nay, I expect all will come out-but let the mine be sprung first, and then I care not if I am discover'd.

Fain. If the worst come to the worst, I'll turn my wife to grass I have already a deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I wheedled out of her; and that you shall partake at least.

Mrs. Mar. I hope you are convinced that I hate Mirabell now; you'll be no more jealous.

Fain. Jealous! no, by this kiss, let husbands be jealous; but let the lover still believe or if he doubt, let it be only to endear his pleasure, and prepare the joy that follows, when he proves his mistress true. But let husbands' doubts convert to endless jealousy; or if they have belief, let it corrupt to superstition, and blind credulity. I am single, and will 'herd no more with 'em. True, I wear the badge, but I'll disown the order. And since I take my leave of 'em, I care not if I leave 'em a common motto to their common crest.

All husbands must, or pain, or shame endure;
The wise too jealous are, fools too secure.

[Exeunt.

Enter LADY WISHFORT and FOIBLE.

Lady W. Is sir Rowland coming, say'st thou, Foible? and are things in order?

Foi. Yes, madam. I have put wax-lights in the sconces, aed placed the footmen in a row in the hall, in their best liveries, with the coachman and postilion to fill up the equipage.

Lady W. Have you pulvill'd the coachman and postilion, that they may not stink of the stable, when sir Rowland comes by?

Foi. Yes, madam.

Lady W. And are the dancers and the music ready, that he may be entertain'd in all points with correspondence to his passion?

Foi. All is ready, madam.

Lady W. And-well-and how do I look, Foible? Foi. Most killing well, madam.

Lady W. Well, and how shall I receive him? in what figure shall I give his heart the first impression?

There is a great deal in the first impression. Shall I sit? No, I won't sit-I'll walk-ay, I'll walk from the door upon his entrance; and then turn full upon him-no, that will be too sudden. I'll lie-ay, I'll lie down-I'll receive him in my little dressing-room. There's a couch-yes, yes, I'll give the first impression on a couch-I won't lie neither, but loll and lean upon one elbow, with one foot a little dangling off, jogging in a thoughtful way; yes, and then as soon as he appears, start, ay, start and be surprised, and rise to meet him in a pretty disorder-yes-O, nothing is more alluring than a levee from a couch in some confusion-It shows the foot to advantage, and furnishes with blushes, and re-composing airs beyond comparison. Hark! there's a coach.

Foi. "Tis he, madam.

Lady W. O dear, has my nephew made his addresses to Millamant? I order'd him.

Foi. Sir Wilfull is set in to drinking, madam, in the parlour.

Lady W. Odds my life, I'll send him to her. Call her down, Foible; bring her hither. I'll send him as I go when they are together, then come to me, Foible, that I may not be too long alone with sir Rowland.

[Exit.

Enter MRS. MILLAMANT and MRS. FAINALL. Foi. Madam, I staid here, to tell your ladyship that Mr. Mirabell has waited this half hour for an opportunity to talk with you. Though my lady's orders were to leave you and sir Wilfull together. Shall I tell Mr. Mirabell that you are at leisure?

Mrs. Mill. No-what would the dear man have? I am thoughtful, and would amuse myself. Bid him come another time.

There never yet was woman made,
Nor shall, but to be curs'd.

That's hard!

[Repeating and walking about.

Mrs. F. You are very fond of sir John Suckling today, Millamant, and the poets.

Mrs. Mill. He? ay, and filthy verses, so I am. Foi. Sir Wilfull is coming, madam. Shall I send Mr. Mirabell away?

Mrs. Mill. Ay, if you please, Foible, send him away, or send him hither, just as you will, dear Foible. 1 think I'll see him: shall I? ay, let the wretch come

Thyrsis a youth of the inspired train. [Repeating. -Dear Fainall, entertain sir Wilfull; thou hast philosophy to undergo a fool; thou art married and hast patience; I would confer with my own thoughts.

Mrs. F. I am obliged to you, that you would make me your proxy in this affair; but I have business of my own.

Enter SIR WILFULL.

Mrs. F. O sir Wilfull, you are come at the critical instant. There's your mistress up to the ears in love and contemplation; pursue your point, now or never.

Sir W. Yes, my aunt will have it so: I would gladly have been encouraged with a bottle or two, because I'm somewhat wary at first, before I am acquainted;but I hope, after a time, I shall break my mind-that is, upon further acquaintance. [This while Millamant walks about repeating to herself] So for the present, cousin, I'll take my leave. If so be you'll be so kind to make my excuse, I'll return to my company.

Mrs. F. O fie, sir Wilfull! what, you must not be daunted.

Sir W. Daunted, no, that's not it, it is not so much for that; for if so be that I set on't, I'll do't. But only for the present, 'tis sufficient till further acquaintance, that's all-your servant.

Mrs. F. Nay, I'll swear you shall never lose so favourable an opportunity, if I can help it. I'll leave you together, and lock the door.

[Exeunt Mrs. Fainall and Foible. Sir W. Nay, nay, cousin, I have forgot my gloves. What d'ye do? 'Sheart, a'has lock'd the door indeed, I think; nay, cousin Fainall, open the door; pshaw, what a vixen trick is this!-Nay, now a'has seen me

too-Cousin, I made bold to pass through as it were— I think this door's enchanted.

Mrs. Mill. [Repeating]

I pr'ythee spare me, gentle boy,
Press me no more for that slight toy.
Sir W. Anan? cousin, your servant.
Mrs. Mill. That foolish trifle of a heart-
Sir Wilfull!

Sir W. Yes-your servant. No offence I hope, cousin ?

Mrs Mill. [Repeating]

I swear it will not do its part,

Though thou dost thine, employ'st thy power and art. -Natural, easy Suckling!

Sir W. Anan? Suckling? No such suckling neither, cousin, nor stripling: I thank heaven, I'm no minor. Mrs. Mill. Ah rustic, ruder than Gothic.

Sir W. Well, well, I shall understand your lingo one of these days, cousin; in the mean while, I must answer in plain English.

Mrs. Mill. Have you any business with me, sir Wilfull?

Sir W. Not at present, cousin. Yes, I made bold to see, to come and know if that how you were disposed to fetch a walk this evening; if so be that I might not be troublesome, I would have sought a walk with you. Mrs. Mill. A walk? what then?

all.

Sir W. Nay, nothing; only for the walk's sake, that's

Mrs. Mill. I nauseate walking; 'tis a country diversion; I-loathe the country, and every thing that relates

to it.

Sir W. Indeed! hah! look ye, look ye, you do? nay, 'tis like you may: here are choice of pastimes here in town, as plays and the like, that must be confess'd indeed.

Mrs. Mill. Ah l'étourdie! I hate the town too.

Sir W. Dear heart, that's much-hah! that you should hate 'em both! hah! 'tis like you may; there are some can't relish the town, and others can't away