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Trade. I shall for ever acknowledge the obligation, sir.

Free. But you understand upon what condition, Mr. Tradelove-Miss Lovely.

Col. F. Ya, de vrow sal al te regt setten, mynheer. Trade. With all my heart, mynheer; you shall have my consent to marry her freely.

Free. Well, then, as I am a party concerned between you, mynheer Jan Van Timtamtirelereletta Heer Van Feignwell shall give you a discharge of your wager under his own hand, and you shall give him your consent to marry Miss Lovely under your's; that is the way to avoid all manner of disputes hereafter.

Col. F. Ya, weeragtig. Trade. Ay, ay, so it is, it under mine this minute. Col. F. And so Ik sal. Free. So ho, the house!

Mr. Freeman; I'll give
[Sits down to write.]
Does the same.]

Enter Waiter.

Bid your master come up. [Exit Waiter. there be witnesses enough to the bargain. Enter SACKBUT.

I'll see [Aside.]

Sack. Do you call, gentlemen ? Free. Ay, Mr. Sackbut, we shall want your hand here.

Trade. There, mynheer, there's my consent as amply as you can desire; but you must insert your own name, for I know not how to speli it; I have left a blank for it. [Gives the Colonel a paper.] Col. F. Ya Ik sal dat well doen.

Free. Now, Mr. Sackbut, you and I will witness it. [They write.]

Col. F. Daer, Mynheer Tradelove, is your discharge. [Gives him a paper.]

Trade. Be pleased to witness this receipt too, gentlemen. [Freeman and Sackbut put their hands.] Free. Ay, ay, that we will.

Col. F. Well, mynheer, ye most meer doen, ye most myn voorsprach to de vrow syn.

Free. He means you must recommend him to the

lady.

Trade. That I will, and to the rest of my brother guardians.

475

fortune, and little thinks the luck's on our side!
the mood. Now for the Quaker,
But, come, pursue the fickle goddess, while she's in
Col. F. That's the hardest task.

Of all the counterfeits perform'd oy man,
A soldier makes the simplest puritan. 'Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE L-An Apartment in Prim's house. Enter MRS. PRIM, and MISS LOVELY, in a Quaker's dress.

Mrs. P. So, now I like thee, Anne; art thon not better without thy monstrous vanities and patches? If heaven should make thee so many black spots upon thy face, would it not fright thee, Aune?

shew all the spots of your hypocrisy, 'twould fright Miss L. If it should turn you inside outward, and

me worse!

Mrs. P. My hypocrisy! I scom thy words, Anne; I lay no baits.

Miss L. If you did, you'd catch no fish. thee to know, Anue, that I could have catched as Mrs. P. Well, well, make thy jests; but I'd have many fish (as thou callest them,) in my time, as ever thou didst with all thy fool-traps about thee.

Miss L. Is that the reason of your formality, Mrs. Prim? Truth will out; I ever thought, indeed, there was more design than godliness in the pinched cap.

Mrs. P. Go, thou art corrupted with reading art not already too familiar with the wicked ones. lewd plays, and filthy romances. Ah! I wish thou

Miss L. Too familiar with the wicked ones! familiar with none so wicked as yourself; how dare Pray, no more of these freedoms, madam. I am you thus talk to me! you-you-you, unworthy woman, you. [Bursts into tears.]

Enter TRADElove.

Col. F. Wat voor? de duyvel! heb you meer guar-done to her, Mrs. Prim, to make her weep? dians?

Trade. What, in tears, Nancy? What have you

Trade. Only three, mynheer.

Col. F. What donder heb ye myn betrocken, mynheer? Had Ik dat gewoeten, Ik soude eaven met you geweest syn.

Sack. But, Mr. Tradelove is the principal; and he can do a great deal with the rest, sir.

Free. And he shall use his interest, I promise you, mynheer.

Trade. I will say all that ever I can think on to recommend you, mynheer; and if you please, I'll introduce you to the lady.

Col. F. Well, dat is waer. Maer ye must first spreken of myn to de vrow, and to ondere gentlemen. Free. Ay, that's the best way, and then I and the Heer Van Feignwell will meet you there.

