your most obedient friend and humble servant. hope, Sir, all enmity will be forgotten.

And I'

Gayl. Oh, Mrs Pry, I have been too much indulged with forgiveness myself not to forgive lesser offences in other people,

Sharp. Well then, Madam, since my master has vouchsaf'd pardon to your handmaid Kitty, I hope you'll not deny it to his footman Timothy,

Mel. Pardon ! for what?

Sharp. Only for telling you about ten thousand lies, madam; and, among the rest, insinuating, that your ladyship would

Mel. I understand you; and can forgive any thing Sharp, that was design'd for the service of your master; and if Pry and you will follow our example, I'll give her, a small fortune as a reward for both your fidelities.

Sharp. I fancy madam, 'twould be better to halve the small fortune between us, and keep us both single; for as we shall live in the same house in all probability we may taste the comforts of matrimony, and not be troubled with its inconveniences. What say you, Kitty.

Kit. Do you hear, Sharp? before you talk of the comforts of matrimony, taste the comforts of a good dinner, and recover your flesh a little; do, puppy.

Sharp, The devil backs her, that's certain; and I am no match for her at any weapon,

Mel. And now, Mr Gayless, to shew I have not provided for you by halves, let the music prepare themselves; and with the approbation of the company, we'll have a dance.

All. By all means a dance..

Gut. By all means a dance-after supper tho

Sharp. Oh, pray Sir, have supper first, or I'm sure, I shan't live till the dance is finish'd.

Gayl. Behold, Melissa, as sincere a convert as ever truth and beauty made. The wild impetuous sallies of my youth are now blown over, and a most pleasing calm of perfect happiness succeeds.

Thus Etna's flames the verdant earth consume ;
But milder beat makes drooping nature bloom.
Sp virtuous love, afford us springing joy.
Whilst vicious passions, as they burn, destroy..

FINIS

.

DRAMATIS PERSON.
DRAMATIS

Sir Simon Loveit, Mr Tas- | Jasper, Mr Blakes.

HIS is the place we were directed to; and now,,
Puff, if I
can get no intelligence of her, what will be-

TH

come of me?

Puff. And me too, Sir.--You must consider I am a married man, and can't bear fatigue as I have done.But pray, Sir, why did you leave the army so abruptly, and not give me time to fill my knapsack with common necessaries? half a dozen shirts, and your regimentals are my whole cargo..

Cap. I was wild to get away, and as soon as I obtained my leave of absence, I thought every moment an age till I return'd to the place where I first saw this young, charm- ing, innocent, betwitching creature.

Puff With fifteen thousand pounds for her fortune. Strong motives, I must confess.--And now, Sir, as you are pleased to say you must depend upon my care and abilities in this affair, I think I have a just right to be acquainted with the particulars of your passion, that I may be the better enabled to serve you.

Capt. You shall have 'em-When I left the university, which is now seven months since, my father, who loves

hics

his money better than his son, and would not settle a farthing upon me-

Puff Mine did so by me

Capt. Purchas'd me a pair of colours at my own request; but before I join'd the regiment, which was going abroad, I took a ramble into the country with a fellow-collegian, to see à relation of his who liv'd in Berkshire.

Puff- -A party of pleasure, I suppose.

Capt. During a short stay there, I came acquainted with this young creature: she was just come from the boardingschool, and tho' she had all the simplicity of her age and the country, yet it was mix'd with such sensible vivacity, that I took fire at once.

Puff. I was tinder myself at your age. But pray, Sir, did you take fire before you knew her fortune. Capt. Before, upon my honour.

Puff. Folly and constitution--But on, Sir.

Capt. I was introduced to the family by the name of Rhodophil, (for so my companion and I had settled it ;) at the end of three weeks I was obliged to attend the call of honour in Flanders.

uff. Your parting, to be sure, was heart-breaking.

Capt. I feel it at this instant.-We vow'd eternal constancy, and I promis'd to take the first opportunity of returning to her: I did so, but we found the house was shut up, and all the information you know, that we could get from the neighbouring cottage was, that miss and her aunt remov'd to town, and liv'd somewhere near this part of it. Puff. And now we are got to the place of action, propose your plan of operation.

