Ld Fop.

Lady Bet.

Ha, ha, ha!

Ld More. O, never fear me; for upon my word, it now appears ridiculous even to me. Sir Cha. And, hark you

[Whispers Lord MORE. Lady Bet. And so the widow was as full of airs as his lordship?

Sir Cha. Only observe that, and it is impossible you can fail. [Aside. Ld More. Dear Charles, you have convinced me, and I thank you.

Lady Grave. My lord Morclove! What, do you leave us?

Ld More. Ten thousand pardons, madam! I was but just

Lady Grave. Nay, nay, no excuses, my lord, so you will but let us have you again.

Sir Cha. [Aside to Lady GRAVEAIRS.]—I sec you have good humour, madam, when you like your company.

Lady Grave. And you, I see, for all your mighty thirst of dominion, could stoop to be obedient, if one thought it worth one's while to make you so.

Sir Cha. Ha! power would make her an admirable tyrant. [Aside. Lady Easy. [Observing Sir CHARLES and Lady GRAVEAIRS.]-So! there's another couple have quarrelled, too, I find-Those airs to my lord Morelove look as if designed to recover Sir Charles into jealousy: I'll endeavour to join the company, and, it may be, that will let me into the secret.-[Aside.]-My lord Foppington, I vow this is very uncomplaisant, to engross so agreeable a part of the company to yourself.

Sir Chu. Nay, my lord, this is not fair, indeed, to enter into secrets among friends! Ladies, what say you? I think we ought to declare against it. Lady Bet. Well, ladies, I ought only to ask your pardon my lord's excuseable, for I would haul him into a corner.

Ld Fop, I swear 'tis very hard, ho! I observe, two people of extreme condition can no sooner grow particular, but the multitude of both sexes are immediately up, and think their properties invaded-

Lady Bet. Odious multitude!

Id Fop. Perish the canaille! Lady Grave. Oh, my lord, we women have all reason to be jealous of Lady Betty Modish's power.

Ld More. [To Lady BETTY.]-As the men, madam, all have of my lord Foppington; be sides, favourites of great merit discourage those of an inferior class for their prince's service; he has already lost you one of your retinue, madam.

Lady Bet. Not at all, my lord; he has only made room for another: one must sometimes make vacancies, or there could be no preferments.

Lady Easy. Ha, ha, ha! Ladies' favours, my lord, like places at court, are not always held for life, you know.

Lady Bet. No, indeed! if they were, the poor fine women would be always used like their wives, and no more minded than the business of the nation.

Lady Easy. Have a care, madam: an undeserving favourite has been the ruin of many a prince's empire.

Ld Fop. Ha, ha, ha! Upon my soul, Lady Betty, we must grow more discreet; for, positively, if we go on at this rate, we shall have the world throw you under the scandal of constancy; and I shall have all the swords of condition at my throat for a monopolist.

Ld More. Oh! there's no great fear of that, my lord; though the men of sense give it over, there will be always some idle fellows vain enough to believe their merit may succeed as well as your lordship's.

Lady Bet. Or, if they should not, my lord, cast lovers, you know, need not fear being long out of employment, while there are so many well-disposed people in the world-There are generally neglected wives, stale maids, or charitable widows, always ready to relieve the necessities of a disappointed passion-And, by the way, hark you, Sir Charles

Ld More. [Aside.]-So! she's stirred, I see; for all her pains to hide it-She would hardly have glanced an affront at a woman she was not piqued at.

Lady Grave. [Aside.]—That wit was thrown at me, I suppose; but I'll return it.

Lady Bet. [Softly to Sir CHARLES.]-Pray, how come you all this while to trust your mistress so easily?

Sir Cha. One is not so apt, madam, to be alarmed at the liberties of an old acquaintance, as perhaps your ladyship ought to be at the resentment of an hard-used, honourable lover.

Lady Bet. Suppose I were alarmed, how does that make you easy?

Sir Cha. Come, come, be wise at last; my trusting them together may easily convince you, that (as I told you before) I know his addresses to her are only outward, and it will be your fault now, if you let him go on till the world thinks him in earnest, and a thousand busy tongues are set upon malicious inquiries into your reputation.

