and he drew; with that I put by his pass, closed with him, and threw up his heels, took away his toledo, gave him two or three good cuts over the face, seized upon Damozel, carried her away with me to my chamber, managed her all night, and just now sent her off;-faith, amongst friends, she was a person of quality, I'll tell you that.

Tru. What! a person of quality at that time o'the night, and on foot too?

Mal. Ay, and one that you both know very well, but take no notice on't.

Val. Oh, sir, you may be sure we shall be very cautious of spreading any secrets of your's of this nature— lying Rakehell; the highest he ever arrived at was a bawd, and she too banished him at last, because he boasted of her favours.

[Aside.

Mal. Nay, not that I care very much neither: you may tell it if you will: for I think it was no more than any one would have done upon the same occasionha

Tru. Doubtless, sir, you were much in the right. But, Valentine, we stay too long: 'tis time we were going.

Mal. What, to dinner? I'll make a third manwhere shall it be?

Tru. Sir, I am sorry, we must beg your excuse this time, for we are both engaged.

Mal. Whoo! pry'thee, that's all one, I am sure I know the company; I'll go along at a venture.

Val. No, but Malagene, to make short of the business, we are going into company that are not very good friends of your's, and will be very uneasy if you be there.

Mal. What's that to the purpose?—I care as little for them as they do for me; though on my word, sparks, of honest fellows, you keep the oddest company sometimes that ever I knew.

Tru. But, sir, we are resolved to reform it, and in order thereunto, desire you would leave us to ourselves to-day.

Mal. No- but I'll tell you, go along with me;

I have discovered a treasure of pale wine-I assure you 'tis the same the king drinks of what say you

Jack? I am but for one bottle or two; for faith Ï have resolved to live sober for a week.

Tru. Pr'ythee, tormentor, leave us; do not I know the wine thou drinkest is as base as the company thou keepest. To be plain with you, we will not go with

must you go with us.

you, nor

Mal. Why, if one should ask the question now, whither are you going? ha!

Val. How comes it, Malagene, you are not with your two friends, Caper and Saunter?-you may be sure of them; they'll eat and drink, and go all over the world with you.

Mal. How canst thou think that I would keep such loathsome company? a brace of silly, talking, dancing, singing rascals: 'tis true, I contracted an acquaintance with 'em, I know not how; and now and then, when I am out of humour, love to laugh at and abuse 'em for an hour or two- -but come what will on't, I am resolved to go along with you to-day.

Tru. Upon my word, sir, you cannot-Why should you make so many difficulties with your friends? Mal. Whoo! pr'ythee leave foolingYou would shake me off now, would you? But I know better things. The sham won't pass upon me, sir; it won't, look you.

Tru. Death! we must use him ill, or there is no getting rid of him. Not pass, sir?

Mal. No, sir.

Tru. Pray, sir, leave us.

Mal. I shan't do't, sir.

Tru, But you must, sir.

Mal. May be not, sir.

Tru. I am going this way.

Mal. So am I.

[Walking off.

Tru. But, sir, I must stay here a little longer.

Mal. With all my heart; 'tis the same thing, I am

not in haste.

Val. Have a care, Malagene, how you provoke Truman, you'll run the hazard of a scurvy beating, my friend, if you do.

Mal. Beating! I am sorry, sir, pox, I am used to serve him so,

you know no better: man; let him alone,

you shall see how I'll teaze him. Hark you, Jack.
Tru. Sir, you are an impudent troublesome cox-
comb.

Mal. No matter for that, I shan't leave you.
Tru. Sir, I shall pull you by the nose then.
Mal. "Tis all one to me, do your worst.
Tru. Take that then, sir-

-Now d'ye hear-
[Tweaks him by the nose.

Go about your business. Mal. Nay, faith, Jack, now you drive the jest too far; what a pox, I know you are not in earnest ; pr'ythee let's go.

