paration.-I know, sir, your good nature and my sister's must be shocked at the office I impose on you; but as I don't ask your justification of my cause, so I hope you are consciousthat an ill woman cann't reproach you, if you are silent upon her side. Man. My lord, I never thought, 'till now, it could be difficult to oblige you. L. Grace. [Aside.] Heavens! how I tremble! Ld Town. For you, my lady Townly, I need not here repeat the provocations of my parting with you the world, I fear, is too well inform'd of them-For the good lord, your dead father's sake, I will still support you as his daughterAs the lord Townly's wife, you have had every thing a fond husband could bestow, and (to our mutual shame I speak it) more than happy wives desire-But those indulgencies must end! State, equipage, and splendour but ill become the vices that misuse 'em-The decent necessaries of life shall be supplied—but not one article to luxury! Not even the coach that waits to carry you from hence shall you ever use again! Your tender aunt, my lady Lovemore, with tears, this morning, has consented to receive you where, if time and your condition brings you to a due reflection, your allowance shall be increased-But if you still are lavish of your little, or pine for past licentious pleasures, that little shall be less! nor will I call that soul my friend, that names you in my hearing! L. Grace. My heart bleeds for her. [Aside. Ld Town. O, Manly! look there! turn back thy thoughts with me, and witness to my grow ing love! There was a time when I believed that form incapable of vice or of decay! There I proposed the partner of an easy home! There I for ever hoped to find a cheerful companion, an agreeable intimate, a faithful friend, a useful help-mate, and a tender mother-But oh! how bitter now the disappointment! Man. The world is different in its sense of happiness. Offended as you are, I know you will still be just. Ld Town. Fear me not. Man. This last reproach, I see, has struck her. [Aside. Ld Town. No, let me not, (though I this moment cast her from my heart for ever,) let me not urge her punishment beyond her crimes-I know the world is fond of any tale that feeds its appetite of scandal; and as I am conscious severities of this kind seldom fail of imputations too gross to mention, I here, before you both, acquit her of the least suspicion raised against the honour of my bed. Therefore, when abroad her conduct may be questioned, do her fame that justice. Lady Town. O sister! Lady Town. Support me! save me! hide me from the world! [Falls on Lady GRACE's neck. Ld Town. [Returning.]-I had forgot meYou have no share in my resentment; therefore, as you have lived in friendship with her, your parting ma, admit of gentler terms than suit the honour of an injured husband. [Offers to go out. Man. [Interposing.] My lord, you must not, shall not leave her thus! One moment's stay can do your cause no wrong. If looks can speak the anguish of the heart, I'll answer with my life there's something labouring in her mind, that, would you bear the hearing, might deserve it. Ld Town. Consider! Since we no more can meet, press not my staying, to insult her. Lady Town. Yet stay, my lord-the little I would say will not deserve an insult; and undeserved, I know your nature gives it not. But as you've called in friends to witness your resentment, let them be equal hearers of my last reply. Ld Town. I sha'n't refuse you that, madam -be it so. Lady Town. My lord, you ever have complained I wanted love; but as you kindly have allowed I never gave it to another, so when you hear the story of my heart, though you may still complain, you will not wonder at my coldness. L. Grace. This promises a reverse of temper. [Apart. Man. This, my lord, you are concerned to hear. Ld Town. Proceed; I am attentive. Lady Town. Before I was your bride, my lord, the flattering world had talked me into beauty, which, at my glass, my youthful vanity confirm ed: Wild with that fame, I thought mankind my slaves; I triumphed over hearts, while all my pleasure was their pain; yet was my own so equally insensible to all, that when a father's firm commands enjoined me to make choice of one, I even there declined the liberty he gave, and to his own election yielded up my youth-His tender care, my lord, directed him to you—Our hands were joined; but still my heart was wedded to its folly! My only joy was power, command, society, profuseness, and to lead in pleasures! The hus band's right to rule I thought a vulgar law, which only the deformed or meanly-spirited obeyed. I knew no directors but my passions; no mas ter but my will! Even you, my lord, some time o'ercome by love, was pleased with my delights, nor then foresaw this mad misuse of your indul gence-And though I call myself ungrateful while I own it, yet, as a truth, it cannot be de nied-that kind indulgence has undone me! It added strength to my habitual failings; and in a heart thus warm, in wild unthinking life, no won der if the gentler sense of love was lost. Ld Town. O, Manly! where has this creature's heart been buried? [Apart Man. If yet recoverable—how vast a trea[Apart. sure? Lady Town. What I have said, my lord, not my excuse, but my confession! My errors (give 'em, if you please, a harder name) cannot be defended! No! What's in its nature wrong, no Ld Town. No, madam! Your errors, thus re- Lady Town. [Turning to Lady GRACE.] How L. Grace. How amiable your thinking so! [Embracing Lady TOWNLY. Ld Town. Preserve but this desire to please, your power is endless. Lady Town. Oh!