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Mrs Love. Nay, then, I'll have a fling at him. | a change in our beloved Anne. I came to tell [Aside.]-I remember the face of this fellow at thee that supper stayeth for thee. Bath-Ay, this is he that picked my lady Raffle's pocket in the Grove-Don't you remember that the mob pumped you, friend?---This is the most notorious rogue

Sim. Pure. What does provoke thee to seek my life?-Thou wilt not hang me, wilt thou, wrongfully?

Õba. Prim. She will do thee no hurt, nor thou shalt do me none; therefore, get thee about thy business, friend, and leave thy wicked course of life, or thou mayest not come off so favourably every where.

Col. Go, friend, I would advise thee; and tempt thy fate no more.

Sim. Pure. Yea, I will go; but it shall be to thy confusion; for I shall clear myself; I will return with some proofs, that shall convince thee, Obadiah, that thou art highly imposed upon. [Exit. Col. Then there will be no stay for me, that's certain-What the devil shall I do? [Aside. Oba. Prim. What monstrous works of iniquity are there in this world, Simon!

Col. Yea, the age is full of vice-'Sdeath, I am so confounded, I know not what to say. [Aside. Oba. Prim. Thou art disordered, friend- -art thou not well?

Col. My spirit is greatly troubled; and something telleth me, that though I have wrought a good work in converting this maiden, this tender maiden, yet my labour will be in vain: for the evil spirit fighteth against her; and I see, yea I see with the eye of my inward man, that Satan will re-buffet her again, whenever I withdraw myself from her; and she will, yea, this very damsel will, return again to that abomination from whence I have retrieved her, as if it were, yea, as if it were out of the jaws of the fiend.

Oba. Prim. Good lack! thinkest thou so? Mis Love. I must second him. [Aside.] What meaneth this struggling within me? I feel the spirit resisteth the vanities of this world, but the flesh is rebellious, yea, the flesh—I greatly fear the flesh, and the weakness thereof-hum

Oba. Prim. The maid is inspired. [Aside. Col. Behold, her light begins to shine forth.Excellent woman!

Mrs Love. This good man hath spoken comfort unto me, yea comfort, I say; because the words which he hath breathed into my outward ears, are gone through and fixed in mine heart; yea, verily, in mine heart, I say; and I feel the spirit doth love him exceedingly---humCol. She acts it to the life! [Aside. Oba. Prim. Prodigious! The damsel is filled with the spirit---Sarah.

Enter MRS PRIM.

Col. I am not disposed for thy food; my spirit longeth for more delicious meat!-Fain would I redeem this maiden from the tribe of sinners, and break those cords asunder wherewith she is bound-hum

Mrs Love. Something whispers in my ears, methinks-that I must be subject to the will of this good man, and from him only must hope for consolation.--hum.—It also telleth me, that I am a chosen vessel to raise up seed to the faithful; and that thou must consent, that we two be one flesh, according to the word--hum

Oba. Prim. What a revelation is here! This is certainly part of thy vision, friend; this is the maiden's growing into thy side. Ah! with what willingness should I give thee my consent, could I give thee her fortune, too!--but thou wilt never get the consent of the wicked ones. Col. I wish I was sure of yours. [Aside. Oba. Prim. My soul rejoiceth; yea, rejoiceth, I say, to find the spirit within thee; for lo, it moveth thee with natural agitation-yea, with natural agitation, towards this good man-yea, it stirreth, as one may say-yea, verily I say it stirreth up thy inclination---yea, as one would stir a pudding.

Mrs Love. I see, I see the spirit guiding of thy hand, good Obadiah Prim! and now behold thou art signing thy consent;and now I see myself within thy arms, my friend and brother, vea, I am become bone of thy bone, and flesh of thy flesh. [Embracing him.---hum

Col. Admirably performed! [Aside.]---And I will take thee in all spiritual love for an helpmate, yea, for the wife of my bosom—and now, methinks- -I feel a longing—yea, a longing, I say, for the consummation of thy love,-yea, I do long exceedingly. Mrs Love. And verily, verily, my spirit fecleth the same longing.

Mrs Prim. The spirit hath greatly moved them both---friend Prim, thou must consent; there's no resisting of the spirit!

