Because you would not look upon me, miss.

_Hip._ Nay, I hope you can't look me in the face, since you have done
so rude a thing as to come in at the window upon me. Come, come, when
once we women find the men bashful, then we take heart. Now I can look
upon you as long as you will; let's see if you can frown upon me now.

_Ger._ Lovely innocency! no, you may swear I can't frown upon you, miss.

_Hip._ So! I knew you were ashamed of what you have done. Well, since
you are ashamed, and because you did not come of your own head, but
were sent by my cousin, you say--

_Ger._ Which I wonder at. [_Aside._

_Hip._ For all these reasons, I do forgive you.

_Ger._ In token of your forgiveness then, dearest miss, let me have the
honour to kiss your hand.

_Hip._ Nay, there 'tis; you men are like our little shock dogs:[57] if
we don't keep you off from us, but use you a little kindly, you grow so
fiddling and so troublesome, there is no enduring you.

_Ger._ O dear miss! if I am like your shock-dog, let it be in his
privileges.

_Hip._ Why, I'd have you know he does not lie with me.

_Ger._ 'Twas well guessed, miss, for one so innocent.

_Hip._ No, I always kick him off from the bed, and never will let him
come near it; for of late, indeed, (I do not know what's the reason,) I
don't much care for my shock-dog, nor my babies.

_Ger._ O then, miss, I may have hopes! for after the shock-dog and the
babies, 'tis the man's turn to be beloved.

_Hip._ Why, could you be so good-natured as to come after my shock-dog
in my love? it may be, indeed, rather than after one of your brother
men.

_Ger_ Hah, ha, ha! poor creature! a wonder of innocency! [_Aside._

_Hip._ But I see you are humble, because you would kiss my hand.

_Ger._ No, I am ambitious therefore.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] Well, all this fooling but loses time, I must make
better use of it. [_To_ GERRARD.] I could let you kiss my hand, but
then I'm afraid you would take hold of me and carry me away.

_Ger._ Indeed I would not.

_Hip._ Come, I know you would.

_Ger._ Truly I would not.

_Hip._ You would! you would! I know you would.

_Ger._ I'll swear I wo' not--by--

_Hip._ Nay, don't swear, for you'll be the apter to do it then.
[_Aside._] I would not have him forswear it neither;--he does not like
me, sure, well enough to carry me away.

_Ger._ Dear miss, let me kiss your hand.

_Hip._ I am sure you would carry me away if I should.

_Ger._ Be not afraid of it.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] Nay, I am afraid of the contrary.--Either he
dislikes me, and therefore will not be troubled with me, or what is as
bad, he loves me and is dull, or fearful to displease me.

_Ger._ Trust me, sweetest! I can use no violence to you.

_Hip._ Nay, I am sure you would carry me away; what should you come in
at the window for, if you did not mean to steal me.

_Ger._ If I should endeavour it, you might cry out, and I should be
prevented.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] Dull, dull man of the town! are all like thee? He is
as dull as a country squire at questions and commands.--[_To_ GERRARD.]
No, if I should cry out never so loud, this is quite at the further end
of the house, and there nobody could hear me.

_Ger._ I will not give you the occasion, dearest.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] Well, I will quicken thy sense, if it be
possible.--[_To_ GERRARD.] Nay, I know you come to steal me away;
because I am an heiress, and have twelve hundred pounds a year, lately
left me by my mother's brother, which my father cannot meddle with, and
which is the chiefest reason (I suppose) why he keeps me up so close.

_Ger._ Ha!

_Hip._ So!--this has made him consider. O money! powerful money! how
the ugly, old, crooked, straight, handsome young women are beholding to
thee! [_Aside._

_Ger._ Twelve hundred pounds a year!

_Hip._ Besides, I have been told my fortune, and the woman said I
should be stolen away, because she says 'tis the fate of heiresses to
be stolen away.

_Ger._ Twelve hundred pounds a-year!--[_Aside._

_Hip._ Nay, more, she described the man to me that was to do it, and he
was as like you as could be. Have you any brothers?

_Ger._ Not any; 'twas I, I warrant you, sweetest.

_Hip._ So, he understands himself now. [_Aside._

_Ger._ Well, madam, since 'twas foretold you, what do you think on't?
'tis in vain, you know, to resist fate.

_Hip._ I do know, indeed, they say 'tis to no purpose: besides, the
woman that told me my fortune, or you, have bewitched me--Ih--think.
[_Sighs._

_Ger._ My soul! my life! 'tis you have charms powerful as numberless,
especially those of your innocency irresistible, and do surprise the
wariest heart. Such mine was, while I could call it mine, but now 'tis
yours for ever.

_Hip._ Well, well, get you gone then. I'll keep it safe for your sake.

_Ger._ Nay, you must go with me, sweetest.

_Hip._ Well, I see you will part with the jewel; but you will have the
keeping of the cabinet to which you commit it.

_Ger._ Come, come, my dearest, let us be gone: Fortune as well as women
must be taken in the humour.

         _As they are going out_, PRUE _runs hastily to them._

_Prue._ O miss, miss! your father, it seems, is just now arrived, and
is here coming in upon you.

_Hip._ My father.

                 _Enter_ Don DIEGO _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Don._ My daughter and a man!

_Mrs. Caut._ A man! a man in the house!

_Ger._ Ha! what mean these?--a Spaniard!

_Hip._ What shall I do? Stay--Nay, pray stir not from me; but lead me
about, as if you led me a corant.[58] [_Leads her about._

_Don._ Is this your government, sister? and this your innocent charge,
that hath not seen the face of a man this twelvemonth? _en hora mala!_

_Mrs. Caut._ O, sure, it is not a man! it cannot be a man! [_Puts on
her spectacles._

_Don._ It cannot be a man! if he be not a man, he's a devil. He has her
lovingly by the hand too, _valgame el cielo!_

_Hip._ Do not seem to mind them, but dance on, or lead me about still.

_Ger._ What d'ye mean by it? [_Apart to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Don._ Hey, they are frolic, a-dancing!

_Mrs. Caut._ Indeed, they are dancing, I think.--Why, niece!

_Don._ Nay, hold a little: I'll make 'em dance in the devil's name; but
it shall not be _la gallarda_. [_Draws his sword._

_Mrs. Caut._ O niece! why niece! [Mrs. CAUTION _holds him._

_Ger._ Do you hear her? what do you mean? [_Apart to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ Take no notice of them; but walk about still, and sing a little,
sing a corant.

_Ger._ I can't sing: but I'll hum, if you will.

_Don._ Are you so merry? well I'll be with you: _en hora mala!_

_Mrs. Caut._ O niece, niece! why niece! oh--

_Don._ Why, daughter, my dainty daughter! My shame! my ruin! my plague!
[_Struggling, gets from_ Mrs. CAUTION, _goes towards them with his
sword drawn._

_Hip._ Mind him not, but dance and sing on.

_Ger._ A pretty time to dance and sing, indeed, when I have a Spaniard
with a naked Toledo at my tail! No, pray excuse me, miss, from fooling
any longer.

_Hip._ [_Turning about._] O, my father, my father! poor father! you are
welcome; pray give me your blessing.

_Don._ My blessing, _en hora mala!_

_Hip._ What! am I not your daughter, sir?

_Don._ My daughter! _mi mal! mi muerte!_

_Hip._ My name's Hippolita, sir: I don't own your Spanish names. But,
pray father, why do you frighten one so? you know I don't love to see a
sword: what do you mean to do with that ugly thing out?

_Don._ I'll show you. _Traidor! ladron de mi honra!_ thou diest. [_Runs
at_ GERRARD.

_Ger._ Not if I can help it, good Don. But by the names you give me, I
find you mistake your man: I suppose some Spaniard has affronted you.
[_Draws._

_Don._ None but thee, _ladron!_ and thou diest for't. [_Fight._

_Mrs. Caut._ Oh! oh! oh!--help! help! help!

_Hip._ O--what, will you kill my poor dancing-master? [_Kneels._

_Don._ A dancing-master! he's a fencing-master rather, I think. But is
he your dancing-master? umph--

_Ger._ So much wit and innocency were never together before. [_Aside._

_Don._ Is he a dancing-master? [_Pausing._

_Mrs. Caut._ Is he a dancing-master? He does not look like a
dancing-master.

_Hip._ Pish!--you don't know a dancing-master: you have not seen one
these threescore years, I warrant.

_Mrs. Caut._ No matter: but he does not look like a dancing-master.

_Don._ Nay, nay, dancing-masters look like gentlemen enough, sister:
but he's no dancing-master, by drawing a sword so briskly. Those
tripping outsides of gentlemen are like gentlemen enough in everything
but in drawing a sword; and since he is a gentleman, he shall die by
mine. [_They fight again._

_Hip._ Oh! hold! hold!

_Mrs. Caut._ Hold! hold!--Pray, brother, let's talk with him a little
first; I warrant you I shall trap him; and if he confesses, you may
kill him; but those that confess, they say, ought to be hanged--Let's
see--

_Ger._ Poor Hippolita! I wish I had not had this occasion of admiring
thy wit; I have increased my love, whilst I have lost my hopes; the
common fate of poor lovers. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Caut._ Come, you are guilty, by that hanging down of your head.
Speak: are you a dancing-master? Speak, speak; a dancing-master?

_Ger._ Yes, forsooth, I am a dancing-master; ay, ay--

_Don._ How does it appear?

_Hip._ Why, there is his fiddle, there upon the table, father.

_Mrs. Caut._ No, busybody, but it is not:--that is my nephew's fiddle.

_Hip._ Why, he lent it to my cousin: I tell you it is his.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, it may be, indeed; he might lend it to him for aught
I know.

_Don._ Ay, ay: but ask him, sister, if he be a dancing-master, where.

_Mrs. Caut._ Pray, brother, let me alone with him, I know what to ask
him, sure.

_Don._ What, will you be wiser than I? nay, then stand away. Come, if
you are a dancing-master, where's your school? _Donde? donde?_

_Mrs. Caut._ Why, he'll say, may be, he has ne'er a one.

_Don._ Who asked you, nimble chaps? So you have put an excuse in his
head.

_Ger._ Indeed, sir, 'tis no excuse: I have no school.

_Mrs. Caut._ Well; but who sent you? how came you hither?

_Ger._ There I am puzzled indeed. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Caut._ How came you hither, I say? how--

_Ger._ Why, how, how should I come hither?

_Don._ Ay, how should he come hither? Upon his legs.

_Mrs. Caut._ So, so! now you have put an excuse in his head too, that
you have, so you have; but stay--

_Don._ Nay, with your favour, mistress, I'll ask him now.

_Mrs. Caut._ Y'facks, but you shan't! I'll ask him, and ask you no
favour, that I will.

_Don._ Y'fackins, but you shan't ask him! if you go there too, look
you, you prattle-box you, I'll ask him.

_Mrs. Caut._ I will ask him, I say!--come!

_Don._ Where?

_Mrs. Caut._ What!

_Don._ Mine's a shrewd question.

_Mrs. Caut._ Mine's as shrewd as yours.

_Don._ Nay, then, we shall have it.--Come, answer me; where's your
lodging? come, come, sir.

_Mrs. Caut._ A shrewd question, indeed! at the Surgeons'-arms, I
warrant you; for 'tis spring-time, you know.

_Don._ Must you make lies for him?

_Mrs. Caut._ But come, sir; what's your name?--answer me to that; come.

_Don._ His name! why, 'tis an easy matter to tell you a false name, I
hope.

_Mrs. Caut._ So! must you teach him to cheat us?

_Don._ Why did you say my questions were not shrewd questions, then?

_Mrs. Caut._ And why would you not let me ask him the question, then?
Brother, brother, ever while you live, for all your Spanish wisdom,
let an old woman make discoveries: the young fellows cannot cheat us in
anything, I'd have you to know. Set your old woman still to grope out
an intrigue, because, you know, the mother found her daughter in the
oven. A word to the wise, brother.

_Don._ Come, come, leave this tattling: he has dishonoured my family,
debauched my daughter; and what if he could excuse himself? The Spanish
proverb says, excuses neither satisfy creditors nor the injured. The
wounds of honour must have blood and wounds, _St. Jago para mi!_
[_Kisses the cross of his sword, and runs at_ GERRARD.

_Hip._ O hold, dear father! and I'll confess all.

_Ger._ She will not, sure, after all. [_Aside._

_Hip._ My cousin sent him; because, as he said, he would have me
recover my dancing a little before our wedding, having made a vow he
would never marry a wife who could not dance a corant. I am sure I was
unwilling; but he would have him come, saying I was to be his wife as
soon as you came, and therefore expected obedience from me.

_Don._ Indeed, the venture is most his, and the shame would be most
his; for I know here in England, 'tis not the custom for the father
to be much concerned what the daughter does; but I will be a Spaniard
still.

_Hip._ Did not you hear him say last night he would send me one this
morning?

_Mrs. Caut._ No, not I, sure. If I had, he had never come here.

_Hip._ Indeed, aunt, you grow old I see; your memory fails you very
much. Did not you hear him, Prue, say he would send him to me?

_Prue._ Yes, I'll be sworn did I.

_Hip._ Look you there, aunt.

_Mrs. Caut._ I wonder I should not remember it.

_Don._ Come, come, you are a doting old fool.

_Mrs. Caut._ So! So! the fault will be mine now. But pray, mistress,
how did he come in? I am sure I had the keys of the doors, which, till
your father came in, were not opened to-day.

_Hip._ He came in just after my father, I suppose.

_Mrs. Caut._ It might be, indeed, while the porters brought in the
things, and I was talking with you.

_Don._ O, might he so, forsooth! you are a brave governante! Look you,
you a duenna, _voto!_--and not know who comes in and out!

_Mrs. Caut_ So! 'tis my fault, I know.

_Don._ Your maid was in the room with you; was she not, child?

_Hip._ Yes, indeed, and indeed, father, all the while.

_Don._ Well, child, I am satisfied then.--But I hope he does not use
the dancing-master's tricks, of squeezing your hands, setting your legs
and feet, by handling your thighs and seeing your legs.

_Hip._ No, indeed, father: I'd give him a box on the ear if he should.

_Don._ Poor innocent!--Well, I am contented you should learn to dance,
since, for aught I know, you shall be married to-morrow, or the next
day at farthest: by that time you may recover a corant--a saraband
I would say.[59] And since your cousin, too, will have a dancing
wife, it shall be so; and I'll see you dance myself. You shall be my
charge these two days, and then I dare venture you in the hand of any
dancing-master, even a saucy French dancing-master, look you.

_Mrs. Caut._ Well, have a care, though; for this man is not dressed
like a dancing master.

_Don._ Go, go, you dote; are they not (for the most part) better
dressed and prouder than many a good gentleman? you would be wiser than
I, would you, _cuerno_?

_Mrs. Caut._ Well, I say only, look to't, look to't.

_Don._ Hey, hey! Come, friend, to your business; teach her her lesson
over again; let's see.

_Hip._ Come, master.

_Don._ Come, come, let's see your English method; I understand
something of dancing myself--come.

_Hip._ Come, master.

_Ger._ I shall betray you yet, dearest miss; for I know not a step: I
could never dance. [_Apart to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ No!

_Don._ Come, come, child.

_Hip._ Indeed I'm ashamed, father.

_Don._ You must not be ashamed, child; you'll never dance well if you
are ashamed.

_Hip._ Indeed, I can't help it, father.

_Don._ Come, come, I say, go to't.

_Hip._ Indeed I can't, father, before you: 'tis my first lesson, and
I shall do it so ill.--Pray, good father, go into the next room for
this once; and the next time my master comes, you shall see I shall be
confident enough.

_Don._ Poor, foolish, innocent creature!--Well, well, I will, child.
Who but a Spanish kind of a father could have so innocent a daughter in
England?--Well, I would fain see any one steal or debauch my daughter
from me.

_Hip._ Nay, won't you go, father?

_Don._ Yes, yes, I go, child: we will all go but your maid.--You can
dance before your maid?

_Hip._ Yes, yes, father: a maid at most times with her mistress is
nobody. [_Exeunt_ DIEGO _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Ger._ He peeps yet at the door.

_Hip._ Nay, father, you peep; indeed you must not see me. When we have
done, you shall come in. [_She pulls the door to._

_Prue._ Indeed, little mistress, like the young kitten, you see you
played with your prey till you had almost lost it.

_Hip._ 'Tis true, a good old mouser like you had taken it up, and run
away with it presently.

_Ger._ Let me adore you, dearest miss, and give you--[_Going to embrace
her._

_Hip._ No, no embracing, good master! that ought to be the last lesson
you are to teach me, I have heard.

_Ger._ Though an aftergame be the more tedious and dangerous, 'tis won,
miss, with the more honour and pleasure: for all that, I repent we were
put to't. The coming in of your father, as he did, was the most unlucky
thing that ever befel me.

_Hip._ What then, you think I would have gone with you?

_Ger._ Yes; and you will go with me yet, I hope.--Courage, miss! we
have yet an opportunity; and the gallery-window is yet open.

_Hip._ No, no; if I went, I would go for good and all: but now my
father will soon come in again, and may quickly overtake us. Besides,
now I think on't, you are a stranger to me; I know not where you live,
nor whither you might carry me. For aught I know, you might be a
spirit, and carry me to Barbadoes.

_Ger._ No, dear miss, I would carry you to court, the playhouses, and
Hyde-park--

_Hip._ Nay, I know 'tis the trick of all you that spirit women away,
to speak 'em mighty fair at first: but when you have got 'em in your
clutches, you carry 'em into Yorkshire, Wales, or Cornwall, which is
as bad as to Barbadoes; and rather than be served so, I would be a
prisoner in London still as I am.

_Ger._ I see the air of this town, without the pleasures of it, is
enough to infect women with an aversion for the country. Well, miss,
since it seems you have some diffidence in me, give me leave to
visit you as your dancing-master, now you have honoured me with the
character; and under that I may have your father's permission to see
you, till you may better know me and my heart, and have a better
opportunity to reward it.

_Hip._ I am afraid to know your heart would require a great deal of
time; and my father intends to marry me very suddenly to my cousin, who
sent you hither.

_Get._ Pray, sweet miss, let us make the better use of our time if it
be short. But how shall we do with that cousin of yours in the mean
time? we must needs charm him.

_Hip._ Leave that to me.

_Ger._ But (what's worse) how shall I be able to act a dancing-master,
who ever wanted inclination and patience to learn myself?

_Hip._ A dancing-school in half an hour will furnish you with terms of
the art. Besides, Love (as I have heard say) supplies his scholars with
all sorts of capacities they have need of, in spite of nature:--but
what has love to do with you?

_Ger._ Love, indeed, has made a grave gouty statesmen fight duels, the
soldier fly from his colours, a pedant a fine gentlemen, nay, and the
very lawyer a poet; and, therefore, may make me a dancing-master.

_Hip._ If he were your master.

_Ger._ I'm sure, dearest miss, there is nothing else which I cannot do
for you already; and, therefore, may hope to succeed in that.

                         _Re-enter_ Don DIEGO.

_Don._ Come, have you done?

_Hip._ O, my father again!

_Don._ Come, now let us see you dance.

_Hip._ Indeed I am not perfect yet: pray excuse me till the next time
my master comes. But when must he come again, father?

_Don._ Let me see--friend, you must needs come after dinner again,
and then at night again, and so three times to-morrow too. If she be
not married to-morrow, (which I am to consider of,) she will dance a
corant in twice or thrice teaching more; will she not? for 'tis but a
twelvemonth since she came from Hackney-school.

_Ger._ We will lose no time, I warrant you, sir, if she be to be
married to-morrow.

_Don._ True, I think she may be married to-morrow; therefore, I would
not have you lose any time, look you.

_Ger._ You need not caution me, I warrant you, sir.--Sweet scholar,
your humble servant: I will not fail you immediately after dinner.

_Don._ No, no, pray do not; and I will not fail to satisfy you very
well, look you.

_Hip._ He does not doubt his reward, father, for his pains. If you
should not, I would make that good to him.

_Don._ Come, let us go in to your aunt: I must talk with you both
together, child.

_Hip._ I follow you, sir. [_Exeunt_ GERRARD _and_ Don DIEGO.

_Prue._ Here's the gentlewoman o' th' next house come to see you,
mistress.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] She's come, as if she came expressly to sing the new
song she sung last night. I must hear it; for 'tis to my purpose now.--

                             _Enter_ Lady.

Madam, your servant: I dreamt all night of the song you sung last; the
new song against delays in love, Pray, let's hear it again.

_Lady._ [_Sings._]

  Since we poor slavish women know
    Our men we cannot pick and choose,
  To him we like why say we no,
    And both our time and lover lose?
  With feigned repulses and delays
    A lover's appetite we pall;
  And if too long the gallant stays,
    His stomach's gone for good and all,

  Or our impatient amorous guest
    Unknown to us away may steal,
  And rather than stay for a feast,
    Take up with some coarse ready meal
  When opportunity is kind,
    Let prudent women be so too;
  And if the man be to your mind,
    Till needs you must, ne'er let him go.

  The match soon made is happy still,
    For only love has there to do.
  Let no one marry 'gainst her will,
    But stand off when her parents woo,
  And only to their suits be coy:
    For she whom jointure can obtain,
  To let a fop her bed enjoy,
    Is but a lawful wench for gain.

_Prue._ Your father calls for you, miss. [_Steps to the door._

_Hip._ I come, I come; I must be obedient as long as I am with him.
[_Pausing._

  Our parents who restrain our liberty,
    But take the course to make us sooner free,
  Though all we gain be but new slavery;
    We leave our fathers, and to husbands flee.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE THIRD.


SCENE I.--Don DIEGO'S _House._

           _Enter_ Monsieur de PARIS, HIPPOLITA, _and_ PRUE.

_Mons. Serviteur, serviteur, la cousine._ Your maid told me she watched
at the stair-foot for my coming; because you had a mind to speak wit me
before I saw your fader, it seem.

_Hip._ I would so, indeed, cousin.

_Mons. Or-ça! or-ça!_ I know your affair. It is to tell me wat
recreation you ade with Monsieur Gerrard. But did he come? I was afrait
he would not come.

_Hip._ Yes, yes, he did come.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha!--and were you not infiniment divertisee and please?
Confess.

_Hip._ I was indeed, cousin, I was very well pleased.

_Mons._ I do tinke so. I did tinke to come and be divertisee myself
this morning with the sight of his reception: but I did rancounter last
night wit dam company dat keep me up so late, I could not rise in de
morning, _malepeste de putains!_--

_Hip._ Indeed, we wanted you here mightily, cousin.

_Mons._ To elpe you to laugh: for if I adde been here, I had made such
recreation wit dat coxcomb Gerrard!

_Hip._ Indeed, cousin, you need not have any subject property to make
one laugh, you are so pleasant yourself; and when you are but alone,
you would make one burst.

_Mons._ Am I so happy, cousin, then, in the _bon_ quality of making
people laugh?

_Hip._ Mighty happy, cousin.

_Mons. De grace?_

_Hip._ Indeed.

_Mons._ Nay, _sans vanité_, I observe, wheresoe'er I come, I make
everybody merry; _sans vanité_--da--

_Hip._ I do believe you do.

_Mons._ Nay, as I marche in de street, I can make de dull apprenty
laugh and sneer.

_Hip._ This fool, I see, is as apt as an ill poet to mistake the
contempt and scorn of people for applause and admiration. [_Aside._

_Mons._ Ah, cousin, you see what it is to have been in France! Before I
went into France, I could get nobody to laugh at me, _ma foi!_

_Hip._ No? truly, cousin, I think you deserved it before; but you are
improved, indeed, by going into France.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, the French education make us _propre à tout_. Beside,
cousin, you must know, to play the fool is the science in France, and I
didde go to the Italian academy at Paris thrice a-week to learn to play
de fool of Signior Scaramouche,[60] who is the most excellent personage
in the world for dat noble science. Angel is a dam English fool to him.

_Hip._ Methinks, now, Angel is a very good fool.

_Mons._ Naugh, naugh, Nokes is a better fool; but indeed the Englis
are not fit to be fools: here are ver few good fools. 'Tis true, you
have many a young cavalier who go over into France to learn to be de
buffoon; but for all dat, dey return but _mauvais_ buffoon, _jarni!_

_Hip._ I'm sure, cousin, you have lost no time there.

_Mons._ Auh, _le brave_ Scaramouche!

_Hip._ But is it a science in France, cousin? and is there an academy
for fooling? sure none go to it but players.

_Mons._ Dey are comedians dat are de _maîtres_; but all the _beau
monde_ go to learn, as they do here of Angel and Nokes. For if you did
go abroad into company, you would find the best almost of de nation
conning in all places the lessons which dey have learned of the fools
dere _maîtres_, Nokes and Angel.

_Hip._ Indeed!

_Mons._ Yes, yes, dey are de _gens de qualité_ that practise dat
science most, and the most _ambitieux_; for fools and buffoons have
been always most welcome to courts, and desired in all companies. Auh,
to be de fool, de buffoon, is to be de great personage.

_Hip._ Fools have fortune, they say, indeed.

_Mons._ So say old Senèque.

_Hip._ Well, cousin, not to make you proud, you are the greatest fool
in England, I am sure.

_Mons. Non, non, de grace; non:_ Nokes de comedian is a pretty man, a
pretty man for a comedian, da--

_Hip._ You are modest, cousin.--But lest my father should come in
presently, which he will do as soon as he knows you are here, I must
give you a caution, which 'tis fit you should have before you see him.

_Mons._ Vell, vell, cousin, vat is dat?

_Hip._ You must know, then (as commonly the conclusion of all mirth is
sad), after I had a good while pleased myself in jesting, and leading
the poor gentleman you sent into a fool's paradise, and almost made him
believe I would go away with him, my father, coming home this morning,
came in upon us, and caught him with me.

_Mons. Malepeste!_

_Hip._ And drew his sword upon him, and would have killed him; for you
know my father's Spanish fierceness and jealousy.

_Mons._ But how did he come off then, _tête non?_

_Hip._ In short, I was fain to bring him off by saying he was my
dancing-master.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! ver good jeste.

_Hip._ I was unwilling to have the poor man killed, you know, for our
foolish frolic with him: but then, upon my aunt's and father's inquiry,
how he came in, and who sent him, I was forced to say you did, desiring
I should be able to dance a corant before our wedding.

_Mons._ A ver good jest--da--still better as better.

_Hip._ Now, all that I am to desire of you is, to own you sent him,
that I may not be caught in a lie.

_Mons_ Yes, yes, a ver good jest: Gerrard a _maître de danse!_ ha! ha!
ha!

_Hip._ Nay, the jest is like to be better yet; for my father himself
has obliged him now to come and teach me: so that now he must take the
dancing-master upon him, and come three or four times to me before
our wedding, lest my father, if he should come no more, should be
suspicious I had told him a lie. And, for aught I know, if he should
know, or but guess he were not a dancing-master, in his Spanish
strictness and punctilios of honour, he might kill me as the shame
and stain of his honour and family, which he talks of so much. Now,
you know the jealous cruel fathers in Spain serve their poor innocent
daughters often so; and he is more than a Spaniard.

_Mons. Non, non,_ fear noting; I warrant you, he shall come as often as
you will to de house; and your father shall never know who he is till
we are married. But then I'll tell him all for the jest's sake.

_Hip._ But will you keep my counsel, dear cousin, till we are married?

_Mons._ Poor dear fool! I warrant thee, _ma foi!_

_Hip._ Nay, what a fool am I indeed! for you would not have me killed.
You love me too well, sure, to be an instrument of my death.

    _Enter_ Don DIEGO, _walking gravely, a_ Black boy _behind him;
                          and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

But here comes my father, remember.

_Mons._ I would no more tell him of it than I would tell you if I had
been with a wench, _jarni!_ [_Aside._]--She's afraid to be killed, poor
wretch, and he's a capricious, jealous fop enough to do't:--but here
he comes.--[_To_ HIPPOLITA.] I'll keep thy counsel, I warrant thee, my
dear soul, _mon petit cœur._

_Hip._ Peace! peace! my father's coming this way.

_Mons._ Ay, but by his march he won't be near enough to hear us this
half hour, ha! ha! ha! [Don DIEGO _walks leisurely round_ Monsieur,
_surveying him, and shrugging up his shoulders, whilst_ Monsieur _makes
legs and faces aside._

_Don._ Is that thing my cousin, sister?

_Mrs. Caut._ 'Tis he, sir.

_Don._ Cousin, I am sorry to see you--

_Mons._ Is that a Spanish compliment?

_Don._ So much disguised, cousin.

_Mons._ [_Aside._] Oh! is it out at last, _ventre?_--[_To_ Don
DIEGO.]--_Serviteur, serviteur, à monsieur mon oncle;_ and I am glad
to see you here within doors, most Spanish _oncle_, ha! ha! ha! but I
should be sorry to see you in the streets, _tête non!_

_Don._ Why so?--would you be ashamed of me, hah--_voto á St. Jago!_
would you? hauh--

_Mons._ Ay; it may be you would be ashamed yourself, _monsieur mon
oncle_, of the great train you would get to wait upon your Spanish
hose, puh--the boys would follow you, and hoot at you--_vert_ and
_bleu!_ pardon my Franch _franchise, monsieur mon oncle._

_Hip._ We shall have sport anon, betwixt these two contraries. [_Apart
to_ PRUE.

_Don._ Dost thou call me "monsieur?" _voto á St. Jago!_

_Mons._ No, I did not call you Monsieur Voto á St. Jago! Sir, I know
you are my uncle, Mr. James Formal--da--

_Don._ But I can hardly know you are my cousin, Mr. Nathaniel
Paris.--But call me, sir, Don Diego henceforward, look you, and no
monsieur. Call me monsieur! _guarda!_

_Mons._ I confess my error, sir; for none but a blind man would call
you monsieur, ha! ha!--But, pray, do not call me neder Paris, but
de Paris, de Paris, (_s'il vous plait,_) Monsieur de Paris. Call me
monsieur, and welcome, da--

_Don._ Monsieur de Pantaloons then, _voto_--

_Mons._ Monsieur de Pantaloons! a pretty name, a pretty name, _ma
foi!_ da--_bien trouvé_ de Pantaloons! how much better den your de
la Fountaines, de la Rivieres, de la Roches, and all the _de's_ in
France--da--well; but have you not the admiration for my pantaloon, Don
Diego, _mon oncle?_

_Don._ I am astonished at them, _verdaderamente_, they are wonderfully
ridiculous.

_Mons._ Redicule! redicule! ah--'tis well you are my uncle,
da--redicule! ha--is dere any ting in the universe so _gentil_ as de
pantaloons? any ting so _ravissant_ as de pantaloons? Auh--I could
kneel down and varship a pair of _gentil_ pantaloons. Vat, vat, you
would have me have de admiration for dis outward skin of your thigh,
which you call Spanish hose, fi! fi! fi!--ha! ha! ha!

_Don._ Dost thou deride my Spanish hose, young man, hauh?

_Mons._ In comparison of pantaloon, I do undervalue 'em indeed, Don
Diego, _mon oncle_, ha! ha! ha!

_Don._ Thou art then a _gabacho[61] de mal gusto_, look you.

_Mons._ You may call me vat you vill, _oncle_ Don Diego; but I must
needs say, your Spanish hose are scurvy hose, ugly hose, lousy hose,
and stinking hose.

_Don._ Do not provoke me, _borracho!_ [_Puts his hand to his sword._

_Mons._ Indeet, as for lousy, I recant dat epithete, for dere is scarce
room in 'em for dat little animal, ha! ha! ha! but for stinking hose,
dat epithete may stand; for how can they choose but stink, since they
are so _furieusement_ close to your Spanish tail, da?

_Hip._ Ha! ha! ridiculous! [_Aside._

_Don._ Do not provoke me, I say, _en hora mala!_ [_Seems to draw._

_Mons._ Nay, _oncle_, I am sorry you are in de pation; but I must live
and die for de pantaloon against de Spanish hose, da.

_Don._ You are a rash young man; and while you wear pantaloons, you are
beneath my passion, _voto_--auh--they make thee look and waddle (with
all those gewgaw ribbons) like a great, old, fat, slovenly water dog.

_Mons._ And your Spanish hose, and your nose in the air, make you look
like a great, grizzled, long Irish greyhound reaching a crust off from
a high shelf, ha! ha! ha!

_Don. Bueno! bueno!_

_Mrs. Caut._ What, have you a mind to ruin yourself and break off the
match?

_Mons._ Pshaw--wat do you tell me of the matche! d'ye tinke I will not
vindicate pantaloons, _morbleu!_

_Don._ [_Aside._] Well, he is a lost young man, I see, and desperately
far gone in the epidemic malady of our nation, the affectation of the
worst of French vanities: but I must be wiser than him, as I am a
Spaniard. Look you, Don Diego, and endeavour to reclaim him by art
and fair means, look you, Don Diego; if not, he shall never marry
my daughter, look you, Don Diego, though he be my own sister's son,
and has two thousand five hundred seventy-three pounds sterling,
twelve shillings and twopence a year pennyrent, _seguramente!_--[_To_
Monsieur.] Come, young man, since you are so obstinate, we will refer
our difference to arbitration; your mistress, my daughter, shall be
umpire betwixt us, concerning Spanish hose and pantaloons.

_Mons._ Pantaloons and Spanish hose, _s'il vous plait_.

_Don._ Your mistress is the fittest judge of your dress, sure.

_Mons._ I know ver vel dat most of the _jeunesse_ of England will
not change de ribband upon de crevat without de consultation of dere
_maîtresse_; but I am no _Anglais_, da--nor shall I make de reference
of my dress to any in the universe, da--I judge by any in England!
_tête non!_ I would not be judge by any English looking-glass, _jarni!_

_Don._ Be not _positivo_, young man.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, pray refer it, cousin, pray do.

_Mons._ Non, non, your servant, your servant, aunt.

_Don._ But, pray, be not so positive. Come hither, daughter, tell me
which is best.

_Hip._ Indeed, father, you have kept me in universal ignorance, I know
nothing.

_Mons._ And do you tink I shall refer an affair of that consequence to
a poor young ting who have not seen the vorld, da? I am wiser than so,
_voto!_

_Don._ Well, in short, if you will not be wiser, and leave off your
French dress, stammering, and tricks, look you, you shall be a fool,
and go without my daughter, _voto!_

_Mons._ How! must I leave off my jantee French accoutrements, and
speak base Englis too, or not marry my cousin, _mon oncle_ Don Diego?
Do not break off the match, do not; for know, I will not leave off my
pantaloon and French pronuntiation for ne'er a cousin in England't, da.

_Don._ I tell you again, he that marries my daughter shall at least
look like a wise man, for he shall wear the Spanish habit; I am a
Spanish _positivo_.

_Mons._ Ver vel! ver vel! and I am a French _positivo_.

_Don._ Then I am _definitivo_; and if you do not go immediately
into your chamber, and put on a Spanish habit, I have brought over
on purpose for your wedding-clothes, and put off all these French
fopperies and _vanidades_, with all your grimaces, agreeables,
adorables, _ma fois_, and _jarnis_; I swear you shall never marry my
daughter (and by an oath by Spaniard never broken) by my whiskers and
snuff-box!

_Mons._ O hold! do not swear, uncle, for I love your daughter
_furieusement_.

_Don._ If you love her, you'll obey me.

_Mons._ Auh, wat will become of me! but have the consideration. Must I
leave off all the Franch _beautés_, graces, and embellisments, bote of
my person, and language? [_Exeunt_ HIPPOLITA, Mrs. CAUTION, _and_ PRUE,
_laughing._

_Don._ I will have it so.

_Mons._ I am ruinne den, undonne. Have some consideration for me, for
dere is not de least ribbon of my _garniture_ but is as dear to me as
your daughter, _jarni!_

_Don._ Then, you do not deserve her; and for that reason I will be
satisfied you love her better, or you shall not have her, for I am
_positivo_.

_Mons._ Vill you break mine arte? Pray have de consideration for me.

_Don._ I say again, you shall be dressed before night from top to toe
in the Spanish habit, or you shall never marry my daughter, look you.

_Mons._ If you will not have de consideration for me, have de
consideration for your daughter; for she have de passionate _amour_ for
me, and like me in dis habite bettre den in yours, da.

_Don._ What I have said I have said, and I am _un positivo_.

_Mons._ Will you not so mush as allow me one little French oate?

_Don._ No, you shall look like a Spaniard, but speak and swear like an
Englishman, look you.

_Mons. Hélas! hélas!_ den I shall take my leave, _mort! tête! ventre!
jarni! tête bleu! ventre bleu! ma foi!_ certes!

_Don._ [_Calls at the door._] Pedro, Sanchez, wait upon this
_cavaliero_ into his chamber with those things I ordered you to take
out of the trunks.--I would have you a little accustomed to your
clothes before your wedding; for, if you comply with me, you shall
marry my daughter to-morrow, look you.

_Mons._ Adieu then, dear pantaloon! dear belte! dear sword! dear
peruke! and dear _chapeau retroussé_, and dear shoe, _jarni!_ adieu!
adieu! adieu! _Hélas! hélas! hélas!_ will you have yet no pity?

_Don._ I am a Spanish _positivo_, look you.

_Mons._ And more cruel than de Spanish inquisitiono, to compel a man to
a habit against his conscience; _hélas! hélas! hélas!_ [_Exit._

                    _Re-enter_ PRUE _with_ GERRARD.

_Prue._ Here's the dancing-master, shall I call my mistress, sir?

_Don._ Yes.--[_Exit_ PRUE.] O, you are as punctual as a Spaniard: I
love your punctual men; nay, I think 'tis before your time something.

_Ger._ Nay, I am resolved your daughter, sir, shall lose no time by my
fault.

_Don._ So, so, 'tis well.

_Ger._ I were a very unworthy man, if I should not be punctual with
her, sir.

_Don._ You speak honestly, very honestly, friend; and I believe a very
honest man, though a dancing-master.

_Ger._ I am very glad you think me so, sir.

_Don._ What, you are but a young man, are you married yet?

_Ger._ No, sir; but I hope I shall, sir, very suddenly, if things hit
right.

_Don._ What, the old folks her friends are wary, and cannot agree with
you so soon as the daughter can?

_Ger._ Yes, sir, the father hinders it a little at present; but the
daughter, I hope, is resolved, and then we shall do well enough.

_Don._ What! you do not steal her, according to the laudable custom of
some of your brother dancing-masters?

_Ger._ No, no, sir; steal her, sir! steal her! you are pleased to be
merry, sir, ha! ha! ha!--[_Aside._] I cannot but laugh at that question.

_Don._ No, sir, methinks you are pleased to be merry, but you say the
father does not consent?

_Ger._ Not yet, sir; but 'twill be no matter whether he does or no.

_Don._ Was she one of your scholars? if she were, 'tis a hundred to ten
but you steal her.

_Ger._ [_Aside._] I shall not be able to hold laughing. [_Laughs._

_Don._ Nay, nay, I find by your laughing you steal her: she was your
scholar; was she not?

_Ger._ Yes, sir, she was the first I ever had, and may be the last too;
for she has a fortune (if I can get her) will keep me from teaching to
dance any more.

_Don._ So, so, then she is your scholar still it seems, and she has a
good portion; I'm glad on't; nay, I knew you stole her.

_Ger._ [_Aside._] My laughing may give him suspicions, yet I cannot
hold. [_Laughs._

_Don._ What! you laugh, I warrant, to think how the young baggage and
you will mump the poor old father! but if all her dependence for a
fortune be upon the father, he may chance to mump you both and spoil
the jest.

_Ger._ I hope it will not be in his power, sir, ha! ha! ha!--[_Aside._]
I shall laugh too much anon.--[_To_ Don DIEGO.] Pray, sir, be pleased
to call for your daughter, I am impatient till she comes, for time was
never more precious with me, and with her too; it ought to be so, sure,
since you say she is to be married to-morrow.

_Don._ She ought to bestir her, as you say, indeed. Wuh, daughter!
daughter! Prue! Hippolita! come away, child, why do you stay so long?
[_Calls at the door._

            _Re-enter_ HIPPOLITA, PRUE, _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Hip._ Your servant, master; indeed I am ashamed you have stayed for me.

_Ger._ O, good madam, 'tis my duty; I know you came as soon as you
could.

_Hip._ I knew my father was with you, therefore I did not make
altogether so much haste as I might; but if you had been alone, nothing
should have kept me from you. I would not have been so rude as to have
made you stay a minute for me, I warrant you.

_Don._ Come, fiddle faddle, what a deal of ceremony there is betwixt
your dancing-master and you, _cuerno!_--

_Hip._ Lord, sir! I hope you'll allow me to show my respect to my
master, for I have a great respect for my master.

_Ger._ And I am very proud of my scholar, and am a very great honourer
of my scholar.

_Don._ Come, come, friend, about your business, and honour the
king.--[_To_ Mrs. CAUTION.] Your dancing-masters and barbers are
such finical, smooth-tongued, tattling fellows; and if you set 'em
once a-talking, they'll ne'er a-done, no more than when you set
'em a-fiddling: indeed, all that deal with fiddles are given to
impertinency.

_Mrs. Caut._ Well, well, this is an impertinent fellow, without being a
dancing-master. He is no more a dancing-master than I am a maid.

_Don._ What! will you still be wiser than I? _voto!_--Come, come, about
with my daughter, man.

_Prue._ So he would, I warrant you, if your worship would let him alone.

_Don._ How now, Mrs. Nimblechaps!

_Ger._ Well, though I have got a little canting at the dancing-school
since I was here, yet I do all so bunglingly, he'll discover me.
[_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ [_Aside._] Try.--[_Aloud._] Come take my hand, master.

_Mrs. Caut._ Look you, brother, the impudent harlotry gives him her
hand.

_Don._ Can he dance with her without holding her by the hand?

_Hip._ Here, take my hand, master.

_Ger._ I wish it were for good and all. [_Aside to her._

_Hip._ You dancing-masters are always so hasty, so nimble.

_Don. Voto á St. Jago!_ not that I see; about with her, man.

_Ger._ Indeed, sir, I cannot about with her as I would do, unless you
will please to go out a little, sir; for I see she is bashful still
before you, sir.

_Don._ Hey, hey, more fooling yet! come, come, about, about with her.

_Hip._ Nay, indeed, father, I am ashamed, and cannot help it.

_Don._ But you shall help it, for I will not stir. Move her, I
say.--Begin, hussy, move when he'll have you.

_Prue._ I cannot but laugh at that, ha! ha! ha! [_Aside._

_Ger._ [_Apart to_ HIPPOLITA.] Come, then, madam, since it must be so,
let us try; but I shall discover all.--One, two, and coupee.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, d'ye see how he squeezes her hand, brother! O the
lewd villain!

_Don._ Come, move, I say, and mind her not.

_Ger._ One, two, three, four, and turn round.

_Mrs. Caut._ D'ye see again? he took her by the bare arm.

_Don._ Come, move on, she's mad.

_Ger._ One, two, and a coupee.

_Don._ Come, one, two, and turn out your toes.

_Mrs. Caut._ There, there, he pinched her by the thigh: will you suffer
it?

_Ger._ One, two, three, and fall back.

_Don._ Fall back, fall back, back; some of you are forward enough to
back.

_Ger._ Back, madam.

_Don._ Fall back, when he bids you, hussy.

_Mrs. Caut._ How! how! fall back, fall back! marry, but she shall not
fall back when he bids her.

_Don._ I say she shall.--Huswife, come.

_Ger._ She will, she will, I warrant you, sir, if you won't be angry
with her.

_Mrs. Caut._ Do you know what he means by that now? You a Spaniard!

_Don._ How's that? I not a Spaniard! say such a word again--

_Ger._ Come forward, madam, three steps again.

_Mrs. Caut._ See, see, she squeezes his hand now: O the debauched
harlotry!

_Don._ So, so, mind her not; she moves forward pretty well; but you
must move as well backward as forward, or you'll never do anything to
purpose.

_Mrs. Caut._ Do you know what you say, brother, yourself, now? are you
at your beastliness before your young daughter?

_Prue._ Ha! ha! ha!

_Don._ How now, mistress, are you so merry?--Is this your staid maid as
you call her, sister Impertinent?

_Ger._ I have not much to say to you, miss; but I shall not have an
opportunity to do it, unless we can get your father out. [_Aside to_
HIPPOLITA.

_Don._ Come, about again with her.

_Mrs. Caut._ Look you there, she squeezes his hand hard again.

_Hip._ Indeed, and indeed, father, my aunt puts me quite out: I cannot
dance while she looks on for my heart, she makes me ashamed and afraid
together.

_Ger._ Indeed, if you would please to take her out, sir, I am sure I
should make my scholar do better, than when you are present, sir. Pray,
sir, be pleased for this time to take her away; for the next time, I
hope I shall order it so, we shall trouble neither of you.

_Mrs. Caut._ No, no, brother, stir not, they have a mind to be left
alone. Come, there's a beastly trick in't; he's no dancing-master, I
tell you.

_Ger._ Damned jade! she'll discover us. [_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Don._ What, will you teach me? nay, then I will go out, and you shall
go out too, look you.

_Mrs. Caut._ I will not go out, look you.

_Don._ Come, come, thou art a censorious wicked woman, and you shall
disturb them no longer.

_Mrs. Caut._ What! will you bawd for your daughter?

_Don._ Ay, ay; come go out, out, out.

_Mrs. Caut._ I will not go out, I will not go out; my conscience will
not suffer me, for I know by experience what will follow.

_Ger._ I warrant you, sir, we'll make good use of our time when you are
gone.

_Mrs. Caut._ Do you hear him again? don't you know what he means?
[_Exit_ Don DIEGO _thrusting_ Mrs. CAUTION _out._

_Hip._ 'Tis very well!--you are a fine gentleman to abuse my poor
father so.

_Ger._ 'Tis but by your example, miss.

_Hip._ Well, I am his daughter, and may make the bolder with him, I
hope.

_Ger._ And I am his son-in-law, that shall be; and therefore may claim
my privilege too of making bold with him, I hope.

_Hip._ Methinks you should be contented in making bold with his
daughter (for you have made very bold with her) sure.

_Ger._ I hope I shall make bolder with her yet.

_Hip._ I do not doubt your confidence, for you are a dancing-master.

_Ger._ Why, miss, I hope you would not have me a fine, senseless,
whining, modest lover; for modesty in a man is as ill as the want of it
in a woman.

_Hip._ I thank you for that, sir, now you have made bold with me
indeed; but if I am such a confident piece, I am sure you made me so:
if you had not had the confidence to come in at the window, I had not
had the confidence to look upon a man: I am sure I could not look upon
a man before.

_Ger._ But that I humbly conceive, sweet miss, was your father's
fault, because you had not a man to look upon. But, dearest miss, I do
not think you confident, you are only innocent; for that which would
be called confidence, nay impudence, in a woman of years, is called
innocency in one of your age; and the more impudent you appear, the
more innocent you are thought.

_Hip._ Say you so? has youth such privileges? I do not wonder then,
most women seem impudent, since it is to be thought younger than they
are, it seems. But indeed, master, you are as great an encourager of
impudence, I see, as if you were a dancing-master in good earnest.

_Ger._ Yes, yes, a young thing may do anything; may leap out of the
window and go away with her dancing master, if she please.

_Hip._ So, so, the use follows the doctrine very suddenly.

_Ger._ Well, dearest, pray let us make the use we should of it; lest
your father should make too bold with us, and come in before we would
have him.

_Hip._ Indeed, old relations are apt to take that ill-bred freedom of
pressing into young company at unseasonable hours.

_Ger._ Come, dear miss, let me tell you how I have designed matters;
for in talking of anything else we lose time and opportunity. People
abroad indeed say, the English women are the worst in the world in
using an opportunity, they love tittle-tattle and ceremony.

_Hip._ 'Tis because, I warrant, opportunities are not so scarce here as
abroad, they have more here than they can use; but let people abroad
say what they will of English women, because they do not know 'em, but
what say people at home?

_Ger._ Pretty innocent! ha! ha! ha!--Well, I say you will not make use
of your opportunity.

_Hip._ I say, you have no reason to say so yet.

_Ger._ Well then, anon at nine of the clock at night I'll try you: for
I have already bespoke a parson, and have taken up the three back-rooms
of the tavern, which front upon the gallery-window, that nobody may see
us escape; and I have appointed (precisely betwixt eight and nine of
the clock when it is dark) a coach and six to wait at the tavern-door
for us.

_Hip._ A coach and six! a coach and six, do you say? nay, then I see
you are resolved to carry me away; for a coach and six, though there
were not a man but the coachman with it, would carry away any young
girl of my age in England:--a coach and six!

_Ger._ Then you will be sure to be ready to go with me?

_Hip._ What young woman of the town could ever say no to a coach and
six, unless it were going into the country?--A coach and six! 'tis not
in the power of fourteen years old to resist it.

_Ger._ You will be sure to be ready?

_Hip._ You are sure 'tis a coach and six?

_Ger._ I warrant you, miss.

_Hip._ I warrant you then they'll carry us merrily away:--a coach and
six!

_Ger._ But have you charmed your cousin the monsieur (as you said you
would) that he in the mean time say nothing to prevent us?

_Hip._ I warrant you.

      _Re-enter_ Don DIEGO; Mrs. CAUTION _pressing in after him._

_Mrs. Caut._ I will come in.

_Don._ Well, I hope by this time you have given her full instructions;
you have told her what and how to do, you have done all.

_Ger._ We have just done indeed, sir.

_Hip._ Ay, sir, we have just done, sir.

_Mrs. Caut._ And I fear just undone, sir.

_Ger._ D'ye hear that damned witch? [_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Don._ Come, leave your censorious prating; thou hast been a false,
right woman thyself in thy youth, I warrant you.

_Mrs. Caut._ I right! I right! I scorn your words, I'd have you to
know, and 'tis well known. I right! no, 'tis your dainty minx, that
Jillflirt, your daughter here, that is right; do you see how her
handkerchief is ruffled, and what a heat she's in?

_Don._ She has been dancing.

_Mrs. Caut._ Ay, ay, Adam and Eve's dance, or the beginning of the
world; d'ye see how she pants?

_Don._ She has not been used to motion.

_Mrs. Caut._ Motion! motion! motion d'ye call it? no indeed, I kept her
from motion till now: motion with a vengeance!

_Don._ You put the poor bashful girl to the blush, you see, hold your
peace.

_Mrs. Caut._ 'Tis her guilt, not her modesty, marry!

_Don._ Come, come, mind her not, child.--Come, master, let me see her
dance now the whole dance roundly together; come, sing to her.

_Ger._ Faith; we shall be discovered after all; you know I cannot sing
a note, miss. [_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Don._ Come, come, man.

_Hip._ Indeed, father, my master's in haste now; pray let it alone till
anon at night, when, you say, he is to come again, and then you shall
see me dance it to the violin; pray stay till then, father.

_Don._ I will not be put off so; come, begin.

_Hip._ Pray, father.

_Don._ Come, sing to her; come, begin.

_Ger._ Pray, sir, excuse me till anon, I am in some haste.

_Don._ I say, begin, I will not excuse you: come, take her by the hand,
and about with her.

_Mrs. Caut._ I say, he shall not take her by the hand, he shall touch
her no more; while I am here, there shall be no more squeezing and
tickling her palm. Good Mr. Dancing-master, stand off. [_Thrusts_
GERRARD _away._

_Don._ Get you out, Mrs. Impertinence.--[_To_ GERRARD.] Take her by the
hand, I say.

_Mrs. Caut._ Stand off, I say. He shall not touch her, he has touched
her too much already.

_Don._ If patience were not a Spanish virtue, I would lay it aside now:
I say, let 'em dance.

_Mrs. Caut._ I say, they shall not dance.

_Hip._ Pray, father, since you see my aunt's obstinacy, let us alone
till anon, when you may keep her out.

_Don._ Well then, friend, do not fail to come.

_Hip._ Nay, if he fail me at last--

_Don._ Be sure you come, for she's to be married to-morrow:--do you
know it?

_Ger._ Yes, yes, sir.--Sweet scholar, your humble servant, till night;
and think in the mean time of the instructions I have given you, that
you may be the readier when I come.

_Don._ Ay, girl, be sure you do,--and do you be sure to come.

_Mrs. Caut._ You need not be so concerned, he'll be sure to come I
warrant you; but if I could help it, he should never set foot again in
the house.

_Don._ You would frighten the poor dancing-master from the house,--but
be sure you come for all her.

_Ger._ Yes, sir.--[_Aside._] But this jade will pay me when I am gone.

_Mrs. Caut._ Hold, hold, sir, I must let you out, and I wish I could
keep you out. He a dancing-master! he's a chouse, a cheat, a mere
cheat, and that you'll find.

_Don._ I find any man a cheat! I cheated by any man! I scorn your
words.--I that have so much Spanish care, circumspection, and prudence,
cheated by a man! Do you think I, who have been in Spain, look you, and
have kept up my daughter a twelve month, for fear of being cheated of
her, look you? I cheated of her!

_Mrs. Caut._ Well, say no more. [_Exeunt_ Don DIEGO, HIPPOLITA, Mrs.
CAUTION, _and_ PRUE.

_Ger._ Well, old Formality, if you had not kept up your daughter, I am
sure I had never cheated you of her.

  The wary fool is by his care betrayed,
  As cuckolds by their jealousy are made.

[_Exit._




ACT THE FOURTH.


SCENE I.--_A Room in_ Don DIEGO'S _House._

      _Enter_ Monsieur de PARIS _without a peruke, with a Spanish
         hat, a Spanish doublet, stockings, and shoes, but in
      pantaloons, a waist-belt, and a Spanish dagger in it, and a
   cravat about his neck._--HIPPOLITA _and_ PRUE _behind laughing._

_Mons._ To see wat a fool love do make of one, _jarni!_ It do
metamorphose de brave man in de beast, de sot, de animal.

_Hip._ Ha! ha! ha!

_Mons._ Nay, you may laugh, 'tis ver vell, I am become as ridicule for
you as can be, _morbleu!_ I have deform myself into a ugly Spaniard.

_Hip._ Why, do you call this disguising yourself like a Spaniard, while
you wear pantaloons still, and the cravat?

_Mons._ But is here not the double doublet, and the Spanish dagger
_aussi_?

_Hip._ But 'tis as long as the French sword, and worn like it. But
where's your Spanish beard, the thing of most consequence?

_Mons. Jarni!_ do you tink beards are as easy to be had as in the
playhouses? non; but if here be no the ugly long Spanish beard, here
are, I am certain, the ugly long Spanish ear.

_Hip._ That's very true, ha! ha! ha!

_Mons._ Auh de ingrate, dat de woman is! wen we poor men are your
gallants, you laugh at us yourselves, and wen we are your husband, you
make all the world laugh at us, _jarni!_--Love, dam love, it makes the
man more ridicule, than poverty, poetry, or a new title of honour,
_jarni!_

                 _Enter_ Don DIEGO _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Don._ What! at your _jarnis_ still? _voto!_

_Mons._ Why, _oncle_, you are at your _votos_ still.

_Don._ Nay, I'll allow you to be at your _votos_ too, but not to make
the incongruous match of Spanish doublet, and French pantaloons.
[_Holding his hat before his pantaloons._

_Mons._ Nay, pray, dear _oncle_, let me unite France and Spain; 'tis
the mode of France now, _jarni, voto!_

_Don._ Well, I see I must pronounce: I told you, if you were not
dressed in the Spanish habit to-night, you should not marry my daughter
to-morrow, look you.

_Mons._ Well! am I not _habillé_ in de Spanish habit? my doublet, ear
and hat, leg and feet, are Spanish, that dey are.

_Don._ I told you I was a Spanish _positivo, voto!_

_Mons._ Will you not spare my pantaloon! begar, I will give you one
little finger to excuse my pantaloon, da--

_Don._ I have said, look you.

_Mons._ Auh, _cher_ pantaloons! Speak for my pantaloons, cousin. My
poor pantaloons are as dear to me as de scarf to de countree capitane,
or de new-made officer: therefore have de compassion for my pantaloons,
Don Diego, _mon oncle. Hélas! hélas! hélas!_ [_Kneels._

_Don._ I have said, look you, your dress must be Spanish, and your
language English: I am _un positivo_.

_Mons._ And must speak base good English too! Ah! _la pitié! hélas!_

_Don._ It must be done; and I will see this great change ere it be
dark, _voto!_--Your time is not long; look to't, look you.

_Mons. Hélas! hélas! hélas!_ dat _Espagne_ should conquer _la France_
in England! _Hélas! hélas! hélas!_ [_Exit._

_Don._ You see what pains I take to make him the more agreeable to you,
daughter.

_Hip._ But indeed, and indeed, father, you wash the blackamoor white,
in endeavouring to make a Spaniard of a monsieur, nay, an English
monsieur too; consider that, father: for when once they have taken the
French _plie_ (as they call it) they are never to be made so much as
Englishmen again, I have heard say.

_Don._ What! I warrant you are like the rest of the young silly
baggages of England, that like nothing but what is French? You would
not have him reformed, you would have a monsieur to your husband, would
you, _cuerno_?

_Hip._ No, indeed, father, I would not have a monsieur to my husband;
not I indeed: and I am sure you'll never make my cousin otherwise.

_Don._ I warrant you.

_Hip._ You can't, you can't indeed, father: and you have sworn,
you know, he shall never have me, if he does not leave off his
monsieurship. Now, as I told you, 'tis as hard for him to cease being a
monsieur, as 'tis for you to break a Spanish oath; so that I am not in
any great danger of having a monsieur to my husband.

_Don._ Well, but you shall have him for your husband, look you.

_Hip._ Then you will break your Spanish oath.

_Don._ No, I will break him of his French tricks; and you shall have
him for your husband, _cuerno!_

_Hip._ Indeed and indeed, father, I shall not have him.

_Don._ Indeed you shall, daughter.

_Hip._ Well, you shall see, father.

_Mrs. Caut._ No, I warrant you, she will not have him, she'll have her
dancing-master rather: I know her meaning, I understand her.

_Don._ Thou malicious foolish woman! you understand her!--But I do
understand her; she says, I will not break my oath, nor he his French
customs; so, through our difference, she thinks she shall not have him:
but she shall.

_Hip._ But I shan't.

_Mrs. Caut._ I know she will not have him, because she hates him.

_Don._ I tell you, if she does hate him, 'tis a sign she will have him
for her husband; for 'tis not one of a thousand that marries the man
she loves, look you. Besides, 'tis all one whether she loves him now or
not; for as soon as she's married, she'd be sure to hate him. That's
the reason we wise Spaniards are jealous, and only expect, nay, will be
sure our wives shall fear us, look you.

_Hip._ Pray, good father and aunt, do not dispute about nothing; for I
am sure he will never be my husband to hate.

_Mrs. Caut._ I am of your opinion, indeed; I understand you. I can see
as far as another.

_Don._ You! you cannot see so much as through your spectacles!--But
I understand her: 'tis her mere desire to marriage makes her say she
shall not have him; for your poor young things, when they are once in
the teens, think they shall never be married.

_Hip._ Well, father, think you what you will; but I know what I think.

    _Re-enter_ Monsieur de PARIS _in the Spanish habit entire, only
     with a cravat, and followed by the little_ Blackamoor _with a
                      golilla_[62] _in his hand._

_Don._ Come, did not I tell you, you should have him? look you there,
he has complied with me, and is a perfect Spaniard.

_Mons._ Ay! ay! I am ugly rogue enough now, sure, for my cousin. But
'tis your father's fault, cousin, that you han't the handsomest,
best-dressed man in the nation; a man _bien mis_.

_Don._ Yet again at your French! and a cravat on still! _voto á St.
Jago!_ off, off, with it!

_Mons._ Nay, I will ever hereafter speak clownish good English, do but
spare me my cravat.

_Don._ I am _un positivo_, look you.

_Mons._ Let me not put on that Spanish yoke, but spare me my cravat;
for I love cravat _furieusement_.

_Don._ Again at your _furieusements!_

_Mons._ Indeed I have forgot myself: but have some mercy. [_Kneels._

_Don._ Off, off, off with it, I say! Come, refuse the _ornamento_
principal of the Spanish habit! [_Takes him by the cravat, pulls it
off, and the_ Black _puts on the golilla._

_Mons._ Will you have no mercy, no pity? alas! alas! alas! Oh! I had
rather put on the English pillory, than that Spanish _golilla_, for
'twill be all a case I'm sure: for when I go abroad, I shall soon have
a crowd of boys about me, peppering me with rotten eggs and turnips.
_Hélas! hélas!_ [Don DIEGO _puts on the golilla._

_Don. Hélas_, again!

_Mons._ Alas! alas! alas!

_Hip._ I shall die!    }
                       } Ha! ha! ha!
_Prue._ I shall burst! }

_Mons._ Ay! ay! you see what I am come to for your sake, cousin: and,
uncle, pray take notice how ridiculous I am grown to my cousin, that
loves me above all the world: she can no more forbear laughing at me, I
vow and swear, than if I were as arrant a Spaniard as yourself.

_Don._ Be a Spaniard like me, and ne'er think people laugh at you:
there was never a Spaniard that thought any one laughed at him. But
what! do you laugh at a _golilla_, baggage? Come, sirrah black, now
do you teach him to walk with the _verdadero gesto, gracia,_ and
_gravidad_ of a true Castilian.

_Mons._ Must I have my dancing-master too?--Come, little master, then,
lead on. [_The_ Black _struts about the stage,_ Monsieur _follows him,
imitating awkwardly all he does._

_Don. Malo! malo!_ with your hat on your poll, as it it hung upon a
pin!--the French and English wear their hats as if their horns would
not suffer 'em to come over their foreheads, _voto!_

_Mons._ 'Tis true, there are some well-bred gentlemen have so much
reverence for their peruke, that they would refuse to be grandees of
your Spain for fear of putting on their hats, I vow and swear!

_Don._ Come, black, teach him now to make a Spanish leg.[63]

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! your Spanish leg is an English courtesy, I vow and
swear, hah! hah! hah!

_Don._ Well, the hood does not make the monk; the ass was an ass still,
though he had the lion's skin on. This will be a light French fool, in
spite of the grave Spanish habit, look you.--But, black, do what you
can; make the most of him; walk him about.

_Prue._ Here are the people, sir, you sent to speak about provisions
for the wedding; and here are clothes brought home too, mistress.
[_Goes to the door and returns._

_Don._ Well, I come.--Black, do what you can with him; walk him about.

_Mons._ Indeed, uncle, if I were as you, I would not have the grave
Spanish habit so travestied: I shall disgrace it, and my little black
master too, I vow and swear.

_Don._ Learn, learn of him; improve yourself by him--and do you walk
him, walk him about soundly.--Come, sister, and daughter, I must have
your judgments, though I shall not need 'em, look you.--Walk him, see
you walk him. [_Exeunt_ Don DIEGO, HIPPOLITA, _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Mons. Jarni!_ he does not only make a Spaniard of me, but a Spanish
jennet, in giving me to his lackey to walk.--But come along, little
master. [_The_ Black _instructs_ Monsieur _on one side of the stage_,
PRUE _standing on the other._

_Prue._ O the unfortunate condition of us poor chambermaids! who have
all the carking and caring, the watching and sitting up, the trouble
and danger of our mistresses' intrigues, whilst they go away with all
the pleasure! And if they can get their man in a corner, 'tis well
enough; they ne'er think of the poor watchful chambermaid, who sits
knocking her heels in the cold, for want of better exercise, in some
melancholy lobby or entry, when she could employ her time every whit as
well as her mistress, for all her quality, if she were but put to't.
[_Aside._

_Black._ Hold up your head, hold up your head sir:--a stooping
Spaniard, _malo!_

_Mons._ True, a Spaniard scorns to look upon the ground.

_Prue._ We can shift for our mistresses, and not for ourselves. Mine
has got a handsome proper young man, and is just going to make the most
of him; whilst I must be left in the lurch here with a couple of ugly
little blackamoor boys in bonnets, and an old withered Spanish eunuch;
not a servant else in the house, nor have I hopes of any comfortable
society at all. [_Aside._

_Black._ Now let me see you make your visit-leg, thus.

_Mons._ Auh, _tête non!_--ha! ha! ha!

_Black._ What! a Spaniard, and laugh aloud! No, if you laugh, thus
only--so--Now your salutation in the street, as you pass by your
acquaintance; look you, thus--if to a woman, thus--putting your hat
upon your heart; if to a man, thus, with a nod--so--but frown a little
more, frown:--but if to a woman you would be very ceremonious to,
thus--so--your neck nearer your shoulder--so--Now, if you would speak
contemptibly of any man, or thing, do thus with your hand--so--and
shrug up your shoulders till they hide your ears.--[Monsieur _imitating
the_ Black.] Now walk again. [_The_ Black _and_ Monsieur _walk off the
stage._

_Prue._ All my hopes are in that coxcomb there: I must take up with my
mistress's leavings, though we chambermaids are wont to be beforehand
with them. But he is the dullest, modestest fool, for a frenchified
fool, as ever I saw; for nobody could be more coming to him than I have
been, though I say it, and yet I am ne'er the nearer. I have stolen
away his handkerchief, and told him of it; and yet he would never so
much as struggle with me to get it again: I have pulled off his peruke,
untied his ribbons, and have been very bold with him: yet he would
never be so with me: nay, I have pinched him, punched him and tickled
him; and yet he would never do the like for me.

                 _Re-enter the_ Black _and_ Monsieur.

_Black._ Nay, thus, thus, sir.

_Prue._ And to make my person more acceptable to him, I have used
art, as they say; for every night since he came, I have worn the
forehead-piece of bees-wax and hog's-grease, and every morning washed
with butter-milk and wild tansy; and have put on every day for his only
sake my Sunday's bowdy[64] stockings, and have new-chalked my shoes, as
constantly as the morning came: nay, I have taken occasion to garter my
stockings before him, as if unawares of him; for a good leg and foot,
with good shoes and stockings, are very provoking, as they say; but the
devil a bit would he be provoked.--But I must think of a way. [_Aside._

_Black._ Thus, thus.

_Mons._ What, so! Well, well, I have lessons enough for this time,
little master; I will have no more, lest the multiplicity of them make
me forget them, da.--Prue, art thou there and so pensive? what art thou
thinking of?

_Prue._ Indeed, I am ashamed to tell your worship.

_Mons._ What, ashamed! wert thou thinking then of my beastliness? ha!
ha! ha!

_Prue._ Nay, then I am forced to tell your worship in my own
vindication.

_Mons._ Come then.

_Prue._ But indeed, your worship--I'm ashamed, that I am, though it was
nothing but a dream I had of your sweet worship last night.

_Mons._ Of my sweet worship! I warrant it was a sweet dream then:--what
was it? ha! ha! ha!

_Prue._ Nay, indeed, I have told your worship enough already; you may
guess the rest.

_Mons._ I cannot guess; ha! ha! ha! What should it be? prithee let's
know the rest.

_Prue._ Would you have me so impudent?

_Mons._ Impudent! ha! ha! ha! Nay, prithee tell me; for I can't guess,
da--

_Prue._ Nay, 'tis always so, for want of the men's guessing the poor
women are forced to be impudent:--but I am still ashamed.

_Mons._ I will know it; speak.

_Prue._ Why then, methought last night you came up into my chamber in
your shirt when I was in bed; and that you might easily do, for I have
ne'er a lock to my door.--Now I warrant I am as red as my petticoat.

_Mons._ No, thou'rt as yellow as e'er thou wert.

_Prue._ Yellow, sir!

_Mons._ Ay, ay: but let's hear the dream out.

_Prue._ Why, can't you guess the rest now?

_Mons._ No, not I, I vow and swear: come, let's hear.

_Prue._ But can't you guess, in earnest?

_Mons._ Not I, the devil eat me!

_Prue._ Not guess yet! why then, methought you came to bed to me.--Now
am I as red as my petticoat again.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha!--well, and what then? ha! ha! ha!

_Prue._ Nay, now I know by your worship's laughing you guess what you
did. I'm sure I cried out, and waked all in tears, with these words in
my mouth--"You have undone me! you have undone me! your worship has
undone me!"

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha!--but you waked, and found it was but a dream.

_Prue._ Indeed it was so lively, I know not whether 'twas a dream, or
no.--But if you were not there, I'll undertake you may come when you
will, and do anything to me you will, I sleep so fast.

_Mons._ No, no; I don't believe that.

_Prue._ Indeed you may, your worship--

_Mons._ It cannot be.

_Prue._ Insensible beast! he will not understand me yet; and one would
think I speak plain enough. [_Aside._

_Mons._ Well, but, Prue, what art thou thinking of?

_Prue._ Of the dream, whether it were a dream or no.

_Mons._ 'Twas a dream, I warrant thee.

_Prue._ Was it? I am hugeous glad it was a dream.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, it was a dream: and I am hugeous glad it was a dream
too.

_Prue._ But now I have told your worship my door has neither lock nor
latch to it, if you should be so naughty as to come one night, and
prove the dream true--I am so afraid on't.

_Mons._ Ne'er fear it:--dreams go by the contraries.

_Prue._ Then, by that I should come into your worship's chamber, and
come to bed to your worship.--Now am I as red as my petticoat again, I
warrant.

_Mons._ No, thou art no redder than a brick unburnt, Prue.

_Prue._ But if I should do such a trick in my sleep, your worship
would not censure a poor harmless maid, I hope?--for I am apt to walk
in my sleep.

_Mons._ Well, then, Prue, because thou shalt not shame thyself, poor
wench, I'll be sure to lock my door every night fast.

