gentleman through with a scythe? A little scratchbetween the skin and the ribs, that's all.

Love. Let me see his wound.

[Aside.

Probe. Then you shall dress it, sir; for if anybody it I won't.

looks upon

Love. Why thou art the veriest coxcomb I ever saw. Probe. Sir, I am not master of my trade for nothing. Lord F. Surgeon!

Probe. Sir.

Lord F. Are there any hopes?

Probe. Hopes! I can't tell. What are you willing to give for a cure?

Lord F. Five hundred paunds with pleasure.

Probe. Why then perhaps there may be hopes; but we must avoid a further delay. Here, help the gentleman into a chair, and carry him to my house presently-that's the properest place to bubble him out of his money [Aside]. Come, a chair; a chair quickly. There, in with him. [They put him into a chair. Lord F. Dear Loveless, adieu: if I die, I forgive. thee; and if I live, I hope thou wilt do as much by me. I am sorry you and I should quarrel, but I hope here's an end on't; for if you are satisfied, I am.

Love. I shall hardly think it worth my prosecuting any further, so you may be at rest, sir.

Lord F. Thou art a generous fellow, strike me. dumb! But thou hast an impertinent wife, stap my vitals!

[Aside. Probe. So, carry him off-carry him off; we shall have him prate himself into a fever by-and-bye; carry [Exit, with Lord POPPINGTON.

him off.

Enter Colonel TOWNLY.

Col. T. So, so, I'm glad to find you all alive. I

met a wounded peer carrying off. what was the matter?

For heaven's sake,

Love. O, a trifle; he would have made love to my wife before my face, so she obliged him with a box o'the ear, and I run him through the body, that was all.

Col. T. Bagatelle on all sides. But pray, madam, how long has this noble lord been a humble servant of yours?

Aman. This is the first I have heard on't; so I suppose 'tis his quality more than his love has brought him into this adventure. He thinks his title an authentic passport to every woman's heart below the degree of a peeress.

Col. T. He's coxcomb enough to think anything; but I would not have you brought into trouble for him. I hope there's no danger of his life?

Love. None at all; he's fallen into the hands of a roguish surgeon, who, I perceive, designs to frighten a little money out of him; but I saw his wound-'tis nothing; he may go to the ball to-night if he pleases.

Col. T. I am glad you have corrected him without further mischief, or you might have deprived me of the pleasure of executing a plot against his lordship, which I have been contriving with an old acquaintance of yours.

Love. Explain

Col. T. His brother, Tom Fashion, is come down here, and we have it in contemplation to save him the trouble of his intended wedding; but we want your assistance. Tom would have called, but he is preparing for his enterprise, so I promised to bring you to him; so, sir, if these ladies can spare you

Love. I'll go with you with all my heart [Aside] --though I could wish, methinks, to stay and gaze a

little longer on that creature. Good gods, how engaging she is! But what have I to do with beauty? I have already had my portion, and must not covet

more.

Aman. Mr. Loveless, pray one word with you before you go. [Exit Colonel TownLY.

Love. What would my dear?

Aman. Only a woman's foolish question. How do you like my cousin here?

Love. Jealous already, Amanda?

Aman. Not at all. I ask you for another reason. Love. Whate'er her reason be, I must not tell her true. [Aside.] Why, I confess she's handsome; but you must not think I slight your kinswoman, if I own to you, of all the women who may claim that character, she is the last that would triumph in my heart.

Aman. I'm satisfied.

Love. Now tell me why you asked?

Aman. At night I will. Adieu.

Love. I'm yours.

[Kissing her. Exit.

Aman. I'm glad to find he does not like her, for I have a great mind to persuade her to come and live with me. [Aside.

Ber. So! I find my colonel continues in his airs; there must be something more at the bottom of this than the provocation he pretends from me. [Aside.

Aman. For heaven's sake, Berinthia, tell me what way I shall take to persuade you to come and live with me?

Ber. Why one way in the world there is; and but

one.

Aman. And pray what is that?

Ber. It is to assure me, I shall be very welcome.

Aman. If that be all, you shall e'en sleep here tonight.

!

Ber. To-night!

Aman. Yes, to-night.

Ber. Why, the people where I lodge will think me mad.

Aman. Let 'em think what they please.

Ber. Say you so, Amanda? Why then they shall think what they please; for I'm a young widow, and I care not what anybody thinks. Ah, Amanda, it's a delicious thing to be a young widow.

Aman. You'll hardly make me think so.

Ber. Poh! because you are in love with your husband.

Aman. Pray, 'tis with a world of innocence I would inquire whether you think those we call women of reputation do really escape all other men as they do those shadows of beaus?

Ber. Oh no, Amanda; there are a sort of men make dreadful work amongst 'em; men that may be called the beau's antipathy; for they agree in nothing but walking upon two legs. These have brains; the beau has none. These are in love with their mistress; the beau with himself. They take care of their reputation; the beau is industrious to destroy it. They are decent; he's a fop; in short, they are men-he's an

ass.

Aman. If this be their character, I fancy we had here, e'en now, a pattern of 'em both.

Ber. His lordship and Colonel Townly?

Aman. The same.

Ber. As for the lord, he is eminently so; and for the other, I can assure you there's not a man in town who has a better interest with the women, that are worth having an interest with.

Aman. He answers the opinion I had ever of him. [Takes her hand.] I must acquaint you with a secret—

'tis not that fool alone has talked to me of love. it Townly has been tampering too.

Ber. So, so! here the mystery comes out! [Aside.] Colonel Townly! Impossible, my dear!

Aman. 'Tis true, indeed; though he has done it in vain; nor do I think that all the merit of mankind combined could shake the tender love I bear my husband; yet I will own to you, Berinthia, I did not start at his addresses, as when they came from one whom I contemned.

Ber. O this is better and better. [Aside.] Well said, innocence! and you really think, my dear, that nothing could abate your constancy and attachment to your husband?

Aman. Nothing, I am convinced.

Ber. What if you found he loved another woman better? Aman. Well!

Ber. Well! why were I that thing they call a slighted wife, somebody should run the risk of being that thing they call-a husband. Don't I talk madly?

Aman. Madly indeed!

Ber. Yet I'm very innocent.

Aman. That I dare swear you are. I know how to make allowances for your humour; but you resolve, then, never to marry again?

Ber. Oh no! I resolve I will.

Aman. How so?

Ber. That I never may.

Aman. You banter me.

Ber. Indeed I don't; but I consider I'm a woman, and form my resolutions accordingly.

Aman. Well, my opinion is, form what resolution you will, matrimony will be the end on't.

Ber. I doubt it; but a-Heavens! I have business at home, and am half an hour too late.