sion, more odious to me than foul weather on a Mayday, or ill smell in a morning.

Vict. Nay, now, madam, you are too violent.

Lady Squ. Too violent! I would not keep a waitingwoman that should commend any one thing about him: dear Victoria, urge nothing in his behalf; for if you do, you lose my friendship for ever; though I swear he was a fine person once, before he was spoiled.

Vict. I am sure your ladyship had the best share in his spoiling, then. [Aside. Lady Squ. No, were I inclined to entertain addresses, I assure you I need not want for servants; for I swear I am so perplexed with billet-doux every day, I know not which way to turn myself: besides, there's no fidelity, no honour in mankind. Oh, dear Victoria ! whatever you do, never let love come near your heart: though really I think true love is the greatest pleasure in the world,

Vict. Would I had never known love; my honour had not then lain at the mercy of so ungrateful a wretch as Goodvile, who now has certainly abandoned and forgotten me. [Aside.

Lady Squ. Well, certainly I am the most unsteady, restless, humoursome woman breathing: now I am so transported at the thoughts of what I have designed, that I long till the hour comes, with more impatience than-I'll swear I know not what to say-Dear Victoria, ten thousand adieus-Wish me good success-Yet now I think on't I'll stay a little longer-I'll swear I must not neither-Well! I'll go-No, I'll stay→→→ Well, I'm resolved neither to stand still—sit stillnor lie still-nor have one thought at` rest-till the business be over-I'll swear I'm a strange creature. [Exit L. Squeamish.

Vict. Farewell, whirligig.

Enter GOODVILE.

Good. Victoria here! To meet with an old mistress

when a man is in pursuit of a fresh one, is a worse omen than a hare in a journey.-I'll step aside this way till she's past me; so farewell Fubb. [Makes mouths.] [Ex. Vict.] Now for the lovely, kind, yielding Camilla! How I long for the happy hour! Swelling burning breasts, dying eyes, balmy lips, trembling joints, millions of kisses, and unspeakable joys wait for me.

Enter TRUMAN and VALENTINE.

Well, gentlemen, now you have left the ladies, I hope there may be room near your hearts for a bottle or two.

Tru. Dear Goodvile, thou art too powerful to be denied any thing. "Tis a fine cool evening, and a swift glass or two now were seasonable and refreshing, to wash away the toil and fatigue of the day.

Val. After a man has been disturbed with the public impertinences and follies he meets withal abroad, he ought to recompense himself with a friend and a bottle in private at night.

Good. Spoken like men that deserve the life you enjoy. I'll in before, and put all things in readiness. [Ex. Goodvile.

Val. This worthy person, for his honesty and sobriety, would have made a very good Dutch burgomaster; but he is as damnable an English friend and gentleman, as one would wish to meet withal.

Tru. Valentine, thou art too much concerned at him: methinks Camilla's justice, and the pleasant cheat she has put upon him, should rather make thee despise and laugh at him, as I do.

Val. Truman, thou indeed hast reason: and when I shall know the happy success of the revenge thou hast in store for him, I may do myself and him that justice as to scorn him, but am too angry yet.

Tru. Then to give thee ease (for I dare trust thee) know this very night I also have an assignation with his wife in the grotto at the upper end of the garden, the opposite walk to that where he expects to meet Camilla,

Val. Then I am at rest; let's in. I have nothing else to do but take care so to finish him, as that you shall fear no interruption: at least he will be so full of his expectation of Camilla, that he'll never dream in what posture his own affairs stand in another place.

Methinks

Tru. Away then; and may good luck attend us: ere yet two hours are past his wife's my own. already in that secure, dark, private grotto, Close in my arms, and languishing she lies, With dying looks, short breath, and wishing eyes; And the supine dull cuckold nothing spies. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-Night-Garden.

Enter GOODVILE at one Door; Mrs. GoodVILE, and LETTICE following her, at the other.

Good. So, I think I came off in good time: hold, now for Camilla: by Jove, I think I am little better than drunk. Hah! who's there? Victoria as I live; nay, it must be she, as I said before. The poor gipsy's jealous; has had some intimation of my appointment with Camilla: I'll loof off, and observe which way

steers.

she

Mrs. Good. Lettice, I fear that's Mr. Good vile's voice: whatever you do, if any cross accident happens, be sure you call me Victoria.

Good. Ay, ay, 'tis Victoria! vigilant devil! but I'll· take this way, and wait at the lower end of the walk. Mrs. Good. Lettice, look well round you that nobody see us, and then follow me. [Exeunt.

Enter TRUMAN.

Tru. Thus far all is well. How I pity poor Valen

tine! yonder is he plying bumpers, as they call 'em, more furiously than a foreign minister, that comes into England to drink for the honour of his country. I have waited something long though; who comes here?

Enter LETTICE.

Let. "Tis I, sir, your servant Lettice.

Tru. My little good-natured agent, is't you? Where's thy lady? she's too cruel to let a poor lover languish here so long in expectation: it looks as if she rather meant to make a trial of my patience, than my love: is she coming?

Let. Well, I swear (as my lady Squeamish says), you are a strange creature. But I'll go and tell her; tho' I'll vow I utterly disown having any hand in the business; and if any ill comes of it, 'tis none of iny fault. Tru. No, no, not in the least. Pr'ythee despatch. How's this! more company! who comes there?

Enter VALENTINE.

Val. "Tis I, Jack Truman; your friend Valentine. Tru. My dear encourager of iniquity! what news? where's Goodvile?

Val. No matter for Goodvile; here comes your mistress.

Enter Mrs. GOODVILE.

[Valentine retires.

Tru. Now, now, now! what the devil ails me? how I shall quake and tremble ?-Madam, dear madam, where are you?

Mrs. Good. Mr. Truman, is't your voice? Lettice, you may go again if you will-[Exit Lettice.] Well, sir; I vow, sir, had it not been that I hate to break my word, I would not have ventured abroad this cold, damp evening, for a world.

Tru. I'll warrant you, nadam, while you are in ny

possession, no cold shall hurt you: come, shall we withdraw to the grotto?

Mrs. Good. Withdraw to the grotto? bless me, sir! what do you mean? I'll swear you make my heart ache,

Tru. Oh madam! I have the best cure for the passion of the heart in the world. I have tried it, madam, 'tis probatum: come, come, let's retire- -Do, make a

disturbance, and ruin yourself and me, do!

Mrs. Good. Nay, I'll swear, sir, you are insufferably rude: you had best make a noise and alarm my husband, you had; for, hang me, I shall cry out.

Tru. No, no, I'm sure you won't complain before you are hurt: and I'll use you so gently-hark !—don't hear, there's somebody coming.

you

Mrs. Good. Where, where, where? If we are seen we are undone for ever. Well, I'll never give you such an advantage again.

Tru. I'm sure you would not, if I should let slip this. Come, come, delays are dangerous, and I can endure 'em no longer.

Mrs. Good. Ah Lord, you kill me!-what will become of me? [Carries her in.

-ah

Val. Nay, 'faith, madam, your condition is something desperate, that's certain. Tis a pretty employment I am like to have here; but it is for the sake of my friend and my revenge; and two dearer arguments there cannot be to persuade me to any thing.

Enter MALAGENE at some distance.

Mal. So, Jack Truman and madam Goodvile have ordered matters pretty well, I'll say that for my kinswoman, she lays about her handsomely. But certainly I hear another voice this way: I'll withdraw once again, there may be more sport yet.

Val, That should be Goodvile: I'll step behind this tree, and see how he and her ladyship behave themselves. This is like to be a night of as civil business as I have known a great while.