"see-within a quarter of twelve-hem-he, hem !— "just upon the turning of the tide, bring me the uri. "nal. And I hope, neither the lord of my ascend"ant, nor the moon will be combust; and then I may "do well. "Scand. I hope so-Leave that to me; I will erect a scheme; and I hope I shall find both Sol and Ve"nus in the sixth house. "For. I thank you, Mr. Scandal; indeed that "would be a great comfort to me. Hem, hem! good "night. [Exit. And "Scand. Good night, good Mr. Foresight. "I hope Mars and Venus will be in conjunction"while your wife and I are together." Mrs. For. Well; and what use do you hope to make of this project? You don't think that you are ever like to succeed in your design upon me? Scand. Yes, faith, I do; I have a better opinion both of you and myself, than to despair. Mrs. For. Did you ever hear such a toad?-Hark'ye, devil: do you think any woman honest? Scand. Yes, several, very honest-they'll cheat a little at cards, sometimes; but that's nothing. Mrs. For. Pshaw! but virtuous, I mean? Scand. Yes, faith, I believe some women are virtuous too; but 'tis as I believe some men are valiant, through fear-For why should a man court danger, or a woman shun pleasure? "Mrs. For. O monstrous! What are conscience "" and honour ? "Scand. Why, honour is a public enemy; and con"science a domestic thief: and he that would secure "his pleasure, must pay a tribute to one, and go halves "with t'other. As for honour, that you have se"cured; for you have purchased a perpetual oppor"tunity for pleasure. "Mrs. For. An opportunity for pleasure? "Scand. Ay, your husband; an husband is an op"portunity for pleasure. So you have taken care of "honour, and 'tis the least I can do to take care of "conscience. "Mrs. For. And so you think we are free for one "another? "Scand. Yes, faith, I think so; I love to speak my "mind. "Mrs. For. Why then I'll speak my mind. Now, "as to this affair between you and me. Here you "make love to me; why, I'll confess it does not dis"please me. Your person is well enough, and your "understanding is not amiss. "Scand. I have no great opinion of myself; but I "think I am neither deformed, nor a fool. "Mrs. For. But you have a villanous character; "you are a libertine in speech, as well as practice. "Scand. Come, I know what you would say-you "think it more dangerous to be seen in conversation "with me, than to allow some other men the last fa"your. You mistake; the liberty I take in talking " is purely affected, for the service of your sex. "that first cries out stop thief, is often he that stole He "the treasure. I am a juggler, that acts by confede❝racy, and if you please, we'll put a trick upon the "world. "Mrs. For. Ay; but you are such an universal jug"gler—that I'm afraid you have a great many con. "federates. "Scand. Faith, I'm, sound." Mrs. For. "O fie !"—I'll swear you're impudent. Scand. I'll swear you're handsome. Mrs. For. Pish, you'd tell me so, though you did not think so. Scand. And, you'd think so, though I did not tell you so: and now I think we know one another pretty well. Mrs. For. O Lord! who's here? Enter Mrs. FRAIL and BEN. Ben. Mess, I love to speak my mind-Father has nothing to do with me. Nay, I can't say that neither; he has something to do with me; but what does that signify? If so be, that I ben't minded to be steered by him; 'tis as thof he should strive against wind and tide. Mrs. F. Ay, but, my dear, we must keep it secret, till the estate be settled; for, you know, marrying without an estate, is like sailing in a ship without ballast. Ben. He, he, he! why that's true; just so for all the world, it is as like as two cable ropes. Mrs. F. And though I have a good portion; you know one would not venture all in one bottom. Ben. Why that's true again; for mayhap one bot tom may spring a leak. You have hit it indeed; mess, you've nick'd the channel. Mrs. F. Well, but if you should forsake me after all, you'd break my heart. Ben. Break your heart? I'd rather the Marygold should break her cable in a storm, as well as I love her. Flesh, you don't think I'm false-hearted, like a landman. A sailor would be honest, thof mayhap he has never a penny of money in his pocket.-Mayhap I may not have so fair a face as a citizen or courtier ; but, for all that, I've as good blood in my veins, and a heart as sound as a biscuit. Mrs. F. And will you love me always ? Ben. Nay, an I love once, I'll stick like pitch; I'll tell you that. Come, I'll sing you a song of a sailor. Mrs. F. Hold, there's my sister; I'll call her to hear it. "Mrs. For. Well! I won't go to bed to my hus"band to-night; because I'll retire to my own cham"ber, and think of what you have said. "Scand. Well; you'll give me leave to wait upon you to your chamber door; and leave you my last "instructions? "Mrs. For. Hold, here's my sister coming towards ❝ us. "Mrs. F." If it won't interrupt you, Mr. Ben will entertain you with a song. Ben. The song was made upon one of our ship'screw's wife; our boatswain made the song; mayhap |