_Prue._ [_Aside._] So! so! this way I find will not do:--I must come
roundly and downright to the business, like other women, or--

                           _Enter_ GERRARD.

_Mons._ O, the dancing-master!

_Prue._ Dear sir, I have something to say to you in your ear, which I
am ashamed to speak aloud.

_Mons._ Another time, another time, Prue. But now go call your mistress
to her dancing-master. Go, go.

_Prue._ Nay, pray hear me, sir, first.

_Mons._ Another time, another time, Prue; prithee begone.

_Prue._ Nay, I beseech your worship hear me.

_Mons._ No; prithee begone.

_Prue._ [_Aside._] Nay, I am e'en well enough served for not speaking
my mind when I had an opportunity.--Well, I must be playing the modest
woman, forsooth! a woman's hypocrisy in this case does only deceive
herself. [_Exit._

_Mons._ O, the brave dancing master! the fine dancing-master! Your
servant, your servant.

_Ger._ Your servant sir: I protest I did not know you at
first--[_Aside._] I am afraid this fool should spoil all,
notwithstanding Hippolita's care and management; yet I ought to trust
her:--but a secret is more safe with a treacherous knave than a
talkative fool.

_Mons._ Come, sir, you must know a little brother dancing-master of
yours--walking master I should have said; for he teaches me to walk
and make legs, by-the-bye. Pray, know him, sir; salute him, sir.--You
Christian dancing-masters are so proud.

_Ger._ But, monsieur, what strange metamorphosis is this? You look like
a Spaniard, and talk like an Englishman again, which I thought had been
impossible.

_Mons._ Nothing impossible to love: I must do't, or lose my mistress,
your pretty scholar; for 'tis I am to have her. You may remember I told
you she was to be married to a great man, a man of honour and quality.

_Ger._ But does she enjoin you to this severe penance?--such I am sure
it is to you.

_Mons._ No, no: 'tis by the compulsion of the starched fop her father,
who is so arrant a Spaniard, he would kill you and his daughter, if he
knew who you were: therefore have a special care to dissemble well.
[_Draws him aside._

_Ger._ I warrant you.

_Mons._ Dear Gerrard--Go, little master, and call my cousin: tell her
her dancing-master is here. [_Exit the_ Black]--I say, dear Gerrard,
faith, I'm obliged to you for the trouble you have had. When I sent
you, I intended a jest indeed; but did not think it would have been so
dangerous a jest: therefore pray forgive me.

_Ger._ I do, do heartily forgive you.

_Mons._ But can you forgive me for sending you at first, like a fool as
I was? 'Twas ill done of me: can you forgive me?

_Ger._ Yes, yes, I do forgive you.

_Mons._ Well, thou art a generous man, I vow and swear, to come and
take upon you all this trouble, danger, and shame, to be thought a
paltry dancing-master; and all this to preserve a lady's honour and
life, who intended to abuse you. But I take the obligation upon me.

_Ger._ Pish! pish! you are not obliged to me at all.

_Mons._ Faith, but I am strangely obliged to you.

_Ger._ Faith, but you are not.

_Mons._ I vow and swear but I am.

_Ger._ I swear you are not.

_Mons._ Nay, thou art so generous a dancing-master, ha! ha! ha!

      _Re-enter_ Don DIEGO, HIPPOLITA, Mrs. CAUTION, _and_ PRUE.

_Don._ You shall not come in, sister.

_Mrs. Caut._ I will come in.

_Don._ You will not be civil.

_Mrs. Caut._ I'm sure they will not be civil, if I do not come in:--I
must, I will.

_Don._ Well, honest friend, you are very punctual, which is a rare
virtue in a dancing-master; I take notice of it, and will remember it;
I will, look you.

_Mons._ So, silly, damned, politic Spanish uncle!--ha! ha! ha! [_Aside._

_Ger._ My fine scholar, sir, there, shall never have reason, as I
have told you, sir, to say I am not a punctual man; for I am more her
servant than to any scholar I ever had.

_Mons._ Well said, i'faith!--[_Aside._] Thou dost make a pretty fool
of him, I vow and swear. But I wonder people can be made such fools
of:--ha! ha! ha!

_Hip._ Well, master, I thank you; and I hope I shall be a grateful,
kind scholar to you.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! cunning little jilt, what a fool she makes of him
too! I wonder people can be made such fools of, I vow and swear:--ha!
ha! ha! [_Aside._

_Hip._ Indeed, it shall go hard but I'll be a grateful, kind scholar to
you.

_Mrs. Caut._ As kind as ever your mother was to your father, I warrant.

_Don._ How! again with your senseless suspicions.

_Mons._ Pish! pish! aunt--[_Aside._] Ha! ha! ha! she's a fool another
way: she thinks she loves him, ha! ha! ha! Lord! that people should be
such fools!

_Mrs. Caut._ Come, come, I cannot but speak: I tell you, beware in
time; for he is no dancing-master, but some debauched person who will
mump you of your daughter.

_Don._ Will you be wiser than I still? Mump me of my daughter! I would
I could see any one mump me of my daughter.

_Mrs. Caut._ And mump you of your mistress too, young Spaniard.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! will you be wiser than I too, _voto_? Mump me of my
mistress! I would I could see any one mump me of my mistress.--[_Aside
to_ GERRARD _and_ HIPPOLITA.] I am afraid this damned old aunt should
discover us, I vow and swear: be careful therefore and resolute.

_Mrs. Caut._ He! he does not go about his business like a
dancing-master. He'll ne'er teach her to dance; but he'll teach her no
goodness soon enough, I warrant.--He a dancing-master!

_Mons._ Ay, the devil eat me if he be not the best dancing-master in
England now!--[_Aside to_ GERRARD _and_ HIPPOLITA.] Was not that well
said, cousin? was it not? for he's a gentleman dancing-master, you know.

_Don._ You know him, cousin, very well? cousin, you sent him to my
daughter?

_Mons._ Yes, yes, uncle:--know him!--[_Aside._] We'll ne'er be
discovered, I warrant, ha! ha! ha!

_Mrs. Caut._ But will you be made a fool of too?

_Mons._ Ay, ay, aunt, ne'er trouble yourself.

_Don._ Come, friend, about your business; about with my daughter.

_Hip._ Nay, pray, father, be pleased to go out a little, and let us
practise awhile, and then you shall see me dance the whole dance to the
violin.

_Don._ Tittle tattle! more fooling still!--Did not you say, when your
master was here last, I should see you dance to the violin when he came
again?

_Hip._ So I did, father: but let me practise a little first before,
that I may be perfect. Besides, my aunt is here, and she will put me
out; you know I cannot dance before her.

_Don._ Fiddle faddle!

_Mons._ [_Aside._] They're afraid to be discovered by Gerrard's
bungling, I see.--[_Aloud._] Come, come, uncle turn out! let 'em
practise.

_Don._ I won't, _voto á St. Jago!_ what a fooling's here.

_Mons._ Come, come, let 'em practise: turn out, turn out, uncle.

_Don._ Why can't she practise it before me?

_Mons._ Come, dancers and singers are sometimes humoursome; besides,
'twill be more grateful to you to see it danced all at once to the
violin. Come, turn out, turn out, I say.

_Don._ What a fooling's here still among you, _voto!_

_Mons._ So, there he is with you, _voto!_--Turn out, turn out; I vow
and swear you shall turn out. [_Takes him by the shoulder._

_Don._ Well, shall I see her dance it to the violin at last?

_Ger._ Yes, yes, sir; what do you think I teach her for?

_Mons._ Go, go, turn out.--[_Exit_ Don DIEGO.] And you too, aunt.

_Mrs. Caut._ Seriously, nephew, I shall not budge; royally, I shall not.

_Mons._ Royally, you must, aunt: come.

_Mrs. Caut._ Pray hear me, nephew.

_Mons._ I will not hear you.

_Mrs. Caut._ 'Tis for your sake I stay: I must not suffer you to be
wronged.

_Mons._ Come, no wheedling, aunt: come away.

_Mrs. Caut._ That slippery fellow will do't.

_Mons._ Let him do't.

_Mrs. Caut._ Indeed he will do't; royally he will.

_Mons._ Well, let him do't, royally.

_Mrs. Caut._ He will wrong you.

_Mons._ Well, let him, I say; I have a mind to be wronged: what's that
to you? I will be wronged, if you go there too, I vow and swear.

_Mrs. Caut._ You shall not be wronged.

_Mons._ I will.

_Mrs. Caut._ You shall not.

                         _Re-enter_ Don DIEGO.

_Don._ What's the matter? won't she be ruled?--Come, come away; you
shall not disturb 'em. [Don DIEGO _and_ Monsieur _try to thrust_ Mrs.
CAUTION _out._

_Mrs. Caut._ D'ye see how they laugh at you both?--Well, go to; the
troth-telling Trojan gentlewoman of old was ne'er believed till the
town was taken, rummaged, and ransacked. Even, even so--

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! turn out--[_Exeunt_ Mrs. CAUTION _and_ Don
DIEGO.]--Lord, that people should be such arrant cuddens![65] ha! ha!
ha! But I may stay, may I not?

_Hip._ No, no; I'd have you go out and hold the door, cousin; or else
my father will come in again before his time.

_Mons._ I will, I will then, sweet cousin.--'Tis well thought on; that
was well thought on, indeed, for me to hold the door.

_Hip._ But be sure you keep him out, cousin, till we knock.

_Mons._ I warrant you, cousin.--Lord, that people should be made such
fools of! Ha! ha! ha! [_Exit._

_Ger._ So, so:--to make him hold the door, while I steal his mistress,
is not unpleasant.

_Hip._ Ay, but would you do so ill a thing, so treacherous a thing?
Faith 'tis not well.

_Ger._ Faith, I can't help it, since 'tis for your sake.--Come,
sweetest, is not this our way into the gallery?

_Hip._ Yes; but it goes against my conscience to be accessory to so ill
a thing.--You say you do it for my sake?

_Ger._ Alas, poor miss! 'tis not against your conscience, but against
your modesty, you think, to do it frankly.

_Hip._ Nay, if it be against my modesty, too, I can't do it indeed.

_Ger._ Come, come, miss, let us make haste:--all's ready.

_Hip._ Nay, faith, I can't satisfy my scruple.

_Ger._ Come, dearest, this is not a time for scruples nor
modesty.--Modesty between lovers is as impertinent as ceremony
between friends; and modesty is now as unseasonable as on the wedding
night.--Come away, my dearest.

_Hip._ Whither?

_Ger._ Nay, sure we have lost too much time already. Is that a proper
question now? If you would know, come along; for I have all ready.

_Hip._ But I am not ready.

_Ger._ Truly, miss, we shall have your father come in upon us, and
prevent us again, as he did in the morning.

_Hip._ 'Twas well for me he did:--for, on my conscience, if he had not
come in, I had gone clear away with you when I was in the humour.

_Ger._ Come, dearest, you would frighten me, as if you were not yet in
the same humour.--Come, come away; the coach and six is ready.

_Hip._ 'Tis too late to take the air, and I am not ready.

_Ger._ You were ready in the morning.

_Hip._ Ay, so I was.

_Ger._ Come, come, miss:--indeed the jest begins to be none.

_Hip._ What! I warrant you think me in jest then?

_Ger._ In jest, certainly; but it begins to be troublesome.

_Hip._ But, sir, you could believe I was in earnest in the morning,
when I but seemed to be ready to go with you; and why won't you believe
me now when I declare to the contrary?--I take it unkindly, that the
longer I am acquainted with you, you should have the less confidence in
me.

_Ger._ For Heaven's sake, miss, lose no more time thus; your father
will come in upon us, as he did--

_Hip._ Let him if he will.

_Ger._ He'll hinder our design.

_Hip._ No, he will not; for mine is to stay here now.

_Ger._ Are you in earnest?

_Hip._ You'll find it so.

_Ger._ How! why, you confessed but now you would have gone with me in
the morning.

_Hip._ I was in the humour then.

_Ger._ And I hope you are in the same still; you cannot change so soon.

_Hip._ Why, is it not a whole day ago?

_Ger._ What! are you not a day in the same humour?

_Hip._ Lord! that you who know the town, they say, should think any
woman could be a whole day together in a humour!--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Hey! this begins to be pleasant.--What! won't you go with me
then after all?

_Hip._ No indeed, sir, I desire to be excused.

_Ger._ Then you have abused me all this while?

_Hip._ It may be so.

_Ger._ Could all that so natural innocency be dissembled?--faith, it
could not, dearest miss.

_Hip._ Faith, it was, dear master.

_Ger._ Was it, faith?

_Hip._ Methinks you might believe me without an oath. You saw I could
dissemble with my father, why should you think I could not with you?

_Ger._ So young a wheedle!

_Hip._ Ay, a mere damned jade I am.

_Ger._ And I have been abused, you say?

_Hip._ 'Tis well you can believe it at last.

_Ger._ And I must never hope for you?

_Hip._ Would you have me abuse you again?

_Ger._ Then you will not go with me?

_Hip._ No: but, for your comfort, your loss will not be great; and
that you may not resent it, for once I'll be ingenuous, and disabuse
you.--I am no heiress, as I told you, to twelve hundred pounds a-year;
I was only a lying jade then.--Now will you part with me willingly, I
doubt not.

_Ger._ I wish I could. [_Sighs._

_Hip._ Come, now I find 'tis your turn to dissemble:--but men use to
dissemble for money; will you dissemble for nothing?

_Ger._ 'Tis too late for me to dissemble.

_Hip._ Don't you dissemble, faith?

_Ger._ Nay, this is too cruel.

_Hip._ What! would you take me without the twelve hundred pounds
a-year? would you be such a fool as to steal a woman with nothing?

_Ger._ I'll convince you; for you shall go with me:--and since you are
twelve hundred pounds a-year the lighter, you'll be the easier carried
away. [_He takes her in his arms, she struggles._

_Prue._ What! he takes her way against her will:--I find I must knock
for my master then. [_She knocks._

               _Re-enter_ Don DIEGO _and_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Hip._ My father! my father is here!

_Ger._ Prevented again! [GERRARD _sets her down again._

_Don._ What, you have done I hope now, friend, for good and all?

_Ger._ Yes, yes; we have done for good and all indeed.

_Don._ How now!--you seem to be out of humour, friend.

_Ger._ Yes, so I am; I can't help it.

_Mrs. Caut._ He's a dissembler in his very throat, brother.

_Hip._ Pray do not carry things so as to discover yourself, if it be
but for my sake, good master. [_Aside to_ GERRARD.

_Ger._ She is grown impudent. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Caut._ See, see, they whisper, brother!--to steal a kiss under a
whisper!--O the harlotry!

_Don._ What's the matter, friend?

_Hip._ I say, for my sake be in humour, and do not discover yourself,
but be as patient as a dancing-master still. [_Aside to_ GERRARD.

_Don._ What, she is whispering to him indeed! What's the matter? I will
know it, friend, look you.

_Ger._ Will you know it?

_Don._ Yes, I will know it.

_Ger._ Why, if you will know it then, she would not do as I would have
her; and whispered me to desire me not to discover it to you.

_Don._ What, hussy, would you not do as he'd have you? I'll make you do
as he'd have you.

_Ger._ I wish you would.

_Mrs. Caut._ 'Tis a lie; she'll do all he'll have her do, and more too,
to my knowledge.

_Don._ Come, tell me what 'twas then she would not do--come, do it,
hussy, or--Come, take her by the hand, friend. Come, begin:--let's see
if she will not do anything now I'm here!

_Hip._ Come, pray be in humour, master.

_Ger._ I cannot dissemble like you.

_Don._ What, she can't dissemble already, can she?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, but she can: but 'tis with you she dissembles: for
they are not fallen out, as we think. For I'll be sworn I saw her
just now give him the languishing eye, as they call it, that is, the
whiting's eye, of old called the sheep's eye:--I'll be sworn I saw it
with these two eyes; that I did.

_Hip._ You'll betray us; have a care, good master. [_Aside to_ GERRARD.

_Don._ Hold your peace, I say, silly woman!--but does she dissemble
already?--how do you mean?

_Ger._ She pretends she can't do what she should do; and that she is
not in humour.--The common excuse of women for not doing what they
should do.

_Don._ Come, I'll put her in humour.--Dance, I say.--Come, about with
her, master.

_Ger._ [_Aside._] I am in a pretty humour to dance.--[_To_ HIPPOLITA.]
I cannot fool any longer, since you have fooled me.

_Hip._ You would not be so ungenerous as to betray the woman that hated
you! I do not do that yet. For Heaven's sake! for this once be more
obedient to my desires than your passion. [_Aside to_ GERRARD.

_Don._ What! is she humoursome still?--but methinks you look yourself
as if you were in an ill-humour:--but about with her.

_Ger._ I am in no good dancing humour, indeed.

                         _Re-enter_ Monsieur.

_Mons._ Well, how goes the dancing forward?--What, my aunt here to
disturb 'em again?

_Don._ Come! come! [GERRARD _leads her about._

_Mrs. Caut._ I say, stand off;--thou shall not come near. Avoid, Satan!
as they say.

_Don._ Nay, then we shall have it:--nephew, hold her a little, that she
may not disturb 'em.--Come, now away with her.

_Ger._ One, two, and a coupee.--[_Aside._] Fooled and abused--

_Mrs. Caut._ Wilt thou lay violent hands upon thy own natural aunt,
wretch? [_To_ Monsieur.

_Don._ Come, about with her.

_Ger._ One, two, three, four, and turn round--[_Aside._] by such a
piece of innocency!

_Mrs. Caut._ Dost thou see, fool, how he squeezes her hand? [_To_
Monsieur.

_Mons._ That won't do, aunt.

_Hip._ Pray, master, have patience, and let's mind our business.

_Don._ Why did you anger him then, hussy, look you?

_Mrs. Caut._ Do you see how she smiles in his face, and squeezes his
hand now? [_To_ Monsieur.

_Mons._ Your servant, aunt.--That won't do, I say.

_Hip._ Have patience, master.

_Ger._ [_Aside._] I am become her sport!--[_Aloud._] One, two,
three--Death! hell! and the devil!

_Don._ Ay, they are three indeed!--But pray have patience.

_Mrs. Caut._ Do you see how she leers upon him, and clings to him? Can
you suffer it? [_To_ Monsieur.

_Mons._ Ay, ay.

_Ger._ One, two, three, and a slur.--Can you be so unconcerned after
all?

_Don._ What! is she unconcerned?--Hussy, mind your business.

_Ger._ One, two, three, and turn round;--one, two, fall back--hell and
damnation!

_Don._ Ay, people fall back indeed into hell and damnation, Heaven
knows!

_Ger._ One, two, three, and your honour.--I can fool no longer!

_Mrs. Caut._ Nor will I be withheld any longer, like a poor hen in her
pen, while the kite is carrying away her chicken before her face.

_Don._ What, have you done?--Well then, let's see her dance it now to
the violin.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, let's see her dance it to the violin.

_Ger._ Another time, another time.

_Don._ Don't you believe that, friend:--these dancing-masters make no
bones of breaking their words. Did not you promise just now, I should
see her dance it to the violin? and that I will too, before I stir.

_Ger._ Let monsieur play then while I dance with her--she can't dance
alone.

_Mons._ I can't play at all; I'm but a learner:--but if you'll play,
I'll dance with her.

_Ger._ I can't play neither.

_Don._ What! a dancing-master, and not play!

_Mrs. Caut._ Ay, you see what a dancing-master he is. 'Tis as I told
you, I warrant.--A dancing-master, and not play upon the fiddle!

_Don._ How!

_Hip._ O you have betrayed us all! If you confess that, you undo us for
ever. [_Apart to_ GERRARD.

_Ger._ I cannot play;--what would you have me say? [_Apart to_
HIPPOLITA.

_Mons._ I vow and swear we are all undone if you cannot play. [_Apart
to_ GERRARD.

_Don._ What! are you a dancing-master, and cannot play? Umph--

_Hip._ He is only out of humour, sir.--Here, master, I know you will
play for me yet;--for he has an excellent hand. [_She offers_ GERRARD
_the violin._

_Mons._ Ay, that he has.--[_Aside._] At giving a box on the ear.

_Don._ Why does he not play, then?

_Hip._ Here, master, pray play for my sake. [_Gives_ GERRARD _the
violin._

_Ger._ What would you have me do with it?--I cannot play a stroke.
[_Apart to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ No! stay--then seem to tune it, and break the strings. [_Apart
to_ GERRARD.

_Ger._ Come then.--[_Aside._] Next to the devil's, the invention of
women! They'll no more want an excuse to cheat a father with, than an
opportunity to abuse a husband.--[_Aloud._] But what do you give me
such a damned fiddle with rotten strings, for? [_Winds up the strings
till they break, and throws the violin on the ground._

_Don._ Hey-day! the dancing-master is frantic.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! That people should be made such fools of! [_Aside._

_Mrs. Caut._ He broke the strings on purpose, because he could not
play.--You are blind, brother.

_Don._ What! will you see further than I, look you?

_Hip._ But pray, master, why in such haste? [GERRARD _offers to go._

_Ger._ Because you have done with me.

_Don._ But don't you intend to come to-morrow, again?

_Ger._ Your daughter does not desire it.

_Don._ No matter; I do; I must be your paymaster, I'm sure. I would
have you come betimes too; not only to make her perfect, but since
you have so good a hand upon the violin, to play your part with
half-a-dozen of musicians more, whom I would have you bring with
you: for we will have a very merry wedding, though a very private
one.--You'll be sure to come?

_Ger._ Your daughter does not desire it.

_Don._ Come, come, baggage, you shall desire it of him; he is your
master.

_Hip._ My father will have me desire it of you, it seems.

_Ger._ But you'll make a fool of me again if I should come; would you
not?

_Hip._ If I should tell you so, you'd be sure not to come.

_Don._ Come, come, she shall not make a fool of you, upon my word. I'll
secure you, she shall do what you will have her.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! So, so, silly Don. [_Aside._

_Ger._ But, madam, will you have me come?

_Hip._ I'd have you to know, for my part, I care not whether you
come or no:--there are other dancing-masters to be had:--it is my
father's request to you. All that I have to say to you is a little good
advice, which, because I will not shame you, I'll give you in private.
[_Whispers_ GERRARD.

_Mrs. Caut._ What! will you let her whisper with him too?

_Don._ Nay, if you find fault with it, they shall whisper, though I
did not like it before:--I'll ha' nobody wiser than myself. But do you
think, if 'twere any hurt, she would whisper it to him before us?

_Mrs. Caut._ If it be no hurt, why does she not speak aloud?

_Don._ Because she says she will not put the man out of countenance.

_Mrs. Caut._ Hey-day! put a dancing-master out of countenance!

_Don._ You say he is no dancing-master.

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, for his impudence he may be a dancing-master.

_Don._ Well, well, let her whisper before me as much as she will
to-night, since she is to be married to-morrow;--especially since her
husband (that shall be) stands by consenting too.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, let 'em whisper, as you say, as much as they will
before we marry.--[_Aside._] She's making more sport with him, I
warrant.--But I wonder how people can be fooled so.--Ha! ha! ha!

_Don._ Well, a penny for the secret, daughter.

_Hip._ Indeed, father, you shall have it for nothing to-morrow.

_Don._ Well, friend, you will not fail to come?

_Ger._ No, no, sir.--[_Aside._] Yet I am a fool if I do.

_Don._ And be sure you bring the fiddlers with you, as I bid you.

_Hip._ Yes, be sure you bring the fiddlers with you, as I bid you.

_Mrs. Caut._ So, so: he'll fiddle your daughter out of the house.--Must
you have fiddles, with a fiddle faddle?

_Mons._ Lord! that people should be made such fools of! Ha! ha!
[_Aside._

[_Exeunt_ Don DIEGO, HIPPOLITA, Monsieur, Mrs. CAUTION, _and_ PRUE.

_Ger_.

  Fortune we sooner may than woman trust:
  To her confiding gallant she is just;
  But falser woman only him deceives,
  Who to her tongue and eyes most credit gives.

[_Exit._




ACT THE FIFTH.


SCENE I.--_A Room in_ Don DIEGO'S _House._

     _Enter_ Monsieur de PARIS _and the_ Black, _stalking over the
                       stage; to them_ GERRARD.

_Mons._ Good morrow to thee, noble dancing-master:--ha! ha! ha! your
little black brother here, my master, I see, is the more diligent man
of the two. But why do you come so late?--What! you begin to neglect
your scholar, do you?--Little black master, _con licencia_, pray get
you out of the room.--[_Exit_ Black.] What! out of humour, man! a
dancing-master should be like his fiddle, always in tune. Come, my
cousin has made an ass of thee; what then? I know it.

_Ger._ Does he know it! [_Aside._

_Mons._ But prithee don't be angry: 'twas agreed upon betwixt us,
before I sent you, to make a fool of thee;--ha! ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Was it so?

_Mons._ I knew you would be apt to entertain vain hopes from the
summons of a lady: but, faith, the design was but to make a fool of
thee, as you find.

_Ger._ 'Tis very well.

_Mons._ But indeed I did not think the jest would have lasted so long,
and that my cousin would have made a dancing-master of you, ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ The fool has reason, I find, and I am the coxcomb while I
thought him so. [_Aside_.

_Mons._ Come, I see you are uneasy, and the jest of being a
dancing-master grows tedious to you:--but have a little patience; the
parson is sent for, and when once my cousin and I are married, my uncle
may know who you are.

_Ger._ I am certainly abused. [_Aside._

_Mons._ [_Listening._] What do you say?

_Ger._ Merely fooled! [_Aside._

_Mons._ Why do you doubt it? ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Can it be? [_Aside._

_Mons._ Pish! pish! she told me yesterday as soon as you were gone,
that she had led you into a fool's paradise, and made you believe she
would go away with you--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Did she so?--I am no longer to doubt it then. [_Aside._

_Mons._ Ay, ay, she makes a mere fool of thee, I vow and swear; but
don't be concerned, there's hardly a man of a thousand but has been
made a fool of by some woman or other.--I have been made a fool of
myself, man, by the women; I have, I vow and swear I have.

_Ger._ Well, you have, I believe it, for you are a coxcomb.

_Mons._ Lord! you need not be so touchy with one; I tell you but the
truth, for your good; for though she does, I would not fool you any
longer; but prithee don't be troubled at what can't be helped. Women
are made on purpose to fool men: when they are children, they fool
their fathers; and when they have taken their leaves of their hanging
sleeves, they fool their gallants or dancing masters,--ha! ha! ha!

_Ger._ Hark you, sir! to be fooled by a woman, you say, is not to be
helped; but I will not be fooled by a fool.

_Mons._ You show your English breeding now; an English rival is so dull
and brutish as not to understand raillery; but what is spoken in your
passion I'll take no notice of, for I am your friend, and would not
have you my rival to make yourself ridiculous.--Come, prithee, prithee,
don't be so concerned; for, as I was saying, women first fool their
fathers, then their gallants, and then their husbands; so that it will
be my turn to be fooled too (for your comfort); and when they come to
be widows, they would fool the devil, I vow and swear.--Come, come,
dear Gerrard, prithee don't be out of humour, and look so sillily.

_Ger._ Prithee do not talk so sillily.

_Mons._ Nay, faith, I am resolved to beat you out of this ill-humour.

_Ger._ Faith, I am afraid I shall first beat you into an ill-humour.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! that thou shouldst be gulled so by a little gipsy,
who left off her bib but yesterday!--faith I can't but laugh at thee.

_Ger._ Faith, then I shall make your mirth (as being too violent)
conclude in some little misfortune to you. The fool begins to be
tyrannical.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! poor angry dancing-master! prithee match my Spanish
pumps and legs with one of your best and newest sarabands; ha! ha! ha!
come--

_Ger._ I will match your Spanish ear, thus, sir, and make you dance
thus. [_Strikes and kicks him._

_Mons._ How! sa! sa! sa! then I'll make you dance thus. [Monsieur
_draws his sword and runs at him, but_ GERRARD _drawing, he retires._

Hold! hold a little!--[_Aside._] A desperate disappointed lover will
cut his own throat, then sure he will make nothing of cutting his
rival's throat.

_Ger._ Consideration is an enemy to fighting; if you have a mind to
revenge yourself, your sword's in your hand.

_Mons._ Pray, sir, hold your peace; I'll ne'er take my rival's
counsel, be't what 'twill. I know what you would be at; you are
disappointed of your mistress, and could hang yourself, and therefore
will not fear hanging. But I am a successful lover, and need neither
hang for you nor my mistress: nay, if I should kill you, I know I
should do you a kindness; therefore e'en live, to die daily with envy
of my happiness. But if you will needs die, kill yourself, and be
damned for me, I vow and swear.

_Ger._ But won't you fight for your mistress?

_Mons._ I tell you, you shall not have the honour to be killed for
her: besides I will not be hit in the teeth by her as long as I live,
with the great love you had for her. Women speak well of their dead
husbands; what will they do of their dead gallants?

_Ger._ But if you will not fight for her, you shall dance for her,
since you desired me to teach you to dance too;--I'll teach you to
dance thus--[_Strikes his sword at his legs,_ Monsieur _leaps._

_Mons._ Nay, if it be for the sake of my mistress, there's nothing I
will refuse to do.

_Ger._ Nay, you must dance on.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, for my mistress, and sing too, la, la, la, ra, la.

                     _Enter_ HIPPOLITA _and_ PRUE.

_Hip._ What! swords drawn betwixt you two! what's the matter?

_Mons._ [_Aside._] Is she here?--[_Aloud._] Come, put up your sword;
you see this is no place for us; but the devil eat me if you shall not
eat my sword, but--

_Hip._ What's the matter, cousin?

_Mons._ Nothing, nothing, cousin, but your presence is a sanctuary for
my greatest enemy, or else, _tête non!_--

_Hip._ What, you have not hurt my cousin, sir, I hope? [_To_ GERRARD.

_Ger._ How! she's concerned for him! nay, then I need not doubt, my
fears are true. [_Aside._

_Mons._ What was that you said, cousin? hurt me!--ha! ha! ha! hurt
me!--if any man hurt me, he must do it basely; he shall ne'er do it
when my sword's drawn, sa! sa! sa!

_Hip._ Because you will ne'er draw your sword, perhaps.

_Mons._ [_Aside._] Scurvily guessed.--[_Aloud._] You ladies may say
anything; but, cousin, pray do not you talk of swords and fighting;
meddle with your guitar, and talk of dancing with your dancing-master
there, ha! ha! ha!

_Hip._ But I am afraid you have hurt my master, cousin:--he says
nothing; can he draw his breath?

_Mons._ No, 'tis you have hurt your master, cousin, in the very heart,
cousin, and therefore he would hurt me; for love is a disease makes
people as malicious as the plague does.

_Hip._ Indeed, poor master, something does ail you.

_Mons._ Nay, nay, cousin, faith don't abuse him any longer; he's an
honest gentleman, and has been long of my acquaintance, and a man of
tolerable sense, to take him out of his love; but prithee, cousin,
don't drive the jest too far for my sake.

_Ger._ He counsels you well, pleasant, cunning, jilting miss, for his
sake; for if I am your divertisement, it shall be at his cost, since
he's your gallant in favour.

_Hip._ I don't understand you.

_Mons._ But I do, a pox take him! and the custom that so orders it,
forsooth! that if a lady abuse or affront a man, presently the gallant
must be beaten; nay, what's more unreasonable, if a woman abuse her
husband, the poor cuckold must bear the shame as well as the injury.
[_Aside._

_Hip._ But what's the matter, master? what was it you said?

_Ger._ I say, pleasant, cunning, jilting lady, though you make him a
cuckold, it will not be revenge enough for me upon him for marrying
you.

_Hip._ How! my surly, huffing, jealous, senseless, saucy master?

_Mons._ Nay, nay, faith, give losers leave to speak, losers of
mistresses especially, ha! ha! ha! Besides, your anger is too great a
favour for him; I scorn to honour him with mine you see.

_Hip._ I tell you, my saucy master, my cousin shall never be made that
monstrous thing you mention, by me.

_Mons._ Thank you, I vow and swear, cousin; no, no, I never thought I
should.

_Ger._ Sure you marry him by the sage maxim of your sex, which is,
wittols make the best husbands, that is, cuckolds.

_Hip._ Indeed, master, whatsoever you think, I would sooner choose you
for that purpose than him.

_Mons._ Ha! ha! ha! there she was with him, i'faith;--I thank you for
that, cousin, I vow and swear.

_Hip._ Nay, he shall thank me for that too:--but how came you two to
quarrel? I thought, cousin, you had had more wit than to quarrel, or
more kindness for me than to quarrel here. What if my father, hearing
the bustle, should have come in? he would have soon discovered our
false dancing-master (for passion unmasks every man), and then the
result of your quarrel had been my ruin.

_Mons._ Nay, you had both felt his desperate deadly daunting
dagger:--there are your d's for you!

_Hip._ Go, go presently, therefore, and hinder my father from coming
in, whilst I put my master into a better humour, that we may not be
discovered, to the prevention of our wedding, or worse when he comes;
go, go.

_Mons._ Well, well, I will, cousin.

_Hip._ Be sure you let him not come in this good while.

_Mons._ No, no, I warrant you.--[_Goes out and returns._]--But if he
should come before I would have him, I'll come before him, and cough
and hawk soundly, that you may not be surprised. Won't that do well,
cousin?

_Hip._ Very well, pray begone.--[_Exit_ Monsieur.] Well, master, since
I find you are quarrelsome and melancholy, and would have taken me away
without a portion, three infallible signs of a true lover, faith here's
my hand now in earnest, to lead me a dance as long as I live.

_Ger._ How's this! you surprise me as much, as when first I found so
much beauty and wit in company with so much innocency. But, dearest, I
would be assured of what you say, and yet dare not ask the question.
You h----do not abuse me again? You h----will fool me no more sure?

_Hip._ Yes, but I will sure.

_Ger._ How? nay, I was afraid on't.

_Hip._ For, I say, you are to be my husband, and you say husbands must
be wittols, and some strange things to boot.

_Ger._ Well, I will take my fortune.

_Hip._ But have a care, rash man.

_Ger._ I will venture.

_Hip._ At your peril; remember I wished you to have a care: forewarned,
fore-armed.

_Prue._ Indeed now, that's fair; for most men are fore-armed before
they are warned.

_Hip._ Plain dealing is some kind of honesty however, and few women
would have said so much.

_Ger._ None but those who would delight in a husband's jealousy, as the
proof of his love and her honour.

_Hip._ Hold, sir, let us have a good understanding betwixt one another
at first, that we may be long friends. I differ from you in the point;
for a husband's jealousy, which cunning men would pass upon their wives
for a compliment, is the worst can be made 'em; for indeed it is a
compliment to their beauty, but an affront to their honour.

_Ger._ But madam--

_Hip._ So that upon the whole matter I conclude, jealousy in a
gallant is humble true love, and the height of respect, and only an
undervaluing of himself to overvalue her; but in a husband 'tis arrant
sauciness, cowardice, and ill-breeding, and not to be suffered.

_Ger._ I stand corrected, gracious miss.

_Hip._ Well, but have you brought the gentlemen fiddlers with you, as I
desired?

_Ger._ They are below.

_Hip._ Are they armed well?

_Ger._ Yes, they have instruments too that are not of wood; but what
will you do with them?

_Hip._ What did you think I intended to do with them? when I whispered
you to bring gentlemen of your acquaintance instead of fiddlers, as my
father desired you to bring, pray what did you think I intended?

_Ger._ Faith, e'en to make fools of the gentlemen fiddlers, as you had
done of your gentleman dancing-master.

_Hip._ I intended 'em for our guard and defence against my father's
Spanish and Guinea force, when we were to make our retreat from hence;
and to help us to take the keys from my aunt, who has been the watchful
porter of this house this twelve-month; and this design (if your heart
do not fail you) we will put in execution as soon as you have given
your friends below instructions.

_Ger._ Are you sure your heart will stand right still? You flinched
last night, when I little expected it, I am sure.

_Hip._ The time last night was not so proper for us as now, for reasons
I will give you. But besides that, I confess I had a mind to try
whether your interest did not sway you more than your love; whether
the twelve hundred pounds a-year I told you of had not made a greater
impression in your heart than Hippolita: but finding it otherwise--yet
hold, perhaps upon consideration you are grown wiser; can you yet, as
I said, be so desperate, so out of fashion, as to steal a woman with
nothing?

_Ger._ With you I can want nothing, nor can be made by anything more
rich or happy.

_Hip._ Think well again; can you take me without the twelve hundred
pounds a-year,--the twelve hundred pounds a-year?

_Ger._ Indeed, miss, now you begin to be unkind again, and use me worse
than e'er you did.

_Hip._ Well, though you are so modest a gentleman as to suffer a wife
to be put upon you with nothing, I have more conscience than to do it.
I have the twelve hundred pounds a-year out of my father's power, which
is yours, and I am sorry it is not the Indies to mend your bargain.

_Ger._ Dear miss, you but increase my fears, and not my wealth. Pray
let us make haste away; I desire but to be secure of you:--come, what
are you thinking of?

_Hip._ I am thinking if some little, filching, inquisitive poet should
get my story, and represent it to the stage, what those ladies who
are never precise but at a play would say of me now;--that I were a
confident, coming piece, I warrant, and they would damn the poor poet
for libelling the sex. But sure, though I give myself and fortune away
frankly, without the consent of my friends, my confidence is less than
theirs who stand off only for separate maintenance.

_Ger._ They would be widows before their time, have a husband and no
husband:--but let us begone, lest fortune should recant my happiness,
now you are fixed, my dearest miss. [_He kisses her hand._

        _Re-enter_ Monsieur, _coughing, followed by_ Don DIEGO.

_Hip._ Oh, here's my father!

_Don._ How now, sir!--What, kissing her hand! what means that, friend,
ha?--Daughter, ha! do you permit this insolence, ha? _voto á mi honra!_

_Ger._ We are prevented again. [_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ Ha! ha! ha! you are so full of your Spanish jealousy, father;
why, you must know he is a city dancing-master, and they, forsooth,
think it fine to kiss the hand at the honour before the corant.

_Mons._ Ay, ay, ay, uncle, don't you know that?

_Don._ Go to, go to, you are an easy French fool; there's more in it
than so, look you.

_Mons._ I vow and swear there's nothing more in't, if you'll believe
one.--[_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA _and_ GERRARD.] Did not I cough and hawk?
a jealous, prudent husband could not cough and hawk louder at the
approach of his wife's chamber in visiting time, and yet you would not
hear me. He'll make now ado about nothing, and you'll be discovered
both.

_Don._ Umph, umph,--no, no, I see it plain, he is no dancing-master:
now I have found it out, and I think I can see as far into matters as
another: I have found it now, look you.

_Ger._ My fear was prophetical. [_Aside to_ HIPPOLITA.

_Hip._ What shall we do?--nay, pray, sir, do not stir yet. [GERRARD
_offers to go out with her._

                         _Enter_ Mrs. CAUTION.

_Mrs. Caut._ What's the matter, brother? what's the matter?

_Don._ I have found it out, sister, I have found it out, sister; this
villain here is no dancing-master--but a dishonourer of my house and
daughter; I caught him kissing her hand.

_Mons._ Pish! pish! you are a strange Spanish kind of an uncle, that
you are.--A dishonourer of your daughter, because he kissed her hand!
pray how could he honour her more? he kissed her hand, you see, while
he was making his honour to her.

_Don._ You are an unthinking, shallow French fop, _voto!_--But I tell
you, sister, I have thought of it, and have found it out; he is no
dancing-master, sister. Do you remember the whispering last night? I
have found out the meaning of that too; and I tell you, sister, he's no
dancing-master, I have found it out.

_Mrs. Caut._ You found it out! marry come up, did not I tell you always
he was no dancing-master?

_Don._ You tell me! you silly woman, what then? what of that?--You tell
me! d'ye think I heeded what you told me? but I tell you now I have
found it out.

_Mrs. Caut._ I say I found it out.

_Don._ I say 'tis false, gossip, I found him out.

_Mrs. Caut._ I say I found him out first, say you what you will.

_Don._ Sister, mum, not such a word again, _guarda!_--You found him out!

_Mrs. Caut._ I must submit, or dissemble like other prudent women,
or--[_Aside._

_Don._ Come, come, sister, take it from me, he is no dancing-master.

_Mrs. Caut._ O yes, he is a dancing-master.

_Don._ What! will you be wiser than I every way?--remember the
whispering, I say.

_Mrs. Caut._ [_Aside._] So, he thinks I speak in earnest, then I'll fit
him still.--[_To_ Don DIEGO.] But what do you talk of their whispering!
they would not whisper any ill before us, sure.

_Don._ Will you still be an idiot, a dolt, and see nothing?

_Mons._ Lord! you'll be wiser than all the world, will you? are we not
all against you? pshaw! pshaw! I ne'er saw such a _donissimo_ as you
are, I vow and swear.

_Don._ No, sister, he's no dancing-master; for now I think on't too, he
could not play upon the fiddle.

_Mrs. Caut._ Pish! pish! what dancing-master can play upon a fiddle
without strings?

_Don._ Again, I tell you he broke them on purpose, because he could not
play; I have found it out now, sister.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, you see farther than I, brother. [GERRARD _offers to
lead her out._

_Hip._ For Heaven's sake stir not yet. [_Aside to_ GERRARD.

_Don._ Besides, if you remember, they were perpetually putting me
out of the room; that was, sister, because they had a mind to be
alone, I have found that out too:--now, sister, look you, he is no
dancing-master.

_Mrs. Caut._ But has he not given her a lesson often before you?

_Don._ Ay, but sister, he did not go about his business like a
dancing-master; but go, go down to the door, somebody rings. [_Exit_
Mrs. CAUTION.

_Mons._ I vow and swear, uncle, he is a dancing-master; pray be
appeased.--Lord! d'ye think I'd tell you a lie?

_Don._ If it prove to be a lie, and you do not confess it, though you
are my next heir after my daughter, I will disown thee as much as I do
her, for thy folly and treachery to thyself, as well as me.--You may
have her, but never my estate, look you.

_Mons._ How! I must look to my hits then. [_Aside._

_Don._ Look to't.

_Mons._ [_Aside._] Then I had best confess all, before he discover all,
which he will soon do.--

                            _Enter_ Parson.

O here's the parson too! he won't be in choler, nor brandish toledo
before the parson sure?--[_To_ Don DIEGO.] Well, uncle, I must confess,
rather than lose your favour, he is no dancing-master.

_Don._ No!

_Ger._ What! has the fool betrayed us then at last, nay, then 'tis time
to be gone; come away, miss. [_Going out._

_Don._ Nay, sir, if you pass this way, my toledo will pass that way,
look you. [_Thrusts at him with his sword._

_Hip._ O hold, Mr. Gerrard!--Hold father!

_Mons._ I tell you, uncle, he's an honest gentleman, means no hurt, and
came hither but upon a frolic of mine and your daughter's. [_Stops_ Don
DIEGO.

_Don. Ladron! traidor!_

_Mons._ I tell you all's but a jest, a mere jest, I vow and swear.

_Don._ A jest!--jest with my honour, _voto!_ ha! no family to dishonour
but the grave, wise, noble, honourable, illustrious, puissant, and
right worshipful family of the Formals!--Nay, I am contented to
reprieve you, till you know who you have dishonoured, and convict you
of the greatness of your crime before you die. We are descended, look
you--

_Mons._ Nay, pray, uncle, hear me.

_Don._ I say, we are descended--

_Mons._ 'Tis no matter for that.

_Don._ And my great, great, great-grandfather was--

_Mons._ Well, well, I have something to say more to the purpose.

_Don._ My great, great, great-grandfather, I say, was--

_Mons._ Well, a pinmaker in--

_Don._ But he was a gentleman for all that, fop, for he was a sergeant
to a company of the trainbands; and my great-great-grandfather was--

_Mons._ Was his son, what then? won't you let me clear this gentleman?

_Don._ He was, he was--

_Mons._ He was a felt-maker, his son a wine-cooper, your father a
vintner, and so you came to be a Canary merchant.

_Don._ But we were still gentlemen, for our coat was, as the heralds
say--was--

_Mons._ Was! your sign was the Three Tuns, and the field Canary; now
let me tell you, this honest gentleman--

_Don._ Now, that you should dare to dishonour this family!--by the
graves of my ancestors in Great St. Helen's church--

_Mons._ Yard.

_Don._ Thou shalt die for't, _ladron!_ [_Runs at_ GERRARD.

_Mons._ Hold, hold, uncle, are you mad?

_Hip._ Oh! oh!--

_Mons._ Nay then, by your own Spanish rules of honour (though he be my
rival), I must help him; [_Draws his sword._] since I brought him into
danger.--[_Aside._] Sure he will not show his valour upon his nephew
and son-in-law, otherwise I should be afraid of showing mine.--Here,
Mr. Gerrard, go in here, nay, you shall go in, Mr. Gerrard, I'll
secure you all; and, parson, do you go in too with 'em, for I see you
are afraid of a sword and the other world, though you talk of it so
familiarly, and make it so fine a place. [_Opens a door, and thrusts_
GERRARD, HIPPOLITA, Parson, _and_ PRUE _in, then shuts it, and guards
it with his sword._

_Don. Tu quoque, Brute!_

_Mons._ Nay, now, uncle, you must understand reason.--What, you are not
only a Don, but you are a Don Quixote too, I vow and swear!

_Don._ Thou spot, sploach[66] of my family and blood! I will have his
blood, look you.

_Mons._ Pray, good Spanish uncle, have but patience to hear me.
Suppose--I say, suppose he had done, done, done the feat to your
daughter.

_Don._ How! done the feat! done the feat: done the feat! _en hora mala!_

_Mons._ I say, suppose, suppose--

_Don._ Suppose!

_Mons._ I say, suppose he had, for I do but suppose it; well, I am
ready to marry her, however. Now marriage is as good a solder for
cracked female honour as blood; and can't you suffer the shame but for
a quarter of an hour, till the parson has married us? and then if
there be any shame, it becomes mine; for here in England, the father
has nothing to do with the daughter's business, honour, what d'ye
call't, when once she's married, d'ye see.

_Don._ England! what d'ye tell me of England? I'll be a Spaniard still,
_voto á mi honra!_ and I will be revenged.--Pedro! Juan! Sanchez!
[_Calls at the door._

      _Re-enter_ Mrs. CAUTION, _followed by_ FLIRT _and_ FLOUNCE,
                          _in vizard masks._

_Mrs. Caut._ What's the matter, brother?

_Don._ Pedro! Sanchez! Juan!--but who are these, sister? are they not
men in women's clothes? what make they here?

_Mrs. Caut._ They are relations, they say, of my cousin's, who pressed
in when I let in the parson; they say my cousin invited 'em to his
wedding.

_Mons._ Two of my relations!--[_Aside._] Ha! they are my cousins indeed
of the other night; a pox take 'em!--but that's no curse for 'em; a
plague take 'em then!--but how came they here?

_Don._ [_Aside._] Now must I have witnesses too of the dishonour of my
family; it were Spanish prudence to despatch 'em away out of the house,
before I begin my revenge. [_To_ FLIRT _and_ FLOUNCE.] What are you?
what make you here? who would you speak with?

_Flirt._ With monsieur.

_Don._ Here he is.

_Mons._ Now will these jades discredit me, and spoil my match just in
the coupling minute. [_Aside._

_Don._ Do you know 'em?

_Mons._ Yes, sir, sure, I know 'em.--[_Aside to them._] Pray, ladies,
say as I say, or you will spoil my wedding, for I am just going to be
married; and if my uncle or mistress should know who you are, it might
break off the match.

_Flou._ We come on purpose to break the match.

_Mons._ How!

_Flirt._ Why, d'ye think to marry, and leave us so in the lurch?

_Mons._ What do the jades mean? [_Aside._

_Don._ Come, who are they? what would they have? If they come to the
wedding, ladies, I assure you there will be none to-day here.

_Mons._ They won't trouble you, sir; they are going again.--Ladies, you
hear what my uncle says; I know you won't trouble him.--[_Aside._] I
wish I were well rid of 'em.

_Flou._ You shall not think to put us off so. [_Aside._

_Don._ Who are they? what are their names?

_Flirt._ We are, sir--

_Mons._ Nay, for Heaven's sake don't tell who you are, for you will
undo me, and spoil my match infallibly. [_Aside to them._

_Flou._ We care not, 'tis our business to spoil matches.

_Mons._ You need not, for I believe married men are your best
customers, for greedy bachelors take up with their wives.

_Don._ Come, pray ladies, if you have no business here, be pleased to
retire; for few of us are in humour to be so civil to you as you may
deserve.

_Mons._ Ay, prithee, dear jades, get you gone.

_Flirt._ We will not stir.

_Don._ Who are they, I say, fool? and why don't they go?

_Flou._ We are, sir--

_Mons._ Hold! hold!--They are persons of honour and quality, and--

_Flirt._ We are no persons of honour and quality, sir, we are--

_Mons._ They are modest ladies, and being in a kind of disguise, will
not own their quality.

_Flou._ We modest ladies!

_Mons._ Why, sometimes you are in the humour to pass for women of
honour and quality; prithee, dear jades, let your modesty and greatness
come upon you now. [_Aside to them._

_Flirt._ Come, sir, not to delude you, as he would have us, we are--

_Mons._ Hold! hold!--

_Flirt._ The other night at the French-house--

_Mons._ Hold, I say!--'Tis even true as Gerrard says, the women will
tell, I see.

_Flou._ If you would have her silent, stop her mouth with that ring.

_Mons._ Will that do't? here, here--'Tis worth one hundred and fifty
pounds.--[_Takes off his ring and gives it her._] But I must not lose
my match, I must not lose a trout for a fly.--That men should live to
hire women to silence!

          _Re-enter_ GERRARD, HIPPOLITA, Parson, _and_ PRUE.

_Don._ Oh, are you come again. [_Draws his sword and runs at them_,
Monsieur _holds him._

_Mons._ Oh! hold! hold! uncle!--What, are you mad, Gerrard, to expose
yourself to a new danger? why would you come out yet?

_Ger._ Because our danger now is over, I thank the parson there. And
now we must beg-- [GERRARD _and_ HIPPOLITA _kneel._

_Mons._ Nay, faith, uncle, forgive him now, since he asks you
forgiveness upon his knees, and my poor cousin too.

_Hip._ You are mistaken, cousin; we ask him blessing, and you
forgiveness.

_Mons._ How, how, how! what do you talk of blessing? what, do you ask
your father blessing and he ask me forgiveness? but why should he ask
me forgiveness?

_Hip._ Because he asks my father's blessing.

_Mons._ Pish! pish! I don't understand you, I vow and swear.

_Hip._ The parson will expound it to you, cousin.

_Mons._ Hey! what say you to it, parson?

_Par._ They are married, sir.

_Mons._ Married!

_Mrs. Caut._ Married! so, I told you what 'twould come to.

_Don._ You told us!--

_Mons._ Nay, she is setting up for the reputation of a witch.

_Don._ Married!--Juan, Sanchez, Pedro, arm! arm! arm!

_Mrs. Caut._ A witch! a witch!

_Hip._ Nay, indeed, father, now we are married, you had better call the
fiddlers.--Call 'em, Prue, quickly. [_Exit_ PRUE.

_Mons._ Who do you say, married, man?

_Par._ Was I not sent for on purpose to marry 'em? why should you
wonder at it?

_Mons._ No, no, you were to marry me, man, to her; I knew there was a
mistake in't somehow; you were merely mistaken, therefore you must do
your business over again for me now.--The parson was mistaken, uncle,
it seems, ha! ha! ha!

_Mrs. Caut._ I suppose five or six guineas made him make the mistake,
which will not be rectified now, nephew. They'll marry all that come
near 'em, and, for a guinea or two, care not what mischief they do,
nephew.

_Don._ Married!--Pedro! Sanchez!

_Mons._ How! and must she be his wife then for ever and ever? have I
held the door then for this, like a fool as I was?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, indeed!

_Mons._ Have I worn _golilla_ here for this? little breeches for this?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes, truly.

_Mons._ And put on the Spanish honour with the habit, in defending my
rival? nay then, I'll have another turn of honour in revenge. Come,
uncle, I'm of your side now, sa! sa! sa! but let's stay for our force;
Sanchez, Juan, Pedro, arm! arm! arm!

   _Enter two_ Blacks _and a_ Spaniard, _followed by_ PRUE, MARTIN,
               _and five other gentlemen-like_ Fiddlers.

_Don._ Murder the villain! kill him! [_Running all upon_ GERRARD.

_Mar._ Hold! hold! sir!

_Don._ How now! who sent for you, friends?

_Mar._ We fiddlers, sir, often come unsent for.

_Don._ And you are often kicked down stairs for't too.

_Mar._ No, sir, our company was never kicked, I think.

_Don._ Fiddlers, and not kicked! then to preserve your virgin honour,
get you down stairs quickly; for we are not at present disposed much
for mirth, _voto!_

_Mons._ [_Peeping._] A pox! is it you, is it you, Martin?--Nay,
uncle, then 'tis in vain; for they won't be kicked down stairs, to
my knowledge. They are gentlemen fiddlers, forsooth! A pox on all
gentlemen fiddlers and gentlemen dancing-masters! say I.

_Don._ How! ha! [_Pausing._

_Mons._ Well, Flirt, now I am a match for thee: now I may keep
you.--And there's little difference betwixt keeping a wench and
marriage; only marriage is a little the cheaper; but the other is the
more honourable now, _vert_ and _bleu!_ Nay, now I may swear a French
oath too. Come, come, I am thine; let us strike up the bargain: thine,
according to the honourable institution of keeping.--Come.

_Flirt._ Nay, hold, sir; two words to the bargain; first, I have ne'er
a lawyer here to draw articles and settlements.

_Mons._ How! is the world come to that? A man cannot keep a wench
without articles and settlements! Nay, then 'tis e'en as bad as
marriage, indeed, and there's no difference betwixt a wife and a wench.

_Flirt._ Only in cohabitation; for the first article shall be against
cohabitation:--we mistresses suffer no cohabitation.

_Mons._ Nor wives neither now.

_Flirt._ Then separate maintenance, in case you should take a wife, or
I a new friend.

_Mons._ How! that too! then you are every whit as bad as a wife.

_Flirt._ Then my house in town and yours in the country, if you will.

_Mons._ A mere wife!

_Flirt._ Then my coach apart, as well as my bed apart.

_Mons._ As bad as a wife still!

_Flirt._ But take notice, I will have no little, dirty, second-hand
chariot new furbished, but a large, sociable, well-painted coach; nor
will I keep it till it be as well known as myself, and it come to be
called Flirt-coach; nor will I have such pitiful horses as cannot carry
me every night to the Park; for I will not miss a night in the Park,
I'd have you to know.

_Mons._ 'Tis very well: you must have your great, gilt, fine painted
coaches. I'm sure they are grown so common already amongst you, that
ladies of quality begin to take up with hackneys again, _jarni!_--But
what else?

_Flirt._ Then, that you do not think I will be served by a little dirty
boy in a bonnet, but a couple of handsome, lusty, cleanly footmen, fit
to serve ladies of quality, and do their business as they should do.

_Mons._ What then?

_Flirt._ Then, that you never grow jealous of them.

_Mons._ Why, will you make so much of them?

_Flirt._ I delight to be kind to my servants.

_Mons._ Well, is this all?

_Flirt._ No.--Then, that when you come to my house, you never presume
to touch a key, lift up a latch, or thrust a door, without knocking
beforehand: and that you ask no questions, if you see a stray piece of
plate, cabinet, or looking-glass, in my house.

_Mons._ Just a wife in everything.--But what else?

_Flirt._ Then, that you take no acquaintance with me abroad, nor bring
me home any when you are drunk, whom you will not be willing to see
there when you are sober.

_Mons._ But what allowance? let's come to the main business; the money.

_Flirt._ Stay, let me think: first for advance-money, five hundred
pounds for pins.

_Mons._ A very wife!

_Flirt._ Then you must take the lease of my house, and furnish it as
becomes one of my quality; for don't you think we'll take up with your
old Queen Elizabeth furniture, as your wives do.

_Mons._ Indeed there she is least like a wife, as she says.

_Flirt._ Then for house-keeping, servants' wages, clothes, and
the rest, I'll be contented with a thousand pounds a year present
maintenance, and but three hundred pounds a year separate maintenance
for my life, when your love grows cold. But I am contented with a
thousand pounds a year, because for pendants, neck-laces, and all sorts
of jewels, and such trifles, nay, and some plate, I will shift myself
as I can; make shifts, which you shall not take any notice of.

_Mons._ A thousand pounds a year! what will wenching come to? Time was
a man might have fared as well at a much cheaper rate, and a lady of
one's affections, instead of a house, would have been contented with a
little chamber, three pair of stairs backward, with a little closet or
ladder to't; and instead of variety of new gowns and rich petticoats,
with her _deshabillé_, or flame-colour gown called Indian, and slippers
of the same, would have been contented for a twelvemonth; and instead
of visits and gadding to plays, would have entertained herself at
home with "St. George for England," "The Knight of the Sun," or "The
Practice of Piety;" and instead of sending her wine and meat from the
French-houses, would have been contented, if you had given her, poor
wretch, but credit at the next chandler's and chequered cellar;[67] and
then, instead of a coach, would have been well satisfied to have gone
out and taken the air for three or four hours in the evening in the
balcony, poor soul. Well, Flirt, however, we'll agree:--'tis but three
hundred pounds a year separate maintenance, you say, when I am weary of
thee and the charge.

_Don._ [_Aside._]--Robbed of my honour, my daughter, and my revenge
too! O my dear honour! Nothing vexes me, but that the world should
say I had not Spanish policy enough to keep my daughter from being
debauched from me. But methinks my Spanish policy might help me yet. I
have it--so--I will cheat 'em all; for I will declare I understood the
whole plot and contrivance, and connived at it, finding my cousin a
fool, and not answering my expectation. Well, but then if I approve of
the match, I must give this mock-dancing-master my estate, especially
since half he would have in right of my daughter, and in spite of me.
Well, I am resolved to turn the cheat upon themselves, and give them my
consent and estate.

_Mons._ Come, come, ne'er be troubled, uncle: 'twas a combination, you
see, of all these heads and your daughter's, you know what I mean,
uncle, not to be thwarted or governed by all the Spanish policy in
Christendom. I'm sure my French policy would not have governed her; so
since I have 'scaped her, I am glad I have 'scaped her, _jarni!_

_Mrs. Caut._ Come, brother, you are wiser than I, you see: ay, ay.

_Don._ No, you think you are wiser than I now, in earnest: but know,
while I was thought a gull, I gulled you all, and made them and you
think I knew nothing of the contrivance. Confess, did not you think
verily that I knew nothing of it, and that I was a gull?

_Mrs. Caut._ Yes indeed, brother, I did think verily you were a gull.

_Hip._ How's this? [_Listening._

_Don._ Alas, alas! all the sputter I made was but to make this young
man, my cousin, believe, when the thing should be effected, that it was
not with my connivance or consent; but since he is so well satisfied,
I own it. For do you think I would ever have suffered her to marry a
monsieur, a monsieur? _guarda!_--besides, it had been but a beastly
incestuous kind of a match, _voto!_--

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, then I see, brother, you are wiser than I indeed.

_Ger._ So, so.

_Mrs. Caut._ Nay, young man, you have danced a fair dance for yourself,
royally; and now you may go jig it together till you are both weary.
And though you were so eager to have him, Mrs. Minx, you'll soon have
your bellyful of him, let me tell you, mistress.

_Prue._ Ha! ha!

_Mons._ How, uncle! what was't you said? Nay, if I had your Spanish
policy against me, it was no wonder I missed of my aim, _ma foi!_

_Don._ I was resolved too my daughter should not marry a coward,
therefore made the more the more ado to try you, sir. But I find you
are a brisk man of honour, firm stiff Spanish honour; and that you
may see I deceived you all along, and you not me, ay, and am able to
deceive you still, for I know now you think that I will give you little
or nothing with my daughter, like other fathers, since you have married
her without my consent--but, I say, I'll deceive you now; for you
shall have the most part of my estate in present, and the rest at my
death.--There's for you: I think I have deceived you now, look you.

_Ger._ No, indeed, sir, you have not deceived me; for I never suspected
your love to your daughter, nor your generosity.

_Don._ How, sir! have a care of saying I have not deceived you, lest I
deceive you another way, _guarda!_--Pray, gentlemen, do not think any
man could deceive me, look you; that any man could steal my daughter,
look you, without my connivance:--

  The less we speak, the more we think;
  And he sees most, that seems to wink.

_Hip._ So, so, now I could give you my blessing, father; now you are a
good complaisant father, indeed:--

  When children marry, parents should obey,
  Since love claims more obedience far than they.

[_Exeunt._





EPILOGUE

SPOKEN BY FLIRT.

  The ladies first I am to compliment,
  Whom (if he could) the poet would content,
  But to their pleasure then they must consent;
  Most spoil their sport still by their modesty,
  And when they should be pleased, cry out, "O fy!"
  And the least smutty jest will ne'er pass by.
  But city damsel ne'er had confidence
  At smutty play to take the least offence,
  But mercy shows, to show her innocence,
  Yet lest the merchants' daughters should to-day
  Be scandalised, not at our harmless play,
  But our Hippolita, since she's like one
  Of us bold flirts of t'other end o' th' town;
  Our poet sending to you (though unknown)
  His best respects by me, does frankly own
  The character to be unnatural;
  Hippolita is not like you at all:
  You, while your lovers court you, still look grum,
  And far from wooing, when they woo, cry mum;
  And if some of you e'er were stol'n away,
  Your portion's fault 'twas only, I dare say.
  Thus much for him the poet bid me speak;
  Now to the men I my own mind will break.
  You good men o' th' Exchange, on whom alone
  We must depend, when sparks to sea are gone;
  Into the pit already you are come,
  'Tis but a step more to our tiring-room;
  Where none of us but will be wondrous sweet
  Upon an able love of Lombard-street.
  You we had rather see between our scenes,
  Than spendthrift fops with better clothes and miens;
  Instead of laced coats, belts, and pantaloons,
  Your velvet jumps,[68] gold chains, and grave fur gowns,
  Instead of periwigs, and broad cocked hats,
  Your satin caps, small cuffs, and vast cravats.
  For you are fair and square in all your dealings,
  You never cheat your doxies with gilt shillings;
  You ne'er will break our windows; then you are
  Fit to make love, while our huzzas make war;
  And since all gentlemen must pack to sea,
  Our gallants and our judges you must be!
  We, therefore, and our poet, do submit,
  To all the camlet cloaks now i' the pit.




_THE COUNTRY WIFE._

  Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse
  Compositum illepideve putetur, sed quia nuper:
  Nec veniam antiquis, sed honorem et præmia posci.[69]
                                             HORAT.


_The Country Wife_ was written, according to its author's own
statement, about the year 1671 or 1672. Its production upon the stage
was subsequent to that of _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_, to which
allusion is made in the prologue, and antecedent to that of the
earlier-written _Plain Dealer_, in the second act of which the author
inserted some critical observations upon _The Country Wife_. The first
performance of _The Plain Dealer_, as will afterwards appear, admits
not of a later date than that of March, or the very beginning of April,
1674; it follows then that _The Country Wife_ was brought forward some
time between the early spring of 1672 and that of 1674. It was acted by
the King's Company, established during these two years at the theatre
in Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and was published in the year
1675.

If we can overlook the immorality which, in this play, is more
offensive and pronounced than in any of Wycherley's other dramas, we
shall find in _The Country Wife_ a brilliantly written and skilfully
constructed comedy, superior to either of the preceding dramas from
the same pen, and surpassed, among comedies of the Restoration, only
by its author's own masterpiece, _The Plain Dealer_. The plot of _The
Country Wife_ is partly based upon two comedies by Molière--_L'Ecole
des Femmes_ and _L'Ecole des Maris_. From the former of these
Wycherley derived his conception of the jealous man who keeps under
close restraint a young and ignorant woman, with the vain hope of
thereby securing her fidelity to him. Agnes's innocent confessions to
Arnolphe of her lover's stratagems and her own esteem for him find a
counterpart in the Country Wife's frankness on a similar occasion, but
beyond these points of coincidence there is little resemblance between
the two plays. From _L'Ecole des Maris_, again, Wycherley has borrowed
one or two incidents: the imprisoned girl's device of making her
would-be husband (in the English play, her actual husband) the bearer
of a letter to her gallant, and the trick by which Isabella causes her
tyrant, under the impression that she is another woman, to consign her
with his own hands to his rival.

Steele has published, in the _Tatler_ of April 16, 1709, a very just
criticism upon this play, which, as it cannot fail to interest the
reader, I venture to subjoin.

 "Will's Coffee-house, April 14.

 "This evening the Comedy, called _The Country Wife_, was acted in
 Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mrs. Bignell. The part which gives
 name to the Play was performed by herself. Through the whole action
 she made a very pretty figure, and exactly entered into the nature
 of the part. Her husband, in the Drama, is represented to be one of
 those debauchees who run through the vices of the town, and believe,
 when they think fit, they can marry and settle at their ease. His own
 knowledge of the iniquity of the age makes him choose a wife wholly
 ignorant of it, and place his security in her want of skill to abuse
 him. The Poet, on many occasions, where the propriety of the character
 will admit of it, insinuates that there is no defence against vice
 but the contempt of it: and has, in the natural ideas of an untainted
 innocent, shown the gradual steps to ruin and destruction which
 persons of condition run into, without the help of a good education
 to form their conduct. The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises
 from his own false maxims, and the aggravation of his pain by the
 very words in which he sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and
 instructive satire. The character of Horner, and the design of it, is
 a good representation of the age in which that Comedy was written:
 at which time love and wenching were the business of life, and the
 gallant manner of pursuing women was the best recommendation at Court.
 To this only it is to be imputed that a Gentleman of Mr. Wycherley's
 character and sense condescends to represent the insults done to the
 honour of the bed without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of
 probity with regard to such considerations had been a monster, and a
 Poet had at that time discovered his want of knowing the manners of
 the Court he lived in, by a virtuous character in his fine gentleman,
 as he would show his ignorance by drawing a vicious one to please the
 present audience."




PROLOGUE

SPOKEN BY MR. HART.[70]

  Poets, like cudgelled bullies, never do
  At first or second blow submit to you;
  But will provoke you still, and ne'er have done,
  Till you are weary first with laying on.
  The late so baffled scribbler of this day,
  Though he stands trembling, bids me boldly say,
  What we before most plays are used to do,
  For poets out of fear first draw on you;
  In a fierce prologue the still pit defy,
  And, ere you speak, like Castril[71] give the lie.
  But though our Bayes's battles oft I've fought,
  And with bruised knuckles their dear conquests bought;
  Nay, never yet feared odds upon the stage,
  In prologue dare not hector with the age;
  But would take quarter from your saving hands,
  Though Bayes within all yielding countermands,
  Says, you confederate wits no quarter give,
  Therefore his play shan't ask your leave to live.
  Well, let the vain rash fop, by huffing so,
  Think to obtain the better terms of you;
  But we, the actors, humbly will submit,
  Now, and at any time, to a full pit;
  Nay, often we anticipate your rage,
  And murder poets for you on our stage:
  We set no guards upon our tiring-room,
  But when with dying colours there you come,
  We patiently, you see, give up to you
  Our poets, virgins, nay, our matrons too.




_DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._


Mr. HORNER.

Mr. HARCOURT.

Mr. DORILANT.

Mr. PINCHWIFE.

Mr. SPARKISH.

Sir JASPER FIDGET.

A Boy.

A Quack.

Waiters, Servants, and Attendants.


Mrs. MARGERY PINCHWIFE.

ALITHEA, Sister of PINCHWIFE.

Lady FIDGET.

Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET, Sister of Sir JASPER.

Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

Old Lady SQUEAMISH.

LUCY, ALITHEA'S Maid.


SCENE--LONDON.




_THE COUNTRY WIFE._


ACT THE FIRST.


SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._

      _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._

_Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife
for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of
nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?

_Quack._ I have undone you for ever with the women, and reported you
throughout the whole town as bad as an eunuch, with as much trouble as
if I had made you one in earnest.

_Horn._ But have you told all the midwives you know, the orange wenches
at the playhouses, the city husbands, and old fumbling keepers of this
end of the town? for they'll be the readiest to report it.

_Quack._ I have told all the chambermaids, waiting-women, tire-women,
and old women of my acquaintance; nay, and whispered it as a secret to
'em, and to the whisperers of Whitehall; so that you need not doubt
'twill spread, and you will be as odious to the handsome young women,
as--

_Horn._ As the small-pox. Well--

_Quack._ And to the married women of this end of the town, as--

_Horn._ As the great one; nay, as their own husbands.

_Quack._ And to the city dames, as aniseed Robin, of filthy and
contemptible memory; and they will frighten their children with your
name, especially their females.

_Horn._ And cry, Horner's coming to carry you away. I am only afraid
'twill not be believed. You told 'em it was by an English-French
disaster, and an English-French chirurgeon, who has given me at once
not only a cure, but an antidote for the future against that damned
malady, and that worse distemper, love, and all other women's evils?

_Quack._ Your late journey into France has made it the more credible,
and your being here a fortnight before you appeared in public, looks as
if you apprehended the shame, which I wonder you do not. Well, I have
been hired by young gallants to belie 'em t'other way; but you are the
first would be thought a man unfit for women.

_Horn._ Dear Mr. Doctor, let vain rogues be contented only to be
thought abler men than they are, generally 'tis all the pleasure they
have; but mine lies another way.