Tru. Death, sir, you lie; not in earnest !—let [Kicks him] this convince you-How like you the jest now, sir?

Mal. Hark you, Truman, we shan't dine together then, shall we?

Val. Faith, to tell you the truth of the matter, Truman had a quarrel last night, and we are just now going to make an end on't: 'tis that makes him so surly. Nevertheless, now I think on't better, if you'll go, you shall; perhaps we may have occasion for a third man.

'Mal. No, no, if that be the business, I'll say no more; puh-I hate to press into any man's company against his inclination. Truman, upon my reputation you are very uncivil now, that you are. But hark you, I ran to the Groom-porters last night, and lost my money. Pr'ythee lend me two guineas till next time I see thee, child.

Tru. With all my heart, sir. I was sure 'twould come to this at last; 'tis here, you may command what you please from your servant. Malagene, good-mor

row.

Enter CAPER and SAUNTER.

Mal. Dear Jack Truman, your humble. [Exit Truman. Val. Won't you go along with us then, Malagene? Mal. No, here are two silly fellows coming, I'll go and divert myself a little with them at present.

Val. Why, those are the very people you railed at so but now; you will not leave us for them, at a time when you may, be so serviceable?

Mal. Hang it, you will have no occasion for me, man? say no more on't, but take my advice; be sure you stand fast, don't give ground, d'ye hear, push briskly, and I'll warrant you do your business.

Val. Sir, I thank you for your counsel, and am sorry we can't have your company; but you are engaged? Mal. Are you sure though it will come to fighting? I have no mind to leave your company, methinks.

Val. Nay, nothing so certain as that we shall fight; I wish you would go, for I fancy there will be three in the field.

Mal. A pox on't, now I remember, I promised to meet these people here, and can't avoid them now; I'd go else with you with all my heart, faith and troth, but if you'd have me send a guard, I'll do't.

Val. No, sir, there's no danger-Nothing but the rogue's cowardice could have rid us of him.

[Exit Valentine.

Mal. How now, bullies, whither so fast this morning? I parted just now with Jack Truman and Ned Valentine: they would fain have had me to dinner with 'em, but I was not in a humour for drinking, and to speak the truth on't, you are better company ten to one. They engross still all the discourse to themselves: and a man can never be free with them neither.

Cap. Oh Lord, Malagene! we met the delicatest creature but now as we came round; I am a rascal if I don't think her one of the finest women in the world; I shan't get her out of my mind this month.

Saunt. "Twas Victoria, my lady Fairfield's daughter, that came to town last summer when Goodvile was married. He in love with her poor soul!-I shall beg his pardon there, as I take it

[Sings. Mal. That's Truman's blowing: she's always lingering after him here, and at the playhouse: she heats herself here every morning against the general course at night, where she comes as constantly as my lady Squeamish herself.

Saunt. I vow that's a fine person; don't you think she has abundance of wit, Malagene? She and I did so rally Caper t'other day.

Cap. Ay, it may be so.

Saunt. But did you never hear her sing? She made me sit with her till two o'clock t'other morning, to teach her an Italian song I have, and I vow she sings it wonderfully.

Mal. Damn her, she's the most affected amorous jilt, and loves young fellows more than an old kite does young chickens: there is not a coxcomb of eighteen in town can escape her; we shall have her draw one of you into matrimony within this fortnight.

Cap. Malagene, thou art the most satirical thief breathing: I'd give any thing thou didst but love dancing, that I might have thee on my side sometimes.

Saunt. Well, Malagene, I hope to see thee so in love one day, as to leave off drinking, as I have done, and set up for a shape and a face: or, what is all one, write amorous sonnets, and fight duels with all that do but look like rivals. I would not be in love for all the world, I vow and swear.

[Walks up and down with an affected motion.

Cap. Nor I.

-Ah Phillis, if you would not love

The shepherd, &c.

[Sings.

But d'ye hear, Malagene? they say Goodvile gives a

ball to night, is't true?