Capt. My father lives but in the next street, so I mustdecamp immediately for fear of discoveries; you are not known to be my servant, so make what enquiries you can in the neighbourhood, and I shall wait at the inn for your intelligence.

Puff. I'll patrol hereabouts, and examine all that pass;: but I've forgot the word, Sir-Miss Biddy

Capt. Bellair.

Puff. A young lady of wit, beauty, and fifteen thousand pounds fortune-but Sir

Capt. What do you say, Puff?

Puff. If your honour pleases to consider that I had a wife in town whom I left somewhat abruptly half a year

ago,

ago, you'll think it, I believe, but decent to make some enquiry after her first; to be sure it would be some small consolation to me to know whether the poor woman is living, or has made away with herself, or

Capt. Pry'thee don't distract me; a moment's delay is of the utmost consequence; I must insit upon an immediate compliance with my commands. [Exit Captain. Puff. The devil's in these fiery young fellows! they think of no body's wants but their own. He does not consider that I am flesh and blood as well as himself. However I may kill two birds at once; for I shan't be surprized if I meet my lady walking in the streets➖➖➖➖ -But who have we here? Sure I should know that face.

Enter JASPER from a house.

Who's that? my old acquaintance, Jasper?
Jas. What, Puff! are you here?

Puff. My dear friend! [Kisses bim.] Well, and now, Jasper, still easy and happy! Toujours le meme!-What intrigues now? what girls have you ruin'd, and what cuckolds made, since you and I used to beat up together, Eh

Jas. Faith, business has been very brisk during the war; men are scarce, you know; not that I can say I ever wanted amusement in the worst of times-But harkee, Puff

Puff. Not a word aloud, I am incognito.

Jas. Why faith, I should not have known you, if you had not spoke first; you seem to be a little dishabille too, as well as incognite. Whom do you honour with your service now? are you from the wars?

Puff. Piping hot, I assure you: fire and smoke will tarnish; a man that will go into such service as I have been in, will find his cloaths the worse for wear, take my word for it; but how is it with you, friend Jasper? what, you still serve, I see? You live at that house, I suppose?

Jas. I don't absolutely live, but I am most of my time there; I have been these two months enter'd into the service of an old gentleman, who hired a reputable servant, and dressed him as you see, because he has taken it into his head to fall in love..

Puff. False appetite, and second childhood! but pry'thee, what's the object of his passion?

1

Jas. No less than a virgin of sixteen.

Puff. Oh, the toothless old dotard!

Jas. And he mumbles and plays with her till his mouth waters; then chuckles till he cries, and calls it his Bid, and his Bidsy, and is so foolishly fond

Puff. Bidsy! what's that?

Jas. Her name is Biddy..

Puff. Biddy! what Miss Biddy Bellair!
Jas. The same-

Puff. I have no luck to be sure. [Aside.]- -Oh! I have heard of her; she's of a pretty good family, and has some fortune, I know, But are things settled? Is the marriage fix'd?

Jas. Not absolutely; the girl I believe detests him; but her aunt, a very good prudent old lady, has given her con-. sent, if he can gain her nieces; how it will end I can't tell. -but I am hot upon't myself.

Puff.The devil! not marriage, I hope..

Jas. That is not yet determined.

Puff. Who is the lady, pray?

Jas. A maid in the same family, a woman of honour, I assure you; she has one husband already, a scoundrel sort of a fellow that has run away from her, and listed for a soldier; so towards the end of the campaign she hopes to have a certificate that he's knock'd o' th' head; if not, I suppose we shall settle matters another way.

Puff. Well speed the plough- -But harkye, consummate without the certificate if you can-keep your neck out of the collar-do-Have wore it these two years, and damnably gall'd I am..

Jas. I'll take your advice; but I must run away to my master, who will be impatient for an answer to his message which I have just delivered to the young lady: so, dear Mr Puff, I am your most obedient humble servant.

Puff. And I must to our agent's for my arrears: if you have an hour to spare, you'll hear of me at George's or the Tilt-Yard- Au Revoir, as we say abroad. [Exit Ja-sper.] Thus we are as civil and as false as our betters; Jasper and were always the Beau Monde exactly; we ever hated one another heartily, yet always kiss and shake hands-But now to my master with a head full of news,. and a heart full of joy. [Going, starts.. Angels, and ministers of grace defend me!.