Trade. I will go this moment, upon my honour.
Your most obedient humble servant. My speaking
will do you little good, mynheer; ha, ha! we have
bit
you, 'faith: ha, ha! [Aside

Well, my debt's discharged—and as for Nan,
He has my consent to get her if he can. [Aside.]

[Exit Col. F. Ha, ha, ha! this was a masterpiece of contrivance, Freeman.

Free. He hugs himself with his supposed good!

Miss L. Done to me? I admire I keep my senses if there be either law or justice to be had. I'll force among you; but I will rid myself of your tyranny, you to give me up my liberty.

Mrs. P. Thou hast more need to weep for thy sins, Anne; yea, for thy manifold sins.

Miss L. Don't think that I'll be still the fool which you have made me; no, I'll wear what I what company I think fit, and not what you shall please go when and where I please,-and keep direct; I will.

Trade. For my part, I do think all this very reasonable, Miss Lovely; 'tis fit you should have your liberty, and for that very purpose I am come. Enter PERIWINKLE and OBADIAH PRIM, with a letter in his hand.

your

husband, Mrs. Prim; but he tells me the glover's
Per. I have bought some black stockings of
trade belongs to you: therefore, I pray you look
me out five or six dozen of mourning gloves, such
as are given at funerals, and send them to my house.
Obad. My friend Periwinkle has got a good wind-
fall to-day; seven hundred a-year.

Mrs. P. I wish thee joy of it, neighbour.
Fer. He is. You'll take care, Mrs. Prim.
Trade. What, is Sir Toby dead then?

Mrs. P. Yea, I will, neighbour.

Obad. This letter recommendeth a speaker: 'tis from Aminadab Holdfast, of Bristol; peradventure he will be here this night; therefore, Sarah, do thou take care for his reception. [Gives her the letter.] Mrs. P. I will obey thee. [Erit. Obad. What art thou in the dumps for, Anue? Trade. We must marry her, Mr. Prim. Obad. Why, truly, if we could find a husband worth having, I should be as glad to see her married as thou wouldst, neighbour.

Per. Well said, there are but few worth having. Trade. I can recommend you a man now, that I think you can none of you have an objection to. Enter Sir PHILIP MODELOVE.

Per. You recommend? Nay, whenever she marries, I'll recommend the husband.

Sir P. What, must it be a whale, or a rhinoceros, Mr. Periwinkle? Ha, ha, ha!

Per. He shall be none of the fops at your end of the town, with mop-heads and empty skulls; nor yet any of our trading gentry, who puzzle the heralds to find arms for their coaches. No; he shall be a man famous for travels, solidity, and curiosity; one who has searched into the profundity of nature: when heaven shall direct such a one, he shall have my consent, because it may turn to the benefit of

mankind.

Miss L. The benefit of mankind! What, would you anatomize me?

Sir P. Ay, ay, madam, he would dissect you. Trade. Or, pore over you through a microscope, to see how your blood circulates from the crown of your head to the sole of your foot;-ha, ha! But I have a husband for you, a man that knows how to improve your fortune; one that trades to the four corners of the globe.

Miss L. And would send me for a venture, perhaps. Trade. One that will dress you in all the pride of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America: a Dutch merchant, my girl.

Sir P. A Dutchman! ha, ha! There's a husband for a fine lady. Ya frow, will you meet myn slapen, ha, ha! he'll learn you to talk the language of the hogs, madam, ha, ha!

Trade. He'll teach you that one merchant is of more service to a nation than fifty coxcombs. 'Tis the merchant makes the belle. How would the ladies sparkle in the box, without the merchant? The Indian diamond! the French brocade! the Italian fan! the Flanders lace! the fine Dutch holland! How would they vent their scandal over their teatables? And where would your beaux have champagne to toast their mistresses, were it not for the merchant?

Obad. Verily, neighbour Tradelove, thou dost waste thy breath about nothing. All that thou hast said tendeth only to debauch youth, and fill their beads with the pride and luxury of this world. The merchant is a very great friend to Satan, and sendeth as many to his dominions as the Pope.

Per. Right; I say, knowledge makes the man. Obad. Yea, but not thy kind of knowledge; it is the knowledge of truth. Search thou for the light within, and not for baubies, friend.

