"fore, for the good of the public, they would have

a draught made once a quarter, send the decaying "beauties for breeders into the country, to make 66 room for new faces to appear, to countenance the "pleasures of the town.

"Luc. 'Tis very hard, the men must be young as "long as they live, and poor women be thought de"caying and unfit for the town at one and twenty. "I'm sure we were not seven years in London.

"Well. Not half the time taken notice of, sister. "The two or three last years we could make nothing "of it, even in a vizard-mask; not in a vizard"mask, that has cheated many a man into an old ac"quaintance. Our faces began to be as familiar to "the men of intrigue as their duns, and as much "avoided. We durst not appear in public places, " and were almost grudged a gallery in the churches: even there they had their jests upon us, and cry'd, "she's in the right on't, good gentlewoman, since no man considers her body, she does very well indeed "to take care of her soul.

"Luc. Such unmannerly fellows there will always "be.

"Well. Then you may remember we were reduced "to the last necessity, the necessity of making silly "visits to our civil acquaintance, to bring us into "tolerable company. Nay, the young inns of court "beaus, of but one term's standing in the fashion, "who knew nobody, but as they were shewn them by "the orange woman, had nick names for us: how

2

"often they laughed out, there goes my landlady; is "she not come to let lodgings yet?

"Luc. Young coxcombs that knew no better. "Well. And that we must have come to.

For

your part, what trade could you set up in? You "would never arrive at the trust and credit of a "guinea-bawd; you would have too much business "of your own ever to mind other people's.

66

Luc. That is true, indeed.

"Well. Then as a certain sign that there was no"thing more to be hoped for, the maids of the "chocolate-houses found us out, and laughed at us : our billet-doux lay there neglected for waste-paper: we were cry'd down so low, we could not pass upon "the city; and became so notorious in our galloping 66 way, from one end of the town to t'other, that at "last we could hardly compass a competent change "of petticoats to disguise us to the hackney coach"men: and then it was near walking a foot indeed. "Luc. Nay, that I began to be afraid of.

“ Well.” To prevent which, with what youth and beauty were left, some experience, and the small remainder of fifteen hundred pounds a-piece, which amounted to bare two hundred between us both, I persuaded you to bring your person for a venture to the Indies. Every thing has succeeded in our voyage: I pass for your brother one of the richest planters here happening to die just as we landed, I have claimed kindred with him: so without making his will, he has left us the credit of his relation to

trade upon : "we pass for his cousins, coming here "to Surinam chiefly upon his invitation;" we live in reputation; have the best acquaintance in the place; and we shall find our account in't, I warrant you, Luc. I must rely upon you.

Enter Widow LACKITT.

Wid. Mr. Welldon, your servant. Your servant, Mrs. Lucy, I am an ill visitor, but 'tis not too late, I hope, to bid you welcome to this side of the world. [Salutes Lucy.

Well. Gad so, I beg your pardon, widow, I should have done the civilities of my house before; but, as you say, 'tis not too late, I hope [Going to kiss her.

Wid. What you think now this was a civil way of begging a kiss; and, by my troth, if it were, I see no harm in it; 'tis a pitiful favour indeed that is not worth asking for: though I have known a woman speak plainer before now, and not understood neither. Well. Not under my roof. Have at you, widow. Wid. Why that's well said, spoke like a younger brother, that deserves to have a widow.-[He kisses her.] You're a younger brother I know by your kissing. Well. How so, pray?

Wid. Why, you kiss as if you expected to be paid for't. You have birdlime upon your lips. You stick so close, there's no getting rid of you.

Well. I am a-kin to a younger brother.

Wid. So much the better: we widows are commonly the better for younger brothers.

B

Luc. Better or worse, most of you. But you won't be much the better for him, I can tell you.. -[Aside.

Well. I was a younger brother; but an uncle of my mother's has maliciously left me an estate, and, I'm afraid, spoiled my fortune.

Wid. No, no; an estate will never spoil your fortune; I have a good estate myself, thank heaven, and a kind husband that left it behind him.

Well. Thank heaven that took him away from it, widow, and left you behind him.

Wid. Nay, Heaven's will must be done; he's in a better place.

Well. A better place for you, no doubt on't: now you may look about you; choose for yourself, Mrs. Lackitt, that's your business; for I know you design to marry again.

Wid. Oh, dear! not I, I protest and swear; I don't design it but I won't swear neither; one does not know what may happen to tempt one.

Well. Why a lusty young fellow may happen to tempt you.

Wid. Nay, I'll do nothing rashly: I'll resolve against nothing. The devil, they say, is very busy upon these occasions, especially with the widows. But, if I am to be tempted, it must be with a young man, I promise you-Mrs. Lucy, your brother is a very pleasant gentleman: I came about business to him, but he turns every thing into merriment.

Well. Business, Mrs. Lackitt? then I know, you would have me to yourself. Pray, leave us together,

sister. [Exit Lucy.] What am I drawing upon myself

here?

[Aside.

Wid. You have taken a very pretty house here;

you already. I hear you are

every thing so neat about laying out for a plantation.

Well. Why, yes truly, I like the country, and would buy a plantation, if I could reasonably.

Wid. Oh, by all means reasonably.

Well. If I could have one to my mind, I would think of settling among you.

Wid. Oh, you can't do better. Indeed we can't pretend to have so good company for you, as you had in England; but we shall make very much of you. For my own part, I assure you, I shall think myself very happy to be more particularly known to you. Well. Dear Mrs. Lackitt, you do me too much ho

nour.

Wid. Then as to a plantation, Mr. Welldon, you know I have several to dispose of. Mr. Lackitt, I thank him, has left, though I say it, the richest widow upon the place; therefore I may afford to use you better than other people can. You shall have one upon any reasonable terms.

Well. That's a fair offer, indeed.

Wid. You shall find me as easy as any body you can have to do with, I assure you. Pray try me; I would have you try me, Mr. Welldon. Well, I like that name of yours exceedingly, Mr. Welldon.

Well. My name!