Trade. One that will dress you in all the pride of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America-a Dutch merchant, my girl.

Sir Phil. A Dutchman! ha, ha; there's a husband for a fine lady.- -Ya frow, will you meet myn slapen-ha, ha! he'll learn you to talk the language of the hogs, madam, ha, ha!

Trade. He'll learn you that one merchant is of more service to a nation than fifty coxcombs.-The Dutch know the trading interest to be of more benefit to the state, than the landed.

Sir Phil. But what is either interest to a lady?

Trade. 'Tis the merchant makes the belle-How would the ladies sparkle in the box without the merchant? The Indian diamond! The French brocade! The Italian fan! The Flanders lace! The fine Dutch holland! How would they vent their scandal over their tea-tables? And where would your beaux have Champagne to toast their mistresses, were it not for the merchant?

Ob. Pr. Verily, neighbour Tradlove, thou dost waste thy breath about nothing-All that thou hast said tendeth only to debauch youth, and fill their heads with the pride and luxury of this world-The merchant is a very great friend to satan, and sendeth as many to his dominions as the pope.

Per. Right, I say knowledge makes the man.

Ob. Pr. Yea, but not thy kind of knowledge————— it is the knowledge of truth.- -Search thou for the light within, and not for baubles, friend.

Mrs. Lov. Ah, study your country's good, Mr. Periwinkle, and not her insects,Rid you of your home-bred monsters, before you fetch any from abroad I dare swear you have maggots enough in your own brain to stock all the virtuosos in Europe with butterflies.

Sir Phil. By my soul, Miss Nancy's a wit.

Ob. Pr. That is more than she can say by thee, friend-Look ye, it is in vain to talk, when I meet a man worthy of her, she shall have my leave to marry him.

Mrs. Lov. Provided he be of the faithfulWas there ever such a swarm of caterpillars to blast the hopes of a woman! [Aside.] Know this, that you contend in vain: I'll have no husband of your choosing, nor shall you lord it over me long-I'll try the power of an English senatebeen redress'd, and wills set asideever deserve their pity more-Oh, Fainwell! where are thy promises to free me from these vermin Alas! the task was more difficult than he imagin'd! A harder task than what the poets tell

Of yore, the fair Andromeda befel;

-Orphans have
And none did

She but one monster fear'd, I've four to fear,

Sir Phil. So you are all in my opinion.

[Exit.

Ob. Pr. Friend Tradelove, business requireth my presence.

Trade. Oh, I shan't trouble you-pox take him for an unmannerly dog-However, I have kept my word with my Dutchman, and will introduce him too for

all you.

Enter Colonel in a Quaker's habit.

[Exit.

Ob. Pr. Friend Pure, thou art welcome; how is it with friend Holdfast, and all friends in Bristol? Timothy Littleworth, John Slenderbrain, and Christopher Keepfaith?

Col. A goodly company! [Aside] They are all in health, I thank thee for them.

Ob. Pr. Friend Holdfast writes me word, that thou camest lately from Pennsylvania, how do all friends there?

Col. What the devil shall I say? I know just as much of Pennsylvania as I do of Bristol. [Aside.

Ob. Pr. Do they thrive?

Col. Yea, friend, the blessing of their good works fall upon them.

Enter Mrs. PRIM and Mrs. LOVELY.

Ob. Pr. Sarah, know our friend Pure.

Mrs. Pr. Thou art welcome.

Col. Here comes the sum of all my wishes-How

[He salutes her.

[Aside.

charming she appears even in that disguise 1

Ob. Pr. Why dost thou consider the maiden so at

tentively, friend?

H

Col. I will tell thee: about four days ago I saw a vision-This very maiden, but in vain attire, standing on a precipice; and heard a voice, which called me by my name—and bid me put forth my hand and save her from the pit-I did so, and methought the damsel grew unto my side.

Mrs. Pr. What can that portend?

Ob. Pr. The damsel's conversion-I am persuaded. Mrs. Lov. That's false, I'm sure [Aside. Ob. Pr. Wilt thou use the means, friend Pure ? Col. Means! What means? Is she not thy daughter, already one of the faithful ?

Mrs. Pr. No, alas! she's one of the ungodly.

Ob. Pr. Pray thee, mind what this good man will say unto thee; he will teach thee the way that thou shouldest walk, Anne.

Mrs. Lov. I know my way without his instruction : I hop❜d to have been quiet when once I had put on your odious formality here.

Col. Then thou wearest it out of compulsion, not choice, friend?

Mrs. Lov. Thou art in the right of it, friend.— Mrs. Pr. Art thou not asham'd to mimic the good man? Ah! thou art a stubborn girl.

Col. Mind her not'; she hurteth not me-If thou wilt leave her alone with me, I will discuss some few points with her, that may perchance soften her stubbornness, and melt her into compliance.

Ob. Pr. Content: I pray thee put it home to her.Come, Sarah, let us leave the good man with her.

Mrs. Lov. [Catching hold of Prim, he breaks loose, and Exit.] What do you mean-to leave me with this old enthusiastical canter? Don't think, because I comply'd with your formality, to impose your ridiculous doctrine upon me.

Col. I pray thee, young woman, moderate thy passion.

Mrs. Lov. I pray thee walk after thy leader, you will but lose your labour upon me.-These wretches will certainly make me mad!

Col. I am of another opinion; the spirit telleth me I shall convert thee, Anne.

Mrs. Lov. 'Tis a lying spirit, don't believe it.

Col. Say'st thou so? Why then thou shalt convert me, my angel. [Catching her in his Arms.

Mrs. Lov. [Shrieks.] Ah! monster, hold off, or I'll tear thy eyes out.

Col. Hush! for Heaven's sake-dost thou not know me? I am Fainwell.

Mrs. Lov. Fainwell! [Enter old Prim.] Oh, I'm undone! Prim here- -I wish with all my soul I had been dumb.

Ob. Pr. What is the matter? Why did'st thou shriek out, Anne?

Mrs. Lov. Shriek out! I'll shriek and shriek again, cry murder, thieves, or any thing, to drown the noise of that eternal babbler, if you leave me with him any longer.

Ob. Pr. Was that all? Fie, fie, Anne.