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Sharp. A wretch that has flown for shelter to the lowest shrub of mankind, and seeks protection from a blasted coward.

Sir Jos. That's you, bully back.

[Bluff frowns upon Sir Jos.

Sharp. She has given Vainlove her promise to marry

him before to-morrow morning.

-Has she not?

[To Set.

Set. She has, sir ;- And I have it in charge to attend her all this evening, in order to conduct her to the place appointed.

Sharp. Well, I'll go and inform your master; and do you press her to make all the haste imaginable.

[Exit.

Set. Were I a rogue, now, what a noble prize could I dispose of! A good pinnace, richly laden, and to launch forth under my auspicious convoy. Twelve thousand pounds, and all her rigging; Besides what lies concealed under hatches-Ha! all this committed to my care!-Avaunt, temptation-Setter, shew thyself a person of worth; be true to thy trust, and be reputed honest. Reputed honest! Hum; is that all? Ay; for to be honest is nothing; the reputation of it is all. Reputation! what have such poor rogues as I to dɔ with reputation? 'tis above us; and for men of quality, they are above it; so that reputation is even as foolish a thing as honesty. And for my part, if I meet Sir Joseph, with a purse of gold in his hand, I'll dispose of mine to the best advantage.

[Aside.

Sir Jos. Heh, heh, heh: here 't is for you, i' faith, Nay, I'll take you at your word.

Mr. Setter.

[Chinking a purse.

Set. Sir Joseph! and the captain too! Undone, undone! I'm undone, my master's undone, my lady's undone, and all the business is undone.

Sir Jos. No, no, never fear, man, the lady's business shall be done. What-Come, Mr. Setter, I have over-heard all, and to speak, is but loss of time; but, if there be occasion, let these worthy gentlemen intercede for me. [Gives bim gold,

Set. O lord, sir! what d'ye mean? corrupt my honesty They have, indeed, very persuading faces. But

Sir Jos. 'Tis too little; there's more, man. There, take all- -Now

Set. Well, Sir Joseph, you have such a winning way with you

Sir Jos. And how, and how, good Setter, did the little rogue look, when she talk'd of Sir Joseph? Did not her eyes twinkle, and her mouth water? "Did "not she pull up her little bubbies? And-Agad, "so overjoyed-And stroke down her belly; and "then step aside to tie her garter," when she was thinking of her love? Heh, Setter !

Set. O yes, sir.

Sir Jos. How now, bully? What, melancholy because I'm in the lady's favour ?—No matter, I'l make your peace--I know they were a little smart

upon you

-But I warrant I'll bring you into the

lady's good graces.

Bluff. Pshaw! I have petitions to shew from other guess toys than she. Look here; these were sent me this morning-There, read. [ Shews letters.] Thatthat's a scrawl of quality. Here, here's from a countess, too. Hum-No, hold- -that's from a knight's wife, she sent it me by her husbandBut here, both these are from persons of great quality. Sir Jos. They are either from persons of great quality, or no quality at all, 't is such a damn'd ugly hand. [While Sir Joseph reads, Bluff whispers Set. Set. Captain, I would do any thing to serve you; but this is so difficult.

Bluff. Not at all. Do n't I know him?
Set. You'll remember the conditions?
Bluff. I'll give 't you under my hand-

-In

the mean time, here's earnest. [Gives him money.] I'm capitulating with Mr. Setter

Come, knight

for you.

Sir Jos. Ah, honest Setter-Sirrah, I'll give thee any thing" but a night's lodging."

[Exeunt.

Enter SHARPER, tugging in HEARTWELL.

Sharp. Nay, pr'ythee leave railing, and come along with me; may be she may'n't be within. 'Tis but to yonder corner-house.

Heart. Whither? Whither? Which corner-house? Sharp. Why, there; the two white posts.

Heart. And who would you visit there, say you?. (Oons, how my heart aches.)

Sharp. Pshaw! thou 'rt so troublesome and inquisitive-Why, I'll tell you; 'tis a young creature that Vainlove debauch'd, and has forsaken. Did you never hear Bellmour chide him about Silvia ?

Heart. Death, and hell, and marriage! my wife.

[Aside. Sharp. Why, thou art as musty as a new-married man, that had found his wife knowing the first night.

Heart. Hell and the devil! Does he know it? But, hold-If he should not, I were a fool to discover it

-I'll dissemble, and try him. [Aside] Ha, ha, ha! Why, Tom, is that such an occasion of melancholy? Is it such an uncommon mischief?

Sharp. No, faith; I believ: not.- -Few women, but have their year of probation, before they are cloister'd in the narrow joys of wedlock. But, pr'ythee come along with me, or I'll go and have the lady to myself. Bw'y, George. [Going.

Heart. O, torture! How he racks and tears me !— Death! Shall I own my shame, or wittingly let him go and whore my wife? No, that's insupportableOh, Sharper!

Sharp. How, now?

Heart. Oh, I am-marry'd.

Sharp. Now, hold spleen. [Aside.] Marry'd!

Heart. Certainly, irrecoverably marry'd.

Sharp. Heaven forbid, man! How long?

Heart. Oh, an age! an age! I have been marry'd hours.

Sharp. My old batchelor marry'd! That were a jest. Ha, ha, ha!

Heart. Death! d'ye mock me? Heark ye, if either you esteem my friendship, or your own safety---come not near that house-that corner house-that hot brothel. Ask no questions.

Sharp. Mad, by this light.

[Exit Heart. Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure: Marry'd in haste, we may repent at leisure.

Enter SETTER.

Set. Some by experience find those words misplac'd: At leisure marry'd, they repent in haste, As I suppose my master Heartwell.

Sharp. Here again, my Mercury!

Set. Sublimate, if you please, sir: I think my achievements do deserve the epithet-Mercury was a pimp too; but though I blush to own it at this time, I must confess I am somewhat fallen from the dignity of my function, and do condescend to be scandalously employed in the promotion of vulgar matrimony.

Sharp. As how, dear dexterous pimp?

Set. Why, to be brief, for I have weighty affairs depending- -Our stratagem succeeded as you intended-Bluff turns arrant traitor; bribes me to make a private conveyance of the lady to him, and put a sham-settlement upon Sir Joseph.

Sharp. O, rogue! Well, but I hope

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