_Quack._ You take, methinks, a very preposterous way to it, and as
ridiculous as if we operators in physic should put forth bills to
disparage our medicaments, with hopes to gain customers.

_Horn._ Doctor, there are quacks in love as well as physic, who get
but the fewer and worse patients for their boasting; a good name is
seldom got by giving it one's self; and women, no more than honour,
are compassed by bragging. Come, come, Doctor, the wisest lawyer never
discovers the merits of his cause till the trial; the wealthiest man
conceals his riches, and the cunning gamester his play. Shy husbands
and keepers, like old rooks, are not to be cheated but by a new
unpractised trick: false friendship will pass now no more than false
dice upon 'em; no, not in the city.

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ There are two ladies and a gentleman coming up. [_Exit._

_Horn._ A pox! some unbelieving sisters of my former acquaintance, who,
I am afraid, expect their sense should be satisfied of the falsity of
the report. No--this formal fool and women!

   _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, Lady FIDGET, _and_ Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET.

_Quack._ His wife and sister.

_Sir Jasp._ My coach breaking just now before your door, sir, I look
upon as an occasional reprimand to me, sir, for not kissing your hands,
sir, since your coming out of France, sir; and so my disaster, sir, has
been my good fortune, sir; and this is my wife and sister, sir.

_Horn._ What then, sir?

_Sir Jasp._ My lady, and sister, sir.--Wife, this is Master Horner.

_Lady Fid._ Master Horner, husband!

_Sir Jasp._ My lady, my Lady Fidget, sir.

_Horn._ So, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ Won't you be acquainted with her, sir?--[_Aside._] So, the
report is true, I find, by his coldness or aversion to the sex; but
I'll play the wag with him.--[_Aloud._] Pray salute my wife, my lady,
sir.

_Horn._ I will kiss no man's wife, sir, for him, sir; I have taken my
eternal leave, sir, of the sex already, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ [_Aside._] Ha! ha! ha! I'll plague him yet.--[_Aloud._] Not
know my wife, sir?

_Horn._ I do know your wife, sir; she's a woman, sir, and consequently
a monster, sir, a greater monster than a husband, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ A husband! how, sir?

_Horn._ So, sir; but I make no more cuckolds, sir. [_Makes horns._

_Sir Jasp._ Ha! ha! ha! Mercury! Mercury!

_Lady Fid._ Pray, Sir Jasper, let us be gone from this rude fellow.

_Mrs. Dain._ Who, by his breeding, would think he had ever been in
France?

_Lady Fid._ Foh! he's but too much a French fellow, such as hate women
of quality and virtue for their love to their husbands. Sir Jasper,
a woman is hated by 'em as much for loving her husband as for loving
their money. But pray let's be gone.

_Horn._ You do well, madam; for I have nothing that you came for. I
have brought over not so much as a bawdy picture, no new postures, nor
the second part of the _Ecole des Filles_; nor--

_Quack._ Hold, for shame, sir! what d'ye mean? you'll ruin yourself for
ever with the sex--[_Apart to_ HORNER.

_Sir Jasp._ Ha! ha! ha! he hates women perfectly, I find.

_Mrs. Dain._ What pity 'tis he should!

_Lady Fid._ Ay, he's a base fellow for't. But affectation makes not a
woman more odious to them than virtue.

_Horn._ Because your virtue is your greatest affectation, madam.

_Lady Fid._ How, you saucy fellow! would you wrong my honour?

_Horn._ If I could.

_Lady Fid._ How d'ye mean, sir?

_Sir Jasp._ Ha! ha! ha! no, he can't wrong your ladyship's honour,
upon my honour. He, poor man--hark you in your ear--a mere eunuch.
[_Whispers._

_Lady Fid._ O filthy French beast! foh! foh! why do we stay? let's be
gone: I can't endure the sight of him.

_Sir Jasp._ Stay but till the chairs come; they'll be here presently.

_Lady Fid._ No, no.

_Sir Jasp._ Nor can I stay longer. 'Tis, let me see, a quarter and half
quarter of a minute past eleven. The council will be sat; I must away.
Business must be preferred always before love and ceremony with the
wise, Mr. Horner.

_Horn._ And the impotent, Sir Jasper.

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, ay, the impotent, Master Horner; hah! hah! hah!

_Lady Fid._ What, leave us with a filthy man alone in his lodgings?

_Sir Jasp._ He's an innocent man now, you know. Pray stay, I'll hasten
the chairs to you.--Mr. Horner, your servant; I should be glad to see
you at my house. Pray come and dine with me, and play at cards with
my wife after dinner; you are fit for women at that game yet, ha!
ha!--[_Aside._] 'Tis as much a husband's prudence to provide innocent
diversion for a wife as to hinder her unlawful pleasures; and he had
better employ her than let her employ herself.--[_Aloud._] Farewell.

_Horn._ Your servant, Sir Jasper. [_Exit_ Sir JASPER.

_Lady Fid._ I will not stay with him, foh!--

_Horn._ Nay, madam, I beseech you stay, if it be but to see I can be as
civil to ladies yet as they would desire.

_Lady Fid._ No, no, foh! you cannot be civil to ladies.

_Mrs. Dain._ You as civil as ladies would desire?

_Lady Fid._ No, no, no, foh! foh! foh! [_Exeunt_ Lady FIDGET _and_ Mrs.
DAINTY FIDGET.

_Quack._ Now, I think, I, or you yourself, rather, have done your
business with the women.

_Horn._ Thou art an ass. Don't you see already, upon the report, and my
carriage, this grave man of business leaves his wife in my lodgings,
invites me to his house and wife, who before would not be acquainted
with me out of jealousy?

_Quack._ Nay, by this means you may be the more acquainted with the
husbands, but the less with the wives.

_Horn._ Let me alone; if I can but abuse the husbands, I'll soon
disabuse the wives. Stay--I'll reckon you up the advantages I am
like to have by my stratagem. First, I shall be rid of all my old
acquaintances, the most insatiable sort of duns, that invade our
lodgings in a morning; and next to the pleasure of making a new
mistress is that of being rid of an old one, and of all old debts.
Love, when it comes to be so, is paid the most unwillingly.

_Quack._ Well, you may be so rid of your old acquaintances; but how
will you get any new ones?

_Horn._ Doctor, thou wilt never make a good chemist, thou art so
incredulous and impatient. Ask but all the young fellows of the town if
they do not lose more time, like huntsmen, in starting the game, than
in running it down. One knows not where to find 'em; who will or will
not. Women of quality are so civil, you can hardly distinguish love
from good breeding, and a man is often mistaken: but now I can be sure
she that shows an aversion to me loves the sport, as those women that
are gone, whom I warrant to be right. And then the next thing is, your
women of honour, as you call 'em, are only chary of their reputations,
not their persons; and 'tis scandal they would avoid, not men. Now
may I have, by the reputation of an eunuch, the privileges of one,
and be seen in a lady's chamber in a morning as early as her husband;
kiss virgins before their parents or lovers; and may be, in short, the
_passe-partout_ of the town. Now, doctor.

_Quack._ Nay, now you shall be the doctor; and your process is so new
that we do not know but it may succeed.

_Horn._ Not so new neither; _probatum est_, doctor.

_Quack._ Well, I wish you luck, and many patients, whilst I go to mine.
[_Exit._

                   _Enter_ HARCOURT _and_ DORILANT.

_Har._ Come, your appearance at the play yesterday, has, I hope,
hardened you for the future against the women's contempt, and the
men's raillery; and now you'll abroad as you were wont.

_Horn._ Did I not bear it bravely?

_Dor._ With a most theatrical impudence, nay, more than the
orange-wenches show there, or a drunken vizard-mask, or a great-bellied
actress; nay, or the most impudent of creatures, an ill poet; or what
is yet more impudent, a second-hand critic.

_Horn._ But what say the ladies? have they no pity?

_Har._ What ladies? The vizard-masks, you know, never pity a man when
all's gone, though in their service.

_Dor._ And for the women in the boxes, you'd never pity them when 'twas
in your power.

_Har._ They say 'tis pity but all that deal with common women should be
served so.

_Dor._ Nay, I dare swear they won't admit you to play at cards with
them, go to plays with 'em, or do the little duties which other shadows
of men are wont to do for 'em.

_Horn._ What do you call shadows of men?

_Dor._ Half-men.

_Horn._ What, boys?

_Dor._ Ay, your old boys, old _beaux garçons_, who, like superannuated
stallions, are suffered to run, feed, and whinny with the mares as long
as they live, though they can do nothing else.

_Horn._ Well, a pox on love and wenching! Women serve but to keep a
man from better company. Though I can't enjoy them, I shall you the
more. Good fellowship and friendship are lasting, rational, and manly
pleasures.

_Har._ For all that, give me some of those pleasures you call
effeminate too; they help to relish one another.

_Horn._ They disturb one another.

_Har._ No, mistresses are like books. If you pore upon them too much,
they doze you, and make you unfit for company; but if used discreetly,
you are the fitter for conversation by 'em.

_Dor._ A mistress should be like a little country retreat near the
town; not to dwell in constantly, but only for a night and away, to
taste the town the better when a man returns.

_Horn._ I tell you, 'tis as hard to be a good fellow, a good friend,
and a lover of women, as 'tis to be a good fellow, a good friend, and
a lover of money. You cannot follow both, then choose your side. Wine
gives you liberty, love takes it away.

_Dor._ Gad, he's in the right on't.

_Horn._ Wine gives you joy; love, grief and tortures, besides surgeons.
Wine makes us witty; love, only sots. Wine makes us sleep; love breaks
it.

_Dor._ By the world he has reason, Harcourt.

_Horn._ Wine makes--

_Dor._ Ay, wine makes us--makes us princes; love makes us beggars, poor
rogues, egad--and wine--

_Horn._ So, there's one converted.--No, no, love and wine, oil and
vinegar.

_Har._ I grant it; love will still be uppermost.

_Horn._ Come, for my part, I will have only those glorious manly
pleasures of being very drunk and very slovenly.

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ Mr. Sparkish is below, sir. [_Exit._

_Har._ What, my dear friend! a rogue that is fond of me only, I think,
for abusing him.

_Dor._ No, he can no more think the men laugh at him than that women
jilt him; his opinion of himself is so good.

_Horn._ Well, there's another pleasure by drinking I thought not of,--I
shall lose his acquaintance, because he cannot drink: and you know 'tis
a very hard thing to be rid of him; for he's one of those nauseous
offerers at wit, who, like the worst fiddlers, run themselves into all
companies.

_Har._ One that, by being in the company of men of sense, would pass
for one.

_Horn._ And may so to the short-sighted world; as a false jewel amongst
true ones is not discerned at a distance. His company is as troublesome
to us as a cuckold's when you have a mind to his wife's.

_Har._ No, the rogue will not let us enjoy one another, but ravishes
our conversation; though he signifies no more to't than Sir Martin
Mar-all's[72] gaping, and awkward thrumming upon the lute, does to his
man's voice and music.

_Dor._ And to pass for a wit in town shows himself a fool every night
to us, that are guilty of the plot.

_Horn._ Such wits as he are, to a company of reasonable men, like rooks
to the gamesters; who only fill a room at the table, but are so far
from contributing to the play, that they only serve to spoil the fancy
of those that do.

_Dor._ Nay, they are used like rooks too, snubbed, checked, and abused;
yet the rogues will hang on.

_Horn._ A pox on 'em, and all that force nature, and would be still
what she forbids 'em! Affectation is her greatest monster.

_Har._ Most men are the contraries to that they would seem. Your bully,
you see, is a coward with a long sword; the little humbly-fawning
physician, with his ebony cane, is he that destroys men.

_Dor._ The usurer, a poor rogue, possessed of mouldy bonds and
mortgages; and we they call spendthrifts, are only wealthy, who lay out
his money upon daily new purchases of pleasure.

_Horn._ Ay, your arrantest cheat is your trustee or executor; your
jealous man, the greatest cuckold; your churchman the greatest
atheist; and your noisy pert rogue of a wit, the greatest fop, dullest
ass, and worst company, as you shall see; for here he comes.

                           _Enter_ SPARKISH.

_Spark._ How is't, sparks? how is't? Well, faith, Harry, I must rally
thee a little, ha! ha! ha! upon the report in town of thee, ha! ha! ha!
I can't hold i'faith; shall I speak?

_Horn._ Yes; but you'll be so bitter then.

_Spark._ Honest Dick and Frank here shall answer for me; I will not be
extreme bitter, by the universe.

_Har._ We will be bound in a ten thousand pound bond, he shall not be
bitter at all.

_Dor._ Nor sharp, nor sweet.

_Horn._ What, not downright insipid?

_Spark._ Nay then, since you are so brisk, and provoke me, take what
follows. You must know, I was discoursing and rallying with some ladies
yesterday, and they happened to talk of the fine new signs in town--

_Horn._ Very fine ladies, I believe.

_Spark._ Said I, I know where the best new sign is.--Where? says one
of the ladies.--In Covent-Garden, I replied.--Said another, In what
street?--In Russel-street, answered I.--Lord, says another, I'm sure
there was never a fine new sign there yesterday.--Yes, but there was,
said I again; and it came out of France, and has been there a fortnight.

_Dor._ A pox! I can hear no more, prithee.

_Horn._ No, hear him out; let him tune his crowd a while.

_Har._ The worst music, the greatest preparation.

_Spark._ Nay, faith, I'll make you laugh.--It cannot be, says a third
lady.--Yes, yes, quoth I again.--Says a fourth lady--

_Horn._ Look to't, we'll have no more ladies.

_Spark._ No--then mark, mark, now. Said I to the fourth, Did you never
see Mr. Horner? he lodges in Russel-street, and he's a sign of a man,
you know, since he came out of France; ha! ha! ha!

_Horn._ But the devil take me if thine be the sign of a jest.

_Spark._ With that they all fell a-laughing, till they bepissed
themselves. What, but it does not move you, methinks? Well, I see one
had as good go to law without a witness, as break a jest without a
laugher on one's side.--Come, come, sparks, but where do we dine? I
have left at Whitehall an earl, to dine with you.

_Dor._ Why, I thought thou hadst loved a man with a title, better than
a suit with a French trimming to't.

_Har._ Go to him again.

_Spark._ No, sir, a wit to me is the greatest title in the world.

_Horn._ But go dine with your earl, sir; he may be exception. We are
your friends, and will not take it ill to be left, I do assure you.

_Har._ Nay, faith, he shall go to him.

_Spark._ Nay, pray, gentlemen.

_Dor._ We'll thrust you out, if you won't; what, disappoint anybody for
us?

_Spark._ Nay, dear gentlemen, hear me.

_Horn._ No, no, sir, by no means; pray go, sir.

_Spark._ Why, dear rogues--

_Dor._ No, no. [_They all thrust him out of the room._

_All._ Ha! ha! ha!

                         _Re-enter_ SPARKISH.

_Spark._ But, sparks, pray hear me. What, d'ye think I'll eat then
with gay shallow fops and silent coxcombs? I think wit as necessary at
dinner, as a glass of good wine; and that's the reason I never have any
stomach when I eat alone.--Come, but where do we dine?

_Horn._ Even where you will.

_Spark._ At Chateline's?

_Dor._ Yes, if you will.

_Spark._ Or at the Cock?[73]

_Dor._ Yes, if you please.

_Spark._ Or at the Dog and Partridge?

_Horn._ Ay, if you have a mind to't; for we shall dine at neither.

_Spark._ Pshaw! with your fooling we shall lose the new play; and I
would no more miss seeing a new play the first day, than I would miss
sitting in the wit's row. Therefore I'll go fetch my mistress, and
away. [_Exit._

                          _Enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Horn._ Who have we here? Pinchwife?

_Pinch._ Gentlemen, your humble servant.

_Horn._ Well, Jack, by thy long absence from the town, the grumness of
thy countenance, and the slovenliness of thy habit, I should give thee
joy, should I not, of marriage?

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Death! does he know I'm married too? I thought to
have concealed it from him at least.--[_Aloud._] My long stay in the
country will excuse my dress; and I have a suit of law that brings me
up to town, that puts me out of humour. Besides, I must give Sparkish
to-morrow five thousand pounds to lie with my sister.

_Horn._ Nay, you country gentlemen, rather than not purchase, will buy
anything; and he is a cracked title, if we may quibble. Well, but am I
to give thee joy? I heard thou wert married.

_Pinch._ What then?

_Horn._ Why, the next thing that is to be heard, is, thou'rt a cuckold.

_Pinch._ Insupportable name! [_Aside._

_Horn._ But I did not expect marriage from such a whoremaster as you;
one that knew the town so much, and women so well.

_Pinch._ Why, I have married no London wife.

_Horn._ Pshaw! that's all one. That grave circumspection in marrying a
country wife, is like refusing a deceitful pampered Smithfield jade, to
go and be cheated by a friend in the country.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] A pox on him and his simile!--[_Aloud._] At least
we are a little surer of the breed there, know what her keeping has
been, whether foiled or unsound.

_Horn._ Come, come, I have known a clap gotten in Wales; and there are
cousins, justices' clerks, and chaplains in the country, I won't say
coachmen. But she's handsome and young?

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] I'll answer as I should do.--[_Aloud._] No, no; she
has no beauty but her youth, no attraction but her modesty: wholesome,
homely, and huswifely; that's all.

_Dor._ He talks as like a grazier as he looks.

_Pinch._ She's too awkward, ill-favoured, and silly to bring to town.

_Har._ Then methinks you should bring her to be taught breeding.

_Pinch._ To be taught! no, sir, I thank you. Good wives and private
soldiers should be ignorant--I'll keep her from your instructions, I
warrant you.

_Har._ The rogue is as jealous as if his wife were not ignorant.
[_Aside._

_Horn._ Why, if she be ill-favoured, there will be less danger here
for you than by leaving her in the country. We have such variety of
dainties that we are seldom hungry.

_Dor._ But they have always coarse, constant, swingeing stomachs in the
country.

_Har._ Foul feeders indeed!

_Dor._ And your hospitality is great there.

_Har._ Open house; every man's welcome.

_Pinch._ So, so, gentlemen.

_Horn._ But prithee, why shouldst thou marry her? If she be ugly,
ill-bred, and silly, she must be rich then.

_Pinch._ As rich as if she brought me twenty thousand pound out of this
town; for she'll be as sure not to spend her moderate portion, as a
London baggage would be to spend hers, let it be what it would: so 'tis
all one. Then, because she's ugly, she's the likelier to be my own; and
being ill-bred, she'll hate conversation; and since silly and innocent,
will not know the difference betwixt a man of one-and-twenty and one of
forty.

_Horn._ Nine--to my knowledge. But if she be silly, she'll expect as
much from a man of forty-nine, as from him of one-and-twenty. But
methinks wit is more necessary than beauty; and I think no young woman
ugly that has it, and no handsome woman agreeable without it.

_Pinch._ 'Tis my maxim, he's a fool that marries; but he's a greater
that does not marry a fool. What is wit in a wife good for, but to make
a man a cuckold?

_Horn._ Yes, to keep it from his knowledge.

_Pinch._ A fool cannot contrive to make her husband a cuckold.

_Horn._ No; but she'll club with a man that can: and what is worse, if
she cannot make her husband a cuckold, she'll make him jealous, and
pass for one: and then 'tis all one.

_Pinch._ Well, well, I'll take care for one. My wife shall make me no
cuckold, though she had your help, Mr. Horner. I understand the town,
sir.

_Dor._ His help! [_Aside._

_Har._ He's come newly to town, it seems, and has not heard how things
are with him. [_Aside._

_Horn._ But tell me, has marriage cured thee of whoring, which it
seldom does?

_Har._ 'Tis more than age can do.

_Horn._ No, the word is, I'll marry and live honest: but a marriage
vow is like a penitent gamester's oath, and entering into bonds and
penalties to stint himself to such a particular small sum at play for
the future, which makes him but the more eager; and not being able to
hold out, loses his money again, and his forfeit to boot.

_Dor._ Ay, ay, a gamester will be a gamester whilst his money lasts,
and a whoremaster whilst his vigour.

_Har._ Nay, I have known 'em, when they are broke, and can lose no
more, keep a fumbling with the box in their hands to fool with only,
and hinder other gamesters.

_Dor._ That had wherewithal to make lusty stakes.

_Pinch._ Well, gentlemen, you may laugh at me; but you shall never lie
with my wife: I know the town.

_Horn._ But prithee, was not the way you were in better? is not keeping
better than marriage?

_Pinch._ A pox on't! the jades would jilt me, I could never keep a
whore to myself.

_Horn._ So, then you only married to keep a whore to yourself. Well,
but let me tell you, women, as you say, are like soldiers, made
constant and loyal by good pay, rather than by oaths and covenants.
Therefore I'd advise my friends to keep rather than marry, since too
I find, by your example, it does not serve one's turn; for I saw you
yesterday in the eighteenpenny place with a pretty country-wench.

_Pinch._ How the devil! did he see my wife then? I sat there that she
might not be seen. But she shall never go to a play again. [_Aside._

_Horn._ What! dost thou blush, at nine-and-forty, for having been seen
with a wench?

_Dor._ No, faith, I warrant 'twas his wife, which he seated there out
of sight; for he's a cunning rogue, and understands the town.

_Har._ He blushes. Then 'twas his wife; for men are now more ashamed to
be seen with them in public than with a wench.

_Pinch._ Hell and damnation! I'm undone, since Horner has seen her, and
they know 'twas she. [_Aside._

_Horn._ But prithee, was it thy wife? She was exceeding pretty: I was
in love with her at that distance.

_Pinch._ You are like never to be nearer to her. Your servant,
gentlemen. [_Offers to go._

_Horn._ Nay, prithee stay.

_Pinch._ I cannot; I will not.

_Horn._ Come, you shall dine with us.

_Pinch._ I have dined already.

_Horn._ Come, I know thou hast not: I'll treat thee, dear rogue; thou
sha't spend none of thy Hampshire money to-day.

_Pinch._ Treat me! So, he uses me already like his cuckold. [_Aside._

_Horn._ Nay, you shall not go.

_Pinch._ I must; I have business at home. [_Exit._

_Har._ To beat his wife. He's as jealous of her, as a Cheapside husband
of a Covent-garden wife.

_Horn._ Why, 'tis as hard to find an old whoremaster without jealousy
and the gout, as a young one without fear, or the pox:--

  As gout in age from pox in youth proceeds,
  So wenching past, then jealousy succeeds;
  The worst disease that love and wenching breeds.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE SECOND.


SCENE I _.--A Room in_ PINCHWIFE'S _House._

       Mrs. MARGERY PINCHWIFE _and_ ALITHEA. PINCHWIFE _peeping
                         behind at the door._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, sister, where are the best fields and woods to walk
in, in London?

_Alith._ [_Aside._] A pretty question!--[_Aloud._] Why, sister,
Mulberry-garden and St. James's park; and, for close walks, the New
Exchange.[74]

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, sister, tell me why my husband looks so grum here
in town, and keeps me up so close, and will not let me go a-walking,
nor let me wear my best gown yesterday.

_Alith._ O, he's jealous, sister.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Jealous! what's that?

_Alith._ He's afraid you should love another man.

_Mrs. Pinch._ How should he be afraid of my loving another man, when he
will not let me see any but himself?

_Alith._ Did he not carry you yesterday to a play?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay; but we sat amongst ugly people. He would not let me
come near the gentry, who sat under us, so that I could not see 'em. He
told me, none but naughty women sat there, whom they toused and moused.
But I would have ventured, for all that.

_Alith._ But how did you like the play?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Indeed I was weary of the play; but I liked hugeously the
actors. They are the goodliest, properest men, sister!

_Alith._ O, but you must not like the actors, sister.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay, how should I help it, sister? Pray, sister, when my
husband comes in, will you ask leave for me to go a-walking?

_Alith._ A-walking! ha! ha! Lord, a country-gentlewoman's pleasure is
the drudgery of a footpost; and she requires as much airing as her
husband's horses.--[_Aside._] But here comes your husband: I'll ask,
though I'm sure he'll not grant it.

_Mrs. Pinch._ He says he won't let me go abroad for fear of catching
the pox.

_Alith._ Fy! the small-pox you should say.

                          _Enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O my dear, dear bud, welcome home! Why dost thou look so
fropish? who has nangered thee?

_Pinch._ You're a fool. [Mrs. PINCHWIFE _goes aside, and cries._

_Alith._ Faith, so she is, for crying for no fault, poor tender
creature!

_Pinch._ What, you would have her as impudent as yourself, as arrant
a jilflirt, a gadder, a magpie; and to say all, a mere notorious
town-woman?

_Alith._ Brother, you are my only censurer; and the honour of your
family will sooner suffer in your wife there than in me, though I take
the innocent liberty of the town.

_Pinch._ Hark you, mistress, do not talk so before my wife.--The
innocent liberty of the town!

_Alith._ Why, pray, who boasts of any intrigue with me? what lampoon
has made my name notorious? what ill women frequent my lodgings? I keep
no company with any women of scandalous reputations.

_Pinch._ No, you keep the men of scandalous reputations company.

_Alith._ Where? would you not have me civil? answer 'em in a box
at the plays, in the drawing-room at Whitehall, in St James'-park,
Mulberry-garden, or--

_Pinch._ Hold, hold! Do not teach my wife where the men are to be
found: I believe she's the worse for your town-documents already. I bid
you keep her in ignorance, as I do.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Indeed, be not angry with her, bud, she will tell me
nothing of the town, though I ask her a thousand times a day.

_Pinch._ Then you are very inquisitive to know, I find?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Not I indeed, dear; I hate London. Our place-house in the
country is worth a thousand of't: would I were there again!

_Pinch._ So you shall, I warrant. But were you not talking of plays and
players when I came in?--[_To_ ALITHEA.] You are her encourager in such
discourses.

_Mrs. Pinch._ No, indeed, dear; she chid me just now for liking the
playermen.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Nay, if she be so innocent as to own to me her
liking them, there is no hurt in't.--[_Aloud._] Come, my poor rogue,
but thou likest none better than me?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, indeed, but I do. The playermen are finer folks.

_Pinch._ But you love none better than me?

_Mrs. Pinch._ You are my own dear bud, and I know you. I hate a
stranger.

_Pinch._ Ay, my dear, you must love me only; and not be like the
naughty town-women, who only hate their husbands, and love every man
else; love plays, visits, fine coaches, fine clothes, fiddles, balls,
treats, and so lead a wicked town-life.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, if to enjoy all these things be a town-life, London
is not so bad a place, dear.

_Pinch._ How! if you love me, you must hate London.

_Alith._ The fool has forbid me discovering to her the pleasures of the
town, and he is now setting her agog upon them himself. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ But, husband, do the town-women love the playermen too?

_Pinch._ Yes, I warrant you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay, I warrant you.

_Pinch._ Why, you do not, I hope?

_Mrs. Pinch._ No, no, bud. But why have we no playermen in the country?

_Pinch._ Ha!--Mrs. Minx, ask me no more to go to a play.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, why, love? I did not care for going: but when you
forbid me, you make me, as 'twere, desire it.

_Alith._ So 'twill be in other things, I warrant. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray let me go to a play, dear.

_Pinch._ Hold your peace, I wo' not.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, love?

_Pinch._ Why, I'll tell you.

_Alith._ Nay, if he tell her, she'll give him more cause to forbid her
that place. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray why, dear?

_Pinch._ First, you like the actors; and the gallants may like you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What, a homely country girl! No, bud, nobody will like me.

_Pinch._ I tell you yes, they may.

_Mrs. Pinch._ No, no, you jest--I won't believe you: I will go.

_Pinch._ I tell you then, that one of the lewdest fellows in town, who
saw you there, told me he was in love with you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Indeed! who, who, pray who was't?

_Pinch._ I've gone too far, and slipped before I was aware; how
overjoyed she is! [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Was it any Hampshire gallant, any of our neighbours? I
promise you, I am beholden to him.

_Pinch._ I promise you, you lie; for he would but ruin you, as he has
done hundreds. He has no other love for women but that; such as he look
upon women, like basilisks, but to destroy 'em.

_Mrs. Pinch_ Ay, but if he loves me, why should he ruin me? answer me
to that. Methinks he should not, I would do him no harm.

_Alith._ Ha! ha! ha!

_Pinch._ 'Tis very well; but I'll keep him from doing you any harm, or
me either. But here comes company; get you in, get you in.

_Mrs. Pinch._ But, pray, husband, is he a pretty gentleman that loves
me?

_Pinch._ In, baggage, in. [_Thrusts her in, and shuts the door._

                   _Enter_ SPARKISH _and_ HARCOURT.

What, all the lewd libertines of the town brought to my lodging by this
easy coxcomb! 'sdeath, I'll not suffer it.

_Spark._ Here, Harcourt, do you approve my choice?--[_To_ ALITHEA.]
Dear little rogue, I told you I'd bring you acquainted with all my
friends, the wits and--[HARCOURT _salutes her._

_Pinch._ Ay, they shall know her, as well as you yourself will, I
warrant you.

_Spark._ This is one of those, my pretty rogue, that are to dance at
your wedding to-morrow; and him you must bid welcome ever, to what you
and I have.

_Pinch._ Monstrous! [_Aside._

_Spark._ Harcourt, how dost thou like her, faith? Nay, dear, do not
look down; I should hate to have a wife of mine out of countenance at
anything.

_Pinch._ Wonderful! [_Aside._

_Spark._ Tell me, I say, Harcourt, how dost thou like her? Thou hast
stared upon her enough, to resolve me.

_Har._ So infinitely well, that I could wish I had a mistress too, that
might differ from her in nothing but her love and engagement to you.

_Alith._ Sir, Master Sparkish has often told me that his acquaintance
were all wits and raillieurs, and now I find it.

_Spark._ No, by the universe, madam, he does not rally now; you
may believe him. I do assure you, he is the honestest, worthiest,
true-hearted gentlemen--a man of such perfect honour, he would say
nothing to a lady he does not mean.

_Pinch._ Praising another man to his mistress! [_Aside._

_Har._ Sir, you are so beyond expectation obliging, that--

_Spark._ Nay, egad, I am sure you do admire her extremely; I see't in
your eyes.--He does admire you, madam.--By the world, don't you?

_Har._ Yes, above the world, or the most glorious part of it, her whole
sex: and till now I never thought I should have envied you, or any man
about to marry, but you have the best excuse for marriage I ever knew.

_Alith._ Nay, now, sir, I'm satisfied you are of the society of the
wits and raillieurs, since you cannot spare your friend, even when he
is but too civil to you; but the surest sign is, since you are an enemy
to marriage,--for that I hear you hate as much as business or bad wine.

_Har._ Truly, madam, I was never an enemy to marriage till now, because
marriage was never an enemy to me before.

_Alith._ But why, sir, is marriage an enemy to you now? because it robs
you of your friend here? for you look upon a friend married, as one
gone into a monastery, that is, dead to the world.

_Har._ 'Tis indeed, because you marry him; I see, madam, you can guess
my meaning. I do confess heartily and openly, I wish it were in my
power to break the match; by Heavens I would.

_Spark._ Poor Frank!

_Alith._ Would you be so unkind to me?

_Har._ No, no, 'tis not because I would be unkind to you.

_Spark._ Poor Frank! no gad, 'tis only his kindness to me.

_Pinch._ Great kindness to you indeed! Insensible fop, let a man make
love to his wife to his face! [_Aside._

_Spark._ Come, dear Frank, for all my wife there, that shall be, thou
shalt enjoy me sometimes, dear rogue. By my honour, we men of wit
condole for our deceased brother in marriage, as much as for one dead
in earnest: I think that was prettily said of me, ha, Harcourt?--But
come, Frank, be not melancholy for me.

_Har._ No, I assure you, I am not melancholy for you.

_Spark._ Prithee, Frank, dost think my wife that shall be there, a fine
person?

_Har._ I could gaze upon her till I became as blind as you are.

_Spark._ How as I am? how?

_Har._ Because you are a lover, and true lovers are blind, stock blind.

_Spark._ True, true; but by the world she has wit too, as well as
beauty: go, go with her into a corner, and try if she has wit; talk to
her anything, she's bashful before me.

_Har._ Indeed if a woman wants wit in a corner, she has it nowhere.

_Alith._ Sir, you dispose of me a little before your time--[_Aside to_
SPARKISH.

_Spark._ Nay, nay, madam, let me have an earnest of your obedience,
or--go, go, madam--[HARCOURT _courts_ ALITHEA _aside._

_Pinch._ How, sir! if you are not concerned for the honour of a wife, I
am for that of a sister; he shall not debauch her. Be a pander to your
own wife! bring men to her! let 'em make love before your face! thrust
'em into a corner together, then leave 'em in private! is this your
town wit and conduct?

_Spark._ Ha! ha! ha! a silly wise rogue would make one laugh more than
a stark fool, ha! ha! I shall burst. Nay, you shall not disturb 'em;
I'll vex thee, by the world. [_Struggles with_ PINCHWIFE _to keep him
from_ HARCOURT _and_ ALITHEA.

_Alith._ The writings are drawn, sir, settlements made; 'tis too late,
sir, and past all revocation.

_Har._ Then so is my death.

_Alith._ I would not be unjust to him.

_Har._ Then why to me so?

_Alith._ I have no obligation to you.

_Har._ My love.

_Alith._ I had his before.

_Har._ You never had it; he wants, you see, jealousy, the only
infallible sign of it.

_Alith._ Love proceeds from esteem; he cannot distrust my virtue:
besides, he loves me, or he would not marry me.

_Har._ Marrying you is no more sign of his love than bribing your
woman, that he may marry you, is a sign of his generosity. Marriage
is rather a sign of interest than love; and he that marries a fortune
covets a mistress, not loves her. But if you take marriage for a sign
of love, take it from me immediately.

_Alith._ No, now you have put a scruple in my head; but in short, sir,
to end our dispute, I must marry him, my reputation would suffer in the
world else.

_Har._ No; if you do marry him, with your pardon, madam, your
reputation suffers in the world, and you would be thought in necessity
for a cloak.

_Alith._ Nay, now you are rude, sir.--Mr. Sparkish, pray come hither,
your friend here is very troublesome, and very loving.

_Har._ Hold! hold!--[_Aside to_ ALITHEA.

_Pinch._ D'ye hear that?

_Spark._ Why, d'ye think I'll seem to be jealous, like a country
bumpkin?

_Pinch._ No, rather be a cuckold, like a credulous cit.

_Har._ Madam, you would not have been so little generous as to have
told him.

_Alith._ Yes, since you could be so little generous as to wrong him.

_Har._ Wrong him! no man can do't, he's beneath an injury: a bubble, a
coward, a senseless idiot, a wretch so contemptible to all the world
but you, that--

_Alith._ Hold, do not rail at him, for since he is like to be my
husband, I am resolved to like him: nay, I think I am obliged to tell
him you are not his friend.--Master Sparkish, Master Sparkish!

_Spark._ What, what?--[_To_ HARCOURT.] Now, dear rogue, has not she wit?

_Har._ Not so much as I thought, and hoped she had. [_Speaks surlily._

_Alith._ Mr. Sparkish, do you bring people to rail at you?

_Har._ Madam--

_Spark._ How! no; but if he does rail at me, 'tis but in jest, I
warrant: what we wits do for one another, and never take any notice of
it.

_Alith._ He spoke so scurrilously of you, I had no patience to hear
him; besides, he has been making love to me.

_Har._ True, damned tell-tale woman! [_Aside._

_Spark._ Pshaw! to show his parts--we wits rail and make love often,
but to show our parts: as we have no affections, so we have no malice,
we--

_Alith._ He said you were a wretch below an injury--

_Spark._ Pshaw!

_Har._ Damned, senseless, impudent, virtuous jade! Well, since she
won't let me have her, she'll do as good, she'll make me hate her.
[_Aside._

_Alith._ A common bubble--

_Spark._ Pshaw!

_Alith._ A coward--

_Spark._ Pshaw, pshaw!

_Alith._ A senseless, drivelling idiot--

_Spark._ How! did he disparage my parts? Nay, then, my honour's
concerned, I can't put up that, sir, by the world--brother, help me
to kill him--[_Aside_] I may draw now, since we have the odds of
him:--'tis a good occasion, too, before my mistress--[_Offers to draw._

_Alith._ Hold, hold!

_Spark._ What, what?

_Alith._ [_Aside._] I must not let 'em kill the gentleman neither, for
his kindness to me: I am so far from hating him, that I wish my gallant
had his person and understanding. Nay, if my honour--

_Spark._ I'll be thy death.

_Alith._ Hold, hold! Indeed, to tell the truth, the gentleman said
after all, that what he spoke was but out of friendship to you.

_Spark._ How! say, I am, I am a fool, that is, no wit, out of
friendship to me?

_Alith._ Yes, to try whether I was concerned enough for you; and made
love to me only to be satisfied of my virtue, for your sake.

_Har._ Kind, however. [_Aside._

_Spark._ Nay, if it were so, my dear rogue, I ask thee pardon; but why
would not you tell me so, faith?

_Har._ Because I did not think on't, faith.

_Spark._ Come, Horner does not come; Harcourt, let's be gone to the new
play.--Come, madam.

_Alith._ I will not go, if you intend to leave me alone in the box, and
run into the pit, as you use to do.

_Spark._ Pshaw! I'll leave Harcourt with you in the box to entertain
you, and that's as good; if I sat in the box, I should be thought no
judge but of trimmings.--Come away, Harcourt, lead her down. [_Exeunt_
SPARKISH, HARCOURT, _and_ ALITHEA.

_Pinch._ Well, go thy ways, for the flower of the true town fops, such
as spend their estates before they come to 'em, and are cuckolds before
they're married. But let me go look to my own freehold.--How!

    _Enter_ Lady FIDGET, Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET, _and_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Lady Fid._ Your servant, sir: where is your lady? We are come to wait
upon her to the new play.

_Pinch._ New play!

_Lady Fid._ And my husband will wait upon you presently.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Damn your civility.--[_Aloud._] Madam, by no means;
I will not see Sir Jasper here, till I have waited upon him at home;
nor shall my wife see you till she has waited upon your ladyship at
your lodgings.

_Lady Fid._ Now we are here, sir?

_Pinch._ No, Madam.

_Mrs. Dain._ Pray, let us see her.

_Mrs. Squeam._ We will not stir till we see her.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] A pox on you all!--[_Goes to the door, and
returns._] She has locked the door, and is gone abroad.

_Lady Fid._ No, you have locked the door, and she's within.

_Mrs. Dain._ They told us below she was here.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Will nothing do?--[_Aloud._] Well, it must out
then. To tell you the truth, ladies, which I was afraid to let you know
before, lest it might endanger your lives, my wife has just now the
small-pox come out upon her; do not be frightened; but pray be gone,
ladies; you shall not stay here in danger of your lives; pray get you
gone, ladies.

_Lady Fid._ No, no, we have all had 'em.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Alack, alack!

_Mrs. Dain._ Come, come, we must see how it goes with her; I understand
the disease.

_Lady Fid._ Come!

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Well, there is no being too hard for women at their
own weapon, lying, therefore I'll quit the field. [_Exit._

_Mrs. Squeam._ Here's an example of jealousy!

_Lady Fid._ Indeed, as the world goes, I wonder there are no more
jealous, since wives are so neglected.

_Mrs. Dain._ Pshaw! as the world goes, to what end should they be
jealous?

_Lady Fid._ Foh! 'tis a nasty world.

_Mrs. Squeam._ That men of parts, great acquaintance, and quality,
should take up with and spend themselves and fortunes in keeping little
playhouse creatures, foh!

_Lady Fid._ Nay, that women of understanding, great acquaintance, and
good quality, should fall a-keeping too of little creatures, foh!

_Mrs. Squeam._ Why, 'tis the men of quality's fault; they never visit
women of honour and reputation as they used to do; and have not so much
as common civility for ladies of our rank, but use us with the same
indifferency and ill-breeding as if we were all married to 'em.

_Lady Fid._ She says true; 'tis an arrant shame women of quality should
be so slighted; methinks birth--birth should go for something; I have
known men admired, courted, and followed for their titles only.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Ay, one would think men of honour should not love, no
more than marry, out of their own rank.

_Mrs. Dain._ Fy, fy, upon 'em! they are come to think cross breeding
for themselves best, as well as for their dogs and horses.

_Lady Fid._ They are dogs and horses for't.

_Mrs. Squeam._ One would think, if not for love, for vanity a little.

_Mrs. Dain._ Nay, they do satisfy their vanity upon us sometimes; and
are kind to us in their report, tell all the world they lie with us.

_Lady Fid._ Damned rascals, that we should be only wronged by 'em! To
report a man has had a person, when he has not had a person, is the
greatest wrong in the whole world that can be done to a person.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Well, 'tis an arrant shame noble persons should be so
wronged and neglected.

_Lady Fid._ But still 'tis an arranter shame for a noble person to
neglect her own honour, and defame her own noble person with little
inconsiderable fellows, foh!

_Mrs. Dain._ I suppose the crime against our honour is the same with a
man of quality as with another.

_Lady Fid._ How! no sure, the man of quality is likest one's husband,
and therefore the fault should be the less.

_Mrs. Dain._ But then the pleasure should be the less.

_Lady Fid._ Fy, fy, fy, for shame, sister! whither shall we ramble? Be
continent in your discourse, or I shall hate you.

_Mrs. Dain._ Besides, an intrigue is so much the more notorious for the
man's quality.

_Mrs. Squeam._ 'Tis true that nobody takes notice of a private man, and
therefore with him 'tis more secret; and the crime's the less when 'tis
not known.

_Lady Fid._ You say true; i'faith, I think you are in the right on't:
'tis not an injury to a husband, till it be an injury to our honours;
so that a woman of honour loses no honour with a private person; and to
say truth--

_Mrs. Dain._ So, the little fellow is grown a private person--with
her--[_Apart to_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Lady Fid._ But still my dear, dear honour--

          _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, HORNER, _and_ DORILANT.

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, my dear, dear of honour, thou hast still so much honour
in thy mouth--

_Horn._ That she has none elsewhere. [_Aside._

_Lady Fid._ Oh, what d'ye mean to bring in these upon us?

_Mrs. Dain._ Foh! these are as bad as wits.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Foh!

_Lady Fid._ Let us leave the room.

_Sir Jasp._ Stay, stay; faith, to tell you the naked truth--

_Lady Fid._ Fy, Sir Jasper! do not use that word naked.

_Sir Jasp._ Well, well, in short I have business at Whitehall, and
cannot go to the play with you, therefore would have you go--

_Lady Fid._ With those two to a play?

_Sir Jasp._ No, not with t'other, but with Mr. Horner; there can be no
more scandal to go with him than with Mr. Tattle, or Master Limberham.

_Lady Fid._ With that nasty fellow! no--no.

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, prithee, dear, hear me. [_Whispers to_ Lady FIDGET.

_Horn._ Ladies--[HORNER
_and_ DORILANT _draw near_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH _and_ Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET.

_Mrs. Dain._ Stand off.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Do not approach us.

_Mrs. Dain._ You herd with the wits, you are obscenity all over.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And I would as soon look upon a picture of Adam and Eve,
without fig-leaves, as any of you, if I could help it; therefore keep
off, and do not make us sick.

_Dor._ What a devil are these?

_Horn._ Why, these are pretenders to honour, as critics to wit, only by
censuring others; and as every raw, peevish, out-of-humoured, affected,
dull, tea-drinking, arithmetical fop, sets up for a wit by railing at
men of sense, so these for honour, by railing at the court, and ladies
of as great honour as quality.

_Sir Jasp._ Come, Mr. Horner, I must desire you to go with these ladies
to the play, sir.

_Horn._ I, sir?

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, ay, come, sir.

_Horn._ I must beg your pardon, sir, and theirs; I will not be seen in
women's company in public again for the world.

_Sir Jasp._ Ha, ha, strange aversion!

_Mrs. Squeam._ No, he's for women's company in private.

_Sir Jasp._ He--poor man--he--ha! ha! ha!

_Mrs. Dain._ 'Tis a greater shame amongst lewd fellows to be seen in
virtuous women's company, than for the women to be seen with them.

_Horn._ Indeed, madam, the time was I only hated virtuous women, but
now I hate the other too; I beg your pardon, ladies.

_Lady Fid._ You are very obliging, sir, because we would not be
troubled with you.

_Sir Jasp._ In sober sadness, he shall go.

_Dor._ Nay, if he wo' not, I am ready to wait upon the ladies, and I
think I am the fitter man.

_Sir Jasp._ You sir! no, I thank you for that. Master Horner is a
privileged man amongst the virtuous ladies, 'twill be a great while
before you are so; he! he! he! he's my wife's gallant; he! he! he!
No, pray withdraw, sir, for as I take it, the virtuous ladies have no
business with you.

_Dor._ And I am sure he can have none with them. 'Tis strange a man
can't come amongst virtuous women now, but upon the same terms as men
are admitted into the Great Turk's seraglio. But heavens keep me from
being an ombre player with 'em!--But where is Pinchwife? [_Exit._

_Sir Jasp._ Come, come, man; what, avoid the sweet society of
womankind? that sweet, soft, gentle, tame, noble creature, woman, made
for man's companion--

_Horn._ So is that soft, gentle, tame, and more noble creature a
spaniel, and has all their tricks; can fawn, lie down, suffer beating,
and fawn the more; barks at your friends when they come to see you,
makes your bed hard, gives you fleas, and the mange sometimes. And all
the difference is, the spaniel's the more faithful animal, and fawns
but upon one master.

_Sir Jasp._ He! he! he!

_Mrs. Squeam._ O the rude beast!

_Mrs. Dain._ Insolent brute!

_Lady Fid._ Brute! stinking, mortified, rotten French wether, to dare--

_Sir Jasp._ Hold, an't please your ladyship.--For shame, Master Horner!
your mother was a woman--[_Aside._] Now shall I never reconcile
'em.--[_Aside to_ Lady FIDGET.] Hark you, madam, take my advice in your
anger. You know you often want one to make up your drolling pack of
ombre players, and you may cheat him easily; for he's an ill gamester,
and consequently loves play. Besides, you know you have but two old
civil gentlemen (with stinking breaths too) to wait upon you abroad;
take in the third into your service. The other are but crazy; and a
lady should have a supernumerary gentleman-usher as a supernumerary
coach-horse, lest sometimes you should be forced to stay at home.

_Lady Fid._ But are you sure he loves play, and has money?

_Sir Jasp._ He loves play as much as you, and has money as much as I.

_Lady Fid._ Then I am contented to make him pay for his scurrility.
Money makes up in a measure all other wants in men.--Those whom we
cannot make hold for gallants, we make fine. [_Aside._

_Sir Jasp._ [_Aside._] So, so; now to mollify, wheedle him.--[_Aside
to_ HORNER.] Master Horner, will you never keep civil company? methinks
'tis time now, since you are only fit for them. Come, come, man, you
must e'en fall to visiting our wives, eating at our tables, drinking
tea with our virtuous relations after dinner, dealing cards to 'em,
reading plays and gazettes to 'em, picking fleas out of their smocks
for 'em, collecting receipts, new songs, women, pages, and footmen for
'em.

_Horn._ I hope they'll afford me better employment, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ He! he! he! 'tis fit you know your work before you come
into your place. And since you are unprovided of a lady to flatter, and
a good house to eat at, pray frequent mine, and call my wife mistress,
and she shall call you gallant, according to the custom.

_Horn._ Who, I?

_Sir Jasp._ Faith, thou sha't for my sake; come, for my sake only.

_Horn._ For your sake--

_Sir Jasp._ Come, come, here's a gamester for you; let him be a little
familiar sometimes; nay, what if a little rude? Gamesters may be rude
with ladies, you know.

_Lady Fid._ Yes; losing gamesters have a privilege with women.

_Horn._ I always thought the contrary, that the winning gamester had
most privilege with women; for when you have lost your money to a man,
you'll lose anything you have, all you have, they say, and he may use
you as he pleases.

_Sir Jasp._ He! he! he! well, win or lose, you shall have your liberty
with her.

_Lady Fid._ As he behaves himself; and for your sake I'll give him
admittance and freedom.

_Horn._ All sorts of freedom, madam?

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, ay, ay, all sorts of freedom thou canst take. And so go
to her, begin thy new employment; wheedle her, jest with her, and be
better acquainted one with another.

_Horn._ [_Aside._] I think I know her already; therefore may venture
with her my secret for hers. [HORNER _and_ Lady FIDGET _whisper._

_Sir Jasp._ Sister cuz, I have provided an innocent playfellow for you
there.

_Mrs. Dain._ Who, he?

_Mrs. Squeam._ There's a playfellow, indeed!

_Sir Jasp._ Yes sure.--What, he is good enough to play at cards,
blindman's-buff, or the fool with, sometimes!

_Mrs. Squeam._ Foh! we'll have no such playfellows.

_Mrs. Dain._ No, sir; you shan't choose playfellows for us, we thank
you.

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, pray hear me. [_Whispering to them._

_Lady Fid._ But, poor gentleman, could you be so generous, so truly
a man of honour, as for the sakes of us women of honour, to cause
yourself to be reported no man? No man! and to suffer yourself the
greatest shame that could fall upon a man, that none might fall upon us
women by your conversation? but, indeed, sir, as perfectly, perfectly
the same man as before your going into France, sir? as perfectly,
perfectly, sir?

_Horn._ As perfectly, perfectly, madam. Nay, I scorn you should take my
word; I desire to be tried only, madam.

_Lady Fid._ Well, that's spoken again like a man of honour: all men
of honour desire to come to the test. But, indeed, generally you men
report such things of yourselves, one does not know how or whom to
believe; and it is come to that pass, we dare not take your words no
more than your tailor's, without some staid servant of yours be bound
with you. But I have so strong a faith in your honour, dear, dear,
noble sir, that I'd forfeit mine for yours, at any time, dear sir.

_Horn._ No, madam, you should not need to forfeit it for me; I have
given you security already to save you harmless, my late reputation
being so well known in the world, madam.

_Lady Fid._ But if upon any future falling-out, or upon a suspicion
of my taking the trust out of your hands, to employ some other, you
yourself should betray your trust, dear sir? I mean, if you'll give me
leave to speak obscenely, you might tell, dear sir.

_Horn._ If I did, nobody would believe me. The reputation of impotency
is as hardly recovered again in the world as that of cowardice, dear
madam.

_Lady Fid._ Nay, then, as one may say, you may do your worst, dear,
dear sir.

_Sir Jasp._ Come, is your ladyship reconciled to him yet? have you
agreed on matters? for I must be gone to Whitehall.

_Lady Fid._ Why, indeed, Sir Jasper, Master Horner is a thousand,
thousand times a better man than I thought him. Cousin Squeamish,
sister Dainty, I can name him now. Truly, not long ago, you know, I
thought his very name obscenity; and I would as soon have lain with him
as have named him.

_Sir Jasp._ Very likely, poor madam.

_Mrs. Dain._ I believe it.

_Mrs. Squeam._ No doubt on't.

_Sir Jasp._ Well, well--that your ladyship is as virtuous as any she,
I know, and him all the town knows--he! he! he! therefore now you like
him, get you gone to your business together, go, go to your business, I
say, pleasure, whilst I go to my pleasure, business.

_Lady Fid._ Come, then, dear gallant.

_Horn._ Come away, my dearest mistress.

_Sir Jasp._ So, so; why, 'tis as I'd have it. [_Exit._

_Horn._ And as I'd have it.

_Lady Fid._

  Who for his business from his wife will run,
  Takes the best care to have her business done.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE THIRD.


SCENE I.--_A Room in_ PINCHWIFE'S _House._

                 _Enter_ ALITHEA _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Alith._ Sister, what ails you? you are grown melancholy.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Would it not make any one melancholy to see you go every
day fluttering about abroad, whilst I must stay at home like a poor
lonely sullen bird in a cage?

_Alith._ Ay, sister; but you came young, and just from the nest to your
cage: so that I thought you liked it, and could be as cheerful in't as
others that took their flight themselves early, and are hopping abroad
in the open air.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, I confess I was quiet enough till my husband told
me what pure lives the London ladies live abroad, with their dancing,
meetings, and junketings, and dressed every day in their best gowns;
and I warrant you, play at nine-pins every day of the week, so they do.

                          _Enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ Come, what's here to do? you are putting the town-pleasures in
her head, and setting her a-longing.

_Alith._ Yes, after nine-pins. You suffer none to give her those
longings you mean but yourself.

_Pinch._ I tell her of the vanities of the town like a confessor.

_Alith._ A confessor! just such a confessor as he that, by forbidding a
silly ostler to grease the horse's teeth, taught him to do't.

_Pinch._ Come, Mrs. Flippant, good precepts are lost when bad examples
are still before us: the liberty you take abroad makes her hanker after
it, and out of humour at home. Poor wretch! she desired not to come to
London; I would bring her.

_Alith._ Very well.

_Pinch._ She has been this week in town, and never desired till this
afternoon to go abroad.

_Alith._ Was she not at a play yesterday?

_Pinch._ Yes; but she ne'er asked me; I was myself the cause of her
going.

_Alith._ Then if she ask you again, you are the cause of her asking,
and not my example.

_Pinch._ Well, to-morrow night I shall be rid of you; and the next day,
before 'tis light, she and I'll be rid of the town, and my dreadful
apprehensions.--Come, be not melancholy; for thou sha't go into the
country after to-morrow, dearest.

_Alith._ Great comfort!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pish! what d'ye tell me of the country for?

_Pinch._ How's this! what, pish at the country?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Let me alone; I am not well.

_Pinch._ O, if that be all--what ails my dearest?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Truly, I don't know: but I have not been well since you
told me there was a gallant at the play in love with me.

_Pinch._ Ha!--

_Alith._ That's by my example too!

_Pinch._ Nay, if you are not well, but are so concerned, because a lewd
fellow chanced to lie, and say he liked you, you'll make me sick too.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Of what sickness?

_Pinch._ O, of that which is worse than the plague, jealousy.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pish, you jeer! I'm sure there's no such disease in our
receipt-book at home.

_Pinch._ No, thou never met'st with it, poor innocent.--Well, if thou
cuckold me, 'twill be my own fault--for cuckolds and bastards are
generally makers of their own fortune. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Well, but pray, bud, let's go to a play to-night.

_Pinch._ 'Tis just done, she comes from it. But why are you so eager to
see a play?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Faith, dear, not that I care one pin for their talk
there; but I like to look upon the player-men, and would see, if I
could, the gallant you say loves me: that's all, dear bud.

_Pinch._ Is that all, dear bud?

_Alith._ This proceeds from my example!

_Mrs. Pinch._ But if the play be done, let's go abroad, however, dear
bud.

_Pinch._ Come have a little patience and thou shalt go into the country
on Friday.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Therefore I would see first some sights to tell my
neighbours of. Nay, I will go abroad, that's once.

_Alith._ I'm the cause of this desire too!

_Pinch._ But now I think on't, who, who was the cause of Horner's
coming to my lodgings to-day? That was you.

_Alith._ No, you, because you would not let him see your handsome wife
out of your lodging.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, O Lord! did the gentleman come hither to see me
indeed?

_Pinch._ No, no.--You are not the cause of that damned question too,
Mistress Alithea?--[_Aside._] Well, she's in the right of it. He is in
love with my wife--and comes after her--'tis so--but I'll nip his love
in the bud; lest he should follow us into the country, and break his
chariot-wheel near our house, on purpose for an excuse to come to't.
But I think I know the town.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Come, pray, bud, let's go abroad before 'tis late; for I
will go, that's flat and plain.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So! the obstinacy already of the town-wife; and I
must, whilst she's here, humour her like one.--[_Aloud._] Sister, how
shall we do, that she may not be seen, or known?

_Alith._ Let her put on her mask.

_Pinch._ Pshaw! a mask makes people but the more inquisitive, and is as
ridiculous a disguise as a stage-beard: her shape, stature, habit will
be known. And if we should meet with Horner, he would be sure to take
acquaintance with us, must wish her joy, kiss her, talk to her, leer
upon her, and the devil and all. No, I'll not use her to a mask, 'tis
dangerous; for masks have made more cuckolds than the best faces that
ever were known.

_Alith._ How will you do then?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, shall we go? The Exchange will be shut, and I have a
mind to see that.

_Pinch._ So--I have it--I'll dress her up in the suit we are to
carry down to her brother, little Sir James; nay, I understand the
town-tricks. Come, let's go dress her. A mask! no--a woman masked, like
a covered dish, gives a man curiosity and appetite; when, it may be,
uncovered, 'twould turn his stomach: no, no.

_Alith._ Indeed your comparison is something a greasy one: but I had a
gentle gallant used to say, A beauty masked, like the sun in eclipse,
gathers together more gazers than if it shined out. [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_The New Exchange._

               _Enter_ HORNER, HARCOURT, _and_ DORILANT.

_Dor._ Engaged to women, and not sup with us!

_Horn._ Ay, a pox on 'em all!

_Har._ You were much a more reasonable man in the morning, and had as
noble resolutions against 'em, as a widower of a week's liberty.

_Dor._ Did I ever think to see you keep company with women in vain?

_Horn._ In vain: no--'tis since I can't love 'em, to be revenged on 'em.

_Har._ Now your sting is gone, you looked in the box amongst all those
women like a drone in the hive; all upon you, shoved and ill-used by
'em all, and thrust from one side to t'other.

_Dor._ Yet he must be buzzing amongst 'em still, like other
beetle-headed liquorish drones. Avoid 'em, and hate 'em, as they hate
you.

_Horn._ Because I do hate 'em, and would hate 'em yet more, I'll
frequent 'em. You may see by marriage, nothing makes a man hate a woman
more than her constant conversation. In short, I converse with 'em, as
you do with rich fools, to laugh at 'em and use 'em ill.

_Dor._ But I would no more sup with women, unless I could lie with 'em,
than sup with a rich coxcomb, unless I could cheat him.

_Horn._ Yes, I have known thee sup with a fool for his drinking; if he
could set out your hand that way only, you were satisfied, and if he
were a wine-swallowing mouth, 'twas enough.

_Har._ Yes, a man drinks often with a fool, as he tosses with a marker,
only to keep his hand in use. But do the ladies drink?

_Horn._ Yes, sir; and I shall have the pleasure at least of laying 'em
flat with a bottle, and bring as much scandal that way upon 'em as
formerly t'other.

_Har._ Perhaps you may prove as weak a brother among 'em that way as
t'other.

_Dor._ Foh! drinking with women is as unnatural as scolding with 'em.
But 'tis a pleasure of decayed fornicators, and the basest way of
quenching love.

_Har._ Nay, 'tis drowning love, instead of quenching it. But leave us
for civil women too!

_Dor._ Ay, when he can't be the better for 'em. We hardly pardon a man
that leaves his friend for a wench, and that's a pretty lawful call.

_Horn._ Faith, I would not leave you for 'em, if they would not drink.

_Dor._ Who would disappoint his company at Lewis's for a gossiping?

_Har._ Foh! Wine and women, good apart, together are as nauseous as
sack and sugar. But hark you, sir, before you go, a little of your
advice; an old maimed general, when unfit for action, is fittest for
counsel. I have other designs upon women than eating and drinking
with them; I am in love with Sparkish's mistress, whom he is to marry
to-morrow: now how shall I get her?

                  _Enter_ SPARKISH, _looking about._

_Horn._ Why, here comes one will help you to her.

_Har._ He! he, I tell you, is my rival, and will hinder my love.

_Horn._ No; a foolish rival and a jealous husband assist their rival's
designs; for they are sure to make their women hate them, which is the
first step to their love for another man.

_Har._ But I cannot come near his mistress but in his company.

_Horn._ Still the better for you; for fools are most easily cheated
when they themselves are accessories: and he is to be bubbled of his
mistress as of his money, the common mistress, by keeping him company.

_Spark._ Who is that that is to be bubbled? Faith, let me snack; I
han't met with a bubble since Christmas. 'Gad, I think bubbles are like
their brother woodcocks, go out with the cold weather.

_Har._ A pox! he did not hear all, I hope. [_Apart to_ HORNER.

_Spark._ Come, you bubbling rogues you, where do we sup?--Oh, Harcourt,
my mistress tells me you have been making fierce love to her all the
play long: ha! ha!--But I--

_Har._ I make love to her!

_Spark._ Nay, I forgive thee, for I think I know thee, and I know her;
but I am sure I know myself.

_Har._ Did she tell you so? I see all women are like these of the
Exchange; who, to enhance the prize of their commodities, report to
their fond customers offers which were never made 'em.

_Horn._ Ay, women are apt to tell before the intrigue, as men after
it, and so show themselves the vainer sex. But hast thou a mistress,
Sparkish? 'Tis as hard for me to believe it, as that thou ever hadst a
bubble, as you bragged just now.

_Spark._ O, your servant, sir: are you at your raillery, sir? But we
are some of us beforehand with you to-day at the play. The wits were
something bold with you, sir; did you not hear us laugh?

_Horn._ Yes; but I thought you had gone to plays, to laugh at the
poet's wit, not at your own.

_Spark._ Your servant, sir: no, I thank you. 'Gad I go to a play as to
a country treat; I carry my own wine to one, and my own wit to t'other,
or else I'm sure I should not be merry at either. And the reason why
we are so often louder than the players, is, because we think we speak
more wit, and so become the poet's rivals in his audience: for to tell
you the truth, we hate the silly rogues; nay, so much, that we find
fault even with their bawdy upon the stage, whilst we talk nothing else
in the pit as loud.

_Horn._ But why shouldst thou hate the silly poets? Thou hast too much
wit to be one; and they, like whores, are only hated by each other: and
thou dost scorn writing, I'm sure.

_Spark._ Yes; I'd have you to know I scorn writing: but women,
women, that make men do all foolish things, make 'em write songs too.
Everybody does it. 'Tis even as common with lovers, as playing with
fans; and you can no more help rhyming to your Phillis, than drinking
to your Phillis.

_Har._ Nay, poetry in love is no more to be avoided than jealousy.

_Dor._ But the poets damned your songs, did they?

_Spark._ Damn the poets! they have turned 'em into burlesque, as they
call it. That burlesque is a hocus-pocus trick they have got, which, by
the virtue of _Hictius doctius topsy turvy_, they make a wise and witty
man in the world, a fool upon the stage you know not how: and 'tis
therefore I hate 'em too, for I know not but it may be my own case; for
they'll put a man into a play for looking asquint. Their predecessors
were contented to make serving-men only their stage-fools: but these
rogues must have gentlemen, with a pox to 'em, nay, knights; and,
indeed, you shall hardly see a fool upon the stage but he's a knight.
And to tell you the truth, they have kept me these six years from being
a knight in earnest, for fear of being knighted in a play, and dubbed a
fool.

_Dor._ Blame 'em not, they must follow their copy, the age.

_Har._ But why shouldst thou be afraid of being in a play, who expose
yourself every day in the play-houses, and at public places?

_Horn._ 'Tis but being on the stage, instead of standing on a bench in
the pit.

_Dor._ Don't you give money to painters to draw you like? and are
you afraid of your pictures at length in a playhouse, where all your
mistresses may see you?

_Spark._ A pox! painters don't draw the small-pox or pimples in one's
face. Come, damn all your silly authors whatever, all books and
booksellers, by the world; and all readers, courteous or uncourteous!

_Har._ But who comes here, Sparkish?

      _Enter_ PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE _in man's clothes_,
                          ALITHEA _and_ LUCY.

_Spark._ Oh, hide me! There's my mistress too. [SPARKISH _hides himself
behind_ HARCOURT.

_Har._ She sees you.

_Spark._ But I will not see her. 'Tis time to go to Whitehall, and I
must not fail the drawing-room.

_Har._ Pray, first carry me, and reconcile me to her.

_Spark._ Another time. Faith, the king will have supped.

_Har._ Not with the worse stomach for thy absence. Thou art one
of those fools that think their attendance at the king's meals as
necessary as his physicians, when you are more troublesome to him than
his doctors or his dogs.

_Spark._ Pshaw! I know my interest, sir. Prithee hide me.

_Horn._ Your servant, Pinchwife.--What, he knows us not!

_Pinch._ Come along. [_To his_ Wife _aside_.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, have you any ballads? give me sixpenny worth.

_Bookseller._ We have no ballads.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Then give me "Covent Garden Drollery," and a play or
two--Oh, here's "Tarugo's Wiles," and "The Slighted Maiden";[75] I'll
have them.

_Pinch._ No; plays are not for your reading. Come along; will you
discover yourself? [_Apart to her._

_Horn._ Who is that pretty youth with him, Sparkish?

_Spark._ I believe his wife's brother, because he's something like her:
but I never saw her but once.

_Horn._ Extremely handsome; I have seen a face like it too. Let us
follow 'em. [_Exeunt_ PINCHWIFE, Mrs. PINCHWIFE, ALITHEA, _and_ LUCY;
HORNER _and_ DORILANT _following them._

_Har._ Come, Sparkish, your mistress saw you, and will be angry you go
not to her. Besides, I would fain be reconciled to her, which none but
you can do, dear friend.

_Spark._ Well, that's a better reason, dear friend. I would not go
near her now for her's or my own sake; but I can deny you nothing: for
though I have known thee a great while, never go, if I do not love thee
as well as a new acquaintance.

_Mar._ I am obliged to you indeed, dear friend. I would be well with
her, only to be well with thee still; for these ties to wives usually
dissolve all ties to friends. I would be contented she should enjoy you
a-nights, but I would have you to myself a-days as I have had, dear
friend.

_Spark._ And thou shalt enjoy me a-days, dear, dear friend, never stir:
and I'll be divorced from her, sooner than from thee. Come along.

_Har._ [_Aside._] So, we are hard put to't, when we make our rival our
procurer; but neither she nor her brother would let me come near her
now. When all's done, a rival is the best cloak to steal to a mistress
under, without suspicion; and when we have once got to her as we
desire, we throw him off like other cloaks. [_Exit_ SPARKISH, HARCOURT
_following him._

              _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ [_To_ ALITHEA.] Sister, if you will not go, we must leave
you.--[_Aside._] The fool her gallant and she will muster up all
the young saunterers of this place, and they will leave their dear
sempstresses to follow us. What a swarm of cuckolds and cuckold-makers
are here!--Come, let's be gone, Mistress Margery.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Don't you believe that; I han't half my bellyfull of
sights yet.

_Pinch._ Then walk this way.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Lord, what a power of brave signs are here! stay--the
Bull's-Head, the Ram's-Head, and the Stag's-Head, dear--

_Pinch._ Nay, if every husband's proper sign here were visible, they
would be all alike.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What d'ye mean by that, bud?

_Pinch._ 'Tis no matter--no matter, bud.

_Mrs Pinch._ Pray tell me: nay, I will know.

_Pinch._ They would be all Bulls, Stags, and Rams-heads. [_Exeunt_
PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

          _Re-enter_ SPARKISH, HARCOURT, ALITHEA, _and_ LUCY,
                         _at the other side._

_Spark._ Come, dear madam, for my sake you shall be reconciled to him.

_Alith._ For your sake I hate him.

_Har._ That's something too cruel, madam, to hate me for his sake.

_Spark._ Ay indeed, madam, too, too cruel to me, to hate my friend for
my sake.

_Alith._ I hate him because he is your enemy; and you ought to hate him
too, for making love to me, if you love me.

_Spark._ That's a good one! I hate a man for loving you! If he did love
you, 'tis but what he can't help; and 'tis your fault, not his, if he
admires you. I hate a man for being of my opinion! I'll n'er do't, by
the world.

_Alith._ Is it for your honour, or mine, to suffer a man to make love
to me, who am to marry you to-morrow?

_Spark._ Is it for your honour, or mine, to have me jealous? That he
makes love to you, is a sign you are handsome; and that I am not
jealous, is a sign you are virtuous. That I think is for your honour.

_Alith._ But 'tis your honour too I am concerned for.

_Har._ But why, dearest madam, will you be more concerned for his
honour than he is himself? Let his honour alone, for my sake and his.
He! he has no honour--

_Spark._ How's that?

_Har._ But what my dear friend can guard himself.

_Spark._ O ho--that's right again.

_Har._ Your care of his honour argues his neglect of it, which is no
honour to my dear friend here. Therefore once more, let his honour go
which way it will, dear madam.

_Spark._ Ay, ay; were it for my honour to marry a woman whose virtue I
suspected, and could not trust her in a friend's hands?

_Alith._ Are you not afraid to lose me?

_Har._ He afraid to lose you, madam! No, no--you may see how the most
estimable and most glorious creature in the world is valued by him.
Will you not see it?

_Spark._ Right, honest Frank, I have that noble value for her that I
cannot be jealous of her.

_Alith._ You mistake him. He means, you care not for me, nor who has me.

_Spark._ Lord, madam, I see you are jealous! Will you wrest a poor
man's meaning from his words?

_Alith._ You astonish me, sir, with your want of jealousy.

_Spark._ And you make me giddy, madam, with your jealousy and fears,
and virtue and honour. 'Gad, I see virtue makes a woman as troublesome
as a little reading or learning.

_Alith._ Monstrous!

_Lucy._ Well, to see what easy husbands these women of quality can meet
with! a poor chambermaid can never have such ladylike luck. Besides,
he's thrown away upon her. She'll make no use of her fortune, her
blessing, none to a gentleman, for a pure cuckold; for it requires
good breeding to be a cuckold. [_Aside._

_Alith._ I tell you then plainly, he pursues me to marry me.

_Spark._ Pshaw!

_Har._ Come, madam, you see you strive in vain to make him jealous of
me. My dear friend is the kindest creature in the world to me.

_Spark._ Poor fellow!

