abroad. Why, Nell, you lazy jade, 'tis break of day; to work, to work; come, and spin, you drab, or I'll tan your hide for you. What a plague must I be at work two hours before you in the morning?

Lady L. Why, sirrah, thou impudent villain! dost thou not know me, you rogue?

Job. Know you, yes, I know you well enough; and I'll make you know me before I have done with you.

Lady L. I am Sir John Loverule's lady; how came I here ?

Job. Sir John Loverule's lady! No, Nell, not quite so bad neither; that d-d stingy, fanatic W -plagues every one that comes near her; the whole country curses her.

Lady L. Nay, then I'll hold no longer; you rogue, you insolent villain, I'll teach you better manners. (Flings the bedstaff and other things at him.)

Job. This is more than ever I saw by her, I never had an ill word from her before. Come strap, I'll try your mettle! I'll sober you, I warrant you, quean. (He straps her. She flies at him.)

Lady D. I'll pull your throat out; I'll tear cut your eyes; I am a lady, sirrah. O murder! murder! Sir John Loverule will hang you for this. Murder! murder!

Job. Come, hussy, leave fooling, and come to your spinning, or else I'll lamb you; you never were so lamb'd since you were an inch long. Take it up, you jade. (She fliugs it down. He straps her.)

Lady L. Hold! hold! I'll do anything. Job. Oh! I thought I should bring you to yourself again.

Lady L. What shall I do? I cannot spin. (Aside.) Job. I'll into my stall; 'tis broad day now. (Works and sings.) Heyday, I think the jade's brain is turn'd. What, have you forgot to spin, hussy?

Lady L. But I have not forgot to run. I'll e'en try my feet. I shall find somebody in the town, sure, that will succour me. (She runs out.)

Job. What, does she run for it? I'll after her. (He runs out.)

SCENE VL-Sir John Loverule's House.

NELL discovered in bed.

Nell. What pleasant dreams I have had to-night! Methought I was in Paradise, upon a bed of violets and roses, and the sweetest husband by my side! Ha! bless me! where am I now? What sweets are these? No garden in the spring can equal them. Am I on a bed? The sheets are sarcenet, sure; no linen ever was so fine. What a gay silken robe have I got. O heaven! I dream. Yet, if this be a dream, I would not wish to wake again. Sure I died last night, and went to heaven, and this is it.

and ruffles! Sure I am awake! Oh! I remember the cunning man, now.

Lucy. Did your ladyship speak?

Nell. Ay, child; I'll wear the same I did yesterday. Lucy. Mercy upon me! Child! Here's a miracle. (Aside.)

Enter LETTICE.

Let. Is my lady awake? Have you had her shoe or her slipper at your head yet? (Apart to Lucy) Lucy. Oh, no, I'm overjoyed: she's in the kindest humour! Go to the bed, and speak to her. Now is your time. (Apart to Let.)

Let. Now's my time! what, to have another tooth beat out? (Apart.) Madam.

Nell. What dost say, my dear? O father! What would she have?

Le. What work will your ladyship please to have done to-day?

Nell. Work, child! 'tis holyday; no work to-day. Let. Oh, mercy! Am I, or thee awake? or do we both dream? Here's a blest change! (Apart to Lucy.)

Lucy. If it continues we shall be a happy family. (Apart to Lettice.)

Let. Your ladyship's chocolate is ready. Nell. Mercy on me! what's that? Some garment, I suppose. (Aside.) Put it on then, sweetheart.

Let. Put it on, madam? I have taken it off; 'tis ready to drink.

Nell. I mean put it by; I don't care for drinking

now.

Enter Cook.

Cook. Now I go like a bear to the stake, to know her scurvy ladyship's commands about dinner. How many rascally names must I be called? (Aside.)

Let. Oh, John Cook! you'll be out of your wits to find my lady in so sweet a temper. (Apart to Cook.) Cook. What a devil are they all mad? (Apart to Lettice.)

