Val. Have a care, Malagene, how you provoke Truman, you'll run the hazard my friend, if you do. Mal. Beating! I am sorry, sir, pox, I am used to serve him so, of a scurvy beating, you know no better: man; let him alone, you shall see how I'll teaze him. Hark you, Jack. Mal. No matter for that, I shan't leave you. -Now d'ye hear- Go about your business. Mal. Nay, faith, Jack, now you drive the jest too far; what a pox, I know you are not in earnest ; pr'ythee let's go. Tru. Death, sir, you lie; not in earnest !—let [Kicks him] this convince you-How like you the jest now, sir? Mal. Hark you, Truman, we shan't dine together then, shall we? Val. Faith, to tell you the truth of the matter, Truman had a quarrel last night, and we are just now going to make an end on't: 'tis that makes him so surly. Nevertheless, now I think on't better, if you'll go, you shall; perhaps we may have occasion for a third man. Mal. No, no, if that be the business, I'll say no more; puh-I hate to press into any man's company against his inclination. Truman, upon my reputation you are very uncivil now, that you are. But hark you, I ran to the Groom-porters last night, and lost my nioney. Pr'ythee lend me two guineas till next time I see thee, child. Tru. With all my heart, sir. I was sure 'twould come to this at last; 'tis here, you may command what you please from your servant. Malagene, good-mor row. Enter CAPER and SAUNTER. Mal. Dear Jack Truman, your humble. [Exit Truman. Val. Won't you go along with us then, Malagene? Mal. No, here are two silly fellows coming, I'll go and divert myself a little with them at present. Val. Why, those are the very people you railed at so but now; you will not leave us for them, at a time when you may be so serviceable? Mal. Hang it, you will have no occasion for me, man? say no more on't, but take my advice; be sure you stand fast, don't give ground, d'ye hear, push briskly, and I'll warrant you do your business. Val. Sir, I thank you' for your counsel, and am sorry we can't have your company; but you are engaged? Mal. Are you sure though it will come to fighting? I have no mind to leave your company, methinks. Val. Nay, nothing so certain as that we shall fight; I wish you would go, for I fancy there will be three in the field. Mal. A pox on't, now I remember, I promised to meet these people here, and can't avoid them now; I'd go else with you with all my heart, faith and troth, but if you'd have me send a guard, I'll do't. Val. No, sir,-there's no danger-Nothing but the rogue's cowardice could have rid us of him. [Exit Valentine. Mal. How now, bullies, whither so fast this morning? I parted just now with Jack Truman and Ned Valentine: they would fain have had me to dinner with 'em, but I was not in a humour for drinking, and to speak the truth on't, you are better company ten to one. They engross still all the discourse to themselves: and a man can never be free with them neither. Cap. Oh Lord, Malagene! we met the delicatest creature but now as we came round; I am a rascal if I don't think her one of the finest women in the world; I shan't get her out of my mind this month. Saunt. 'Twas Victoria, my lady Fairfield's daughter, that came to town last summer when Goodvile was married. He in love with her poor soul! I shall beg his pardon there, as I take it[Sings. Mal. That's Truman's blowing: she's always lingering after him here, and at the playhouse: she heats herself here every morning against the general course at night, where she comes as constantly as my lady Squeamish herself. Saunt. I vow that's a fine person; don't you think she has abundance of wit, Malagene? She and I did so rally Caper t'other day. Cap. Ay, it may be so. Saunt. But did you never hear her sing? She made me sit with her till two o'clock t'other morning, to teach her an Italian song I have, and I vow she sings it wonderfully.. Mal. Damn her, she's the most affected amorous jilt, and loves young fellows more than an old kite does young chickens: there is not a coxcomb of eighteen in town can escape her; we shall have her draw one of you into matrimony within this fortnight. Cap. Malagene, thou art the most satirical thief breathing: I'd give any thing thou didst but love dancing, that I might have thee on my side sometimes. Saunt. Well, Malagene, I hope to see thee so in love one day, as to leave off drinking, as I have done, and set up for a shape and a face: or, what is all one, write amorous sonnets, and fight duels with all that do but look like rivals. I would not be in love for all the world, I vow and swear. [Walks up and down with an affected motion. Cap. Nor I, Ah Phillis, if you would not love The shepherd, &c. [Sings. But d'ye hear, Malagene? they say Goodvile gives a ball to night, is't true? Mal. Yes, I intend to be there, if I do not go to court. Cap. I am glad of it with all iny heart- -Saunter Saunt. But will you go, Malagene? Goodvile and you are at a distance. Mal. Whoo! pox! that's nothing; I'll go for all that but faith, I should meet my lord at court to-night. Besides, I han't been in the drawingroom these three days; the company will wonder what's become of me. Enter Lady SQUEAMISH. She here! nay then Cap. Madam, your ladyship's most humble servant. [Congees affectedly. Lady Squ. Mr. Caper, your most devoted.-Oh dear Mr. Saunter! a thousand thanks to you for my song. Saunt. Your ladyship does your servant too much honour. [Sings, As Chloe full of, &c. Lady Squ. Mr. Caper, you are a stranger indeed, I have not seen you these two days: Lord, where d'ye live? Cap. I should have waited on your ladyship, but was so tired at the masquerade at my lord Flutter's t'other night. [Dances and capers. Saunt. Madam, madam, Mr. Goodvile gives a ball to-night; will your ladyship be there? Lady Squ. Yes; I heard of it this morning; Victoria sent me word. Cap. Oh, madam, d'ye hear the news? Goodvile makes a ball to-night: I hope I shall have the honour of your ladyship's company. Lady Squ. Oh, by all means, Mr. Caper, pray don't you fail us. Oh Lord, Mr. Malagene, I beg your pardon, upon my honour, I did not see you; I was so engaged in the civilities of these gentlemen. Mal. Your wit and beauty, madam, must command the honour and admiration of all the world. But when did your ladyship see Mr. Valentine? Lady Squ. Oh, name him not. Mr. Malagene, he's the unworthiest, basest fellow-besides, he has no principles, nor breeding: I wonder you gentlemen will keep him company; I swear he's enough to bring an odium on the whole sex. Mal. The truth on't is, madam, I do drink with him now and then, because the fellow has some wit, but it is when better company is out of the way; and faith he's always very civil to me as can be: I can rule him. Lady Squ. Oh Lord, 'tis impossible. Wit! why he was abroad but two years, and all that time too in an academy; he knows nothing of the intrigues of the French court, and has the worst mien in the world: he has a sort of an ill-natured way of talking indeed, and they say makes bold with me sometimes, but I'll assure you I scorn him. Mal. Truly he has made very bold with you, or he is foully belied: ha, ha, ha. [Aside. Lady Squ. They say he's grown a great admirer of madam Camilla of late, who passes for a wit forsooth. 'Tis true, she's well enough, but I suppose is not the first that has been troubled with his impertinent addresses. Mal. Indeed he would not let me alone, till I brought him acquainted there: he owes that happiness to me. But methinks your ladyship speaks with something of heat- -by heaven she's jealous! [Aside. Lady Squ. No, I'll assure you, sir, I am not concerned at it in the least. But did you ever hear 'em discourse any thing of me? Mal. Never any ill, madam; only a little idle raillery now and then; but Truman and he are wont to be something lavish when they have been drunk in my company.- Twill work. Lady Squ. Nay, I know he has spoken dishonourably of me behind my back, because he failed in his filthy designs. Madam Camilla may deserve better of him, I doubt |