Ld Town. How comes it, madam, that a tradesman dares be clamorous in my house, for money due to him from you?

Lady Town. You don't expect, my lord, that I should answer for other people's impertinence?

Ld Town. I expect, madam, you should answer for your own extravagancies, that are the occasion of it--I thought I had given you money three months ago to satisfy all these sort of people. Lady Town. Yes, but you see they never are to be satisfied.

Ld Town. Nor am I, madam, longer to be abused thus! What's become of the last five hundred I gave you?

Lady Town. Gone.

Ld Town. Gone! What way, madam ?

Lady Town. Half the town over, I believe, by this time.

Ld Town. 'Tis well! I see ruin will make no impression, 'till it falls upon you.

Lady Town. In short, my lord, if money is always the subject of our conversation, I shall make

you no answer.

Ld Town. Madam, madam! I will be heard, and make you answer.

you,

Lady Town. Make me! Then I must tell my lord, this is a language I have not been used to, and I won't bear it.

Ld Town. Come, come, madam, you shall bear a great deal more, before I part with you.

Lady Town. My lord, if you insult me, you will have as much to bear on your side, I can assure you.

Ld Town. Pooh! Your spirit grows ridiculous -you have neither honour, worth, or innocence, to support it!

Lady Town. You'll find, at least, I have resentment; and do you look well to the provocation! Ld Town. After those you have given me, madam, 'tis almost infamous to talk with you.

Lady Town. I scorn your imputation and your menaces! The narrowness of your heart's your monitor! 'Tis there! there, my lord, you are wounded. You have less to complain of than many husbands of an equal rank to you.

Ld Town. Death, madam! do you presume upon your corporal merit? that your person's less tainted than your mind? Is it there, there alone an honest husband can be injured? Have you not every other vice that can debase your birth, or stain the heart of woman? Is not your health, your beauty, husband, fortune, family disclaimed, for nights consumed in riot and extravagance? The wanton does no more; if she conceals her shame,

does less: And sure the dissolute avowed, as sorely wrongs my honour and my quiet.

Lady Town. I see, my lord, what sort of wife might please you.

Ld Town. Ungrateful woman! could you have seen yourself, you in yourself had seen her-I am amazed our legislature has left no precedent of a divorce for this more visible injury, this adultery of the mind, as well as that of the person! When a woman's whole heart is alienated to pleasures I have no share in, what is't to me whether a black ace or a powdered coxcomb has possession of it? Lady Town. If you have not found it yet, my lord, this is not the way to get possession of mine, depend upon it.

Ld Town. That, madam, I have long despaired of; and since our happiness cannot be mutual, 'tis fit that with our hearts our persons too should separate This house you sleep no more in! Though your content might grossly feed upon the dishonour of a husband, yet my desires would starve upon the features of a wife.

Lady Town. Your style, my lord, is much of the same delicacy with your sentiments of honour. Ld Town. Madam, madam! this is no time for compliments-I have done with you.

Lady Town. If we had never met, my lord, I had not broke my heart for it! But have a care! I may not, perhaps, be so easily recalled as you imagine.

Ld Town. Recalled !-Who's there?

Enter a Servant.

Desire my sister and Mr Manly to walk up.

Lady Town. My lord, you may proceed as you please, but pray what indiscretions have I cominitted, that are not daily practised by a hundred other women of quality?

Ld Town. 'Tis not the number of ill wives, madaın, that makes the patience of a husband less contemptible; and though a bad one may be the best man's lot, yet he'll make a better figure in the world that keeps his misfortunes out of doors, than he that tamely keeps them within.

Lady Town. I don't know what figure you may make, my lord, but I shall have no reason to be ashamed of mine, in whatever company I may meet you.

Ld Town. Be sparing of your spirit, madam; you'll need it to support you.

Enter Lady GRACE and MANLY. Mr Manly, I have an act of friendship to beg of you, which wants more apologies than words can make for it.

Man. Then pray make none, my lord, that I may have the greater merit in obliging you. Ld Town. Sister, I have the same excuse to entreat of you too.

L. Grace. To your request I beg, my lord.

Ld Town. Thus then-As you both were present at my ill-considered marriage, I now desire you each will be a witness of my determined se

defended! No! What's in its nature wrong, no words can palliate, no plea can alter! What then remains in my condition, but resignation to your pleasure? Time only can convince you of my future conduct: Therefore, till I have lived an object of forgiveness, I dare not hope for pardonThe penance of a lonely contrite life were little to the innocent; but to have deserved this separation will strew perpetual thorns upon my pillow. L. Grace. O happy, heavenly hearing! Lady Town Sister, farewell! [Kissing her.] Your virtue needs no warning from the shame that falls on me; but when you think I have atoned my follies past- -persuade your injured brother to forgive them.