Lucy. Madam, here's the cook come about dinner. Nell. Oh! there's a fine cook! He looks like one of your gentlefolks. (Aside.)-Indeed, honest man, I'm very hungry now; pray get me a rasher upon the coals, a piece of milk cheese, and some white bread.

Cook. Hey! what's to do here? my head turns round. Honest man! I looked for rogue and rascal, at least. She's strangely changed in her diet, as well as her humour. (Aside.) I'm afraid, madam, cheese and bacon will sit very heavy on your ladyship's stomach in a morning. If you please, madam, I'll toss you up a white fricassee of chickens in a trice, madam; or what does your ladyship think of a veal sweetbread?

Nell. Even what you will, good cook.

Cook. Good cook! good cook? Ah! 'tis a sweet lady. (Apart.)

Enter Butler.

Oh! kiss me, chip, I am out of my wits. We have the kindest, sweetest lady. (Apart to the Butler.)

But. You shamming rogue, I think you are out of your wits, all of ye: the maids look merrily, too. (Apart to Cook.)

Lucy. Here's the butler, madam, to know your ladyship's orders.

Nell. Oh! pray, Mr. Butler, let me have some small beer when my breakfast comes in.

But. Mr. Butler! Mr. Butler! I shall be turned

into stone with amazement. (Aside.) Would not your ladyship rather have a glass of Frontiniac, or Monte-pulchianco.

Nell. O dear! what hard names are there; but

Re-enter SIR JOHN LOVERULE.

Nell. O gemini! this fine gentleman my husband! (Aside.)

Enter Coachman.

But. Go, get you in, and be rejoiced as I am. (Apart to Coachman.)

Coach. The cook has been making his game I know not how long. What, do you banter, too? (Apart to Butler.)

Lucy. Madam, the coachman.

Coach. I come to know if your ladyship goes out to-day, and which you'll have, the coach or chariot. Nell. Good lack-a-day! I'll ride in the coach, if you please.

Coach. The sky will fall, that's certain.

[Exit.

Nell. I can hardly think I am awake yet. How well-pleased they all seem to wait upon me! Oh, notable cunning man! My head turns round! I am quite giddy with my own happiness.

AIR.

Nell. Sir, I shall always be proud to do every thing that may give you delight, or your family satisfaction.

Sir J. By heaven, I am charmed! Dear creature, if thou continuest thus, I had rather enjoy theo than the Indies. But can this be real? May I believe my senses?

Nell. All that's good above can witness for me, I am in earnest. (Kneels.)

Sir J. Rise, my dearest. Now am I happy indeed.

DUET.-SIR JOHN LOVERULE and NELL

Sir J.

Nell.

But. Oh, sir! here's the rarest news!

Was ever man possess'd of
So sweet, so kind a wife?
Dear sir, you make me proud.
Be you but kind,
And you shall find

All the good I can boast of,
Shall end but with my life.

Give me thy lips.

First let me, dear sir, wipe 'em.

Was ever so sweet a wife?

Thank you, dear sir.
I vow and protest
I ne'er was so kiss'd.
Again, sir!

Again, and again, my dearest

O may it last for life! What joy thus to enfold thee! What pleasure to behold thee! Inclined again to kiss!

How ravishing the bliss!

(Kisses her.)

Nell.

Sir J.

Nell.

Lucy. There never was the like, sir! You'll be overjoyed and amazed!

Sr J. What, are ye mad? What's the matter with ye? How now? here's a new face in my family! What's the meaning of all this?

But. Oh, sir! the family's turned upside down! We are almost distracted; the happiest people! Lucy. Ay, my lady, sir; my ladySir J. What, is she dead?

But. Dead! heaven forbid! O! she's the best woman; the sweetest lady!

Sir J. This is astonishing! I must go and inquire into this wonder. If this be true, I shall rejoice indeed.

But. Tis true, sir, upon my honour. Long live Sir John and my lady! Huzza! [Exeunt.

Re-enter NELL.

