and his religion, as his humour varies, or his interest. Vain. O, madam

Ara. Nay, come, I find we are growing serious, and` then we are in great danger of being dull" If my “musick-master be not gone, I'll entertain you with "a new song, which comes pretty near my own opi"nion of love, and your sex-Who's there? Is Mr. "Gavot gone? [Calls. "Foot. Only to the next door, madam; I'll call "him."

Bell. Why, you won't hear me with patience,
Ara. What's the matter, cousin?

Bell. Nothing, madam, only

[Exit.

Bel. Pr'ythee hold thy tongue-Lard, he has

so pester'd me with flames and stuff

-I think I shan't endure the sight of a fire this twelve-month. Bell. Yet all can 't inelt that cruel, frozen heart. Bel. "O gad, I hate your hideous fancy" you said that once before- ----------- if you must talk impertinently, for Heaven's sake, let it be with variety; don't come always like the devil, wrapt in flames-I'll not hear a sentence more, that begins with an, I burn—or an, I beseech you, madam.

Bell. But tell me how you would be ador’d—I am very tractable.

Bel. Then, know, I would be ador'd in silence.

Bell. Humph, I thought so, that you might have all the talk to yourself-You had better let me speak; for if my thoughts fly to any pitch, I shall make villanous signs.

Bel. What will you get by that? to make such signs as I won't understand.

Bell. Ay, but if I'm tongue-ty'd, I must have all my actions free, to-quicken your apprehensionand I'gad, let me tell you, my most prevailing argument is express'd in dumb-shew.

"Enter Music-master.

"Ara. O, I am glad we shall have a song to divert "the discourse-Pray oblige us with the last new

"Thus to a ripe, consenting maid,
"Poor, old, repenting Delia said,
"Would you long preserve your lover?
"Would you still his goddess reign?
"Never let him all discover,

"Never let him much obtain.

"Men will admire, adore, and die,
"While wishing at your feet they lie:
"But admitting their embraces,

"Wakes 'em from the golden dream;
"Nothing new besides our faces,

"Every woman is the same.

"Ara. So, how d'ye like the song, gentlemen?

“Bell. O, very well perform'd-but I don't much "admire the words,

I

"Ara. I expected it-there's too much truth "in 'em if Mr. Gavot will walk with us in the gar"den, we'll have it once again-You may like it "better at second hearing. You'll bring my cousin."

* Ara. If you'll walk into the next room, I'll en.. tertain you with a song, to divert the discourseYou'll bring my cousin.

Bell. Faith, madam, I dare not speak to her; but I'll make signs. [Addresses Belinda in dumb shew. Bel. Oh, foh! your dumb rhetoric is more ridiculous than your talking impertinence; "as an ape is a “much more troublesome animal than a parrot.

"Ara. Ay, cousin, and 'tis a sign the creatures "mimic nature well; for there are few men but do more silly things than they say."

Bell. "Well," I find my apishness has paid the ransom for my speech, and set it at liberty-though, I confess, I could be well enough pleased to drive on a love bargain, in that silent manner-'t would save a man a world of lying and swearing at the year's end. Besides, I have had a little experience, that brings to mind

When wit and reason both have fail'd to move;
Kind looks and actions (from success) do prove,

Ev'n silence may be eloquent in love.

[Exeunt.

This speech is inserted, on account of the song, &c.

being omitted in the representation.

ACT III. SCENE I.

The Street. SILVIA and LUCY.

Silvia.

WILL he not come, then?

Lucy. Yes, yes, come, I warrant him, if you will in, and be ready to receive him.

go

Sil. "Why did you not tell me?"-Whom mean you?

Lucy. Whom you should mean, Heartwell.

Sil. Senseless creature, I meant my Vainlove. Lucy. You may as soon hope to recover your own maidenhead as his love. Therefore, e'en set your heart at rest; and in the name of opportunity mind your own business. Strike, Heartwell, home, before the bait 's worn off the hook. Age will come. He nibbled fairly yesterday, and, no doubt, will be eager enough to-day to swallow the temptation.

Sil. Well, since there's no remedy-Yet tell me→ for I would know, though to the anguish of my soul; how did he refuse? Tell me) -how did he receive my letter, in anger or in scorn?

Lucy. Neither but what was ten times worse, with damn'd, senseless indifference. By this light I could have spit in his face-Receive it! why, he received it as I would one of your lovers that should come empty-handed; as a court lord does his mercer's

bill, or a begging dedication

had been a letter from his wife.

-he received it, as if t

Sil. What did he not read it?

Lucy. Humm'd it over, gave you his respects, and said, he would take time to peruse it but then he was in haste.

Sil. Respects, and peruse it! He's gone, and Araminta has bewitched him from me-Oh, how the name of rival fires my blood-"I could curse 'em "both;" eternal jealousy attend her love, and disappointment meet his. "Oh, that I could revenge the

" torment he has caus'd-Methinks I feel the woman "strong within me, and vengeance kindles in the room "of love."

Lucy. I have that in my head may make mischief.
Sil. How, dear Lucy?

Lucy. You know Araninta's dissembled coyness has won, and keeps him hers

Sil. Could we persuade him, that she loves another

Lucy. No, you're out; could we persuade him, that she dotes on him, himself- -Contrive a kind letter as from her, 't would disgust his nicety, and take away his stomach.

Sil. Impossible! 't will never take.

Lucy. Trouble not your head Let me alone-I will inform myself of what past between 'em to-day, and about it straight-Hold, I'm mistaken, or that's Heartwell, who stands talking at the corner-'t is he -go get you in, madam, receive him pleasantly,

2