You'll think, by what we have of soldiers said, Our female wit was in the service bred:

But she is to the hardy toil a stranger,

She loves the cloth indeed, but hates the danger: Yet to this circle of the brave and gay, She bid one, for her good intentions say, She hopes you'll not reduce her to half-pay. As for our play, 'tis English humour all: Then will you let our manufa&ture fall? Would you the honour of our nation raise, Keep English credit up, and English plays.

Dramatis Personae.

DRURY-LANE.

Colonel FAINWELL, in love with Mrs.Lovely
Sir PHILIP MODELOVE, an old beau
PERIWINKLE, a kind of silly virtuoso
TRADELOVE, a Change broker
OBADIAH PRIM, a Quaker bosier
FREEMAN, the Colonel's friend, a merchant
SIMON PURE, a Quaking preacher
Mr. SACKBUT, a vintner

Men.

Mr. Palmer.
Mr. Baddeley.

Mr. Parsons.

Mr. Faucett.

Mr. Moody.

Mr. Barrymore.
Mr. Burton.
Mr. Phillimore.
Women.

Mrs. LOVELY, a fortune of thirty thousand Miss Farren.

pounds

Mrs. PRIM, wife to Prim the bosier

BETTY, servant to Mrs. Lovely.

COVENT GARDEN.

Colonel FAINWELL, in love with Mrs. Lovely

Sir PHILIP MODELOVE, an old beau

PERIWINKLE, a kind of silly virtuose
TRADELOVE, a Change broker
OBADIAH PRIM, a Quaker bosier

FREEMAN, the Colonel's friend, a merchant
SIMON PURE, a Quaking preacher

Mr. SACKBUT, a vintner

Mrs. Love.

Miss Tidswell.

Men.

Mr. Ryder.

Mr. Bernard.

Mr. Quick.

Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Booth.

Mr. Davies.

Mr. Blanchard.

Mr. Fearon.

Women.

Mrs. LOVELY, a fortune of thirty thousand Mrs. Wells.

A Tavern. Colonel FAINWELL and FREEMAN over a Bottle.

Freeman.

COME, colonel, his majesty's health.-You are as melancholy as if you were in love! I wish some of the beauties of Bath ha'n't snapt your heart.

Col. Why, faith, Freeman, there is something in't; I have seen a lady at Bath, who has kindled such a flame in me, that all the waters there cann't quench.

Free. Women, like some poisonous animals, carry their antidote about 'em-Is she not to be had, colonel?

Col. That's a difficult question to answer; however, I resolve to try: perhaps you may be able to serve me; you merchants know one another.-The

lady told me herself she was under the charge of four

persons.

Free. Odso! 'tis Mrs. Anne Lovely.

Col. The same-Do you know her?

Free. Know her! ay, -Faith, colonel, your condition is more desperate than you imagine: why, she is the talk and pity of the whole town; and it is the opinion of the learned that she must die a maid.

Col. Say you so? That's somewhat odd, in this charitable city. She's a woman, I hope ?

Free. For aught I know,-but it had been as well for her, had nature made her any other part of the creation. The man who keeps this house serv'd her father; he is a very honest fellow, and may be of use to you; we'll send for him to take a glass with us: he'll give you her whole history, and 'tis worth your hearing.

Col. But may one trust him?

Free. With your life: I have obligations enough upon him to make him do any thing: I serve him with wine. [Knocks. Col. Nay, I know him very well myself. I once used to frequent a club that was kept here.

Enter Drawer.

Draw. Gentlemen, d'ye call?

Free. Ay; send up your master.

Draw. Yes, sir.

[Exit.

Col. Do you know any of this lady's guardians,

Freeman ?

:

Free. Yes, I know two of them very well.

Enter SACKBUT.

Free. Here comes one will give you an account of them all. Mr. Sackbut, we sent for you to take a glass with us. 'Tis a maxim among the friends of the bottle, that as long as the master is in company, one may be sure of good wine.

Sack. Sir, you shall be sure to have as good wine as you send in.-Colonel, your most humble servant; you are welcome to town.

Col. I thank you, Mr. Sackbut.

Sack. I am as glad to see you as I should a hundred tun of French claret custom free.- -My service to you, sir, [Drinks.] You don't look so merry as you used to do; ar'n't you well, colonel?

Free. He has got a woman in his head, landlord, can you help him?

Sack. If 'tis in my power, I shan't scruple to serve my friend.

Col. 'Tis one perquisite of your calling.

Sack. Ay, at t'other end of the town, where you officers use, women are good forcers of trade; a wellcustom'd house, a handsome bar-keeper, with clean obliging drawers, soon get the master an estate; but our citizens seldom do any thing but cheat within the walls. But as to the lady, colonel, point you at particulars? or have you a good Champagne stomach ? Are you in full pay, or reduc'd, colonel?

Col. Reduc'd, reduc'd, landlord.