ADVERTISEMENT. T HIS COMEDY, and the Rehearsal at Goatham were finished by Mr. GAY, and intended for the stage before his death; when they were left, with his other papers, to the care of his noble friend and patron the DUKE of QUEENSBURY: His grace accordingly permitted them to the prefs, and they are here printed from the original in the author's own hand-writing. Dramatis Perfonæ. Sir Thomas Willit. MEN. Barter, a merchant, uncle to fir Thomas. Flutter, Trenchwell, a farmer, tenant to fir Thomas. Fibber, porter to fir Thomas, WOMEN. Lady Frankair, fifler to lord Courtlove. Lady Rampant. Mrs. Buxom. Mrs. Clackit. Mifs Sprightly, niece to lady Willit. Mifs Friendless, coufin to lady Willit. THE DISTRESS'D WIFE. W HY did you bring her to town at all? Why did not you pack her off into the country three months ago? Sir Tho. But to fall upon the fex in fo Severe a manner looks like pique. You old bachelors fhould not judge of all women by those you have convers'd with. Bart. Had I been ever married, nephew, you might have fufpected me of pique and prejudice. Confider too, that a looker-on very often fees the overfights of thofe that are engaged in the game; and of all inan kind, according to my obfervations, a husband fees the leaft of what his wife is doing. Sir Tho. But there may be exceptions, fir. Bart. I tell you, nephew, 'tis every husband's cafe. A wife hath a thousand ways of blinding you. (Not: to mention lying) What think you of flattery, fondnefs, and tears? Thofe are hood-winks that wives have ready upon every occafion. Sir Tho. Perhaps I have not the strongest reafons to be an advocate for matrimony; yet, for our own fakes, we should conceal our wives infirmities; for, if family disputes |