Oba. Prim. Yea, the light within sheweth me that I shall fight a good fight---and wrestle through those reprobate fiends, thy other guardians;- -yea, I perceive the spirit will hedge thee into the flock of the righteous.---Thou art a chosen lamb--yea, a chosen lamb, and I will not push thee back--No, I will not, I say ;---no, thou shalt leap-a, and frisk-a, and skip-a, and bound, and bound, I say,---yea, bound within the fold of the righteous- yea, even within thy fold, my brother-Fetch me the pen and ink, Sarah---and my hand shall confess its obedience to the spirit. Col. I wish it were over. [Aside. Enter MRS PRIM, with pen and ink. Mrs Love. I tremble lest this quaking rogue [Aside.

Mrs Prim. I am greatly rejoiced to see such should return and spoil all.

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Enter BETTY, running to MRS LOVELY. Betty. Oh! madam, madam, here's the quaking man again; he has brought a coachman, and two or three more.

Mrs Love. Ruined past redemption!

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Free. [To the COLONEL.] Is all safe? did my
letter do you service?
[Aside.

Col. All, all's safe! ample service.
Sir Phi. Miss Nancy, how dost do, child?
Mrs Love. Don't call me miss, friend Philip;
my name is Anne, thou knowest.-

Sir Phi. What! is the girl metamorphosed? Mrs Love. I wish thou wert so metamorphosed.-Ah! Philip, throw off that gaudy attire, and wear the clothes becoming thy age.

Oba. Prim. I am ashamed to see these men. [Aside to COLONEL. [Aside. Col. No, no; one minute sooner had spoiled Sir Phi. My age! the woman is possessed. all; but now - here's company coming; Col. No, thou art possessed rather, friend. friend, give me the paper. Trade. Hark ye, Mrs Lovely, one word with [Going up to PRIM hastily. you. [Takes hold of her hand. Oba. Prim. Here it is, Simon; and I wish thee Col. This maiden is my wife, thanks to friend happy with the maiden. Prim, and thou hast no business with her. [Takes her from him. Trade. Ilis wife! hark ye, Mr Freeman. Per. Why, you have made a very fine piece of work of it, Mr Prim.

Mrs Love. 'Tis done; and now, devil, do thy worst!

Enter SIMON PURE, and Coachman, &c.

S. Pure. Look thee, friend, I have brought these people, to satisfy thee that I am not that impostor which thou didst take me for; this is the man that did drive the leathern conveniency, and brought me from Bristol; and this is

Col. Look ye, friend, to save the court the trouble of examining witnesses, I plead guilty.--Ha, ha!

Oba. Prim. How's this? Is not thy name Pure, then?

Col. No, really, sir; I only make bold with this gentleman's name but I here give it up, safe and sound; it has done the business which I had occasion for, and now I intend to wear my own, which shall be at his service upon the same occasion at any time. Ha, ha, ha!

S. Pure. Oh! the wickedness of the age! Coachman. Then you have no further need of [Exit. Col. No; honest man, you may go about your business.

us.

Oba. Prim. I am struck dumb with thy impudence. Anne, thou hast deceived me--and, perchance, undone thyself.

Mrs Prim. Thou art a dissembling baggage, and shame will overtake thee. [Exit. S. Pure. I am grieved to see thy wife so much troubled: I will follow and console her. [Exit.

Sir Phi. Married to a quaker! thou art a fine fellow to be left guardian to an orphan, truly! there's a husband for a young lady!

Col. When I have put on my beau clothes, sir Philip, you'll like me better

Sir Phi. Thou wilt make a very scurvy beaufriend

Col. I believe I can prove it under your hand, that you thought me a very fine gentleman in the Park t'other day, about thirty-six minutes after eleven; will you take a pinch, sir Philip? One of the finest snuff-boxes you ever saw.

[Offers him snuff.

Sir Phi. Ha, ha, ha! I am overjoyed, faith, I am, if thou be'st the gentleman-I own I did give my consent to the gentleman I brought here today--but whether this is he, I can't be positive.

Oba. Prim. Can'st thou not?-Now, I think thou art a fine fellow to be left guardian to an orphan! Thou shallow-brained shuttlecock! he may be a pick-pocket for aught thou dost know.

Per. You would have been two rare fellows to have been trusted with the sole management of her fortune--would ye not, think ye? But Mr Tradelove and myself shall take care of her portion.

Trade. Ay, ay; so we will.-Did not you tell me the Dutch merchant desired me to meet him here, Mr Freeman?

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Trade. Oh! pox of the name! what! have you tricked me, too, Mr Freeman?

Col. Tricked, Mr Tradelove! did not I give you two thousand pounds for your consent fairly? And, now, do you tell a gentleman he has tricked you?