Miss L. Ah! study your country's good, Mr. Periwinkle, and not her insects Rid you of your homebred monsters, before you fetch any from abroad. I dare swear, you have maggots enough in your own brain to stock all the virtuosos in Europe with but

terdies.

Sir P. By my soul! Miss Nancy's a wit.

Obad. That is more than she can say of thee, friend. Lookye, 'tis in vain to talk; when I meet a man worthy of her, she shall have my leave to marry him.

Miss L. Provided he be of the faithful. Was there ever such a swarm of caterpillars to blast the hopes of a woman! Aside.] Know this, that you contend in vain; I'll have no husband of your choosing, nor shall you lord it over me long. I'll try the power of an English senate. Orphans have been redressed, and wills set aside, and none did ever deserve their pity more. O, Feignwell! where are thy promises to free me from these vermin? Alas! the task was more difficult than he imagined.

[Aride.

A harder task than what the poets tell Of yore the fair Andromeda befell; She but one monster fear'd, I've four to fear, And see no Perseus, no deliv'rer near. [Erit. Enter Servant, who whispers to OBADIAH PRIM. Per. The woman is mad.

[Erit Erit.

Sir P. So are you all, in my opinion. Serv. One Simon Pure inquireth for thee. Erit. Obad. Friend Tradelove, business requireth my presence.

Trade. Oh! I sha'n't trouble you. Plague take him for an unmannerly dog; however, I have kept my word with my Dutchman, and I'll introduce him too, for all you. Erit.

Enter Colonel FEIGNWELL, in a Quaker's habit. with friend Holdfast, and all friends in Bristol: Obad. Friend Pure, thou art welcome. How is it Timothy Littleworth, John Slenderbrain, and Christopher Keepfaith?

all in health, I thank thee for them. Col. F. A goodly company! [Aside.] They are

Obad. Friend Holdfast writes me word, that thou camest lately from Pennsylvania: how do all friends

there?

Col. F. What the devil shall I say? I know just as much of Pennsylvania as I do of Bristol. [Ande Obad. Do they thrive?

Col. F. Yea, friend, the blessing of their good works falls upon them.

Enter Mrs. PRIM and Miss LOVELY. Obad. Sarah, know our friend Pure. Mrs. P. Thou art we.come. He salutes her. Col. F. Here comes the sum of all my wishes. How charming she appears even in that disguise!

Aside

Ohad. Why dost thou consider the maiden so attentively, friend?

Col. F. I will tell thee. About four days ago I saw a vision. This very maiden, but in vain attire, standing on a precipice, I heard a voice which called me by my name, and bid me put forth my hand, and save her from the pit. I did so, and methought the damsel grew unto my side.

Aside.

Mrs. P. What can that portend? Obad. The damsel's conversion, I am persuaded. Miss L. That's false, I'm sure. Obad Wilt thou use the means, friend Pure? Col. F. Means! What means? Is she not thy daughter, already one of the faithful?

Mrs. P. No, alas! she's one of the ungodly. Obad. Pray thee mind what this good man will say unto thee: he will teach thee the way thou should'st walk, Anne.

Miss L. I know my way without his instruction: I hoped to have been quiet when once I had put on your odious formality here.

Col. F. Then thou wearest it out of compulsion, another time I will explain the other article unto not choice, friend? thee in the meanwhile be thou dutiful to our friend Prim.

Miss L. Thou art in the right of it, friend. Mrs, P. Art thou not ashamed to mimic the good man? Ah! thou stubborn girl.

If

Col. F. Mind her not; she hurteth not me. thou wilt leave her alone with me, I will discuss some few points with her, that may perchance soften her stubbornness, and melt her into compliance.

Obad. Content; I pray thee put it home to her. Come, Sarah, let us leave the good man with her.

Miss L. [Catches hold of PRIM; he breaks loose. Exeunt OBAD. and Mrs. P.] What, do you mean to leave me with this old, enthusiastical canter! Don't think because I complied with your formality, to impose your ridiculous doctrine upon me.

Col. F. I pray thee, young woman, moderate thy passion.

Miss L. I pray thee, walk after thy leader; you will but lose your labour upon me. These wretches will certainly make me mad!

Col. F. I am of another opinion; the spirit telleth me I shall convert thee, Anne.