_Har._ But his kindness only is not enough for me, without your favour,
your good opinion, dear madam: 'tis that must perfect my happiness.
Good gentleman, he believes all I say: would you would do so! Jealous
of me! I would not wrong him nor you for the world.

_Spark._ Look you there. Hear him, hear him, and do not walk away so.
[ALITHEA _walks carelessly to and fro._

_Har._ I love you, madam, so--

_Spark._ How's that? Nay, now you begin to go too far indeed.

_Har._ So much, I confess, I say, I love you, that I would not have you
miserable, and cast yourself away upon so unworthy and inconsiderable a
thing as what you see here. [_Clapping his hand on his breast, points
at_ SPARKISH.

_Spark._ No, faith, I believe thou wouldst not: now his meaning is
plain; but I knew before thou wouldst not wrong me, nor her.

_Har._ No, no, Heavens forbid the glory of her sex should fall so
low, as into the embraces of such a contemptible wretch, the least of
mankind--my friend here--I injure him! [_Embracing_ SPARKISH.

_Alith._ Very well.

_Spark._ No, no, dear friend, I knew it.--Madam, you see he will rather
wrong himself than me, in giving himself such names.

_Alith._ Do not you understand him yet?

_Spark._ Yes: how modestly he speaks of himself, poor fellow!

_Alith._ Methinks he speaks impudently of yourself, since--before
yourself too; insomuch that I can no longer suffer his scurrilous
abusiveness to you, no more than his love to me. [_Offers to go._

_Spark._ Nay, nay, madam, pray stay--his love to you! Lord, madam, has
he not spoke yet plain enough?

_Alith._ Yes, indeed, I should think so.

_Spark._ Well then, by the world, a man can't speak civilly to a woman
now, but presently she says, he makes love to her. Nay, madam, you
shall stay, with your pardon, since you have not yet understood him,
till he has made an eclaircissement of his love to you, that is, what
kind of love it is. Answer to thy catechism, friend; do you love my
mistress here?

_Har._ Yes, I wish she would not doubt it.

_Spark._ But how do you love her?

_Har._ With all my soul.

_Alith._ I thank him, methinks he speaks plain enough now.

_Spark._ [_To_ ALITHEA.] You are out still.--But with what kind of
love, Harcourt?

_Har._ With the best and the truest love in the world.

_Spark._ Look you there then, that is with no matrimonial love, I'm
sure.

_Alith._ How's that? do you say matrimonial love is not best?

_Spark._ 'Gad, I went too far ere I was aware. But speak for thyself,
Harcourt, you said you would not wrong me nor her.

_Har._ No, so, madam, e'en take him for Heaven's sake.

_Spark._ Look you there, madam.

_Har._ Who should in all justice be yours, he that loves you most.
[_Claps his hand on his breast._

_Alith._ Look you there, Mr. Sparkish, who's that?

_Spark._ Who should it be?--Go on, Harcourt.

_Har._ Who loves you more than women titles, or fortune fools. [_Points
at_ SPARKISH.

_Spark._ Look you there, he means me still, for he points at me.

_Alith._ Ridiculous!

_Har._ Who can only match your faith and constancy in love.

_Spark._ Ay.

_Har._ Who knows, if it be possible, how to value so much beauty and
virtue.

_Spark._ Ay.

_Har._ Whose love can no more be equalled in the world, than that
heavenly form of yours.

_Spark._ No.

_Har._ Who could no more suffer a rival, than your absence, and yet
could no more suspect your virtue, than his own constancy in his love
to you.

_Spark._ No.

_Har._ Who, in fine, loves you better than his eyes, that first made
him love you.

_Spark._ Ay--Nay, madam, faith, you shan't go till--

_Alith._ Have a care, lest you make me stay too long.

_Spark._ But till he has saluted you; that I may be assured you are
friends, after his honest advice and declaration. Come, pray, madam, be
friends with him.

              _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Alith._ You must pardon me, sir, that I am not yet so obedient to you.

_Pinch._ What, invite your wife to kiss men? Monstrous! are you not
ashamed? I will never forgive you.

_Spark._ Are you not ashamed, that I should have more confidence in the
chastity of your family than you have? You must not teach me, I am a
man of honour, sir, though I am frank and free; I am frank, sir--

_Pinch._ Very frank, sir, to share your wife with your friends.

_Spark._ He is an humble, menial friend, such as reconciles the
differences of the marriage bed; you know man and wife do not always
agree; I design him for that use, therefore would have him well with my
wife.

_Pinch._ A menial friend!--you will get a great many menial friends, by
showing your wife as you do.

_Spark._ What then? It may be I have a pleasure in't, as I have to show
fine clothes at a play-house, the first day, and count money before
poor rogues.

_Pinch._ He that shows his wife or money, will be in danger of having
them borrowed sometimes.

_Spark._ I love to be envied, and would not marry a wife that I alone
could love; loving alone is as dull as eating alone. Is it not a frank
age? and I am a frank person; and to tell you the truth, it may be, I
love to have rivals in a wife, they make her seem to a man still but as
a kept mistress; and so good night, for I must to Whitehall.--Madam,
I hope you are now reconciled to my friend; and so I wish you a good
night, madam, and sleep if you can: for to-morrow you know I must
visit you early with a canonical gentleman. Good night, dear Harcourt.
[_Exit._

_Har._ Madam, I hope you will not refuse my visit to-morrow, if it
should be earlier with a canonical gentleman than Mr. Sparkish's.

_Pinch._ This gentlewoman is yet under my care, therefore you must yet
forbear your freedom with her, sir. [_Coming between_ ALITHEA _and_
HARCOURT.

_Har._ Must, sir?

_Pinch._ Yes, sir, she is my sister.

_Har._ 'Tis well she is, sir--for I must be her servant, sir.--Madam--

_Pinch._ Come away, sister, we had been gone, if it had not been for
you, and so avoided these lewd rake-hells, who seem to haunt us.

                   _Re-enter_ HORNER _and_ DORILANT.

_Horn._ How now, Pinchwife!

_Pinch._ Your servant.

_Horn._ What! I see a little time in the country makes a man turn wild
and unsociable, and only fit to converse with his horses, dogs, and his
herds.

_Pinch._ I have business, sir, and must mind it; your business is
pleasure, therefore you and I must go different ways.

_Horn._ Well, you may go on, but this pretty young gentleman--[_Takes
hold of Mrs._ PINCHWIFE.

_Har._ The lady--

_Dor._ And the maid--

_Horn._ Shall stay with us; for I suppose their business is the same
with ours, pleasure.

_Pinch._ 'Sdeath, he knows her, she carries it so sillily! yet if he
does not, I should be more silly to discover it first. [_Aside._

_Alith._ Pray, let us go, sir.

_Pinch._ Come, come--

_Horn._ [_To_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.] Had you not rather stay with
us?--Prithee, Pinchwife, who is this pretty young gentleman?

_Pinch._ One to whom I'm a guardian.--[_Aside._] I wish I could keep
her out of your hands.

_Horn._ Who is he? I never saw anything so pretty in all my life.

_Pinch._ Pshaw! do not look upon him so much, he's a poor bashful
youth, you'll put him out of countenance.--Come away, brother. [_Offers
to take her away._

_Horn._ O, your brother!

_Pinch._ Yes, my wife's brother.--Come, come, she'll stay supper for us.

_Horn._ I thought so, for he is very like her I saw you at the play
with, whom I told you I was in love with.

_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside._] O jeminy! is that he that was in love with me?
I am glad on't, I vow, for he's a curious fine gentleman, and I love
him already, too.--[_To_ PINCHWIFE.] Is this he, bud?

_Pinch._ Come away, come away. [_To his_ Wife.

_Horn._ Why, what haste are you in? why won't you let me talk with him?

_Pinch._ Because you'll debauch him; he's yet young and innocent, and I
would not have him debauched for anything in the world.--[_Aside._] How
she gazes on him! the devil!

_Horn._ Harcourt, Dorilant, look you here, this is the likeness of that
dowdy he told us of, his wife; did you ever see a lovelier creature?
The rogue has reason to be jealous of his wife, since she is like him,
for she would make all that see her in love with her.

_Har._ And, as I remember now, she is as like him here as can be.

_Dor._ She is indeed very pretty, if she be like him.

_Horn._ Very pretty? a very pretty commendation!--she is a glorious
creature, beautiful beyond all things I ever beheld.

_Pinch._ So, so.

_Har._ More beautiful than a poet's first mistress of imagination.

_Horn._ Or another man's last mistress of flesh and blood.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, now you jeer, sir; pray don't jeer me.

_Pinch._ Come, come.--[_Aside._] By Heavens, she'll discover herself!

_Horn._ I speak of your sister, sir.

_Pinch._ Ay, but saying she was handsome, if like him, made him
blush.--[_Aside._] I am upon a rack!

_Horn._ Methinks he is so handsome he should not be a man.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] O, there 'tis out! he has discovered her! I am not
able to suffer any longer.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, come away, I say.

_Horn._ Nay, by your leave, sir, he shall not go yet.--[_Aside to
them._] Harcourt, Dorilant, let us torment this jealous rogue a little.

_Har. Dor._ How?

_Horn._ I'll show you.

_Pinch._ Come, pray let him go, I cannot stay fooling any longer; I
tell you his sister stays supper for us.

_Horn._ Does she? Come then, we'll all go to sup with he and thee.

_Pinch._ No, now I think on't, having stayed so long for us, I warrant
she's gone to bed.--[_Aside._] I wish she and I were well out of their
hands.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, I must rise early to-morrow, come.

_Horn._ Well then, if she be gone to bed, I wish her and you a good
night. But pray, young gentleman, present my humble service to her.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Thank you heartily, sir.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] 'Sdeath, she will discover herself yet in spite of
me--[_Aloud._] He is something more civil to you, for your kindness to
his sister, than I am, it seems.

_Horn._ Tell her, dear sweet little gentleman, for all your brother
there, that you have revived the love I had for her at first sight in
the playhouse.

_Mrs. Pinch._ But did you love her indeed, and indeed?

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So, so.--[_Aloud._] Away, I say.

_Horn._ Nay, stay.--Yes, indeed, and indeed, pray do you tell her so,
and give her this kiss from me. [_Kisses her._

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] O Heavens! what do I suffer? Now 'tis too plain he
knows her, and yet--

_Horn._ And this, and this--[_Kisses her again._

_Mrs. Pinch._ What do you kiss me for? I am no woman.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So, there, 'tis out.--[_Aloud._] Come, I cannot,
nor will stay any longer.

_Horn._ Nay, they shall send your lady a kiss too. Here, Harcourt,
Dorilant, will you not? [_They kiss her._

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] How! do I suffer this? Was I not accusing
another just now for this rascally patience, in permitting his wife
to be kissed before his face? Ten thousand ulcers gnaw away their
lips.--[_Aloud._] Come, come.

_Horn._ Good night, dear little gentleman; madam, good night: farewell,
Pinchwife.--[_Apart to_ HARCOURT _and_ DORILANT.] Did not I tell you I
would raise his jealous gall? [_Exeunt_ HORNER, HARCOURT _and_ DORILANT.

_Pinch._ So, they are gone at last; stay, let me see first if the coach
be at this door. [_Exit._

             _Re-enter_ HORNER, HARCOURT, _and_ DORILANT.

_Horn._ What, not gone yet? Will you be sure to do as I desired you,
sweet sir?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Sweet sir, but what will you give me then?

_Horn._ Anything. Come away into the next walk. [_Exit, haling away_
Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Alith._ Hold! hold! what d'ye do?

_Lucy._ Stay, stay, hold--

_Har._ Hold, madam, hold, let him present him--he'll come presently;
nay, I will never let you go till you answer my question.

_Lucy._ For God's sake, sir, I must follow 'em. [ALITHEA _and_ LUCY,
_struggling with_ HARCOURT _and_ DORILANT.

_Dor._ No, I have something to present you with too, you shan't follow
them.

                         _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ Where?--how--what's become of?--gone!--whither?

_Lucy._ He's only gone with the gentleman, who will give him something,
an't please your worship.

_Pinch._ Something!--give him something, with a pox!--where are they?

_Alith._ In the next walk only, brother.

_Pinch._ Only, only! where, where? [_Exit and returns presently, then
goes out again._

_Har._ What's the matter with him? why so much concerned? But, dearest
madam--

_Alith._ Pray let me go, sir; I have said and suffered enough already.

_Har._ Then you will not look upon, nor pity, my sufferings?

_Alith._ To look upon 'em, when I cannot help 'em, were cruelty, not
pity; therefore, I will never see you more.

_Har._ Let me then, madam, have my privilege of a banished lover,
complaining or railing, and giving you but a farewell reason why, if
you cannot condescend to marry me, you should not take that wretch, my
rival.

_Alith._ He only, not you, since my honour is engaged so far to him,
can give me a reason why I should not marry him; but if he be true, and
what I think him to me, I must be so to him. Your servant, sir.

_Har._ Have women only constancy when 'tis a vice, and are, like
Fortune, only true to fools?

_Dor._ Thou sha't not stir, thou robust creature; you see I can deal
with you, therefore you should stay the rather, and be kind. [_To_
LUCY, _who struggles to get from him._

                         _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ Gone, gone, not to be found! quite gone! ten thousand plagues
go with 'em! Which way went they?

_Alith._ But into t'other walk, brother.

_Lucy._ Their business will be done presently sure, an't please your
worship; it can't be long in doing, I'm sure on't.

_Alith._ Are they not there?

_Pinch._ No, you know where they are, you infamous wretch, eternal
shame of your family, which you do not dishonour enough yourself you
think, but you must help her to do it too, thou legion of bawds!

_Alith._ Good brother--

_Pinch._ Damned, damned sister!

_Alith._ Look you here, she's coming.

       _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE _running, with her hat full of
      oranges and dried fruit under her arm,_ HORNER _following._

_Mrs. Pinch._ O dear bud, look you here what I have got, see!

_Pinch._ And what I have got here too, which you can't see! [_Aside,
rubbing his forehead._

_Mrs. Pinch._ The fine gentleman has given me better things yet.

_Pinch._ Has he so?--[_Aside._] Out of breath and coloured!--I must
hold yet.

_Horn._ I have only given your little brother an orange, sir.

_Pinch. [To_ HORNER.] Thank you, sir.--[_Aside._] You have only
squeezed my orange, I suppose, and given it me again; yet I must have a
city patience.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, come away.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Stay, till I have put up my fine things, bud.

                      _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET.

_Sir Jasp._ O, Master Horner, come, come, the ladies stay for you; your
mistress, my wife, wonders you make not more haste to her.

_Horn._ I have stayed this half hour for you here, and 'tis your fault
I am not now with your wife.

_Sir Jasp._ But, pray, don't let her know so much; the truth on't is, I
was advancing a certain project to his majesty about--I'll tell you.

_Horn._ No, let's go, and hear it at your house. Good night, sweet
little gentleman; one kiss more, you'll remember me now, I hope.
[_Kisses her._

_Dor._ What, Sir Jasper, will you separate friends? He promised to sup
with us, and if you take him to your house, you'll be in danger of our
company too.

_Sir Jasp._ Alas! gentlemen, my house is not fit for you; there are
none but civil women there, which are not for your turn. He, you know,
can bear with the society of civil women now, ha! ha! ha! besides, he's
one of my family--he's--he! he! he!

_Dor._ What is he?

_Sir Jasp._ Faith, my eunuch, since you'll have it; he! he! he!
[_Exeunt_ Sir JASPER FIDGET _and_ HORNER.

_Dor._ I rather wish thou wert his or my cuckold. Harcourt, what a good
cuckold is lost there for want of a man to make him one? Thee and I
cannot have Horner's privilege, who can make use of it.

_Har._ Ay, to poor Horner 'tis like coming to an estate at threescore,
when a man can't be the better for't.

_Pinch._ Come.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Presently, bud.

_Dor._ Come, let us go too.--[_To_ ALITHEA.] Madam, your
servant.--[_To_ LUCY.] Good night, strapper.

_Har._ Madam, though you will not let me have a good day or night, I
wish you one; but dare not name the other half of my wish.

_Alith._ Good night, sir, for ever.

_Mrs. Pinch._ I don't know where to put this here, dear bud, you shall
eat it; nay, you shall have part of the fine gentleman's good things,
or treat, as you call it, when we come home.

_Pinch._ Indeed, I deserve it, since I furnished the best part of it.
[_Strikes away the orange._

  The gallant treats presents, and gives the ball;
  But 'tis the absent cuckold pays for all.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE FOURTH.


SCENE I.--PINCHWIFE'S _House in the morning._

          _Enter_ ALITHEA _dressed in new clothes, and_ LUCY.

_Lucy._ Well--madam, now have I dressed you, and set you out with so
many ornaments, and spent upon you ounces of essence and pulvillio;[76]
and all this for no other purpose but as people adorn and perfume a
corpse for a stinking second-hand grave: such, or as bad, I think
Master Sparkish's bed.

_Alith._ Hold your peace.

_Lucy._ Nay, madam, I will ask you the reason why you would banish
poor Master Harcourt for ever from your sight; how could you be so
hard-hearted?

_Alith._ 'Twas because I was not hard-hearted.

_Lucy._ No, no; 'twas stark love and kindness, I warrant.

_Alith._ It was so; I would see him no more because I love him.

_Lucy._ Hey day, a very pretty reason!

_Alith._ You do not understand me.

_Lucy._ I wish you may yourself.

_Alith._ I was engaged to marry, you see, another man, whom my justice
will not suffer me to deceive or injure.

_Lucy._ Can there be a greater cheat or wrong done to a man than to
give him your person without your heart? I should make a conscience of
it.

_Alith._ I'll retrieve it for him after I am married a while.

_Lucy._ The woman that marries to love better, will be as much mistaken
as the wencher that marries to live better. No, madam, marrying to
increase love is like gaming to become rich; alas! you only lose what
little stock you had before.

_Alith._ I find by your rhetoric you have been bribed to betray me.

_Lucy._ Only by his merit, that has bribed your heart, you see, against
your word and rigid honour. But what a devil is this honour! 'tis sure
a disease in the head, like the megrim or falling-sickness, that always
hurries people away to do themselves mischief. Men lose their lives by
it; women, what's dearer to 'em, their love, the life of life.

_Alith._ Come, pray talk you no more of honour, nor Master Harcourt; I
wish the other would come to secure my fidelity to him and his right in
me.

_Lucy._ You will marry him then?

_Alith._ Certainly, I have given him already my word, and will my hand
too, to make it good, when he comes.

_Lucy._ Well, I wish I may never stick pin more, if he be not an arrant
natural, to t'other fine gentleman.

_Alith._ I own he wants the wit of Harcourt, which I will dispense
withal for another want he has, which is want of jealousy, which men of
wit seldom want.

_Lucy._ Lord, madam, what should you do with a fool to your husband?
You intend to be honest, don't you? then that husbandly virtue,
credulity, is thrown away upon you.

_Alith._ He only that could suspect my virtue should have cause to do
it; 'tis Sparkish's confidence in my truth that obliges me to be so
faithful to him.

_Lucy._ You are not sure his opinion may last.

_Alith._ I am satisfied, 'tis impossible for him to be jealous after
the proofs I have had of him. Jealousy in a husband--Heaven defend me
from it! it begets a thousand plagues to a poor woman, the loss of her
honour, her quiet, and her--

_Lucy._ And her pleasure.

_Alith._ What d'ye mean, impertinent?

_Lucy._ Liberty is a great pleasure, madam.

_Alith._ I say, loss of her honour, her quiet, nay, her life sometimes;
and what's as bad almost, the loss of this town; that is, she is sent
into the country, which is the last ill-usage of a husband to a wife, I
think.

_Lucy._ [_Aside._] O, does the wind lie there?--[_Aloud._] Then of
necessity, madam, you think a man must carry his wife into the country,
if he be wise. The country is as terrible, I find, to our young English
ladies, as a monastery to those abroad; and on my virginity, I think
they would rather marry a London jailer, than a high sheriff of a
county, since neither can stir from his employment. Formerly women
of wit married fools for a great estate, a fine seat, or the like;
but now 'tis for a pretty seat only in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, St.
James's-Fields, or the Pall-Mall.

      _Enter_ SPARKISH, _and_ HARCOURT, _dressed like a_ Parson.

_Spark._ Madam, your humble servant, a happy day to you, and to us all.

_Har._ Amen.

_Alith._ Who have we here?

_Spark._ My chaplain, faith--O madam, poor Harcourt remembers his
humble service to you; and, in obedience to your last commands,
refrains coming into your sight.

_Alith._ Is not that he?

_Spark._ No, fy, no; but to show that he ne'er intended to hinder our
match, has sent his brother here to join our hands. When I get me a
wife, I must get her a chaplain, according to the custom; that is his
brother, and my chaplain.

_Alith._ His brother!

_Lucy._ And your chaplain, to preach in your pulpit then--[_Aside._

_Alith._ His brother!

_Spark._ Nay, I knew you would not believe it.--I told you, sir, she
would take you for your brother Frank.

_Alith._ Believe it!

_Lucy._ His brother! ha! ha! he! he has a trick left still, it seems.
[_Aside._

_Spark._ Come, my dearest, pray let us go to church before the
canonical hour is past.

_Alith._ For shame, you are abused still.

_Spark._ By the world, 'tis strange now you are so incredulous.

_Alith._ 'Tis strange you are so credulous.

_Spark._ Dearest of my life, hear me. I tell you this is Ned Harcourt
of Cambridge, by the world; you see he has a sneaking college look.
'Tis true he's something like his brother Frank; and they differ from
each other no more than in their age, for they were twins.

_Lucy._ Ha! ha! ha!

_Alith._ Your servant, sir; I cannot be so deceived, though you are.
But come, let's hear, how do you know what you affirm so confidently?

_Spark._ Why, I'll tell you all. Frank Harcourt coming to me this
morning to wish me joy, and present his service to you, I asked him if
he could help me to a parson. Whereupon he told me, he had a brother in
town who was in orders; and he went straight away, and sent him, you
see there, to me.

_Alith._ Yes, Frank goes and puts on a black coat, then tells you he is
Ned; that's all you have for't.

_Spark._ Pshaw! pshaw! I tell you, by the same token, the midwife put
her garter about Frank's neck, to know 'em asunder, they were so like.

_Alith._ Frank tells you this too?

_Spark._ Ay, and Ned there too: nay, they are both in a story.

_Alith._ So, so; very foolish.

_Spark._ Lord, if you won't believe one, you had best try him by your
chambermaid there; for chambermaids must needs know chaplains from
other men, they are so used to 'em.

_Lucy._ Let's see: nay, I'll be sworn he has the canonical smirk, and
the filthy clammy palm of a chaplain.

_Alith._ Well, most reverend doctor, pray let us make an end of this
fooling.

_Har._ With all my soul, divine heavenly creature, when you please.

_Alith._ He speaks like a chaplain indeed.

_Spark._ Why, was there not soul, divine, heavenly, in what he said?

_Alith._ Once more, most impertinent black coat, cease your
persecution, and let us have a conclusion of this ridiculous love.

_Har._ I had forgot, I must suit my style to my coat, or I wear it in
vain. [_Aside._

_Alith._ I have no more patience left; let us make once an end of this
troublesome love, I say.

_Har._ So be it, seraphic lady, when your honour shall think it meet
and convenient so to do.

_Spark._ 'Gad I'm sure none but a chaplain could speak so, I think.

_Alith._ Let me tell you, sir, this dull trick will not serve your
turn; though you delay our marriage, you shall not hinder it.

_Har._ Far be it from me, munificent patroness, to delay your marriage;
I desire nothing more than to marry you presently, which I might do,
if you yourself would; for my noble, good-natured, and thrice generous
patron here would not hinder it.

_Spark._ No, poor man, not I, faith.

_Har._ And now, madam, let me tell you plainly nobody else shall marry
you; by Heavens! I'll die first, for I'm sure I should die after it.

_Lucy._ How his love has made him forget his function, as I have seen
it in real parsons!

_Alith._ That was spoken like a chaplain too? now you understand him, I
hope.

_Spark._ Poor man, he takes it heinously to be refused; I can't blame
him, 'tis putting an indignity upon him, not to be suffered; but you'll
pardon me, madam, it shan't be; he shall marry us; come away, pray
madam.

_Lucy._ Ha! ha! he! more ado! 'tis late.

_Alith._ Invincible stupidity! I tell you, he would marry me as your
rival, not as your chaplain.

_Spark._ Come, come, madam. [_Pulling her away._

_Lucy._ I pray, madam, do not refuse this reverend divine the honour
and satisfaction of marrying you; for I dare say, he has set his heart
upon't, good doctor.

_Alith._ What can you hope or design by this?

_Har._ I could answer her, a reprieve for a day only, often revokes
a hasty doom. At worst, if she will not take mercy on me, and let me
marry her, I have at least the lover's second pleasure, hindering my
rival's enjoyment, though but for a time. [_Aside_.

_Spark._ Come, madam, 'tis e'en twelve o'clock, and my mother charged
me never to be married out of the canonical hours. Come, come; Lord,
here's such a deal of modesty, I warrant, the first day.

_Lucy._ Yes, an't please your worship, married women show all their
modesty the first day, because married men show all their love the
first day. [_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--_A Bedchamber in_ PINCHWIFE'S _House._

             PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE _discovered._

_Pinch._ Come, tell me, I say.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Lord! han't I told it a hundred times over?

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] I would try, if in the repetition of the ungrateful
tale, I could find her altering it in the least circumstance; for if
her story be false, she is so too.--[_Aloud._] Come, how was't, baggage?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Lord, what pleasure you take to hear it sure!

_Pinch._ No, you take more in telling it I find; but speak, how was't?

_Mrs. Pinch._ He carried me up into the house next to the Exchange.

_Pinch._ So, and you two were only in the room!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, for he sent away a youth that was there, for some
dried fruit, and China oranges.

_Pinch._ Did he so? Damn him for it--and for--

_Mrs. Pinch._ But presently came up the gentlewoman of the house.

_Pinch._ O, 'twas well she did; but what did he do whilst the fruit
came?

_Mrs. Pinch._ He kissed me a hundred times, and told me he fancied he
kissed my fine sister, meaning me, you know, whom he said he loved with
all his soul, and bid me be sure to tell her so, and to desire her to
be at her window, by eleven of the clock this morning, and he would
walk under it at that time.

_Pinch._ And he was as good as his word, very punctual; a pox reward
him for't. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Well, and he said if you were not within, he would come
up to her, meaning me, you know, bud, still.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So--he knew her certainly; but for this
confession, I am obliged to her simplicity.--[_Aloud._] But what, you
stood very still when he kissed you?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, I warrant you; would you have had me discovered
myself?

_Pinch._ But you told me he did some beastliness to you, as you call
it; what was't?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, he put--

_Pinch._ What?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, he put the tip of his tongue between my lips, and so
mousled me--and I said, I'd bite it.

_Pinch._ An eternal canker seize it, for a dog!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, you need not be so angry with him neither, for to
say truth, he has the sweetest breath I ever knew.

_Pinch._ The devil! you were satisfied with it then, and would do it
again?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Not unless he should force me.

_Pinch._ Force you, changeling! I tell you, no woman can be forced.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, but she may sure, by such a one as he, for he's a
proper, goodly, strong man; 'tis hard, let me tell you, to resist him.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So, 'tis plain she loves him, yet she has not
love enough to make her conceal it from me; but the sight of him will
increase her aversion for me and love for him; and that love instruct
her how to deceive me and satisfy him, all idiot as she is. Love! 'twas
he gave women first their craft, their art of deluding. Out of Nature's
hands they came plain, open, silly, and fit for slaves, as she and
Heaven intended 'em; but damned Love--well--I must strangle that little
monster whilst I can deal with him.--[_Aloud._] Go fetch pen, ink, and
paper out of the next room.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, bud. [_Exit._

_Pinch._ Why should women have more invention in love than men? It can
only be, because they have more desires, more soliciting passions,
more lust, and more of the devil.

                      _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

Come, minx, sit down and write.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay, dear bud, but I can't do't very well.

_Pinch._ I wish you could not at all.

_Mrs. Pinch._ But what should I write for?

_Pinch._ I'll have you write a letter to your lover.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, to the fine gentleman a letter!

_Pinch._ Yes, to the fine gentleman.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Lord, you do but jeer: sure you jest.

_Pinch._ I am not so merry: come, write as I bid you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What, do you think I am a fool?

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] She's afraid I would not dictate any love to him,
therefore she's unwilling.--[_Aloud._] But you had best begin.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Indeed, and indeed, but I won't, so I won't.

_Pinch._ Why?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Because he's in town; you may send for him if you will.

_Pinch._ Very well, you would have him brought to you; is it come to
this? I say, take the pen and write, or you'll provoke me.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Lord, what d'ye make a fool of me for? Don't I know that
letters are never writ but from the country to London, and from London
into the country? Now he's in town, and I am in town too; therefore I
can't write to him, you know.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So, I am glad it is no worse; she is innocent
enough yet.--[_Aloud._] Yes, you may, when your husband bids you, write
letters to people that are in town.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O, may I so? then I'm satisfied.

_Pinch._ Come, begin:--"Sir"--[_Dictates._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Shan't I say, "Dear Sir?"--You know one says always
something more than bare "sir."

_Pinch._ Write as I bid you, or I will write whore with this penknife
in your face.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, good bud--"Sir"--[_Writes._

_Pinch._ "Though I suffered last night your nauseous, loathed kisses
and embraces"--Write!

_Mrs. Pinch_ Nay, why should I say so? You know I told you he had a
sweet breath.

_Pinch._ Write!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Let me but put out "loathed."

_Pinch._ Write, I say!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Well then. [_Writes._

_Pinch._ Let's see, what have you writ?--[_Takes the paper and reads._]
"Though I suffered last night your kisses and embraces"--Thou impudent
creature! where is "nauseous" and "loathed?"

_Mrs. Pinch._ I can't abide to write such filthy words.

_Pinch._ Once more write as I'd have you, and question it not, or I
will spoil thy writing with this. I will stab out those eyes that cause
my mischief. [_Holds up the penknife._

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord! I will.

_Pinch._ So--so--let's see now.--[_Reads._] "Though I suffered last
night your nauseous, loathed kisses and embraces"--go on--"yet I would
not have you presume that you shall ever repeat them"--so--[_She
writes._

_Mrs. Pinch._ I have writ it.

_Pinch._ On, then--"I then concealed myself from your knowledge, to
avoid your insolencies."--[_She writes._

_Mrs. Pinch._ So--

_Pinch._ "The same reason, now I am out of your hands--" [_She writes._

_Mrs. Pinch._ So--

_Pinch._ "Makes me own to you my unfortunate, though innocent frolic,
of being in man's clothes"--[_She writes._

_Mrs. Pinch._ So--

_Pinch._ "That you may for evermore cease to pursue her, who hates and
detests you"--[_She writes on._

_Mrs. Pinch._ So--heigh! [_Sighs._

_Pinch._ What, do you sigh?--"detests you--as much as she loves her
husband and her honour--"

_Mrs. Pinch._ I vow, husband, he'll ne'er believe I should write such a
letter.

_Pinch._ What, he'd expect a kinder from you? Come, now your name only.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What, shan't I say "Your most faithful humble servant
till death?"

_Pinch._ No, tormenting fiend!--[_Aside._] Her style, I find, would be
very soft.--[_Aloud._] Come, wrap it up now whilst I go fetch wax and a
candle; and write on the backside, "For Mr. Horner." [_Exit._

_Mrs. Pinch._ "For Mr. Horner."--So, I am glad he has told me his name.
Dear Mr. Horner! but why should I send thee such a letter that will vex
thee, and make thee angry with me?--Well, I will not send it.--Ay, but
then my husband will kill me--for I see plainly he won't let me love
Mr. Horner--but what care I for my husband?--I won't, so I won't, send
poor Mr. Horner such a letter--But then my husband--but oh, what if I
writ at bottom my husband made me write it?--Ay, but then my husband
would see't--Can one have no shift? ah, a London woman would have had
a hundred presently. Stay--what if I should write a letter, and wrap
it up like this, and write upon't too? Ay, but then my husband would
see't--I don't know what to do.--But yet evads I'll try, so I will--for
I will not send this letter to poor Mr. Horner, come what will on't.

"Dear, sweet Mr. Horner"--[_Writes and repeats what she
writes._]--so--"my husband would have me send you a base, rude,
unmannerly letter; but I won't"--so--"and would have me forbid you
loving me; but I won't"--so--"and would have me say to you, I hate you,
poor Mr. Horner; but I won't tell a lie for him"--there--"for I'm
sure if you and I were in the country at cards together"--so--"I could
not help treading on your toe under the table"--so--"or rubbing knees
with you, and staring in your face, till you saw me"--very well--"and
then looking down, and blushing for an hour together"--so--"but I must
make haste before my husband comes: and now he has taught me to write
letters, you shall have longer ones from me, who am, dear, dear, poor,
dear Mr. Horner, your most humble friend, and servant to command till
death,--Margery Pinchwife."

Stay, I must give him a hint at bottom--so--now wrap it up just like
t'other--so--now write "For Mr. Horner"--But oh now, what shall I do
with it? for here comes my husband.

                         _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] I have been detained by a sparkish coxcomb, who
pretended a visit to me; but I fear 'twas to my wife--[_Aloud._] What,
have you done?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay, ay, bud, just now.

_Pinch._ Let's see't: what d'ye tremble for? what, you would not have
it go?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Here--[_Aside._] No, I must not give him that: so I had
been served if I had given him this. [_He opens and reads the first
letter._

_Pinch._ Come, where's the wax and seal?

_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside._] Lord, what shall I do now? Nay, then I have
it--[_Aloud._] Pray let me see't. Lord, you think me so arrant a fool,
I cannot seal a letter; I will do't, so I will. [_Snatches the letter
from him, changes it for the other, seals it, and delivers it to him._

_Pinch._ Nay, I believe you will learn that, and other things too,
which I would not have you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ So, han't I done it curiously[77]?--[_Aside._] I think I
have; there's my letter going to Mr. Horner, since he'll needs have me
send letters to folks.

_Pinch._ 'Tis very well; but I warrant, you would not have it go now?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, indeed, but I would, bud, now.

_Pinch._ Well, you are a good girl then. Come, let me lock you up
in your chamber, till I come back; and be sure you come not within
three strides of the window when I am gone, for I have a spy in the
street.--[_Exit_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE, PINCHWIFE _locks the door._] At least,
'tis fit she think so. If we do not cheat women, they'll cheat us, and
fraud may be justly used with secret enemies, of which a wife is the
most dangerous; and he that has a handsome one to keep, and a frontier
town, must provide against treachery, rather than open force. Now I
have secured all within, I'll deal with the foe without, with false
intelligence. [_Holds up the letter. Exit._


SCENE III.--HORNER'S _Lodging_

                      _Enter_ HORNER _and_ Quack.

_Quack._ Well, sir, how fadges[78] the new design? have you not the
luck of all your brother projectors, to deceive only yourself at last?

_Horn._ No, good domine doctor, I deceive you, it seems, and others
too; for the grave matrons, and old, rigid husbands think me as unfit
for love, as they are; but their wives, sisters, and daughters know,
some of 'em, better things already.

_Quack._ Already!

_Horn._ Already, I say. Last night I was drunk with half-a-dozen of
your civil persons, as you call 'em, and people of honour, and so
was made free of their society and dressing-rooms for ever hereafter;
and am already come to the privileges of sleeping upon their pallets,
warming smocks, tying shoes and garters, and the like, doctor, already,
already, doctor.

_Quack._ You have made good use of your time, sir.

_Horn._ I tell thee, I am now no more interruption to 'em, when they
sing, or talk bawdy, than a little squab French page who speaks no
English.

_Quack._ But do civil persons and women of honour drink, and sing bawdy
songs?

_Horn._ O, amongst friends, amongst friends. For your bigots in honour
are just like those in religion; they fear the eye of the world more
than the eye of Heaven; and think there is no virtue, but railing at
vice, and no sin, but giving scandal. They rail at a poor, little, kept
player, and keep themselves some young, modest pulpit comedian to be
privy to their sins in their closets, not to tell 'em of them in their
chapels.

_Quack._ Nay, the truth on't is, priests, amongst the women now, have
quite got the better of us lay-confessors, physicians.

_Horn._ And they are rather their patients; but--

               _Enter_ Lady FIDGET, _looking about her._

Now we talk of women of honour, here comes one. Step behind the screen
there, and but observe, if I have not particular privileges with the
women of reputation already, doctor, already. [Quack _retires._

_Lady Fid._ Well, Horner, am not I a woman of honour? you see, I'm as
good as my word.

_Horn._ And you shall see, madam, I'll not be behindhand with you
in honour; and I'll be as good as my word too, if you please but to
withdraw into the next room.

_Lady Fid._ But first, my dear sir, you must promise to have a care of
my dear honour.

_Horn._ If you talk a word more of your honour, you'll make me
incapable to wrong it. To talk of honour in the mysteries of love, is
like talking of Heaven or the Deity, in an operation of witchcraft,
just when you are employing the devil: it makes the charm impotent.

_Lady Fid._ Nay, fy! let us not be smutty. But you talk of mysteries
and bewitching to me; I don't understand you.

_Horn._ I tell you, madam, the word money in a mistress's mouth, at
such a nick of time, is not a more disheartening sound to a younger
brother, than that of honour to an eager lover like myself.

_Lady Fid._ But you can't blame a lady of my reputation to be chary.

_Horn._ Chary! I have been chary of it already, by the report I have
caused of myself.

_Lady Fid._ Ay, but if you should ever let other women know that
dear secret, it would come out. Nay, you must have a great care of
your conduct; for my acquaintance are so censorious, (oh, 'tis a
wicked, censorious world, Mr. Horner!) I say, are so censorious, and
detracting, that perhaps they'll talk to the prejudice of my honour,
though you should not let them know the dear secret.

_Horn._ Nay, madam, rather than they shall prejudice your honour, I'll
prejudice theirs; and, to serve you, I'll lie with 'em all, make the
secret their own, and then they'll keep it. I am a Machiavel in love,
madam.

_Lady Fid._ O, no sir, not that way.

_Horn._ Nay, the devil take me, if censorious women are to be silenced
any other way.

_Lady Fid._ A secret is better kept, I hope, by a single person than
a multitude; therefore pray do not trust any body else with it, dear,
dear Mr. Horner. [_Embracing him._

                      _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET.

_Sir Jasp._ How now!

_Lady Fid._ [_Aside._] O my husband!--prevented--and what's almost
as bad, found with my arms about another man--that will appear too
much--what shall I say?--[_Aloud._] Sir Jasper, come hither: I am
trying if Mr. Horner were ticklish, and he's as ticklish as can be. I
love to torment the confounded toad; let you and I tickle him.

_Sir Jasp._ No, your ladyship will tickle him better without me, I
suppose. But is this your buying china? I thought you had been at the
china-house.

_Horn._ [_Aside._] China-house! that's my cue, I must take
it.--[_Aloud._] A pox! can't you keep your impertinent wives at home?
Some men are troubled with the husbands, but I with the wives; but I'd
have you to know, since I cannot be your journeyman by night, I will
not be your drudge by day, to squire your wife about, and be your man
of straw, or scarecrow only to pies and jays, that would be nibbling at
your forbidden fruit; I shall be shortly the hackney gentleman-usher of
the town.

_Sir Jasp._ [_Aside._] He! he! he! poor fellow, he's in the right
on't, faith. To squire women about for other folks is as ungrateful an
employment, as to tell money for other folks.--[_Aloud._] He! he! he!
be'n't angry, Horner.

_Lady Fid._ No, 'tis I have more reason to be angry, who am left by
you, to go abroad indecently alone; or, what is more indecent, to pin
myself upon such ill-bred people of your acquaintance as this is.

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, prithee, what has he done?

_Lady Fid._ Nay, he has done nothing.

_Sir Jasp._ But what d'ye take ill, if he has done nothing?

_Lady Fid._ Ha! ha! ha! faith, I can't but laugh however; why, d'ye
think the unmannerly toad would come down to me to the coach? I was
fain to come up to fetch him, or go without him, which I was resolved
not to do; for he knows china very well, and has himself very good, but
will not let me see it, lest I should beg some; but I will find it out,
and have what I came for yet.

_Horn._ [_Apart to_ Lady FIDGET, _as he follows her to the door._]
Lock the door, madam.--[_Exit_ Lady FIDGET, _and locks the
door._]--[_Aloud._] So, she has got into my chamber and locked me out.
Oh the impertinency of woman-kind! Well, Sir Jasper, plain-dealing is a
jewel; if ever you suffer your wife to trouble me again here, she shall
carry you home a pair of horns; by my lord mayor she shall; though I
cannot furnish you myself, you are sure, yet I'll find a way.

_Sir Jasp._ Ha! ha! he!--[_Aside._] At my first coming in, and finding
her arms about him, tickling him it seems, I was half jealous, but now
I see my folly.--[_Aloud._] He! he! he! poor Horner.

_Horn._ Nay, though you laugh now, 'twill be my turn ere long. Oh
women, more impertinent, more cunning, and more mischievous than their
monkeys, and to me almost as ugly!--Now is she throwing my things about
and rifling all I have; but I'll get into her the back way, and so
rifle her for it.

_Sir Jasp._ Ha! ha! ha! poor angry Horner.

_Horn._ Stay here a little, I'll ferret her out to you presently, I
warrant. _Exit at the other door._ [Sir JASPER _talks through the door
to his_ Wife, _she answers from within._

_Sir Jasp._ Wife! my Lady Fidget! wife! he is coming in to you the back
way.

_Lady Fid._ Let him come, and welcome, which way he will.

_Sir Jasp._ He'll catch you, and use you roughly, and be too strong for
you.

_L. Fid._ Don't you trouble yourself, let him if he can.

_Quack._ [_Aside._] This indeed I could not have believed from him, nor
any but my own eyes.

                        _Enter_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Where's this woman-hater, this toad, this ugly, greasy,
dirty sloven?

_Sir Jasp._ [_Aside._] So, the women all will have him ugly; methinks
he is a comely person, but his wants make his form contemptible to 'em;
and 'tis e'en as my wife said yesterday, talking of him, that a proper
handsome eunuch was as ridiculous a thing as a gigantic coward.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Sir Jasper, your servant: where is the odious beast?

_Sir Jasp._ He's within in his chamber, with my wife; she's playing the
wag with him.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Is she so? and he's a clownish beast, he'll give her
no quarter, he'll play the wag with her again, let me tell you: come,
let's go help her--What, the door's locked?

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, my wife locked it.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Did she so? let's break it open then.

_Sir Jasp._ No, no, he'll do her no hurt.

_Mrs. Squeam._ [_Aside._] But is there no other way to get in to 'em?
whither goes this? I will disturb 'em. [_Exit at another door._

                      _Enter_ Old Lady SQUEAMISH.

_L. Squeam._ Where is this harlotry, this impudent baggage, this
rambling tomrigg?[79] O Sir Jasper, I'm glad to see you here; did you
not see my vile grandchild come in hither just now?

_Sir Jasp._ Yes.

_L. Squeam._ Ay, but where is she then? where is she? Lord, Sir Jasper,
I have e'en rattled myself to pieces in pursuit of her: but can you
tell what she makes here? they say below, no woman lodges here.

_Sir Jasp._ No.

_L. Squeam._ No! what does she here then? say, if it be not a woman's
lodging, what makes she here? But are you sure no woman lodges here?

_Sir Jasp._ No, nor no man neither, this is Mr. Horner's lodging.

_L. Squeam._ Is it so, are you sure?

_Sir Jasp._ Yes, yes.

_L. Squeam._ So; then there's no hurt in't, I hope. But where is he?

_Sir Jasp._ He's in the next room with my wife.

_L. Squeam._ Nay, if you trust him with your wife, I may with my Biddy.
They say, he's a merry harmless man now, e'en as harmless a man as ever
came out of Italy with a good voice, and as pretty, harmless company
for a lady, as a snake without his teeth.

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, ay, poor man.

                      _Re-enter_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Mrs. Squeam._ I can't find 'em.--Oh, are you here, grandmother? I
followed, you must know, my Lady Fidget hither; 'tis the prettiest
lodging, and I have been staring on the prettiest pictures--

      _Re-enter_ Lady FIDGET _with a piece of china in her hand,
                       and_ HORNER _following._

_L. Fid._ And I have been toiling and moiling for the prettiest piece
of china, my dear.

_Horn._ Nay, she has been too hard for me, do what I could.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Oh, lord, I'll have some china too. Good Mr. Horner,
don't think to give other people china, and me none; come in with me
too.

_Horn._ Upon my honour, I have none left now.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Nay, nay, I have known you deny your china before now,
but you shan't put me off so. Come.

_Horn._ This lady had the last there.

_L. Fid._ Yes indeed, madam, to my certain knowledge, he has no more
left.

_Mrs. Squeam._ O, but it may be he may have some you could not find.

_L. Fid._ What, d'ye think if he had had any left, I would not have had
it too? for we women of quality never think we have china enough.

_Horn._ Do not take it ill, I cannot make china for you all, but I will
have a roll-waggon for you too, another time.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Thank you, dear toad.

_L. Fid._ What do you mean by that promise? [_Aside to_ HORNER.

_Horn._ Alas, she has an innocent, literal understanding. [_Aside to_
Lady FIDGET.

_L. Squeam._ Poor Mr. Horner! he has enough to do to please you all, I
see.

_Horn._ Ay, madam, you see how they use me.

_L. Squeam._ Poor gentleman, I pity you.

_Horn._ I thank you, madam: I could never find pity, but from such
reverend ladies as you are; the young ones will never spare a man.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Come, come, beast, and go dine with us; for we shall
want a man at ombre after dinner.

_Horn._ That's all their use of me, madam, you see.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Come, sloven, I'll lead you, to be sure of you. [_Pulls
him by the cravat._

_L. Squeam._ Alas, poor man, how she tugs him! Kiss, kiss her; that's
the way to make such nice women quiet.

_Horn._ No, madam, that remedy is worse than the torment; they know I
dare suffer anything rather than do it.

_L. Squeam._ Prithee kiss her, and I'll give you her picture in little,
that you admired so last night; prithee do.

_Horn._ Well, nothing but that could bribe me: I love a woman only in
effigy, and good painting as much as I hate them.--I'll do't, for I
could adore the devil well painted. [_Kisses_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Foh, you filthy toad! nay, now I've done jesting.

_L. Squeam._ Ha! ha I ha! I told you so.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Foh! a kiss of his--

_Sir Jasp._ Has no more hurt in't than one of my spaniel's.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Nor no more good neither.

_Quack._ I will now believe anything he tells me. [_Aside._

                          _Enter_ PINCHWIFE.

_L. Fid._ O lord, here's a man! Sir Jasper, my mask, my mask! I would
not be seen here for the world.

_Sir Jasp._ What, not when I am with you?

_L. Fid._ No, no, my honour--let's be gone.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Oh grandmother, let's be gone; make haste, make haste, I
know not how he may censure us.

_L. Fid._ Be found in the lodging of anything like a man!--Away.
[_Exeunt_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, Lady FIDGET, Old Lady SQUEAMISH, _and_
Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Quack._ What's here? another cuckold? he looks like one, and none else
sure have any business with him. [_Aside._

_Horn._ Well, what brings my dear friend hither?

_Pinch._ Your impertinency.

_Horn._ My impertinency!--why, you gentlemen that have got handsome
wives, think you have a privilege of saying anything to your friends,
and are as brutish as if you were our creditors.

_Pinch._ No, sir, I'll ne'er trust you any way.

_Horn._ But why not, dear Jack? why diffide in me thou know'st so well?

_Pinch._ Because I do know you so well.

_Horn._ Han't I been always thy friend, honest Jack, always ready to
serve thee, in love or battle, before thou wert married, and am so
still?

_Pinch._ I believe so, you would be my second now, indeed.

_Horn._ Well then, dear Jack, why so unkind, so grum, so strange to
me? Come, prithee kiss me, dear rogue: gad I was always, I say, and am
still as much thy servant as--

_Pinch._ As I am yours, sir. What, you would send a kiss to my wife, is
that it?

_Horn._ So, there 'tis--a man can't show his friendship to a married
man, but presently he talks of his wife to you. Prithee, let thy wife
alone, and let thee and I be all one, as we were wont. What, thou art
as shy of my kindness, as a Lombard-street alderman of a courtier's
civility at Locket's![80]

_Pinch._ But you are over-kind to me, as kind as if I were your cuckold
already; yet I must confess you ought to be kind and civil to me, since
I am so kind, so civil to you, as to bring you this: look you there,
sir. [_Delivers him a letter._

_Horn._ What is't?

_Pinch._ Only a love-letter, sir.

_Horn._ From whom?--how! this is from your wife--hum--and hum--[_Reads._

_Pinch._ Even from my wife, sir: am I not wondrous kind and civil to
you now too?--[_Aside._] But you'll not think her so.

_Horn._ Ha! is this a trick of his or hers? [_Aside._

_Pinch._ The gentleman's surprised I find.--What, you expected a kinder
letter?

_Horn._ No faith, not I, how could I?

_Pinch._ Yes, yes, I'm sure you did. A man so well made as you are,
must needs be disappointed, if the women declare not their passion at
first sight or opportunity.

_Horn._ [_Aside._] But what should this mean? Stay, the
postscript.--[_Reads aside._] "Be sure you love me, whatsoever my
husband says to the contrary, and let him not see this, lest he should
come home and pinch me, or kill my squirrel."--It seems he knows not
what the letter contains.

_Pinch._ Come, ne'er wonder at it so much.

_Horn._ Faith, I can't help it.

_Pinch._ Now, I think I have deserved your infinite friendship and
kindness, and have showed myself sufficiently an obliging kind friend
and husband; am I not so, to bring a letter from my wife to her gallant?

_Horn._ Ay, the devil take me, art thou, the most obliging, kind friend
and husband in the world, ha! ha!

_Pinch._ Well, you may be merry, sir; but in short I must tell you,
sir, my honour will suffer no jesting.

_Horn._ What dost thou mean?

_Pinch._ Does the letter want a comment? Then, know, sir, though I have
been so civil a husband, as to bring you a letter from my wife, to let
you kiss and court her to my face, I will not be a cuckold, sir, I will
not.

_Horn._ Thou art mad with jealousy. I never saw thy wife in my life but
at the play yesterday, and I know not if it were she or no. I court
her, kiss her!

_Pinch._ I will not be a cuckold, I say; there will be danger in making
me a cuckold.

_Horn._ Why, wert thou not well cured of thy last clap?

_Pinch._ I wear a sword.

_Horn._ It should be taken from thee, lest thou shouldst do thyself a
mischief with it; thou art mad, man.

_Pinch._ As mad as I am, and as merry as you are, I must have more
reason from you ere we part. I say again, though you kissed and courted
last night my wife in man's clothes, as she confesses in her letter--

_Horn._ Ha! [_Aside._

_Pinch._ Both she and I say, you must not design it again, for you have
mistaken your woman, as you have done your man.

_Horn._ [_Aside._] O--I understand something now--[_Aloud._] Was that
thy wife! Why wouldst thou not tell me 'twas she? Faith, my freedom
with her was your fault, not mine.

_Pinch._ Faith, so 'twas. [_Aside._

_Horn._ Fy! I'd never do't to a woman before her husband's face, sure.

_Pinch._ But I had rather you should do't to my wife before my face,
than behind my back; and that you shall never do.

_Horn._ No--you will hinder me.

_Pinch._ If I would not hinder you, you see by her letter she would.

_Horn._ Well, I must e'en acquiesce then, and be contented with what
she writes.

_Pinch._ I'll assure you 'twas voluntarily writ; I had no hand in't you
may believe me.

_Horn._ I do believe thee, faith.

_Pinch._ And believe her too, for she's an innocent creature, has no
dissembling in her: and so fare you well, sir.

_Horn._ Pray, however, present my humble service to her, and tell her,
I will obey her letter to a tittle, and fulfil her desires, be what
they will, or with what difficulty soever I do't; and you shall be no
more jealous of me, I warrant her, and you.

_Pinch._ Well then, fare you well; and play with any man's honour but
mine, kiss any man's wife but mine, and welcome. [_Exit._

_Horn._ Ha! ha! ha! doctor.

_Quack._ It seems, he has not heard the report of you, or does not
believe it.

_Horn._ Ha! ha!--now, doctor, what think you?

_Quack._ Pray let's see the letter--hum--"for--dear--love you--"
[_Reads the letter._

_Horn._ I wonder how she could contrive it! What say'st thou to't? 'tis
an original.

_Quack._ So are your cuckolds too originals: for they are like no other
common cuckolds, and I will henceforth believe it not impossible for
you to cuckold the Grand Signior amidst his guards of eunuchs, that I
say.

_Horn._ And I say for the letter, 'tis the first love-letter that ever
was without flames, darts, fates, destinies, lying and dissembling in't.

               _Enter_ SPARKISH _pulling in_ PINCHWIFE.

_Spark._ Come back, you are a pretty brother-in-law, neither go to
church nor to dinner with your sister bride!

_Pinch._ My sister denies her marriage, and you see is gone away from
you dissatisfied.

_Spark._ Pshaw! upon a foolish scruple, that our parson was not in
lawful orders, and did not say all the common-prayer; but 'tis her
modesty only I believe. But let all women be never so modest the first
day, they'll be sure to come to themselves by night, and I shall have
enough of her then. In the mean time, Harry Horner, you must dine with
me: I keep my wedding at my aunt's in the Piazza.[81]

_Horn._ Thy wedding! what stale maid has lived to despair of a husband,
or what young one of a gallant?

_Spark._ O, your servant, sir--this gentleman's sister then,--no stale
maid.

_Horn._ I'm sorry for't.

_Pinch._ How comes he so concerned for her? [_Aside._

_Spark._ You sorry for't? why, do you know any ill by her?

_Horn._ No, I know none but by thee; 'tis for her sake, not yours, and
another man's sake that might have hoped, I thought.

_Spark._ Another man! another man! what is his name?

_Horn._ Nay, since 'tis past, he shall be nameless.--[_Aside._] Poor
Harcourt! I am sorry thou hast missed her.

_Pinch._ He seems to be much troubled at the match. [_Aside._

_Spark._ Prithee, tell me--Nay, you shan't go, brother.

_Pinch._ I must of necessity, but I'll come to you to dinner. [_Exit._

_Spark._ But, Harry, what, have I a rival in my wife already? But with
all my heart, for he may be of use to me hereafter; for though my
hunger is now my sauce, and I can fall on heartily without, the time
will come, when a rival will be as good sauce for a married man to a
wife, as an orange to veal.

_Horn._ O thou damned rogue! thou hast set my teeth on edge with thy
orange.

_Spark._ Then let's to dinner--there I was with you again. Come.

_Horn._ But who dines with thee?

_Spark._ My friends and relations, my brother Pinchwife, you see, of
your acquaintance.

_Horn._ And his wife?

_Spark._ No, 'gad, he'll ne'er let her come amongst us good fellows;
your stingy country coxcomb keeps his wife from his friends, as he does
his little firkin of ale, for his own drinking, and a gentleman can't
get a smack on't; but his servants, when his back is turned, broach it
at their pleasures, and dust it away, ha! ha! ha!--'Gad, I am witty, I
think, considering I was married to-day, by the world; but come--

_Horn._ No, I will not dine with you, unless you can fetch her too.

_Spark._ Pshaw! what pleasure canst thou have with women now, Harry?

_Horn._ My eyes are not gone; I love a good prospect yet, and will not
dine with you unless she does too; go fetch her, therefore, but do not
tell her husband 'tis for my sake.

_Spark._ Well, I'll go try what I can do; in the meantime, come away to
my aunt's lodging, 'tis in the way to Pinchwife's.

_Horn._ The poor woman has called for aid, and stretched forth her
hand, doctor; I cannot but help her over the pale out of the briars.
[_Exeunt._


SCENE IV.--_A Room in_ PINCHWIFE'S _House._

      Mrs. PINCHWIFE _alone, leaning on her elbow.--A table, pen,
                            ink and paper._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Well, 'tis e'en so, I have got the London disease they
call love; I am sick of my husband, and for my gallant. I have heard
this distemper called a fever, but methinks 'tis like an ague; for when
I think of my husband, I tremble, and am in a cold sweat, and have
inclinations to vomit; but when I think of my gallant, dear Mr. Horner,
my hot fit comes, and I am all in a fever indeed; and, as in other
fevers, my own chamber is tedious to me, and I would fain be removed to
his, and then methinks I should be well. Ah, poor Mr. Horner! Well, I
cannot, will not stay here; therefore I'll make an end of my letter to
him, which shall be a finer letter than my last, because I have studied
it like anything. Oh sick, sick! [_Takes the pen and writes._

   _Enter_ PINCHWIFE, _who seeing her writing, steals softly behind
   her and looking over her shoulder, snatches the paper from her._

_Pinch._ What, writing more letters?

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, bud, why d'ye fright me so? [_She offers to run
out; he stops her, and reads._

_Pinch._ How's this? nay, you shall not stir, madam:--"Dear, dear,
dear Mr. Horner"--very well--I have taught you to write letters to
good purpose--but let us see't. "First, I am to beg your pardon for my
boldness in writing to you, which I'd have you to know I would not have
done, had not you said first you loved me so extremely, which if you
do, you will never suffer me to lie in the arms of another man whom I
loathe, nauseate, and detest."--Now you can write these filthy words.
But what follows?--"Therefore, I hope you will speedily find some way
to free me from this unfortunate match, which was never, I assure you,
of my choice, but I'm afraid 'tis already too far gone; however, if
you love me, as I do you, you will try what you can do; but you must
help me away before to-morrow, or else, alas! I shall be for ever out
of your reach, for I can defer no longer our--our--" what is to follow
"our"?--speak, what--our journey into the country I suppose--Oh woman,
damned woman! and Love, damned Love, their old tempter! for this is one
of his miracles; in a moment he can make those blind that could see,
and those see that were blind, those dumb that could speak, and those
prattle who were dumb before; nay, what is more than all, make these
dough-baked, senseless, indocile animals, women, too hard for us their
politic lords and rulers, in a moment. But make an end of your letter,
and then I'll make an end of you thus, and all my plagues together.
[_Draws his sword._

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, O Lord, you are such a passionate man, bud!

                           _Enter_ SPARKISH.

_Spark._ How now, what's here to do?

_Pinch._ This fool here now!

_Spark._ What! drawn upon your wife? You should never do that, but at
night in the dark, when you can't hurt her. This is my sister-in-law,
is it not? ay, faith, e'en our country Margery; [_Pulls aside her
handkerchief_] one may know her. Come, she and you must go dine with
me; dinner's ready, come. But where's my wife? is she not come home
yet? where is she?

_Pinch._ Making you a cuckold; 'tis that they all do, as soon as they
can.

_Spark._ What, the wedding-day? no, a wife that designs to make a cully
of her husband will be sure to let him win the first stake of love, by
the world. But come, they stay dinner for us: come, I'll lead down our
Margery.

_Pinch._ No--sir, go, we'll follow you.

_Spark._ I will not wag without you.

_Pinch._ This coxcomb is a sensible torment to me amidst the greatest
in the world. [_Aside._

_Spark._ Come, come, Madam Margery.

_Pinch._ No; I'll lead her my way: what, would you treat your friends
with mine, for want of your own wife?--[_Leads her to the other door,
and locks her in and returns._] I am contented my rage should take
breath--[_Aside._

_Spark._ I told Horner this.

_Pinch._ Come now.

_Spark._ Lord, how shy you are of your wife! but let me tell you,
brother, we men of wit have amongst us a saying, that cuckolding, like
the small-pox, comes with a fear; and you may keep your wife as much as
you will out of danger of infection, but if her constitution incline
her to't, she'll have it sooner or later, by the world, say they.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] What a thing is a cuckold, that every fool can
make him ridiculous!--[_Aloud._] Well, sir--but let me advise you, now
you are come to be concerned, because you suspect the danger, not to
neglect the means to prevent it, especially when the greatest share of
the malady will light upon your own head, for

  Hows'e'er the kind wife's belly comes to swell,
  The husband breeds for her, and first is ill.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE FIFTH.


SCENE I.--PINCHWIFE'S _House._

     _Enter_ PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE. _A table and candle._

_Pinch._ Come, take the pen and make an end of the letter, just as you
intended; if you are false in a tittle, I shall soon perceive it, and
punish you as you deserve.--[_Lays his hand on his sword._] Write what
was to follow--let's see--"You must make haste, and help me away before
to-morrow, or else I shall be for ever out of your reach, for I can
defer no longer our"--What follows "our"?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Must all out, then, bud?--Look you there, then. [Mrs.
PINCHWIFE _takes the pen and writes._

_Pinch._ Let's see--"For I can defer no longer our--wedding--Your
slighted Alithea."--What's the meaning of this? my sister's name to't?
speak, unriddle.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, indeed, bud.

_Pinch._ But why her name to't? speak--speak, I say.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Ay, but you'll tell her then again. If you would not tell
her again--

_Pinch._ I will not:--I am stunned, my head turns round.--Speak.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Won't you tell her, indeed, and indeed?

_Pinch._ No; speak, I say.

_Mrs. Pinch._ She'll be angry with me; but I had rather she should be
angry with me than you, bud; and, to tell you the truth, 'twas she
made me write the letter, and taught me what I should write.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] Ha!--I thought the style was somewhat better than
her own.--[_Aloud._] Could she come to you to teach you, since I had
locked you up alone?

_Mrs. Pinch._ O, through the key-hole, bud.

_Pinch._ But why should she make you write a letter for her to him,
since she can write herself?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, she said because--for I was unwilling to do it--

_Pinch._ Because what--because?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Because, lest Mr. Horner should be cruel, and refuse her;
or be vain afterwards, and show the letter, she might disown it, the
hand not being hers.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] How's this? Ha!--then I think I shall come to
myself again.--This changeling could not invent this lie: but if
she could, why should she? she might think I should soon discover
it.--Stay--now I think on't too, Horner said he was sorry she had
married Sparkish; and her disowning her marriage to me makes me think
she has evaded it for Horner's sake: yet why should she take this
course? But men in love are fools; women may well be so--[_Aloud._] But
hark you, madam, your sister went out in the morning, and I have not
seen her within since.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Alack-a-day, she has been crying all day above, it seems,
in a corner.

_Pinch._ Where is she? let me speak with her.

_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside._] O Lord, then she'll discover all!--[_Aloud._]
Pray hold, bud; what, d'ye mean to discover me? she'll know I have told
you then. Pray, bud, let me talk with her first.

_Pinch._ I must speak with her, to know whether Horner ever made her
any promise, and whether she be married to Sparkish or no.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, dear bud, don't, till I have spoken with her, and
told her that I have told you all; for she'll kill me else.

_Pinch._ Go then, and bid her come out to me.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Yes, yes, bud.

_Pinch._ Let me see--[_Pausing._

_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside._] I'll go, but she is not within to come to
him: I have just got time to know of Lucy her maid, who first set me
on work, what lie I shall tell next; for I am e'en at my wit's end.
[_Exit._

_Pinch._ Well, I resolve it, Horner shall have her: I'd rather give him
my sister than lend him my wife; and such an alliance will prevent his
pretensions to my wife, sure. I'll make him of kin to her, and then he
won't care for her.

                      _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, bud! I told you what anger you would make me with
my sister.

_Pinch._ Won't she come hither?

_Mrs. Pinch._ No, no. Lack-a-day, she's ashamed to look you in the
face: and she says, if you go in to her, she'll run away down stairs,
and shamefully go herself to Mr. Horner, who has promised her marriage,
she says; and she will have no other, so she won't.

_Pinch._ Did he so?--promise her marriage!--then she shall have no
other. Go tell her so; and if she will come and discourse with me a
little concerning the means, I will about it immediately. Go.--[_Exit_
Mrs. PINCHWIFE.] His estate is equal to Sparkish's, and his extraction
as much better than his, as his parts are; but my chief reason is,
I'd rather be akin to him by the name of brother-in-law than that of
cuckold.

                      _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

Well, what says she now?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Why, she says, she would only have you lead her to
Horner's lodging; with whom she first will discourse the matter before
she talks with you, which yet she cannot do; for alack, poor creature,
she says she can't so much as look you in the face, therefore she'll
come to you in a mask. And you must excuse her, if she make you no
answer to any question of yours, till you have brought her to Mr.
Horner; and if you will not chide her, nor question her, she'll come
out to you immediately.

_Pinch._ Let her come: I will not speak a word to her, nor require a
word from her.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Oh, I forgot: besides she says, she cannot look you in
the face, though through a mask; therefore would desire you to put out
the candle.

_Pinch._ I agree to all. Let her make haste.--There, 'tis out--[_Puts
out the candle. Exit_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.] My case is something better: I'd
rather fight with Horner for not lying with my sister, than for lying
with my wife; and of the two, I had rather find my sister too forward
than my wife. I expected no other from her free education, as she calls
it, and her passion for the town. Well, wife and sister are names which
make us expect love and duty, pleasure and comfort; but we find 'em
plagues and torments, and are equally, though differently, troublesome
to their keeper; for we have as much ado to get people to lie with our
sisters as to keep 'em from lying with our wives.

   _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE _masked, and in hoods and scarfs, and a
                night-gown and petticoat of_ ALITHEA'S.

What, are you come, sister? let us go then.--But first, let me lock up
my wife. Mrs. Margery, where are you?

_Mrs. Pinch._ Here, bud.

_Pinch._ Come hither, that I may lock you up: get you in.--[_Locks the
door._] Come, sister, where are you now? [Mrs. PINCHWIFE _gives him her
hand; but when he lets her go, she steals softly on to the other side
of him, and is led away by him for his_ Sister, ALITHEA.


SCENE II.--HORNER'S _Lodging._

                          HORNER _and_ Quack.

_Quack._ What, all alone? not so much as one of your cuckolds here, nor
one of their wives! They use to take their turns with you, as if they
were to watch you.

_Horn._ Yes, it often happens that a cuckold is but his wife's spy, and
is more upon family duty when he is with her gallant abroad, hindering
his pleasure, than when he is at home with her playing the gallant. But
the hardest duty a married woman imposes upon a lover is keeping her
husband company always.

_Quack._ And his fondness wearies you almost as soon as hers.

_Horn._ A pox! keeping a cuckold company, after you have had his wife,
is as tiresome as the company of a country squire to a witty fellow of
the town, when he has got all his money.

_Quack._ And as at first a man makes a friend of the husband to get the
wife, so at last you are fain to fall out with the wife to be rid of
the husband.

_Horn._ Ay, most cuckold-makers are true courtiers; when once a poor
man has cracked his credit for 'em, they can't abide to come near him.

_Quack._ But at first, to draw him in, are so sweet, so kind, so dear!
just as you are to Pinchwife. But what becomes of that intrigue with
his wife?

_Horn._ A pox! he's as surly as an alderman that has been bit; and
since he's so coy, his wife's kindness is in vain, for she's a silly
innocent.

_Quack._ Did she not send you a letter by him?

_Horn._ Yes; but that's a riddle I have not yet solved. Allow the poor
creature to be willing, she is silly too, and he keeps her up so close--

_Quack._ Yes, so close, that he makes her but the more willing, and
adds but revenge to her love; which two, when met, seldom fail of
satisfying each other one way or other.

_Horn._ What! here's the man we are talking of, I think.

      _Enter_ PINCHWIFE, _leading in his_ Wife _masked, muffled,
                     and in her_ Sister's _gown._

Pshaw!

_Quack._ Bringing his wife to you is the next thing to bringing a
love-letter from her.

_Horn._ What means this?

_Pinch._ The last time, you know, sir, I brought you a love-letter;
now, you see, a mistress; I think you'll say I am a civil man to you.

_Horn._ Ay, the devil take me, will I say thou art the civilest man I
ever met with; and I have known some. I fancy I understand thee now
better than I did the letter. But, hark thee, in thy ear--

_Pinch._ What?

_Horn._ Nothing but the usual question, man: is she sound, on thy word?

_Pinch._ What, you take her for a wench, and me for a pimp?

_Horn._ Pshaw! wench and pimp, paw[82] words; I know thou art an honest
fellow, and hast a great acquaintance among the ladies, and perhaps
hast made love for me, rather than let me make love to thy wife.

_Pinch._ Come, sir, in short, I am for no fooling.

_Horn._ Nor I neither: therefore prithee, let's see her face presently.
Make her show, man: art thou sure I don't know her?

_Pinch._ I am sure you do know her.

_Horn._ A pox! why dost thou bring her to me then?

_Pinch._ Because she's a relation of mine--

_Horn._ Is she, faith, man? then thou art still more civil and
obliging, dear rogue.

_Pinch._ Who desired me to bring her to you.

_Horn._ Then she is obliging, dear rogue.

_Pinch._ You'll make her welcome for my sake, I hope.

_Horn._ I hope she is handsome enough to make herself welcome. Prithee
let her unmask.

_Pinch._ Do you speak to her; she would never be ruled by me.

_Horn._ Madam--[Mrs. PINCHWIFE _whispers to_ HORNER.] She says she must
speak with me in private. Withdraw, prithee.

_Pinch._ [_Aside._] She's unwilling, it seems, I should know all her
indecent conduct in this business--[_Aloud._] Well then, I'll leave
you together, and hope when I am gone, you'll agree; if not, you and I
shan't agree, sir.