Per. So, so, you are a pretty guardian, faith, to sell your charge! what! did you look upon her as part of your stock?

Oba. Prim. Ha, ha, ha! I am glad thy knavery is found out, however I confess the maiden over-reached me, and I had no sinister end at

all.

Per. Ay, ay, one thing or other over-reached you all—but I'll take care he shall never finger a penny of her money, I warrant you-Over-reached, quoth'a! Why, I might have been over-reached, too, if I had had no more wit: I don't know but this very fellow may be him that was directed to me from Grand Cairo t'other day. Ha, ha, ha!

Col. The very same.

Per. Are you so, sir? but your trick would not pass upon me.

Col. No, as you say, at that time it did not; that was not my lucky hour-but, hark ye, sir, I must let you into one secret-you may keep honest John Tradescant's coat on, for your uncle sir Toby Periwinkle is not dead--so the charge of mourning will be saved-ha, ha, ha! Don't you remember Mr Pillage, your uncle's steward? Ha, ha, ha!

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Per. I am certain I read as plain a lease as ever I read in my life.

Col. You read a lease, I grant you; but you signed this contract. [Shewing a paper.

Per. How durst you put this trick upon me, Mr Freeman? Did not you tell me my uncle was dying?

Free. And would tell you twice as much to serve my friend-ha, ha !

Sir Phi. What! the learned and famous Mr Periwinkle choused, too!--Ha, ha, ha !—I shrail die with laughing--ha, ha, ha!

Oba. Prim. It had been well if her father had left her to wiser heads than thine and mine, friends-ha, ha, ha!

Trade. Well, since you have outwitted us all, pray you, what and who are you, sir?

Sir Phi. Sir, the gentleman is a fine gentleinan.—I am glad you have got a person, niadam, who understands dress and good-breeding. I was resolved she should have a husband of my choosing.

Oba. Prim. I am sorry the maiden has fallen into such hands.

up.

Trade. A beau! nay, then, she is finely helped

Mrs Love. Why, beaux are great encouragers of trade, sir. Ha, ha, ha!

Col. Look ye, gentlemen; I am the person who can give the best account of myself; and I must beg sir Philip's pardon, when I tell him, that I have as much aversion to what he calls dress and breeding, as I have to the enemies of my religion. I have had the honour to serve his majesty, and headed a regiment of the bravest fel lows that ever pushed bayonet in the throat of a Frenchman; and, notwithstanding the fortune this lady brings me, whenever my country wants my aid, this sword and arm are at her service.

Therefore, my dear, if thou'lt but deign to smile,
I meet a recompense for all my toil.
Love and religion ne'er admit restraint,
And force makes many sinners, not one saint;
Still free as air the active mind does rove,
And searches proper objects for its love;
But that once fixed, 'tis past the power of art
To chase the dear idea from the heart:
'Tis liberty of choice that sweetens life,
Makes the glad husband, and the happy wife.
[Exeunt omnes.

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SIR JOHN BEVIL.

MR SEALAND.

MYRTLE, in love with LUCINDA.

BEVIL, junior, in love with INDIANA.

CIMBERTON, a coxcomb.

MRS SEALAND, Second wife to Sealand.
ISABELLA, sister to SEALAND.

INDIANA, SEALAND's daughter, by his first wife.

LUCINDA, SEALAND's daughter, by his second wife.

HUMPHREY, an old servant to SIR JOHN BEVIL. | PHILLIS, maid to LUCINDA.

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Enter SIR JOHN BEVIL and HUMPHREY. Sir J. Bev. Have you ordered that I should not be interrupted while I am dressing?

Humph. Yes, sir; I believed you had something of moment to say to me.

Sir J. Bev. Let me see, Humphrey, I think it is now full forty years, since I first took thee to be about myself.

Humph. I think, sir, it has been an easy forty years; and I have passed them without much sickness, care, or labour.

Sir J. Bev. Thou hast a brave constitution: you are a year or two older than I am, sirrah. Humph. You have ever been of that mind, si Sir J. Bev. You knave, you know it; I took

thee for thy gravity and sobriety in my wild

years.

Humph. Ah, sir! our manners were formed from our different fortunes, not our different ages; wealth gave a loose to your youth, and poverty put a restraint upon mine.

Sir J. Bev. Well, Humphrey, you know I have been a kind master to you; I have used you, for the ingenuous nature I observed in you from the eginning, more like an humble friend than a servant.