Lady Bet. Why, Sir Charles, do you suppose,

prove your hand with.

Ld Fop. To me, madam-My lord, I presume whoever the lady thinks fit to play the fool with, will at least be able to give as much envy as the wise person that had not wit enough to keep well with her when he was so.

Ld More. Well observed, madam.

Lady Grave. Besides, it looks so affected to whisper, when every body guesses the secret. Ld More. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Bet. Oh! madam, your pardon in particular: but it is possible you may be mistaken: the secrets of people, that have any regard to their actions, are not so soon guessed, as theirs that have made a confident of the whole town. Ld Fop. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Grave. A coquette, in her affected airs of disdain to a revolted lover, I'm afraid, must exceed your ladyship in prudence, not to let the world see, at the same time, she'd give her eyes to make her peace with him: ha, ha, ha!

Ld More. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Bet. 'Twould be a mortification, indeed, if it were in the power of a fading widow's charms to prevent it; and the man must be miserably reduced, sure, that could bear to live buried in woollen, or take up with the motherly comforts of a swan skin petticoat. Ha, ha, ha!

Ld Fop. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Grave. Widows, it seems, are not so squeamish to their interest; they know their own minds, and take the man they like, though it happens to be one that a froward, vain girl has disobliged, and is pining to be friends with.

Ld More. Nay, though it happens to be one that confesses he once was fond of a piece of fol ly, and afterwards ashamed on't.

Lady Bet. Nay, my lord, there's no standing against two of you.

Ld Fop. No, faith, that's odds at tennis, my lord; not but, if your ladyship pleases, I'll endeavour to keep your back-hand a little; though, upon my soul, you may safely set me up at the line: for, knock me down if ever I saw a rest of wit better played, than that last, in my life. What say you, madam? shall we engage?

Lady Bet. As you please, my lord.

Ld Fop. Ha, ha, ha! Allons! tout de bon jouer, mi lor.

Ld More. Oh, pardon me, sir, I shall never think myself in any thing a match for the lady. Ld Fop. To you, madam.

Lady Bet. That's much, my lord, when the world knows you have been so many years teasing me to play the fool with you.

Ld Fop. Ah, bien-joué-Ha, ha, ha!

Ld More. At that game, I confess, your la

Lady Grave. O! my lord! Both parties must needs be greatly happy; for, I dare swear neither will have any rivals to disturb them. Ld More. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Bet. None that will disturb them, I dare swear.

Ld Fop. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Grave. Ha, ha, ha!
Lady Bet.

Sir Cha. I don't know, gentlefolks--but you are all in extreme good humour, methinks; I hope there's none of it affected.

Lady Easy. I should be loth to answer for any but my lord Foppington.

[Aside.

Lady Bet. Mine is not, I'll wear. Ld More. Nor mine, I'm sure. Lady Grave. Mine's sincere, depend upon't. Ld Fop. And may the eternal frowns of the whole sex doubly demme, if mine is not.

Lady Easy. Well, good people, I am mighty glad to hear it. You have all performed extremely well: but, if you please, you shall even give over your wit now, while it is well.

Lady Bet. [To herself.]-Now I see his humour, I'll stand it out, if I were sure to die for't. Sir Cha. You should not have proceeded so far with my lord Foppington, after what I had told you. [Aside to Lady BETTY. Lady Bet. Pray, Sir Charles, give me leave to understand myself a little.

Sir Cha. Your pardon, madam. I thought a right understanding would have been for both your interest and reputation.

Lady Bet. For his, perhaps.

Sir Cha. Nay, then, madam, it's time for me to take care of my friend.

Ludy Bet. I never, in the least, doubted your friendship to him, in any thing that was to shew yourself my enemy.

Sir Cha. Since I see, madam, you have so ungrateful a sense of my lord Morelove's merit, and my service, I shall never be ashamed of using my power henceforth to keep him entirely out of your ladyship's.

Lady Bet. Was ever any thing so insolent! I could find in my heart to run the hazard of a downright compliance, if it were only to convince him, that my power, perhaps, is not inferior to his. [To herself.

