Lure. Frank and free.

servant.

Sir H. As you with me.-Madam, your most humble [Exit. Lure. Nothing can disturb his humour. Now for my merchant and Vizard. Parley, do as I bade you. [Exit, and takes the Candles with her.

PARLEY goes out, and returns, leading in SMUGGLER, dressed in Woman's Clothes.

Par. This way, Mr. Alderman.

Smug. Well, Mrs. Parley,-I'm obliged to you for this trouble; here are a couple of shillings for you. Times are hard, very hard indeed; but next visit I'll steal a pair of silk stockings from my wife, and bring them to you.

Par. Here, sir, get into this closet, and my lady will wait on you presently.

[Puts him into the Closet, runs out, and returns with Vizard.

Viz. Where wouldest thou lead me, my dear auspicious little pilot?

Par. You're almost in port, sir; my lady's in the closet, and will come out to you immediately. Viz. Let me thank thee as I ought.

[Kisses her. Par. Pshaw! who has hired me best; a couple of shillings, or a couple of kisses?

[Exit. Viz. Propitious darkness guides the lover's steps, and night that shadows outward sense, lights up our inward joy.

Smug. [Peeping out of the Closet] Bless me! What voice is this? My nephew's, and certainly possessed with an evil spirit; be talks as profanely as an actor possessed with a poet.

Viz. Ha! I hear a voice: madam.- -My life, my happiness, where are you, madam?

Smug. Madam! he takes me for a woman too: I'll try him. Where have you left your sanctity, Mr. Vizard?

Viz. Talk no more of that ungrateful subject-I left

it where it has only business, with daylight; 'tis need. less to wear a mask in the dark.

Smug. Well, sir, but I suppose you've some other motive besides pleasure?

Viz. Yes, madam, the honestest motive in the world, interest. You must know, madam, that I have an old uncle, alderman Smuggler; you have seen him, I suppose?

Smug. Yes, yes, I have some small acquaintance with him.

Viz. "Tis the most knavish, precise, covetous, old rogue that ever died of the gout.

Smug. Ah, the young son of a whore! [Aside] Well, sir, and what of him? I know him very well.

Viz. Why, nadam, he has a swinging estate, which I design to purchase as a saint, and spend like a gentleman. He got it by cheating, and should lose it by deceit. And no sooner he's dead, but I'll rattle over his grave with a coach and six to inform his covetous ghost how genteelly I spend his money.

Smug. I'll prevent you, boy; for I'll have my money buried with me.

[Aside. Viz. Bless me, madam! here's a light coming this way. I must fly immediately: when shall I see you again, madam?

Smug. Sooner than you expect, my dear.

Viz. Pardon me, dear madam; I would not be seen for the world. I would sooner forfeit my life, nay, my pleasure, than my reputation. [Exeunt severally.

SCENE I. LADY DARLING'S House.

Enter DARLING and ANGELICA.

Darl. Daughter, since you have to deal with a man of so peculiar a temper, you must not think the general arts of love can secure him; you may, therefore, allow such a courtier some encouragement extraordinary, without reproach to your modesty.

Angel. Pray, madam, by what means were you made acquainted with his designs?

Darl. Means, child! Why, my cousin Vizard, who, I'm sure, is your sincere friend, sent him. He brought me this letter from my cousin.

[Gives her the Letter, which she opens. Angel. Ha, Vizard! then I'm abused in earnest.Would sir Harry, by his instigation, fix a base affront upon me? No, I can't suspect him of so ungenteel a crime. This letter shall trace the truth. [Aside] My suspicions, madam, are much cleared; and I hope to satisfy your ladyship in my management, when next I see sir Harry.

Enter Servant.

Serv. Madam, here's a gentleman below calls himself Wildair.

Darl. Conduct him up-Daughter, I won't doubt your discretion.

Enter SIR HARRY WILDAIR.

[Exit.

Sir H. Oh, the delights of love and Burgundy!Madam, I have toasted your ladyship fifteen bumpers successively.

Angel. And what then, sir?

Sir H. Why then, madam, the wine has got into my head, and the Cupids into my heart; and unless, by quenching quick my flame, you kindly ease the smart, I'm a lost man, madain.

Angel. Pray consider who you are so free with, sir; a woman of condition, that can call half a dozen footmen upon occasion.

Sir H. Nay, madam, if you have a mind to toss me in a blanket, half a dozen chambermaids would do better service. - -Come, come, madam, though the wine makes me lisp, yet it has taught me to speak plainer. By all the dust of my ancient progenitors, I must this night rest in your arms.

Angel. Nay then, who waits there?

Enter Footmen.

Take hold of that madman, and bind him.

Sir H. Nay, then Burgundy's the word, slaughter will ensue.- -Hold! do you know, scoundrels, that I have been drinking victorious Burgundy?Nay, then have among ye, dogs. [Throws money among them; they scramble, and take it up. He pelting them out, shuts the door, and returns.] Rascals, poltroons! - have charmed the dragon, and now the fruit's my own.

Angel. O, the mercenary wretches!--This was a plot to betray me.

Sir H. I have put the whole army to flight: and now I'll take the general prisoner. [Laying hold on her.

Angel. I conjure you, sir, by the sacred name of honour, by your dead father's name, and the fair repulation of your mother's chastity, that you offer not the least offence already you have wronged me past re

dress.

Sir H. Thou art the most unaccountable creature.

Angel. What madness, sir Harry! what wild dream could prompt you to attempt this baseness? View me well. The brightness of my mind, methinks, should lighten outwards, and let you see your mistake in my behaviour. I think it shines with so much innocence in my face, that it should dazzle all your vicious thoughts. Think not I am defenceless 'cause alone-your very self is guard against yourself: I'm sure, there's something generous in your soul; my words shall snatch it out, and eyes shall fire it for my own defence.

Sir H. [Mimicking] Tal tidum, ti dum, tal ti didi, didum. A million to one now, but the girl is just come flush from reading the Rival Queens. Egad, I'll at her in her own cant

O, my Statira! O, my angry dear! turn thy eyes on me ; Behold thy beau in buskins.

Angel. Behold me, sir; every glance from my reproaching eyes is armed with sharp resentment, and with a virtuous pride that looks dishonour dead.

Sir H. This is the first wench in heroics I ever met with. [Aside] Look ye, madam, as to that slender particular of your virtue, we shan't quarrel about it; you may be as virtuous as any woman in England, if you please: you may say your prayers all the time :- --but pray, madam, be pleased to consider what is this same virtue that you make such a mighty noise about. Can your virtue bespeak you a front row in the boxes? No, for the players can't live virtue. Can upon virtue your keep you a coach and six? No, no; your virtuous woman walks on foot. Can your virtue hire you a pew in the church? Why, the very sexton will tell you, no. Can your virtue stake for you at piquet? No. Then, what business has a woman with virtue?- -Come, -there's a come, madam, I offered you fifty guineas;