L. Rus. A hyena, truly! Where did the fellow blunder upon that word? Now the deuce take him for using it, and the Macaronies for inventing it! [Exit.

ACT III. SCENE 1.

A Room in STOCKWELL'S House. Enter STOCKWELL, and BELCOUR.

Stockwell.

GRATIFY me so far, however, Mr. Belcour, as to see Miss Rusport; carry her the sum she wants, and return the poor girl her box of diamonds, which Dudley left in my hands; you know what to say on the occasion better than I do that part of your commission I leave to your own discretion, and you may season it with what gallantry you think fit.

Bel. You could not have pitch'd upon a greater bungler at gallantry than myself, if you had rummag'd every company in the city, and the whole court of aldermen into the bargain: part of your errand, however, I will do; but whether it shall be with an ill grace or a good one, depends upon the caprice of a moment, the humour of the lady, the mode of our meeting, and a thousand undefinable small circumstances that nevertheless determine us upon all the great occasions of life.

Stock. I persuade myself you will find Miss Rusport an ingenious, worthy, animated girl.

Bel. Why I like her the better, as a woman; but name her not to me as a wife! No, if ever I marry, it must be a staid, sober, considerate damsel, with blood in her veins as cold as a turtle's; quick of scent as a vulture when danger's in the wind; wary and sharp-sighted as a hawk when treachery is on foot with such a companion at my elbow, for ever whispering in my ear-have a care of this man, he's a cheat; don't go near that woman, she's a jilt; over head there's a scaffold, under foot there's a well: Oh! sir, such a woman might lead me up and down this great city without difficulty or danger; but with a girl of Miss Rusport's complexion, heaven and earth, sir! we should be dup'd, undone, and distracted in a fortnight.

Stock. Ha, ha, ha! Why you are become wondrous circumspect of a sudden, pupil; and if you can find such a prudent damsel as you describe, you have my consent-only beware how you choose; discretion is not the reigning quality amongst the fine ladies of the present time; and I think in Miss Rusport's particular I have given you no bad counsel.

Bel. Well, well, if you'll fetch me the jewels, I believe I can undertake to carry them to her; but as for the money, I'll have nothing to do with that; Dudley would be your fittest ambassador on that occasion; and, if I mistake not, the most agreeable to the lady.

Stock. Why, indeed, from what I know of the mat.

ter, it may not improbably be destined to find its way into his pockets. [Exit.

Bel. Then, depend upon it, these are not the only trinkets she means to dedicate to Captain Dudley. As for me, Stockwell indeed wants me to marry; but till i can get this bewitching girl, this incognita, out of my head, I can never think of any other woman.

Enter Servant, and delivers a Letter.

Heyday! Where can I have picked up a correspondent already! 'Tis a most execrable manuscript-Let me see-Martha Fulmer-Who is Martha Fulmer? Pshaw! I won't be at the trouble of decyphering her damn'd pot-hooks. Hold, hold, hold; what have we got here!

DEAR SIR,

I've discover'd the lady you was so much smitten with, and can procure you an interview with her; if you can be as generous to a pretty girl as you was to a paltry old captain,' how did she find that out! you need not despair; come to me immediately; the lady is now in my house, and expects you.

Yours,

MARTHA FULMER.' O thou dear, lovely, and enchanting paper, which I was about to tear into a thousand scraps, devoutly I entreat thy pardon: I have slighted thy contents, which are delicious; slander'd thy characters, which are divine; and all the atonement I can make is implicitly to obey thy mandates.

STOCKWELL returns.

Stock. Mr. Belcour, here are the jewels; this letter encloses bills for the money; and, if you will deliver it to Miss Rusport, you'll have no farther trouble on that score.

Bel. Ah, sir! the letter which I have been reading disqualifies me for delivering the letter which you have been writing: I have other game on foot; the loveliest girl my eyes ever feasted upon is started in view, and the world cannot now divert me from pursuing her.

Stock. Hey-day! What has turned you thus on a sudden ?

Bel. A woman one that can turn, and overturn me and my tottering resolutions every way she will. Oh, sir, if this is folly in me, you must rail at nature: you must chide the sun, that was vertical at my birth, and would not wink upon my nakedness, but swaddled me in the broadest, hottest glare of his meridian beams.

Stock. Mere rhapsody; mere childish rhapsody; the libertine's familiar plea-Nature made us, 'tis true, but we are the responsible creators of our own faults and follies.

Bel. Sirl

Stock. Slave of every face you meet, some hussy has inveigled you, some handsome profligate, (the town is full of them ;) and, when once fairly bankrupt in constitution, as well as fortune, nature no

longer serves as your excuse for being vicious; necessity, perhaps, will stand your friend, and you'll reform.

Bel. You are severe.

Stock. It fits me to be so-it well becomes a father

-I would say a friend-How strangely I forget myself-How difficult it is to counterfeit indifference, and put a mask upon the heart-I've struck him hard; he reddens.

Bel. How could you tempt me so? Had you not inadvertently dropped the name of father, I fear our friendship, short as it has been, would scarce have held me-But even your mistake I reverence

Give me your hand-'tis over.

Stock. Generous young man-let me embrace you -How shall I hide my tears? I have been to blame; because I bore you the affection of a father, I rashly took up the authority of one. I ask your pardonpursue your course; I have no right to stop itWhat would you have me do with these things?

Bel. This, if I might advise; carry the money to Miss Rusport immediately; never let generosity wait for its materials; that part of the business presses. Give me the jewels; I'll find an opportunity of delivering them into her hands; and your visit may pave the way for my reception. [Exit. Stock. Be it so: good morning to you. Farewell advice! Away goes he upon the wing for pleasure. What various passions he awakens in me! He pains, yet pleases me; affrights, offends, yet grows upon my

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