_Horn._ What means the fool? if she and I agree 'tis no matter what you
and I do. [_Whispers to_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE, _who makes signs with her hand
for him to be gone._

_Pinch._ In the mean time I'll fetch a parson, and find out Sparkish,
and disabuse him. You would have me fetch a parson, would you not? Well
then--now I think I am rid of her, and shall have no more trouble with
her--our sisters and daughters, like usurers' money, are safest when
put out; but our wives, like their writings, never safe, but in our
closets under lock and key. [_Exit._

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ Sir Jasper Fidget, sir, is coming up. [_Exit._

_Horn._ Here's the trouble of a cuckold now we are talking of. A pox on
him! has he not enough to do to hinder his wife's sport, but he must
other women's too?--Step in here, madam. [_Exit_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

                      _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET.

_Sir Jasp._ My best and dearest friend.

_Horn._ [_Aside to_ Quack.] The old style, doctor.--[_Aloud._] Well,
be short, for I am busy. What would your impertinent wife have now?

_Sir Jasp._ Well guessed, i'faith; for I do come from her.

_Horn._ To invite me to supper! Tell her, I can't come; go.

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, now you are out, faith; for my lady, and the whole
knot of the virtuous gang, as they call themselves, are resolved upon
a frolic of coming to you to-night in masquerade, and are all dressed
already.

_Horn._ I shan't be at home.

_Sir Jasp._ [_Aside._] Lord, how churlish he is to women!--[_Aloud._]
Nay, prithee don't disappoint 'em; they'll think 'tis my fault: prithee
don't. I'll send in the banquet and the fiddles. But make no noise
on't; for the poor virtuous rogues would not have it known, for the
world, that they go a-masquerading; and they would come to no man's
ball but yours.

_Horn._ Well, well--get you gone; and tell 'em, if they come, 'twill be
at the peril of their honour and yours.

_Sir Jasp._ He! he! he!--we'll trust you for that: farewell. [_Exit._

_Horn._

  Doctor, anon you too shall be my guest,
  But now I'm going to a private feast.

[_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_The Piazza of Covent Garden._

             _Enter_ SPARKISH _with a letter in his hand,_
                        PINCHWIFE _following._

_Spark._ But who would have thought a woman could have been false to
me? By the world, I could not have thought it.

_Pinch._ You were for giving and taking liberty: she has taken it only,
sir, now you find in that letter. You are a frank person, and so is
she, you see there.

_Spark._ Nay, if this be her hand--for I never saw it.

_Pinch._ 'Tis no matter whether that be her hand or no; I am sure this
hand, at her desire, led her to Mr. Horner, with whom I left her just
now, to go fetch a parson to 'em at their desire too, to deprive you of
her for ever; for it seems yours was but a mock marriage.

_Spark._ Indeed, she would needs have it that 'twas Harcourt himself,
in a parson's habit, that married us; but I'm sure he told me 'twas his
brother Ned.

_Pinch._ O, there 'tis out; and you were deceived, not she: for you
are such a frank person. But I must be gone.--You'll find her at Mr.
Horner's. Go, and believe your eyes. [_Exit._

_Spark._ Nay, I'll to her, and call her as many crocodiles, sirens,
harpies, and other heathenish names, as a poet would do a mistress who
had refused to hear his suit, nay more, his verses on her.--But stay,
is not that she following a torch at t'other end of the Piazza? and
from Horner's certainly--'tis so.

        _Enter_ ALITHEA _following a torch, and_ LUCY _behind._

You are well met, madam, though you don't think so. What, you have
made a short visit to Mr. Horner? but I suppose you'll return to him
presently, by that time the parson can be with him.

_Alith._ Mr. Horner and the parson, sir!

_Spark._ Come, madam, no more dissembling, no more jilting; for I am no
more a frank person.

_Alith._ How's this?

_Lucy._ So, 'twill work, I see. [_Aside._

_Spark._ Could you find out no easy country fool to abuse? none but me,
a gentleman of wit and pleasure about the town? But it was your pride
to be too hard for a man of parts, unworthy false woman! false as a
friend that lends a man money to lose; false as dice, who undo those
that trust all they have to 'em.

_Lucy._ He has been a great bubble, by his similes, as they say.
[_Aside._

_Alith._ You have been too merry, sir, at your wedding-dinner, sure.

_Spark._ What, d'ye mock me too?

_Alith._ Or you have been deluded.

_Spark._ By you.

_Alith._ Let me understand you.

_Spark._ Have you the confidence, (I should call it something else,
since you know your guilt,) to stand my just reproaches? you did not
write an impudent letter to Mr. Horner? who I find now has clubbed
with you in deluding me with his aversion for women, that I might not,
forsooth, suspect him for my rival.

_Lucy._ D'ye think the gentleman can be jealous now, madam? [_Aside._

_Alith._ I write a letter to Mr. Horner!

_Spark._ Nay, madam, do not deny it. Your brother showed it me just
now; and told me likewise, he left you at Horner's lodging to fetch a
parson to marry you to him; and I wish you joy, madam, joy, joy; and to
him too, much joy; and to myself more joy, for not marrying you.

_Alith._ [_Aside._] So, I find my brother would break off the match;
and I can consent to't, since I see this gentleman can be made
jealous.--[_Aloud._] O Lucy, by his rude usage and jealousy, he makes
me almost afraid I am married to him. Art thou sure 'twas Harcourt
himself, and no parson, that married us?

_Spark._ No, madam, I thank you. I suppose, that was a contrivance too
of Mr. Horner's and yours, to make Harcourt play the parson; but I
would as little as you have him one now, no, not for the world. For,
shall I tell you another truth? I never had any passion for you till
now, for now I hate you. 'Tis true, I might have married your portion,
as other men of parts of the town do sometimes; and so, your servant.
And to show my unconcernedness, I'll come to your wedding, and resign
you with as much joy, as I would a stale wench to a new cully; nay,
with as much joy as I would after the first night, if I had been
married to you. There's for you; and so your servant, servant. [_Exit._

_Alith._ How was I deceived in a man!

_Lucy._ You'll believe then a fool may be made jealous now? for that
easiness in him that suffers him to be led by a wife, will likewise
permit him to be persuaded against her by others.

_Alith._ But marry Mr. Horner! my brother does not intend it, sure:
if I thought he did, I would take thy advice, and Mr. Harcourt for my
husband. And now I wish, that if there be any over-wise woman of the
town, who, like me, would marry a fool for fortune, liberty, or title,
first, that her husband may love play, and be a cully to all the town
but her, and suffer none but Fortune to be mistress of his purse;
then, if for liberty, that he may send her into the country, under the
conduct of some huswifely mother-in-law; and if for title, may the
world give 'em none but that of cuckold.

_Lucy._ And for her greater curse, madam, may he not deserve it.

_Alith._ Away, impertinent! Is not this my old Lady Lanterlu's?[83]

_Lucy._ Yes, madam.--[_Aside._] And here I hope we shall find Mr.
Harcourt. [_Exeunt._


SCENE IV.--HORNER'S _Lodging. A table, banquet, and bottles._

           _Enter_ HORNER, Lady FIDGET, Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET,
                         _and_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Horn._ A pox! they are come too soon--before I have sent back my new
mistress. All that I have now to do is to lock her in, that they may
not see her. [_Aside._

_L. Fid._ That we may be sure of our welcome, we have brought our
entertainment with us, and are resolved to treat thee, dear toad.

_Mrs. Dain._ And that we may be merry to purpose, have left Sir Jasper
and my old Lady Squeamish, quarrelling at home at backgammon.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Therefore let us make use of our time, lest they should
chance to interrupt us.

_L. Fid._ Let us sit then.

_Horn._ First, that you may be private, let me lock this door and that,
and I'll wait upon you presently.

_L. Fid._ No, sir, shut 'em only, and your lips for ever; for we must
trust you as much as our women.

_Horn._ You know all vanity's killed in me; I have no occasion for
talking.

_L. Fid._ Now, ladies, supposing we had drank each of us our two
bottles, let us speak the truth of our hearts.

_Mrs. Dain. and Mrs. Squeam._ Agreed.

_L. Fid._ By this brimmer, for truth is nowhere else to be
found--[_Aside to_ HORNER.] not in thy heart, false man!

_Horn._ You have found me a true man, I'm sure. [_Aside to_ Lady FIDGET.

_L. Fid._ [_Aside to_ HORNER.] Not every way.--But let us sit and be
merry. [_Sings._

  Why should our damned tyrants oblige us to live
  On the pittance of pleasure which they only give?
         We must not rejoice
         With wine and with noise:
  In vain we must wake in a dull bed alone,
  Whilst to our warm rival the bottle they're gone.
         Then lay aside charms,
         And take up these arms.[84]
  'Tis wine only gives 'em their courage and wit;
  Because we live sober, to men we submit.
         If for beauties you'd pass,
         Take a lick of the glass,
  'Twill mend your complexions, and when they are gone,
      The best red we have is the red of the grape:
  Then, sisters, lay't on,
          And damn a good shape.

_Mrs. Fain._ Dear brimmer! Well, in token of our openness and
plain-dealing, let us throw our masks over our heads.

_Horn._ So, 'twill come to the glasses anon. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Squeam._ Lovely brimmer! let me enjoy him first.

_L. Fid._ No, I never part with a gallant till I've tried him. Dear
brimmer! that makest our husbands short-sighted.

_Mrs. Dain._ And our bashful gallants bold.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And, for want of a gallant, the butler lovely in our
eyes.--Drink, eunuch.

_L. Fid._ Drink, thou representative of a husband.--Damn a husband!

_Mrs. Dain._ And, as it were a husband, an old keeper.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And an old grandmother.

_Horn._ And an English bawd, and a French surgeon.

_L. Fid._ Ay, we have all reason to curse 'em.

_Horn._ For my sake, ladies?

_L. Fid._ No, for our own; for the first spoils all young gallants'
industry.

_Mrs. Dain._ And the other's art makes 'em bold only with common women.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And rather run the hazard of the vile distemper amongst
them, than of a denial amongst us.

_Mrs. Dain._ The filthy toads choose mistresses now as they do stuffs,
for having been fancied and worn by others.

_Mrs. Squeam._ For being common and cheap.

_L. Fid._ Whilst women of quality, like the richest stuffs, lie
untumbled, and unasked for.

_Horn._ Ay, neat, and cheap, and new, often they think best.

_Mrs. Dain._ No, sir, the beasts will be known by a mistress longer
than by a suit.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And 'tis not for cheapness neither.

_L. Fid._ No; for the vain fops will take up druggets, and embroider
'em. But I wonder at the depraved appetites of witty men; they use to
be out of the common road, and hate imitation. Pray tell me, beast,
when you were a man, why you rather chose to club with a multitude in a
common house for an entertainment, than to be the only guest at a good
table.

_Horn._ Why, faith, ceremony and expectation are unsufferable to those
that are sharp bent. People always eat with the best stomach at an
ordinary, where every man is snatching for the best bit.

_L. Fid._ Though he get a cut over the fingers.--But I have heard, that
people eat most heartily of another man's meat, that is, what they do
not pay for.

_Horn._ When they are sure of their welcome and freedom; for ceremony
in love and eating is as ridiculous as in fighting: falling on briskly
is all should be done on those occasions.

_L. Fid._ Well then, let me tell you, sir, there is nowhere more
freedom than in our houses; and we take freedom from a young person as
a sign of good breeding; and a person may be as free as he pleases with
us, as frolic, as gamesome, as wild as he will.

_Horn._ Han't I heard you all declaim against wild men?

_L. Fid._ Yes; but for all that, we think wildness in a man as
desirable a quality as in a duck or rabbit: a tame man! foh!

_Horn._ I know not, but your reputations frightened me as much as your
faces invited me.

_L. Fid._ Our reputation! Lord, why should you not think that we women
make use of our reputation, as you men of yours, only to deceive the
world with less suspicion? Our virtue is like the statesman's religion,
the quaker's word, the gamester's oath, and the great man's honour;
but to cheat those that trust us.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And that demureness, coyness, and modesty, that you see
in our faces in the boxes at plays, is as much a sign of a kind woman,
as a vizard-mask in the pit.

_Mrs. Dain._ For, I assure you, women are least masked when they have
the velvet vizard on.

_L. Fid._ You would have found us modest women in our denials only.

_Mrs. Squeam._ Our bashfulness is only the reflection of the men's.

_Mrs. Dain._ We blush when they are shamefaced.

_Horn._ I beg your pardon, ladies, I was deceived in you devilishly.
But why that mighty pretence to honour?

_L. Fid._ We have told you; but sometimes 'twas for the same reason you
men pretend business often, to avoid ill company, to enjoy the better
and more privately those you love.

_Horn._ But why would you ne'er give a friend a wink then?

_L. Fid._ Faith, your reputation frightened us, as much as ours did
you, you were so notoriously lewd.

_Horn._ And you so seemingly honest.

_L. Fid._ Was that all that deterred you?

_Horn._ And so expensive--you allow freedom, you say.

_L. Fid._ Ay, ay.

_Horn._ That I was afraid of losing my little money, as well as my
little time, both which my other pleasures required.

_L. Fid._ Money! foh! you talk like a little fellow now: do such as we
expect money?

_Horn._ I beg your pardon, madam, I must confess, I have heard that
great ladies, like great merchants, set but the higher prices upon what
they have, because they are not in necessity of taking the first offer.

_Mrs. Dain._ Such as we make sale of our hearts?

_Mrs. Squeam._ We bribed for our love? foh!

_Horn._ With your pardon ladies, I know, like great men in offices, you
seem to exact flattery and attendance only from your followers; but
you have receivers about you, and such fees to pay, a man is afraid to
pass your grants. Besides, we must let you win at cards, or we lose
your hearts; and if you make an assignation, 'tis at a goldsmith's,
jeweller's, or china-house; where for your honour you deposit to him,
he must pawn his to the punctual cit, and so paying for what you take
up, pays for what he takes up.

_Mrs. Dain._ Would you not have us assured of our gallants' love?

_Mrs. Squeam._ For love is better known by liberality than by jealousy.

_L. Fid._ For one may be dissembled, the other not.--[_Aside._]
But my jealousy can be no longer dissembled, and they are telling
ripe.--[_Aloud._]--Come, here's to our gallants in waiting, whom we
must name, and I'll begin. This is my false rogue. [_Claps him on the
back._

_Mrs. Squeam._ How!

_Horn._ So, all will out now. [_Aside._

_Mrs. Squeam._ Did you not tell me, 'twas for my sake only you reported
yourself no man? [_Aside to_ HORNER.

_Mrs. Dain._ Oh, wretch! did you not swear to me, 'twas for my love and
honour you passed for that thing you do? [_Aside to_ HORNER.

_Horn._ So, so.

_L. Fid._ Come, speak, ladies: this is my false villain.

_Mrs. Squeam._ And mine too.

_Mrs. Dain._ And mine.

_Horn._ Well then, you are all three my false rogues too, and there's
an end on't.

_L. Fid._ Well then, there's no remedy; sister sharers, let us not
fall out, but have a care of our honour. Though we get no presents,
no jewels of him, we are savers of our honour, the jewel of most
value and use, which shines yet to the world unsuspected, though it be
counterfeit.

_Horn._ Nay, and is e'en as good as if it were true, provided the world
think so; for honour, like beauty now, only depends on the opinion of
others.

_L. Fid._ Well, Harry Common, I hope you can be true to three. Swear;
but 'tis to no purpose to require your oath, for you are as often
forsworn as you swear to new women.

_Horn._ Come, faith, madam, let us e'en pardon one another; for all the
difference I find betwixt we men and you women, we forswear ourselves
at the beginning of an amour, you as long as it lasts.

         _Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, _and_ Old Lady SQUEAMISH.

_Sir Jasp._ Oh, my Lady Fidget, was this your cunning, to come to Mr.
Horner without me? but you have been nowhere else, I hope.

_L. Fid._ No, Sir Jasper.

_L. Squeam._ And you came straight hither, Biddy?

_Mrs. Squeam._ Yes, indeed, lady grandmother.

_Sir Jasp._ 'Tis well, 'tis well; I knew when once they were thoroughly
acquainted with poor Horner, they'd ne'er be from him: you may let her
masquerade it with my wife and Horner, and I warrant her reputation
safe.

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ O, sir, here's the gentleman come, whom you bid me not suffer
to come up, without giving you notice, with a lady too, and other
gentlemen.

_Horn._ Do you all go in there, whilst I send 'em away; and, boy, do
you desire 'em to stay below till I come, which shall be immediately.
[_Exeunt_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, Lady FIDGET, Lady SQUEAMISH, Mrs.
SQUEAMISH, _and_ Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET.

_Boy._ Yes, sir. [_Exit._

      [_Exit_ HORNER _at the other door, and returns with_
                             Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Horn._ You would not take my advice, to be gone home before your
husband came back, he'll now discover all; yet pray, my dearest, be
persuaded to go home, and leave the rest to my management; I'll let you
down the back way.

_Mrs. Pinch._ I don't know the way home, so I don't.

_Horn._ My man shall wait upon you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ No, don't you believe that I'll go at all; what, are you
weary of me already?

_Horn._ No, my life, 'tis that I may love you long, 'tis to secure my
love, and your reputation with your husband; he'll never receive you
again else.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What care I? d'ye think to frighten me with that? I don't
intend to go to him again; you shall be my husband now.

_Horn._ I cannot be your husband, dearest, since you are married to him.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O, would you make me believe that? Don't I see every day
at London here, women leave their first husbands, and go and live with
other men as their wives? pish, pshaw! you'd make me angry, but that I
love you so mainly.

_Horn._ So, they are coming up--In again, in, I hear 'em.--[_Exit_
Mrs. PINCHWIFE.] Well, a silly mistress is like a weak place, soon got,
soon lost, a man has scarce time for plunder; she betrays her husband
first to her gallant, and then her gallant to her husband.

         _Enter_ PINCHWIFE, ALITHEA, HARCOURT, SPARKISH, LUCY,
                            _and a_ Parson.

_Pinch._ Come, madam, 'tis not the sudden change of your dress, the
confidence of your asseverations, and your false witness there, shall
persuade me I did not bring you hither just now; here's my witness, who
cannot deny it, since you must be confronted.--Mr. Horner, did not I
bring this lady to you just now?

_Horn._ Now must I wrong one woman for another's sake,--but that's no
new thing with me, for in these cases I am still on the criminal's side
against the innocent. [_Aside._

_Alith._ Pray speak, sir.

_Horn._ It must be so. I must be impudent, and try my luck; impudence
uses to be too hard for truth. [_Aside._

_Pinch._ What, you are studying an evasion or excuse for her! Speak,
sir.

_Horn._ No, faith, I am something backward only to speak in women's
affairs or disputes.

_Pinch._ She bids you speak.

_Alith._ Ay, pray, sir, do, pray satisfy him.

_Horn._ Then truly, you did bring that lady to me just now.

_Pinch._ O ho!

_Alith._ How, sir?

_Har._ How, Horner?

_Alith._ What mean you, sir? I always took you for a man of honour.

_Horn._ Ay, so much a man of honour, that I must save my mistress, I
thank you, come what will on't. [_Aside._

_Spark._ So, if I had had her, she'd have made me believe the moon had
been made of a Christmas pie.

_Lucy._ Now could I speak, if I durst, and solve the riddle, who am the
author of it. [_Aside._

_Alith._ O unfortunate woman! A combination against my honour! which
most concerns me now, because you share in my disgrace, sir, and it is
your censure, which I must now suffer, that troubles me, not theirs.

_Har._ Madam, then have no trouble, you shall now see 'tis possible for
me to love too, without being jealous; I will not only believe your
innocence myself, but make all the world believe it.--[_Aside to_
HORNER.] Horner, I must now be concerned for this lady's honour.

_Horn._ And I must be concerned for a lady's honour too.

_Har._ This lady has her honour, and I will protect it.

_Horn._ My lady has not her honour, but has given it me to keep, and I
will preserve it.

_Har._ I understand you not.

_Horn._ I would not have you.

_Mrs. Pinch._ What's the matter with 'em all? [_Peeping in behind._

_Pinch._ Come, come, Mr. Horner, no more disputing; here's the parson,
I brought him not in vain.

_Har._ No, sir, I'll employ him, if this lady please.

_Pinch._ How! what d'ye mean?

_Spark._ Ay, what does he mean?

_Horn._ Why, I have resigned your sister to him, he has my consent.

_Pinch._ But he has not mine, sir; a woman's injured honour, no more
than a man's, can be repaired or satisfied by any but him that first
wronged it; and you shall marry her presently, or--[_Lays his hand on
his sword._

                      _Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Mrs. Pinch._ O Lord, they'll kill poor Mr. Horner! besides, he shan't
marry her whilst I stand by, and look on; I'll not lose my second
husband so.

_Pinch._ What do I see?

_Alith._ My sister in my clothes!

_Spark._ Ha!

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, pray now don't quarrel about finding work for the
parson, he shall marry me to Mr. Horner; or now, I believe, you have
enough of me. [_To_ PINCHWIFE.

_Horn._ Damned, damned loving changeling! [_Aside._

_Mrs. Pinch._ Pray, sister, pardon me for telling so many lies of you.

_Horn._ I suppose the riddle is plain now.

_Lucy._ No, that must be my work.--Good sir, hear me. [_Kneels to_
PINCHWIFE, _who stands doggedly with his hat over his eyes._

_Pinch._ I will never hear woman again, but make 'em all silent
thus--[_Offers to draw upon his_ Wife.

_Horn._ No, that must not be.

_Pinch._ You then shall go first, 'tis all one to me. [_Offers to draw
on_ HORNER, _but is stopped by_ HARCOURT.

_Har._ Hold!

      _Re-enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET, Lady FIDGET, Lady SQUEAMISH,
               Mrs. DAINTY FIDGET, _and_ Mrs. SQUEAMISH.

_Sir Jasp._ What's the matter? what's the matter? pray, what's the
matter, sir? I beseech you communicate, sir.

_Pinch._ Why, my wife has communicated, sir, as your wife may have done
too, sir, if she knows him, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ Pshaw, with him! ha! ha! he!

_Pinch._ D'ye mock me, sir? a cuckold is a kind of a wild beast; have a
care, sir.

_Sir Jasp._ No, sure, you mock me, sir. He cuckold you! it can't be,
ha! ha! he! why, I'll tell you, sir--[_Offers to whisper._

_Pinch._ I tell you again, he has whored my wife, and yours too, if he
knows her, and all the women he comes near; 'tis not his dissembling,
his hypocrisy, can wheedle me.

_Sir Jasp._ How! does he dissemble? is he a hypocrite? Nay,
then--how--wife--sister, is he a hypocrite?

_L. Squeam._ A hypocrite! a dissembler! Speak, young harlotry, speak,
how?

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, then--O my head too!--O thou libidinous lady!

_L. Squeam._ O thou harloting harlotry! hast thou done't then?

_Sir Jasp._ Speak, good Horner, art thou a dissembler, a rogue? hast
thou--

_Horn._ So!

_Lucy._ I'll fetch you off, and her too, if she will but hold her
tongue. [_Apart to_ HORNER.

_Horn._ Canst thou? I'll give thee--[_Apart to_ LUCY.

_Lucy. [To_ PINCHWIFE.] Pray have but patience to hear me, sir, who am
the unfortunate cause of all this confusion. Your wife is innocent, I
only culpable; for I put her upon telling you all these lies concerning
my mistress, in order to the breaking off the match between Mr.
Sparkish and her, to make way for Mr. Harcourt.

_Spark._ Did you so, eternal rotten tooth? Then, it seems, my mistress
was not false to me, I was only deceived by you. Brother, that should
have been, now man of conduct, who is a frank person now, to bring your
wife to her lover, ha?

_Lucy._ I assure you, sir, she came not to Mr. Horner out of love, for
she loves him no more--

_Mrs. Pinch._ Hold, I told lies for you, but you shall tell none for
me, for I do love Mr. Horner with all my soul, and nobody shall say
me nay; pray, don't you go to make poor Mr. Horner believe to the
contrary; 'tis spitefully done of you, I'm sure.

_Horn._ Peace, dear idiot. [_Aside to_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, I will not peace.

_Pinch._ Not till I make you.

                     _Enter_ DORILANT _and_ Quack.

_Dor._ Horner, your servant; I am the doctor's guest, he must excuse
our intrusion.

_Quack._ But what's the matter, gentlemen? for Heaven's sake, what's
the matter?

_Horn._ Oh, 'tis well you are come. 'Tis a censorious world we live
in; you may have brought me a reprieve, or else I had died for a
crime I never committed, and these innocent ladies had suffered
with me; therefore, pray satisfy these worthy, honourable, jealous
gentlemen--that--[_Whispers._

_Quack._ O, I understand you, is that all?--Sir Jasper, by Heavens, and
upon the word of a physician, sir--[_Whispers to_ Sir JASPER.

_Sir Jasp._ Nay, I do believe you truly.--Pardon me, my virtuous lady,
and dear of honour.

_L. Squeam._ What, then all's right again?

_Sir Jasp._ Ay, ay, and now let us satisfy him too. [_They whisper
with_ PINCHWIFE.

_Pinch._ An eunuch! Pray, no fooling with me.

_Quack._ I'll bring half the chirurgeons in town to swear it.

_Pinch._ They!--they'll swear a man that bled to death through his
wounds, died of an apoplexy.

_Quack._ Pray, hear me, sir--why, all the town has heard the report of
him.

_Pinch._ But does all the town believe it?

_Quack._ Pray, inquire a little, and first of all these.

_Pinch._ I'm sure when I left the town, he was the lewdest fellow in't.

_Quack._ I tell you, sir, he has been in France since; pray, ask but
these ladies and gentlemen, your friend Mr. Dorilant. Gentlemen and
ladies, han't you all heard the late sad report of poor Mr. Horner?

_All the Ladies._ Ay, ay, ay.

_Dor._ Why, thou jealous fool, dost thou doubt it? he's an arrant
French capon.

_Mrs. Pinch._ 'Tis false, sir, you shall not disparage poor Mr. Horner,
for to my certain knowledge--

_Lucy._ O, hold!

_Mrs. Squeam._ Stop her mouth! [_Aside to_ LUCY.

_L. Fid._ Upon my honour, sir, 'tis as true--[_To_ PINCHWIFE.

_Mrs. Dain._ D'ye think we would have been seen in his company?

_Mrs. Squeam._ Trust our unspotted reputations with him?

_L. Fid._ This you get, and we too, by trusting your secret to a fool.
[_Aside to_ HORNER.

_Horn._ Peace, madam.--[_Aside to_ Quack.] Well, doctor, is not this a
good design, that carries a man on unsuspected, and brings him off safe?

_Pinch._ Well, if this were true--but my wife--[_Aside._

             [DORILANT _whispers with_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE.

_Alith._ Come, brother, your wife is yet innocent, you see; but have
a care of too strong an imagination, lest, like an over-concerned
timorous gamester, by fancying an unlucky cast, it should come. Women
and fortune are truest still to those that trust 'em.

_Lucy._ And any wild thing grows but the more fierce and hungry for
being kept up, and more dangerous to the keeper.

_Alith._ There's doctrine for all husbands, Mr. Harcourt.

_Har._ I edify, madam, so much, that I am impatient till I am one.

_Dor._ And I edify so much by example, I will never be one.

_Spark._ And because I will not disparage my parts, I'll ne'er be one.

_Horn._ And I, alas! can't be one.

_Pinch._ But I must be one--against my will to a country wife, with a
country murrain to me!

_Mrs. Pinch._ And I must be a country wife still too, I find; for I
can't, like a city one, be rid of my musty husband, and do what I list.
[_Aside._

_Horn._ Now, sir, I must pronounce your wife innocent, though I blush
whilst I do it; and I am the only man by her now exposed to shame,
which I will straight drown in wine, as you shall your suspicion; and
the ladies' troubles we'll divert with a ballad.--Doctor, where are
your maskers?

_Lucy._ Indeed, she's innocent, sir, I am her witness, and her end of
coming out was but to see her sister's wedding; and what she has said
to your face of her love to Mr. Horner, was but the usual innocent
revenge on a husband's jealousy;--was it not, madam, speak?

_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside to_ LUCY _and_ HORNER.] Since you'll have me tell
more lies--[_Aloud._] Yes, indeed, bud.

_Pinch._

  For my own sake fain I would all believe;
  Cuckolds, like lovers, should themselves deceive.
  But--[_Sighs_
  His honour is least safe (too late I find)
  Who trusts it with a foolish wife or friend.

                        _A Dance of Cuckolds._

_Horn._

  Vain fops but court and dress, and keep a pother,
  To pass for women's men with one another;
  But he who aims by women to be prized,
  First by the men, you see, must be despised.

[_Exeunt._




EPILOGUE.

SPOKEN BY MRS. KNEP.[85]

  Now you the vigorous, who daily here
  O'er vizard-mask in public domineer,
  And what you'd do to her, if in place where;
  Nay, have the confidence to cry, "Come out!"
  Yet when she says, "Lead on!" you are not stout;
  But to your well-dressed brother straight turn round,
  And cry "Pox on her, Ned, she can't be sound!"
  Then slink away, a fresh one to engage,
  With so much seeming heat and loving rage,
  You'd frighten listening actress on the stage;
  Till she at last has seen you huffing come,
  And talk of keeping in the tiring-room,
  Yet cannot be provoked to lead her home.
  Next, you Falstaffs of fifty, who beset
  Your buckram maidenheads, which your friends get;
  And whilst to them you of achievements boast,
  They share the booty, and laugh at your cost.
  In fine, you essenced boys, both old and young,
  Who would be thought so eager, brisk, and strong,
  Yet do the ladies, not their husbands wrong;
  Whose purses for your manhood make excuse,
  And keep your Flanders mares for show not use;
  Encouraged by our woman's man to-day,
  A Horner's part may vainly think to play;
  And may intrigues so bashfully disown,
  That they may doubted be by few or none;
  May kiss the cards at picquet, ombre, loo,
  And so be taught to kiss the lady too;
  But, gallants, have a care, faith, what you do.
  The world, which to no man his due will give,
  You by experience know you can deceive,
  And men may still believe you vigorous,
  But then we women--there's no cozening us.




_THE PLAIN DEALER._


                        Ridiculum acri
  Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.[86]--HORAT.


According to Wycherley's own statement _The Plain Dealer_ was written
when the author was twenty-five years of age--_i.e._, in the year
1665-6.[87] Its first performance on the stage cannot have taken place
later than the spring of 1674, as there is an interesting allusion
to it in the preface to Dryden's _State of Innocence_, which was
registered at Stationers' Hall, April 17, 1674. Dryden writes in terms
of noble eulogy: "The author of _The Plain Dealer_, whom I am proud
to call my friend, has obliged all honest and virtuous men by one
of the most bold, most general, and most useful satires, which has
ever been presented on the English theatre." _The Plain Dealer_ was
brought forward by the King's Company, probably, like _The Country
Wife_, at the house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, as the new theatre,
in Drury Lane, was not opened until March 26 of that year. It was
published three years later, in 1677, the title-page bearing the
_imprimatur_--"Licensed Jan. 9, 1676, Roger L'Estrange." The license,
of course, was for printing, not for acting; the date, in new style,
would be 1677.

We shall have, I think, little difficulty in accepting Wycherley's
statement as to the year in which this play was written, if we suppose,
as would almost certainly be the case, that it was revised and altered
before its production on the stage. The critique on _The Country Wife_,
in particular, cannot have been written earlier than 1672 or 1673, in
one of which years that comedy was first acted.

Of our author's four comedies _The Plain Dealer_ is, questionless, the
most powerful. From the mock dedication to the epilogue "the satire,
wit, and strength, of manly Wycherley"[88] are everywhere conspicuous
and triumphant. The main purport of the plot, as well as the particular
design of certain scenes, is borrowed from _Le Misanthrope_ of
Molière, but it is almost a truism that the most original writers
are frequently the most extensive plagiarists, and Wycherley has so
overlaid his appropriations with the colouring of his own brilliant
individuality, that his play appears almost equally a masterpiece
of originality as of ingenuity. It is scarcely too much to say that
in _The Plain Dealer_ we are conscious of a fertility of invention,
a richness of wit and satire, which make even _Le Misanthrope_ seem
tame in comparison. Voltaire has justly contrasted the two plays. "All
Wycherley's strokes," he writes, "are stronger and bolder than those of
our _Misanthrope_, but then they are less delicate, and the Rules of
Decorum are not so well observed in this Play."[89]

The scene in the second act, between Olivia, her cousin, and the
two "pretty fellows," Novel and Plausible, was suggested by a
dialogue between Célimène and her admirers, in the second act of _Le
Misanthrope_, but the detail is almost entirely Wycherley's own, and is
enlivened with such diverting antitheses and such brilliant fancy that,
perhaps, few scenes more masterly are to be found in the entire range
of English comedy from the time of the Restoration downwards. In this
scene occurs the critique upon _The Country Wife_, of which the hint
was taken from Molière's _Critique de l'Ecole des Femmes_. It is here
introduced with great felicity, and the contrast between the affected
prudery of the vicious Olivia and the simple candour of the truly
modest Eliza is both just and edifying. Again, the discovery by Novel
and Plausible of the duplicity of Olivia, by means of an exchange of
letters, is borrowed from the _dénouement_ of _Le Misanthrope_; but the
scene in which it occurs owes little to Molière beyond the incident;
and the humorous device of making each letter, _mutato nomine_, the
exact counterpart of the other, belongs to Wycherley alone. One or
two more particular coincidences between _The Plain Dealer_ and _Le
Misanthrope_ will be pointed out in the notes.

The admirably conceived character of the Widow Blackacre has been
described as a copy of that of the Countess in Racine's comedy, _Les
Plaideurs_, surely, in the first instance, by one of those critics with
whom "most authors steal their works, or buy." There is a litigious old
woman in _Les Plaideurs_, there is a litigious old woman in _The Plain
Dealer_; and here the likeness begins and ends.[90] Voltaire calls the
Widow Blackacre "the most comical character that was ever brought upon
the stage." Lastly, although Fidelia is imitated from Shakespeare's
Viola, and although the imitation is immeasurably and at all points
inferior to the original, it must be admitted, nevertheless, that she
fills her place in the play with perfect propriety, and is even drawn
with some not inconsiderable degree of sweetness and pathos.




TO MY LADY B----.[91]


Madam,--

Though I never had the honour to receive a favour from you, nay,
or be known to you, I take the confidence of an author to write to
you a _billet-doux_ dedicatory;--which is no new thing. For by most
dedications it appears that authors, though they praise their patrons
from top to toe, and seem to turn 'em inside out, know 'em as little
as sometimes their patrons their books, though they read them out; and
if the poetical daubers did not write the name of the man or woman
on top of the picture, 'twere impossible to guess whose it were. But
you, madam, without the help of a poet, have made yourself known and
famous in the world; and because you do not want it, are therefore
most worthy of an epistle dedicatory. And this play claims naturally
your protection, since it has lost its reputation with the ladies of
stricter lives in the playhouse; and, you know, when men's endeavours
are discountenanced and refused by the nice coy women of honour, they
come to you:--to you, the great and noble patroness of rejected and
bashful men (of which number I profess myself to be one, though a poet,
a dedicating poet), to you, I say, madam, who have as discerning a
judgment, in what's obscene or not, as any quick-sighted civil person
of 'em all, and can make as much of a double-meaning saying as the best
of 'em; yet would not, as some do, make nonsense of a poet's jest,
rather than not make it bawdy; by which they show, they as little value
wit in a play as in a lover, provided they can bring t'other thing
about. Their sense, indeed, lies all one way, and therefore are only
for that in a poet, which is moving, as they say. But what do they
mean by that word "moving?" Well, I must not put 'em to the blush,
since I find I can do't. In short, madam, you would not be one of those
who ravish a poet's innocent words, and make 'em guilty of their own
naughtiness (as 'tis termed) in spite of his teeth. Nay, nothing is
secure from the power of their imaginations, no, not their husbands,
whom they cuckold with themselves, by thinking of other men; and so
make the lawful matrimonial embraces adultery, wrong husbands and poets
in thought and word, to keep their own reputations. But your ladyship's
justice, I know, would think a woman's arraigning and damning a poet
for her own obscenity like her crying out a rape, and hanging a man
for giving her pleasure, only that she might be thought not to consent
to't; and so to vindicate her honour, forfeits her modesty. But you,
madam, have too much modesty to pretend to't, though you have as much
to say for your modesty as many a nicer she: for you never were seen
at this play, no, not the first day; and 'tis no matter what people's
lives have been, they are unquestionably modest who frequent not this
play. For, as Mr. Bayes says of his, "That it is the only touchstone of
men's wit and understanding;" mine is, it seems, the only touchstone
of women's virtue and modesty. But hold, that touchstone is equivocal,
and, by the strength of a lady's imagination, may become something
that is not civil: but your ladyship, I know, scorns to misapply a
touchstone.

And, madam, though you have not seen this play, I hope (like other
nice ladies) you will the rather read it. Yet, lest the chambermaid or
page should not be trusted, and their indulgence could gain no further
admittance for it than to their ladies' lobbies or outward rooms,
take it into your care and protection; for by your recommendation and
procurement, it may have the honour to get into their closets; for what
they renounce in public, often entertains 'em there, with your help
especially. In fine, madam, for these and many other reasons, you are
the fittest patroness or judge of this play; for you show no partiality
to this or that author. For from some many ladies will take a broad
jest as cheerfully as from the watermen, and sit at some downright
filthy plays (as they call 'em) as well satisfied, and as still, as
a poet could wish 'em elsewhere. Therefore it must be the doubtful
obscenity of my play alone they take exceptions at, because it is
too bashful for 'em: and, indeed, most women hate men for attempting
by halves on their chastity; and bawdy, I find, like satire, should
be home, not to have it taken notice of. But, now I mention satire,
some there are who say, "'Tis the plain-dealing of the play, not the
obscenity; 'tis taking off the ladies' masks, not offering at their
petticoats, which offends 'em:"--and generally they are not the
handsomest, or most innocent, who are the most angry at their being
discovered:--

                            "Nihil est audacius illis
  Deprensis; iram atque animos a crimine sumunt."[92]

Pardon, madam, the quotation; for a dedication can no more be without
ends of Latin, than flattery: and 'tis no matter whom it is writ to;
for an author can as easily, I hope, suppose people to have more
understanding and languages than they have, as well as more virtues.
But why, the devil, should any of the few modest and handsome be
alarmed?--for some there are, who, as well as any, deserve those
attributes, yet refrain not from seeing this play, nor think it any
addition to their virtue to set up for it in a playhouse, lest there
it should look too much like acting--but why, I say, should any at
all of the truly virtuous be concerned, if those who are not so are
distinguished from 'em? for by that mask of modesty which women wear
promiscuously in public, they are all alike; and you can no more know
a kept wench from a woman of honour by her looks than by her dress.
For those who are of quality without honour (if any such there are)
they have their quality to set off their false modesty, as well as
their false jewels; and you must no more suspect their countenances
for counterfeit than their pendants, though as the plain dealer
Montaigne says, "_Els envoy leur conscience au bordel, et tiennent
leur continence en règle_." But those who act as they look, ought not
to be scandalised at the reprehension of others' faults, lest they tax
themselves with 'em, and by too delicate and quick an apprehension not
only make that obscene which I meant innocent, but that satire on all,
which was intended only on those who deserved it.

But, madam, I beg your pardon for this digression to civil women and
ladies of honour, since you and I shall never be the better for 'em:
for a comic poet and a lady of your profession make most of the
other sort; and the stage and your houses, like our plantations, are
propagated by the least nice women; and, as with the ministers of
justice, the vices of the age are our best business. But now I mention
public persons, I can no longer defer doing you the justice of a
dedication, and telling you your own, who are, of all public-spirited
people, the most necessary, most communicative, most generous and
hospitable. Your house has been the house of the people; your sleep
still disturbed for the public; and when you arose, 'twas that others
might lie down; and you waked that others might rest; the good you have
done is unspeakable. How many young inexperienced heirs have you kept
from rash foolish marriages, and from being jilted for their lives by
the worst sort of jilts, wives! How many unbewitched widowers' children
have you preserved from the tyranny of stepmothers! How many old doters
from cuckoldage, and keeping other men's wenches and children! How many
adulteries and unnatural sins have you prevented! In fine, you have
been a constant scourge to the old lecher, and often a terror to the
young: you have made concupiscence its own punishment, and extinguished
lust with lust, like blowing up of houses to stop the fire.

  "Nimirum propter continentiam, incontinentia
  Necessaria est, incendium ignibus exstinguitur."[93]

There's Latin for you again, madam: I protest to you, as I am an
author, I cannot help it: nay, I can hardly keep myself from quoting
Aristotle and Horace, and talking to you of the rules of writing (like
the French authors), to show you and my reader I understand 'em, in
my epistle, lest neither of you should find it out by the play. And
according to the rules of dedications, 'tis no matter whether you
understand or no what I quote or say to you of writing; for an author
can as easily make any one a judge or critic in an epistle, as a hero
in his play. But, madam, that this may prove to the end a true epistle
dedicatory, I'd have you to know 'tis not without a design upon you,
which is in the behalf of the fraternity of Parnassus; that songs and
sonnets may go at your houses, and in your liberties, for guineas and
half-guineas; and that wit, at least with you, as of old, may be the
price of beauty, and so you will prove a true encourager of poetry; for
love is a better help to it than wine; and poets, like painters, draw
better after the life than by fancy. Nay, in justice, madam, I think a
poet ought to be as free of your houses, as of the play-houses; since
he contributes to the support of both, and is as necessary to such as
you, as a ballad-singer to a pick-purse, in convening the cullies at
the theatres, to be picked up and carried to supper and bed at your
houses. And, madam, the reason of this motion of mine is, because poor
poets can get no favour in the tiring-rooms, for they are no keepers,
you know; and folly and money, the old enemies of wit, are even too
hard for it on its own dunghill: and for other ladies, a poet can least
go to the price of them. Besides, his wit, which ought to recommend
him to 'em, is as much an obstruction to his love, as to his wealth or
preferment; for most women now-a-days apprehend wit in a lover, as much
as in a husband; they hate a man that knows 'em, they must have a blind
easy fool, whom they can lead by the nose; and, as the Scythian women
of old, must baffle a man, and put out his eyes, ere they will lie with
him; and then too like thieves, when they have plundered and stripped a
man, leave him. But if there should be one of a hundred of those ladies
generous enough to give herself to a man that has more wit than money,
(all things considered,) he would think it cheaper coming to you for
a mistress, though you made him pay his guinea; as a man in a journey
(out of good husbandry), had better pay for what he has at an inn, than
lie on free-cost at a gentleman's house.

In fine, madam, like a faithful dedicator, I hope I have done myself
right in the first place: then you, and your profession, which in
the wisest and most religious government in the world is honoured
with the public allowance; and in those that are thought the most
uncivilised and barbarous is protected and supported by the ministers
of justice. And of you, madam, I ought to say no more here, for your
virtues deserve a poem rather than an epistle, or a volume entire to
give the world your memoirs, or life at large; and which (upon the
word of an author that has a mind to make an end of his dedication)
I promise to do, when I write the annals of our British love, which
shall be dedicated to the ladies concerned, if they will not think them
something too obscene too; when your life, compared with many that are
thought innocent, I doubt not, may vindicate you, and me, to the world,
for the confidence I have taken in this address to you; which then
may be thought neither impertinent nor immodest; and whatsoever your
amorous misfortunes have been, none can charge you with that heinous,
and worst of women's crimes, hypocrisy; nay, in spite of misfortunes
or age, you are the same woman still; though most of your sex grow
Magdalens at fifty, and as a solid French author has it--

  "Après le plaisir, vient la peine;
  Après la peine, la vertu."

But sure an old sinner's continency is much like a gamester's
forswearing play, when he had lost all his money; and modesty is a kind
of a youthful dress, which, as it makes a young woman more amiable,
makes an old one more nauseous: a bashful old woman is like a hopeful
old man; and the affected chastity of antiquated beauties is rather a
reproach than an honour to 'em; for it shows the men's virtue only, not
theirs. But you, in fine, madam, are no more a hypocrite than I am when
I praise you; therefore I doubt not will be thought (even by yours and
the play's enemies, the nicest ladies) to be the fittest patroness for,

Madam,

Your ladyship's most obedient, faithful, humble servant, and

THE PLAIN DEALER.




PROLOGUE.

SPOKEN BY THE PLAIN DEALER.

  I the Plain Dealer am to act to-day,
  And my rough part begins before the play.
  First, you who scribble, yet hate all that write,
  And keep each other company in spite,
  As rivals in your common mistress, fame,
  And with faint praises one another damn;
  'Tis a good play, we know, you can't forgive,
  But grudge yourselves the pleasure you receive:
  Our scribbler therefore bluntly bid me say,
  He would not have the wits pleased here to-day
  Next, you, the fine, loud gentlemen o' th' pit,
  Who damn all plays, yet, if y'ave any wit,
  'Tis but what here you spunge and daily get;
  Poets, like friends to whom you are in debt,
  You hate; and so rooks laugh, to see undone
  Those pushing gamesters whom they live upon.
  Well, you are sparks, and still will be i' th' fashion;
  Rail then at plays, to hide your obligation.
  Now, you shrewd judges, who the boxes sway,
  Leading the ladies' hearts and sense astray,
  And, for their sakes, see all, and hear no play;
  Correct your cravats, foretops, lock behind:
  The dress and breeding of the play ne'er mind;
  Plain dealing is, you'll say, quite out of fashion;
  You'll hate it here, as in a dedication:
  And your fair neighbours, in a limning poet
  No more than in a painter will allow it.
  Pictures too like the ladies will not please;
  They must be drawn too here like goddesses.
  You, as at Lely's too, would truncheon wield,
  And look like heroes in a painted field.
  But the coarse dauber of the coming scenes
  To follow life and nature only means,
  Displays you as you are, makes his fine woman
  A mercenary jilt, and true to no man:
  His men of wit and pleasure of the age
  Are as dull rogues as ever cumber'd stage:
  He draws a friend only to custom just,
  And makes him naturally break his trust.
  I, only, act a part like none of you,
  And yet you'll say, it is a fool's part too:
  An honest man who, like you, never winks
  At faults; but, unlike you, speaks what he thinks:
  The only fool who ne'er found patron yet,
  For truth is now a fault as well as wit.
  And where else, but on stages, do we see
  Truth pleasing, or rewarded honesty?
  Which our bold poet does this day in me.
  If not to th' honest, be to th' prosperous kind,
  Some friends at court let the Plain Dealer find.




_DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._

MANLY, of an honest, surly, nice humour, supposed first, in
the time of the Dutch war, to have procured the command
of a ship, out of honour, not interest; and choosing
a sea-life only to avoid the world.

FREEMAN, MANLY'S Lieutenant, a gentleman well educated,
but of a broken fortune, a complier with the age.

VERNISH, MANLY'S bosom and only friend.

NOVEL, a pert railing Coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties,
makes love to OLIVIA.

Major OLDFOX, an old impertinent Fop, given to scribbling,
makes love to the Widow BLACKACRE.

Lord PLAUSIBLE, a ceremonious, supple, commending Coxcomb,
in love with OLIVIA.

JERRY BLACKACRE, a true raw Squire, under age, and his
mother's government, bred to the law.

Lawyers, Knights of the Post, Bailiffs and Aldermen, a Bookseller's
Apprentice, a Foot-boy, Sailors, Waiters, and
Attendants.


OLIVIA, MANLY'S Mistress.

FIDELIA, in love with MANLY, and follows him to sea in
man's clothes.

ELIZA, Cousin of OLIVIA.

LETTICE, OLIVIA'S Woman.

Widow BLACKACRE, a petulant, litigious Widow, always in
law, and Mother of Squire JERRY.


SCENE--LONDON.




_THE PLAIN DEALER._


ACT THE FIRST.


SCENE I.--MANLY'S _Lodging._

       _Enter_ MANLY, _surlily_, Lord PLAUSIBLE, _following him;
                      and two_ Sailors _behind._

_Man._ Tell not me, my good Lord Plausible, of your decorums,
supercilious forms, and slavish ceremonies! your little tricks, which
you, the spaniels of the world, do daily over and over, for and to one
another; not out of love or duty, but your servile fear.

_L. Plau._ Nay, i' faith, i' faith, you are too passionate; and I must
humbly beg your pardon and leave to tell you, they are the arts and
rules the prudent of the world walk by.

_Man._ Let 'em. But I'll have no leading-strings; I can walk alone: I
hate a harness, and will not tug on in a faction, kissing my leader
behind, that another slave may do the like to me.

_L. Plau._ What, will you be singular then, like nobody? follow, love,
and esteem nobody?

_Man._ Rather than be general, like you, follow everybody; court and
kiss everybody; though perhaps at the same time you hate everybody.

_L. Plau._ Why, seriously, with your pardon, my dear friend--

_Man._ With your pardon, my no friend, I will not, as you do, whisper
my hatred or my scorn; call a man fool or knave by signs or mouths over
his shoulder, whilst you have him in your arms.--For such as you, like
common whores and pickpockets, are only dangerous to those you embrace.

_L. Plau._ Such as I! Heavens defend me!--upon my honour--

_Man._ Upon your title, my lord, if you'd have me believe you.

_L. Plau._ Well, then, as I am a person of honour, I never attempted to
abuse or lessen any person in my life.

_Man._ What, you were afraid?

_L. Plau._ No; but seriously, I hate to do a rude thing: no, faith, I
speak well of all mankind.

_Man._ I thought so: but know, that speaking well of all mankind is the
worst kind of detraction; for it takes away the reputation of the few
good men in the world, by making all alike. Now, I speak ill of most
men, because they deserve it; I that can do a rude thing, rather than
an unjust thing.

_L. Plau._ Well, tell not me, my dear friend, what people deserve; I
ne'er mind that. I, like an author in a dedication, never speak well
of a man for his sake, but my own; I will not disparage any man, to
disparage myself: for to speak ill of people behind their backs, is
not like a person of honour; and, truly, to speak ill of 'em to their
faces, is not like a complaisant person. But if I did say or do an ill
thing to anybody, it should be sure to be behind their backs, out of
pure good manners.

_Man._ Very well; but I, that am an unmannerly sea-fellow, if I ever
speak well of people, (which is very seldom indeed,) it should be
sure to be behind their backs; and if I would say or do ill to any,
it should be to their faces. I would jostle a proud, strutting,
overlooking coxcomb, at the head of his sycophants, rather than put out
my tongue at him when he were past me; would frown in the arrogant,
big, dull face of an overgrown knave of business, rather than vent
my spleen against him when his back were turned; would give fawning
slaves the lie whilst they embrace or commend me; cowards whilst they
brag; call a rascal by no other title, though his father had left him a
duke's; laugh at fools aloud before their mistresses; and must desire
people to leave me, when their visits grow at last as troublesome as
they were at first impertinent.

_L. Plau._ I would not have my visits troublesome.

_Man._ The only way to be sure not to have 'em troublesome, is to make
'em when people are not at home; for your visits, like other good
turns, are most obliging when made or done to a man in his absence. A
pox! why should any one, because he has nothing to do, go and disturb
another man's business?

_L. Plau._ I beg your pardon, my dear friend.--What, you have business?

_Man._ If you have any, I would not detain your lordship.

_L. Plau._ Detain me, dear sir!--I can never have enough of your
company.

_Man._ I'm afraid I should be tiresome: I know not what you think.

_L. Plau._ Well, dear sir, I see you'd have me gone. [_Aside._

_Man._ But I see you won't.

_L. Plau._ Your most faithful--

_Man._ God be w'ye, my lord.

_L. Plau._ Your most humble--

_Man._ Farewell.

_L. Plau._ And eternally--

_Man._ And eternally ceremony--[_Aside._] Then the devil take thee
eternally.

_L. Plau._ You shall use no ceremony, by my life.

_Man._ I do not intend it.

_L. Plau._ Why do you stir then?

_Man._ Only to see you out of doors, that I may shut 'em against more
welcomes.

_L. Plau._ Nay, faith, that shall not pass upon your most faithful
humble servant.

_Man._ Nor this any more upon me. [_Aside._

_L. Plau._ Well, you are too strong for me.

_Man._ [_Aside._] I'd sooner be visited by the plague; for that only
would keep a man from visits, and his doors shut. [_Exit thrusting
out_ Lord PLAUSIBLE.

_1st Sail._ Here's a finical fellow, Jack! What a brave fair-weather
captain of a ship he would make!

_2nd Sail._ He a captain of a ship! it must be when she's in the dock
then; for he looks like one of those that get the king's commissions
for hulls to sell a king's ship, when a brave fellow has fought her
almost to a longboat.

_1st Sail._ On my conscience then, Jack, that's the reason our bully
tar sunk our ship; not only that the Dutch might not have her; but that
the courtiers, who laugh at wooden legs, might not make her prize.

_2nd Sail._ A pox of his sinking, Tom! we have made a base, broken,
short voyage of it.

_1st Sail._ Ay, your brisk dealers in honour always make quick returns
with their ships to the dock, and their men to the hospitals. 'Tis, let
me see, just a month since we set out of the river, and the wind was
almost as cross to us as the Dutch.

_2nd Sail._ Well, I forgive him sinking my own poor truck, if he would
but have given me time and leave to have saved black Kate of Wapping's
small venture.

_1st Sail._ Faith, I forgive him, since, as the purser told me, he sunk
the value of five or six thousand pound of his own, with which he was
to settle himself somewhere in the Indies; for our merry lieutenant was
to succeed him in his commission for the ship back; for he was resolved
never to return again for England.

_2nd Sail._ So it seemed, by his fighting.

_1st Sail._ No; but he was a-weary of this side of the world here, they
say.

_2nd Sail._ Ay, or else he would not have bid so fair for a passage
into t'other.

_1st Sail._ Jack, thou thinkest thyself in the forecastle, thou'rt
so waggish. But I tell you, then, he had a mind to go live and bask
himself on the sunny side of the globe.

_2nd Sail._ What, out of any discontent? for he's always as dogged
as an old tarpaulin, when hindered of a voyage by a young pantaloon
captain.

_1st Sail._ 'Tis true I never saw him pleased but in the fight; and
then he looked like one of us coming from the pay-table, with a new
lining to our hats under our arms.

_2nd Sail._ A pox! he's like the Bay of Biscay, rough and angry, let
the wind blow where 'twill.

_1st Sail._ Nay, there's no more dealing with him, than with the land
in a storm, no near--

_2nd Sail._ 'Tis a hurry-durry blade. Dost thou remember after we had
tugged hard the old leaky longboat to save his life, when I welcomed
him ashore, he gave me a box on the ear, and called me fawning
water-dog?

                   _Re-enter_ MANLY _with_ FREEMAN.

_1st Sail._ Hold thy peace, Jack, and stand by; the foul weather's
coming.

_Man._ You rascals! dogs! how could this tame thing get through you?

_1st Sail._ Faith, to tell your honour the truth, we were at hob in the
hall,[94] and whilst my brother and I were quarrelling about a cast, he
slunk by us.

_2nd Sail._ He's a sneaking fellow I warrant for't.

_Man._ Have more care for the future, you slaves. Go, and with drawn
cutlasses stand at the stair-foot, and keep all that ask for me from
coming up; suppose you were guarding the scuttle to the powder-room.
Let none enter here, at your and their peril.

_1st Sail._ No, for the danger would be the same: you would blow them
and us up, if we should.

_2nd Sail._ Must no one come to you, sir?

_Man._ No man, sir.

_1st Sail._ No man, sir; but a woman then, an't like your honour--

_Man._ No woman neither, you impertinent dog! Would you be pimping?
sea-pimp is the strangest monster she has.

_2nd Sail._ Indeed, an't like your honour, 'twill be hard for us to
deny a woman anything, since we are so newly come on shore.

_1st Sail._ We'll let no old woman come up, though it were our trusting
landlady at Wapping.

_Man._ Would you be witty, you brandy casks you? you become a jest as
ill as you do a horse. Begone, you dogs! I hear a noise on the stairs.
[_Exeunt_ Sailors.

_Free._ Faith, I am sorry you would let the fop go, I intended to have
had some sport with him.

_Man._ Sport with him! A pox! then, why did you not stay? You should
have enjoyed your coxcomb, and had him to yourself for me.

_Free._ No, I should not have cared for him without you neither; for
the pleasure which fops afford is like that of drinking, only good when
'tis shared; and a fool, like a bottle, which would make you merry in
company, will make you dull alone. But how the devil could you turn
a man of his quality down stairs? You use a lord with very little
ceremony, it seems.

_Man._ A lord! What, thou art one of those who esteem men only by the
marks and value fortune has set upon 'em, and never consider intrinsic
worth! but counterfeit honour will not be current with me: I weigh the
man, not his title; 'tis not the king's stamp can make the metal better
or heavier. Your lord is a leaden shilling, which you bend every way,
and debases the stamp he bears, instead of being raised by it.--Here
again, you slaves!

                          _Re-enter_ Sailors.

_1st Sail._ Only to receive farther instructions, an't like your
honour.--What if a man should bring you money, should we turn him back?

_Man._ All men, I say: must I be pestered with you too?--You dogs, away!

_2nd Sail._ Nay, I know one man your honour would not have us hinder
coming to you, I'm sure.

_Man._ Who's that? speak quickly, slaves.

_2nd Sail._ Why, a man that should bring you a challenge. For though
you refuse money, I'm sure you love fighting too well to refuse that.

_Man._ Rogue! rascal! dog! [_Kicks the_ Sailors _out._

_Free._ Nay, let the poor rogues have their forecastle jests: they
cannot help 'em in a fight, scarce when a ship's sinking.

_Man._ Damn their untimely jests! a servant's jest is more sauciness
than his counsel.

_Free._ But what, will you see nobody? not your friends?

_Man._ Friends!--I have but one, and he, I hear, is not in town; nay,
can have but one friend, for a true heart admits but of one friendship,
as of one love. But in having that friend, I have a thousand; for he
has the courage of men in despair, yet the diffidency and caution of
cowards; the secrecy of the revengeful, and the constancy of martyrs;
one fit to advise, to keep a secret, to fight and die for his friend.
Such I think him; for I have trusted him with my mistress in my
absence: and the trust of beauty is sure the greatest we can show.

_Free._ Well, but all your good thoughts are not for him alone, I hope?
Pray, what d'ye think of me for a friend?

_Man._ Of thee! Why, thou art a latitudinarian in friendship, that
is, no friend; thou dost side with all mankind, but wilt suffer for
none. Thou art indeed like your Lord Plausible, the pink of courtesy,
therefore hast no friendship: for ceremony and great professing renders
friendship as much suspected as it does religion.

_Free._ And no professing, no ceremony at all in friendship, were as
unnatural and as undecent as in religion: and there is hardly such a
thing as an honest hypocrite, who professes himself to be worse than he
is, unless it be yourself; for though I could never get you to say you
were my friend, I know you'll prove so.

_Man._ I must confess, I am so much your friend, I would not deceive
you; therefore must tell you, not only because my heart is taken up,
but according to your rules of friendship, I cannot be your friend.[95]

_Free._ Pray, why?

_Man._ Because he that is, you'll say, a true friend to a man, is a
friend to all his friends. But you must pardon me, I cannot wish well
to pimps, flatterers, detractors, and cowards, stiff nodding knaves,
and supple, pliant, kissing fools. Now, all these I have seen you use
like the dearest friends in the world.

_Free._ Ha! ha! ha!--What, you observed me, I warrant, in the
galleries at Whitehall, doing the business of the place? Pshaw!
Court-professions, like court promises, go for nothing, man. But,
faith, could you think I was a friend to all those I hugged, kissed,
flattered, bowed to? Ha! ha!--

_Man._ You told 'em so, and swore it too; I heard you.

_Free._ Ay, but when their backs were turned, did not I tell you they
were rogues, villains, rascals, whom I despised and hated?

_Man._ Very fine! But what reason had I to believe you spoke your heart
to me, since you professed deceiving so many?

_Free._ Why, don't you know, good captain, that telling truth is a
quality as prejudicial to a man that would thrive in the world, as
square play to a cheat, or true love to a whore? Would you have a man
speak truth to his ruin? You are severer than the law, which requires
no man to swear against himself. You would have me speak truth against
myself I warrant, and tell my promising friend the courtier, he has a
bad memory.

_Man._ Yes.

_Free._ And so make him remember to forget my business? And I should
tell the great lawyer too, that he takes oftener fees to hold his
tongue, than to speak?

_Man._ No doubt on't.

_Free._ Ay, and have him hang or ruin me, when he should come to be a
judge, and I before him? And you would have me tell the new officer,
who bought his employment lately, that he is a coward?

_Man._ Ay.

_Free._ And so get myself cashiered, not him, he having the better
friends, though I the better sword? And I should tell the scribbler of
honour, that heraldry were a prettier and fitter study for so fine a
gentleman than poetry?

_Man._ Certainly.

_Free._ And so find myself mauled in his next hired lampoon? And you
would have me tell the holy lady, too, she lies with her chaplain?

_Man._ No doubt on't.

_Free._ And so draw the clergy upon my back, and want a good table to
dine at sometimes? And by the same reason too, I should tell you that
the world thinks you a mad man, a brutal, and have you cut my throat,
or worse, hate me. What other good success of all my plain-dealing
could I have, than what I've mentioned?

_Man._ Why, first, your promising courtier would keep his word out of
fear of more reproaches, or at least would give you no more vain hopes:
your lawyer would serve you more faithfully; for he, having no honour
but his interest, is truest still to him he knows suspects him: the new
officer would provoke thee to make him a coward, and so be cashiered,
that thou, or some other honest fellow, who had more courage than
money, might get his place: the noble sonnetteer would trouble thee no
more with his madrigals: the praying lady would leave off railing at
wenching before thee, and not turn away her chambermaid for her own
known frailty with thee: and I, instead of hating thee, should love
thee for thy plain dealing; and in lieu of being mortified, am proud
that the world and I think not well of one another.

_Free._ Well, doctors differ. You are for plain dealing, I find: but
against your particular notions, I have the practice of the whole
world. Observe but any morning what people do when they get together on
the Exchange, in Westminster-hall, or the galleries in Whitehall.

_Man._ I must confess, there they seem to rehearse Bayes's grand
dance. Here you see a bishop bowing low to a gaudy atheist; a judge
to a door-keeper; a great lord to a fishmonger, or scrivener with a
jack-chain about his neck; a lawyer to a sergeant-at-arms; a velvet
physician to a threadbare chemist; and a supple gentleman-usher to
a surly beefeater: and so tread round in a preposterous huddle of
ceremony to each other, whilst they can hardly hold their solemn false
countenances.

_Free._ Well, they understand the world.

_Man._ Which I do not, I confess.

_Free._ But, sir, pray believe the friendship I promise you real,
whatsoever I have professed to others: try me, at least.

_Man._ Why, what would you do for me?

_Free._ I would fight for you.

_Man._ That you would do for your own honour. But what else?

_Free._ I would lend you money, if I had it.

_Man._ To borrow more of me another time. That were putting your money
to interest; a usurer would be as good a friend.--But what other piece
of friendship?

_Free._ I would speak well of you to your enemies.

_Man._ To encourage others to be your friends, by a show of
gratitude.--But what else?

_Free._ Nay, I would not hear you ill spoken of behind your back by my
friend.

_Man._ Nay, then, thou'rt a friend, indeed.--But it were unreasonable
to expect it from thee, as the world goes now, when new friends, like
new mistresses, are got by disparaging old ones.

                           _Enter_ FIDELIA.

But here comes another, will say as much at least.--Dost thou not love
me devilishly too, my little volunteer, as well as he or any man can?

_Fid._ Better than any man can love you, my dear captain.

_Man._ Look you there, I told you so.

_Fid._ As well as you do truth or honour, sir; as well.

_Man._ Nay, good young gentleman, enough, for shame! Thou hast been a
page, by thy flattering and lying, to one of those praying ladies who
love flattery so well they are jealous of it; and wert turned away for
saying the same things to the old housekeeper for sweetmeats, as you
did to your lady; for thou flatterest everything and everybody alike.

_Fid._ You, dear sir, should not suspect the truth of what I say
of you, though to you. Fame, the old liar, is believed when she
speaks wonders of you: you cannot be flattered, sir, your merit is
unspeakable.

_Man._ Hold, hold, sir, or I shall suspect worse of you, that you have
been a cushion-bearer to some state-hypocrite, and turned away by the
chaplains, for out-flattering their probation-sermons for a benefice.

_Fid._ Suspect me for anything, sir, but the want of love, faith, and
duty to you, the bravest, worthiest of mankind; believe me, I could die
for you, sir.

_Man._ Nay, there you lie, sir; did not I see thee more afraid in the
fight than the chaplain of the ship, or the purser that bought his
place?

_Fid._ Can he be said to be afraid, that ventures to sea with you?

_Man._ Fy! fy! no more; I shall hate thy flattery worse than thy
cowardice, nay, than thy bragging.

_Fid._ Well, I own then I was afraid, mightily afraid; yet for you I
would be afraid again, a hundred times afraid. Dying is ceasing to be
afraid, and that I could do sure for you, and you'll believe me one
day. [_Weeps._

_Free._ Poor youth! believe his eyes, if not his tongue: he seems to
speak truth with them.

_Man._ What, does he cry? A pox on't! a maudlin flatterer is as
nauseously troublesome as a maudlin drunkard.--No more, you little
milksop, do not cry, I'll never make thee afraid again; for of all men,
if I had occasion, thou shouldst not be my second; and when I go to sea
again, thou shalt venture thy life no more with me.

_Fid._ Why, will you leave me behind then?--[_Aside._] If you would
preserve my life, I'm sure you should not.

_Man._ Leave thee behind! ay, ay, thou art a hopeful youth for the
shore only. Here thou wilt live to be cherished by fortune and the
great ones; for thou mayst easily come to outflatter a dull poet,
outlie a coffee-house or gazette-writer, outswear a knight of the
post,[96] outwatch a pimp, outfawn a rook, outpromise a lover, outrail
a wit, and outbrag a sea-captain:--all this thou canst do, because
thou'rt a coward, a thing I hate; therefore thou'lt do better with the
world than with me, and these are the good courses you must take in
the world. There's good advice, at least, at parting; go, and be happy
with't.

_Fid._ Parting, sir! O let me not hear that dismal word.

_Man._ If my words frighten thee, begone the sooner; for to be plain
with thee, cowardice and I cannot dwell together.

_Fid._ And cruelty and courage never dwelt together sure, sir. Do not
turn me off to shame and misery, for I am helpless and friendless.

_Man._ Friendless! there are half a score friends for thee
then.--[_Offers her gold._] I leave myself no more: they'll help thee a
little. Begone, go, I must be cruel to thee (if thou callest it so) out
of pity.

_Fid._ If you would be cruelly pitiful, sir, let it be with your sword,
not gold. [_Exit._

                        _Re-enter_ 1st Sailor.

_1st Sail._ We have, with much ado, turned away two gentlemen, who told
us, forty times over, their names were Mr. Novel and Major Oldfox.

_Man._ Well, to your post again.--[_Exit_ Sailor.] But how come those
puppies coupled always together?

_Free._ O, the coxcombs keep each other company, to show each other,
as Novel calls it; or, as Oldfox says, like two knives, to whet one
another.

_Man._ And set other people's teeth on edge.

                        _Re-enter_ 2nd Sailor.

_2nd Sail._ Here is a woman, an't like your honour, scolds and bustles
with us, to come in, as much as a seaman's widow at the Navy office:
her name is Mrs. Blackacre.

_Man._ That fiend too!

_Free._ The Widow Blackacre, is it not? that litigious she
petty-fogger, who is at law and difference with all the world; but I
wish I could make her agree with me in the church. They say she has
fifteen hundred pounds a year jointure, and the care of her son, that
is, the destruction of his estate.

_Man._ Her lawyers, attorneys, and solicitors, have fifteen hundred
pounds a year, whilst she is contented to be poor, to make other people
so. For she is as vexatious as her father was, the great attorney, nay,
as a dozen Norfolk attorneys, and as implacable an adversary as a wife
suing for alimony, or a parson for his tithes; and she loves an Easter
term, or any term, not as other country ladies do, to come up to be
fine, cuckold their husbands, and take their pleasure; for she has no
pleasure but in vexing others, and is usually clothed and daggled[97]
like a bawd in disguise, pursued through alleys by sergeants. When she
is in town, she lodges in one of the inns of Chancery, where she breeds
her son, and is herself his tutoress in law-French; and for her country
abode, though she has no estate there, she chooses Norfolk.--But, bid
her come in, with a pox to her! she is Olivia's kinswoman, and may make
me amends for her visit, by some discourse of that dear woman. [_Exit_
Sailor.

     _Enter_ Widow BLACKACRE, _with a mantle and a green bag, and
    several papers in the other hand;_ JERRY BLACKACRE _in a gown,
                laden with green bags, following her._

_Wid._ I never had so much to do with a judge's door-keeper, as with
yours; but--

_Man._ But the incomparable Olivia, how does she since I went?

_Wid._ Since you went, my suit--

_Man._ Olivia, I say, is she well?

_Wid._ My suit, if you had not returned--

_Man._ Damn your suit! how does your cousin Olivia?

_Wid._ My suit, I say, had been quite lost; but now--

_Man._ But now, where is Olivia? in town? for--

_Wid._ For to-morrow we are to have a hearing.

_Man._ Would you would let me have a hearing to-day!

_Wid._ But why won't you hear me?

_Man._ I am no judge, and you talk of nothing but suits; but, pray tell
me, when did you see Olivia?

