in the morning: upon the perusal, I found the contents so charming, that I could think of nothing all day, but putting 'em in practice-'till just now, (the first time I ever look'd on the superscription) I am the most surpriz'd in the world to find it directed to Mr. Vainlove. Gad, madam, I ask you a million of pardons, and will make you any satisfaction.

Lat. I am discover'd-and either Vainlove is not guilty, or he has handsomely excus'd him.

Bell. You appear concern'd, madam.

[Aside.

Laet. I hope you are a gentleman-and since you are privy to a weak woman's failing, won't turn it to the prejudice of her reputation. You look as if you had more honour

Bell. And more love; or my face is a false witness, and deserves to be pillor'd- -No, by Heaven, I

swear

Laet. Nay, do n't swear if you'd have me to believe you; but promise

Bell. Well, I promise

-A promise is so cold

give me leave to swear-by those eyes, those killing eyes; by those healing lips-Oh! press the soft charm close to mine, and seal 'em up for ever.

Laet. Upon that condition. [He kisses her. Bell. Eternity was in that moment-One more upon any condition.

Laet. Nay, now-I never saw any thing so agreeably impudent. [Aside.] Won't you censure me for this, now?—but 't is to buy your silence. [Kiss.] Oh, but what am I doing!

Bell. No tongue can express it—not thy own; nor any thing, but thy lips. I am faint with the excess of bliss---Oh, for love 's sake, lead me any whither, where I may lay down ;---quickly, for I am afraid I shall have a fit.

Laet. Bless me! What fit?

Bell. Oh, a convulsion---I feel the symptoms.

Laet. Does it hold you long? I'm afraid to carry you into my chamber.

Bell. Oh, no: let me lay down upon the bed ;---the fit will be soon over.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

St. James's Park. ARAMINTA and BELINDA meeting.

Bel. Lard, my dear: I am glad I have met you-I have been at the Exchange since, and am so tir'd--Ara. Why, what's the matter?

Bel. Oh, the most inhuman barbarous hackneycoach! I am jolted to a jelly---Am not I horridly touz'd? [Pulls out a pocket-glass.

Ara. Your head 's a little out of order. Bel. A little! O, frightful! What a furious phyz Į have! O, most rueful! Ha, ha, ha! O gad, I hope nobody will come this way, till I have put myself in repair-Ah! my dear- -I have seen such unhewn creatures sinceHa, ha, ha! I can't for my soul help thinking that I look just like one of 'em- -Good dear, pin this, and I'll tell you——Very well—So,

G

thank you, my dear--But, as I was telling youPish, this is the untoward'st lock-So, as I was tell-How d'ye like me now? Hideous, ha?

ing you
Frightful still? Or how?

Ara. No, no; you're very well as can be.

Bel. And so-But where did I leave off, my dear? I was telling you

Ara. You were about to tell me something, childyou left off before you began.

but

Bel. Oh, a most comical sight: a country squire, with the equipage of a wife and two daughters, came to Mrs. Snipwell's shop while I was there--But, Oh, gad! two such unlick'd cubs!

Ara. I warrant, plump, cherry-chcek'd country girls.

Bel. Ay, o' my conscience, fat as barn-door fowls: but so bedeck'd, you would have taken 'em for Friezland hens, with their feathers growing the wrong way ——————, such out-landish creatures! Such Tramontanæ, and foreigners to the fashion, or any thing in practice! I had no patience to behold--I undertook the modelling of one of their fronts, the more modern structure

Ara. Bless me, cousin; why would you affront any body so? They might be gentlewomen of a very good family

Bel. Of a very ancient one, I dare swear, by their dressAffront! Pshaw, how you're mistaken! The poor creature, I warrant, was as full of courtesies, as if I had been her godmother. The truth on't is,

I did endeavour to make her look like a Christianand she was sensible of it; for she thank'd me, and gave me two apples, piping hot, out of her under-petticoat pocket-Ha, ha, ha!—And t'other did so stare and gape-I fancied her like the front of her father's hall; her eyes were the two jut-windows, and her mouth the great door, most hospitably kept open for the entertainment of travelling flies.

Ara. So, then you have been diverted. What did they buy?

Bel. Why, the father bought a powder-horn, and an almanack, and a comb-case; the mother a great fruz-tower, and a fat amber necklace; the daughters, only tore two pair of kid leather gloves, with trying 'em on- -Oh, gad, here comes the fool that din'd at my lady Freelove's t'other day.

Enter Sir JOSEPH and BLUFF.

Ara. May be he may not know us again. Bel. We'll put on our masks to secure his ignorance. [They put on their mask.

'Sir Jos. Nay, 'gad, I'll pick up; I'm resolv'd to make a night 'on't- -I'll go to alderman Fondlewife by and by, and get fifty pieces more from him. Adslidikins, bully, we 'll wallow in wine and women. Why, this same Madeira wine has made me as light as a grasshopper- -Hist, hist, bully, dost thou see those tearers; [Sings.] Look you what here isyou what here is

-Look

Toll loll- -dera

-Agad, t'other glass of Madeira,

and I durst have attack'd 'em in my own proper per

son, without your help.

Bluff. Come on then, knight

what to say to 'em?

-But d'ye know

Sir Jos. Say: Pooh. Pox, I've enough to saynever fear it--that is, if I can but think on't: truth is, I have but a treacherous memory.

Bel. Oh, frightful! Cousin, what shall we do? These things come towards us.

Ara. No matter I see Vainlove coming this way-and, to confess my failing, I am willing to give him an opportunity of making his peace with me— and to rid me of these coxcombs, when I seem oppress'd with 'em, will be a fair one.

Bluff. Ladies, by these hilts, you are well met.
Ara. We are afraid not.

Bluff. What says my pretty little knapsack carrier? [To Belinda.

Bel. O, monstrous filthy fellow! Good slovenly captain Huff, Bluff, what is your hideous name? Begone? you stink of brandy and tobacco, most soldierlike. Foh! [Spits. Sir Jos. Now am I slap dash down in the mouth, and have not one word to say!

[Aside. Ara. I hope my fool has not confidence enough to be troublesome.

[Aside. Sir Jos. Hem! Pray, madam, which way's the wind? Ara. A pithy question.-Have you sent your wits for a venture, sir, that you enquire?

Sir Jos. Nay, now I'm in-I can prattle like a magpie. [Aside.