Mrs. For. Was there ever such impudence, to "make love to me before my husband's face? I'll "swear, I'll tell him. "Scand. Do. I'll die a martyr rather than disclaim "my passion. But come a little farther this way; "and I'll tell you what project I had to get him out "of the way, that I might have an opportunity of "waiting upon you. [Whisper. Foresight looking in the glass. "For. I do not see any revolution here.-Me"thinks I look with a serene and benign aspect,"pale, a little pale-but the roses of these cheeks "have been gathered many years-Ha, I do not like "that sudden flushing-gone already!-Hem, hem, "hem! faintish. My heart is pretty good; yet it "beats: and my pulses, ha!-I have none-mercy "on me!-hum!-Yes, here they are.- Gallop, "gallop, gallop, gallop, gallop, gallop! hey, "will they hurry me?-Now they're gone agin "and now I'm faint again; and pale again, ad, "hem! and my, hem!-breath, and, hem!-gre "short; hem! he, he, hem! hither "Scand. It takes: pursue it, in the name of love "and pleasure. “Mrs. For. How do you do, Mr. Foresight? "For. Hum, not so well as I thought I was. Lend "me your hand. "Scand. Look you there now.-Your lady says your sleep has been unquiet of late. For. Very likely ! "Mrs. For. O, mighty restless! but I was afraid to "tell him so. He has been subject to talking and "starting. "Scand. And did not use to be so? "Mrs. For. Never, never; till within these three "nights, I cannot say that he has once broken my "rest since we have been married. "For. I will go to bed. "Scand. Do so, Mr. Foresight, and say your prayers 66 -He looks better than he did. "Mrs. For. Nurse, nurse! "For. Do you think so, Scandal ? "Scand. Yes, yes; I hope this will be gone by "morning: take it in time. "For. I hope so, "Enter NURSE. "Mrs. For. Nurse, your master is not well; put him to bed. "Scand. I hope you will be able to see Valentine "in the morning. You had best take a little diacodium and cowslip water, and lie upon your back; be you may dream. • may "For. I thank you, Mr. Scandal; I will.-Nurse, let me have a watch-light, and lay The Crumbs of Comfort by me. "Nurse. Yes, sir. "For. And-hem, hem! I am very faint. "Scand. No, no, you look much better. [Exit. "For. Do I? And, d'ye hear-bring me, let me H “ 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. "Scand. Good night, good Mr. Foresight. And "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 inyself, 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 your "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. He "that first cries out stop thief, is often he that stole ▲& III. "the treasure. I am a juggler, that acts by confederacy, 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. |