and Mr. Hawthorn, immediately; for I am in the utmost uneasiness about my poor friend Lucinda. Haw. Why, what's the matter?

Ros. I don't know, but I have reason to fear I left her just now in very disagreeable circumstances; however, I hope, if there's any mischief fallen out between her father and her lover

Haw. The music master! I thought so.

449 Sir Will. What, is there a lover in the case? May I never do an ill turn, but I am glad, so I am; for we'll make a double wedding; and, by way of cele brating it, take a trip to London, to shew the brides some of the pleasures of the town. And, master Hawthorn, you shall be of the party-Come, children, go before us.

Haw. Thank you, Sir William; I'll go into the house with you, and to church to see the young folks married; but as to London, I beg to be excused.

AIR.

If ever I'm catch'd in those regions of smoke, 460
That seat of confusion and noise,

May I ne'er know the sweets of a slumber unbroke,
Nor the pleasure the country enjoys,

Nay more, let them take me, to punish my sin,

Where, gaping, the Cockneys they fleece,

Clap me up with their monsters, cry, masters walk in,
And shew me for two-pence a piece.

SCENE IX.

Justice WOODCOCK's Hall.

Enter Justice WOODCOCK, Mrs. DEB. WOODCOCK, LUCINDA, EUSTACE, HODGE.

Mrs. Deb. Why, brother, do you think I can't hear, or see, or make use of my senses? I tell you, I left that fellow locked up in her closet; and, while I have been with you, they have broke open the door, and got him out again.

J. Wood. Well, you hear what they say.

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Mrs. Deb. I care not what they say; it's you encourage them in their impudence-Hark'e, hussy, will you face me down that I did not lock the fellow up?

Luc. Really, aunt, I don't know what you mean; when you talk intelligibly, I'll answer you.

Eust. Seriously, madam, this is carrying the jest a little too far.

Mrs. Deb. What then, I did not catch you together in her chamber, nor over-hear your design of going off to-night, nor find the bundles packed up

Eust. Ha, ha, ha.

Luc. Why aunt, you rave.

Mrs. Deb. Brother, as I am a Christian woman, she confessed the whole affair to me from first to last;

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and in this very place was down upon her marrowbones for half an hour together, to beg I would conceal it from you.

Hodge. Oh Lord! Oh Lord!

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Mrs. Deb. What, sirrah, would you brazen me too! Take that. [boxes him.}}

Hodge. I wish you would keep your hands to yourself; you strike me, because you have been telling his worship stories.

J. Wood. Why, sister, you are tipsy !

Mrs. Deb. I tipsy, brother!-I-that never touch a drop of any thing strong from year's end to year's end; but now and then a little anniseed water, when I have got the cholic.

Luc. Well, aunt, you have been complaining of the stomach-ach all day; and may have taken too powerful a dose of your cordial.

J. Wood. Come, come, I see well enough how it is; this is a lye of her own invention, to make herself appear wise: but, you simpleton, did you not know I must find you out ?

SCENE X.

Enter Sir WILLIAM MEADOWS, HAWTHORN, RosSETTA, YOUNG MEADOWS.

Y. Mea. Bless me, Sir! look who is yonder. Sir. Will. Cocksbones, Jack, honest Jack, are you there ?

H

Eust. Plague on't, this rencounter is unlucky

Sir William, your servant.

Sir Will. Your servant again, and again, heartily your servant; may I never do an ill turn, but I am glad to meet you.

J. Wood. Pray, Sir William, are you acquainted with this person

?

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Sir. Will. What, with Jack Eustace! why he's my kinsman: his mother and I was cousin-germans once removed, and Jack's a very worthy young fellow, may I never do an ill turn if I tell a word of a lye.

J. Wood. Well, but Sir William, let me tell you, you know nothing of the matter; this man is a musick-master; a thrummer of wire, and a scraper of cat-gut, and teaches my daughter to sing.

Sir. Will. What Jack Eustace a musick-master! no, no, I know him better.

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Eust. 'Sdeath, why should I attempt to carry on this absurd farce any longer;-What that gentleman tells you is very true, Sir; I am no musick-master indeed.

J. Wood. You are not, you own it then?

Eust. Nay, more, Sir, I am, as this lady has represented me [Pointing to Mrs. Deborah], your daughter's lover; whom, with her own consent, I did intend to have carried off this night; but now that Sir William Meadows is here, to tell you who, and what I am, I throw myself upon your generosity, from which I ex

pect greater advantages than I could reap from any imposition on your unsuspicious nature.

Mrs. Deb. Well, brother, what have you to say for yourself now? You have made a precious day's work of it! Had my advice been taken! Oh I am ashamed of you, but you are a weak man, and it can't be help'd; however, you should let wiser heads direct you.

Luc. Dear papa, pardon me.

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Sir Will. Ay, do, Sir, forgive her; my cousin Jack will make her a good husband, I'll answer for it.

Ros. Stand out of the way, and let me speak two or three words to his worship.-Come, my dear Sir, tho' you refuse all the world, I am sure you can deny me nothing love is a venial fault-You know what I Be reconciled to your daughter, I conjure you, by the memory of our past affections not a word!

mean.

What,

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Go, naughty man, I can't abide you;
Are then your vows so soon forgot?
Ah! now I see if I had try'd you,
What would have been my hopeful lot.

But here I charge you-Make them happy';
Bless the fond pair, and crown their bliss?

Come be a dear good natur'd pappy,"

And I'll reward you with a kiss.