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fast as you can; he's the most courageous mettlesome young man in all England-Why, if his passion was up, he could eat you. Make your escape, you fool!

Cook. I won't.. -Eat me! He'll find me damn'd hard of digestion tho'

Sharp. Prithee come here; let me speak with you.

Enter KITTY.

[They walk aside.

-Sir

Kit. Gad's me, is the supper on table already?.

pray defer it for a few moments; my mistress is better, and will be here immediately.

Gayl. Will she indeed! Bless me-I did not expect— but however Sharp ?

Kit. What success, Madam?

[Aside to Melissa. Mel. As we could wish, girl--but he is in such pain and perplexity, I can't hold it out much longer.

Kit. Ay, that not holding out, is the ruin of half our sex. Sharp. I have pacify'd the cook, and if you can but borrow twenty pieces of that young prig, all may go well yet; you may succeed though I could not: remember what I told you-about it straight, Sir,

Gayl. Sir, Sir, (to Melissa) I beg to speak a word with you; my servant, Sir, telis me he has had the misfortune, Sir, to lose a note of mine, of twenty pounds, which I sent him to receive, and the bankers shops being shut up, and having very little cash by me, I should be much obliged to you if you would favour me with twenty pieces till to

morrow.

Met. Oh Sir, with all my heart, (Taking out her purse.) and as I have a small favour to beg of you, Sir, the obliga tion will be mutual.

Gayl. How may I oblige you, Sir?

Mel. You are to be marry'd, I hear, to Melissa..

Gayl. To morrow, Sir.

Mel. Then you'll cblige me, Sir, by never seeing her again.

Gayl. Do you call this a small favour, Sir.

Mel. A mere trifle, Sir-breaking of contracts, suing for divorces, committing adultery, and such like, are all reckon'd trifles now-a-days; and smart young fellows, like you and myself, Gayless, should be never out of fashion.

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Gayl. But pray, Sir, how are you concern'd in this

affair!.

Mel. Oh Sir, you must know I have a very great regard for Melissa, and indeed, she for me; and by the by, I have a most despicable opinion of you; for, entre nous, I take you, Charles to be a very great scoundrel.

Gayl. Sir!

Mel. Nay, don't look fierce, Sir! and give yourself airs -Damme, Sir, I shall be thro' your body else in the snapping of a finger.

Gayl. I'll be as quick as you, villain!

[Draws and makes at Melissa. Kit. Hold, hold, murder! you'll kill my mistress-the young gentleman I mean. Gayl. Ah! her mistress!

[Drops bis sword. Sharp. How! Melissa! nay, then drive away care- -All's

over now.

Enter all the COMPANY laughing.

Gad. What, Mr Gayless, engaging with Melissa before your time. Ha, ha, ha!

Kit. Your humble servant, good Mr Politician (to Sharp.) This is gentlemen, and ladies, the most celebrated and ingenious Timothy Sharp, Schemer-general and redoubted squire to the most renowned and fortunate adventurer Charles Gayless, knight of the woeful countenance; Ha, ha, ha!--Oh that dismal face, and more dismal head of yours. [Strikes Sharp upon the bead. Sharp. 'Tis cruel in you to disturb a man in his last agonies.

Mel. Now, Mr Gayless!-what, not a word! you are sensible I can be no stranger to your misfortunes, and I might reasonably expect an excuse for your ill treatment of me.

Gayl. No, madam, silence is my only refuge; for to endeavour to vindicate my crimes would show a greater want of virtue than even the commission of them.

Mel. Oh, Gayless! 'twas poor to impose upon a woman and one that lov'd you too.

Gayl. Oh most unpardonable: but my necessitiesSharp. And mine, madam were not to be match'd, I'm sure, o this side starving.

Your ne

Mel. His tears have softened me at oncecessities Mr Gayless, with such real contrition are too

powerful

powerful motives not to affect the breast already prejudic' d in your favour--You have suffer'd too much already for your extravagance; and as I take a part of your suffe rings, 'tis easing myself to relieve you; know therefore, all that's past I freely forgive.

Gayl. You cannot mean it sure; I am lost in wonder.

Mel. Prepare yourself for more wonder-You have another friend in masquerade here; Mr Cook pray throw aside your drunkenness, and make your sober appearance -Don't you know that face, Sir?

Cook. Ay, master, what have you forgot your friend: Dick, as you used to call me?

Gayl. More wonder indeed! don't you live with my father?

Mel. Just after your hopeful servant there had left me, comes this man from Sir William with a letter to me; upon which (being by that wholly convinced of your necessitous condition) I invented by the help of Kitty and Mrs Gadabout, this little plot, in which your friend Dick there has acted miracles, resolving to teaze you a little, that you might have a greater relish for a happy turn in your affairs. Now, Sir, read that letter, and compleat your joy.

Gayl. [reads.] Madam, I am father to that unfortunate young man whom I hear by a friend of mine (that by my desire has been a continual spy upon him) is making his ' addresses to you; if he is so happy as to make himself ageeable to you (whose character I am charm'd with) I shall own him with joy for my son, and forget his former follies.

I am, madam,

"Your most humble servant,

William Gayless,

'P: S.. I will be soon in town myself to congratulate his "reformation and marriage.

Oh, Melissa, this is too much; thus let me shew my thanks and gratitude, [kneeling she raises bim.] for here 'tis only due.

Sharp. A reprieve! a reprieve! a reprieve!

Kit. I have been, Sir, a most bitter enemy to you; but, since you are likely to be a little more conversant with cash that you have been, I am now, with the greatest sincerity,

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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.
So virtuous love, afford us springing joy.
Whilst nious passions, as they burn, destroy,

FINI S.

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DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

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

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SCENE, a Street.

Enter Gaptain LOVEIT and PUFF.

Captain.

HIS is the place we were directed to; and now, Puff, if I can get no intelligence of her, what will become 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, charming, innocent, betwitching creature.

Puff. With fifteen thousand pounds for her fortuneStrong 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

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