Sack. Never fear, colonel, Mr. Freeman will in struct you. Free. You'll see what others do, the coffee-house will instruct you. Col. I must venture, however- -But I have a farther plot in my head upon Tradelove, which you must assist me in, Freeman; you are in credit with him, I heard you say. Free. I am, and will scruple nothing to serve you, colonel. Col. Come along then-Now for the Dutchman- Now must bag-wig and business come in play; ACT IV. SCENE I. Jonathan's Coffee-house, in 'Change-alley. A crowd of People with Rolls of Paper and Parchment in their Hands; a Bar, and Coffee Boys waiting. Enter TRADELOVE and Stock-Jobbers, with Rolls of Paper and Parchment. 1st Stock-Jobber. SOUTH-Sea at seven-eighths; who buys? 2d Stock. South-Sea bonds due at Michaelmas, 1718. Class lottery-tickets? 3d Stock. East India bonds? 4th Stock. What, all sellers and no buyers? Gen tlemen, I'll buy a thousand pound for Tuesday next, at three-fourths. Coff. Boy. Fresh coffee, gentlemen, fresh coffee? Trade. Hark ye, Gabriel, you'll pay the difference of that stock we transacted for t'other day? Gab. Ay, Mr. Tradelove, here's a note for the money upon the Sword Blade Company. Coff. Boy. Bohea-tea, gentlemen? Enter a Man. Man. Is Mr. Smuggle here? [Gives him a Note. 1st Coff. Boy. Mr. Smuggle's not here, sir, you'll find him at the books. 2d Stock. Hol here comes two sparks from t'other end of the town; what news bring they? Enter two Gentlemen. Trade. I would fain bite the spark in the brown coat; he comes very often into the Alley, but never employs a broker. Enter Colonel and FREEMAN. 2d Stock. Who does any thing in the Civil List lottery or Caco? Zounds, where are all the Jews this afternoon? Are you a bull or a bear to-day, Abraham? 3d Stock. A bull, faith-but I have a good put for next week. Trade. Mr. Freeman, your servant! Who is that gentleman ? Free. A Dutch merchant just come to England; but hark ye, Mr. Tradelove—I have a piece of news will get you as much as the French king's death did if you are expeditious. Free. [Shewing him a Letter.] Read there, I received it just now from one that belongs to the Emperor's minister. Trade. [Reads.] Sir, as I have many obligations to you, I cannot miss any opportunity to shew my gratitude; this moment my lord has receiv'd a private express, that the Spaniards have rais'd their siege from before Cagliari; if this proves any advantage to you, it will answer both the ends and wishes of, sir, your most obliged humble servant, Henricus Dusseldorp. Postscript. In two or three hours the news will be public. [Aside to Freeman. Free. You may I never knew this person send me a false piece of news in my life. Trade. Sir, I am much obliged to you-'Egad, 'tis rare news.-Who sells South Sea for next week? Stock-Job. [All together.] I sell; I, I, I, I, I sell. 1st Stock. I'll sell 50col. for next week, at fiveeighths.. 2d Stock.I'll sell ten thousand, at five-eighths, for the same time. Trade. Nay, nay, hold, hold, not all together, gen 2 tlemen, I'll be no bull, I'll buy no more than I can take: will you sell ten thousand pounds at a half, for any day next week, except Saturday? 1st Stock. I'll sell it you, Mr. Tradelove. Free. [Whispers to one of the Gentlemen.] Gent. [Aside.] The Spaniards rais'd the siege of Cagliari; I don't believe one word of it. 2d Gent. Rais'd the siege; as much as you have rais'd the monument. Free. 'Tis rais'd, I assure you, sir. 2d Gent. What will you lay on't? Free. What you please. 1st Gent. Why, I have a brother upon the spot, in the Emperor's service; I am certain if there were any such thing, I should have had a letter. 2d Stock. How's this? the siege of Cagliari rais'd? -I wish it may be true, 'twill make business stir, and stocks rise. 1st Stock. Tradelove's a cunning fat bear; if this news proves true, I shall repent I sold him the five thousand pounds.-Pray, sir, what assurance have you that the siege is rais'd? Free. There is come an express to the Emperor's minister. 2d Stock. I'll know that presently. 1st Gent. Let it come where it will, I'll hold you fifty pounds 'tis false. Free. 'Tis done. 2d Gent. I'll lay you a brace of hundreds upon the same. F Free. I'll take you. 4th Stock. 'Egad, I'll hold twenty pieces 'tis not rais'd, sir. Free. Done with you too. Trade. I'll lay any man a brace of thousands the siege is rais'd. Free. The Dutch merchant is your man to take in. [Aside to Tradelove. Trade. Does not he know the news? Free. Not a syllable; if he did, he would bet a hundred thousand pounds as soon as one penny ;he's plaguy rich, and a mighty man at wagers. [To Tradelove. Trade. Say you so-'Egad, I'll bite him, if possifrom Holland, sir? ble.. Are you Trade. Had you the news before you came away? Col. What believe you, mynheer? Trade. What do I believe? Why, I believe that the Spaniards have actually rais'd the siege of Cagliari. Col. Wat duyvel's news is dat ? 'Tis niet waer, mynheer—'tis no true, sir. Trade. 'Tis so true, mynheer, that I'll lay you two thousand pounds upon it.You are sure the letter may be depended upon, Mr. Freeman ? Free. Do you think I would venture my money, if I were not sure of the truth of it? [Aside to Trade. Col. Two duysend pound, mynheer, 'tis gadaen— dis gentleman sal hold de gelt. [Gives Free. money. Trade. With all my heart-this binds the wager. |