Enter SHARPER and VAINLOVE, at some distance.

Bel. Dear Araminta, I 'm tir'd.

Ara. Tis but pulling off our masks, and obliging Vainlove to know us. I'll be rid of my fool by fair means-Well, Sir Joseph, you shall see my faceBut, begone immediately. I see one that will be jealous, to find me in discourse with you-Be discreetNo reply; but away. [Unmasks.

Sir Jos. The great fortune, that din'd at my lady Freelove's! Sir Joseph thou art a made man. Agad, I'm in love up to the ears. But I'll be discreet, and

husht.

[Aside.

[Unmasks.

Bluff. Nay, by the world, I'll see your face. Bel. You shall. Sharp. Ladies, your humble servant-We were afraid, you would not have given us leave to know you.

Ara. We thought to have been private-But we find fools have the same advantage over a face in a mask, that a coward has, while the sword is in the scabbard -so were forced to draw in our own defence.

Bluff. My blood rises at that fellow: I can't stay where he is; and I must not draw in the park.

[To Sir Joseph. Sir Jos. I wish I durst stay to let her know my lodging[Exeunt Sir Jos. and Bluff. Sharp. There is in true beauty, as in courage, somewhat, which narrow souls cannot dare to admire-and see, the owls are fled, as at the break of day.

Bel. Very courtly-I believe Mr. Vainlove has not rubb'd his eyes since break of day neither, he looks as

if he durst not approach-Nay, come cousin, be friends with him I swear he looks so very simply, ha, ha, ha! Well, a lover in the state of separation from his mistress, is like a body without a soul. Mr. Vainlove, shall I be bound for your good behaviour for the future? Vain. Now must I pretend ignorance equal to hers, of what she knows as well as I. [Aside.] Men are apt to offend, 'tis true, where they find most goodness to forgive-But, madam, I hope I shall prove of a temper not to abuse mercy, by committing new offences. Ara. So cold! [Aside.

Bel. I have broke the ice for you, Mr. Vainlove, and so I leave you. Come, Mr. Sharper, you and I will take a turn, and laugh at the vulgar-Oh, gad! I have a great passion for Cowley -Don't you

admire him?

Sharp. Oh, madam! He was our English Horace. Bel. Oh, so fine! So extremely fine! So every thing in the world that I like-O Lord, walk this way-I see a couple, I'll give you their history.

[Exeunt Belinda and SharpVain. I find, madam, the formality of the law must be observ'd, tho' the penalty of it be dispens'd with; and an offender must plead to his arraignment, though he has his pardon in his pocket.

Ara. I'm amaz'd! This insolence exceeds t'other; -whoever has encourag'd you to this assurancepresuming upon the easiness of my temper, has much deceiv'd you, and so you shall find.

Vain. Hey day! Which way now? Here's fine doubting!

[Aside.

Ara. Base man! Was it not enough to affront me with your saucy passion?

Vain. You have given that passion a much kinder epithet than saucy, in another place.

Ara. Another place! Sorne villanous design to blast my honour-But tho' thou hadst all the treachery and malice of thy sex, thou canst not lay a blemish on my fameNo, I have not err'd in one favourable thought of mankind- "How time might have de

"ceiv'd me in you, I know not; my opinion was but "young, and your early baseness has prevented its growing to a wrong belief ”– -Unworthy and ungrateful! Begone, and never see me more.

Vain. Did I dream? Or do I dream? Shall I believe my eyes or ears? The vision is here still-Your passion, madam, will admit of no farther reasoning--But here's a silent witness of your acquaintance.

[Takes out a letter, and offers it: she snatches it, and throws it away.

Ara. There's poison in every thing you touch--blisters will follow

Vain. That tongue which denies what the hands have done

Ara. Still mystically senseless and impudent---I find I must leave the place.

Vain. No, madam, I'm gone---She know's her name's to it, which she will be unwilling to expose to the censure of the first finder. [Exit.

Ara. Woman's obstinacy make me blind, to what woman's curiosity now tempts me to see.

[Takes up the letter, and exit,

Enter BELINDA and SHARPER.

Bel. Nay, we have spared nobody, I swear.

Mr.

Sharper, you're a pure man; where did you get this excellent talent of railing?

Sharp. Faith, madam, the talent was born with me. -I confess I have taken care to improve it; to

qualify me for the society of ladies.

Bel. Nay, sure railing is the best qualification in a

woman's man.

Enter Footman.

Sharp. The second bestindeed, I think. Bel. How now, Pace? Where's my cousin? Foot. She's not very well, madam, and has sent to know if your ladyship would have the coach come again for you.

Bel. O lord, no, I'll go along with her. Come, Mr. Sharper.

SCENE IV.

A Chamber in Fondlewife's House. Enter LÆTITIA and BELLMOUR ; his cloak, hat &c. lying loose about the chamber.

Bell. Here's nobody, nor no noise

thing but your fears.

't was no

Laet. I durst have sworn I had heard my monster's

voice

-I swear, I was heartily frightened-----Feel

how my heart beats.

Bell. 'Tis an alarm to love

and let us

-Come in again,

Fond. [Without.] Cocky, Cocky, where are you, Cocky? I'm come home.

Laet. Ah! there he is, make haste and gather up your things!

Fond. Cocky, Cocky, open the door.

Bell. Pox choak him, would his horns were in his throat. My patch, my patch.

[Looking about, and gathering up his things. Laet. My jewel, art thou there? No matter for your patch- -You s'a n't tum in, Nykin-----Run into my chamber, quickly, quickly. You s'a n't tum in.

Fond. Nay, pr'ythee, dear, ifeck I'm in haste.

Laet. Then I'll let you in.

[Opens the door.

Enter FONDLEWIFE and Sir JOSEPH.

Fond. Kiss, dearI met the master of the ship by the way—And I must have my papers of accounts out of your cabinet.

Laet. Oh, I'm undone!

[Aside.

Sir Jos. Pray, first let me have fifty pounds, good alderman, for I'm in haste.

Fond. A hundred has already been paid by your order.-Fifty? I have the sum ready in gold, in my closet. [Exit Fond. Sir Jos. Agad, it's a curious, fine, pretty, rogue;