La Town. No, madam! Your errors, thus renounced, this instant are forgotten! So deep, so due a sense of them has made you what my utmost wishes formed, and all my heart has sighed for.

Lady Town. [Turning to Lady GRACE.] How odious does this goodness make ine!

L. Grace. How amiable your thinking so! Ld Town. Longparted friends, that pass through easy voyages of life, receive but common gladness in their meeting; but from a shipwreck saved, we mingle tears with our embraces!

[Embracing Lady TOWNLY. Lady Town. What words what love, what duty can repay such obligations?

Ld Town. Preserve but this desire to please, your power is endless.

Lady Town. Oh !-'till this moment, never did I know, my lord, I had a heart to give you!

Ld Town. By Heaven! this yielding hand, when first it gave you to my wishes, presented not a treasure more desirable! O Manly! sister! as you have often shared in my disquiet, partake of my felicity-my new-born joy! See here the bride of my desires! This may be called my wedding-day!

L. Grace. Sister, (for now, methinks, that name is dearer to my heart than ever,) let me congratulate the happiness that opens to you. Man. Long, long and mutual may it flow. Ld Town. To make our happiness complete, my dear, join here with me to give a hand that amply will repay the obligation.

Lady Town. Sister, a day like thisL. Grace. Admits of no excuse against the general joy. [Gives her hand to MANLY. Man. A joy like mine-despairs of words to speak it.

Ld Town. O Manly! how the name of friend endears the brother! [Embracing him. Man. Your words, my lord, will warm me to deserve them.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. My lord, the apartments are full of masqueraders -And some people of quality there desire to see your lordship and my lady.

Lady Town. I thought, my lord, your orders had forbid this revelling.

Ld Town. No, my dear; Manly has desired

their admittance to-night, it seems, upon a particular occasion.--Say we will wait upon them instantly. [Exit Servant.

Lady Town. I shall be but ill company to them.

Ld Town. No matter: not to see them would on a sudden be too particular. Lady Grace will assist you to entertain them.

Lady Town. With her, my lord, I shall be always easy-Sister, to your unerring virtue I now commit the guidance of my future days.

Never the paths of pleasure more to tread,
But where your guarded innocence shall lead;
For in the marriage state the world must own,
Divided happiness was never known:
To make it mutual, Nature points the way:
Let husbands govern; gentle wives obey.

[Exeunt.

The SCENE opening to another Apartment, discovers a great number of people in masquerade, talking all together, and playing upon one another Lady WRONGHEAD as a shepherdess; JENNY as anun; the Squ re as a running footman; and the Count in a domino. After sometime, Lord and Lady TownLY, with Ludy GRACE, enter to them unmasked.

Ld Town. So here's a great deal of company.

L. Grace. A great many people, my lord, but no company-as you'll find-for here's one now that seems to have a mind to entertain us.

[A Mask, after some affected gesture, makes up to Lady ToWNLY. Mask. Well, dear Lady Townly, sha'n't we see you by and by?

Lady Town. I don't know you, madam.
Mask. Don't you, seriously?

[In a squeaking tone.

Lady Town. Not I, indeed. Mask. Well, that's charming; but cann't you guess?

Lady Town. Yes, I could guess wrong, I believe.

Musk. That's what I'd have you do. Lady Town. But, madam, if I don't know you at all, is not that as well?

Mask. Ay, but you do know me.

Lady Town. Dear sister, take her off my hands; there's no bearing this. [Apart.

L. Grace, I fancy I know you, madam. Mask. I fancy you don't: What makes you think you do?

L. Grace. Because I have heard you talk. Mask. Ay, but you don't know my voice, I'm

sure.

L. Grace. There is something in your wit and humour, madam, so very much your own, it is impossible you can be any body but my lady Trifle.

Musk. [Unmasking.] Dear Lady Grace, thou art a charming creature.

L. Grace. Is there nobody else we know

here?