_Wid._ I am no visitor, but a woman of business; or if I ever visit,
'tis only the Chancery-lane ladies, ladies towards the law; and not
any of your lazy, good-for-nothing flirts, who cannot read law-French,
though a gallant writ it. But as I was telling you, my suit--

_Man._ Damn these impertinent vexatious people of business, of all
sexes! they are still troubling the world with the tedious recitals
of their lawsuits: and one can no more stop their mouths than a wit's
when he talks of himself, or an intelligencer's when he talks of other
people.

_Wid._ And a pox of all vexatious, impertinent lovers! they are still
perplexing the world with the tedious narrations of their love-suits,
and discourses of their mistresses! You are as troublesome to a poor
widow of business, as a young coxcombly rhyming lover.

_Man._ And thou art as troublesome to me, as a rook to a losing
gamester, or a young putter of cases to his mistress or sempstress, who
has love in her head for another.

_Wid._ Nay, since you talk of putting of cases, and will not hear me
speak, hear our Jerry a little; let him put our case to you, for the
trial's to-morrow: and since you are my chief witness, I would have
your memory refreshed and your judgment informed, that you may not give
your evidence improperly.--Speak out, child.

_Jer._ Yes, forsooth. Hem! hem! John-a-Stiles--

_Man._ You may talk, young lawyer, but I shall no more mind you, than a
hungry judge does a cause after the clock has struck one.

_Free._ Nay, you'll find him as peevish too.

_Wid._ No matter. Jerry, go on.--Do you observe it then, sir; for I
think I have seen you in a gown once. Lord, I could hear our Jerry put
cases all day long.--Mark him, sir.

_Jer._ John-a-Stiles--no--there are first, Fitz, Pere, and Ayle,--no,
no, Ayle, Pere, and Fitz; Ayle is seised in fee of Blackacre;
John-a-Stiles disseises Ayle; Ayle makes claim, and the disseisor dies;
then the Ayle--no, the Fitz--

_Wid._ No, the Pere, sirrah.

_Jer._ Oh, the Pere! ay, the Pere, sir, and the Fitz--no, the
Ayle,--no, the Pere and the Fitz, sir, and--

_Man._ Damn Pere, Mere, and Fitz, sir!

_Wid._ No, you are out, child.--Hear me, captain, then. There are
Ayle, Pere, and Fitz; Ayle is seised in fee of Blackacre; and, being
so seised, John-a-Stiles disseises the Ayle, Ayle makes claim, and the
disseisor dies; and then the Pere re-enters, the Pere, sirrah, the
Pere--[_to_ JERRY.] and the Fitz enters upon the Pere, and the Ayle
brings his writ of disseisin in the post; and the Pere brings his writ
of disseisin in the Pere, and--

_Man._ Canst thou hear this stuff, Freeman? I could as soon suffer a
whole noise of flatterers at a great man's levee in a morning; but thou
hast servile complacency enough to listen to a quibbling statesman in
disgrace, nay, and be beforehand with him, in laughing at his dull
no-jest; but I--[_Offering to go out._

_Wid._ Nay, sir, hold! Where's the subpœna, Jerry? I must serve you,
sir. You are required by this, to give your testimony--

_Man._ I'll be forsworn to be revenged on thee. [_Exit, throwing away
the subpœna._

_Wid._ Get you gone, for a lawless companion!--Come, Jerry, I had
almost forgot, we were to meet at the master's at three: let us mind
our business still, child.

_Jer._ Ay, forsooth, e'en so let's.

_Free._ Nay, madam, now I would beg you to hear me a little, a little
of my business.

_Wid._ I have business of my own calls me away, sir.

_Free._ My business would prove yours too, dear madam.

_Wid._ Yours would be some sweet business, I warrant. What, 'tis no
Westminster Hall business? would you have my advice?

_Free._ No, faith, 'tis a little Westminster Abbey business; I would
have your consent.

_Wid._ O fy, fy, sir! to me such discourse, before my dear minor there!

_Jer._ Ay, ay, mother, he would be taking livery and seisin of your
jointure by digging the turf, but I'll watch your waters,[98] bully,
i'fac.--Come away, mother. [_Exit, haling away his_ Mother.

                          _Re-enter_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ Dear sir, you have pity; beget but some in our captain for me.

_Free._ Where is he?

_Fid._ Within; swearing as much as he did in the great storm, and
cursing you, and sometimes sinks into calms and sighs, and talks of his
Olivia.

_Free._ He would never trust me to see her.--Is she handsome?

_Fid._ No, if you'll take my word: but I am not a proper judge.

_Free._ What is she?

_Fid._ A gentlewoman, I suppose, but of as mean a fortune as beauty;
but her relations would not suffer her to go with him to the Indies:
and his aversion to this side of the world, together with the late
opportunity of commanding the convoy, would not let him stay here
longer, though to enjoy her.

_Free._ He loves her mightily then?

_Fid._ Yes, so well, that the remainder of his fortune (I hear about
five or six thousand pounds) he has left her, in case he had died by
the way, or before she could prevail with her friends to follow him;
which he expected she should do, and has left behind him his great
bosom friend to be her convoy to him.

_Free._ What charms has she for him, if she be not handsome?

_Fid._ He fancies her, I suppose, the only woman of truth and sincerity
in the world.

_Free._ No common beauty, I confess.

_Fid._ Or else sure he would not have trusted her with so great a share
of his fortune, in his absence, I suppose (since his late loss) all he
has.

_Free._ Why, has he left it in her own custody?

_Fid._ I am told so.

_Free._ Then he has showed love to her indeed, in leaving her, like
an old husband that dies as soon as he has made his wife a good
jointure.--But I'll go in to him, and speak for you, and know more from
him of his Olivia. [_Exit._

_Fid._

  His Olivia, indeed, his happy Olivia!
  Yet she was left behind, when I was with him:
  But she was ne'er out of his mind or heart.
  She has told him she loved him; I have show'd it,
  And durst not tell him so, till I had done,
  Under this habit, such convincing acts
  Of loving friendship for him, that through it
  He first might find out both my sex and love;
  And, when I'd had him from his fair Olivia,
  And this bright world of artful beauties here,
  Might then have hoped, he would have look'd on me,
  Amongst the sooty Indians; and I could,
  To choose, there live his wife, where wives are forced
  To live no longer, when their husbands die;
  Nay, what's yet worse, to share 'em whilst they live
  With many rival wives. But here he comes,
  And I must yet keep out of his sight, not
  To lose it for ever. [_Exit._

                    _Re-enter_ MANLY _and_ FREEMAN.

_Free._ But pray what strange charms has she that could make you love?

_Man._ Strange charms indeed! she has beauty enough to call in question
her wit or virtue, and her form would make a starved hermit a ravisher;
yet her virtue and conduct would preserve her from the subtle lust of a
pampered prelate. She is so perfect a beauty, that art could not better
it, nor affectation deform it. Yet all this is nothing. Her tongue
as well as face ne'er knew artifice; nor ever did her words or looks
contradict her heart. She is all truth, and hates the lying, masking,
daubing world, as I do: for which I love her, and for which I think
she dislikes not me. For she has often shut out of her conversation
for mine, the gaudy fluttering parrots of the town, apes and echoes
of men only, and refused their common-place pert chat, flattery and
submissions, to be entertained with my sullen bluntness, and honest
love: and, last of all, swore to me, since her parents would not suffer
her to go with me, she would stay behind for no other man; but follow
me without their leave, if not to be obtained. Which oath--

_Free._ Did you think she would keep?

_Man._ Yes; for she is not (I tell you) like other women, but can keep
her promise, though she has sworn to keep it. But, that she might the
better keep it, I left her the value of five or six thousand pounds:
for women's wants are generally the most importunate solicitors to love
or marriage.

_Free._ And money summons lovers more than beauty, and augments but
their importunity, and their number; so makes it the harder for a woman
to deny 'em. For my part, I am for the French maxim;--"If you would
have your female subjects loyal, keep 'em poor."--But in short, that
your mistress may not marry, you have given her a portion.

_Man._ She had given me her heart first, and I am satisfied with the
security; I can never doubt her truth and constancy.

_Free._ It seems you do, since you are fain to bribe it with money. But
how come you to be so diffident of the man that says he loves you, and
not doubt the woman that says it?

_Man._ I should, I confess, doubt the love of any other woman but her,
as I do the friendship of any other man but him I have trusted; but I
have such proofs of their faith as cannot deceive me.

_Free._ Cannot!

_Man._ Not but I know that generally no man can be a great enemy but
under the name of friend; and if you are a cuckold, it is your friend
only that makes you so, for your enemy is not admitted to your house:
if you are cheated in your fortune, 'tis your friend that does it, for
your enemy is not made your trustee: if your honour or good name be
injured, 'tis your friend that does it still, because your enemy is not
believed against you. Therefore, I rather choose to go where honest,
downright barbarity is professed, where men devour one another like
generous hungry lions and tigers, not like crocodiles; where they think
the devil white, of our complexion; and I am already so far an Indian.
But if your weak faith doubts this miracle of a woman, come along with
me, and believe; and thou wilt find her so handsome, that thou, who art
so much my friend, wilt have a mind to lie with her, and so wilt not
fail to discover what her faith and thine is to me.

  When we're in love, the great adversity,
  Our friends and mistresses at once we try.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE SECOND.


SCENE I.--OLIVIA'S _Lodging._

                 _Enter_ OLIVIA, ELIZA, _and_ LETTICE.

_Oliv._ Ah, cousin, what a world 'tis we live in! I am so weary of it.

_Eliza._ Truly, cousin, I can find no fault with it, but that we cannot
always live in't, for I can never be weary of it.

_Oliv._ O hideous! you cannot be in earnest sure, when you say you like
the filthy world.

_Eliza._ You cannot be in earnest sure, when you say you dislike it.

_Oliv._ You are a very censorious creature, I find.

_Eliza._ I must confess, I think we women as often discover where we
love by railing, as men when they lie by their swearing; and the world
is but a constant keeping gallant, whom we fail not to quarrel with
when anything crosses us, yet cannot part with't for our hearts.

_Let._ A gallant indeed, madam, whom ladies first make jealous, and
then quarrel with it for being so; for if, by her indiscretion, a lady
be talked of for a man, she cries presently, "'Tis a censorious world!"
if by her vanity the intrigue be found out, "'Tis a prying malicious
world!" if by her over-fondness the gallant proves unconstant, "'Tis a
false world!" and if by her niggardliness the chambermaid tells, "'Tis
a perfidious world!" But that, I'm sure, your ladyship cannot say of
the world yet, as bad as 'tis.

_Oliv._ But I may say, "'Tis a very impertinent world!"--Hold your
peace.--And, cousin, if the world be a gallant, 'tis such a one as is
my aversion. Pray name it no more.

_Eliza._ But is it possible the world, which has such variety of charms
for other women, can have none for you? Let's see--first, what d'ye
think of dressing and fine clothes?

_Oliv._ Dressing! Fy, fy, 'tis my aversion.--[_To_ LETTICE.] But come
hither, you dowdy; methinks you might have opened this toure better; O
hideous! I cannot suffer it! D'ye see how't sits?

_Eliza._ Well enough, cousin, if dressing be your aversion.

_Oliv._ 'Tis so: and for variety of rich clothes, they are more my
aversion.

_Let._ Ay, 'tis because your ladyship wears 'em too long; for indeed a
gown, like a gallant, grows one's aversion by having too much of it.

_Oliv._ Insatiable creature! I'll be sworn I have had this not above
three days, cousin, and within this month have made some six more.

_Eliza._ Then your aversion to 'em is not altogether so great.

_Oliv._ Alas! 'tis for my woman only I wear 'em, cousin.

_Let._ If it be for me only, madam, pray do not wear 'em.

_Eliza._ But what d'ye think of visits--balls?

_Oliv._ O, I detest 'em!

_Eliza._ Of plays?

_Oliv._ I abominate 'em; filthy, obscene, hideous things.

_Eliza._ What say you to masquerading in the winter, and Hyde Park in
the summer?

_Oliv._ Insipid pleasures I taste not.

_Eliza._ Nay, if you are are for more solid pleasures, what think you
of a rich young husband?

_Oliv._ O horrid! marriage! what a pleasure you have found out! I
nauseate it of all things.

_Let._ But what does your ladyship think then of a liberal handsome
young lover?

_Oliv._ A handsome young fellow, you impudent! begone out of my sight.
Name a handsome young fellow to me! foh, a hideous handsome young
fellow I abominate! [_Spits._

_Eliza._ Indeed! But let's see--will nothing please you? what d'ye
think of the court?

_Oliv._ How, the court! the court, cousin! my aversion, my aversion, my
aversion of all aversions!

_Eliza._ How, the court! where--

_Oliv._ Where sincerity is a quality as much out of fashion and as
unprosperous as bashfulness: I could not laugh at a quibble, though it
were a fat privy-counsellor's; nor praise a lord's ill verses, though I
were myself the subject; nor an old lady's young looks, though I were
her woman; nor sit to a vain young smile-maker, though he flattered
me. In short, I could not glout[99] upon a man when he comes into a
room, and laugh at him when he goes out; I cannot rail at the absent to
flatter the standers-by; I--

_Eliza._ Well, but railing now is so common, that 'tis no more malice,
but the fashion; and the absent think they are no more the worse for
being railed at, than the present think they're the better for being
flattered. And for the court--

_Oliv._ Nay, do not defend the court; for you'll make me rail at it
like a trusting citizen's widow.

_Eliza._ Or like a Holborn lady, who could not get in to the last ball,
or was out of countenance in the drawing-room the last Sunday of her
appearance there. For none rail at the court but those who cannot get
into it, or else who are ridiculous when they are there; and I shall
suspect you were laughed at when you were last there, or would be a
maid of honour.

_Oliv._ I a maid of honour! To be a maid of honour, were yet of all
things my aversion.

_Eliza._ In what sense am I to understand you? But in fine, by the
word aversion, I'm sure you dissemble; for I never knew woman yet
used it who did not. Come, our tongues belie our hearts more than
our pocket-glasses do our faces. But methinks we ought to leave off
dissembling, since 'tis grown of no use to us; for all wise observers
understand us now-a-days, as they do dreams, almanacs, and Dutch
gazettes, by the contrary: and a man no more believes a woman, when she
says she has an aversion for him, than when she says she'll cry out.

_Oliv._ O filthy! hideous! Peace, cousin, or your discourse will be my
aversion: and you may believe me.

_Eliza._ Yes; for if anything be a woman's aversion, 'tis plain dealing
from another woman: and perhaps that's your quarrel to the world; for
that will talk, as your woman says.

_Oliv._ Talk? not of me sure; for what men do I converse with? what
visits do I admit?

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ Here's the gentleman to wait upon you, madam.

_Oliv._ On me! you little unthinking fop; d'ye know what you say?

_Boy._ Yes, madam, 'tis the gentleman that comes every day to you, who--

_Oliv._ Hold your peace, you heedless little animal, and get you
gone.--[_Exit_ Boy.] This country boy, cousin, takes my dancing-master,
tailor, or the spruce milliner, for visitors.

_Let._ No, madam; 'tis Mr. Novel, I'm sure, by his talking so loud: I
know his voice too, madam.

_Oliv._ You know nothing, you buffle-headed stupid creature you: you
would make my cousin believe I receive visits. But if it be Mr.--what
did you call him?

_Let._ Mr. Novel, madam; he that--

_Oliv._ Hold your peace; I'll hear no more of him. But if it be your
Mr.--(I cannot think of his name again) I suppose he has followed my
cousin hither.

_Eliza._ No, cousin, I will not rob you of the honour of the visit:
'tis to you, cousin; for I know him not.

_Oliv._ Nor did I ever hear of him before, upon my honour, cousin;
besides, han't I told you, that visits, and the business of visits,
flattery and detraction, are my aversion? D'ye think then I would admit
such a coxcomb as he is? who rather than not rail, will rail at the
dead, whom none speak ill of; rather than not flatter, will flatter the
poets of the age, whom none will flatter; who affects novelty as much
as the fashion, and is as fantastical as changeable, and as well known
as the fashion; who likes nothing but what is new, nay, would choose to
have his friend or his title a new one. In fine, he is my aversion.

_Eliza._ I find you do know him, cousin; at least, have heard of him.

_Oliv._ Yes, now I remember. I have heard of him.

_Eliza._ Well; but since he is such a coxcomb, for Heaven's sake, let
him not come up. Tell him, Mrs. Lettice, your lady is not within.

_Oliv._ No, Lettice, tell him my cousin is here, and that he may come
up. For notwithstanding I detest the sight of him, you may like his
conversation; and though I would use him scurvily, I will not be rude
to you in my own lodging: since he has followed you hither, let him
come up, I say.

_Eliza._ Very fine! pray let him go to the devil, I say, for me: I
know him not, nor desire it. Send him away, Mrs. Lettice.

_Oliv._ Upon my word, she shan't: I must disobey your commands, to
comply with your desires. Call him up, Lettice.

_Eliza._ Nay, I'll swear she shall not stir on that errand. [_Holds_
LETTICE.

_Oliv._ Well then, I'll call him myself for you, since you will have it
so.--[_Calls out at the door._] Mr. Novel, sir, sir!

                            _Enter_ NOVEL.

_Nov._ Madam, I beg your pardon; perhaps you were busy: I did not think
you had company with you.

_Eliza._ Yet he comes to me, cousin! [_Aside to_ OLIVIA.

_Oliv._ Chairs there. [_They sit._

_Nov._ Well; but, madam, d'ye know whence I come now?

_Oliv._ From some melancholy place, I warrant, sir, since they have
lost your good company.

_Eliza._ So!

_Nov._ From a place where they have treated me at dinner with so much
civility and kindness, a pox on them! that I could hardly get away to
you, dear madam.

_Oliv._ You have a way with you so new and obliging, sir!

_Eliza._ You hate flattery, cousin! [_Apart to_ OLIVIA.

_Nov._ Nay, faith, madam, d'ye think my way new? Then you are obliging,
madam. I must confess, I hate imitation, to do anything like other
people. All that know me do me the honour to say, I am an original,
faith. But, as I was saying, madam, I have been treated to-day with
all the ceremony and kindness imaginable at my Lady Autumn's. But, the
nauseous old woman at the upper end of her table--

_Oliv._ Revives the old Grecian custom, of serving in a death's head
with their banquets.

_Nov._ Ha! ha! fine, just, i'faith, nay, and new. 'Tis like eating with
the ghost in "The Libertine:"[100] she would frighten a man from her
dinner with her hollow invitations, and spoil one's stomach--

_Oliv._ To meat or women. I detest her hollow cherry cheeks: she looks
like an old coach new painted; affecting an unseemly smugness, whilst
she is ready to drop in pieces.

_Eliza._ You hate detraction, I see, cousin. [_Apart to_ OLIVIA.

_Nov._ But the silly old fury, whilst she affects to look like a woman
of this age, talks--

_Oliv._ Like one of the last; and as passionately as an old courtier
who has outlived his office.

_Nov._ Yes, madam; but pray let me give you her character. Then she
never counts her age by the years, but--

_Oliv._ By the masques she has lived to see.

_Nov._ Nay then, madam, I see you think a little harmless railing too
great a pleasure for any but yourself; and therefore I've done.

_Oliv._ Nay, faith, you shall tell me who you had there at dinner.

_Nov._ If you would hear me, madam.

_Oliv._ Most patiently; speak, sir.

_Nov._ Then, we had her daughter--

_Oliv._ Ay, her daughter; the very disgrace to good clothes, which she
always wears but to heighten her deformity, not mend it: for she is
still most splendidly, gallantly ugly, and looks like an ill piece of
daubing in a rich frame.

_Nov._ So! But have you done with her, madam? and can you spare her to
me a little now?

_Oliv._ Ay, ay, sir.

_Nov._ Then, she is like--

_Oliv._ She is, you'd say, like a city bride; the greater fortune, but
not the greater beauty, for her dress.

_Nov._ Well: yet have you done, madam? Then she--

_Oliv._ Then she bestows as unfortunately on her face all the graces
in fashion, as the languishing eye, the hanging or pouting lip. But
as the fool is never more provoking than when he aims at wit, the
ill-favoured of our sex are never more nauseous than when they would be
beauties, adding to their natural deformity the artificial ugliness of
affectation.

_Eliza._ So, cousin, I find one may have a collection of all one's
acquaintance's pictures as well at your house as at Mr. Lely's.[101]
Only the difference is, there we find 'em much handsomer than they are,
and like; here much uglier, and like: and you are the first of the
profession of picture-drawing I ever knew without flattery.

_Oliv._ I draw after the life; do nobody wrong, cousin.

_Eliza._ No, you hate flattery and detraction.

_Oliv._ But, Mr. Novel, who had you besides at dinner?

_Nov._ Nay, the devil take me if I tell you, unless you will allow me
the privilege of railing in my turn.--But, now I think on't, the women
ought to be your province, as the men are mine: and you must know we
had him whom--

_Oliv._ Him, whom--

_Nov._ What, invading me already? and giving the character before you
know the man?

_Eliza._ No, that is not fair, though it be usual.

_Oliv._ I beg your pardon, Mr. Novel; pray go on.

_Nov._ Then, I say, we had that familiar coxcomb who is at home
wheresoe'er he comes.

_Oliv._ Ay, that fool--

_Nov._ Nay then, madam, your servant; I'm gone. Taking the fool out of
one's mouth is worse than taking the bread out of one's mouth.

_Oliv._ I've done; your pardon, Mr. Novel: pray proceed.

_Nov._ I say, the rogue, that he may be the only wit in company, will
let nobody else talk, and--

_Oliv._ Ay, those fops who love to talk all themselves are of all
things my aversion.

_Nov._ Then you'll let me speak, madam, sure. The rogue, I say, will
force his jest upon you; and I hate a jest that's forced upon a man, as
much as a glass.

_Eliza._ Why, I hope, sir, he does not expect a man of your temperance
in jesting should do him reason?

_Nov._ What! interruption from this side too? I must then--[_Offers to
rise._ OLIVIA _holds him._

_Oliv._ No, sir.--You must know, cousin, that fop he means, though he
talks only to be commended, will not give you leave to do't.

_Nov._ But, madam--

_Oliv._ He a wit! Hang him; he's only an adopter of straggling jests
and fatherless lampoons; by the credit of which he eats at good tables,
and so, like the barren beggar-woman, lives by borrowed children.

_Nov._ Madam--

_Oliv._ And never was author of anything but his news; but that is
still all his own.

_Nov._ Madam, pray--

_Oliv._ An eternal babbler; and makes no more use of his ears, than a
man that sits at a play by his mistress, or in Fop-corner. He's, in
fine, a base detracting fellow, and is my aversion.--But who else,
prithee Mr. Novel, was there with you? Nay, you shan't stir.

_Nov._ I beg your pardon, madam; I cannot stay in any place where I'm
not allowed a little Christian liberty of railing.

_Oliv._ Nay, prithee Mr. Novel, stay: and though you should rail at me,
I would hear you with patience. Prithee, who else was there with you?

_Nov._ Your servant, madam.

_Oliv._ Nay, prithee tell us, Mr. Novel, prithee do.

_Nov._ We had nobody else.

_Oliv._ Nay, faith, I know you had. Come, my Lord Plausible was there
too; who is, cousin, a--

_Eliza._ You need not tell me what he is, cousin; for I know him to be
a civil, good-natured, harmless gentleman, that speaks well of all the
world, and is always in good-humour; and--

_Oliv._ Hold, cousin, hold; I hate detraction. But I must tell you,
cousin, his civility is cowardice, his good-nature want of wit; and
he has neither courage nor sense to rail: and for his being always in
humour, 'tis because he is never dissatisfied with himself. In fine, he
is my aversion; and I never admit his visits beyond my hall.

_Nov._ No, he visit you! Damn him, cringing grinning rogue! if I should
see him coming up to you, I would make bold to kick him down again.--Ha!

                        _Enter_ Lord PLAUSIBLE.

My dear lord, your most humble servant. [_Rises and salutes_ Lord PLAUSIBLE,
_and kisses him._

_Eliza._ So, I find kissing and railing succeed each other with the
angry men as well as with the angry women; and their quarrels are like
love-quarrels, since absence is the only cause of them; for as soon as
the man appears again, they are over. [_Aside._

_L. Plau._ Your most faithful humble servant, generous Mr. Novel. And,
madam, I am your eternal slave, and kiss your fair hands; which I had
done sooner, according to your commands, but--

_Oliv._ No excuses, my lord.

_Eliza._ What, you sent for him then, cousin? [_Apart to_ OLIVIA.

_Nov._ Ha! invited! [_Aside._

_Oliv._ I know you must divide yourself; for your good company is too
general a good to be engrossed by any particular friend.

_L. Plau._ O Lord, madam, my company! your most obliged, faithful,
humble servant. But I could have brought you good company indeed; for I
parted at your door with two of the worthiest, bravest men--

_Oliv._ Who were they, my lord?

_Nov._ Who do you call the worthiest, bravest men, pray?

_L. Plau._ O, the wisest, bravest gentlemen! men of such honour and
virtue! of such good qualities! ah--

_Eliza._ This is a coxcomb that speaks ill of all people a different
way, and libels everybody with dull praise, and commonly in the wrong
place; so makes his panegyrics abusive lampoons. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ But pray let me know who they were?

_L. Plau._ Ah! such patterns of heroic virtue! such--

_Nov._ Well: but who the devil were they?

_L. Plau._ The honour of our nation! the glory of our age! Ah, I could
dwell a twelvemonth on their praise; which indeed I might spare by
telling their names; Sir John Current and Sir Richard Court-Title.

_Nov._ Court-Title! ha! ha!

_Oliv._ And Sir John Current! Why will you keep such a wretch company,
my lord?

_L. Plau._ O madam, seriously you are a little too severe; for he is a
man of unquestioned reputation in everything.

_Oliv._ Yes, because he endeavours only with the women to pass for a
man of courage, and with the bullies for a wit; with the wits for a man
of business, and with the men of business for a favourite at court; and
at court for city security.

_Nov._ And for Sir Richard, he--

_L. Plau._ He loves your choice picked company, persons that--

_Oliv._ He loves a lord indeed; but--

_Nov._ Pray, dear madam, let me have but a bold stroke or two at his
picture. He loves a lord, as you say, though--

_Oliv._ Though he borrowed his money, and ne'er paid him again.

_Nov._ And would bespeak a place three days before at the back-end of a
lord's coach to Hyde Park.

_L. Plau._ Nay, i'faith, i'faith, you are both too severe.

_Oliv._ Then to show yet more his passion for quality, he makes love to
that fulsome coach-load of honour, my Lady Goodly, for he's always at
her lodging.

_L. Plau._ Because it is the conventicle-gallant, the meeting-house of
all the fair ladies, and glorious superfine beauties of the town.

_Nov._ Very fine ladies! there's first--

_Oliv._ Her honour, as fat as an hostess.

_L. Plau._ She is something plump indeed, a goodly, comely, graceful
person.

_Nov._ Then there's my Lady Frances--what d'ye call her? as ugly--

_Oliv._ As a citizen's lawfully begotten daughter.

_L. Plau._ She has wit in abundance, and the handsomest heel, elbow,
and tip of an ear, you ever saw.

_Nov._ Heel and elbow! ha! ha! And there's my Lady Betty, you know--

_Oliv._ As sluttish and slatternly as an Irish woman bred in France.

_L. Plau._ Ah! all she has hangs with a loose air, indeed, and becoming
negligence.

_Eliza._ You see all faults with lovers' eyes, I find, my lord.

_L. Plau._ Ah, madam, your most obliged, faithful, humble servant to
command! But you can say nothing sure against the superfine mistress--

_Oliv._ I know who you mean. She is as censorious and detracting a jade
as a superannuated sinner.

_L. Plau._ She has a smart way of raillery, 'tis confessed.

_Nov._ And then for Mrs. Grideline--

_L. Plau._ She, I'm sure is--

_Oliv._ One that never spoke ill of anybody, 'tis confessed. For she
is as silent in conversation as a country lover, and no better company
than a clock, or a weather-glass: for if she sounds, 'tis but once an
hour to put you in mind of the time of day, or to tell you 'twill be
cold or hot, rain or snow.

_L. Plau._ Ah, poor creature! she's extremely good and modest.

_Nov._ And for Mrs. Bridlechin, she's--

_Oliv._ As proud as a churchman's wife.

_L. Plau._ She's a woman of great spirit and honour, and will not make
herself cheap, 'tis true.

_Nov._ Then Mrs. Hoyden, that calls all people by their surnames, and
is--

_Oliv._ As familiar a duck--

_Nov._ As an actress in the tiring room. There I was once beforehand
with you, madam.

_L. Plau._ Mrs. Hoyden! a poor, affable, good-natured soul. But the
divine Mrs. Trifle comes thither too. Sure her beauty, virtue, and
conduct, you can say nothing to.

_Oliv._ No!

_Nov._ No!--Pray let me speak, madam.

_Oliv._ First, can any one be called beautiful that squints?

_L. Plau._ Her eyes languish a little, I own.

_Nov._ Languish! ha! ha!

_Oliv._ Languish!--Then, for her conduct, she was seen at the "Country
Wife" after the first day. There's for you, my lord.

_L. Plau._ But, madam, she was not seen to use her fan all the play
long, turn aside her head, or by a conscious blush discover more guilt
than modesty.

_Oliv._ Very fine! Then you think a woman modest that sees the hideous
"Country Wife" without blushing or publishing her detestation of it?
D'ye hear him, cousin?

_Eliza._ Yes, and am, I must confess, something of his opinion; and
think, that as an over-conscious fool at a play, by endeavouring to
show the author's want of wit, exposes his own to more censure, so may
a lady call her own modesty in question, by publicly cavilling with
the poet's. For all those grimaces of honour and artificial modesty
disparage a woman's real virtue, as much as the use of white and red
does the natural complexion: and you must use very, very little, if you
would have it thought your own.

_Oliv._ Then you would have a woman of honour with passive looks, ears,
and tongue, undergo all the hideous obscenity she hears at nasty plays.

_Eliza._ Truly, I think a woman betrays her want of modesty, by showing
it publicly in a playhouse, as much as a man does his want of courage
by a quarrel there; for the truly modest and stout say least, and are
least exceptious, especially in public.

_Oliv._ O hideous, cousin! this cannot be your opinion. But you are one
of those who have the confidence to pardon the filthy play.

_Eliza._ Why, what is there of ill in't, say you?

_Oliv._ O fy! fy! fy! would you put me to the blush anew? call all
the blood into my face again? But to satisfy you then; first, the
clandestine obscenity in the very name of Horner.

_Eliza._ Truly, 'tis so hidden, I cannot find it out, I confess.

_Oliv._ O horrid! Does it not give you the rank conception or image of
a goat, or town-bull, or a satyr? nay, what is yet a filthier image
than all the rest, that of an eunuch?

_Eliza._ What then? I can think of a goat, a bull, or a satyr, without
any hurt.

_Oliv._ Ay: but cousin, one cannot stop there.

_Eliza._ I can, cousin.

_Oliv._ O no; for when you have those filthy creatures in your head
once, the next thing you think, is what they do; as their defiling of
honest men's beds and couches, rapes upon sleeping and waking country
virgins under hedges, and on haycocks. Nay, farther--

_Eliza._ Nay, no farther, cousin. We have enough of your comment on the
play, which will make me more ashamed than the play itself.

_Oliv._ O, believe me, 'tis a filthy play! and you may take my word for
a filthy play as soon as another's. But the filthiest thing in that
play, or any other play, is--

_Eliza._ Pray keep it to yourself, if it be so.

_Oliv._ No, faith, you shall know it; I'm resolved to make you out of
love with the play. I say, the lewdest, filthiest thing is his china;
nay, I will never forgive the beastly author his china. He has quite
taken away the reputation of poor china itself, and sullied the most
innocent and pretty furniture of a lady's chamber; insomuch that I was
fain to break all my defiled vessels. You see I have none left; nor
you, I hope.

_Eliza._ You'll pardon me, I cannot think the worse of my china for
that of the playhouse.

_Oliv._ Why, you will not keep any now, sure! 'Tis now as unfit an
ornament for a lady's chamber as the pictures that come from Italy
and other hot countries; as appears by their nudities, which I always
cover, or scratch out, whereso'er I find 'em. But china! out upon't,
filthy china! nasty debauched china!

_Eliza._ All this will not put me out of conceit with china, nor the
play, which is acted to-day, or another of the same beastly author's,
as you call him, which I'll go see.

_Oliv._ You will not, sure! nay, you sha' not venture your reputation
by going, and mine by leaving me alone with two men here: nay, you'll
disoblige me for ever, if--[_Pulls her back._

_Eliza._ I stay!--your servant. [_Exit._

_Oliv._ Well--but, my lord, though you justify everybody, you cannot in
earnest uphold so beastly a writer, whose ink is so smutty as one may
say.

_L. Plau._ Faith, I dare swear the poor man did not think to disoblige
the ladies, by any amorous, soft, passionate, luscious saying in his
play.

_Oliv._ Fy, my lord! But what think you, Mr. Novel, of the play? though
I know you are a friend to all that are new.

_Nov._ Faith, madam, I must confess, the new plays would not be the
worse for my advice, but I could never get the silly rogues, the poets,
to mind what I say; but I'll tell you what counsel I gave the surly
fool you spake of.

_Oliv._ What was't?

_Nov._ Faith, to put his play into rhyme; for rhyme, you know,
often makes mystical nonsense pass with the critics for wit, and
a double-meaning saying with the ladies, for soft, tender, and
moving passion. But now I talk of passion, I saw your old lover this
morning--Captain--[_Whispers._

       _Enter_ MANLY, FREEMAN, _and_ FIDELIA _standing behind._

_Oliv._ Whom?--nay, you need not whisper.

_Man._ We are luckily got hither unobserved!--How! in a close
conversation with these supple rascals, the outcasts of sempstresses'
shops!

_Free._ Faith, pardon her, captain, that, since she could no longer be
entertained with your manly bluntness and honest love, she takes up
with the pert chat and commonplace flattery of these fluttering parrots
of the town, apes and echoes of men only.

_Man._ Do not you, sir, play the echo too, mock me, dally with my own
words, and show yourself as impertinent as they are.

_Free._ Nay, captain--

_Fid._ Nay, lieutenant, do not excuse her; methinks she looks very
kindly upon 'em both, and seems to be pleased with what that fool there
says to her.

_Man._ You lie, sir! and hold your peace, that I may not be provoked to
give you a worse reply.

_Oliv._ Manly returned, d'ye say! and is he safe?

_Nov._ My lord saw him too.--Hark you, my lord. [_Whispers to_ Lord
PLAUSIBLE.

_Man._ She yet seems concerned for my safety, and perhaps they are
admitted now here but for their news of me: for intelligence indeed is
the common passport of nauseous fools, when they go their round of good
tables and houses. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ I heard of his fighting only, without particulars, and confess
I always loved his brutal courage, because it made me hope it might rid
me of his more brutal love.

_Man._ What's that? [_Aside._

_Oliv._ But is he at last returned, d'ye say, unhurt?

_Nov._ Ay, faith, without doing his business; for the rogue has been
these two years pretending to a wooden leg, which he would take from
fortune as kindly as the staff of a marshal of France, and rather read
his name in a gazette--

_Oliv._ Than in the entail of a good estate.

_Man._ So! [_Aside._

_Nov._ I have an ambition, I must confess, of losing my heart before
such a fair enemy us yourself, madam; but that silly rogues should be
ambitious of losing their arms, and--

_Oliv._ Looking like a pair of compasses.

_Nov._ But he has no use of his arms but to set 'em on kimbow, for he
never pulls off his hat, at least not to me, I'm sure; for you must
know, madam, he has a fanatical hatred to good company: he can't abide
me.

_L. Plau._ O, be not so severe to him, as to say he hates good company:
for I assure you he has a great respect, esteem and kindness for me.

_Man._ That kind, civil rogue has spoken yet ten thousand times worse
of me than t'other. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ Well, if he be returned, Mr. Novel, then shall I be pestered
again with his boisterous sea-love; have my alcove smell like a cabin,
my chamber perfumed with his tarpaulin Brandenburgh; and hear volleys
of brandy-sighs, enough to make a fog in one's room. Foh! I hate a
lover that smells like Thames Street!

_Man._ [_Aside._] I can bear no longer, and need hear no more.--[_To_
OLIVIA.] But since you have these two pulvillio[102] boxes, these
essence-bottles, this pair of musk-cats here, I hope I may venture to
come yet nearer you.

_Oliv._ Overheard us then!

_Nov._ I hope he heard me not. [_Aside._

_L. Plau._ Most noble and heroic captain, your most obliged, faithful,
humble servant.

_Nov._ Dear tar, thy humble servant.

_Man._ Away!--[_Thrusts_ NOVEL _and_ Lord PLAUSIBLE _on each side._]
Madam--

_Oliv._ Nay, I think I have fitted[103] you for listening.

_Man._ You have fitted me for believing you could not be fickle, though
you were young; could not dissemble love, though 'twas your interest;
nor be vain, though you were handsome; nor break your promise, though
to a parting lover; nor abuse your best friend, though you had wit: but
I take not your contempt of me worse than your esteem, or civility for
these things here, though you know 'em.

_Nov._ Things!

_L. Plau._ Let the captain rally a little.

_Man._ Yes, things! Canst thou be angry, thou thing? [_Coming up to_
NOVEL.

_Nov._ No, since my lord says you speak in raillery; for though your
sea-raillery be something rough, yet, I confess, we use one another
too as bad every day at Locket's,[104] and never quarrel for the matter.

_L. Plau._ Nay, noble captain, be not angry with him.--A word with you,
I beseech you--[_Whispers to_ MANLY.

_Oliv._ Well, we women, like the rest of the cheats of the world, when
our cullies or creditors have found us out, and will or can trust no
longer, pay debts and satisfy obligations with a quarrel, the kindest
present a man can make to his mistress, when he can make no more
presents. For oftentimes in love, as at cards, we are forced to play
foul, only to give over the game; and use our lovers like the cards,
when we can get no more by them, throw 'em up in a pet upon the first
dispute. [_Aside._

_Man._ My lord, all that you have made me know by your whispering,
which I knew not before, is, that you have a stinking breath; there's a
secret for your secret.

_L. Plau._ Pshaw! pshaw!

_Man._ But, madam, tell me, pray, what was't about this spark could
take you? Was it the merit of his fashionable impudence; the briskness
of his noise, the wit of his laugh, his judgment, or fancy in his
garniture? or was it a well-trimmed glove, or the scent of it, that
charmed you?

_Nov._ Very well, sir: 'gad these sea captains make nothing of
dressing. But let me tell you, sir, a man by his dress, as much as by
anything, shows his wit and judgment; nay, and his courage too.

_Free._ How, his courage, Mr. Novel?

_Nov._ Why, for example, by red breeches, tucked-up hair or peruke, a
greasy broad belt, and now-a-days a short sword.

_Man._ Thy courage will appear more by thy belt than thy sword, I
dare swear.--Then, madam, for this gentle piece of courtesy, this man
of tame honour, what could you find in him? Was it his languishing
affected tone? his mannerly look? his second-hand flattery? the refuse
of the playhouse tiring-rooms? or his slavish obsequiousness in
watching at the door of your box at the playhouse, for your hand to
your chair? or his jaunty way of playing with your fan? or was it the
gunpowder spot on his hand, or the jewel in his ear, that purchased
your heart?

_Oliv._ Good jealous captain, no more of your--

_L. Plau._ No, let him go on, madam, for perhaps he may make you laugh:
and I would contribute to your pleasure any way.

_Man._ Gentle rogue!

_Oliv._ No, noble captain, you cannot sure think anything could take me
more than that heroic title of yours, captain; for you know we women
love honour inordinately.

_Nov._ Ha! ha! faith, she is with thee, bully, for thy raillery.

_Man._ Faith, so shall I be with you, no bully, for your grinning.
[_Aside to_ NOVEL.

_Oliv._ Then that noble lion-like mien of yours, that soldier-like,
weather-beaten complexion, and that manly roughness of your voice; how
can they otherwise than charm us women, who hate effeminacy!

_Nov._ Ha! ha! faith I can't hold from laughing.

_Man._ Nor shall I from kicking anon. [_Aside to_ NOVEL.

_Oliv._ And then, that captain-like carelessness in your dress, but
especially your scarf; 'twas just such another, only a little higher
tied, made me in love with my tailor as he passed by my window the last
training-day; for we women adore a martial man, and you have nothing
wanting to make you more one, or more agreeable, but a wooden leg.

_L. Plau._ Nay, i'faith, there your ladyship was a wag, and it was
fine, just, and well rallied.

_Nov._ Ay, ay, madam, with you ladies too, martial men must needs be
very killing.

_Man._ Peace, you Bartholomew-fair buffoons! And be not you vain that
these laugh on your side, for they will laugh at their own dull jests;
but no more of 'em, for I will only suffer now this lady to be witty
and merry.

_Oliv._ You would not have your panegyric interrupted. I go on then
to your humour. Is there anything more agreeable than the pretty
sullenness of that? than the greatness of your courage, which most
of all appears in your spirit of contradiction? for you dare give
all mankind the lie; and your opinion is your only mistress, for you
renounce that too, when it becomes another man's.[105]

_Nov._ Ha! ha! I cannot hold, I must laugh at thee, tar, faith!

_L. Plau._ And i'faith, dear captain, I beg your pardon, and leave
to laugh at you too, though I protest I mean you no hurt; but when a
lady rallies, a stander-by must be complaisant, and do her reason in
laughing: ha! ha!

_Man._ Why, you impudent, pitiful wretches, you presume sure upon your
effeminacy to urge me; for you are in all things so like women, that
you may think it in me a kind of cowardice to beat you.

_Oliv._ No hectoring, good captain.

_Man._ Or, perhaps, you think this lady's presence secures you; but
have a care, she has talked herself out of all the respect I had for
her; and by using me ill before you, has given me a privilege of using
you so before her; but if you would preserve your respect to her, and
not be beaten before her, go, begone immediately.

_Nov._ Begone! what?

_L. Plau._ Nay, worthy, noble, generous, captain--

_Man._ Begone, I say!

_Nov._ Begone again! to us begone!

_Man._ No chattering, baboons, instantly begone, or--[_Puts them out of
the room:_ NOVEL _struts,_ Lord PLAUSIBLE _cringes._

_Nov._ Well, madam, we'll go make the cards ready in your bedchamber:
sure you will not stay long with him. [_Exeunt_ Lord PLAUSIBLE _and_
NOVEL.

_Oliv._ Turn hither your rage, good captain Swaggerhuff, and be saucy
with your mistress, like a true captain; but be civil to your rivals
and betters, and do not threaten anything but me here; no, not so much
as my windows; nor do not think yourself in the lodgings of one of your
suburb mistresses beyond the Tower.

_Man._ Do not give me cause to think so; for those less infamous women
part with their lovers, just as you did from me, with unforced vows of
constancy and floods of willing tears; but the same winds bear away
their lovers and their vows: and for their grief, if the credulous
unexpected fools return, they find new comforters, fresh cullies,
such as I found here. The mercenary love of those women too suffers
shipwreck with their gallants' fortunes; now you have heard chance
has used me scurvily, therefore you do too. Well, persevere in your
ingratitude, falsehood, and disdain; have constancy in something, and I
promise you to be as just to your real scorn as I was to your feigned
love; and henceforward will despise, contemn, hate, loathe, and detest
you most faithfully.

                           _Enter_ LETTICE.

_Oliv._ Get the ombre-cards ready in the next room, Lettice,
and--[_Whispers to_ LETTICE, _who goes out._

_Free._ Bravely resolved, captain!

_Fid._ And you'll be sure to keep your word, I hope, sir?

_Man._ I hope so too.

_Fid._ Do you but hope it, sir? If you are not as good as your word,
'twill be the first time you ever bragged, sure.

_Man._ She has restored my reason with my heart.

_Free._ But now you talk of restoring, captain, there are other things,
which next to one's heart one would not part with; I mean your jewels
and money, which it seems she has, sir.

_Man._ What's that to you, sir?

_Free._ Pardon me, whatsoever is yours I have a share in't I'm sure,
which I will not lose for asking, though you may be too generous or too
angry now to do't yourself.

_Fid._ Nay, then I'll make bold to make my claim too. [_Both going
towards_ OLIVIA.

_Man._ Hold, you impertinent, officious fops--[_Aside._] How have I
been deceived!

_Free._ Madam, there are certain appurtenances to a lover's heart,
called jewels, which always go along with it.

_Fid._ And which, with lovers, have no value in themselves, but from
the heart they come with. Our captain's, madam, it seems you scorn
to keep, and much more will those worthless things without it, I am
confident.

_Oliv._ A gentleman so well made as you are, may be confident--us
easy women could not deny you anything you ask, if 'twere for
yourself, but, since 'tis for another, I beg your leave to give him my
answer.--[_Aside._] An agreeable young fellow this--and would not be
my aversion.--[_Aloud._] Captain, your young friend here has a very
persuading face, I confess; yet you might have asked me yourself for
those trifles you left with me, which (hark you a little, for I dare
trust you with the secret; you are a man of so much honour, I'm sure) I
say then, not expecting your return, or hoping ever to see you again, I
have delivered your jewels to--

_Man._ Whom?

_Oliv._ My husband.

_Man._ Your husband!

_Oliv._ Ay, my husband. For since you could leave me, I am lately
and privately married to one, who is a man of so much honour and
experience in the world, that I dare not ask him for your jewels again
to restore 'em to you; lest he should conclude you never would have
parted with 'em to me on any other score but the exchange of my honour:
which rather than you'd let me lose, you'd lose I'm sure yourself,
those trifles of yours.

_Man._ Triumphant impudence! but married too!

_Oliv._ O, speak not so loud, my servants know it not: I am married,
there's no resisting one's destiny or love, you know.

_Man._ Why, did you love him too?

_Oliv._ Most passionately; nay, love him now, though I have married
him, and he me: which mutual love I hope you are too good, too generous
a man to disturb, by any future claim, or visits to me. 'Tis true, he
is now absent in the country, but returns shortly; therefore I beg of
you, for your own ease and quiet, and my honour, you will never see me
more.

_Man._ I wish I never had seen you.

_Oliv._ But if you should ever have anything to say to me hereafter,
let that young gentleman there be your messenger.

_Man._ You would be kinder to him; I find he should be welcome.

_Oliv._ Alas! his youth would keep my husband from suspicions, and his
visits from scandal; for we women may have pity for such as he, but no
love: and I already think you do not well to spirit him away to sea;
and the sea is already but too rich with the spoils of the shore.

_Man._ True perfect woman! If I could say anything more injurious to
her now, I would; for I could outrail a bilked whore, or a kicked
coward; but now I think on't, that were rather to discover my love than
hatred; and I must not talk, for something I must do. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ I think I have given him enough of me now, never to be troubled
with him again. [_Aside._

                          _Re-enter_ LETTICE.

Well, Lettice, are the cards and all ready within? I come
then.--Captain, I beg your pardon: you will not make one at ombre?

_Man._ No, madam, but I'll wish you a little good luck before you go.

_Oliv._ No, if you would have me thrive, curse me: for that you'll do
heartily, I suppose.

_Man._ Then if you will have it so, may all the curses light upon
you, women ought to fear, and you deserve!--First, may the curse of
loving play attend your sordid covetousness, and fortune cheat you, by
trusting to her, as you have cheated me; the curse of pride, or a good
reputation, fall on your lust; the curse of affectation on your beauty;
the curse of your husband's company on your pleasures; and the curse of
your gallant's disappointments in his absence; and the curse of scorn,
jealousy, or despair on your love; and then the curse of loving on!

_Oliv._ And to requite all your curses, I will only return you your
last; may the curse of loving me still fall upon your proud hard heart,
that could be so cruel to me in these horrid curses! but heaven forgive
you! [_Exit._

_Man._ Hell and the devil reward thee!

_Free._ Well, you see now, mistresses, like friends, are lost by
letting 'em handle your money; and most women are such kind of witches,
who can have no power over a man, unless you give 'em money: but when
once they have got any from you, they never leave you till they have
all. Therefore I never give a woman a farthing.

_Man._ Well, there is yet this comfort by losing one's money with
one's mistress, a man is out of danger of getting another; of being
made prize again by love, who, like a pirate, takes you by spreading
false colours: but when once you have run your ship a-ground, the
treacherous picaroon[106] loofs; so by your ruin you save yourself from
slavery at least.

                             _Enter_ Boy.

_Boy._ Mrs. Lettice, here's Madam Blackacre come to wait upon her
honour. [_Exeunt_ LETTICE _and_ Boy.

_Man._ D'ye hear that? Let us be gone before she comes: for henceforth
I'll avoid the whole damned sex for ever, and woman as a sinking ship.
[_Exeunt_ MANLY _and_ FIDELIA.

_Free._ And I'll stay, to revenge on her your quarrel to the sex: for
out of love to her jointure, and hatred to business, I would marry her,
to make an end of her thousand suits, and my thousand engagements, to
the comfort of two unfortunate sort of people, my plaintiffs and her
defendants, my creditors and her adversaries.

       _Enter_ Widow BLACKACRE, _led in by_ Major OLDFOX, _and_
          JERRY BLACKACRE _following, laden with green bags._

_Wid._ 'Tis an arrant sea-ruffian; but I am glad I met with him at
last, to serve him again, major; for the last service was not good
in law. Boy, duck, Jerry, where is my paper of memorandums? Give me,
child: so. Where is my cousin Olivia now, my kind relation?

_Free._ Here is one that would be your kind relation, madam.

_Wid._ What mean you, sir?

_Free._ Why, faith, (to be short) to marry you, widow.

_Wid._ Is not this the wild rude person we saw at Captain Manly's?

_Jer._ Ay, forsooth, an't please.

_Wid._ What would you? what are you? Marry me!

_Free._ Ay, faith; for I am a younger brother, and you are a widow.

_Wid._ You are an impertinent person; and go about your business.

_Free._ I have none, but to marry thee, widow.

_Wid._ But I have other business, I'd have you to know.

_Free._ But you have no business a-nights, widow; and I'll make you
pleasanter business than any you have. For a-nights, I assure you, I am
a man of great business; for the business--

_Wid._ Go, I'm sure you're an idle fellow.

_Free._ Try me but, widow, and employ me as you find my abilities and
industry.

_Old._ Pray be civil to the lady, Mr.----she is a person of quality, a
person that is no person--

_Free._ Yes, but she's a person that is a widow. Be you mannerly to
her, because you are to pretend only to be her squire, to arm her to
her lawyer's chambers; but I will be impudent and bawdy; for she must
love and marry me.

_Wid._ Marry come up, you saucy familiar Jack! You think, with us
widows, 'tis no more than up, and ride. Gad forgive me! now-a-days,
every idle, young, hectoring, roaring companion, with a pair of turned
red breeches, and a broad back, thinks to carry away any widow of the
best degree. But I'd have you to know, sir, all widows are not got,
like places at court, by impudence and importunity only.

_Old._ No, no, soft, soft, you are a young man, and not fit--

_Free._ For a widow? yes sure, old man, the fitter.

_Old._ Go to, go to; if others had not laid in their claims before you--

_Free._ Not you, I hope.

_Old._ Why not I, sir? sure I am a much more proportionable match
for her than you, sir; I, who am an elder brother, of a comfortable
fortune, and of equal years with her.

_Wid._ How's that, you unmannerly person? I'd have you to know, I was
born but in _Ann' undec' Caroli prim'_.

_Old._ Your pardon, lady, your pardon: be not offended with your very
humble servant--But, I say, sir, you are a beggarly younger brother,
twenty years younger than her, without any land or stock, but your
great stock of impudence: therefore what pretension can you have to her?

_Free._ You have made it for me: first, because I am a younger brother.

_Wid._ Why, is that a sufficient plea to a relict? how appears it, sir?
by what foolish custom?

_Free._ By custom time out of mind only. Then, sir, because I have
nothing to keep me after her death, I am the likelier to take care of
her life. And for my being twenty years younger than her, and having a
sufficient stock of impudence, I leave it to her whether they will be
valid exceptions to me in her widow's law or equity.

_Old._ Well, she has been so long in chancery, that I'll stand to
her equity and decree between us. Come, lady, pray snap up this
young snap[107] at first, or we shall be troubled with him. Give
him a city-widow's answer, that is, with all the ill-breeding
imaginable.--[_Aside to_ Widow BLACKACRE.] Come, madam.

_Wid._ Well then, to make an end of this foolish wooing, for nothing
interrupts business more: first for you, major--

_Old._ You declare in my favour, then?

_Free._ What, direct the court! come, young lawyer, thou shalt be a
counsel for me. [_To_ JERRY.

_Jer._ Gad, I shall betray your cause then, as well as an older lawyer;
never stir.

_Wid._ First, I say, for you, major, my walking hospital of an ancient
foundation; thou bag of mummy, that wouldst fall asunder, if 'twere not
for thy cerecloths--

_Old._ How, lady!

_Free._ Ha! ha!--

_Jer._ Hey, brave mother! use all suitors thus, for my sake.

_Wid._ Thou withered, hobbling, distorted cripple; nay, thou art a
cripple all over: wouldst thou make me the staff of thy age, the crutch
of thy decrepidness? me--

_Free._ Well said, widow! Faith, thou wouldst make a man love thee now,
without dissembling.

_Wid._ Thou senseless, impertinent, quibbling, drivelling, feeble,
paralytic, impotent, fumbling, frigid nincompoop!

_Jer._ Hey, brave mother, for calling of names, i'fac!

_Wid._ Wouldst thou make a caudle-maker, a nurse of me? can't you be
bedrid without a bed-fellow? won't your swan-skins, furs, flannels,
and the scorched trencher, keep you warm there? would you have me your
Scotch warming-pan,[108] with a pox to you! me--

_Old._ O Heavens!

_Free._ I told you I should be thought the fitter man, major.

_Jer._ Ay, you old fobus, and you would have been my guardian, would
you, to have taken care of my estate, that half of't should never come
to me, by letting long leases at pepper-corn rents?

_Wid._ If I would have married an old man, 'tis well known I might have
married an earl, nay, what's more, a judge, and been covered the winter
nights with the lambskins, which I prefer to the ermines of nobles. And
dost thou think I would wrong my poor minor there for you?

_Free._ Your minor is a chopping minor, God bless him! [_Strokes_ JERRY
_on the head._

_Old._ Your minor may be a major of horse or foot, for his bigness; and
it seems you will have the cheating of your minor to yourself.

_Wid._ Pray, sir, bear witness:--cheat my minor! I'll bring my action
of the case for the slander.

_Free._ Nay, I would bear false witness for thee now, widow, since you
have done me justice, and have thought me the fitter man for you.

_Wid._ Fair and softly, sir, 'tis my minor's case, more than my own;
and I must do him justice now on you.

_Free._ How!

_Old._ So then.

_Wid._ You are, first, (I warrant,) some renegado from the inns of
court and the law; and thou'lt come to suffer for't by the law, that
is, be hanged.

_Jer._ Not about your neck, forsooth, I hope.

_Free._ But, madam--

_Old._ Hear the court.

_Wid._ Thou art some debauched, drunken, lewd, hectoring, gaming
companion, and wantest some widow's old gold to nick[109] upon; but I
thank you, sir, that's for my lawyers.

_Free._ Faith, we should ne'er quarrel about that; for guineas would
serve my turn.[110] But, widow--

_Wid._ Thou art a foul-mouthed boaster of thy lust, a mere bragadochio
of thy strength for wine and women, and wilt belie thyself more than
thou dost women, and art every way a base deceiver of women; and would
deceive me too, would you?

_Free._ Nay, faith, widow, this is judging without seeing the evidence.

_Wid._ I say, you are a worn-out whoremaster at five-and-twenty, both
in body and fortune, and cannot be trusted by the common wenches of the
town, lest you should not pay 'em; nor by the wives of the town lest
you should pay 'em: so you want women, and would have me your bawd to
procure 'em for you.

_Free._ Faith, if you had any good acquaintance, widow, 'twould be
civilly done of thee; for I am just come from sea.

_Wid._ I mean, you would have me keep you, that you might turn keeper;
for poor widows are only used like bawds by you; you go to church with
us, but to get other women to lie with. In fine, you are a cheating,
cozening spendthrift; and having sold your own annuity, would waste my
jointure.

_Jer._ And make havoc of our estate personal, and all our gilt plate; I
should soon be piling up all our mortgaged apostle-spoons, bowls, and
beakers, out of most of the ale-houses betwixt Hercules-pillars[111]
and the Boatswain in Wapping; nay, and you'd be scouring amongst
my trees, and make 'em knock down one another, like routed reeling
watchmen at midnight; would you so, bully?

_Free._ Nay, prithee, widow, hear me.

_Wid._ No, sir; I'd have you to know, thou pitiful, paltry, lath-backed
fellow, if I would have married a young man, 'tis well known I could
have had any young heir in Norfolk, nay, the hopefullest young man
this day at the King's-bench bar; I that am a relict and executrix
of known plentiful assets and parts, who understand myself and the
law. And would you have me under covert-baron[112] again? No, sir, no
covert-baron for me.

_Free._ But, dear widow, hear me. I value you only, not your jointure.

_Wid._ Nay, sir, hold there; I know your love to a widow is
covetousness of her jointure: and a widow, a little stricken in years,
with a good jointure, is like an old mansion-house in a good purchase,
never valued, but take one, take t'other: and perhaps, when you are in
possession, you'd neglect it, let it drop to the ground, for want of
necessary repairs or expenses upon't.

_Free._ No, widow, one would be sure to keep all tight, when one is to
forfeit one's lease by dilapidation.

_Wid._ Fy! fy! I neglect my business with this foolish discourse of
love. Jerry, child, let me see the list of the jury: I'm sure my cousin
Olivia has some relations amongst them. But where is she?

_Free._ Nay, widow, but hear me one word only.

_Wid._ Nay, sir, no more, pray. I will no more hearken to your foolish
love-motions, than to offers of arbitration. [_Exeunt_ Widow BLACKACRE
_and_ JERRY.

_Free._ Well, I'll follow thee yet; for he that has a pretension at
court, or to a widow, must never give over for a little ill-usage.

_Old._ Therefore, I'll get her by assiduity, patience, and long
sufferings, which you will not undergo; for you idle young fellows
leave off love when it comes to be business; and industry gets more
women than love.

_Free._ Ay, industry, the fool's and old man's merit.--But I'll
be industrious too, and make a business on't, and get her by law,
wrangling, and contests, and not by sufferings: and, because you are no
dangerous rival, I'll give thee counsel, major:--

  If you litigious widow e'er would gain,
  Sigh not to her, but by the law complain;
  To her, as to a bawd, defendant sue
  With statutes, and make justice pimp for you.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE THIRD.


SCENE I.--_Westminster Hall._

         _Enter_ MANLY _and_ FREEMAN, _two_ Sailors _behind._

_Man._ I hate this place worse than a man that has inherited a chancery
suit: I wish I were well out on't again.

_Free._ Why, you need not be afraid of this place: for a man without
money needs no more fear a crowd of lawyers than a crowd of pickpockets.

_Man._ This, the reverend of the law would have thought the palace or
residence of Justice; but, if it be, she lives here with the state of a
Turkish emperor, rarely seen; and besieged rather than defended by her
numerous black-guard here.

_Free._ Methinks 'tis like one of their own halls in Christmas time,
whither from all parts fools bring their money, to try by the dice (not
the worst judges) whether it shall be their own or no: but after a
tedious fretting and wrangling, they drop away all their money on both
sides; and, finding neither the better, at last go emptily and lovingly
away together to the tavern, joining their curses against the young
lawyer's box, that sweeps all, like the old ones.

_Man._ Spoken like a revelling Christmas lawyer.

_Free._ Yes, I was one, I confess, but was fain to leave the law, out
of conscience, and fall to making false musters: rather choose to cheat
the king than his subjects; plunder rather than take fees.

_Man._ Well, a plague and a purse-famine light on the law; and that
female limb of it who dragged me hither to-day! But prithee go see if,
in that crowd of daggled gowns there, [_Pointing to a crowd of_ Lawyers
_at the end of the stage_,] thou canst find her. [_Exit_ FREEMAN.

  How hard it is to be a hypocrite!
  At least to me, who am but newly so.
  I thought it once a kind of knavery,
  Nay, cowardice, to hide one's fault; but now
  The common frailty, love, becomes my shame.
  He must not know I love the ungrateful still,
  Lest he contemn me more than she; for I,
  It seems, can undergo a woman's scorn,
  But not a man's--

                           _Enter_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ Sir, good sir, generous captain.

_Man._ Prithee, kind impertinence, leave me. Why should'st thou follow
me, flatter my generosity now, since thou knowest I have no money left?
if I had it, I'd give it thee, to buy my quiet.

_Fid._ I never followed yet, sir, reward or fame, but you alone; nor
do I now beg anything but leave to share your miseries. You should not
be a niggard of 'em, since, methinks, you have enough to spare. Let me
follow you now, because you hate me, as you have often said.

_Man._ I ever hated a coward's company, I must confess.

_Fid._ Let me follow you till I am none, then; for you, I'm sure, will
go through such worlds of dangers, that, I shall be inured to 'em; nay,
I shall be afraid of your anger more than danger, and so turn valiant
out of fear. Dear captain, do not cast me off till you have tried me
once more: do not, do not go to sea again without me.

_Man._ Thou to sea! to court, thou fool; remember the advice I gave
thee: thou art a handsome spaniel, and canst fawn naturally: go, busk
about and run thyself into the next great man's lobby; first fawn upon
the slaves without, and then run into the lady's bedchamber; thou mayst
be admitted at last to tumble her bed. Go seek, I say, and lose me; for
I am not able to keep thee; I have not bread for myself.

_Fid._ Therefore I will not go, because then I may help and serve you.

_Man._ Thou!

_Fid._ I warrant you, sir; for, at worst, I could beg or steal for you.

_Man._ Nay, more bragging! Dost thou not know there's venturing your
life in stealing? Go, prithee, away: thou art as hard to shake off as
that flattering, effeminating mischief, love.

_Fid._ Love did you name? Why, you are not so miserable as to be yet in
love, sure?

_Man._ No, no, prithee away, begone, or--[_Aside._] I had almost
discovered my love and shame; well, if I had, that thing could not
think the worse of me--or if he did--no--yes, he shall know it--he
shall--but then I must never leave him, for they are such secrets, that
make parasites and pimps lords of their masters: for any slavery or
tyranny is easier than love's.--[_Aloud._] Come hither, since thou art
so forward to serve me: hast thou but resolution enough to endure the
torture of a secret? for such to some is insupportable.

_Fid._ I would keep it as safe as if your dear, precious life depended
on't.

_Man._ Damn your dearness! It concerns more than my life,--my honour.

_Fid._ Doubt it not, sir.

_Man._ And do not discover it, by too much fear of discovering it; but
have a great care you let not Freeman find it out.

_Fid._ I warrant you, sir, I am already all joy with the hopes of
your commands; and shall be all wings in the execution of 'em: speak
quickly, sir.

_Man._ You said you'd beg for me.

_Fid._ I did, sir.

_Man._ Then you shall beg for me.

_Fid._ With all my heart, sir.

_Man._ That is, pimp for me.

_Fid._ How, sir?

_Man._ D'ye start! Thinkest thou, thou couldst do me any other service?
Come, no dissembling honour: I know you can do it handsomely, thou wert
made for't. You have lost your time with me at sea, you must recover it.

_Fid._ Do not, sir, beget yourself more reasons for your aversion to
me, and make my obedience to you a fault; I am the unfittest in the
world to do you such a service.

_Man._ Your cunning arguing against it shows but how fit you are for
it. No more dissembling; here, I say, you must go use it for me to
Olivia.

_Fid._ To her, sir?

_Man._ Go flatter, lie, kneel, promise, anything to get her for me:
I cannot live unless I have her. Didst thou not say thou wouldst do
anything to save my life? and she said you had a persuading face.

_Fid._ But did you not say, sir, your honour was dearer to you than
your life? and would you have me contribute to the loss of that, and
carry love from you to the most infamous, most false, and--

_Man._ And most beautiful!--[_Sighs aside._

_Fid._ Most ungrateful woman that ever lived; for sure she must be so,
that could desert you so soon, use you so basely, and so lately too: do
not, do not forget it, sir, and think--

_Man._ No, I will not forget it, but think of revenge; I will lie with
her out of revenge. Go, begone, and prevail for me, or never see me
more.

_Fid._ You scorned her last night.

_Man._ I know not what I did last night; I dissembled last night.

_Fid._ Heavens!

_Man._ Begone, I say, and bring me love or compliance back, or hopes at
least, or I'll never see thy face again, by--

_Fid._ O, do not swear, sir! first hear me.

_Man._ I'm impatient, away! you'll find me here till twelve. [_Turns
away._

_Fid._ Sir--

_Man._ Not one word; no insinuating argument more, or soothing
persuasion; you'll have need of all your rhetoric with her; go strive
to alter her, not me; begone. [_Retires to the end of the stage, and
exit._

_Fid._

  Should I discover to him now my sex,
  And lay before him his strange cruelty,
  'Twould but incense it more.--No, 'tis not time.
  For his love must I then betray my own?
  Were ever love or chance till now severe?
  Or shifting woman posed with such a task?
  Forced to beg that which kills her, if obtained,
  And give away her lover not to lose him! [_Exit._

   _Enter_ Widow BLACKACRE, _in the middle of half-a-dozen_ Lawyers,
  _whispered to by a fellow in black_, JERRY BLACKACRE _following the
                                crowd._

_Wid._ Offer me a reference, you saucy companion you! d'ye know who you
speak to? Art thou a solicitor in chancery, and offer a reference? A
pretty fellow! Mr. Serjeant Ploddon, here's a fellow has the impudence
to offer me a reference!

_Serj. Plod._ Who's that has the impudence to offer a reference within
these walls?

_Wid._ Nay, for a splitter of causes to do't!

_Serj. Plod._ No, madam; to a lady learned in the law, as you are, the
offer of a reference were to impose upon you.

_Wid._ No, no, never fear me for a reference, Mr. Serjeant. But
come, have you not forgot your brief? Are you sure you shan't make
the mistake of--hark you--[_Whispers._] Go then, go to your court of
Common-pleas, and say one thing over and over again: you do it so
naturally, you'll never be suspected for protracting time.

_Serj. Plod._ Come, I know the course of the court, and your business.
[_Exit._

_Wid._ Let's see, Jerry, where are my minutes? Come, Mr. Quaint, pray
go talk a great deal for me in chancery, let your words be easy, and
your sense hard; my cause requires it: branch it bravely, and deck my
cause with flowers, that the snake may lie hidden. Go, go, and be sure
you remember the decree of my Lord Chancellor, _Tricesimo quart'_ of
the queen.

_Quaint._ I will, as I see cause, extenuate or examplify matter of
fact; baffle truth with impudence; answer exceptions with questions,
though never so impertinent; for reasons give 'em words; for law and
equity, tropes and figures; and so relax and enervate the sinews of
their argument with the oil of my eloquence. But when my lungs can
reason no longer, and not being able to say anything more for our
cause, say everything of our adversary; whose reputation, though
never so clear and evident in the eye of the world, yet with sharp
invectives--

_Wid._ Alias, Billingsgate.

_Quaint._ With poignant and sour invectives, I say, I will deface, wipe
out, and obliterate his fair reputation, even as a record with the
juice of lemons; and tell such a story, (for the truth on't is, all
that we can do for our client in chancery, is telling a story,) a fine
story, a long story, such a story--

_Wid._ Go, save thy breath for the cause; talk at the bar, Mr. Quaint:
you are so copiously fluent, you can weary any one's ears sooner than
your own tongue. Go, weary our adversaries' counsel, and the court; go,
thou art a fine-spoken person: adad, I shall make thy wife jealous of
me, if you can but court the court into a decree for us. Go, get you
gone, and remember--[Whispers.]--[Exit QUAINT.]--Come, Mr. Blunder,
pray bawl soundly for me, at the King's-bench, bluster, sputter,
question, cavil; but be sure your argument be intricate enough to
confound the court; and then you do my business. Talk what you will,
but be sure your tongue never stand still; for your own noise will
secure your sense from censure: 'tis like coughing or hemming when
one has got the belly-ache, which stifles the unmannerly noise. Go,
dear rogue, and succeed; and I'll invite thee, ere it be long, to more
soused venison.

_Blund._ I'll warrant you, after your verdict, your judgment shall not
be arrested upon if's and and's. [_Exit._

_Wid._ Come, Mr. Petulant, let me give you some new instructions for
our cause in the Exchequer. Are the barons sat?

_Pet._ Yes, no; may be they are, may be they are not: what know I? what
care I?

_Wid._ Heyday! I wish you would but snap up the counsel on t'other side
anon at the bar as much; and have a little more patience with me, that
I might instruct you a little better.

_Pet._ You instruct me! what is my brief for, mistress?

_Wid._ Ay, but you seldom read your brief but at the bar, if you do it
then.

_Pet._ Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't, and perhaps 'tis time enough:
pray hold yourself contented, mistress.

_Wid._ Nay, if you go there too, I will not be contented, sir; though
you, I see, will lose my cause for want of speaking, I wo' not: you
shall hear me, and shall be instructed. Let's see your brief.

_Pet._ Send your solicitor to me. Instructed by a woman! I'd have you
to know, I do not wear a bar-gown--

_Wid._ By a woman! and I'd have you to know, I am no common woman; but
a woman conversant in the laws of the land, as well as yourself, though
I have no bar-gown.

