WE SCENE, Rovewell's Lodgings.. ROBIN folus. ROBIN.. ELL, though pimping is the most honourable. and profitable of all profeffions, it is certainly the most dangerous and fatiguing; but of all fatigues: there's none like following a virtuous miftrefs-There's not one letter I carry, but I run the risk of kicking, caning, or pumping, nay, often hanging Let me fee; I have committed three burglaries to get one letter to her--Now, if my mafter fhould not get the gypfey at at laft, I have ventur'd my fweet person to a fair pur pofe-But, Bafta! here comes my mafter and his friend Mr Hearty-I muft haften and get our difguifes. And if Dame Fortune fail us now to win her, Oh, all ye gods above! the devil's in her. Enter Rovewell and Hearty. [Exit... Hear. Why fo melancholy, Captain? Come, come, a man of your gaiety and courage fhou'd never take a disappointment fo much to heart.. . Rov. 'Sdeath! to be prevented when I had brought: my defign fo near perfection! your at Hear. Were you lefs open and daring in tempts, you might hope to fucceed-The old gentleman, you know, is cautious to a degree; his daughter. under a strict confinement: would you use more of the. fox than the lion, Fortune, perhaps, might throw an opportunity in your way-But you must have patience. Rov. Who can have patience when danger is so near? Read this letter, and then tell me what room there is for patience. 66 Hearty reads, "To-morrow will prevent all our vain ftruggles to get to each other.- -I am then to be marry'd, to, 16 my eternal averfion ; you know the fop, 'tis Cuckoo, "who, having a large eftate, is fore'd upon me; but my "heart can be none but Rovewell's. Immediately after "the receipt of this, meet Betty at the old place; there "is yet one invention left; if you purfue it closely, you "may perhaps release her who wou'd be your "ARETHUSA." Rov. Yes, Arethufa, I will release thee, or die in the attempt. Dear friend, excufe my rudeness; you know the reafon. A I Ri Repulfes but fire us, If beauty infpire us To pant for the prize. [Exit. Hear Hear. Well, go thy way, and get her; for thou de ferv'ft her, o' my confcience.. How have. I been deceiv'd in this boy! I find him the very reverse of what his step-mother reprefented him; and am now fenfible it was only her ill ufage that forc'd my child away-His‹ not having feen me fince he was five years old, renders me a perfect stranger to him-Under that pretence I have got into his acquaintauce, and find him all I wishIf this plot of his fails, I believe my money muft buy him the girl at last. [Exit. Are. SCENE, A Chamber in Argus's House. A I R. See! the radiant queen of night Arg. Pray, daughter, what linguo is that fame you chant and sputter out at this rate? Are. English, Sir, Arg. English, quotha! adod I took it to be nonfenfe. Are. 'Tis a hymn to the Moon. Arg. A hymn to the Moon! I'll have none of your hymns in my houfe-Give me the book, housewife. Are. I hope, Sir, there is no crime in reading a harmlefs poem. Arg. Give me the book, I fay; poems, with a pox! what are they good for, but to blow up the fire of love, and make young wenches wanton? -But I have taken care of you, miftrefs! for to-morrow you fhall have a husband to stay your ftomach, and no lefs a perfon than 'fquire Cuckoo. Are. You will not, furely, be fo cruel as to marry me to a man I cannot love. Arg. Arg. Why, what fort of a man wou'd you have, Mrs Minx? A I R Are. Genteel in perfonage, Conduct in equipage, Generous and free. But ever true. Arg. Why, is not Mr Cuckoo all this? Adod he's a brifk young fellow, and a little feather-bed doctrine will foon put the Captain out of your head; and to put you out of his power, you fhall be given over to the 'fquire to-morrow. Are. Surely, Sir, you will at leaft defer it one day. Arg. No, nor one hour. -To-morrow morning, at eight of the clock precifely.In the mean time, take notice the 'fquire's fifter is hourly expected; fo pray do be civil and fociable with her, and let me have none of your pouts and glouts, as you tender my difpleasure. you [Exit. Are. To-morrow is fhort warning; but we may be too cunning for you yet, old gentleman. Enter Betty. Are. O Betty! welcome a thousand times! what news? have you seen the Captain? Betty. Yes, Madam; and if you were to fee him in his new rigging, you'd split your fides with laughingSuch a hoyden, fuch a piece of country-ftuff, you never fet your eyes on- But the petticoats are foon thrown off; and if good luck attends us, you may eafily conjure Mifs Malkin, the 'fquire's fifter, into your own dear captain. Are. But when will they come? Bet. Inftantly, Madam; he only fays to fettle matters for our escape. He's in deep confultation with his privy-counsellor Robin, who is to attend him in the quality of a country put-They'll both be here in a moment; fo let's in, and pack up the jewels, that we may be ready at once to leap into the faddle of liberty, and ride full speed to your defires. Are. Dear Betty, let's make hafte; I think every moment an age till I'm free from this bondage.. AIR. When parents obftinate and cruel prove, Bet. There they are -in, in. [A knocking without. Argus from above. Arg. You're woundy hafty, methinks, to knock at that rate-This is certainly fome courtier come to borrow money, I know it by the faucy rapping of the footman-RAND Who's at the door? Rob. Tummos! [Without doors. Arg. Tummos! who's Tummos? Who wou'd you fpeak with, friend? Rob. With young master's vather-in-law that mun be, mafter Hardguts? Arg. And what's your business with mafter Hardguts? Rob. Why, young mistress is come out o' the coun→ try to fee brother's wife that mun be, that's all. Arg. Odfo, the 'fquire's fifter; I'm forry I made her wait fo long. [Goes down and lets 'em in SCENE, A Chamber. Argus introducing Rovewell in woman's cloaths, followed by Robin as a Clown. Arg. Save you, fair lady, you're welcome to town. [Rovewell curtfeys.]-A very modeft maiden, truly, How long have you been in town? Reb. |