-'till this moment, never did I know, my lord, I had a heart to give you! Ld Town. By Heaven! this yielding hand, L. Grace. Sister, (for now, methinks, that Lady Town. Sister, a day like this- speak it. Ld Town. O Manly! how the name of friend Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, the apartments are full of masqueraders And some people of quality there desire to see your lordship and my lady. Lady Town. I thought, my lord, your orders had forbid this revelling, Ld Town. No, my dear; Manly has desired | their admittance to-night, it seems, upon a parti- Lady Town. I shall be but ill company to them. Ld Town. No matter: not to see them would on a sudden be too particular. Lady Grace will assist you to entertain them. Lady Town. With her, my lord, I shall be always easy-Sister, to your unerring virtue I now | commit the guidance of my future days. Never the paths of pleasure more to tread, [Exeunt. L. Grace. A great many people, my lord, but no company-as you'll find-for here's one now that seems to have a mind to entertain us. [A Mask, after some affected gesture, makes up to Ludy TOWNLY. Mask. Well, dear Lady Townly, sha'n't we see you by and by? Lady Town. I don't know you, madam. [In a squeaking tone. Lady Town. Yes, I could guess wrong, I be lieve. Mask. That's what I'd have you do. Lady Town. But, madam, if I don't know you at all, is not that as well? Musk. Ay, but you do know me. Lady Town. Dear sister, take her off my hands; there's no bearing this. [Apart. L. Grace, I fancy I know you, madam. L. Grace. Because I have heard you talk. Mask. O dear, yes: I have found out fifty al- | rious characters.] This was a favour extraordi ready. L. Grace. Pray, who are they? Li Town. Is it not hard, my dear, that peo- Mask. O yes. You must know I always find out them by their endeavours to find out me. L. Grace. Pray, who are they? Mask. Why, for your men of tip-top wit and pleasure about town, there's my lord--Bite -Lord Arch-wag-Young BrazenwitLord Timberdown--Lord Joint-Life--and --Lord Mortgage. Then for your pretty fellows only-there's Sir Powder-Peacock-Lord Lapwing-Billy Magpye-Beau Frightful-Sir Paul Plaister-crown, and the marquis of Monkeyman. L. Grace. Right! and these are the fine gentlemen that never want elbow-room at an assembly. Mask. The rest, I suppose, by their tawdry hired habits, are tradesmen's wives, inns-of-court beaux, Jews, and kept mistresses. Ld Town. An adnurable collection! L. Grace. Well, of all our public diversions, I am amazed how this, that is so very expensive, and has so little to shew for it, can draw so much company together. Ld Town. O, if it were not expensive, the better sort would not come into it; and because money can purchase a ticket, the common people scorn to be kept out of it. Mask. Right, my lord. Poor Lady Grace, I suppose you are under the same astonishment that an opera should draw so much good company. L. Grace. Not at all, madam; it's an easier matter, sure, to gratify the ear than the understanding. But have you no notion, madam, of receiving pleasure and profit at the same time? Mask. O, quite none, unless it be sometimes winning a great stake. Laying down a vole, sans prendre, may come up to the profitable pleasure you were speaking of. Ld Town. You seem attentive, my dear. [Apart. Lady Town. I am, my lord; and amazed at my own follies, so strongly painted in another [Apart. wo.nan. L. Grace. But see, my lord, we had best adjourn our debate, I believe; for here are some masks that seem to have a mind to divert other people as well as themselves. La Town. The least we can do is to give them a clear stage then. [4 dance of masks here, in a nary. Enter MANLY. O, Manly! I thought we had lost you. Man. They are all in the house here, among the masks, my lord: if your lordship has curio sity enough to step into a lower apartment, in three minutes I'll give you an ample account of them. Ld Town. O, by all means; we will wait upon [The scene shuts upon the Masks, to a smaller apartment. you, MANLY re-enters, with Sir FRANCIS WRONG- Sir Fran. Well, cousin, you have made my very hair stand on end. Waunds! if what you tell me be true, I'll stuff my whole family into a stage-coach, and trundle them into the country again