Nell. I well remember the cunning man warned me to bear all out with confidence, or worse, he

said, would follow. I am ashamed, and know not what to do with all this ceremony! I am amazed and out of my senses! I looked in the glass, and saw a gay, fine thing I knew not! Methought my face was not at all like that I have seen at home in

a piece of looking-glass fastened upon the cupboard. But great ladies, they say, have flattering glasses, that shew them far unlike themselves; whilst poor folks' glasses represent them even just as they are.

Re-enter LUCY.

But. Lady! Here, turn this mad-woman out of Lady L. You rascal; take that, sirrah. (Flings a glass at him.)

Foot. Have a care, hussy; there's a good pump without; we shall cool your courage for you.

Lady L. You, Lucy, have you forgot me, too, you minx?

Lucy. Forgot you, woman! Why, I never remember'd you; I never saw you before in my life. Lady L. Oh, the wicked slut! I'll give you causo to remember me; I will, hussy. (Pulls her head clothes off.)

Lucy. Murder! murder! help!

Re-enter SIR JOHN LOVERULE and NELL
Sir J. How now? What uproar's this?
Lady L. You, Lettice, you slut!

Let. Help! help!

Sir J. What's to do there?

But. Why, sir, here's a mad woman calls herself my lady, and is beating and cuffing us all round. Sir J. Thou my wife? poor creature, I pity thee. I never saw thee before. (To Lady Loverule.)

Lady L. Then it is in vain to expect redress from thee, thou wicked contriver of all my misery. Nell. How am I amazed! Can that be I there, in my clothes, that have made all this disturbance? and yet, I am here to my thinking, in these fine clothes. How can this be? I am so confounded and affrighted, that I begin to wish I was with Zekel Jobson again. (Aside.)

Lady L. To whom shall I apply myself, or whither can I fly? Heaven! what do I see? Is not that I yonder, in my gown and petticoat I wore yesterday? How can it be? I cannot be at two places

at once.

Sir J. Poor wretch! she's stark mad.

Lady L. What, in the devil's name, was I here before I came ? let me look in the glass. Oh heavens, I am astonished! I don't know myself, If this be I that the glass shews me, I never saw myself before.

Sir J. What incoherent madness is this?

Enter JOBSON.

Lady L. There, that's the devil in my likeness, who has robb'd me of my countenance.-He here, too?

Job. Ay, hussy; and here's my strap, you quean.

Nell. O, dear! I am afraid my husband will beat me! that man on t'other side the room there.

Job. I hope your honours will pardon her; she was drinking with a conjurer last night, and has been mad ever since, and calls herself my Lady Loverule.

Sir J. Poor woman; take care of her; do not hurt her; she may be cured of this.

Job. Yes, and please your worship, you shall see me cure her presently. Hussy, do you see this?

Nell. O! pray, Zekel, don't beat me.

Sir J. What says my love? Does she infect thee with madness, too?

Nell. I am not well; pray lead me in.

[Exeunt Nell and Maids. Job. I beseech your worship, don't take it ill of me; she shall never trouble you more.

Sir J. Take her home, and use her kindly.
Lady L. What will become of me?

[Exeunt Jobson and Lady Loverule.

Sir J. Inform me what you have done.

Doc. I have transformed your lady's face, so that she seems the cobbler's wife, and have charmed her face into the likeness of my lady's: and last night, when the storm arose, my spirits conveyed them to each other's bed.

Sir J. Oh, wretch, thou has undone me! I am fallen from the height of all my hopes, and must still be cursed with a tempestuous wife, a fury whom I never knew quiet since I had her.

Doc. If that be all, I can continue the charm for both their lives.

Sir J. Let the event be what it will, I'll hang you, if you do not end the charm this instant.

Doc. I will, this minute, sir; and perhaps you'll find it the luckiest of your life: I can assure you your lady will prove the better for it.

Sil J. Hold, there's one material circumstance I'd know.

Doc. I do assure you, no; for e'er she was conveyed to his bed, the cobbler was got up to work, and he has done nought but beat her ever since; and you are like to reap the fruits of his labour, He'll be with you in a minute: here he comes. Re-enter JOBSON,

Sir J. So, Jobson, where's your wife?

