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'foundation laid for another;' (Ha!-Old truepenny!) No rack could have tortured this story from me; but friendship has done it. I heard of your design to marry her, and could not see you abused. Make use of my advice, but keep my secret till I ask you for it again. Adieu.'

Con. to Bet. Come, madam, shall we send for the parson? I doubt here's no business for the lawyer: Younger brothers have nothing to settle but their hearts; and that, I believe, my friend here has already done very faithfully.

Raz. A villain-but a repenting villain.
All. Razor!

Lady Brute. What means this?

Raz. Nothing without my pardon.

Lady Brute. What pardon do you want? Raz. Imprimis, Your ladyship's, for a dam[Erit LADY FANCYFUL.nable lie upon your spotless virtue, and set to the tune of Spring Garden.-[To SIR JOHN.] Next, at my generous master's feet I bend, for interrupting his more noble thoughts with phantoms of disgraceful cuckoldom.─[TO CON.] Thirdly, I to this gentleman apply, for making him the hero of my romance.-[TO HEART.] Fourthly, your pardon, noble sir, I ask, for clandestinely marrying you, without either bidding of banns, bishop's licence, friends, consent-or your own knowledge!-[To BEL.] And, lastly, to my good young lady's clemency I come, for pretending corn was sowed in the ground, before ever the plough had been in the field.

Bel. [Scornfully.] Are you sure, sir, there are no old mortgages upon it?

Heart. [Coldly.] If you think there are, madam, it mayn't be amiss to defer the marriage, tili you are sure they are paid off.

Bel. We'll defer it as long as you please, sir. Heart. The more time we take to consider on't, madam, the less apt we shall be to commit oversights; therefore, if you please, we will put it off for just nine months.

Bel. Guilty consciences make men cowards-
I don't wonder you want time to resolve.
Heart. And they make women desperate-I
don't wonder you were so quickly determined.
Bel. What does the fellow mean?
Heart. What does the lady mean?
Sir John. Zoons, what do you both mean ?

[HEART. and BEL. walk chafing about.
Raz. [Aside.] Here is so much sport going to
be spoiled, it makes me ready to weep again. A
pox o' this impertinent lady Fancyful, and her
plots, and her Frenchwoman, too; she's a whim-
sical, ill-natured bitch; and, when I have got my
bones broke in her service, 'tis ten to one but my
recompense is a slap: I hear them tittering with-
out still. Ecod! I'll e'en go lug them both in by
the ears, and discover the plot, to secure my par-
don.
[Exit RAZOR.

Con. Prithee, explain, Heartfree. Heart. A fair deliverance; thank my stars and my friend,

Bel. 'Tis well it went no farther; a base fellow!

Lady Brute. What can be the meaning of all this?

Bel. What's his meaning, I don't know; but mine is, that if I had married him-I had had no husband.

Heart. And what's her meaning, I don't know; but mine is, that if I had married her-I had had wife enough.

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Madem. Me ask ten thousand pardon of all de good company.

Sir John. Why, this mystery thickens, instead of clearing up.-[To Raz.] You son of a whore you, put us out of our pain!

Raz. One moment brings sunshine. [Shewing MADEM.] 'Tis true, this is the woman that tempted me; but this is the serpent that tempted the woman: and, if my prayers might be heard, her punishment, for so doing, should be like the serpent's of old-[Pulls off LADY FANCYFUL's mask.] She should lie upon her face all the days of her life.

All. Lady Fancyful!
Bel. Impertinent!
Lady Brute. Ridiculous!
Alt. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Bel. I hope your ladyship will give me leave to wish you joy, since you have owned your marSir John. Your people of wit have got such riage yourself? [To HEART.] I vow 'twas strangecramp ways of expressing themselves, they sel-ly wicked in you to think of another wife, when dom comprehend one another. Pox take you you had one already so charming as her ladyship. both! will you speak that you may be understood? All. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Enter RAZOR in sackcloth, pulling in LADY FAN-it CYFUL and MADEMOISELLE.

Raz. If they won't, here comes an interpreter.
Lady Brute. Heavens! What have we here?

seizes me!
Lady Fan. [Aside.] Confusion seize them, as

Madem. Que le diable étouffe ce maraut de
Razor!

Bel. Your ladyship seems disordered: A breed

ing qualm, perhaps, Mr Heartfree! Your bottle of Hungary water to your lady! Why, madam, he stands as unconcerned, as if he were your husband in earnest.

Lady Fan. Your mirth's as nauseous as yourself. Belinda, you think you triumph over a rival, now; Helas, ma pauvre fille! Where'er I'm rival, there's no cause for mirth. No, my poor wretch, 'tis from another principle I have acted. I knew that thing there would make so perverse a husband, and you so impertinent a wife, that, les your mutual plagues should make you both run mad, I charitably would have broke the match. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

[Exit laughing affectedly, MADEMOISELLE following her.

Madem. He, he, he, he, he!

All. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Sir John. [Aside.] Why now, this woman will be married to somebody, too.

Bel. Poor creature! what a passion she's in! But I forgive her.

Heart. Since you have so much goodness for her, I hope you'll pardon my offence, too, madam. Bel. There will be no great difficulty in that, since I am guilty of an equal fault. Heart. So, madam; now, had the parson but done his business

Bel. You'd be half weary of your bargain. Heart. No, sure, I might dispense with one night's lodging.

Bel. I'm ready to try, sir.

Heart. Then let's to church:

And if it be our chance to disagree

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Ant. Exactly.

Cha. And you are willing that one of them marry my daughter?

Ant. WITHOUT compliment, my old friend, I shall think myself much honoured in your alliance; our families are both ancient; our chil-shall dren young, and able to support them; and, I think, the sooner we set them to work the better.

Cha. Sir, you offer fair and nobly, and shall find I dare meet you in the same line of honour: and, I hope, since I have but one girl in the world, you won't think me a troublesome old fool, if I endeavour to bestow her to her worth; therefore, if you please, before we shake hands, a word or two by the by; for I have some considerable questions to ask you.

Ant. Willing.

Cha. My daughter Angelina?
Ant. Angelina.

Cha. And you are likewise content that the said Angelina shall survey them both, and (with my allowance) take to her lawful husband which of them she pleases?

Ant. Content.

Cha. And you farther promise, that the person by her (and me) so chosen (be it elder or young

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the elder, you say, is a great scholar, spends his whole life in the university, and loves his study. Ant. Nothing more, sir.

Cha. But Clodio, the younger, has seen the world, and is very well known in the court of France; a sprightly fellow, ha?

Ant. Mettle to the back, sir.

Cha. Well, how far either of them may go with my daughter, I can't tell; she'll be easily pleased where I am- -I have given her some documents already. Hark! what noise without? Ant. Odso! 'tis they-they're come- -I have expected them these two hours. Well, sirrah, who's without?

Enter a SERVANT.

Ser. Tis Sancho, sir, with a waggon-load of my master's books.

Cha. What, does he always travel with his whole study?

Ant. Never without them, sir; 'tis his humour.

Enter SANCHO, laden with books.

Cha. Pray, sir, what sort of life may your master lead?

San. Life, sir! no prince fares like him; he breaks his fast with Aristotle, dines with Tully, drinks tea at Helicon, sups with Seneca, then walks a turn or two in the milky way, and after six hours conference with the stars, sleeps with old Erra Pater.

Cha. Wonderful!

Ant. o, Carlos will be here presentlyHere, take the knave in, and let him eat.

San. And drink too, sir?

Ant. And drink too, sir-and pray see your master's chamber ready. [Knocking again.]— Well, sir, who's at the gate?

Enter a SERVANT.

Ser. Monsieur, sir, from my young master, Clodio.

Enter MONSIeur.

Ant. Well, Monsieur, what says your master? When will he be here?

Mons. Sire, he vill be here in de less time dan von quarter of de hour; he is not quite tirty mile off.

Ant. And what came you before for?

Mons. Sire, me come to provide de pulville, and de essence for his peruque, dat he may approche to your vorshipe vid de reverence, and de belle air.

Ant. What, is he unprovided, then?

Mons. Sire, he vas enrage, and did break his bottel d'orangerie, because it vas not de same dat is prepare for Monseigneur le Dauphin.

Ant. Well, sir, if you'll go to the butler, he'll

San. Pedro, unload part of the library; bid the porter open the great gates, and make room for t'other dozen of carts; I'll be with you pre-what noise is that without? sently.

help you to some oil for his periwig.

Mons. Sire, me tank you. [Erit MONSIEUR.
Cha. A very notable spark, this Clodio. Ha!

Ant. Ha! Sancho! where's my Carlos?-
Speak, boy, where didst thou leave thy master?

San. Jogging on, sir, in the highway to knowledge, both hands employed, in his book, and his bridle, sir; but he has sent his duty before him in this letter, sir.

Ant. What have we here, pothooks and andirons ?

San. Pothooks! Oh, dear sir!I beg your pardon-No, sir, this is Arabic; 'tis to the ford Abbot, concerning the translation, sir, of human bodies- -a new way of getting out of the world- -There's a terrible wise man has written a very smart book of it.

Cha. Pray, friend, what will that same book teach a man?

San. Teach you, sir! why, to play a trump upon death, and shew yourself a match for the devil.

Cha. Strange!

Enter a SERVANT.

Ser. Sir, my young masters are both come. Ant. That's well! Now, sir, now! now observe their several dispositions.

Enter CARLOS.

Car. My father! sir, your blessing,

Ant. Thou hast it, Carlos; and now, pray know this gentleman, Charino, sir, my old friend, and one in whom you may have a particular interest.