_Pet._ Go to, go to, mistress, you are impertinent, and there's your
brief for you: instruct me! [_Flings her breviate at her._

_Wid._ Impertinent to me, you saucy Jack, you! you return my breviate,
but where's my fee? you'll be sure to keep that, and scan that so well,
that if there chance to be but a brass half-crown in't, one's sure to
hear on't again: would you would but look on your breviate half so
narrowly! But pray give me my fee too, as well as my brief.

_Pet._ Mistress, that's without precedent. When did a counsel ever
return his fee, pray? and you are impertinent and ignorant to demand it.

_Wid._ Impertinent again, and ignorant, to me! Gads-bodikins, you
puny upstart in the law, to use me so! you green-bag carrier, you
murderer of unfortunate causes, the clerk's ink is scarce off of your
fingers,--you that newly come from lamp-blacking the judges' shoes, and
are not fit to wipe mine; you call me impertinent and ignorant! I would
give thee a cuff on the ear, sitting the courts, if I were ignorant.
Marry-gep, if it had not been for me, thou hadst been yet but a hearing
counsel at the bar. [_Exit_ PETULANT.

        _Enter_ Mr. BUTTONGOWN, _crossing the stage in haste._

Mr. Buttongown, Mr. Buttongown, whither so fast? what, won't you stay
till we are heard?

_But._ I cannot, Mrs. Blackacre, I must be at the council, my lord's
cause stays there for me.

_Wid._ And mine suffers here.

_But._ I cannot help it.

_Wid._ I'm undone.

_But._ What's that to me?

_Wid._ Consider the five-pound fee, if not my cause: that was something
to you.

_But._ Away, away! pray be not so troublesome, mistress: I must be gone.

_Wid._ Nay, but consider a little: I am your old client, my lord but a
new one; or let him be what he will, he will hardly be a better client
to you than myself: I hope you believe I shall be in law as long as I
live; therefore am no despicable client. Well, but go to your lord;
I know you expect he should make you a judge one day; but I hope his
promise to you will prove a true lord's promise. But that he might be
sure to fail you, I wish you had his bond for't.

_But._ But what, will you yet be thus impertinent, mistress?

_Wid._ Nay, I beseech you, sir, stay; if it be but to tell me my lord's
case; come, in short--

_But._ Nay, then--[_Exit._

_Wid._ Well, Jerry, observe child, and lay it up for hereafter. These
are those lawyers who, by being in all causes, are in none: therefore
if you would have 'em for you, let your adversary fee 'em; for he may
chance to depend upon 'em; and so, in being against thee, they'll be
for thee.

_Jer._ Ay, mother; they put me in mind of the unconscionable wooers
of widows, who undertake briskly their matrimonial business for their
money; but when they have got it once, let who will drudge for them.
Therefore have a care of 'em, forsooth. There's advice for your advice.

_Wid._ Well said, boy.--Come, Mr. Splitcause, pray go see when my
cause in Chancery comes on; and go speak with Mr. Quillit in the
King's-bench, and Mr. Quirk in the Common-pleas, and see how matters go
there.

                         _Enter_ Major OLDFOX.

_Old._ Lady, a good and propitious morning to you; and may all your
causes go as well as if I myself were judge of 'em!

_Wid._ Sir, excuse me; I am busy, and cannot answer compliments in
Westminster Hall.--Go, Mr. Splitcause, and come to me again to that
bookseller's; there I'll stay for you, that you may be sure to find me.

_Old._ No, sir, come to the other bookseller's. I'll attend your
ladyship thither. [_Exit_ SPLITCAUSE.

_Wid._ Why to the other?

_Old._ Because he is my bookseller, lady.

_Wid._ What, to sell you lozenges for your catarrh? or medicines for
your corns? What else can a major deal with a bookseller for?

_Old._ Lady, he prints for me.

_Wid._ Why, are you an author?

_Old._ Of some few essays; deign you, lady, to peruse 'em.--[_Aside._]
She is a woman of parts; and I must win her by showing mine.

_Bookseller's Boy._ Will you see Culpepper, mistress? "Aristotle's
Problems?" "The Complete Midwife?"

_Wid._ No; let's see Dalton, Hughs, Shepherd, Wingate.

_B. Boy._ We have no law books.

_Wid._ No! you are a pretty bookseller then.

_Old._ Come, have you e'er a one of my essays left?

_B. Boy._ Yes, sir, we have enough, and shall always have 'em.

_Old._ How so?

_B. Boy._ Why, they are good, steady, lasting ware.

_Old._ Nay, I hope they will live; let's see.--Be pleased, madam, to
peruse the poor endeavours of my pen: for I have a pen, though I say
it, that--[_Gives her a book._

_Jer._ Pray let me see "St. George for Christendom," or, "The Seven
Champions of England."

_Wid._ No, no; give him "The Young Clerk's Guide."--What, we shall have
you read yourself into a humour of rambling and fighting, and studying
military discipline, and wearing red breeches.

_Old._ Nay, if you talk of military discipline, show him my "Treatise
of the Art Military."

_Wid._ Hold; I would as willingly he should read a play.

_Jer._ O, pray forsooth, mother, let me have a play.

_Wid._ No, sirrah; there are young students of the law enough spoiled
already by plays. They would make you in love with your laundress, or,
what's worse, some queen of the stage that was a laundress; and so turn
keeper before you are of age. [_Several cross the stage._] But stay,
Jerry, is not that Mr. What d'ye-call-him, that goes there, he that
offered to sell me a suit in chancery for five hundred pounds, for a
hundred down, and only paying the clerk's fees?

_Jer._ Ay, forsooth, 'tis he.

_Wid._ Then stay here, and have a care of the bags, whilst I follow
him.--Have a care of the bags, I say.

_Jer._ And do you have a care, forsooth, of the statute against
champarty,[113] I say. [_Exit_ Widow BLACKACRE.

                          _Re-enter_ FREEMAN.

_Free._ [_Aside._] So, there's a limb of my widow, which was wont to be
inseparable from her: she can't be far.--[_Aloud._] How now, my pretty
son-in-law that shall be, where's my widow?

_Jer._ My mother, but not your widow, will be forthcoming presently.

_Free._ Your servant, major. What, are you buying furniture for a
little sleeping closet, which you miscall a study? For you do only by
your books, as by your wenches, bind 'em up neatly and make 'em fine,
for other people to use 'em. And your bookseller is properly your
upholsterer, for he furnishes your room, rather than your head.

_Old._ Well, well, good sea-lieutenant, study you your compass; that's
more than your head can deal with.--[_Aside._] I will go find out the
widow, to keep her out of his sight, or he'll board her, whilst I am
treating a peace. [_Exit._

_Jer._ Nay, prithee, friend, now let me have but "The Seven Champions."
You shall trust me no longer than till my mother's Mr. Splitcause
comes; for I hope he'll lend me wherewithal to pay for't.

_Free._ Lend thee! here, I'll pay him. Do you want money, squire? I'm
sorry a man of your estate should want money.

_Jer._ Nay, my mother will ne'er let me be at age: and till then, she
says--

_Free._ At age! why you are at age already to have spent an estate,
man. There are younger than you have kept their women these three
years, have had half a dozen claps, and lost as many thousand pounds at
play.

_Jer._ Ay, they are happy sparks! Nay, I know some of my schoolfellows,
who, when we were at school, were two years younger than me; but now, I
know not how, are grown men before me, and go where they will, and look
to themselves. But my curmudgeonly mother won't allow me wherewithal to
be a man of myself with.

_Free._ Why, there 'tis; I knew your mother was in fault. Ask but your
schoolfellows what they did to be men of themselves.

_Jer._ Why, I know they went to law with their mothers: for they say,
there's no good to be done upon a widow mother, till one goes to law
with her; but mine is as plaguy a lawyer as any's of our inn. Then
would she marry too, and cut down my trees. Now, I should hate, man, to
have my father's wife kissed and slapped, and t'other thing too, (you
know what I mean,) by another man: and our trees are the purest, tall,
even, shady twigs, by my fa--

_Free._ Come, squire, let your mother and your trees fall as she
pleases, rather than wear this gown and carry green bags all thy life,
and be pointed at for a Tony.[114] But you shall be able to deal with
her yet the common way. Thou shalt make false love to some lawyer's
daughter, whose father, upon the hopes of thy marrying her, shall lend
thee money and law to preserve thy estate and trees: and thy mother is
so ugly nobody will have her, if she cannot cut down thy trees.

_Jer._ Nay, if I had but anybody to stand by me, I am as stomachful as
another.

_Free._ That will I: I'll not see any hopeful young gentleman abused.

_B. Boy._ By any but yourself. [_Aside._

_Jer._ The truth on't is, mine's as arrant a widow-mother to her poor
child as any's in England. She won't so much as let one have sixpence
in one's pocket to see a motion,[115] or the dancing of the ropes, or--

_Free._ Come, you shan't want money; there's gold for you.

_Jer._ O lord, sir, two guineas! D'ye lend me this? Is there no trick
in't? Well, sir, I'll give you my bond for security.

_Free._ No, no; thou hast given me thy face for security: anybody would
swear thou dost not look like a cheat. You shall have what you will of
me; and if your mother will not be kinder to you, come to me, who will.

_Jer._ [_Aside._] By my fa--he's a curious fine gentleman!--[_Aloud._]
But will you stand by one?

_Free._ If you can be resolute.

_Jer._ Can be resolved! Gad, if she gives me but a cross word, I'll
leave her to-night, and come to you. But now I have got money, I'll go
to Jack-of-all-Trades, at t'other end of the Hall, and buy the neatest
purest things--

_Free._ [_Aside._] And I'll follow the great boy, and my blow at his
mother. Steal away the calf, and the cow will follow you. [_Exit_
JERRY, _followed by_ FREEMAN.

        _Re-enter, on the other side_, MANLY, Widow BLACKACRE,
                          _and_ Major OLDFOX.

_Man._ Damn your cause, can't you lose it without me? which you are
like enough to do, if it be, as you say, an honest one: I will suffer
no longer for't.

_Wid._ Nay, captain, I tell you, you are my prime witness; and the
cause is just now coming on, Mr. Splitcause tells me. Lord, methinks
you should take a pleasure in walking here, as half you see now do; for
they have no business here, I assure you.

_Man._ Yes; but I'll assure you then, their business is to persecute
me. But d'ye think I'll stay any longer, to have a rogue, because he
knows my name, pluck me aside and whisper a news-book secret to me
with a stinking breath? a second come piping angry from the court,
and sputter in my face his tedious complaints against it? a third
law-coxcomb, because he saw me once at a reader's dinner, come and put
me a long law case, to make a discovery of his indefatigable dulness
and my wearied patience? a fourth, a most barbarous civil rogue, who
will keep a man half an hour in the crowd with a bowed body, and a hat
off, acting the reformed sign of the Salutation tavern, to hear his
bountiful professions of service and friendship, whilst he cares not if
I were damned, and I am wishing him hanged out of my way?--I'd as soon
run the gauntlet, as walk t'other turn.

       _Re-enter_ JERRY BLACKACRE, _without his bags, but laden
     with trinkets, which he endeavours to hide from his_ Mother,
               _and followed at a distance by_ FREEMAN.

_Wid._ O, are you come, sir? but where have you been, you ass? and how
came you thus laden?

_Jer._ Look here, forsooth, mother; now here's a duck, here's a
boar-cat, and here's an owl. [_Making a noise with catcalls and other
such like instruments._

_Wid._ Yes, there is an owl, sir.

_Old._ He's an ungracious bird indeed.

_Wid._ But go, thou trangame,[116] and carry back those trangames,
which thou hast stolen or purloined; for nobody would trust a minor in
Westminster Hall, sure.

_Jer._ Hold yourself contented, forsooth: I have these commodities by a
fair bargain and sale; and there stands my witness and creditor.

_Wid._ How's that? What sir, d'ye think to get the mother by giving the
child a rattle?--But where are my bags, my writings, you rascal?

_Jer._ O, la! where are they, indeed! [_Aside._

_Wid._ How, sirrah? speak, come--

_Man._ You can tell her, Freeman, I suppose. [_Apart to him._

_Free._ 'Tis true, I made one of your salt-water sharks steal 'em
whilst he was eagerly choosing his commodities, as he calls 'em, in
order to my design upon his mother. [_Apart to him._

_Wid._ Won't you speak? Where were you, I say, you son of a--an
unfortunate woman?--O, major, I'm undone! They are all that concern my
estate, my jointure, my husband's deed of gift, my evidences for all my
suits now depending! What will become of them?

_Free._ [_Aside._] I'm glad to hear this.--[_Aloud._] They'll be all
safe, I warrant you, madam.

_Wid._ O where? where? Come, you villain, along with me, and show me
where. [_Exeunt_ Widow BLACKACRE, JERRY, _and_ OLDFOX.

_Man._ Thou hast taken the right way to get a widow, by making her
great boy rebel; for when nothing will make a widow marry, she'll do it
to cross her children. But canst thou in earnest marry this harpy, this
volume of shrivelled blurred parchments and law, this attorney's desk?

_Free._ Ay, ay; I'll marry and live honestly, that is, give my
creditors, not her, due benevolence,--pay my debts.

_Man._ Thy creditors, you see, are not so barbarous as to put thee in
prison; and wilt thou commit thyself to a noisome dungeon for thy life?
which is the only satisfaction thou canst give thy creditors by this
match.

_Free._ Why, is not she rich?

_Man._ Ay; but he that marries a widow for her money, will find himself
as much mistaken as the widow that marries a young fellow for due
benevolence, as you call it.

_Free._ Why, d'ye think I shan't deserve wages? I'll drudge faithfully.

_Man._ I tell thee again, he that is the slave in the mine has the
least propriety in the ore. You may dig, and dig; but if thou wouldst
have her money, rather get to be her trustee than her husband; for a
true widow will make over her estate to anybody, and cheat herself
rather than be cheated by her children or a second husband.

               _Re-enter_ JERRY, _running in a fright._

_Jer._ O la, I'm undone! I'm undone! my mother will kill me:--you said
you'd stand by one.

_Free._ So I will, my brave squire, I warrant thee.

_Jer._ Ay, but I dare not stay till she comes; for she's as furious,
now she has lost her writings, as a bitch when she has lost her puppies.

_Man._ The comparison's handsome!

_Jer._ O, she's here!

_Free._ [_To the_ Sailor.] Take him, Jack, and make haste with him
to your master's lodging; and be sure you keep him up till I come.
[_Exeunt_ JERRY _and_ Sailor.

            _Re-enter_ Widow BLACKACRE _and_ Major OLDFOX.

_Wid._ O my dear writings! Where's this heathen rogue, my minor?

_Free._ Gone to drown or hang himself.

_Wid._ No, I know him too well; he'll ne'er be _felo de se_ that way:
but he may go and choose a guardian of his own head, and so be _felo
de ses biens_; for he has not yet chosen one.

_Free._ Say you so? And he shan't want one. [_Aside._

_Wid._ But, now I think on't, 'tis you, sir, have put this cheat upon
me; for there is a saying, "Take hold of a maid by her smock, and a
widow by her writings, and they cannot get from you." But I'll play
fast and loose with you yet, if there be law, and my minor and writings
are not forthcoming; I'll bring my action of detinue or trover. But
first, I'll try to find out this guardianless, graceless villain.--Will
you jog, major?

_Man._ If you have lost your evidence, I hope your causes cannot go on,
and I may be gone?

_Wid._ O no; stay but a making-water while (as one may say) and I'll be
with you again. [_Exeunt_ Widow BLACKACRE _and_ Major OLDFOX.

_Free._ Well; sure I am the first man that ever began a love-intrigue
in Westminster Hall.

_Man._ No, sure; for the love to a widow generally begins here:
and as the widow's cause goes against the heir or executors, the
jointure-rivals commence their suit to the widow.

_Free._ Well; but how, pray, have you passed your time here, since I
was forced to leave you alone? You have had a great deal of patience.

_Man._ Is this a place to be alone, or have patience in? But I have had
patience, indeed; for I have drawn upon me, since I came, but three
quarrels and two lawsuits.

_Free._ Nay, faith, you are too curst to be let loose in the world:
you should be tied up again in your sea-kennel, called a ship. But how
could you quarrel here?

_Man._ How could I refrain? A lawyer talked peremptorily and saucily to
me, and as good as gave me the lie.

_Free._ They do it so often to one another at the bar, that they make
no bones on't elsewhere.

_Man._ However, I gave him a cuff on the ear; whereupon he jogs
two men, whose backs were turned to us, (for they were reading
at a bookseller's,) to witness I struck him, sitting the courts;
which office they so readily promised, that I called 'em rascals
and knights of the post.[117] One of 'em presently calls two other
absent witnesses, who were coming towards us at a distance; whilst
the other, with a whisper, desires to know my name, that he might
have satisfaction by way of challenge, as t'other by way of writ;
but if it were not rather to direct his brother's writ, than his own
challenge.--There, you see, is one of my quarrels, and two of my
lawsuits.

_Free._ So!--and the other two?

_Man._ For advising a poet to leave off writing, and turn lawyer,
because he is dull and impudent, and says or writes nothing now but by
precedent.

_Free._ And the third quarrel?

_Man._ For giving more sincere advice to a handsome, well-dressed young
fellow, (who asked it too,) not to marry a wench that he loved, and I
had lain with.

_Free._ Nay, if you will be giving your sincere advice to lovers and
poets, you will not fail of quarrels.

_Man._ Or if I stay in this place; for I see more quarrels crowding
upon me. Let's be gone, and avoid 'em.

          _Enter_ NOVEL _at a distance, coming towards them._

A plague on him, that sneer is ominous to us; he is coming upon us, and
we shall not be rid of him.

_Nov._ Dear bully, don't look so grum upon me; you told me just now,
you had forgiven me a little harmless raillery upon wooden legs last
night.

_Man._ Yes, yes, pray begone, I am talking of business.

_Nov._ Can't I hear it? I love thee, and will be faithful, and always--

_Man._ Impertinent. 'Tis business that concerns Freeman only.

_Nov._ Well, I love Freeman too, and would not divulge his
secret.--Prithee speak, prithee, I must--

_Man._ Prithee let me be rid of thee, I must be rid of thee.

_Nov._ Faith, thou canst hardly, I love thee so. Come, I must know the
business.

_Man._ [_Aside._] So, I have it now.--[_Aloud._] Why, if you needs will
know it, he has a quarrel, and his adversary bids him bring two friends
with him: now, I am one, and we are thinking who we shall have for a
third. [_Several cross the stage._

_Nov._ A pox, there goes a fellow owes me a hundred pounds, and goes
out of town to-morrow: I'll speak with him, and come to you presently.
[_Exit._

_Man._ No, but you won't.

_Free._ You are dexterously rid of him.

                       _Re-enter_ Major OLDFOX.

_Man._ To what purpose, since here comes another as impertinent? I know
by his grin he is bound hither.

_Old._ Your servant, worthy, noble captain. Well, I have left the
widow, because she carried me from your company: for, faith, captain, I
must needs tell thee thou art the only officer in England, who was not
an Edgehill officer, that I care for.

_Man._ I'm sorry for't.

_Old._ Why, wouldst thou have me love them?

_Man._ Anybody rather than me.

_Old._ What! you are modest, I see; therefore, too, I love thee.

_Man._ No, I am not modest; but love to brag myself, and can't
patiently hear you fight over the last civil war. Therefore, go look
out the fellow I saw just now here, that walks with his sword and
stockings out at heels, and let him tell you the history of that scar
on his cheek, to give you occasion to show yours got in the field
at Bloomsbury, not that of Edgehill. Go to him, poor fellow; he is
fasting, and has not yet the happiness this morning to stink of brandy
and tobacco: go, give him some to hear you; I am busy.

_Old._ Well, egad, I love thee now, boy, for thy surliness. Thou art no
tame captain, I see, that will suffer--

_Man._ An old fox.

_Old._ All that shan't make me angry: I consider that thou art peevish,
and fretting at some ill success at law. Prithee, tell me what ill luck
you have met with here.

_Man._ You.

_Old._ Do I look like the picture of ill luck? gadsnouns, I love thee
more and more. And shall I tell thee what made me love thee first?

_Man._ Do; that I may be rid of that damned quality and thee.

_Old._ 'Twas thy wearing that broad sword there.

_Man._ Here, Freeman, let's change: I'll never wear it more.

_Old._ How! you won't, sure. Prithee, don't look like one of our
holiday captains now-a-days, with a bodkin by your side, your martinet
rogues.

_Man._ [_Aside._] O, then, there's hopes.--[_Aloud._] What, d'ye find
fault with martinet? Let me tell you, sir, 'tis the best exercise in
the world; the most ready, most easy, most graceful exercise that ever
was used, and the most--

_Old._ Nay, nay, sir, no more; sir, your servant: if you praise
martinet once, I have done with you, sir.--Martinet! martinet!--[_Exit._

_Free._ Nay, you have made him leave you as willingly as ever he did an
enemy; for he was truly for the king and parliament: for the parliament
in their list; and for the king in cheating 'em of their pay, and never
hurting the king's party in the field.

                   _Enter a_ Lawyer _towards them._

_Man._ A pox! this way:--here's a lawyer I know threatening us with
another greeting.

_Law._ Sir, sir, your very servant; I was afraid you had forgotten me.

_Man._ I was not afraid you had forgotten me.

_Law._ No, sir; we lawyers have pretty good memories.

_Man._ You ought to have by your wits.

_Law._ O, you are a merry gentleman, sir: I remember you were merry
when I was last in your company.

_Man._ I was never merry in thy company, Mr. Lawyer, sure.

_Law._ Why, I'm sure you joked upon me, and shammed me all night long.

_Man._ Shammed! prithee what barbarous law-term is that?

_Law._ Shamming! why, don't you know that? 'tis all our way of wit, sir.

_Man._ I am glad I do not know it then. Shamming! what does he mean
by't, Freeman!

_Free._ Shamming is telling you an insipid dull lie with a dull face,
which the sly wag the author only laughs at himself; and making himself
believe 'tis a good jest, puts the sham only upon himself.

_Man._ So, your lawyer's jest, I find, like his practice, has more
knavery than wit in't. I should make the worst shammer in England:
I must always deal ingenuously, as I will with you, Mr. Lawyer, and
advise you to be seen rather with attorneys and solicitors, than such
fellows as I am: they will credit your practice more.

_Law._ No, sir, your company's an honour to me.

_Man._ No, faith; go this way, there goes an attorney; leave me for
him; let it never be said a lawyer's civility did him hurt.

_Law._ No, worthy, honoured sir; I'll not leave you for any attorney,
sure.

_Man._ Unless he had a fee in his hand.

_Law._ Have you any business here, sir? Try me: I'd serve you sooner
than any attorney breathing.

_Man._ Business--[_Aside._] So, I have thought of a sure
way.--[_Aloud._] Yes, faith, I have a little business.

_Law._ Have you so, sir? in what court, sir? what is't, sir? Tell me
but how I may serve you, and I'll do't, sir, and take it for as great
an honour--

_Man._ Faith, 'tis for a poor orphan of a sea officer of mine, that
has no money. But if it could be followed in _forma pauperis_, and when
the legacy's recovered--

_Law. Forma pauperis_, sir!

_Man._ Ay, sir. [_Several crossing the stage._

_Law._ Mr. Bumblecase, Mr. Bumblecase! a word with you.--Sir, I beg
your pardon at present; I have a little business--

_Man._ Which is not in _forma pauperis_. [_Exit_ Lawyer.

_Free._ So, you have now found a way to be rid of people without
quarrelling?

                           _Enter_ Alderman.

_Man._ But here's a city-rogue will stick as hard upon us, as if I owed
him money.

_Ald._ Captain, noble sir, I am yours heartily, d'ye see; why should
you avoid your old friends?

_Man._ And why should you follow me? I owe you nothing.

_Ald._ Out of my hearty respects to you: for there is not a man in
England--

_Man._ Thou wouldst save from hanging with the expense of a shilling
only.

_Ald._ Nay, nay, but, captain, you are like enough to tell me--

_Man._ Truth, which you won't care to hear; therefore you had better go
talk with somebody else.

_Ald._ No, I know nobody can inform me better of some young wit, or
spendthrift, that has a good dipped[118] seat and estate in Middlesex,
Hertfordshire, Essex, or Kent; any of these would serve my turn: now,
if you knew of such a one, and would but help--

_Man._ You to finish his ruin.

_Ald._ I'faith, you should have a snip--

_Man._ Of your nose, you thirty-in-the-hundred rascal; would you make
me your squire setter, your bawd for manors? [_Takes him by the nose._

_Ald._ Oh!

_Free._ Hold, or here will be your third law-suit.

_Ald._ Gads-precious, you hectoring person you, are you wild? I meant
you no hurt, sir: I begin to think, as things go, land-security best,
and have for a convenient mortgage, some ten, fifteen or twenty
thousand pound by me.

_Man._ Then go lay it out upon an hospital, and take a mortgage of
Heaven, according to your city custom; for you think by laying out a
little money to hook in that too hereafter. Do, I say, and keep the
poor you've made by taking forfeitures, that Heaven may not take yours.

_Ald._ No, to keep the cripples you make this war. This war spoils our
trade.

_Man._ Damn your trade! 'tis the better for't.

_Ald._ What, will you speak against our trade?

_Man._ And dare you speak against the war, our trade?

_Ald._ [_Aside._] Well, he may be a convoy of ships I am concerned
in.--[_Aloud._] Come, captain, I will have a fair correspondence with
you, say what you will.

_Man._ Then prithee be gone.

_Ald._ No, faith; prithee, captain, let's go drink a dish of laced
coffee,[119] and talk of the times. Come, I'll treat you: nay, you
shall go, for I have no business here.

_Man._ But I have.

_Ald._ To pick up a man to give thee a dinner. Come, I'll do thy
business for thee.

_Man._ Faith, now I think on't, so you may, as well as any man: for
'tis to pick up a man to be bound with me, to one who expects city
security for--

_Ald._ Nay, then your servant, captain; business must be done.

_Man._ Ay, if it can. But hark you, alderman, without you--

_Ald._ Business, sir, I say, must be done; and there's an officer
of the treasury [_Several cross the stage._] I have an affair
with--[_Exit._

_Man._ You see now what the mighty friendship of the world is; what all
ceremony, embraces, and plentiful professions come to! You are no more
to believe a professing friend than a threatening enemy; and as no man
hurts you, that tells you he'll do you a mischief, no man, you see, is
your servant who says he is so. Why the devil, then, should a man be
troubled with the flattery of knaves if he be not a fool or cully; or
with the fondness of fools, if he be not a knave or cheat?

_Free._ Only for his pleasure: for there is some in laughing at fools,
and disappointing knaves.

_Man._ That's a pleasure, I think, would cost you too dear, as well
as marrying your widow to disappoint her. But, for my part, I have no
pleasure by 'em but in despising 'em, wheresoe'er I meet 'em; and then
the pleasure of hoping so to be rid of 'em. But now my comfort is, I am
not worth a shilling in the world, which all the world shall know; and
then I'm sure I shall have none of 'em come near me.

_Free._ A very pretty comfort, which I think you pay too dear for.--But
is the twenty pound gone since the morning?

_Man._ To my boat's crew.--Would you have the poor, honest, brave
fellows want?

_Free._ Rather than you or I.

_Man._ Why, art thou without money? thou who art a friend to everybody?

_Free._ I ventured my last stake upon the squire to nick him of his
mother; and cannot help you to a dinner, unless you will go dine with
my lord--

_Man._ No, no; the ordinary is too dear for me, where flattery must pay
for my dinner: I am no herald or poet.

_Free._ We'll go then to the bishop's--

_Man._ There you must flatter the old philosophy: I cannot renounce my
reason for a dinner.

_Free._ Why, then let's go to your alderman's.

_Man._ Hang him, rogue! that were not to dine; for he makes you drunk
with lees of sack before dinner, to take away your stomach: and there
you must call usury and extortion God's blessings, or the honest
turning of the penny; hear him brag of the leather breeches in which he
trotted first to town, and make a greater noise with his money in his
parlour, than his cashiers do in his counting-house, without hopes of
borrowing a shilling.

_Free._ Ay, a pox on't! 'tis like dining with the great gamesters; and
when they fall to their common dessert, to see the heaps of gold drawn
on all hands, without going to twelve. Let us go to my Lady Goodly's.

_Man._ There to flatter her looks. You must mistake her grandchildren
for her own; praise her cook, that she may rail at him; and feed her
dogs, not yourself.

_Free._ What d'ye think of eating with your lawyer, then?

_Man._ Eat with him! damn him! To hear him employ his barbarous
eloquence in a reading upon the two-and-thirty good bits in a shoulder
of veal, and be forced yourself to praise the cold bribe-pie that
stinks, and drink law-French wine as rough and harsh as his law-French.
A pox on him! I'd rather dine in the Temple-rounds or walks, with the
knights without noses, or the knights of the post, who are honester
fellows and better company. But let us home and try our fortune; for
I'll stay no longer here for your damned widow.

_Free._ Well, let us go home then; for I must go for my damned widow,
and look after my new damned charge. Three or four hundred years ago a
man might have dined in this Hall.[120]

_Man._

  But now the lawyer only here is fed;
  And, bully-like, by quarrels gets his bread.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE FOURTH.


SCENE I.--MANLY'S _Lodging._

                     _Enter_ MANLY _and_ FIDELIA.

_Man._ Well, there's success in thy face. Hast thou prevailed? say.

_Fid._ As I could wish, sir.

_Man._ So; I told thee what thou wert fit for, and thou wouldst not
believe me. Come, thank me for bringing thee acquainted with thy
genius. Well, thou hast mollified her heart for me?

_Fid._ No, sir, not so; but what's better.

_Man._ How, what's better?

_Fid._ I shall harden your heart against her.

_Man._ Have a care, sir; my heart is too much in earnest to be fooled
with, and my desire at height, and needs no delay to incite it. What,
you are too good a pimp already, and know how to endear pleasure by
withholding it? But leave off your page's bawdy-house tricks, sir, and
tell me, will she be kind?

_Fid._ Kinder than you could wish, sir.

_Man._ So, then: well, prithee, what said she?

_Fid._ She said--

_Man._ What? thou'rt so tedious: speak comfort to me; what?

_Fid._ That of all things you are her aversion.

_Man._ How!

_Fid._ That she would sooner take a bedfellow out of an hospital, and
diseases into her arms, than you.

_Man._ What?

_Fid._ That she would rather trust her honour with a dissolute
debauched hector, nay worse, with a finical baffled coward, all over
loathsome with affectation of the fine gentleman.

_Man._ What's all this you say?

_Fid._ Nay, that my offers of your love to her were more offensive,
than when parents woo their virgin-daughters to the enjoyment of riches
only; and that you were in all circumstances as nauseous to her as a
husband on compulsion.

_Man._ Hold! I understand you not.

_Fid._ So, 'twill work, I see. [_Aside._

_Man._ Did you not tell me--

_Fid._ She called you ten thousand ruffians.

_Man._ Hold, I say.

_Fid._ Brutes--

_Man._ Hold.

_Fid._ Sea-monsters--

_Man._ Damn your intelligence! Hear me a little now.

_Fid._ Nay, surly coward she called you too.

_Man._ Won't you hold yet? Hold, or--

_Fid._ Nay, sir, pardon me; I could not but tell you she had the
baseness, the injustice, to call you coward, sir; coward, coward, sir.

_Man._ Not yet--

_Fid._ I've done:--coward, sir.

_Man._ Did not you say, she was kinder than I could wish her?

_Fid._ Yes, sir.

_Man._ How then?--O--I understand you now. At first she appeared in
rage and disdain; the truest sign of a coming woman: but at last you
prevailed, it seems; did you not?

_Fid._ Yes, sir.

_Man._ So then; let's know that only: come, prithee, without delays.
I'll kiss thee for that news beforehand.

_Fid._ So; the kiss I'm sure is welcome to me, whatsoe'er the news will
be to you. [_Aside._

_Man._ Come, speak, my dear volunteer.

_Fid._ How welcome were that kind word too, if it were not for another
woman's sake! [_Aside._

_Man._ What, won't you speak? You prevailed for me at last, you say?

_Fid._ No, sir.

_Man._ No more of your fooling, sir: it will not agree with my
impatience or temper.

_Fid._ Then not to fool you, sir, I spoke to her for you, but prevailed
for myself; she would not hear me when I spoke in your behalf, but bid
me say what I would in my own, though she gave me no occasion, she was
so coming, and so was kinder, sir, than you could wish; which I was
only afraid to let you know, without some warning.

_Man._ How's this? Young man, you are of a lying age; but I must hear
you out, and if--

_Fid._ I would not abuse you, and cannot wrong her by any report of
her, she is so wicked.

_Man._ How, wicked! had she the impudence, at the second sight of you
only--

_Fid._ Impudence, sir! oh, she has impudence enough to put a court out
of countenance, and debauch a stews.

_Man._ Why, what said she?

_Fid._ Her tongue, I confess, was silent; but her speaking eyes gloated
such things, more immodest and lascivious than ravishers can act, or
women under a confinement think.

_Man._ I know there are those whose eyes reflect more obscenity than
the glasses in alcoves; but there are others too who use a little art
with their looks, to make 'em seem more beautiful, not more loving;
which vain young fellows like you are apt to interpret in their own
favour, and to the lady's wrong.

_Fid._ Seldom, sir. Pray, have you a care of gloating eyes; for he that
loves to gaze upon 'em, will find at last a thousand fools and cuckolds
in 'em instead of cupids.

_Man._ Very well, sir.--But what, you had only eye-kindness from Olivia?

_Fid._ I tell you again, sir, no woman sticks there; eye-promises of
love they only keep; nay, they are contracts which make you sure of
'em. In short, sir, she seeing me, with shame and amazement dumb,
unactive, and resistless, threw her twisting arms about my neck, and
smothered me with a thousand tasteless kisses. Believe me, sir, they
were so to me.

_Man._ Why did you not avoid 'em then?

_Fid._ I fenced with her eager arms, as you did with the grapples of
the enemy's fireship; and nothing but cutting 'em off could have freed
me.

_Man._ Damned, damned woman, that could be so false and infamous! and
damned, damned heart of mine, that cannot yet be false, though so
infamous! what easy, tame suffering trampled things does that little
god of talking cowards make of us! but--

_Fid._ So; it works, I find, as I expected. [_Aside._

_Man._ But she was false to me before, she told me so herself, and
yet I could not quite believe it; but she was, so that her second
falseness is a favour to me, not an injury, in revenging me upon the
man that wronged me first of her love. Her love! a whore's, a witch's
love!--But what, did she not kiss well, sir?--I'm sure I thought her
lips--but I must not think of 'em more--but yet they are such I could
still kiss--grow to--and then tear off with my teeth, grind 'em into
mammocks,[121] and spit 'em into her cuckold's face.

_Fid._ Poor man, how uneasy he is! I have hardly the heart to give
so much pain, though withal I give him cure, and to myself new life.
[_Aside._

_Man._ But what, her kisses sure could not but warm you into desire at
last, or a compliance with hers at least?

_Fid._ Nay, more, I confess--

_Man._ What more? speak.

_Fid._ All you could fear had passed between us, if I could have been
made to wrong you, sir, in that nature.

_Man._ Could have been made! you lie, you did.

_Fid._ Indeed, sir, 'twas impossible for me; besides, we were
interrupted by a visit; but I confess, she would not let me stir, till
I promised to return to her again within this hour, as soon as it
should be dark; by which time she would dispose of her visit, and her
servants, and herself, for my reception. Which I was fain to promise,
to get from her.

_Man._ Ha!

_Fid._ But if ever I go near her again, may you, sir, think me as false
to you, as she is; hate and renounce me, as you ought to do her, and, I
hope, will do now.

_Man._ Well, but now I think on't, you shall keep your word with your
lady. What, a young fellow, and fail the first, nay, so tempting an
assignation!

_Fid._ How, sir?

_Man._ I say, you shall go to her when 'tis dark, and shall not
disappoint her.

_Fid._ I, sir! I should disappoint her more by going.

_Man._ How so?

_Fid._ Her impudence and injustice to you will make me disappoint her
love, loathe her.

_Man._ Come, you have my leave; and if you disgust[122] her, I'll go
with you, and act love, whilst you shall talk it only.

_Fid._ You, sir! nay, then I'll never go near her. You act love, sir!
You must but act it indeed, after all I have said to you. Think of your
honour, sir: love!--

_Man._ Well, call it revenge, and that is honourable: I'll be avenged
on her; and thou shalt be my second.

_Fid._ Not in a base action, sir, when you are your own enemy. O go not
near her, sir; for Heaven's sake, for your own, think not of it!

_Man._ How concerned you are! I thought I should catch you. What, you
are my rival at last, and are in love with her yourself; and have
spoken ill of her out of your love to her, not me: and therefore would
not have me go to her!

_Fid._ Heaven witness for me, 'tis because I love you only, I would not
have you go to her.

_Man._ Come, come, the more I think on't, the more I'm satisfied you
do love her. Those kisses, young man, I knew were irresistible; 'tis
certain.

_Fid._ There is nothing certain in the world, sir, but my truth and
your courage.

_Man._ Your servant, sir. Besides, false and ungrateful as she has been
to me, and though I may believe her hatred to me great as you report
it, yet I cannot think you are so soon and at that rate beloved by her,
though you may endeavour it.

_Fid._ Nay, if that be all, and you doubt it still, sir, I will conduct
you to her; and, unseen, your ears shall judge of her falseness, and my
truth to you, if that will satisfy you.

_Man._ Yes, there is some satisfaction in being quite out of doubt;
because 'tis that alone withholds us from the pleasure of revenge.

_Fid._ Revenge! What revenge can you have, sir? Disdain is best
revenged by scorn; and faithless love, by loving another, and making
her happy with the other's losings. Which, if I might advise--

                           _Enter_ FREEMAN.

_Man._ Not a word more.

_Free._ What, are you talking of love yet, captain? I thought you had
done with't.

_Man._ Why, what did you hear me say?

_Free._ Something imperfectly of love, I think.

_Man._ I was only wondering why fools, rascals, and desertless
wretches, should still have the better of men of merit with all women,
as much as with their own common mistress, Fortune.

_Free._ Because most women, like Fortune, are blind, seem to do all
things in jest, and take pleasure in extravagant actions. Their love
deserves neither thanks, nor blame, for they cannot help it: 'tis
all sympathy; therefore, the noisy, the finical, the talkative, the
cowardly, and effeminate, have the better of the brave, the reasonable,
and man of honour; for they have no more reason in their love, or
kindness, than Fortune herself.

_Man._ Yes, they have their reason. First, honour in a man they fear
too much to love; and sense in a lover upbraids their want of it;
and they hate anything that disturbs their admiration of themselves;
but they are of that vain number, who had rather show their false
generosity, in giving away profusely to worthless flatterers, than in
paying just debts. And, in short, all women, like fortune (as you say)
and rewards, are lost by too much meriting.

_Fid._ All women, sir! sure there are some who have no other quarrel to
a lover's merit, but that it begets their despair of him.

_Man._ Thou art young enough to be credulous; but we--

                            _Enter_ Sailor.

_Sail._ Here are now below, the scolding daggled gentlewoman, and that
Major Old--Old--Fop, I think you call him.

_Free._ Oldfox:--prithee bid 'em come up, with your leave, captain, for
now I can talk with her upon the square, if I shall not disturb you.
[_Exit_ Sailor.

_Man._ No; for I'll begone. Come, volunteer.

_Free._ Nay, pray stay; the scene between us will not be so tedious
to you as you think. Besides, you shall see how I rigged my 'squire
out, with the remains of my shipwrecked wardrobe; he is under your sea
valet-de-chambre's hands, and by this time dressed, and will be worth
your seeing. Stay, and I'll fetch my fool.

_Man._ No; you know I cannot easily laugh: besides, my volunteer and
I have business abroad. [_Exeunt_ MANLY _and_ FIDELIA _on one side_;
FREEMAN _on the other._

              _Enter_ Major OLDFOX _and_ Widow BLACKACRE.

_Wid._ What, nobody here! did not the fellow say he was within?

_Old._ Yes, lady; and he may be perhaps a little busy at present; but
if you think the time long till he comes, [_Unfolding papers_] I'll
read you here some of the fruits of my leisure, the overflowings of
my fancy and pen.--[_Aside._] To value me right, she must know my
parts.--[_Aloud._] Come--

_Wid._ No, no; I have reading work enough of my own in my bag, I thank
you.

_Old._ Ay, law, madam; but here's a poem, in blank verse, which I think
a handsome declaration of one's passion.

_Wid._ O, if you talk of declarations, I'll show you one of the
prettiest penned things, which I mended too myself, you must know.

_Old._ Nay, lady, if you have used yourself so much to the reading
harsh law, that you hate smooth poetry, here is a character for you,
of--

_Wid._ A character! nay, then I'll show you my bill in chancery here,
that gives you such a character of my adversary, makes him as black--

_Old._ Pshaw! away, away, lady! But if you think the character too
long, here is an epigram, not above twenty lines, upon a cruel lady,
who decreed her servant should hang himself, to demonstrate his passion.

_Wid._ Decreed! if you talk of decreeing, I have such a decree here,
drawn by the finest clerk--

_Old._ O lady, lady, all interruption, and no sense between us, as if
we were lawyers at the bar! but I had forgot, Apollo and Littleton
never lodge in a head together. If you hate verses, I'll give you
a cast of my politics in prose. 'Tis "a Letter to a Friend in the
Country;" which is now the way of all such sober solid persons as
myself, when they have a mind to publish their disgust to the times;
though perhaps, between you and I, they have no friend in the country.
And sure a politic, serious person may as well have a feigned friend
in the country to write to, as an idle poet a feigned mistress to
write to. And so here's my letter to a friend, or no friend, in the
country, concerning the late conjuncture of affairs, in relation to
coffee-houses; or, "The Coffee-man's Case."

_Wid._ Nay, if your letter have a case in't, 'tis something; but first
I'll read you a letter of mine to a friend in the country, called a
letter of attorney.

   _Re-enter_ FREEMAN, _with_ JERRY BLACKACRE _in an old gaudy suit
                    and red breeches of_ FREEMAN'S.

_Old._ What, interruption still! O the plague of interruption! worse to
an author than the plague of critics. [_Aside._

_Wid._ What's this I see? Jerry Blackacre, my minor, in red breeches!
What, hast thou left the modest seemly garb of gown and cap for this?
and have I lost all my good inns-of-chancery breeding upon thee
then? and thou wilt go a-breeding thyself from our inn of chancery
and Westminster Hall, at coffee-houses, and ordinaries, play-houses,
tennis-courts, and bawdy-houses?

_Jer._ Ay, ay, what then? perhaps I will; but what's that to you?
Here's my guardian and tutor now, forsooth, that I am out of your
huckster's hands.

_Wid._ How! thou hast not chosen him for thy guardian yet?

_Jer._ No, but he has chosen me for his charge, and that's all one; and
I'll do anything he'll have me, and go all the world over with him; to
ordinaries, and bawdy-houses, or anywhere else.

_Wid._ To ordinaries and bawdy-houses! have a care, minor, thou wilt
enfeeble there thy estate and body: do not go to ordinaries and
bawdy-houses, good Jerry.

_Jer._ Why, how come you to know any ill by bawdy-houses? you never had
any hurt by 'em, had you, forsooth? Pray hold yourself contented; if I
do go where money and wenches are to be had, you may thank yourself;
for you used me so unnaturally, you would never let me have a penny to
go abroad with; nor so much as come near the garret where your maidens
lay; nay, you would not so much as let me play at hotcockles with 'em,
nor have any recreation with 'em though one should have kissed you
behind, you were so unnatural a mother, so you were.

_Free._ Ay, a very unnatural mother, faith, squire.

_Wid._ But, Jerry, consider thou art yet but a minor; however, if thou
wilt go home with me again, and be a good child, thou shalt see--

_Free._ Madam, I must have a better care of my heir under age, than so;
I would sooner trust him alone with a stale waiting-woman and a parson,
than with his widow-mother and her lover or lawyer.

_Wid._ Why, thou villain, part mother and minor! rob me of my child and
my writings! but thou shalt find there's law; and as in the case of
ravishment of guard--Westminster the Second.

_Old._ Young gentleman squire, pray be ruled by your mother and your
friends.

_Jer._ Yes, I'll be ruled by my friends, therefore not by my mother,
so I won't: I'll choose him for my guardian till I am of age; nay,
maybe, for as long as I live.

_Wid._ Wilt thou so, thou wretch? and when thou'rt of age, thou wilt
sign, seal and deliver too, wilt thou?

_Jer._ Yes, marry will I, if you go there too.

_Wid._ O do not squeeze wax, son; rather go to ordinaries and
bawdy-houses, than squeeze wax. If thou dost that, farewell the goodly
manor of Blackacre, with all its woods, underwoods, and appurtenances
whatever! Oh, oh! [_Weeps._

_Free._ Come, madam, in short, you see I am resolved to have a share in
the estate, yours or your son's; if I cannot get you, I'll keep him,
who is less coy, you find; but if you would have your son again, you
must take me too. Peace or war? love or law? You see my hostage is in
my hand: I'm in possession.

_Wid._ Nay, if one of us must be ruined, e'en let it be him. By my
body, a good one! Did you ever know yet a widow marry or not marry
for the sake of her child? I'd have you to know, sir, I shall be hard
enough for you both yet, without marrying you, if Jerry won't be ruled
by me. What say you, booby, will you be ruled? speak.

_Jer._ Let one alone, can't you?

_Wid._ Wilt thou choose him for guardian, whom I refuse for husband?

_Jer._ Ay, to choose, I thank you.

_Wid._ And are all my hopes frustrated? Shall I never hear thee put
cases again to John the butler, or our vicar? never see thee amble the
circuit with the judges; and hear thee, in our town-hall, louder than
the crier?

_Jer._ No, for I have taken my leave of lawyering and pettifogging.

_Wid._ Pettifogging! thou profane villain, hast thou so?
Pettifogging!--then you shall take your leave of me, and your estate
too; thou shalt be an alien to me and it forever. Pettifogging!

_Jer._ O, but if you go there too, mother, we have the deeds and
settlements, I thank you. Would you cheat me of my estate, i'fac?

_Wid._ No, no, I will not cheat your little brother Bob; for thou wert
not born in wedlock.

_Free._ How's that?

_Jer._ How? what quirk has she got in her head now?

_Wid._ I say, thou canst not, shalt not inherit the Blackacres' estate.

_Jer._ Why? why, forsooth? What d'ye mean, if you go there too?

_Wid._ Thou art but my base child; and according to the law, canst not
inherit it. Nay, thou art not so much as bastard eigne.[123]

_Jer._ What, what, am I then the son of a whore, mother?

_Wid._ The law says--

_Free._ Madam, we know what the law says; but have a care what you say.
Do not let your passion, to ruin your son, ruin your reputation.

_Wid._ Hang reputation, sir! am not I a widow? have no husband, nor
intend to have any? Nor would you, I suppose, now have me for a wife.
So I think now I'm revenged on my son and you, without marrying, as I
told you.

_Free._ But consider, madam.

_Jer._ What, have you no shame left in you, mother?

_Wid._ Wonder not at it, major. 'Tis often the poor pressed widow's
case, to give up her honour to save her jointure; and seem to be a
light woman, rather than marry: as some young men, they say, pretend
to have the filthy disease, and lose their credit with most women, to
avoid the importunities of some. [_Aside to_ OLDFOX.

_Free._ But one word with you, madam.

_Wid._ No, no, sir. Come, major, let us make haste now to the
Prerogative-court.

_Old._ But, lady, if what you say be true, will you stigmatise your
reputation on record? and if it be not true, how will you prove it?

_Wid._ Pshaw! I can prove anything: and for my reputation, know, major,
a wise woman will no more value her reputation, in disinheriting a
rebellious son of a good estate, than she would in getting him, to
inherit an estate. [_Exeunt_ Widow BLACKACRE _and_ Major OLDFOX.

_Free._ Madam.--We must not let her go so, squire.

_Jer._ Nay, the devil can't stop her though, if she has a mind to't.
But come, bully-guardian, we'll go and advise with three attorneys,
two proctors, two solicitors, and a shrewd man of Whitefriars, neither
attorney, proctor, nor solicitor, but as pure a pimp to the law as any
of 'em: and sure all they will be hard enough for her, for I fear,
bully-guardian, you are too good a joker to have any law in your head.

_Free._ Thou'rt in the right on't, squire, I understand no law;
especially that against bastards, since I'm sure the custom is against
that law, and more people get estates by being so, than lose 'em.
[_Exeunt._


SCENE II.--OLIVIA'S _Lodging._

           _Enter_ Lord PLAUSIBLE _and_ Boy _with a candle._

_L. Plau._ Little gentleman, your most obedient, faithful, humble
servant. Where, I beseech you, is that divine person, your noble lady?

_Boy._ Gone out, my lord; but commanded me to give you this letter.
[_Gives him a letter._

                            _Enter_ NOVEL.

_L. Plau._ Which he must not observe. [_Aside. Puts letter up._

_Nov._ Hey, boy, where is thy lady?

_Boy._ Gone out, sir; but I must beg a word with you. [_Gives him a
letter, and exit._

_Nov._ For me? So.--[_Puts up the letter._] Servant, servant, my lord;
you see the lady knew of your coming, for she is gone out.

_L. Plau._ Sir, I humbly beseech you not to censure the lady's good
breeding: she has reason to use more liberty with me than with any
other man.

_Nov._ How, viscount, how?

_L. Plau._ Nay, I humbly beseech you, be not in choler; where there is
most love, there may be most freedom.

_Nov._ Nay, then 'tis time to come to an eclaircissement with you, and
to tell you, you must think no more of this lady's love.

_L. Plau._ Why, under correction, dear sir?

_Nov._ There are reasons, reasons, viscount.

_L. Plau._ What, I beseech you, noble sir?

_Nov._ Prithee, prithee, be not impertinent, my lord; some of you lords
are such conceited, well-assured, impertinent rogues.

_L. Plau._ And you noble wits are so full of shamming and drolling, one
knows not where to have you seriously.

_Nov._ Well, you shall find me in bed with this lady one of these days.

_L. Plau._ Nay, I beseech you, spare the lady's honour; for hers and
mine will be all one shortly.

_Nov._ Prithee, my lord, be not an ass. Dost thou think to get her from
me? I have had such encouragements--

_L. Plau._ I have not been thought unworthy of 'em.

_Nov._ What, not like mine! Come to an eclaircissement, as I said.

_L. Plau._ Why, seriously then, she has told me viscountess sounded
prettily.

_Nov._ And me, that Novel was a name she would sooner change hers for
than for any title in England.

_L. Plau._ She has commended the softness and respectfulness of my
behaviour.

_Nov._ She has praised the briskness of my raillery, of all things, man.

_L. Plau._ The sleepiness of my eyes she liked.

_Nov._ Sleepiness! dulness, dulness. But the fierceness of mine she
adored.

_L. Plau._ The brightness of my hair she liked.

_Nov._ The brightness! no, the greasiness, I warrant. But the blackness
and lustre of mine she admires.

_L. Plau._ The gentleness of my smile.

_Nov._ The subtilty of my leer.

_L. Plau._ The clearness of my complexion.

_Nov._ The redness of my lips.

_L. Plau._ The whiteness of my teeth.

_Nov._ My jaunty way of picking them.

_L. Plau._ The sweetness of my breath.

_Nov._ Ha! ha! nay, then she abused you, 'tis plain; for you know what
Manly said:--the sweetness of your pulvillio she might mean; but for
your breath! ha! ha! ha! Your breath is such, man, that nothing but
tobacco can perfume; and your complexion nothing could mend but the
small-pox.

_L. Plau._ Well, sir, you may please to be merry; but, to put you out
of all doubt, sir, she has received some jewels from me of value.

_Nov._ And presents from me; besides what I presented her jauntily, by
way of ombre, of three or four hundred pounds value, which I'm sure are
the earnest-pence for our love-bargain.

_L. Plau._ Nay, then, sir, with your favour, and to make an end of all
your hopes, look you there, sir, she has writ to me--

_Nov._ How! how! well, well, and so she has to me; look you
there--[_They deliver to each other their letters._

_L. Plau._ What's here?

_Nov._ How's this? [_Reads out._]--"My dear lord,--You'll excuse me
for breaking my word with you, since 'twas to oblige, not offend you;
for I am only gone abroad but to disappoint Novel, and meet you in the
drawing-room; where I expect you with as much impatience as when I used
to suffer Novel's visits--the most impertinent fop that ever affected
the name of a wit, therefore not capable, I hope, to give you jealousy;
for, for your sake alone, you saw I renounced an old lover, and will do
all the world. Burn the letter, but lay up the kindness of it in your
heart, with your--Olivia." Very fine! but pray let's see mine.

_L. Plau._ I understand it not; but sure she cannot think so of me.

_Nov._ [_Reads the other letter._] Hum! ha!--"meet--for your
sake"--hum--"quitted an old lover--world--burn--in your heart--with
your--Olivia." Just the same, the names only altered.

_L. Plau._ Surely there must be some mistake, or somebody has abused
her and us.

_Nov._ Yes, you are abused, no doubt on't, my lord; but I'll to
Whitehall, and see.

_L. Plau._ And I, where I shall find you are abused.

_Nov._ Where, if it be so, for our comfort, we cannot fail of meeting
with fellow-sufferers enough; for, as Freeman said of another, she
stands in the drawing room, like the glass, ready for all comers, to
set their gallantry by her: and, like the glass too, lets no man go
from her unsatisfied with himself. [_Exeunt._

                       _Enter_ OLIVIA _and_ Boy.

_Oliv._ Both here, and just gone?

_Boy._ Yes, madam.

_Oliv._ But are you sure neither saw you deliver the other a letter?

_Boy._ Yes, yes, madam, I am very sure.

_Oliv._ Go then to the Old Exchange, to Westminster, Holborn, and all
the other places I told you of; I shall not need you these two hours:
begone, and take the candle with you, and be sure you leave word again
below, I am gone out, to all that ask.

_Boy._ Yes, madam. [_Exit._

_Oliv._ And my new lover will not ask, I'm sure; he has his lesson,
and cannot miss me here, though in the dark: which I have purposely
designed, as a remedy against my blushing gallant's modesty; for young
lovers, like game-cocks, are made bolder by being kept without light.

                 _Enter_ VERNISH, _as from a journey._

_Ver._ Where is she? Darkness everywhere? [_Softly._

_Oliv._ What! come before your time? My soul! my life! your haste
has augmented your kindness; and let me thank you for it thus, and
thus--[_Embracing and kissing him._] And though, my soul, the little
time since you left me has seemed an age to my impatience, sure it is
yet but seven--

_Ver._ How! who's that you expected after seven?

_Oliv._ Ha! my husband returned! and have I been throwing away so many
kind kisses on my husband, and wronged my lover already? [_Aside._

_Ver._ Speak, I say, who was't you expected after seven?

_Oliv._ [_Aside._] What shall I say?--oh--[_Aloud._] Why 'tis but seven
days, is it, dearest, since you went out of town? and I expected you
not so soon.

_Ver._ No, sure, 'tis but five days since I left you.

_Oliv._ Pardon my impatience, dearest, I thought 'em seven at least.

_Ver._ Nay, then--

_Oliv._ But, my life, you shall never stay half so long from me again;
you shan't indeed, by this kiss you shan't.

_Ver._ No, no; but why alone in the dark?

_Oliv._ Blame not my melancholy in your absence.--But, my soul, since
you went, I have strange news to tell you: Manly is returned.

_Ver._ Manly returned! Fortune forbid!

_Oliv._ Met with the Dutch in the channel, fought, sunk his ship, and
all he carried with him. He was here with me yesterday.

_Ver._ And did you own our marriage to him?

_Oliv._ I told him I was married to put an end to his love and my
trouble; but to whom, is yet a secret kept from him and all the world.
And I have used him so scurvily, his great spirit will ne'er return to
reason it farther with me: I have sent him to sea again, I warrant.

_Ver._ 'Twas bravely done. And sure he will now hate the shore more
than ever, after so great a disappointment. Be you sure only to keep
a while our great secret, till he be gone. In the mean time, I'll
lead the easy, honest fool by the nose, as I used to do; and whilst
he stays, rail with him at thee; and when he's gone, laugh with thee
at him. But have you his cabinet of jewels safe? part not with a
seed-pearl to him, to keep him from starving.

_Oliv._ Nor from hanging.

_Ver._ He cannot recover 'em; and, I think, will scorn to beg 'em again.

_Oliv._ But, my life, have you taken the thousand guineas he left in my
name out of the goldsmith's hands?

_Ver._ Ay, ay; they are removed to another goldsmith's.

_Oliv._ Ay, but, my soul, you had best have a care he find not where
the money is; for his present wants, as I'm informed, are such as will
make him inquisitive enough.

_Ver._ You say true, and he knows the man too; but I'll remove it
to-morrow.

_Oliv._ To-morrow! O do not stay till to-morrow; go to-night,
immediately.

_Ver._ Now I think on't, you advise well, and I will go presently.

_Oliv._ Presently! instantly! I will not let you stay a jot.

_Ver._ I will then, though I return not home till twelve.

_Oliv._ Nay, though not till morning, with all my heart. Go, dearest;
I am impatient till you are gone.--[_Thrusts him out._] So, I have
at once now brought about those two grateful businesses, which all
prudent women do together, secured money and pleasure; and now all
interruptions of the last are removed. Go, husband, and come up,
friend; just the buckets in the well; the absence of one brings the
other. But I hope, like them too, they will not meet in the way,
jostle, and clash together.

       _Enter_ FIDELIA, _and_ MANLY _treading softly and staying
                       behind at some distance._

So, are you come? (but not the husband-bucket, I hope, again.)--Who's
there? my dearest? [_Softly._

_Fid._ My life--

_Oliv._ Right, right.--Where are thy lips? Here, take the dumb and best
welcomes, kisses and embraces; 'tis not a time for idle words. In a
duel of love, as in others, parleying shows basely. Come, we are alone;
and now the word is only satisfaction, and defend not thyself.

_Man._ How's this? Why, she makes love like a devil in a play; and in
this darkness, which conceals her angel's face, if I were apt to be
afraid, I should think her a devil. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ What, you traverse ground, young gentleman! [FIDELIA _avoiding
her._

_Fid._ I take breath only.

_Man._ Good Heavens! how was I deceived! [_Aside._

_Oliv._ Nay, you are a coward; what, are you afraid of the fierceness
of my love?

_Fid._ Yes, madam, lest its violence might presage its change; and I
must needs be afraid you would leave me quickly, who could desert so
brave a gentleman as Manly.

_Oliv._ O, name not his name! for in a time of stolen joys, as this is,
the filthy name of husband were not a more allaying sound.

_Man._ There's some comfort yet. [_Aside._

_Fid._ But did you not love him?

_Oliv._ Never. How could you think it?

_Fid._ Because he thought it; who is a man of that sense, nice
discerning, and diffidency, that I should think it hard to deceive him.

_Oliv._ No; he that distrusts most the world, trusts most to himself,
and is but the more easily deceived, because he thinks he can't be
deceived. His cunning is like the coward's sword, by which he is
oftener worsted than defended.

_Fid._ Yet, sure, you used no common art to deceive him.

_Oliv._ I knew he loved his own singular moroseness so well, as to dote
upon any copy of it; wherefore I feigned a hatred to the world too that
he might love me in earnest: but, if it had been hard to deceive him,
I'm sure 'twere much harder to love him. A dogged, ill-mannered--

_Fid._ D'ye hear, sir? pray, hear her. [_Aside to_ MANLY.

_Oliv._ Surly, untractable, snarling brute! He! a mastiff dog were as
fit a thing to make a gallant of.

_Man._ Ay, a goat, or monkey, were fitter for thee. [_Aside._

_Fid._ I must confess, for my part, though my rival, I cannot but say
he has a manly handsomeness in's face and mien.

_Oliv._ So has a Saracen in the sign.

_Fid._ Is proper, and well made.

_Oliv._ As a drayman.

_Fid._ Has wit.

_Oliv._ He rails at all mankind.

_Fid._ And undoubted courage.

_Oliv._ Like the hangman's; can murder a man when his hands are tied.
He has cruelty indeed; which is no more courage, than his railing is
wit.

_Man._ Thus women, and men like women, are too hard for us, when they
think we do not hear 'em: and reputation, like other mistresses, is
never true to a man in his absence. [_Aside._

_Fid._ He is--

_Oliv._ Prithee, no more of him: I thought I had satisfied you enough
before, that he could never be a rival for you to apprehend. And you
need not be more assured of my aversion to him, than by the last
testimony of my love to you; which I am ready to give you. Come, my
soul, this way. [_Pulls_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ But, madam, what could make you dissemble love to him, when
'twas so hard a thing for you; and flatter his love to you?

_Oliv._ That which makes all the world flatter and dissemble, 'twas
his money: I had a real passion for that. Yet I loved not that so
well, as for it to take him; for as soon as I had his money I hastened
his departure like a wife, who when she has made the most of a dying
husband's breath, pulls away his pillow.

_Man._ Damned money! its master's potent rival still; and like a saucy
pimp, corrupts itself the mistress it procures for us. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ But I did not think with you, my life, to pass my time in
talking. Come hither, come; yet stay, till I have locked a door in
the other room, that may chance to let us in some interruption; which
reciting poets or losing gamesters fear not more than I at this time
do. [_Exit._

_Fid._ Well, I hope you are now satisfied, sir, and will be gone to
think of your revenge?

_Man._ No, I am not satisfied, and must stay to be revenged.

_Fid._ How, sir? You'll use no violence to her, I hope, and forfeit
your own life, to take away hers? that were no revenge.

_Man._ No, no, you need not fear: my revenge shall only be upon her
honour, not her life.

_Fid._ How, sir? her honour? O Heavens! consider, sir, she has no
honour. D'ye call that revenge? can you think of such a thing? But
reflect, sir, how she hates and loathes you.

_Man._ Yes, so much she hates me, that it would be a revenge sufficient
to make her accessory to my pleasure, and then let her know it.

_Fid._ No, sir, no; to be revenged on her now, were to disappoint her.
Pray, sir, let us begone. [_Pulls_ MANLY.

_Man._ Hold off! What, you are my rival then! and therefore you shall
stay, and keep the door for me, whilst I go in for you; but when I'm
gone, if you dare to stir off from this very board, or breathe the
least murmuring accent, I'll cut her throat first; and if you love her,
you will not venture her life.--Nay, then I'll cut your throat too; and
I know you love your own life at least.

_Fid._ But, sir; good sir.

_Man._ Not a word more, lest I begin my revenge on her by killing you.

_Fid._ But are you sure 'tis revenge that makes you do this? how can it
be?

_Man._ Whist!

_Fid._ 'Tis a strange revenge, indeed.

_Man._ If you make me stay, I shall keep my word, and begin with you.
No more. [_Exit at the same door_ OLIVIA _went out by._

_Fid._

  O Heavens! is there not punishment enough
  In loving well, if you will have't a crime,
  But you must add fresh torments daily to't,
  And punish us like peevish rivals still,
  Because we fain would find a heaven here?
  But did there never any love like me,
  That untried tortures you must find me out?
  Others at worst, you force to kill themselves;
  But I must be self-murdress of my love,
  Yet will not grant me power to end my life,
  My cruel life; for when a lover's hopes
  Are dead and gone, life is unmerciful.

[_Sits down and weeps._

    _Re-enter_ MANLY.

_Man._ I have thought better on't: I must not discover myself now I am
without witnesses; for if I barely should publish it, she would deny
it with as much impudence, as she would act it again with this young
fellow here.--Where are you?

_Fid._ Here--oh--now I suppose we may be gone.

_Man._ I will; but not you. You must stay and act the second part of a
lover, that is, talk kindness to her.

_Fid._ Not I, sir.

_Man._ No disputing, sir, you must; 'tis necessary to my design of
coming again to-morrow night.

_Fid._ What, can you come again then hither?

_Man._ Yes; and you must make the appointment, and an apology for your
leaving her so soon; for I have said not a word to her; but have kept
your counsel, as I expect you should do mine. Do this faithfully, and
I promise you here, you shall run my fortune still, and we will never
part as long as we live; but if you do not do it, expect not to live.

_Fid._ 'Tis hard, sir; but such a consideration will make it easier.
You won't forget your promise, sir?

_Man._ No, by Heavens! But I hear her coming. [_Exit._

                          _Re-enter_ OLIVIA.

_Oliv._ Where is my life? Run from me already! You do not love me,
dearest; nay, you are angry with me, for you would not so much as speak
a kind word to me within: what was the reason?

_Fid._ I was transported too much.

_Oliv._ That's kind.--But come, my soul, what make you here? Let us go
in again; we may be surprised in this room, 'tis so near the stairs.

_Fid._ No, we shall hear the better here, if anybody should come up.

_Oliv._ Nay, I assure you, we shall be secure enough within: come,
come--

_Fid._ I am sick, and troubled with a sudden dizziness; and cannot stir
yet.

_Oliv._ Come, I have spirits within.

_Fid._ O! don't you hear a noise, madam?

_Oliv._ No, no; there is none: come, come. [_Pulls her._

_Fid._ Indeed there is; and I love you so much, I must have a care of
your honour, if you won't, and go; but to come to you to-morrow night,
if you please.

_Oliv._ With all my soul. But you must not go yet; come, prithee.

_Fid._ Oh!--I'm now sicker, and am afraid of one of my fits.

_Oliv._ What fits?

_Fid._ Of the falling sickness; and I lie generally an hour in a
trance: therefore pray consider your honour for the sake of my love,
and let me go, that I may return to you often.

_Oliv._ But will you be sure then to come to-morrow night?

_Fid._ Yes.

_Oliv._ Swear.

_Fid._ By our past kindness!

_Oliv._ Well, go your ways then, if you will, you naughty creature
you.--[_Exit_ FIDELIA.] These young lovers, with their fears and
modesty, make themselves as bad as old ones to us; and I apprehend
their bashfulness more than their tattling.

                          _Re-enter_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ O madam, we're undone! There was a gentleman upon the stairs,
coming up with a candle, which made me retire. Look you, here he comes!

         _Re-enter_ VERNISH, _and his_ Servant _with a light._

_Oliv._ How, my husband! Oh, undone indeed! This way. [_Exit._

_Ver._ Ha! You shall not escape me so, sir. [_Stops_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ O Heavens! more fears, plagues, and torments yet in store!
[_Aside._

_Ver._ Come, sir, I guess what your business was here, but this must be
your business now. Draw. [_Draws._

_Fid._ Sir--

_Ver._ No expostulations; I shall not care to hear of't. Draw.

_Fid._ Good sir!

_Ver._ How, you rascal! not courage to draw; yet durst do me the
greatest injury in the world? Thy cowardice shall not save thy life.
[_Offers to run at_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ O hold, sir, and send but your servant down, and I'll satisfy
you, sir, I could not injure you as you imagine.

_Ver._ Leave the light and begone.--[_Exit_ Servant.] Now, quickly,
sir, what have you to say, or--

_Fid._ I am a woman, sir, a very unfortunate woman.

_Ver._ How! a very handsome woman, I'm sure then: here are witnesses
of't too, I confess--[_Pulls off her peruke and feels her breasts; then
aside_,] Well, I'm glad to find the tables turned; my wife is in more
danger of cuckolding than I was.

_Fid._ Now, sir, I hope you are so much a man of honour, as to let me
go, now I have satisfied you, sir.

_Ver._ When you have satisfied me, madam, I will.

_Fid._ I hope, sir, you are too much a gentleman to urge those secrets
from a woman which concern her honour. You may guess my misfortune to
be love by my disguise: but a pair of breeches could not wrong you, sir.

_Ver._ I may believe love has changed your outside, which could not
wrong me; but why did my wife run away?

_Fid._ I know not, sir; perhaps because she would not be forced to
discover me to you, or to guide me from your suspicions, that you might
not discover me yourself; which ungentlemanlike curiosity I hope you
will cease to have, and let me go.

_Ver._ Well, madam, if I must not know who you are, 'twill suffice for
me only to know certainly what you are; which you must not deny me.
Come, there is a bed within, the proper rack for lovers; and if you
are a woman, there you can keep no secrets; you'll tell me there all
unasked. Come. [_Pulls her._

_Fid._ Oh! what d'ye mean? Help! oh!

_Ver._ I'll show you: but 'tis in vain to cry out: no one dares help
you; for I am lord here.

_Fid._ Tyrant here!--But if you are master of this house, which I have
taken for a sanctuary, do not violate it yourself.

_Ver._ No, I'll preserve you here, and nothing shall hurt you, and will
be as true to you as your disguise; but you must trust me then. Come,
come. [_Pulls her._

_Fid._ Oh! oh! rather than you should drag me to a deed so horrid and
so shameful, I'll die here a thousand deaths.--But you do not look like
a ravisher, sir.

_Ver._ Nor you like one would put me to't; but if you will--

_Fid._ Oh! oh! help! help!

                          _Re-enter_ Servant.

_Ver._ You saucy rascal, how durst you come in? When you heard a woman
squeak, that should have been your cue to shut the door.

_Serv._ I come, sir, to let you know, the alderman coming home
immediately after you were at his house, has sent his cashier with the
money, according to your note.

_Ver._ Damn his money! Money never came to any, sure, unseasonably till
now. Bid him stay.

_Serv._ He says, he cannot a moment.

_Ver._ Receive it you then.