Lady Easy. My lord Foppington, I think you generally lead the company upon these occasions. Pray, will you think of some prettier sort of diversion for us than parties and whispers?

Ld Fop. What say you, ladies? shall we step and see what's done at the basset-table? Lady Bet. With all my heart. Lady Easy

me.

Lady Bet. That's all, my lord.

Ld More. Is not your ladyship for walking? Lady Bet. If your lordship dares venture with

Ld More. O madam! [Taking her hand.] How my heart dances! what heavenly music's in her voice, when softened into kindness.

[Aside. Lady Bet. Ha! his hand trembles-Sir Charles may be mistaken.

Ld Fop. My lady Graveairs, you won't let Sir Charles leave us? [Exeunt. [Manent Sir CHARLES and Lady GRAVEAIRS. Lady Grave. No, my lord, we'll follow you— stay a little. [To Sir CHARLES. Sir Cha. I thought your ladyship designed to follow them.

Lady Grave. Perhaps I'd speak with you. Sir Cha. But, madam, consider; we shall certainly be observed.

Lady Grave. Lord, sir, if you think it such a
[Exit hastily.

favour.
Sir Cha. Is she gone? Let her

go, &c. Exit singing.

SCENE 1.-Continues.

Enter Sir CHARLES and Lord MORELOVE. Sir Chu. Come a little this way-My lady Graveairs had an eye upon me as I stole off, and, I'm apprehensive, will make use of any opportunity to talk with me.

La More. O! we are pretty safe hereWell, you were speaking of Lady Betty.

Sir Cha. Ay, my lord-I say, notwithstanding all this sudden change of her behaviour, I would not have you yet be too secure of her: for, between you and I, since I told you I have professed myself an open enemy to her power with you-'tis not impossible but this new air of good humour may very much proceed from a little woman's pride, of convincing me you are not yet out of her power.

Ld More. Not unlikely. But still, can we make no advantage of it?

Sir Cha. That's what I have been thinking of -look you--Death! my lady Graveairs!

Sir Cha. Come, come, no more of these reproachful looks; you'll find, madam, I have deserved better of you than your jealousy imagines -Is it a fault to be tender of your reputation?

-fie, fie-This may be a proper time to talk, and of my contriving, too-you see I just now shook off my lord Morelove on purpose.

Lady Grave. May I believe you ?

Sir Cha. Still doubting my fidelity, and mistaking my discretion for want of good nature!

Lady Grave. Don't think me troublesomeFor I confess 'tis death to think of parting with you: since the world sees for you I have neglected friends and reputation, have stood the little insults of disdainful prudes, that envied me perhaps your friendship; have borne the freezing looks of near and general acquaintance-Since this is so-don't let them ridicule me, too, and say my foolish vanity undid me! Don't let them point at me as a cast mistress!

Sir Cha. You wrong me, to suppose the thought: you'll have better of me when we meet: Whea shall you be at leisure?

Lady Grave. I confess I would see you once again: if what I have more to say prove ineffec tual, perhaps it may convince me then, 'tis my interest to part with you-Can you come to

in a moment.

Ld More. Very well, I'll stay there for you.
[Exit Lord MoreLove.
Enter Lady GRAVEAIRS on the other side.
Lady Grave. Sir Charles!

Sir Cha. You know we have company, and I'm afraid they'll stay too late-Cann't it be be fore supper? What's o'clock now?

Lady Grave. It's almost six.

Sir Cha. At seven, then, be sure of me; till when, I'd have you go back to the ladies, to avoid suspicion, and about that time have the vapours.

Lady Grave. May I depend upon you? [Erit. Sir Cha. Depend on every thing-A very troublesome business this-Send me once fairly rid on't-if ever I'm caught in an honourable affair again!-A debt, now, that a little ready civility, and away, would satisfy, a man might bear with; but to have a rent-charge upon one's good nature, with an unconscionable long scroll of arrears, too, that would eat out the profits of the best estate in Christendom-ah-intolerable ! Well! I'll even to my lord, and shake off the thoughts on't. [Erit.

I am fully instructed, and will about it instantly -Won't you go along with me?

Sir Cha. That may not be so proper-besides, I have a little business upon my hands. Ld More. Oh, your servant, sir-Good bye to you-you sha'n't stir.

