Enter SHARPER.

Vain. Don't offer so much, for here's one can sell

you freedom cheaper.

Sharp. Vainlove, I have been a kind of a god-father to you yonder. I have promis'd and vow'd some things in your name, which I think you are bound to perform.

Vain. No signing to a blank, friend.

Sharp. No; I'll deal fairly with you

-'Tis a

full and free discharge to Sir Joseph Wittol and Captain Bluff; for all injuries whatsoever, done unto you by them, until the present date hereof-How say you?

Vain. Agreed.

Sharp. Then, let me beg these ladies to wear their masks a moment. Come in, gentlemen and ladies.

Heart. What the devil's all this to me!

Vain. Patience.

Enter Sir JOSEPH, BLUFF, SILVIA, LUCY, and SETTER.

Bluff. All injuries whatsoever, Mr. Sharper.

Sir Jos. Ay, ay, whatsover, captain, stick to that; whatsoever.

Sharp. 'Tis done, these gentlemen are witnesses to the general release.

Vain. Ay, ay, to this instant moment- -I have passed an act of oblivion.

Bluff. 'Tis very generous, sir, since I needs must

Sir Jos. No, no, you need not own; heh, heh, heh, 'tis I must own

Bluff. That you are over-reach'd too, ha, ha, ha, ha: only a little art military used-only undeṛmined, or so, as shall appear by the fair Araminta, my wife's permission. [Lucy unmasks.] Oh, the devil, cheated at last!

Sir Jos. Only a little art-military trick, captain, only countermin'd, or so -Mr. Vainlove, I suppose you know whom I have got now, but all 's forgiven.

Vain. I know whom you have not got. Pray, ladies, convince him. [Aram. and Belin, unmask. Sir Jos. Ah! O lord, my heart aches-Ah, Setter, a rogue of all sides.

Sharp. Sir Joseph, you had better have pre-engaged this gentleman's pardon: for though Vainlove be so generous to forgive the loss of his mistress, I know not how Heartwell may take the loss of his wife.

[Silvia unmasks.

Heart. My wife! By this light 't is she, the very cockatrice-Oh, Sharper, let me embrace thee-But art thou sure she is really marry'd to him?

Set. Really and lawfully married, I am witness.
Sharp. Bellmour will unriddle to you.

[Heartwell goes to Bellmour. Sir Jos. Pray, madam, who are you? For I find

you and I are like to be better acquainted,

Sil. The worst of me is, that I am your wife.

Sharp. Come, sir Joseph, your fortune is not so

K

fear

bad as you good quality.

-A fine lady, and a lady of very

Sir Jos. Thanks to my knighthood, she's a lady.— Vain. That deserves a fool with a better titlePray use her as my relation, or you shall hear on 't. Bluff. What, are you a woman of quality too, spouse.

Set. And my relation; pray let her be respected accordingly-Well, honest Lucy, fare thee well-I think you and I have been play-fellows, off and on, any time these seven years.

Lucy. Hold your prating-I'm thinking what vocation I shall follow while my spouse is planting laurels in the wars.

Bluff. No more wars, spouse, no more warsWhile I plant laurels for my head abroad, I may find the branches sprout at home.

Heart. Bellmour, I approve thy mirth, and thank thee And I cannot in gratitude, for I see which way thou art going, see thee fall into the same snare, out of which thou hast deliver'd me.

Bell. I thank thee, George, for thy good intention -but there is a fatality in marriage-for I find I'm resolute.

Heart. Then good counsel will be thrown away upon you-For my part, I have once escaped-And when I wed again, may she be―ugly as an old bawd. Vain. Ill-natur'd as an old maid

Bell. Winton as a young widow-
Sharp. And jealous as a barren wife.
Heart. Agreed.

Bell. Well, 'midst of these dreadful denunciations, and notwithstanding the warning and example before me, I commit myself to lasting durance.

Bel. Prisoner, make much of your

fetters.

[Giving her hand. Bell. Frank, will you keep us in countenance?

Vain. May I presume to hope so great a blessing? Ara. We had better take the advantage of a little of our friends' experience first.

Bell. O' my conscience she dare not consent, for fear he should recant. [Aside.] Well, we shall have your company to church in the morningMay be it may get you an appetite to see us fall too before you, "Setter, did not you tell me

"Set. They're at the door; I'll call 'em in.

"A DANCE."

Bell. Now set me forward on a journey for lifeCome, take your fellow travellers. Old George, I'm sorry to see thee still piod on alone.

Heart. With gaudy plumes, and gingling bells made

proud,

The youthful beast sets forth, and neighs aloud,
A morning-sun his tinsell'd harness gilds,

And the first stage a down-hill green sword yields.
But, Oh!-

What rugged ways attend the noon of life!
Our sun declines, and with what anxious strife,
What pain we tug that galling load, a wife.
All coursers the first heat with vigour run;
But 't is with whip and spur the race is won.

[Exeunt.

As a rash girl, who will all hazards run,
And be enjoy'd, tho' sure to be undone

Soon as her curiosity is over,

Would give the world she could her toy recover:
So fares it with our poet; and I'm sent
To tell you, he already does repent.

Would you were all as forward to keep Lent!
Now the deed's done, the giddy thing has leisure
To think o' th' sting that's in the tail of pleasure.
Methinks I hear him in consideration:
What will the world say? Where's my reputation?
Now that's at stake- No, fool, 't is out o' fashion.
If loss of that should follow want of wit,
Ночи many undone men were in the pit!

Why, that's some comfort to an author's fears,
If he's an ass, he will be try'd by's peers.
But hold-
-I am exceeding my commission;
My business here, was humbly to petition.
But we're so us'd to rail on these occasions,
I could not help one trial of your patience :

For 't is our way, you know, for fear o' th' worst,
To be beforehand still, and cry fool first.

How say you, sparks? How do you stand affected?

I swear, young Bays within, is so dejected,

'Twould grieve your hearts to see him; shall I call him?
But then you cruel critics would so maul him!
Yet, may be, you'll encourage a beginner;
-Just as the devil does a sinner.

But how?.

Women and its are us'd e'en much as one,

You gain your end, and damn 'em when you've done.