on Monday morning. Man. Stick to that, sir, and we may yet find a way to redeem all. In the mean time, place yourself behind this screen, and for the truth of what I have told you, take the evidence of your own senses; but be sure you keep close till I give you the signal. Sir Fran. Sir, I'll warrant you-Ah, my lady, my lady Wronghead, what a bitter busi ness have you drawn me into ! Man. Hush! to your post: here comes one couple already. [Sir FRANCIS retures behind the screen. Exit MANLY. Enter MYRTILLA, with Squire RICHARD. Sq. Rich. Well, but where is he? Myr. He'll be ready for us presently; but he says he cann't do us the good turn without wit nesses; so, when the count and your sister come, you know he and you may be fathers for one another. Sq. Rich. Well, well, tit for tat; ay, ay, that will be friendly. Myr. And sec, here they come. Enter Count BASSET and Miss JENNY. C. Bas. So, so, here's your brother and his bride before us, my dear. Jen. Well, I vow my heart's at my mouth still. I thought I should never have got rid of mamma; but while she stood gaping upon the dance, ! gave her the slip. Lawd! do but feel how it beats here. C. Bas. O, the pretty flutterer! I protest, my dear, you have put mine into the same palpita tion. Jen. Ah, you say so-but let's see nowO lud! I vow it thumps purely-Well, well, I sce it will do, and so where's the parson? C. Bas. Mrs Myrtilla, will you be so good as to see if the doctor's ready for us? Myr. He only staid for you, sir: I'll fetch him immediately. [Exit. Jen. Pray, sir, am not I to take place of manima, when I'm a countess? C. Bus. No doubt on't, my dear. Jen. O lud! how her back will be up then, when she meets me at an assembly, or you and I, in our coach and six, at Hyde Park together! C. Bus. Ay, or when she hears the box-keepers at an opera call out-The countess of Basset's servants! Jen. Well, I say it, that will be delicious; and then, mayhap, to have a fine gentleman, with a star and what-d'ye-call-um ribbon, lead me to my chair, with his hat under his arm all the way! Hold up, says the chairman; and so, says I, my lord, your humble servant. I suppose, madam, says he, we shall see you at my lady Quadrille's? | Ay, ay, to be sure, my lord, says I-So in swops me, with my hoop stuffed up to my forehead; and away they trot, swing swang! with my tassels dangling, and my flambeaux blazing, andOh, it's a charming thing to be a woman of quality! C. Bas. Well, I see that plainly, my dear there's ne'er a duchess of 'em all will become an equipage like you. Jen. Well, well, do you find equipage, and I'll find airs, I warrant you. [Sings. Sq. Rich. Troth, I think this masquerading's the merriest game that ever I saw in my life; thof, in my mind, an there were but a little wrestling or cudgel-playing now, it would help it hugely. But what a-rope makes the parson stay so? C. Bas. Oh, here he comes, I believe. Enter MYRTILLA, with a Constable. Con. Well, madam, pray which is the party that wants a spice of my office here? Myr. That's the gentleman. [Pointing to the Count. C. Bas. Hey-day! What, in masquerade, doctor? Con. Doctor! Sir, I believe you have mistaken your man: But if you are called Count Basset, I have a billetdoux in my hand for you, that will set you right presently. C. Bas. What the devil's the meaning of all this? Con. Only my lord-chief-justice's warrant against you for forgery, sir. C. Bas Blood and thunder! Con. And so, sir, if you please to pull off your fool's frock there, I'll wait upon you to the next justice of peace immediately. Jen. O dear me! What's the matter? [Trembling. C. Bas. O, nothing: only a masquerading fro lic, my dear. Sq. Rich. Oh ho, is that all? Sir Fran. No, sirrah, that is not all. Enter MANLY. Sq. Rich. O lawd! O lawd! he has beaten my brains out! Man. Hold, hold, Sir Francis; have a little mercy upon my poor god-son, pray, sir. Sir Fran. Waunds, cozen, I ha'n't patience. C. Bus. Manly! Nay, then, I'm blown to the devil. [Aside, Sq. Rich. O my head! my head! Enter Lady Wronghead. L. Wrong. What's the matter here, gentlemen? For Heaven's sake! What, are you murdering my children? Con. No, no, madam; no murder; only a little suspicion of felony, that's all. Sir Fran. [To JEN.] And for you, Mrs Hotupon't, I could find in my heart to make you wear that habit as long as you live, you jade you. Do you know, hussy, that you were within two minutes of marrying a pickpocket? C. Bas. So, so, all's out, I find. [Aside. Jen. O the mercy! Why, pray, papa, is not the count a man of quality then? Sir Fran. O yes; one of the unhanged ones, it seems. L. Wrong. [Aside.] Married! O the confident thing! There was his urgent business then ——— Slighted for her! I ha'n't patience!