_Serv._ He says he must have your receipt for it:--he is in haste, for
I hear him coming up, sir.

_Ver._ Damn him! Help me in here then with this dishonourer of my
family.

_Fid._ Oh! oh!

_Serv._ You say she is a woman, sir.

_Ver._ No matter, sir: must you prate?

_Fid._ Oh Heavens! is there--[_They thrust her in, and lock the door._

_Ver._ Stay there, my prisoner; you have a short reprieve.

  I'll fetch the gold, and that she can't resist,
  For with a full hand 'tis we ravish best.

[_Exeunt._




ACT THE FIFTH.


SCENE I.--ELIZA'S _Lodgings._

                      _Enter_ OLIVIA _and_ ELIZA.

_Oliv._ Ah, cousin! nothing troubles me but that I have given the
malicious world its revenge, and reason now to talk as freely of me as
I used to do of it.

_Eliza._ Faith, then, let not that trouble you; for, to be plain,
cousin, the world cannot talk worse of you than it did before.

_Oliv._ How, cousin! I'd have you to know, before this _faux pas_, this
trip of mine, the world could not talk of me.

_Eliza._ Only that you mind other people's actions so much that you
take no care of your own, but to hide 'em; that, like a thief, because
you know yourself most guilty, you impeach your fellow-criminals first,
to clear yourself.

_Oliv._ O wicked world!

_Eliza._ That you pretend an aversion to all mankind in public, only
that their wives and mistresses may not be jealous, and hinder you of
their conversation in private.

_Oliv._ Base world!

_Eliza._ That abroad you fasten quarrels upon innocent men for talking
of you, only to bring 'em to ask your pardon at home, and to become
dear friends with them, who were hardly your acquaintance before.

_Oliv._ Abominable world!

_Eliza._ That you condemn the obscenity of modern plays, only that you
may not be censured for never missing the most obscene of the old ones.

_Oliv._ Damned world!

_Eliza._ That you deface the nudities of pictures, and little statues,
only because they are not real.[124]

_Oliv._ O, fy! fy! fy! hideous, hideous! Cousin, the obscenity of their
censures makes me blush!

_Eliza._ The truth of 'em, the naughty world would say now.

                      _Enter_ LETTICE _hastily._

_Let._ O, madam! here is that gentleman coming up who now you say is my
master.

_Oliv._ O, cousin! whither shall I run? protect me, or--[OLIVIA _runs
away, and stands at a distance._

                           _Enter_ VERNISH.

_Ver._ Nay, nay, come--

_Oliv._ O, sir, forgive me!

_Ver._ Yes, yes, I can forgive you being alone in the dark with a woman
in man's clothes: but have a care of a man in woman's clothes.

_Oliv._ What does he mean? he dissembles only to get me into his power:
or has my dear friend made him believe he was a woman? My husband may
be deceived by him, but I'm sure I was not. [_Aside._

_Ver._ Come, come, you need not have lain out of your house for this;
but perhaps you were afraid, when I was warm with suspicions, you must
have discovered who she was.--And, prithee, may I not know it?

_Oliv._ She was!--[_Aside._] I hope he has been deceived: and since my
lover has played the card, I must not renounce.

_Ver._ Come, what's the matter with thee? If I must not know who she
is, I'm satisfied without. Come hither.

_Oliv._ Sure you do know her; she has told you herself, I suppose.

_Ver._ No, I might have known her better but that I was interrupted by
the goldsmith, you know, and was forced to lock her into your chamber,
to keep her from his sight; but, when I returned, I found she was got
away by tying the window-curtains to the balcony, by which she slid
down into the street. For, you must know, I jested with her, and made
her believe I'd ravish her; which she apprehended, it seems, in earnest.

_Oliv._ And she got from you?

_Ver._ Yes.

_Oliv._ And is quite gone?

_Ver._ Yes.

_Oliv._ I'm glad on't--otherwise you had ravished her, sir? But how
durst you go so far, as to make her believe you would ravish her? let
me understand that, sir. What! there's guilt in your face, you blush
too: nay, then you did ravish her, you did, you base fellow! What,
ravish a woman in the first month of our marriage! 'tis a double injury
to me, thou base, ungrateful man! wrong my bed already, villain! I
could tear out those false eyes, barbarous, unworthy wretch!

_Eliza._ So, so!--

_Ver._ Prithee hear, my dear.

_Oliv._ I will never hear you, my plague, my torment!

_Ver._ I swear--prithee, hear me.

_Oliv._ I have heard already too many of your false oaths and vows,
especially your last in the church. O wicked man! and wretched
woman that I was! I wish I had then sunk down into a grave, rather
than to have given you my hand, to be led to your loathsome bed.
Oh--Oh--[_Pretends to weep._

_Ver._ So, very fine! just a marriage-quarrel! which though it
generally begins by the wife's fault, yet, in the conclusion, it
becomes the husband's; and whosoever offends at first, he only is sure
to ask pardon at last. My dear--

_Oliv._ My devil!--

_Ver._ Come, prithee be appeased, and go home; I have bespoken our
supper betimes: for I could not eat till I found you. Go, I'll give you
all kind of satisfactions; and one, which uses to be a reconciling one,
two hundred of those guineas I received last night, to do what you will
with.

_Oliv._ What, would you pay me for being your bawd?

_Ver._ Nay, prithee no more; go, and I'll thoroughly satisfy you when I
come home; and then, too, we will have a fit of laughter at Manly, whom
I am going to find at the Cock in Bow-street, where I hear he dined.
Go, dearest, go home.

_Eliza._ A very pretty turn, indeed, this! [_Aside._

_Ver._ Now, cousin, since by my wife I have that honour and privilege
of calling you so, I have something to beg of you too; which is not
to take notice of our marriage to any whatever yet a while, for some
reasons very important to me. And, next, that you will do my wife the
honour to go home with her; and me the favour, to use that power you
have with her, in our reconcilement.

_Eliza._ That I dare promise, sir, will be no hard matter. Your
servant.--[_Exit_ VERNISH.]--Well, cousin, this, I confess, was
reasonable hypocrisy; you were the better for't.

_Oliv._ What hypocrisy?

_Eliza._ Why, this last deceit of your husband was lawful, since in
your own defence.

_Oliv._ What deceit? I'd have you to know I never deceived my husband.

_Eliza._ You do not understand me, sure: I say, this was an honest
come-off, and a good one. But 'twas a sign your gallant had had enough
of your conversation, since he could so dexterously cheat your husband
in passing for a woman.

_Oliv._ What d'ye mean, once more, with my gallant and passing for a
woman?

_Eliza._ What do you mean? you see your husband took him for a woman.

_Oliv._ Whom?

_Eliza._ Heyday! why, the man he found you with, for whom last night
you were so much afraid; and who you told me--

_Oliv._ Lord, you rave sure!

_Eliza._ Why, did you not tell me last night--

_Oliv._ I know not what I might tell you last night, in a fright.

_Eliza._ Ay, what was that fright for? for a woman? besides, were you
not afraid to see your husband just now? I warrant only for having been
found with a woman! Nay, did you not just now, too, own your false
step, or trip, as you called it? which was with a woman too! fy, this
fooling is so insipid, 'tis offensive!

_Oliv._ And fooling with my honour will be more offensive. Did you not
hear my husband say he found me with a woman in man's clothes? and d'ye
think he does not know a man from a woman?

_Eliza._ Not so well, I'm sure, as you do; therefore I'd rather take
your word.

_Oliv._ What, you grow scurrilous, and are, I find, more censorious
than the world! I must have a care of you, I see.

_Eliza._ No, you need not fear yet, I'll keep your secret.

_Oliv._ My secret! I'd have you to know, I have no need of confidants,
though you value yourself upon being a good one.

_Eliza._ O admirable confidence! you show more in denying your
wickedness, than other people in glorying in't.

_Oliv._ Confidence, to me! to me such language! nay, then I'll never
see your face again.--[_Aside._] I'll quarrel with her, that people may
never believe I was in her power; but take for malice all the truth she
may speak against me.--[_Aloud._] Lettice, where are you! Let us be
gone from this censorious ill woman.

_Eliza._ [_Aside._] Nay, thou shalt stay a little, to damn thyself
quite.--[_Aloud._] One word first, pray, madam; can you swear that whom
your husband found you with--

_Oliv._ Swear! ay, that whosoever 'twas that stole up, unknown, into my
room, when 'twas dark, I know not, whether man or woman, by Heavens! by
all that's good; or, may I never more have joys here, or in the other
world! Nay, may I eternally--

_Eliza._ Be damned. So, so, you are damned enough already by your
oaths; and I enough confirmed, and now you may please to be gone. Yet
take this advice with you, in this plain-dealing age, to leave off
forswearing yourself; for when people hardly think the better of a
woman for her real modesty, why should you put that great constraint
upon yourself to feign it?

_Oliv._ O hideous, hideous advice! let us go out of the hearing of it.
She will spoil us, Lettice.

[_Exeunt_ OLIVIA _and_ LETTICE _at one door_, ELIZA _at the other._


SCENE II.--_The Cock in Bow Street. A table and bottles._

                     _Enter_ MANLY _and_ FIDELIA.

_Man._ How! saved her honour by making her husband believe you were a
woman! 'Twas well, but hard enough to do, sure.

_Fid._ We were interrupted before he could contradict me.

_Man._ But can't you tell me, d'ye say, what kind of man he was?

_Fid._ I was so frightened, I confess, I can give no other account of
him, but that he was pretty tall, round-faced, and one, I'm sure, I
ne'er had seen before.

_Man._ But she, you say, made you swear to return to-night?

_Fid._ But I have since sworn, never to go near her again; for the
husband would murder me, or worse, if he caught me again.

_Man._ No, I will go with you, and defend you to-night, and then I'll
swear, too, never to go near her again.

_Fid._ Nay, indeed, sir, I will not go, to be accessory to your death
too. Besides, what should you go again, sir, for?

_Man._ No disputing, or advice, sir, you have reason to know I am
unalterable. Go therefore presently, and write her a note, to inquire
if her assignation with you holds; and if not to be at her own house,
where else; and be importunate to gain admittance to her to-night.
Let your messenger, ere he deliver your letter, inquire first if her
husband be gone out. Go, 'tis now almost six of the clock; I expect
you back here before seven, with leave to see her then. Go, do this
dextrously, and expect the performance of my last night's promise,
never to part with you.

_Fid._ Ay, sir; but will you be sure to remember that?

_Man._ Did I ever break my word? Go, no more replies, or doubts.
[_Exit_ FIDELIA.

                           _Enter_ FREEMAN.

Where hast thou been?

_Free._ In the next room with my Lord Plausible and Novel.

_Man._ Ay, we came hither, because 'twas a private house; but with thee
indeed no house can be private, for thou hast that pretty quality of
the familiar fops of the town, who, in an eating-house, always keep
company with all people in't but those they came with.

_Free._ I went into their room, but to keep them, and my own fool the
squire, out of your room; but you shall be peevish now, because you
have no money. But why the devil won't you write to those we were
speaking of? Since your modesty, or your spirit, will not suffer you to
speak to 'em, to lend you money, why won't you try 'em at last that way?

_Man._ Because I know 'em already, and can bear want better than
denials, nay, than obligations.

_Free._ Deny you! they cannot. All of 'em have been your intimate
friends.

_Man._ No, they have been people only I have obliged particularly.

_Free._ Very well; therefore you ought to go to 'em the rather, sure.

_Man._ No, no. Those you have obliged most, most certainly avoid you,
when you can oblige 'em no longer; and they take your visits like so
many duns. Friends, like mistresses, are avoided for obligations past.

_Free._ Pshaw! but most of 'em are your relations; men of great fortune
and honour.

_Man._ Yes; but relations have so much honour as to think poverty
taints the blood, and disown their wanting kindred; believing, I
suppose, that as riches at first make a gentleman, the want of 'em
degrades him. But damn 'em! now I am poor, I'll anticipate their
contempt, and disown them.

_Free._ But you have many a female acquaintance whom you have been
liberal to, who may have a heart to refund to you a little, if you
would ask it: they are not all Olivias.

_Man._ Damn thee! how couldst thou think of such a thing? I would as
soon rob my footman of his wages. Besides, 'twere in vain too: for a
wench is like a box in an ordinary, receives all people's money easily,
but there is no getting, nay, shaking any out again; and he that fills
it is sure never to keep the key.

_Free._ Well, but noble captain, would you make me believe that you,
who know half the town, have so many friends, and have obliged so many,
can't borrow fifty or a hundred pounds?

_Man._ Why, noble lieutenant, you who know all the town, and call all
you know friends, methinks should not wonder at it; since you find
ingratitude too. For how many lords' families (though descended from
blacksmiths or tinkers) hast thou called great and illustrious? how
many ill tables called good eating? how many noisy coxcombs wits?
how many pert cocking[125] cowards stout? how many tawdry affected
rogues well-dressed? how many perukes admired? and how many ill verses
applauded? and yet canst not borrow a shilling. Dost thou expect I, who
always spoke truth, should?

_Free._ Nay, now you think you have paid me; but hark you, captain, I
have heard of a thing called grinning honour, but never of starving
honour.

_Man._ Well, but it has been the fate of some brave men; and if they
won't give me a ship again, I can go starve anywhere with a musket on
my shoulder.

_Free._ Give you a ship! why, you will not solicit it.

_Man._ If I have not solicited it by my services, I know no other way.

_Free._ Your servant, sir; nay, then I'm satisfied, I must solicit my
widow the closer, and run the desperate fortune of matrimony on shore.
[_Exit._

                           _Enter_ VERNISH.

_Man._ How!--Nay, here is a friend indeed; and he that has him in his
arms can know no wants. [_Embraces_ VERNISH.

_Ver._ Dear sir! and he that is in your arms is secure from all fears
whatever: nay, our nation is secure by your defeat at sea, and the
Dutch that fought against you have proved enemies to themselves only in
bringing you back to us.

_Man._ Fy! fy! this from a friend? and yet from any other 'twere
insufferable: I thought I should never have taken anything ill from you.

_Ver._ A friend's privilege is to speak his mind, though it be taken
ill.

_Man._ But your tongue need not tell me you think too well of me; I
have found it from your heart, which spoke in actions, your unalterable
heart. But Olivia is false, my friend, which I suppose is no news to
you.

_Ver._ He's in the right on't. [_Aside._

_Man._ But couldst thou not keep her true to me?

_Ver._ Not for my heart, sir.

_Man._ But could you not perceive it at all before I went? Could she so
deceive us both?

_Ver._ I must confess, the first time I knew it was three days
after your departure, when she received the money you had left in
Lombard-street in her name; and her tears did not hinder her, it seems,
from counting that. You would trust her with all, like a true generous
lover.

_Man._ And she like a mean jilting--

_Ver._ Traitorous--

_Man._ Base--

_Ver._ Damned--

_Man._ Covetous--

_Ver._ Mercenary whore.--[_Aside._] I can hardly hold from laughing.

_Man._ Ay, a mercenary whore indeed; for she made me pay her before I
lay with her.

_Ver._ How!--Why, have you lain with her?

_Man._ Ay, ay.

_Ver._ Nay, she deserves you should report it at least, though you have
not.

_Man._ Report it! by Heaven, 'tis true!

_Ver._ How! sure not.

_Man._ I do not use to lie, nor you to doubt me.

_Ver._ When?

_Man._ Last night, about seven or eight of the clock.

_Ver._ Ha!--[_Aside._] Now I remember, I thought she spake as if she
expected some other rather than me. A confounded whore, indeed!

_Man._ But what, thou wonderest at it! nay, you seem to be angry too.

_Ver._ I cannot but be enraged against her, for her usage of you:
damned infamous, common jade!

_Man._ Nay, her cuckold, who first cuckolded me in my money, shall not
laugh all himself: we will do him reason, shan't we?

_Ver._ Ay, ay.

_Man._ But thou dost not, for so great a friend, take pleasure enough
in your friend's revenge, methinks.

_Ver._ Yes, yes; I'm glad to know it, since you have lain with her.

_Man._ Thou canst not tell who that rascal, her cuckold, is?

_Ver._ No.

_Man._ She would keep it from you, I suppose.

_Ver._ Yes, yes.

_Man._ Thou wouldst laugh, if thou knewest but all the circumstances of
my having her. Come, I'll tell thee.

_Ver._ Damn her! I care not to hear any more of her.

_Man._ Faith, thou shalt. You must know--

    _Re-enter_ FREEMAN _backwards, endeavouring to keep out_ NOVEL,
     Lord PLAUSIBLE, JERRY BLACKACRE, _and_ Major OLDFOX, _who all
                           press upon him._

_Free._ I tell you he has a wench with him, and would be private.

_Man._ Damn 'em! a man can't open a bottle in these eating-houses, but
presently you have these impudent, intruding, buzzing flies and insects
in your glass.--Well, I'll tell thee all anon. In the mean time
prithee go to her, but not from me, and try if you can get her to lend
me but a hundred pounds of my money, to supply my present wants; for I
suppose there is no recovering any of it by law.

_Ver._ Not any: think not of it. Nor by this way neither.

_Man._ Go try, at least.

_Ver._ I'll go; but I can satisfy you beforehand it will be to no
purpose. You'll no more find a refunding wench--

_Man._ Than a refunding lawyer; indeed their fees alike scarce ever
return. However, try her; put it to her.

_Ver._ Ay, ay, I'll try her; put it to her home with a vengeance.
[_Exit._

_Nov._ Nay, you shall be our judge, Manly--Come, major, I'll speak
it to your teeth; if people provoke me to say bitter things to their
faces, they must take what follows; though, like my lord Plausible, I'd
rather do't civilly behind their backs.

_Man._ Nay, thou art a dangerous rogue, I've heard, behind a man's back.

_L. Plau._ You wrong him sure, noble captain; he would do a man no more
harm behind his back than to his face.

_Free._ I am of my lord's mind.

_Man._ Yes, a fool, like a coward, is the more to be, feared behind a
man's back, more than a witty man; for as a coward is more bloody than
a brave man, a fool is more malicious than a man of wit.

_Nov._ A fool, tar,--a fool! nay, thou art a brave sea-judge of wit! a
fool! Prithee when did you ever find me want something to say, as you
do often?

_Man._ Nay, I confess thou art always talking, roaring, or making a
noise; that I'll say for thee.

_Nov._ Well, and is talking a sign of a fool?

_Man._ Yes, always talking, especially too if it be loud and fast, is
the sign of a fool.

_Nov._ Pshaw! talking is like fencing, the quicker the better; run 'em
down, run 'em down, no matter for parrying; push on still, sa, sa, sa!
No matter whether you argue in form, push in guard or no.

_Man._ Or hit or no; I think thou always talkest without thinking,
Novel.

_Nov._ Ay, ay; studied play's the worse, to follow the allegory, as the
old pedant says.

_Old._ A young fop!

_Man._ I ever thought the man of most wit had been like him of most
money, who has no vanity in showing it everywhere, whilst the beggarly
pusher of his fortune has all he has about him still only to show.

_Nov._ Well, sir, and make a pretty show in the world, let me tell you;
nay, a better than your close hunks. A pox, give me ready money in
play! what care I for a man's reputation? what are we the better for
your substantial thrifty curmudgeon in wit, sir?

_Old._ Thou art a profuse young rogue indeed.

_Nov._ So much for talking, which, I think, I have proved a mark of
wit; and so is railing, roaring, and making a noise; for railing is
satire, you know; and roaring and making a noise, humour.

      _Re-enter_ FIDELIA; _she takes_ MANLY _aside, and shows him
                               a paper._

_Fid._ The hour is betwixt seven and eight exactly: 'tis now half an
hour to six.

_Man._ Well, go then to the Piazza, and wait for me: as soon as it
is quite dark, I'll be with you. I must stay here yet a while for my
friend.--[_Exit_ FIDELIA.] But is railing satire, Novel?

_Free._ And roaring and making a noise, humour?

_Nov._ What, won't you confess there's humour in roaring and making a
noise?

_Free._ No.

_Nov._ Nor in cutting napkins and hangings?

_Man._ No, sure.

_Nov._ Dull fops!

_Old._ O rogue, rogue, insipid rogue!--Nay, gentlemen, allow him those
things for wit; for his parts lie only that way.

_Nov._ Peace, old fool! I wonder not at thee; but that young fellows
should be so dull, as to say there's no humour in making a noise, and
breaking windows! I tell you there's wit and humour too in both; and a
wit is as well known by his frolic as by his smile.

_Old._ Pure rogue! there's your modern wit for you! Wit and humour
in breaking of windows: there's mischief, if you will, but no wit or
humour.

_Nov._ Prithee, prithee, peace, old fool! I tell you, where there's
mischief, there's wit. Don't we esteem the monkey a wit amongst beasts,
only because he's mischievous? and, let me tell you, as good-nature is
a sign of a fool, being mischievous is a sign of a wit.

_Old._ O rogue, rogue! pretend to be a wit, by doing mischief and
railing!

_Nov._ Why, thou, old fool, hast no other pretence to the name of a
wit, but by railing at new plays!

_Old._ Thou, by railing at that facetious noble way of wit, quibbling!

_Nov._ Thou callest thy dulness gravity; and thy dozing, thinking.

_Old._ You, sir, your dulness, spleen; and you talk much and say
nothing.

_Nov._ Thou readest much, and understandest nothing, sir.

_Old._ You laugh loud, and break no jest.

_Nov._ You rail, and nobody hangs himself; and thou hast nothing of the
satire but in thy face.

_Old._ And you have no jest, but your face, sir.

_Nov._ Thou art an illiterate pedant.

_Old._ Thou art a fool with a bad memory.

_Man._ Come, a pox on you both! you have done like wits now: for you
wits, when you quarrel, never give over till ye prove one another fools.

_Nov._ And you fools have never any occasion of laughing at us wits but
when we quarrel. Therefore let us be friends, Oldfox.

_Man._ They are such wits as thou art, who make the name of a wit as
scandalous as that of bully: and signify a loud-laughing, talking,
incorrigible, coxcomb, as bully a roaring hardened coward.

_Free._ And would have his noise and laughter pass for wit, as t'other
his huffing and blustering for courage.

                          _Re-enter_ VERNISH.

_Man._ Gentlemen, with your leave, here is one I would speak with;
and I have nothing to say to you. [_Puts all out of the room except_
VERNISH.

_Ver._ I told you 'twas in vain to think of getting money out of
her. She says, if a shilling would do't, she would not save you
from starving or hanging, or what you would think worse, begging or
flattering; and rails so at you, one would not think you had lain with
her.

_Man._ O, friend, never trust for that matter a woman's railing; for
she is no less a dissembler in her hatred than her love; and as her
fondness of her husband is a sign he's a cuckold, her railing at
another man is a sign she lies with him.

_Ver._ He's in the right on't: I know not what to trust to. [_Aside._

_Man._ But you did not take any notice of it to her, I hope?

_Ver._ So!--Sure he is afraid I should have disproved him by an inquiry
of her: all may be well yet. [_Aside._

_Man._ What hast thou in thy head that makes thee seem so unquiet?

_Ver._ Only this base impudent woman's falseness; I cannot put her out
of my head.

_Man._ O, my dear friend, be not you too sensible of my wrongs; for
then I shall feel 'em too with more pain, and think 'em unsufferable.
Damn her, her money, and that ill-natured whore too, Fortune herself!
But if thou wouldst ease a little my present trouble, prithee go borrow
me somewhere else some money. I can trouble thee.

_Ver._ You trouble me, indeed, most sensibly, when you command me
anything I cannot do. I have lately lost a great deal of money at play,
more than I can yet pay; so that not only my money, but my credit too
is gone, and know not where to borrow: but could rob a church for
you.--[_Aside._] Yet would rather end your wants by cutting your throat.

_Man._ Nay, then I doubly feel my poverty, since I'm incapable of
supplying thee. [_Embraces him._

_Ver._ But, methinks, she that granted you the last favour, (as they
call it,) should not deny you anything.

_Nov._ [_Looking in._] Hey, tarpaulin, have you done? [_Retires again._

_Ver._ I understand not that point of kindness, I confess.

_Man._ No, thou dost not understand it, and I have not time to let you
know all now; for these fools, you see, will interrupt us: but anon, at
supper, we'll laugh at leisure together at Olivia's cuckold, who took a
young fellow, that goes between his wife and me, for a woman.

_Ver._ Ha!

_Man._ Senseless, easy rascal! 'twas no wonder she chose him for a
husband; but she thought him, I thank her, fitter than me, for that
blind bearing office.

_Ver._ I could not be deceived in that long woman's hair tied up
behind, nor those infallible proofs, her pouting swelling breasts: I
have handled too many sure not to know 'em. [_Aside._

_Man._ What, you wonder the fellow could be such a blind coxcomb?

_Ver._ Yes, yes--

_Nov._ [_Looking in again._] Nay, prithee, come to us, Manly. Gad, all
the fine things one says in their company, are lost without thee.

_Man._ Away, fop! I'm busy yet. [NOVEL _retires._] You see we cannot
talk here at our ease: besides, I must be gone immediately, in order to
meeting with Olivia again to-night.

_Ver._ To-night! it cannot be, sure--

_Man._ I had an appointment just now from her.

_Ver._ For what time?

_Man._ At half an hour after seven precisely.

_Ver._ Don't you apprehend the husband?

_Man._ He! snivelling gull! he a thing to be feared! a husband! the
tamest of creatures!

_Ver._ Very fine! [_Aside._

_Man._ But, prithee, in the mean time, go try to get me some money.
Though thou art too modest to borrow for thyself, thou canst do
anything for me, I know. Go; for I must be gone to Olivia. Go, and meet
me here, anon.--Freeman, where are you? [_Exit._

_Ver._ Ay, I'll meet with you, I warrant; but it shall be at Olivia's.
Sure, it cannot be: she denies it so calmly, and with that honest
modest assurance, it cannot be true--and he does not use to lie--but
belying a woman when she won't be kind, is the only lie a brave man
will least scruple. But then the woman in man's clothes, whom he
calls a man--well, but by her breasts I know her to be a woman--but
then again, his appointment from her, to meet him again to-night! I
am distracted more with doubt than jealousy. Well, I have no way to
disabuse or revenge myself, but by going home immediately, putting on a
riding-suit, and pretending to my wife the same business which carried
me out of town last, requires me again to go post to Oxford to-night.
Then, if the appointment he boasts of be true, it's sure to hold, and I
shall have an opportunity either of clearing her, or revenging myself
on both. Perhaps she is his wench, of an old date, and I am his cully,
whilst I think him mine; and he has seemed to make his wench rich, only
that I might take her off his hands. Or if he has but lately lain with
her, he must needs discover by her my treachery to him; which I'm sure
he will revenge with my death, and which I must prevent with his, if it
were only but for fear of his too just reproaches; for I must confess,
I never had till now any excuse but that of interest, for doing ill to
him. [_Exit._

                    _Re-enter_ MANLY _and_ FREEMAN.

_Man._ Come hither; only, I say, be sure you mistake not the time. You
know the house exactly where Olivia lodges, 'tis just hard by.

_Free._ Yes, yes.

_Man._ Well then, bring 'em all, I say, thither, and all you know that
may be then in the house; for the more witnesses I have of her infamy,
the greater will be my revenge: and be sure you come straight up to her
chamber without more ado. Here, take the watch; you see 'tis above a
quarter past seven; be there in half an hour exactly.

_Free._ You need not doubt my diligence or dexterity; I am an old
scourer, and can naturally beat up a wench's quarters that won't be
civil. Shan't we break her windows too?

_Man._ No, no; be punctual only. [_Exeunt._


SCENE III.--_A Room in the same._

     _Enter_ Widow BLACKACRE, _and two_ Knights of the Post,[126]
                   _a_ Waiter _following with wine._

_Wid._ Sweetheart, are you sure the door was shut close, that none of
those roysters saw us come in?

_Wait._ Yes, mistress; and you shall have a privater room above,
instantly. [_Exit._

_Wid._ You are safe enough, gentlemen; for I have been private in this
house ere now, upon other occasions, when I was something younger.
Come, gentlemen; in short, I leave my business to your care and
fidelity: and so here's to you.

_1st Knight._ We are ungrateful rogues if we should not be honest to
you; for we have had a great deal of your money.

_Wid._ And you have done me many a good job for't; and so, here's to
you again.

_2nd Knight._ Why, we have been perjured but six times for you.

_1st Knight._ Forged but four deeds, with your husband's last deed of
gift.

_2nd Knight._ And but three wills.

_1st Knight._ And counterfeited hands and seals to some six bonds; I
think that's all, brother?

_Wid._ Ay, that's all, gentlemen; and so, here's to you again.

_2nd Knight._ Nay, 'twould do one's heart good to be forsworn for you.
You have a conscience in your ways, and pay us well.

_1st Knight._ You are in the right on't, brother; one would be damned
for her with all one's heart.

_2nd Knight._ But there are rogues, who make us forsworn for 'em; and
when we come to be paid, they'll be forsworn too, and not pay us our
wages, which they promised with oaths sufficient.

_1st Knight._ Ay, a great lawyer that shall be nameless bilked me too.

_Wid._ That was hard, methinks, that a lawyer should use gentlemen
witnesses no better.

_2nd Knight._ A lawyer! d'ye wonder a lawyer should do't? I was bilked
by a reverend divine, that preaches twice on Sundays, and prays half
an hour still before dinner.

_Wid._ How! a conscientious divine and not pay people for damning
themselves! sure then, for all his talking, he does not believe
damnation. But, come, to our business. Pray be sure to imitate exactly
the flourish at the end of this name. [_Pulls out a deed or two._

_1st Knight._ O, he's the best in England at untangling a flourish,
madam.

_Wid._ And let not the seal be a jot bigger. Observe well the dash too,
at the end of this name.

_2nd Knight._ I warrant you, madam.

_Wid._ Well, these and many other shifts, poor widows are put to
sometimes; for everybody would be riding a widow, as they say, and
breaking into her jointure. They think marrying a widow an easy
business, like leaping the hedge where another has gone over before. A
widow is a mere gap, a gap with them.

        _Enter_ Major OLDFOX, _with two_ Waiters. _The_ Knights
                 of the Post _huddle up the writings._

What, he here! Go then, go my hearts, you have your instructions.
[_Exeunt_ Knights of the Post.

_Old._ Come, madam, to be plain with you, I'll be fobbed off no
longer.--[_Aside._] I'll bind her and gag her but she shall hear
me.--[_To the_ Waiters.] Look you, friends, there's the money I
promised you; and now do you what you promised me: here my garters, and
here's a gag.--[_To the_ Widow.] You shall be acquainted with my parts,
lady, you shall.

_Wid._ Acquainted with your parts! A rape! a rape!--what, will you
ravish me? [_The_ Waiters _tie her to the chair, gag her, and exeunt._

_Old._ Yes, lady, I will ravish you: but it shall be through the ear,
lady, the ear only, with my well-penned acrostics.

          _Enter_ FREEMAN, JERRY BLACKACRE, _three_ Bailiffs,
          _a_ Constable, _and his_ Assistants _with the two_
                         Knights of the Post.

What, shall I never read my things undisturbed again?

_Jer._ O la! my mother bound hand and foot, and gaping as if she rose
before her time to-day!

_Free._ What means this, Oldfox? But I'll release you from him; you
shall be no man's prisoner but mine. Bailiffs, execute your writ.
[_Unties her._

_Old._ Nay, then, I'll be gone, for fear of being bail, and paying her
debts without being her husband. [_Exit._

_1st Bail._ We arrest you in the king's name, at the suit of Mr.
Freeman, guardian to Jeremiah Blackacre, esquire, in an action of ten
thousand pounds.

_Wid._ How, how, in a choke-bail action! What, and the pen and-ink
gentlemen taken too!--Have you confessed, you rogues?

_1st Knight._ We needed not to confess; for the bailiffs have dogged us
hither to the very door, and overheard all that you and we said.

_Wid._ Undone, undone then! no man was ever too hard for me till now. O
Jerry, child, wilt thou vex again the womb that bore thee?

_Jer._ Ay, for bearing me before wedlock, as you say. But I'll teach
you call a Blackacre bastard, though you were never so much my mother.

_Wid._ [_Aside._] Well, I'm undone! not one trick left? no law-mesh
imaginable?--[_To_ FREEMAN.] Cruel sir, a word with you, I pray.

_Free._ In vain, madam; for you have no other way to release yourself
but by the bonds of matrimony.

_Wid._ How, sir, how! that were but to sue out a habeas-corpus, for a
removal from one prison to another.--Matrimony!

_Free._ Well, bailiffs, away with her.

_Wid._ O stay, sir! can you be so cruel as to bring me under
covert-baron[127] again, and put it out of my power to sue in my own
name? Matrimony to a woman is worse than excommunication, in depriving
her of the benefit of the law; and I would rather be deprived of life.
But hark you, sir, I am contented you should hold and enjoy my person
by lease or patent, but not by the spiritual patent called a licence;
that is, to have the privileges of a husband, without the dominion;
that is, _Durante beneplacito_. In consideration of which, I will out
of my jointure secure you an annuity of three hundred pounds a year,
and pay your debts; and that's all you younger brothers desire to marry
a widow for, I'm sure.

_Free._ Well, widow, if--

_Jer._ What! I hope, bully-guardian, you are not making agreements
without me?

_Free._ No, no. First, widow, you must say no more that he is a son
of a whore; have a care of that. And, then, he must have a settled
exhibition of forty pounds a year, and a nag of assizes, kept by you,
but not upon the common; and have free ingress, egress, and regress, to
and from your maids' garret.

_Wid._ Well, I can grant all that too.

_Jer._ Ay, ay, fair words butter no cabbage: but guardian, make her
sign, sign and seal; for otherwise, if you knew her as well as I, you
would not trust her word for a farthing.

_Free._ I warrant thee, squire.--Well, widow, since thou art so
generous, I will be generous too; and if you'll secure me four hundred
pounds a year, but during your life, and pay my debts, not above a
thousand pounds, I'll bate you your person, to dispose of as you please.

_Wid._ Have a care, sir, a settlement without a consideration is void
in law; you must do something for't.

_Free._ Prithee, then let the settlement on me be called alimony; and
the consideration, our separation. Come; my lawyer, with writings
ready drawn, is within, and in haste. Come.

_Wid._ But, what, no other kind of consideration, Mr. Freeman?
Well, a widow, I see, is a kind of sinecure, by custom of which the
unconscionable incumbent enjoys the profits, without any duty, but does
that still elsewhere. [_Exeunt._


SCENE IV.--OLIVIA'S _Lodging._

              _Enter_ OLIVIA _with a candle in her hand._

_Oliv._ So, I am now prepared once more for my timorous young lover's
reception. My husband is gone; and go thou out too, thou next
interrupter of love.--[_Puts out the candle._] Kind darkness, that
frees us lovers from scandal and bashfulness, from the censure of our
gallants and the world!--So, are you there?

             _Enter_ FIDELIA, _followed softly by_ MANLY.

Come, my dear punctual lover, there is not such another in the world;
thou hast beauty and youth to please a wife; address and wit, to amuse
and fool a husband; nay, thou hast all things to be wished in a lover,
but your fits. I hope, my dear, you won't have one to-night; and that
you may not, I'll lock the door, though there be no need of it, but
to lock out your fits: for my husband is just gone out of town again.
Come, where are you? [_Goes to the door and locks it._

_Man._ Well, thou hast impudence enough to give me fits too, and make
revenge itself impotent; hinder me from making thee yet more infamous,
if it can be. [_Aside._

_Oliv._ Come, come, my soul, come.

_Fid._ Presently, my dear, we have time enough sure.

_Oliv._ How, time enough! True lovers can no more think they ever have
time enough, than love enough. You shall stay with me all night; but
that is but a lover's moment. Come.

_Fid._ But won't you let me give you and myself the satisfaction of
telling you how I abused your husband last night?

_Oliv._ Not when you can give me, and yourself too, the satisfaction of
abusing him again to-night. Come.

_Fid._ Let me but tell you how your husband--

_Oliv._ O name not his, or Manly's more loathsome name, if you love me!
I forbid 'em last night: and you know I mentioned my husband but once,
and he came. No talking, pray, 'twas ominous to us.--[_A noise at the
door._] You make me fancy a noise at the door already, but I'm resolved
not to be interrupted. Where are you? Come, for rather than lose my
dear expectation now, though my husband were at the door, and the
bloody ruffian Manly here in the room, with all his awful insolence, I
would give myself to this dear hand, to be led away to heavens of joys,
which none but thou canst give.--[_The noise at the door increases._]
But what's this noise at the door? So, I told you what talking would
come to. Ha!--O Heavens, my husband's voice!--[_Listens at the door._

_Man._ [_Aside._] Freeman is come too soon.

_Oliv._ O, 'tis he!--Then here's the happiest minute lost that ever
bashful boy or trifling woman fooled away! I'm undone! my husband's
reconcilement too was false, as my joy all delusion. But come this way,
here's a back door.--[_Exit, and returns._] The officious jade has
locked us in, instead of locking others out: but let us then escape
your way, by the balcony; and whilst you pull down the curtains, I'll
fetch from my closet what next will best secure our escape. I have left
my key in the door, and 'twill not suddenly be broken open. [_Exit._

         [_A noise as if people were forcing the door._

_Man._ Stir not, yet fear nothing.

_Fid._ Nothing but your life, sir.

_Man._ We shall know this happy man she calls husband.

                          _Re-enter_ OLIVIA.

_Oliv._ Oh, where are you? What, idle with fear? Come, I'll tie the
curtains, if you will hold. Here take this cabinet and purse, for it is
thine, if we escape;--[MANLY _takes them from her_]--therefore let us
make haste. [_Exit._

_Man._ 'Tis mine indeed now again, and it shall never escape more from
me, to you at least. [_The door is broke open, enter_ VERNISH _with a
dark-lantern and a sword, running at_ MANLY, _who draws, puts by the
thrust, and defends himself, whilst_ FIDELIA _runs at_ VERNISH _behind._

_Ver._ So, there I'm right, sure--[_In a low voice._

_Man._ [_Softly._] Sword and dark-lantern, villain, are some odds; but--

_Ver._ Odds! I'm sure I find more odds than I expected. What, has my
insatiable two seconds at once? but--[_In a low voice._

             [_Whilst they fight_, OLIVIA _re-enters, tying two
                           curtains together._

_Oliv._ Where are you now?--What, is he entered then, and are they
fighting? O do not kill one that can make no defence!--[MANLY _throws_
VERNISH _down and disarms him._] How! but I think he has the better
on't. Here's his scarf, 'tis he. So, keep him down still: I hope thou
hast no hurt, my dearest? [_Embracing_ MANLY.

    _Enter_ FREEMAN, Lord PLAUSIBLE, NOVEL, JERRY BLACKACRE, _and_
     Widow BLACKACRE, _lighted by the two_ Sailors _with torches._

Ha!--what! Manly! and have I been thus concerned for him! embracing
him! and has he his jewels again too! What means this? O, 'tis too
sure, as well as my shame! which I'll go hide for ever. [_Offers to go
out,_ MANLY _stops her._

_Man._ No, my dearest; after so much kindness as has passed between us,
I cannot part with you yet.--Freeman, let nobody stir out of the room;
for notwithstanding your lights, we are yet in the dark, till this
gentleman please to turn his face--[_Pulls_ VERNISH _by the sleeve._]
How, Vernish! art thou the happy man then? thou! thou! speak, I say;
but thy guilty silence tells me all.--Well, I shall not upbraid thee;
for my wonder is striking me as dumb as thy shame has made thee. But
what? my little volunteer hurt, and fainting!

_Fid._ My wound, sir, is but a slight one in my arm; 'tis only my fear
of your danger, sir, not yet well over.

_Man._ But what's here? more strange things--[_Observing_ FIDELIA'S
_hair untied behind, and without a peruke, which she lost in the
scuffle._] What means this long woman's hair, and face! now all of it
appears too beautiful for a man; which I still thought womanish indeed!
What, you have not deceived me too, my little volunteer?

_Oliv._ Me she has, I'm sure. [_Aside._

_Man._ Speak!

                     _Enter_ ELIZA _and_ LETTICE.

_Eliza._ What, cousin, I am brought hither by your woman, I suppose, to
be a witness of the second vindication of your honour?

_Oliv._ Insulting is not generous. You might spare me, I have you.

_Eliza._ Have a care, cousin, you'll confess anon too much; and I would
not have your secrets.

_Man._ Come, your blushes answer me sufficiently, and you have been my
volunteer in love. [_To_ FIDELIA.

_Fid._ I must confess I needed no compulsion to follow you all the
world over; which I attempted in this habit, partly out of shame to own
my love to you, and fear of a greater shame, your refusal of it; for I
knew of your engagement to this lady, and the constancy of your nature;
which nothing could have altered but herself.

_Man._ Dear madam, I desired you to bring me out of confusion, and you
have given me more. I know not what to speak to you, or how to look
upon you; the sense of my rough, hard, and ill usage of you, (though
chiefly your own fault,) gives me more pain now 'tis over, than you
had when you suffered it: and if my heart, the refusal of such a
woman--[_Pointing to_ OLIVIA]--were not a sacrifice to profane your
love, and a greater wrong to you than ever yet I did you, I would beg
of you to receive it, though you used it as she had done; for though it
deserved not from her the treatment she gave it, it does from you.

_Fid._ Then it has had punishment sufficient from her already, and
needs no more from me; and, I must confess, I would not be the only
cause of making you break your last night's oath to me, of never
parting with me; if you do not forget or repent it.

_Man._ Then take for ever my heart, and this with it;--[_Gives her the
cabinet_] for 'twas given to you before, and my heart was before your
due: I only beg leave to dispose of these few.--Here, madam, I never
yet left my wench unpaid. [_Takes some of the jewels, and offers them
to_ OLIVIA; _she strikes them down_: Lord PLAUSIBLE _and_ NOVEL _take
them up._

_Oliv._ So it seems, by giving her the cabinet.

_L. Plau._ These pendants appertain to your most faithful humble
servant.

_Nov._ And this locket is mine; my earnest for love, which she never
paid: therefore my own again.

_Wid._ By what law, sir, pray?--Cousin Olivia, a word. What, do they
make a seizure on your goods and chattels, _vi et armis_? Make your
demand, I say, and bring your trover, bring your trover. I'll follow
the law for you.

_Oliv._ And I my revenge. [_Exit._

_Man._ [_To_ VERNISH.] But 'tis, my friend, in your consideration
most, that I would have returned part of your wife's portion; for
'twere hard to take all from thee, since thou hast paid so dear
for't, in being such a rascal. Yet thy wife is a fortune without a
portion; and thou art a man of that extraordinary merit in villany,
the world and fortune can never desert thee, though I do; therefore
be not melancholy. Fare you well, sir.--[_Exit_ VERNISH _doggedly._]
Now, madam, I beg your pardon [_Turning to_ FIDELIA] for lessening
the present I made you; but my heart can never be lessened. This, I
confess, was too small for you before; for you deserve the Indian
world; and I would now go thither, out of covetousness for your sake
only.

_Fid._ Your heart, sir, is a present of that value, I can never make
any return to't.--[_Pulling_ MANLY _from the company._] But I can give
you back such a present as this, which I got by the loss of my father,
a gentleman of the north, of no mean extraction, whose only child
I was, therefore left me in the present possession of two thousand
pounds a-year; which I left, with multitudes of pretenders, to follow
you, sir; having in several public places seen you, and observed your
actions thoroughly, with admiration, when you were too much in love
to take notice of mine, which yet was but too visible. The name of my
family is Grey, my other Fidelia. The rest of my story you shall know
when I have fewer auditors.

_Man._ Nay, now, madam, you have taken from me all power of making
you any compliment on my part; for I was going to tell you, that for
your sake only I would quit the unknown pleasure of a retirement; and
rather stay in this ill world of ours still, though odious to me, than
give you more frights again at sea, and make again too great a venture
there, in you alone. But if I should tell you now all this, and that
your virtue (since greater than I thought any was in the world) had now
reconciled me to't, my friend here would say, 'tis your estate that
hast made me friends with the world.

_Free._ I must confess I should; for I think most of our quarrels to
the world are just such as we have to a handsome woman; only because we
cannot enjoy her as we would do.

_Man._ Nay, if thou art a plain dealer too, give me thy hand; for now
I'll say, I am thy friend indeed; and for your two sakes, though I have
been so lately deceived in friends of both sexes,--

  I will believe there are now in the world
  Good-natured friends, who are not prostitutes,
  And handsome women worthy to be friends;
  Yet, for my sake, let no one e'er confide
  In tears, or oaths, in love, or friend untried.

[_Exeunt._





EPILOGUE.

SPOKEN BY THE WIDOW BLACKACRE.

  To you the judges learned in stage-laws,
  Our poet now, by me, submits his cause;
  For with young judges, such as most of you,
  The men by women best their business do:
  And, truth on't is, if you did not sit here,
  To keep for us a term throughout the year,
  We could not live by'r tongues; nay, but for you,
  Our chamber-practice would be little too.
  And 'tis not only the stage-practiser
  Who by your meeting gets her living here:
  For as in Hall of Westminster
  Sleek sempstress vents amidst the courts her ware;
  So, while we bawl, and you in judgment sit,
  The visor-mask sells linen too i' th' pit
  O, many of your friends, besides us here,
  Do live by putting off their several ware.
  Here's daily done the great affairs o' th' nation
  Let love and us then ne'er have long-vacation.
  But hold; like other pleaders I have done
  Not my poor client's business, but my own.
  Spare me a word then now for him. First know,
  Squires of the long robe, he does humbly show,
  He has a just right in abusing you,
  Because he is a Brother-Templar too:
  For at the bar you rally one another;
  Nay, fool and knave, is swallowed from a brother:
  If not the poet here, the Templar spare,
  And maul him when you catch him at the bar.
  From you, our common modish censurers,
  Your favour, not your judgment, 'tis he fears:
  Of all love begs you then to rail, find fault;
  For plays, like women, by the world are thought,
  When you speak kindly of 'em, very naught.




NOTES.

[1] _Correspondence between Pope and Wycherley_: Letter 26. See also
Letter 15.

[2] I ought to have remembered that this maxim is Rochefoucauld's.
It may stand, however, as an instance of the untrustworthiness of
Wycherley's memory. See p. xxxvi.

[3] _Letters on several Occasions_; published by John Dennis: London,
1696.

[4] _Letters on several Occasions_: p. 57.

[5] _An Essay against Pride and Ambition_, in the Posthumous Works.

[6] Spence's _Anecdotes_.

[7] From Macaulay's Essay on _The Comic Dramatists of the Restoration._

[8] Daniel Wycherley, Esq., of Clive or Cleve, in Shropshire, about
seven miles north of Shrewsbury.--ED.

[9] The dates assigned by Macaulay to the first representations of
Wycherley's plays are in every case incorrect. See the Introduction to
each play.--ED.

[10] Macaulay's version of the above story is derived from Spence's
_Anecdotes._ It differs entirely from Dennis's version, which is
evidently the correct one, as the former totally misses the point,
and makes the Duchess guilty merely of a piece of unmeaning rudeness.
Dennis's account is as follows.--"The writing of that Play [_Love in
a Wood_] was the Occasion of his becoming acquainted with one of King
Charles's Mistresses after a very particular manner. As Mr. Wycherley
was going thro' _Pall Mall_ towards _St. James's_ in his Chariot, he
met the foresaid lady in hers, who, thrusting half her Body out of the
Chariot, cry'd out aloud to him, 'You, Wycherley, you are a Son of a
Whore,' at the same time laughing aloud and heartily.... Mr. Wycherley
was certainly very much surpriz'd at it, yet not so much but he soon
apprehended it was spoke with Allusion to the latter End of a Song in
the foremention'd Play--

  'Great Wits and great Braves
  Have always a Punk to their Mother.'

As, during Mr. Wycherley's Surprize, the Chariots drove different ways,
they were soon at a considerable Distance from each other, when Mr.
Wycherley, recovering from his Surprize, ordered his Coachman to drive
back, and to overtake the Lady. As soon as he got over-against her,
he said to her, 'Madam, you have been pleased to bestow a title on me
which generally belongs to the Fortunate. Will your Ladyship be at the
Play to-night?' 'Well,' she reply'd, 'what if I am there?' 'Why, then I
will be there to wait on your Ladyship, tho' I disappoint a very fine
Woman who has made me an Assignation.' 'So,' said she, 'you are sure to
disappoint a Woman who has favour'd you for one who has not.' 'Yes,'
reply'd he, 'if she who has not favour'd me is the finer Woman of the
two. But he who will be constant to your Ladyship, till he can find a
finer Woman, is sure to die your Captive.' The Lady blush'd, and bade
her Coachman drive away.... In short, she was that Night in the first
Row of the King's Box in 'Drury Lane,' and Mr. Wycherley in the Pit
under her, where he entertain'd her during the whole Play." Dennis's
_Familiar Letters_, London, 1721.--ED.

[11] This anecdote is given by Leigh Hunt on the authority of
Voltaire's _Letters concerning the English Nation_. But Leigh Hunt's
memory appears to have played him false. The only allusion, in
Voltaire's _Letters_, to the connection between Wycherley and the
Duchess, is contained in the following words:--"Mr. Wycherley, who was
a long Time known publickly to be happy in the good Graces of the most
celebrated Mistress of King Charles the Second."--ED.

[12] Wycherley accordingly journeyed into France, about the beginning
of the winter of 1678, and returned, entirely restored, at the end of
the following spring. The King received him with the utmost favour,
and made choice of him as governor to his son. It was immediately
after this that Wycherley went down to Tunbridge (in the summer of
1679), where he met the Countess of Drogheda, whom he soon afterwards
married.--ED.

[13] Mr. Leigh Hunt supposes that the battle at which Wycherley was
present was that which the Duke of York gained over Opdam, in 1665. We
believe that it was one of the battles between Rupert and De Ruyter, in
1673.

The point is of no importance; and there cannot be said to be
much evidence either way. We offer, however, to Mr. Leigh Hunt's
consideration three arguments--of no great weight certainly--yet such
as ought, we think, to prevail in the absence of better. First, it is
not very likely that a young Templar, quite unknown in the world--and
Wycherley was such in 1665--should have quitted his chambers to go
to sea. On the other hand, it would have been in the regular course
of things that, when a courtier and an equerry, he should offer his
services. Secondly, his verses appear to have been written after a
drawn battle, like those of 1673, and not after a complete victory,
like that of 1665. Thirdly, in the epilogue to _The Gentleman
Dancing-Master_, written in 1673, he says that "all gentlemen must pack
to sea;" an expression which makes it probable that he did not himself
mean to stay behind. The epilogue to _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_ was
probably written about the end of 1671. See the Introduction to that
play.--ED.

[14] There are no grounds whatever for this surmise.--ED.

[15] "He lost his memory (forty years before he died) by a fever, and
would repeat the same thought, sometimes in the compass of ten lines,
and did not dream of its being inserted but just before: when you
pointed it out to him, he would say, 'Gads-so, so it is! I thank you
very much: pray blot it out.'"--Pope, in Spence's _Anecdotes._

Elsewhere Pope states that he was forty years of age when the illness
occurred. It is possible that this illness may have been the fever
before mentioned, from which he sought recovery by travel, in the
winter of 1678; though Dennis certainly describes him as returning
"entirely restored," both in body and mind.--ED.

[16] This assertion is wholly without foundation.--ED.

[17] I can find no authority for this observation. It may have been
spoken in a moment of peevishness, but it is certainly very far from
conveying Wycherley's real estimate of his friend's genius.--ED.

[18] This "strange friendship" only terminated, as has been already
shown, with Wycherley's death.--ED.

[19] Our information respecting the closing scene of Wycherley's
life is too scanty for the formation of a definite judgment. We are,
however, under no necessity of believing the circumstances which
attended it to have been in any way scandalous. Pope's letter, on this
occasion, to Mr. Blount is here subjoined.

 "Jan. 21, 1715-16.

 "I know of nothing that will be so interesting to you at present, as
 some circumstances of the last act of that eminent comic poet, and
 our friend, Wycherley. He had often told me, as I doubt not he did
 all his acquaintance, that he would marry as soon as his life was
 despaired of. Accordingly, a few days before his death, he underwent
 the ceremony: and joined together those two sacraments, which, wise
 men say, should be the last we receive: for, if you observe, matrimony
 is placed after extreme unction in our catechism, as a kind of hint of
 the order of time in which they are to be taken. The old man then lay
 down, satisfied in the conscience of having by this one act paid his
 just debts, obliged a woman, who, he was told, had merit, and shown
 an heroic resentment of the ill-usage of his next heir. Some hundred
 pounds, which he had with the lady, discharged those debts: a jointure
 of four hundred a year made her a recompense; and the nephew he left
 to comfort himself as well as he could, with the miserable remains of
 a mortgaged estate. I saw our friend twice after this was done, less
 peevish in his sickness than he used to be in his health; neither much
 afraid of dying, nor (which in him had been more likely) much ashamed
 of marrying. The evening before he expired, he called his young wife
 to the bedside, and earnestly entreated her not to deny him one
 request, the last he should make. Upon her assurances of consenting to
 it, he told her, 'My dear, it is only this, that you will never marry
 an old man again.' I cannot help remarking, that sickness, which often
 destroys both wit and wisdom, yet seldom has power to remove that
 talent which we call humour. Mr. Wycherley shewed his, even in this
 last compliment; though I think his request a little hard, for why
 should he bar her from doubling her jointure on the same easy terms.

 "So trivial as these circumstances are, I should not be displeased
 myself to know such trifles, when they concern or characterise any
 eminent person. The wisest and wittiest of men are seldom wiser or
 wittier than others in these sober moments. At least, our friend ended
 much in the character he had lived in: and Horace's rule for a play
 may as well be applied to him as a play-wright:

  '----_Servetur ad imum_
  _Qualis ab incepto processerit, et sibi constet._'

 "I am, &c."

It is stated that the lady's name was Jackson, and that she brought
Wycherley a fortune of £1,500. The following additional particulars are
given, on the authority of Pope, in Spence's _Anecdotes_, "Wycherley's
nephew, on whom his estate was entailed (but with power to settle a
widow's jointure) would not consent to his selling any part of it;
which he wanted much to do, to pay his debts, about a thousand pounds.
He had therefore long resolved to marry, in order to make a settlement
from the estate, to pay off his debts with his wife's fortune, and 'to
plague his damned nephew,' as he used to express it.... After all, the
woman he did marry proved a cheat; was a cast mistress of the person
who recommended her to him; and was supplied by him with money for her
wedding clothes." This last assertion is hardly to be reconciled with
the assumption that Wycherley paid his debts with his wife's fortune.
From an allusion to his nephew's "ill-carriage" to him, in a letter to
Pope, dated Aug. 11, 1709, we gather that the quarrel between them was
of old standing; of its origin we are completely ignorant.--ED.

[20] It is difficult to understand in what the impropriety of these
speeches is supposed to consist. They are both placed in the mouth of
Sparkish, an affected fop, whose utmost ambition is to be recorded a
wit, and to whom no sacrifice would seem excessive for the sake of a
smart saying. His indifference to the young lady in question occasions
his loss of her in the end.--ED.

[21] Wycherley's "slowness" has been denied by both Pope and Lansdowne.
The former declares that "he was far from being slow in general, and,
in particular, wrote _The Plain Dealer_ in three weeks." And Lansdowne
observes, "If it had been a trouble to him to write, I am much mistaken
if he would not have spared himself that trouble." It seems certain,
however, that he revised and altered his plays before committing them
to the public, and he by no means belonged to the class of so-called
Easy Writers, with respect to whom a _bon-mot_ of his is recorded in
the ninth _Tatler_. "The town has for half an age been tormented with
insects called Easy Writers, whose abilities Mr. Wycherley one day
described excellently well in one word: 'That,' said he, 'among these
fellows is called Easy Writing, which anyone may easily write.'"--ED.

[22] A remarkably free translation, one would say; and the "whole
scene" is, in fact, but a small portion of a scene. But see, for
Wycherley's plagiarisms, the Introductions to the plays.--ED.

[23] Democritus excludes sane poets from Helicon.--_De Art Poet._ 296-7.

[24] See the Introduction to _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_.

[25] _Some Account of the English Stage_, vol i. p. 135.

[26] The Mulberry Garden was situated at the further extremity of the
Mall in St. James's Park, upon the site now occupied by Buckingham
Palace and its grounds. Its name was derived from a plantation of
mulberry trees which James I. caused to be made there. Later, the spot
was converted into a public garden, with shrubberies, walks, arbours,
and a house of refreshment, and was much frequented by persons of
fashion as well as citizens. Pepys found it "a very silly place, worse
than Spring-garden," but "a wilderness here that is somewhat pretty."
The following extract from Sedley's _Mulberry Garden_ gives an idea of
the doings at this place. The scene is laid in the Garden:--

"_Wildish._ What, is there store of game here, gentlemen?

_Modish._ Troth, little or none; a few citizens that have brought their
children out to air 'em, and eat cheesecakes.

_Wildish._ I thought this place had been so full of beauties, that like
a pack of hounds in a hare warren, you could hunt one for another: what
think you of an arbor and a bottle of Rhenish?"

[27] A gull; a courtesan's dupe; "one who may be easily led by the nose
or put upon."--_Bailey's Dict._

[28] Fegue or feague. "To beat, to whip, to drive."--_Wright Dict. of
obsolete and provincial English._ Hence our word _fag._

[29] Cheated of his portion.

[30] Whetstone's Park was the name of the district lying between
Lincoln's Inn Fields and Holborn. The character of its inhabitants had
given it at this time an ill reputation. In Crowne's comedy of the
_Country Wit_ (1675) occurs the following allusion to Whetstone's Park:
"After I had gone a little way in a great broad street, I turned into
a Tavern hard by a place they call a Park; and just as our Park is all
Trees, that Park is all Houses. I asked if they had any Deer in it, and
they told me, not half so many as they used to have; but that if I had
a mind to a Doe, they would put a Doe to me."

[31] Strumpet.

[32] A prostitute.

[33] The present Pall Mall, so called from the game of Pall Mall
formerly played there with ball and mallet. In Wycherley's time Pall
Mall was already a street of houses, and the game was then played at
the Mall in St. James's Park, also called Pall Mall.

[34] _i.e._ The New Exchange, a long building, erected upon the site
of the stables of Durham House, on the south side of the Strand,
and nearly opposite Bedford Street. Opened in 1609, it became a
fashionable lounge after the Restoration, and was pulled down in
1737. "It was erected partly on the plan of the Royal Exchange, with
vaults beneath, over which was an open paved arcade; and above were
walks of shops, occupied by perfumers and publishers, milliners and
sempstresses."--_Timbs' Curiosities of London._

[35] Strumpet.

[36] Bulk. "A stall before a shop."--_Bailey._

[37] Or Ferrandine: a stuff made of silk and wool.

[38] In 1577, William Lamb (formerly a gentleman of the chapel to
Henry VIII.) caused to be constructed, in the fields where now stands
Lamb's Conduit Street, a reservoir and a conduit by which the water was
conveyed to Snow Hill. These fields formed a place of resort for the
inhabitants of the adjoining districts. The conduit was restored, from
a design by Sir Christopher Wren, in 1667.

[39] "Cross or pile": equivalent to our "heads or tails." A cross was
usually on the reverse of old English coins; the obverse was called the
"pile," from the pile or punch with which the impression was struck.

[40] The New Spring Garden, at Vauxhall; afterwards under the name
of Vauxhall, the most famous place of resort of that kind in the
metropolis. It was first opened about 1661, when Evelyn describes it
as "a pretty-contriv'd plantation," and was closed in 1859. Pepys has
an interesting entry concerning it, under date of May 28, 1667; "I by
water to Fox-hall, and there walked in Spring-garden. A great deal of
company, and the weather and garden pleasant: and it is very pleasant
and cheap going thither, for a man may go to spend what he will, or
nothing, all as one. But to hear the nightingale and other birds,
and here fiddles and there a harp, and here a Jew's trump, and here
laughing, and there fine people walking, is mighty divertising."--The
Neat-house was a place of entertainment at Pimlico.

[41] A powdering-tub means properly a tub in which meat is salted, to
sprinkle with salt being an occasional sense of the verb "to powder."
Hence the name of powdering-tub was applied to places where persons
afflicted with a certain disease were cured. Compare Shakespeare,
_Measure for Measure_, iii. 2; "Troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her
beef, and she is herself in the tub." Also _King Henry V._, ii. 1.

[42] The Mortlake tapestry was of some note at this time. The works had
been founded under the patronage of James I., and Rubens and Vandyck
subsequently lent their services to the undertaking.

[43] The angel was worth 10_s._, and the piece 22_s._

[44] The mark was worth 13_s._ 4_d._

[45] This incident is evidently borrowed from the story of "La
procureuse passe la raie," in _Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles_, or from
the more recent version in Bandello's _Novelle_.

[46] Mother Clifford was a noted procuress, who is mentioned in several
comedies of the time.

[47] Brothel.

[48] Prostitute.

[49] Dutch, literally "Jack in the Cellar;" a jocular term for an
unborn infant.--_Wright._

[50] The part of Dapperwit was originally acted by Mohun.

[51] 'Tis not sufficient to make the hearer laugh aloud; although there
is nevertheless a certain merit even in this.--_Sat._ I. 10, 8-9.

[52] Punchinello had a booth at Charing Cross in 1666; this was
probably the earliest appearance of Punch in this country, under that
name.

[53] See note 26.

[54]

  "Hogsdone, Islington, and Totnam Court,
  For cakes and cream had then no small resort."
           _Wither's Britain's Remembrancer_, 1628.

[55] See note 40.

[56] Jest; taunt.

[57] Rough-coated.

[58] Coranto, a quick and lively dance.

[59] The saraband was a slow and stately dance.

[60] A farcical personage of the Italian stage, in the character of
a military braggart. Tiberio Fiurelli, the creator of this part, was
acting in Wycherley's time at the Italian Theatre in Paris. Angel
and Nokes were eminent comic actors of the day, and this scene must
have been sufficiently diverting if, as Genest supposes, the part of
Monsieur de Paris was actually played by Nokes, and that of Don Diego
by Angel.

[61] _Gavanho_ in former editions, but there is no such word in the
Spanish language. I venture to substitute _gabacho_, a term of contempt
applied to a Frenchman.

[62] The _golilla_ was a collar of pasteboard, covered with white
muslin, starched and plaited. It was at this time generally worn in
Spain, but later only by lawyers.

[63] _i.e._, To bow in the Spanish fashion.

[64] Scarlet. A new method of dyeing scarlet was brought to England in
1643 by a German, who established his dye-house at Bow; hence Bow-dye
came to signify scarlet. It is also used as a verb: "Now a cup of nappy
ale will bow-dye a man's face."

[65] Cudden or cuddy; a clown; a silly fellow.

[66] Blot.

[67] The "Checkers" was a common sign of public houses; from the game
of checkers, or draughts.

[68] Jump: a short coat.

[69] I am out of patience when anything is blamed, not because it is
thought coarsely and inelegantly composed, but because it is new:
when for the ancients not indulgence, but honour and rewards are
demanded.--_Epist._ II. i. 76-8.

[70] Charles Hart, grandson of Shakespeare's sister, Joan Hart, was one
of the most distinguished actors of his time. He excelled chiefly in
tragedy, and it was said of him that he "might teach any king on earth
how to comport himself." He retired from the stage in 1682, and died in
the following year.

[71] A character in Ben Jonson's comedy, _The Alchemist_.

[72] _Sir Martin Mar-all_ is the title of a comedy by Dryden, first
produced in 1667. In the scene referred to, Sir Martin serenades his
mistress, going through the motions of singing and accompanying himself
with the lute, while the actual performance is that of his man, who is
concealed behind him. The lady discovers the imposition, through Sir
Martin's failing to leave off at the right time.

[73] Chatelain's was a famous French ordinary in Covent Garden, much
frequented by wits and men of fashion. It is mentioned by Pepys, and
often referred to by Shadwell in his plays. The Cock Tavern was in
Bow Street, near where Wycherley and his first wife, the Countess of
Drogheda, lodged; and it was here that the windows had to be left open
when Wycherley frequented it, that the countess might see there were no
ladies in the company.

[74] See note 34.

[75] "Covent Garden Drolery, Or a Colection of all the Choice Songs,
Poems, Prologues, and Epilogues (Sung and Spoken at Courts and
Theaters) never in Print before. Written by the refined'st Witts of
the Age. And Collected by R[ichard] B[rome] Servant to His Majestie.
London, Printed for James Magnes neer the Piazza in Russel-Street,
1672."--_Tarugo's Wiles, or the Coffee House_; a comedy by Sir Thomas
St. Serle, produced in 1668.--_The Slighted Maid_, a comedy by Sir
Robert Stapleton, produced in 1663.

[76] A sweet-scented powder.

[77] Carefully.

[78] Succeeds.

[79] Romp; tomboy.

[80] A well frequented ordinary near Charing Cross, on the site of
Drummond's Bank.

[81] In Wycherley's time the square of Covent Garden must have
presented an elegant appearance. The Piazza, designed by Inigo Jones,
extended, like the modern piazza, along the northern and eastern
sides; on the west stood St. Paul's Church, built by the same famous
architect, and on the south the square was bordered by the gardens of
Bedford House. "The area was inclosed with railings, at sixty feet from
the buildings; and in the centre was a dial, with a gilt ball, raised
upon a column." _Timbs' Curiosities of London._ In 1671 the market was
established, but was held, originally, only on the southern side of the
square, under the wall of Bedford Gardens. The houses within the Piazza
were then occupied by persons of rank and fashion.

[82] Paw, adj. naughty. An affected word fashionable in the latter half
of the seventeenth century.--_Wright._

[83] "Lanterloo" or "langteraloo" was the name of a game at cards.

[84] The glasses.

[85] Or Knipp, the friend of Mr. Pepys. She played the part of Lady
Fidget.

[86] Ridicule commonly decides great matters more forcibly and better
than severity.--_Sat._ i. 10, 14-15.

[87] It cannot have been earlier than the latter year, as _Le
Misanthrope_, upon which Wycherley's play is based, did not appear
until 1666.

[88] Dryden.

[89] _Letters concerning the English Nation._ London, 1733.

[90] It is, to say the least, doubtful if _Les Plaideurs_ were written
before _The Plain Dealer_. The former was produced in 1668. This
supposed discovery of a non-existent coincidence appears to have arisen
from a misinterpretation of Voltaire's words in the French edition
of his _Letters concerning the English Nation_: "On a encore lardé
cette piece (_The Plain Dealer_) d'une Comtesse de Pimbesche, vieille
plaideuse." But Voltaire clearly employs the title of "Comtesse de
Pimbesche" only as a generic term for a litigious female.

[91] Mother Bennet, a noted procuress. "The ironical commendation of
the industry and charity of these antiquated ladies, these directors
of Sin, after they can no longer commit it, makes up the beauty of the
inimitable dedication to _The Plain Dealer_, and is a masterpiece of
raillery on this vice."--Steele, in the _Spectator_, No. 266.

[92] Nothing is bolder than they who are detected; the sense of their
own infamy gives them anger and spirit.

[93] Indeed, excess is needful for continency's sake. Fire is with fire
extinguished.

[94] Hob in the Hall: the name of a game.

[95] Compare the ensuing dialogue with _Le Misanthrope,_ act I, scene I.

[96] One who gave false bail or evidence, for hire.

[97] _i.e._ Draggled; bespattered with mud.

[98] To keep a strict watch on anyone's actions. _Grose: Lexicon
Balatronicum._

[99] Look sullen.

[100] A tragedy by Thomas Shadwell, produced in 1676, partly based on
Molière's _Le Festin de Pierre_. This allusion must have been inserted
after the production of _The Plain Dealer_.

[101] Afterwards Sir Peter Lely, painter of the beauties of the Court
of Charles II.

[102] A sweet-scented powder.

[103] Been even with.

[104] See note 80.

[105]

  L'honneur de contredire a pour lui tant de charmes,
  Qu'il prend contre lui-même assez souvent les armes
  Et ses vrais sentiments sont combattus par lui,
  Aussitôt qu'il les voit dans la bouche d'autrui.
               _Le Misanthrope_, act 2, scene 5.

[106] "Picaroon," a rogue, from Spanish _picaro_. "Loof" is more
commonly written "luff."

[107] A pert young fellow.

[108] Scotch warming-pan; a wench. _Grose: Lex. Balat._

[109] Cheat: gamble.

[110] The point of the antithesis lies in the opposition of the _new_
guinea to the _old_ gold. Guineas were not coined before the year 1662.

[111] Hercules' Pillars was the name of a tavern in Fleet Street,
mentioned by Pepys; also of one at Hyde Park Corner, immortalised in
the pages of _Tom Jones_.

[112] A law-term, signifying under the protection of a husband.

[113] A maintenance of any man in his suit, upon condition of having
part of the thing if recovered.

[114] Simpleton.

[115] A puppet-show.

[116] Trangame: a toy. _Wright._

[117] See note 96.

[118] Mortgaged.

[119] Mixed with spirits.

[120] Westminster Hall was anciently used as a banqueting-room to the
old Palace of Westminster.

[121] Fragments: scraps.

[122] Dislike.

[123] Fr. _aîné_: first-born.

[124]

  Elle fait des tableaux couvrir les nudités;
  Mais elle a de l'amour pour les réalités.
       _Le Misanthrope_, act iii., scene v.

[125] Cock-fighting; wantoning. _Wright._

[126] See note 96.

[127] See note 112.


FINIS.






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