Miss L. 'Tis a lying spirit; don't believe it. Col. F. Say'st thou so? Why then tnou shalt convert me, my angel. [Catching her in his arms. Miss L. Shrieks.] Ah! monster, hold off, or I'll tear thy eyes out.

Col. F. Hush! for heaven's sake; dost thou not know me? I am Feignwell! Miss L. Feignwell!

Re-enter OBADIAH PRIM.

Oh, I'm undone! Prim here! I wish with all my soul I had been dumb.

Obad. What is the matter? Why didst thou shrick out, Anne?

Miss L. Shrick out! I'll shriek and shriek again, cry murder, thieves, or anything, to drown the noise of that eternal babbler, if you leave me with him any longer.

Obad. Was that all? Fie, fie, Anne! Col. F. No matter, I'll bring down her stomach, I'll warrant thee. Leave us, pray thee. Obad. Fare thee well. Verily, I was afraid the flesh had got the better of the spirit.

Col. F. My charming, lovely woman!

[Exit.

Embraces her. Miss L. What meanest thou by this disguise, Feignwell?

Col. F. To set thee free, if thou wilt perform thy promise.

Miss L. Make me mistress of my fortune, and make thy own conditions.

Col. F. This night shall answer all my wishes See here I have the consent of three of thy guardians a'ready, and dou t not but Prim will make the

fourth.

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Miss L. I shall obey thee in everything.

[OBADIAH comes forward. Obad. Oh, what a prodigious change is here! Thou hast wrought a miracle, friend! Anne, how dost thou like the doctrine he hath preached?

Miss L. So well that I could talk to him for ever, methinks. I am ashamed of my former folly, and ask your pardon.

Col. F. Enough, enough, that thou art sorry; he is no pope, Anne.

Obad. True; I am no pope, Anne. Verily, thou dost rejoice me exceedingly, friend: will it please thee to walk into the next room, and refresh thyself? Come, take the maiden by the hand. [Going.

Col. F. We will follow thee.

Enter Servant.

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Obad. Yea, Simon Pure is already here, friend. Col. F. And Simon Pure will stay here, friend, if it be possible. [Aside.

Simon. That's an untruth, for I am he. Col. F. Take thou heed, friend, what thou dost say: I do affirm that I am Simon Pure.

Simon. Thy name may be Pure, friend, but not that Pure.

Col. F. Yea, that Pure which my good friend, the same Simon Pure that came from Pennsylvania, Aminadab Holdfast, wrote to my friend Prim about; and sojourned in Bristol eleven days; thou would'st not take my name from me, would'st thou ?-till I have done with it.

Simon. Thy name! I am astonished!
Col. F. At what? At thy own assurance?

[Aside.

[Going up to him, SIMON PURE starts hack. Simon. Avaunt! Satan, approach me not: I defy

thee, and all thy works.

Miss L. Oh! he'll out-cant him. done for ever.

Undone, un[Aside.

Col. F. Hark thee, friend! thy sham will not take. Don't exert thy voice; thou art too well acquainted with Satan to start at him, thou wicked reprobate. What can thy design be here?

Enter a Servant, who gives PRIM a letter. Obad. One of these must be a counterfeit, but which I cannot say.

Aside.

Col. F. What can that letter be? Simon. Thou must be the devil, friend, that's certain; for no human power can speak so great a falsehood.

Obad. This letter sayeth that thou art better ac

Enter Mrs. PRIM.

Mrs P. I am greatly rejoiced to see such a change in our beloved Anne. I came to tell thee that sup per stayeth for thee.

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

quainted with that prince of darkness, than any here. [To SIMON.] Read that, I pray thee, Simon. [Gives it to the Colonel. Co.. F. [Aside.] 'Tis Freeman's hand. [Reads.] "There is a design formed to rob your house this night, and cut your throat; and for that purpose there is a man disguised like a Quaker, who is to pass for one Simon Pure: the gang, whereof I am one, though now resolved to rob no more, has been at Bristol: one of them came in the couch with the Quaker, whose name that I must be subject to the will of this good man, Miss L. Something whispers in my ears, methinks, he hath taken; and from what he hath gathered from and from him only must hope for consolation. Hum. him, formed that design, and did not doubt but he It also telleth me that I am a chosen vessel to raise should impose so far upon you as to make you turn out the real Simon Pure, and keep him with you. up seed to the faithful, and that thou must consent Make the right use of this. Adieu."-Excellent well! [Aside. that we two be one flesh, according to the word. Obad. Dost thou hear this? Hum! [TO SIMON. Simon. Yea, but it moveth me not; that doubtless is the impostor. Pointing to the Colonel. Col. F. Ah! thou wicked one. Now I consider thy face, I remember thou didst come up in the leathern conveniency with me. Thou hadst a black bob-wig on, and a brown camblet coat with brass buttons. Canst thou deny it, eh?

