let the men and women be mingled together, for procreation sake, and the good of the plantation.

2d Plant. Ay, ay, a man and a woman, Captain, for the good of the plantation.

Capt. Let them mingle together, and be damned; what care I? Would you have me a pimp for the good of the plantation ?

1st Plant. I am a constant customer, Captain.

Wid. I am always ready money to you, Captain. 1st Plant. For that matter, mistress, my money is as ready as yours.

Wid. Pray hear me, Captain.

Capt. Look you, I have done my part by you; I have brought the number of slaves I bargained for; if your lots have not pleased you, you must draw again among yourselves.

hold your

3d Plant. I am contented with my lot. 4th Plant. I am very well satisfied. 3d Plant. We'll have no drawing again. Capt. Do you hear, mistress? you may tongue : for my part I expect my money. Wid. Captain, nobody questions or scruples the payment: but I won't hold my tongue; 'tis too much to pray and pay too; one may speak for one's own I hope.

Capt. Well, what would you say.

Wid. I say no more than I can make out.

Capt. Out with it then.

Wid. I say, things have not been so fair carried as

they might have been. How do I know but you have

juggled together in my absence? You drew the lots before I came, I am sure.

Capt. That's your own fault, mistress, you might have come sooner.

Wid. Then here's a prince, as they say, among the slaves, and you set him down to go as a common

man.

Capt. Have you a mind to try what a man he is? You'll find him no more than a common man at your business.

Wid. Sir, you're a scurvy fellow to talk at this rate to me. If my husband were alive, gadsbodykins you

would not use me so.

Capt. Right, mistress, I would not use you at all. Wid. Not use me! your betters every inch of you, I would have you to know, would be glad to use me, sirrah. Marry come up here, who are you, I trow? You begin to think yourself a captain, forsooth, because we call you so. You forget yourself as fast as you can; but I remember you; I know you for a pitiful paltry fellow as you are, an upstart to prospe. rity; one that is but just come acquainted with cleanliness, and that never saw five shillings of your own without deserving to be hanged for them.

Gov. She has given you a broadside, Captain; you'll stand up to her.

Capt. Hang her, "stink-pot," I'll come no nearer. Wid. By this good light it would make a woman do a thing she never designed; marry again, though she were sure to repent it, and be revenged of such a

5

J. Stan. What's the matter, Mrs. Lackitt, can I

serve you.

Wid. No, no, you can't serve me: you are for serving yourself, I'm sure. Pray go about your business, I have none for you: you know, I have told you so. Lord, how can you be so troublesome; nay, so unconscionable, to think that every rich widow must throw herself away upon a young fellow that has nothing?

Stan. Jack, you are answered, I suppose.

J. Stan. I'll have another pluck at her.

Wid. Mr. Welldon, I am a little out of order; but pray bring your sister to dine with me.

Gad's my life, I'm out of all patience with that pitiful fellow : my flesh rises at him; I can't stay in the place where he is

[Exit. Blan. Captain, you have used the widow very familiarly.

Capt. This is my way; I have no design, and therefore am not over-civil. If she had ever a handsome daughter to wheedle her out of; or if I could make any thing of her booby son

Well. I may improve that hint and make something of him.

Gov. She's very rich.

[Aside.

Capt. I'm rich myself. She has nothing that I want: I have no leaks to stop. Old women are forfune menders. I have made a good voyage, and would reap the fruits of my labours. We plow the

deep, my masters; but our harvest is on shore. I

am for a young woman.

Stan. Look about, Captain; there's one ripe, and ready for the sickle.

Capt. A woman indeed! I will be acquainted with

her: who is she?

Well. My sister, Sir.

Capt. Would I were a-kin to her: if she were my sister, she should never go out of the family. What say you, mistress? You expect I should marry you, I suppose.

Luc. I shan't be disappointed, if you don't.

[Turning away.

Well. She won't break her heart, Sir.

Capt. But I mean—

Well. And I mean

[Following her.

[Going between him and Lucy.

That you must not think of her without marrying.

Capt. I mean so too.

Well. Why then your meaning's out.

Capt. You're very short.

Well. I'll grow, and be taller for you.

Capt. I shall grow angry and swear.

Well. You'll catch no fish then.

Capt. I don't well know whether he designs to affront me, or no.

Stan. No, no, he's a little familiar; 'tis his way. Capt. Say you so? nay, I can be as familiar as he, if that be it. Well, Sir, look upon me full. say you? how do you like me for a brother-in-law?

What

Well. Why yes, faith, you'll do my business, [Turning him about.] if we can agree about my sister's.

Capt. I don't know whether your sister will like me, or not: I can't say much to her; but I have money enough; and if you are her brother, as you seem to be a-kin to her, I know that will recommend me to you.

Well. This is your market for slaves; my sister is a free woman, and must not be disposed of in public. You shall be welcome to my house, if you please : and, upon better acquaintance, if my sister likes you, and I like your offers

Capt. Very well, Sir, I'll come and see her.

Gov. Where are the slaves, Captain? they are long a coming.

Blan. And who is this prince that's fallen to my lot for the lord governor? Let me know something of him, that I may treat him accordingly; who is he?

Capt. He's the devil of a fellow, I can tell you! a prince every inch of him: you have paid dear enough for him for all the good he'll do you: I was forced to clap him in irons, and did not think the ship safe neither. You are in hostility with the Indians, they say; they threaten you daily: you had best have an eye upon him.

Blan. But who is he?

Gov. And how do you know him to be a prince?

Capt. He is son and heir to the great king of Angola, a mischievous monarch in those parts, who, by his good will, would never let any of his neighbours be in quiet. This son was his general, a plaguy fighting

C