Job. And please your worship she's here at the door; but indeed I thought I had lost her just now: for as she came into the hall, she fell into such a swoon, that I thought she would never come out on't again; but a tweak or two by the nose, and half a dozen straps, did the business at last. Here, where are you, hussy?

Re-enter LADY LOVERULE.

But. (Holds up the candle, but lets it fall when he sees her.) O heaven and earth! is this my lady? Job. What does he say? My wife changed to my lady?

Cook. Ay, I thought the other was too good for our lady.

Lady L. Sir, you are the person I have most offended, and here confess I have been the worst of wives in everything, but that I always kept myself chaste. If you can vouchsafe once more to take me to your bosom, the remainder of my days shall joyfully be spent in duty and observance of your will.

Sir J. Rise, madam; I do forgive you; and if you are sincere in what you say, you'll make me happier than all the enjoyments in the world without you could do.

Job. What a plague! am I to lose my wife thus ? Re-enter LUCY and LETTICE.

Lucy. Oh, sir, the strangest accident has happened-it has amazed us! My lady was in so great a swoon, we thought she had been dead. Let. And when she came to herself, she proved another woman.

Job. Ha, ha, ha! A bull! a bull!
Re-enter NELL.

Nell. My head turns round; I must go home. O, Zekel, are you there?

Job. O lud! is this fine lady my wife? Egad, I'm afraid to come near her. What can be the meaning of this?

Sir J. This is a happy change, and I'll have it celebrated with all the joy I proclaimed for my late short-lived vision.

Lady L. To me 'tis the happiest day I ever knew. Sir J. Here, Jobson, take thy fine wife. Job. But one word, sir-Did not your worship make a buck of me, under the rose?

AIR.

a stock of leather.

Job. Brave boys! I'm a prince-the prince_of cobblers! Come hither and kiss me, Nell; I'll never strap thee more.

Nell. Indeed, Zekel, I have been in such a dream Sir J. that I'm quite weary of it. Forsooth, madam, will you please to take your clothes, and let me have mine again. (To Lady Loverule.)

Job. Hold your tongue, you fool, they'll serve you Job. to go to church. (Apart to Nell.)

Lady L. No; thou shalt keep them, and I'll preserve thine as relics.

Job, And can your ladyship forgive my strapping your honour so very much?

Be joy in ev'ry breast,
Since from a life of pain and care,

We now are truly blest.

May no remembrance of past time
Our present pleasures soil;
Be nought but mirth and joy a crime,
And sporting all our toil.

I hope you'll give me leave to speak,
If I may be so bold;

Nought but the devil, and this good strap,
Could ever tame a scold,

[Exeunt.

ACT L

SOENE I-An old Hall in Milford Castle.

Enter RECORD and LUCY.

Lucy. I tell you once more, Mr. Record, I won't stay any longer in this place, to be frightened to death every hour of my life, night and day.

Rec Poh! poh! why you are a silly girl:childish apprehensions! You have been reading some foolish stuff or other to put such notions into your head; what is there in this venerable building to frighten such a sweet innocent little girl as you, most timid?

Lucy. What is there? Why, a'n't I obliged to cross those long cloisters I don't know how many times a day, where my own steps clatter like twenty people besides myself; and when 'tis dark, to go to bed in that frightful room of tapestry, where those horrid creatures with nodding plumes are galloping

CLARA
LUCY

JANNETTE
NELL

upon their large horses, and the wind whistles all night as loud as thunder along the gallery; and to be all alone too! Or if I do see any body, is it not you, Mr. Record?

Rec. Well; and is there anything so frightful in me, most insulting! Whom would you see?

Lucy. Why something human, something like myself, that I could talk to. O! when shall we have a master and mistress come to this place?

Rec. You must put up with me as master; and as to a mistress, if I can do very well without one, surely you may. Our old gentleman's relations are on their road from Spa, and we shall soon be all alive again.

Lucy. What, will not Sir Edmund come back again?

Rec. Never! but thank heaven, my accounts are all clear enough: his old complaint; but his relations have one consolation left, however.