Simon. Yea, I can, and with a safe conscience too, friend.

Obad. Verily, friend, thou art the most impudent

villain I ever saw.

Obad. What a revelation is here! This is cer

tainly part of thy vision, friend; this is the maiden's growing unto 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. F. I wish I was as sure of your's. [Aride. Obad. [To Miss L.] My soul rejoiceth, yea rejoiceth, I say, to find the spirit within thee; for lo natural agitation; yea, with natural agitation to it moveth thee with natural agitation; yea, with

Miss L. Nay, then, I'll have a fling at him.wards this good man; yea, it stirreth, as one may Aside.] I remember the face of this fellow at Bath. say,-yea, verily I say, it stirreth up thy inclina Ay, this is he that picked my Lady Raffle's pocket tion,-yea, as one would stir a pudding. in the Grove. Don't you remember that the mob All. Hum! pumped upon you, friend? This is the most noto-hand, good Obadiah Prim, and now behold thou art Miss L. I see, I see the spirit guiding of thy

rious rogue

Simon. What does provoke thee to seek my life? Thou wilt not hang me, wilt thou, wrongfully? Obad. 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 may'st not come off so favourably everywhere. Simon, I pray thee, put him forth.

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

Simon. 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. F. Then there will be no staying for me, that's certain. What the devil shall I do? [Aside. Obad. What monstrous works of iniquity are there in this world, Simon?

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

Col. F. My spirit is greatly troubled, and something telleth me, that though I have wrought a good wor 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 rebuffet 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 it were yea, as if it were out of the jaws of the fiend.

Miss L. I must second him. [Aside.] What meaneth this struggling within me? I feel the spirit resistoth the vanities of this world; but the flesh is yea, the flesh-I greatly fear the flesh and thereof. Hum.

I

aid is inspired. [Aside.] Prodigious!
illed with the spirit. Sarah!

signing thy consent; and now I see myself within thy arms, my friend and brother; yea, I am become bone of thy bone, and flesh of thy flesh. [Embracing Col. F.] Hum!

Friend Prim, thou must consent; there's no resist-
Mrs. P. The spirit hath greatly moved them both.
ing of the spirit.

hand shall confess its obedience to the spirit.
Obad. Fetch me the pen and ink, Sarah; and my

Col. F. I wish it were over.

[Brit Mrs. P.

Re-enter Mrs. PRIM, with pen and ink Miss L. I tremble lest this quaking rogue should return, and spoil all.

[Ande

Obad. Here, friend, do thou write what the spint prompteth, and I will sign it. [Col. F. its dom Col. F. [Reads.] "This is to certify to all whom i may concern, that I do freely give all my right and title in Anne Lovely to Simon Pure, and my full consent that she shall become his wife, according to the form of marriage. Witness my hand."

Obad. That enough; give me the pen. [Siguit
Enter BETTY.

Betty. Oh! madam, madam, here's the quaking man again: he has brought a coachman, and two or [Aside to Miss L. and eril Miss L. Ruined, past redemption!

three more.

[Aside to the Courel, all; but now-Here's company coming, frienu, gize Col. F. No, no; one minute sooner had spand [Going to Prim has ig Obad. Here it is, Simon; and I wish thee happy with the maiden.

me the paper.

Miss L. 'Tis done; and now, devil, do thy worst Enter Simon PURE, Coachman, and othern Simon. 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. F. Lookye, friend, to save the court the trouble of examining witnesses, I plead guilty. Ha, ha! Obad. How's this? Is not thy name Pure, then? Col. F. No, really, sir; I only made bold with this gentleman's name; but here I give it up safe and sound: it has done the business 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!