Enter Lady BETTY and Lady EASY.

Lady Easy. Truly, I don't complain of my fortune either way.

Lady Bet. Pr'ythee tell me, you are often advising me to it; are there those real comfortable advantages in marriage, that our old aunts and grandmothers would persuade us of?

Lady Easy. Upon my word, if I had the worst husband in the world, I should still think so. Laay Bet. Ay, but then the hazard of not having a good one, my dear.

Lady Easy. You may have a good one, I dare say, if you don't give airs till you spoil him.

Lady Bet. Can there be the same dear, full delight, in giving ease as pain? Oh, my dear, the thought of parting with one's power is insupportable!

Lady Easy. And the keeping it, till it dwindles into no power at all, is most ruefully foolish. Lady Bet. But still, to marry before one's heartily in love———

Lady Easy. Is not half so formidable a calamity- -but if I have any eyes, my dear, you'll run no great hazard of that in venturing on my lord Morelove-You don't know, perhaps, that within this half hour, the tone of your voice is strangely softened to him: ha, ha, ha!

Lady Bet. My dear, you are, positively, one or other, the most censorious creature in the world —and so I see it's in vain to talk with youPray, will you go back to the company? Lady Easy. Ah! poor Lady Betty! [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Changes to Sir CHARLES'S
Lodgings.

Enter Sir CHARLES and Lord MORELOVE.

Ld More. Charles, you have transported me! You have made my part in the scene so very easy, too, 'tis impossible I should fail in it.

Sir Chu. That's what I considered; for, now, the more you throw yourself into her power, the more I shall be able to force her into yours.

Ld More. After all, (begging the ladies pardon,) your fine women, like bullies, are only stout when they know their men: a man of an honest courage may fright them into any thing! Well,

question if the jade has any great business there!

-I have a fancy she has only a mind to be taking the opportunity of nobody's being at home, to make her peace with me-let me see -ay, I shall have time enough to go to her ladyship afterwards-Besides, I want a little sleep, I find-Your young fops may talk of their women of quality-but, to me now, there's a strange agreeable convenience in a creature one is not obliged to say much to upon these occasions.

Enter EDGING.

Edg. Did you call me, sir?

[Going.

Sir Cha. Ha! all's right—[Aside.]—Yes, madam, I did call you. [Sits down. Edg. What would you please to have, sir? Sir Cha. Have! Why, I would have you grow a good girl, and know when you are well used, hussy.

gry

Edg. Sir, I don't complain of any thing, not I. Sir Cha. Well, don't be uneasy-I am not anwith -Come and kiss me. you nowEdg. Lard, sir!

Sir Cha. Don't be a fool, now-Come hither. Edg. Pshaw[Goes to him.

Sir Cha. No wry face-so-sit down. I won't have you look grave neither; let me see you smile, you jade you. Edg. Ha, ha!

[Laughs and blushes. Si Cha. Ah, you melting rogue! Edg. Come, don't you be at your tricks now -Lard, cann't you sit still and talk with one! I am sure there's ten times more love in that, and fifty times the satisfaction, people may say what they will.

Sir Cha. Well! now you're good, you shall have your own way-I am going to lie down in the next room; and, since you love a little chat, come and throw my night-gown over me, and you shall talk me to sleep. [Exit Sir CHArles, Edg. Yes, sir.For all his way, I see he likes me still. [Exit after him.

SCENE III.-Changes to the Terrace. Enter Lady BETTY, Lady EASY, and Lord MORELOVE.

Ld More. Nay, madam, there you are too severe upon him; for, bating now and then a little

vanity, my lord Foppington does not want wit sometimes to make him a very tolerable woman's

man.

Lady Bet. But such eternal vanity grows tire

some.

Lady Easy. Come, if he were not so loose in his morals, his vanity, methinks, might be easily excused, considering how much 'tis in fashion; for, pray observe what's half the conversation of most of the fine young people about town, but a perpetual affectation of appearing foremost in the knowledge of manners, new modes, and scandal? and, in that, I don't see any body comes up to him.