-and for ought I know, I have been all this while making a friendship with a highwayman. Man. Mr Constable, secure there. Sir Fran. Ah, my lady, my lady! this comes of your journey to London; but now I'll have a frolic of my own, madam; therefore pack up your trumpery this very night; for the moment my horses are able to crawl, you and your brats shall make a journey into the country again. L. Wrong. Indeed you are mistaken, Sir Francis-I shall not stir out of town yet, I promise you. Sir Fran. Not stir! Waunds! Madam Mun. Hold, sir!-If you'll give me leave a little-I fancy I shall prevail with my lady to think better on't. Sir Fran. Ah, cousin, you are a friend indeed. Man. [Apart to my Lady.] Look you, madam: as to the favour you designed me, in sending this spurious letter inclosed to my lady Grace, all the revenge I have taken is to have saved your son and daughter from ruin; now, if you will take them fairly and quietly into the country again, I will save your ladyship from ruin. L. Wrong. What do you mean, sir? Man. Why, Sir Francis-shall never know what is in this letter: look upon it: How it came into my hands you shall know at leisure. L. Wrong. Ha! my billetdoux to the count, and an appointment in it! I shall sink with confusion! Man. What shal: I say to Sir Francis, madam? L. Wrong. Dear sir, I am in such a trembling! (Sir FRANCIS coming softly behind the Squire, Preserve my honour, and I am all obedience. knocks him down with his cane. [Apart to MANLY. Man. Sir Francis-my lady is ready to receive your commands for her journey, whenever you please to appoint it. Sir Fran. Ah, cousin! I doubt I am obliged to you for it. Man. Come, come, Sir Francis, take it as you find it. Obedience in a wife is a good thing, though it were never so wonderful!—And now, sir, we have nothing to do but to dispose of this gentleman. C. Bus. Mr Manly! Sir, I hope you won't ruin me. Man. Did not you forge this note for five hundred pounds, sir? C. Bas. Sir-I see you know the world, and therefore I shall not pretend to prevaricateBut it has hurt nobody yet, sir. I beg you will not stigmatize me: since you have spoiled my fortune in one family, I hope you won't be so cruel to a young fellow, as to put it out of my power, sir, to make it in another, sir. Man. Look you, sir, I have not much time to waste with you; but if you expect mercy yourself, you must shew it to one you have been cruel to. C. Bus. Cruel, sir! Man. Have you not ruined this young woman? C. Bas. I, sir! Mun. I know you have; therefore you cann't blame her, if, in the fact you are charged with, she is a principal witness against you. However, you have one, and one only chance to get off with -Marry her this instant-and you take off her evidence. C. Bas. Dear sir! Man. No words, sir: A wife or a mittimus. C. Bas. Lord, sir, this is the most unmerciful mercy! Man. A private penance, or a public one.Constable! C. Bus. Hold, sir. Since you are pleased to give me my choice, I will not make so ill a compliment to the lady, as not to give her the preference. Man. It must be done this minute, sir: the chaplain you expected is still within call. C. Bas. Well, sir-since it must be socome, spouse-I am not the first of the fraternity that has run his head into one noose, to keep it out of another. Myr. Come, sir, don't repine: Marriage is, at worst, but playing upon the square. C. Bas. Ay, but the worst of the match, too, is the devil. Man. Well, sir, to let you see it is not so bad as you think it, as a reward for her honesty, in detecting your practices, instead of the forged bill you would have put upon her, there's a real one of five hundred pounds, to begin a new bo ney-moon with. [Gives it to MYRTILLA C. Bas. Sir, this is so generous an actMan. No compliments, dear sir-I am not st leisure now to receive them. Mr Constable, wil you be so good as to wait upon this gentlem into the next room, and give this lady in marriag to him? Con. Sir, I'll do it faithfully. C. Bas. Well, five hundred will serve to mal a handsome push with, however. [Exeunt Count. MYR, and Constabe Sir Fran. And that I may be sure my family's rid of him for ever-come, my lady, let's ever take our children along with us, and be all w ness of the ceremony. [Ereunt Sir FRAN. L. WRONG. Miss and Squire. Man. Now, my lord, you may enter. Enter Lord and Lady TOWNLY, and Lady GRACE. Ld Town. So, sir, I give you joy of your neg ciation. Man. You overheard it all, I presume? Ld Town. Never were knaves and fools bette disposed of. Man. A sort of poetical justice, my lord, n much above the judgment of a modern comedy. Ld Town. To heighten that resemblance,! think, sister, there only wants your rewarding the hero of the fable, by naming the day of his hap piness. L. Grace. This day, to-morrow, every hour,! hope, of life to come, will shew I want not inc nation to complete it. Man. Whatever I may want, madam, you wil always find endeavours to deserve you. Ld Town. Then all are happy. Lady Town. Sister, I give you joy-consu mate as the happiest pair can boast. In you, methinks, as in a glass, I see home. |