L. Grace. Pray, who are they? Mask. O, charming company! There's Lady Ramble Lady Riot-Lady Kill-careLady Squander-Lady Strip--Lady Pawn and the duchess of Single-Guinea. Ld Town. Is it not hard, my dear, that people of sense and probity are sometimes forced to seem fond of such company? [Apart. Lady Town. My lord, it will always give me pain to remember their acquaintance, but none to drop it immediately. [Apart. L. Grace. But you have given us no account of the men, madam. Are they good for any thing?

Musk. O yes. You must know I always find out them by their endeavours to find out me. L. Grace. Pray, who are they?

Mask. Why, for your men of tip-top wit and pleasure about town, there's my lord-Bite

-Lord Arch-wag-Young BrazenwitLord Timberdown--Lord Joint-Life--and -Lord Mortgage. Then for your pretty fellows only-there's Sir Powder-Peacock-Lord Lapwing-Billy Magpye-Beau Frightful-Sir Paul Plaister-crown, and the marquis of Monkeyman.

L. Grace. Right! and these are the fine gentlemen that never want elbow-room at an assembly.

Mask. The rest, I suppose, by their tawdry hired habits, are tradesmen's wives, inns-of-court beaux, Jews, and kept mistresses.

Ld Town. An admirable collection!

L. Grace. Well, of all our public diversions, I am amazed how this, that is so very expensive, and has so little to shew for it, can draw so much company together.

Ld Town. O, if it were not expensive, the better sort would not come into it; and because money can purchase a ticket, the common people scorn to be kept out of it.

Mask. Right, my lord. Poor Lady Grace, I suppose you are under the same astonishment that an opera should draw so much good company. L. Gruce. Not at all, madam; it's an easier matter, sure, to gratify the ear than the understanding. But have you no notion, madam, of receiving pleasure and profit at the same time?

Mask. O, quite none, unless it be sometimes winning a great stake. Laying down a vole, suns prendre, may come up to the profitable pleasure you were speaking of.

Ld Town. You seem attentive, my dear. [Apart. Lady Town. I am, my lord; and amazed at my own follies, so strongly painted in another [Apart.

woman.

L. Grace. But see, my lord, we had best adjourn our debate, I believe; for here are some masks that seem to have a mind to divert other people as well as themselves.

Ld Town. The least we can do is to give them a clear stage then. [A dance of masks here, in va

nary.

MANLY re-enters, with Sir FRANCIS WRONGHEAD.

Sir Fran. Well, cousin, you have made my very hair stand on end. Waunds! if what you tell me be true, I'll stuff my whole family into a stage-coach, and trundle them into the country again on Monday morning.

Man. Stick to that, sir, and we may yet find a way to redeem all. In the mean time, place yourself behind this screen, and for the truth of what I have told you, take the evidence of your own senses; but be sure you keep close till I give you the signal.

Sir Fran. Sir, I'll warrant you—Ah, my lady, my lady Wronghead, what a bitter business have you drawn me into!

Man. Hush! to your post: here comes one couple already. [Sir FRANCIS retires behind the screen. Exit MANLY.

Enter MYRTILLA, with Squire Richard.
Sq. Rich. What! is this the doctor's chamber?
Myr. Yes, yes-speak softly.

Sq. Rich. Well, but where is he?

Myr. He'll be ready for us presently; but he says he cann't do us the good turn without witnesses; so, when the count and your sister come, you know he and you may be fathers for one another.

Sq Rich. Well, well, tit for tat; ay, ay, that will be friendly.

Myr. And see, here they come.

Enter Count BASSET and Miss JENNY. C. Bus. So, so, here's your brother and his bride before us, my dear.

Jen. Well, I vow my heart's at my mouth still. I thought I should never have got rid of mamma; but while she stood gaping upon the dance, I gave her the slip. Lawd! do but feel how it beats here.

C. Bas. O, the pretty flutterer! I protest, my dear, you have put mine into the same palpitation.

Jen. Ah, you say so-but let's see nowO lud! I vow it thumps purely-Well, well, I see it will do, and so where's the parson?

C. Bas. Mrs Myrtilla, will you be so good as to see if the doctor's ready for us?

Myr. He only staid for you, sir: I'll fetch him immediately.

[Exit. Jen. Pray, sir, am not I to take place of mamma, when I'm a countess?

C. Bas. No doubt on't, my dear.

Jen. O lud! how her back will be up then, when she meets me at an assembly, or you and I, in our coach and six, at Hyde Park together!

