HARRIET. I am very fond of a vizard that covers a face I do not like, sir.

YOUNG BELLAIR. Here are no masks, you see, sir, but those which came with you. This was intended a private meeting; but because you look like a gentleman, if you will discover yourself and we know you to be such, you shall be welcome.

265 SIR FOPLING. (Pulling off his mask) Dear Bellair!

MEDLEY. Sir Fopling! How came you hither? 269

SIR FOPLING. Faith, as I was coming late from Whitehall, after the King's couchée,1 one of my people told me he had heard fiddles at my Lady Townley's, and

DORIMANT. You need not say any more,

SIR FOPLING. Ah, Dorimant-Courtage, I would say would thou hadst spent the last summer in Paris with me! When thou wert there, La Corneus and Sallyes were the only habitués we had: a comedian would have been a bonne fortune. No stranger ever passed his time so well as I did some months before I came over. I was well received in a dozen families where all the women of quality used to visit; I have intrigues to tell thee more pleasant than ever thou read'st in a novel.

312

324

HARRIET. Not d'Ambois, sir, but Rabutin he who writ the loves of France. SIR FOPLING. That may be, madam; many gentlemen do things that are below 'em. Damn your authors, Courtage; women are the prettiest things we can fool away our time with. 329

HARRIET. I hope ye have wearied yourself to-night at Court, sir, and will not think of fooling with anybody here.

SIR FOPLING. I cannot complain of my fortune there, madam.-DorimantDORIMANT. Again!

334

SIR FOPLING. Courtage-a pox on't!-I have something to tell thee. When I had made my court within, I came out and flung myself upon the mat under the state i'th' outward room, i'th' midst of half a dozen beauties who were withdrawn "to jeer among themselves," as they called it.

342

SIR FOPLING. No matter; they frequent the drawing-room. 358 DORIMANT. -And entertain themselves pleasantly at the expense of all the fops who come there.

SIR FOPLING. That's their bus'ness. Faith, I sifted 'em, and find they have a sort of wit among them-Ah, filthy! (Pinches a tallow candle) 364 DORIMANT. Look, he has been pinching the tallow candle.

SIR FOPLING. How can you breathe in a room where there's grease frying?-Dorimant, thou art intimate with my lady; advise her for her own sake and the good company that comes hither, to burn wax lights.

HARRIET. You are too well bred to want that, Sir Fopling. I believe it want of power. SIR FOPLING. By heavens, and so it is! I have sat up so damned late and drunk so cursed hard since I came to this lewd town, that I am fit for nothing but low dancing now-a corant, a bourrée, or a menuet. But St. Andre tells me, if I will but be regular, in one month I shall rise again. (Endeavors at a caper) — Pox on this debauchery! EMILIA. I have heard your dancing much commended.

409

HARRIET. What are these masquerades who stand so obsequiously at a distance?

SIR FOPLING. A set of balladines whom I picked out of the best in France and brought over with a flute-douce or two-my servants. They shall entertain you.

377

HARRIET. I had rather see you dance yourself, Sir Fopling.

SIR FOPLING. And I had rather do itall the company knows it- but madam

MEDLEY. Come, come, no excuses, Sir Fopling.

SIR FOPLING. By heavens, Medley- 384 MEDLEY. Like a woman I find you must be struggled with, before one brings you what you desire.

HARRIET. (Aside) Can he dance? EMILIA. And fence and sing too, if you'll believe him.

390

} Ah, you'll spoil it!

421

SIR FOPLING. No matter; my clothes are my creatures. I make 'em to make my court to you dies. Hey! [He calls to his servants; they dance] Qu'on commence· -to an English dancer, English motions. I was forced to entertain this fellow [Points to JOHN TROTT], one of my set miscarrying.. Oh, horrid! Leave your damned manner of dancing and put on the French air. Have you not a pattern before you?-Pretty well -imitation in time may bring him to some thing.

f

43

470

DORIMANT. She strains hard for it. HARRIET. See, see! her head tottering, her eyes staring, and her under lip tremblingDORIMANT. Now-now she's in the very convulsions of her civility. (Aside) 'Sdeath, I shall lose Bellinda! I must fright her hence; she'll be an hour in this fit of good manners else. (To LADY WOODVILL) Do you not know Sir Fopling, madam? 478 LADY WOODVILL. I have seen that faceOh, heavens! 'tis the same we met in the Mall! How came he here?

DORIMANT. A fiddle, in this town, is a kind of fop-call; no sooner it strikes up but the house is besieged with an army of masquerades straight. 485 LADY WOODVILL. Lord, I tremble, Mr. Courtage! For certain, Dorimant is in the company.

DORIMANT. I cannot confidently say he is not. You had best be gone. I will wait upon

LADY WOODVILL. I'll see her before me.Harriet, come away.

YOUNG BELLAIR. [Calls] Lights! lights! [Goes out with LADY WOODVILL and HARRIET] LADY TOWNLEY. Light, down there! OLD BELLAIR. A dod, it needs not- 497 DORIMANT. [To the Servant entering] Call my Lady Woodvill's coach to the door quickly. [Exit DORIMANT] OLD BELLAIR. Stay, Mr. Medley. Let the young fellows do that duty; we will drink a glass of wine together. 'Tis good after dancing. What mumming spark is that? [Points at SIR FOPLING] MEDLEY. He is not to be comprehended in few words.

SIR FOPLING. Hey, La Tour!
MEDLEY. Whither away, Sir Fopling?

505

SIR FOPLING. I have bus'ness with Cour