Humph. I humbly beg you'll be so tender of ne, as to explain your commands, sir, without any farther preparation.

Sir J. Bev. I'll tell thee, then. In the first lace, this wedding of my son's, in all probability shut the door) will never be at all.

Humph. How, sir, not be at all! for what rea- | my mask; with that the gentleman, throwing off son is it carried on in appearance?

his own, appeared to be my son, and, in his concern for me, tore off that of the nobleman: at this they seized each other, the company called the guards, and, in the surprize, the lady swooned away: upon which my son quitted his adversary, and had now no care but of the lady-when raising her in his arms, ‹ Art thou gone,' cried he, for ever?-forbid it, Heaven !'-She revives at his known voice-and, with the most familiar, though modest gesture, hangs in safety over his shoulders, weeping, but wept as in the arms of one before whom she could give herself a loose, were she not under observation: while she hides her face in his neck, he carefully conveys her from

Sir J. Bev. Honest Humphrey, have patience, and I'll tell thee all in order. I have myself, in some part of my life, lived, indeed, with freedom, but I hope without reproach. Now, I thought liberty would be as little injurious to my son : therefore, as soon as he grew towards man, I indulged him in living after his own manner. I know not how otherwise to judge of his inclination; for what can be concluded from a behaviour under restraint and fear? But what charms me above all expression, is, that my son has never, in the least action, the most distant hint or word, valued himself upon that great estate of his mother's, which, according to our marriage-the company. settlement, he has had ever since he came to age.

Humph. No, sir; on the contrary, he seems afraid of appearing to enjoy it before you or any belonging to you. He is as dependent and resigned to your will, as if he had not a farthing but what must come from your immediate bounty. You have ever acted like a good and generous father, and he like an obedient and grateful son.

Humph. I have observed this accident has dwelt upon you very strongly.

Sir J. Bev. Her uncommon air, her noble modesty, the dignity of her person, and the occasion itself, drew the whole assembly together; and I soon heard it buzzed about she was the adopted daughter of a famous sea-officer, who had served in France. Now, this unexpected and public discovery of my son's so deep concern for her

Sir J. Bev. Nay, his carriage is so easy to all with whom he converses, that he is never assu-| ming, never prefers himself to others, nor is ever guilty of that rough sincerity which a man is not Sir J. Bev. You are right---he came to me yescalled to, and certainly disobliges most of his ac-terday, and said, he thought himself disengaged quaintance. To be short, Humphrey, his reputa- from the bargain, being credibly informed my son tion was so fair in the world, that old Sealand, was already married, or worse, to the lady at the the great India merchant, has offered his only masquerade. I palliated matters, and insisted on daughter, and sole heiress to that vast estate of our agreement; but we parted with little less his, as a wife for him. You may be sure I made than a direct breach between us. no difficulties; the match was agreed on, and this very day named for the wedding.

Humph. Was what, I suppose, alarmed Mr Sealand, in behalf of his daughter, to break off the match?

Humph. What hinders the proceeding? Sir J. Bev. Don't interrupt me. You know I was, last Thursday, at the masquerade; my son, you may remember, soon found us out-he knew his grandfather's habit, which I then wore ; and though it was in the mode in the last age, yet the maskers, you know, followed us, as if we had been the most monstrous figures in that whole assembly.

Humph. I remember, indeed, a young man of quality, in the habit of a clown, that was particularly troublesome.

Sir J. Bev. Right-he was too much what he seemed to be. You remember how impertinently he followed and teased us, and would know who

we were.

Humph. I know he has a mind to come into that particular. [Aside. Sir J. Bev. Ay, he followed us, till the gentleman, who led the lady in the Indian mantle, presented that gay creature to the rustic, and bid him (like Cymon in the fable) grow polite, by falling in love, and let that worthy old gentleman alone, meaning me. The clown was not reformed, but rudely persisted, and offered to force off

Humph. Well, sir, and what notice have you taken of all this to my young master?

Sir J. Bev. That's what I wanted to debate with you---I have said nothing to him yet---But look ye, Humphrey, if there is so much in this amour of his, that he denies, upon my summons, to marry, I have cause enough to be offended; and then, by my insisting upon his marrying today, I shall know how far he is engaged to this lady in masquerade, and from thence only shall be able to take my measures; in the mean time, I would have you find out how far that rogue, his man, is let into his secret---he, I know, will play tricks as much to cross me as to serve his

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