C. Bas. Ay, or when she hears the box-keepers at an opera call out-The countess of Basset's servants!

Jen. Well, I say it, that will be delicious; and then, mayhap, to have a fine gentleman, with a star and what-d'ye-call-um ribbon, lead me to my chair, with his hat under his arm all the way Hold up, says the chairman; and so, says I, my lord, your humble servant. I suppose, madam, says he, we shall see you at my lady Quadrille's? Ay, ay, to be sure, my lord, says I-So in swops me, with my hoop stuffed up to my forehead; and away they trot, swing swang! with my tassels dangling, and my flambeaux blazing, andOh, it's a charming thing to be a woman of quality!

C. Bas. Well, I see that plainly, my dear there's ne'er a duchess of 'em all will become an equipage like you.

Jen. Well, well, do you find equipage, and I'll find airs, I warrant you. [Sings. Sq. Rich. Troth, I think this masquerading's the merriest game that ever I saw in my life; thof, in my mind, an there were but a little wrestling or cudgel-playing now, it would help it hugely. But what a-rope makes the parson stay so? C. Bas. Oh, here he comes, I believe.

Enter MYRTILLA, with a Constable. Con. Well, madam, pray which is the party that wants a spice of my office here? Myr. That's the gentleman. [Pointing to the Count. C. Bas. Hey-day! What, in masquerade, doctor?

Con. Doctor! Sir, I believe you have mistaken your man: But if you are called Count Basset, I have a billetdoux in my hand for you, that will set you right presently.

C. Bas. What the devil's the meaning of all this?

Con. Only my lord-chief-justice's warrant against you for forgery, sir.

C. Bas. Blood and thunder!

Con. And so, sir, if you please to pull off your fool's frock there, I'll wait upon you to the next justice of peace immediately.

Jen. O'dear me! What's the matter?

[Trembling. C. Bas. O, nothing: only a masquerading fro

lic, my dear.

Sq. Rich. Oh ho, is that all?

Sir Fran. No, sirrah, that is not all.

Enter MANLY.

Sq. Rich. O lawd! O lawd! he has beaten my brains out!

Man. Hold, hold, Sir Francis; have a little mercy upon my poor god-son, pray, sir.

Sir Fran. Waunds, cozen, I ha'n't patience. C. Bas. Manly! Nay, then, I'm blown to the devil. [Aside.

Sq. Rich. O my head! my head!

Enter Lady WRONGHEAD.

L. Wrong. What's the matter here, gentlemen? For Heaven's sake! What, are you murdering my children?

Con. No, no, madam; no murder; only a little suspicion of felony, that's all.

Sir Fran. [To JEN.] And for you, Mrs Hotupon't, I could find in my heart to make you wear that habit as long as you live, you jade you. Do you know, hussy, that you were within two minutes of marrying a pickpocket?

[Aside.

C. Bas. So, so, all's out, I find. Jen. O the mercy! Why, pray, papa, is not the count a man of quality then?

Sir Fran. O yes; one of the unhanged ones, it seems.

L. Wrong. [Aside.] Married! O the confident thing! There was his urgent business thenSlighted for her! I ha'n't patience!-and for ought I know, I have been all this while making a friendship with a highwayman.

Man. Mr Constable, secure there.

Sir Fran. Ah, my lady, my lady! this comes of your journey to London; but now I'll have a frolic of my own, madam; therefore pack up your trumpery this very night; for the moment my horses are able to crawl, you and your brats shall make a journey into the country again.

L. Wrong. Indeed you are mistaken, Sir Francis-I shall not stir out of town yet, I promise you.

Sir Fran. Not stir! Waunds! Madam-
Man. Hold, sir!-If you'll give me leave a
I fancy I shall prevail with my lady to

little think better on't.

Sir Fran. Ah, cousin, you are a friend indeed, Man. [Apart to my Lady.] Look you, madam ; as to the favour you designed me, in sending this spurious letter inclosed to my lady Grace, all the revenge I have taken is to have saved your son and daughter from ruin; now, if you will take them fairly and quietly into the country again, I will save your ladyship from ruin.

L. Wrong. What do you mean, sir? Man. Why, Sir Francis-shall never know what is in this letter: look upon it: How it came into my hands you shall know at leisure.

L. Wrong. Ha! my billetdoux to the count, and an appointment in it! I shall sink with confusion!

Mun. What shall I say to Sir Francis, madam? L. Wrong. Dear sir, I am in such a trembling!

knocks him down with his cane.

[Apart to MANLY.