Simon. Oh! the wickedness of the age! [Exit Coachman, &c. Obad. I am struck dumb with thy impudence, Anne; thou hadst deceived me, and perchance undone thyself.

Mrs. P. Thou art a dissembling baggage, and shame will overtake thee. [Exit. Simon. I am grieved to see thy wife so much troubled; I will follow and console her. [Exit. Enter Servant.

Serv. Thy brother guardians inquire for thee; here is another man with them. [Exit. Miss L. Who can that man be? [To Col. F. Col. F. 'Tis Freeman; a friend of mine, whom I ordered to bring the rest of the guardians here. Enter Sir PHILIP MODELOVE, TRADELOVE, PERIWINKLE, and FREEMAN.

[Aside.

Free. Is all safe? Did my letter do you service?
[Aside to the Colonel.
Col. F. All, all's safe ;-ample service.
Sir P. Miss Nancy, how dost do, child?
Miss L. Don't call me miss, friend Philip; my
name is Anne, thou knowest.

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

[Aside.

Obad. I am ashamed to see these men. Sir P. My age! the woman is possessed. Col. F. No; thou art possessed rather, friend. Trade. Harkye! Miss Lovely, one word with you. [Takes hold of her hand. Col. F. This maiden is my wife, thanks to my friend Prim, and thou hast no business with her. [Takes her from him. Trade. His wife! harkye, Mr. Freeman. Per. Why, you have made a very fine piece of work of it, Mr. Prim.

Sir P. 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. F. When I have put on my beau clothes, Sir Philip, you'll like me better.

Sir P. Thou wilt make a very scurvy beau, friend. Col. F. 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. Sir P. Ha, ha, ha! I am overjoyed, 'faith I am, [Offers him snuff: if thou be'st the gentleman. I own I did give my consent to the gentleman I brought here to-day; but whether this is he, I can't be positive.

Trade. Ay, ay, so we will. Didn't you tell me the Dutch merchant desired me to meet him here, Mr. Freeman?

Free. I did so, and I am sure he will be here, if you'll have a little patience.

Col. F. What, is Mr. Tradelove impatient? Nay, then, ib ben gereet voor your, he be, Jan Van Timtamtirelereletta Heer Van Feignwell, vergeeten! Trade. Oh! plague of the name! what have you tricked me too, Mr. Freeman?

Col. F. 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, do you look upon her as part of your stock?

Obad. Ha, ha, ha! I am glad thy knavery is found out, however; I confess the maiden overreached me, and I had no sinister end at all

Per. Ay, ay, one thing or other overreached you all; but I'll take care he shall never finger a penny of her money, I warrant you. Overreached quotha! Why I might have been overreached too, if I 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. F. The very same.

Per. Are you so, sir? But your trick would not

pass upon me. ·

Col. F. No, as you say, at that time it did not; that was not my lucky hour. But, harkye! 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!

Per. Not dead! I begin to fear I am tricked too. Col. F. Don't you remember the signing of a lease, Mr. Periwinkle?

Per. Well, and what signifies that lease, if my uncle is not dead? Ha! I am sure it was a lease I signed.

Col. F. Ay, but it was a lease for life, sir; and for this beautiful tenement, I thank you.

Taking hold of Miss Lovely.
All. Ha, ha, ha! neighbours' fare.
Free. So then, I find you are all tricked, ha, ha!
Per. I am certain I read as plain a lease as ever I
read in my life.

Col. F. 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? Didn't you tell me my uncle was dying?" Free. And would tell you twice as much to serve my friend: ha, ha!

Sir P. What, the learned and famous Mr. Periwinkle choused too! ha, ha, ha! I shall die with laughing; ha, ha, ha!

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

Sir P. Sir, the gentleman is a fine gentleman. I am glad you have got a person, madam, who understands dress and good breeding. I was resolved she should have one of my choosing.

Trade. A beau! nay, then, she is finely helped up.
Miss L. Why, beaus are great encouragers of trade,

Obad. Canst 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-sir; ha, ha! pocket for aught thou dost know.

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

can give you the best account of myself; and I must Col. F. Lookye, gentlemen: I am the person who 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.

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