Ld More. Nor I, indeed-and here he comes -Pray, madam, let's have a little more of him; nobody shews him to more advantage than your ladyship.

Lady Bet. Nay, with all my heart; you'll second me, my lord?

Ld More. Upon occasion, madam▬▬ Lady Easy. Engaging upon parties, my lord? [Aside, and smiling to Lord MORE.

Enter Lord FOPPINGTON.

Ld Fop. So, ladies! what's the affair now? Lady Bet. Why, you were, my lord! I was allowing you a great many good qualities; but Lady Easy says you are a perfect hypocrite; and that, whatever airs you give yourself to the women, she's confident you value no woman in the world equal to your own lady.

Ld Fop. You see, madam, how I am scandalized upon your account. But it is so natural for a prude to be malicious, when a man endeavours to be well with any body but herself-did you ever observe she was piqued at that before? "ha, ha!

Lady Bet. I'll swear you are a provoking

creature.

Ld Fop. Let's be more familiar upon't, and give her disorder! ha, ha!

Lady Bet. Ha, ha, ha!

Ld Fop. Stop my breath, but Lady Easy is an admirable discoverer !-Marriage is indeed a prodigious security of one's inclination; a man's likely to take a world of pains in an employment, where he cann't be turned out for his idleness.

Lady Bet. I vow, my lord, that's vastly generous to all the fine women; you are for giving them a despotic power in love, I see, to reward and punish as they think fit.

La Fop. Ha, ha! Right, madam; what signifies beauty without power? And a fine woman, when she's married, makes as ridiculous a figure, as a beaten general marching out of a garrison.

Lady Easy. I'm afraid, Lady Betty, the greatest danger in your use of power, would be from a too heedless liberality; you would more mind the man than his merit.

Ld Fop. Piqued again, by all that's fretful!— Well, certainly, to give envy is a pleasure inexpressible. [To Lady BETTY.

Lady Bet. Ha, ha!

Lady Easy. Does not she show him well, my lord? [Aside to Lord MORE. Ld More. Perfectly, and me to myself— For now, I almost blush to think I ever was uneasy at him. [To Lady EASY. Ld Fop. Lady Easy, I ask ten thousand pardons: I'm afraid I am rude all this while.

Lady Easy. Oh, not at all, my lord; you are always good company, when you please: not but in some things, indeed, you are apt to be like other fine gentlemen-a little too loose in your principles.

Ld Fop. Oh, madam, never to the offence of the ladies; I agree in any community with them; nobody is more constant churchman, when the

fine women are there.

Lady Easy. Oh fie, my lord! you ought not to go for their sakes at all! And I wonder, you that are for being such a good husband of your virtues, are not afraid of bringing your prudence into a lampoon or a play.

Lady Bet. Lampoons and plays, madam, are only things to be laughed at.

Ld Fop. Odso! ladies, the court's coming home, I see; shall not we make our bows? Lady Bet. Oh, by all means!

Lady Easy. Lady Betty, I must leave you; for I am obliged to write letters; and I know you won't give me time after supper.

Lady Bet. Well, my dear, I'll make a short visit, and be with you. [Exit Lady EASY.] Pray, what's become of my lady Graveairs?

Ld More. Oh, I believe she's gone home, madam: she seemed not to be very well. La Fop. And where's Sir Charles, my lord? Ld More. I left him at his own lodgings. Lady Bet. He's upon some ramble, I'm afraid. Ld Fop. Nay, as for that matter, a man may ramble at home sometimes-But here come the chaises; we must make a little more haste, madam. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-Changes to Sir CHARLES'S
Lodgings,

Enter Lady EASY and a Servant.
Lady Easy. Is your master come home?
Serv. Yes, madam.

Lady Easy. Where is he?

Serv. I believe, madam, he's laid down to sleep.

Lady Easy. Where's Edging? Bid her get me some wax and paper-stay, it's no matter, now I think on it-there's some above upon my toilette. [Exeunt secerally.

SCENE V.-Opens, and discovers Sir CHARLES without his periwig, and EDGING by him, both asleep, in two easy chairs. Then enters Lady EASY, who starts and trembles, some time unable to speak.

Lady Easy. Ha! protect me, virtue, patience,

reason!