Car. I'll study to deserve his love, sir. Cha. Sir, as for that matter, you need not study at all. [They salute. Clo. [Within.] Hey! La Valiere! bid the groom take care our hunters be well rubbed and clothed; they're hot, and have out-stripped the wind.

Cha. Ay, marry, sir, there's mettle in this

San. Here, sir, this is your letter. [To ANT. young fellow.
VOL. II.

2 F

Enter CLODIO.

Clo. Where's my father?

Ant. Ha, my dear Clody, thou'rt welcome!
Cio. Sir, being my father's friend, I am your
most obliged, faithful, humble servant. [To CHA.
Cha, Sir-I-I-I like you. Eagerly.
Clo. Thy hand.

Cha. Faith, thou art a pretty humoured fellow.
Clo. Who's that? Pray, sir, who's that?
Ant. Your brother, Clody.

Cto. Odso! I beg his pardon with all my heart-Ha, ha, ha! did ever mortal see such a book-worm!-Brother, how is't! [Carelessly. Car. I'm glad you are well, brother. [Reads. Clo. What, does he draw his book upon me? Then I will draw my wit upon him--Gad, I'll puzzle him-Hark you, brother; pray, what's Latin for a sword-knot?

Car. The Romans wore none, brother.
Clo. No ornament upon their swords, sir?
Car. Oh, yes, several; conquest, peace, and
honour-an old unfashionable wear.

Clo. Sir, no man in France (I may as well say
breathing; for not to live there, is not to breathe)
wears a more fashionable sword than I do; he
cost me fifteen louis d'ors in Paris There, sir,
—fecl him——try him, sir.
Car. I have no skill, sir.

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Mons. Sire, here be de several sort of de jessamine d'orangerie vidout, if you please to make your choice.

Clo. Mum, sir, I must beg pardon for a moment; a most important business calls me aside, which I will dispatch with all imaginable celerity, and return to the repetition of my desire to continue, sir, your most obliged, and faithful humble servant. [Exit CLODIO, bowing.

Cha. Faith, he's a pretty fellow. Ant. Now, sir, if you please, since we have got the other alone, we'll put the matter a little closer to him.

Cha. 'Tis to little purpose, I'm afraid: but use your pleasure, sir.

Car. Plato differs from Socrates in this.

[To himself. Ant. Come, come, prithee, Charles, lay them by, let them agree at leisure--What, no hour of interruption?

Car. Man's life, sir, being so short, and then the way that leads us to the knowledge of ourselves, so hard and tedious, each minute should be precious.

Clo. No skill, sir! why, this sword would Ant. Aye, but to thrive in this world, Charles, make a coward fight--aha! sa, sa! ha! rip-you must part a little with this bookish contemha! there I had him. [Fencing. plation, and prepare yourself for action. If you Car. Take heed; you'll cut my clothes, brother.will study, let it be to know what part of my Clo. Cut 'em! ha, ha !——no, no, they are cutland's fit for the plough; what for pasture; to already, brother, to the grammar rules exactly: psha! prithee, man, leave off this college-air. Car. No, brother, I think it wholesome, the soil and situation pleasant.

Clo. A put, by Jupiter! he don't know the air of a gentleman, from the air of the country -Sir, I mean the air of your clothes; I would have you change your tailor, and dress a little more en cavalier: lay by your book, and take out your snuff-box; cock, and look smart, ha! Cha. Faith, a pretty fellow.

buy and sell my stock to the best advantage; and cure my cattle when they are overgrown with labour. This, now, would turn to some account.

Car. This, sir, may be done from what I've read; for, what concerns tillage, who can better deliver it than Virgil in his Georgics? And, for the cure of herds, his Bucolics are a masterpiece; but when his art describes the commonwealth of bees, their industry, their more than human knowledge of the herbs from which they gather honey; their laws, their government Car. I read no use in this, brother; and for among themselves, their order in going forth, my clothes, the half of what I wear already and coming laden home, their strict obedience to seems to me superfluous. What need I outward their king, his just rewards to such as labour, his ornaments, when I can deck myself with under-punishment, inflicted only on the slothful drone; standing? Why should we care for any thing but knowledge? Or look upon the follies of mankind, but to condemn or pity those that seek them? [Reads again.

Clo. Stark mad, split me!

Cha. Psha! this fellow will never dohe has no soul in him.

Clo. Hark you, brother, what do you think of a pretty, plump wench now?

Car. I seldom think that way; women are books I have not read yet.

Clo. Gad, I could set you a sweet lesson, brother.

I'm ravished with it: then reap, indeed, my harvest, receive the grain my cattle bring me, and there find wax and honey.

Ant. Hey day! Georges, and Blue-sticks, and bees-wax! What, art thou mad? Cha. Raving, raving!

Cur. No, sir, the knowledge of this guards me from it.

Ant. But can you find, amongst all your musty manuscripts, what pleasure he enjoys, that lies in the arms of a young, rich, well-shaped, healthy bride? Answer me that, ha, sir!

Car. 'Tis frequent, sir, in story; there I read

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