Sir Geo. But since you escaped undiscovered by him, his rage will quickly lash into a calm; never fear it.

Cha. But who knows what that unlucky dog, Marplot, told him; nor can I imagine what brought him hither: that fellow is ever doing mischief; and yet, to give him his due, he never designs it. This is some blundering adventure wherein he thought to shew his friendship, as he calls it! a curse on him!

Sir Geo. Then you must forgive him. said he?

Cha. Said! nay, I had more mind to throat, than to hear his excuses.

Sir Geo. Where is he?

What

cut his

Enter WHISPER, with pen, ink, and paper. Mar. You'd say it was no good sign, if you knew all.

Sir Geo. Why, prithee!

Mar. Hark'e, sir George, let me warn you; pursue your old haunt no more; it may be dangerous. [CHARLES sits down to write. Sir Geo. My old haunt! what do you mean? Mar. Why, in short, then, since-you will have it, Miranda vows, if you dare approach the garden-gate at eight o'clock, as you used, you shall meet with a warm reception.

Sir Geo. A warm reception!

Mar. Aye, a very warm reception-you shall be saluted with a blunderbuss, sir. These were her very words: nay, she bid me tell you so,

too.

Sir Geo. Ha! the garden gate at eight, as I used to do! There must be meaning in this. Is there such a gate, Charles?

Mar. Is there such a gate, Charles?

Cha. Yes, yes; it opens into the Park: I suppose her ladyship has made many a scamper through it.

Sir Geo. It must be an assignation, then. Ha! my heart springs for joy; 'tis a propitious omen. My dear Marplot! Let me embrace thee; thou art my friend, my better angel.

a

Mar. What do you mean, sir George?

Sir Geo. No matter what I mean. Here, take bumper to the garden-gate, you dear rogue Mar. You have reason to be transported, sir George; I have saved your life.

you!

Sir Geo. My life! thou hast saved my soul, man. Charles, if thou dost not pledge this health, may'st thou never taste the joys of love!

Cha. Whisper, be sure you take care how you deliver this.[Gives him the letter.]-Bring me the answer to my lodgings.

Whis. I warrant you, sir.

Mar. Whither does that letter go? Now, dare I not ask for my blood-That fellow knows more secrets than I do.

[Exit WHISPER.

Cha. Now I'm for you. Sir Geo. To the garden-gate at the hour of eight, Charles: along; huzza!

Cha. I begin to conceive you.

Mar. That's more than I do, egad-To the garden-gate, huzza!-[Drinks.]-But, I hope, you design to keep far enough off ou't, sir George?

Sir Geo. Aye, aye; never fear that; she shall see I despise her frowns; let her use the blunderbuss against the next fool; she sha'nt reach me with the smoke, I warraut her; ha, ha, ha!

Mar. Ah, Charles! if you could receive a disappointment thus en cavalier, one should have some comfort in being beat for you.

Cha. The fool comprehends nothing.

Sir Geo. Nor would I have him. Prithee, take

him along with thee.

Cha. Enough.

Sir Geo. I kiss both your hands-And now for the garden gate!

Cha. Come, you shall go home with me. Mar. Shall I! And are we friends, Charles? I am glad of it.

Cha. Come along.

'Tis beauty gives the assignation there, And love too powerful grows to admit of fear.

SCENE I.-The outside of SIR JEALOUS TRAFFICK's house, PATCH peeping out of the door. Enter WHISPER.

Whis. Ha! Mrs Patch, this is a lucky minute, to find you so readily; my master dies with impatience.

Patch. My lady imagined so; and, by her orders, I have heen scouting this hour in search of you, to inform you, that sir Jealous has invited some friends to supper with him to-night, which gives an opportunity to your master to make use of his ladder of ropes. The closet window shall be open, and Isabinda ready to receive him. Bid him come immediately.

Whis. Excellent! he'll not disappoint her, I warrant him. But hold, I have a letter here, which I'm to carry an answer to. I cannot think what language the direction is.

Patch. Pho! 'tis no language, but a character which the lovers invented to avert discoveryHa! I hear my old master coming down stairs ; it is impossible you should have an answer: away, and bid him come himself for that. gone! we're ruined, if you're seen, for he has doubled his care since the last accident. Whis. I go, I go.

[Erit

What answer did you bring from the gentlemen I sent you to invite?

Ser. That they'd all wait on you, sir, as I told you before; but I suppose you forgot, sir? Sir Jea. Did I so, sir? but I sha'nt forget to break your head, if any of them come, sir. Ser. Come, sir! Why, did not you send me to desire their company, sir?

Sir Jea. But I send you now to desire their absence. Say, I have something extraordinary fallen out, which calls me abroad, contrary to expectation, and ask their pardon; and, d'ye hear, send the butler to me. Ser. Yes, sir.

Enter Butler,

[Exit.

[Exit WHISPER. Patch. There, go thou into my pocket.-[Puts it beside, and it falls down.]-Now, I'll up the back-stairs, lest I meet him-Well, a dexterous chambermaid is the ladies' best utensil, I say.

[Exit PATCH.

Enter SIR JEALOUS, with a letter in his hand.

Sir Jea. So, this is some comfort; this tells me that signior Don Diego Babinetto is safely arrived. He shall marry my daughter the minute he comes-Ha! What's here![Takes up the letter PATCH dropped.]—A letter! I don't know what to make of the superscription. I'll see what's within-side.-[Opens it.]-Humph'tis Hebrew, I think. What can this mean?— There must be some trick in it. This was certainly designed for my daughter; but I don't know that she can speak any language but her mother tongue. No matter for that; this may be one of love's hieroglyphicks; and I fancy I

now?

Sir Jea. He wants the eyes of Argus, that has a young, handsome daughter, in this town; but my comfort is, I shall not be troubled long with her. He, that pretends to rule a girl once in her teens, had better be at sea in a storm, and in less danger,

For let him do, or counsel all he can, She thinks, and dreams of nothing else, but [Exit.

man.

SCENE II.-ISABINDA's chamber.

Enter ISABINDA and PATCH.

Isa. Are you sure nobody saw you speak to Whisper?

Patch. Yes, very sure, madam; but I heard sir Jealous coming down stairs; so clapt this letter into my pocket. [Feels for the letter. Isa. A letter give it me quickly.

Patch. Bless me! What's become on't-I'm | sure I put it[Searching still. Isa. Is't possible that thou couldst be so careless? Oh, I'm undone for ever, if it be lost.

Patch. I must have dropt it upon the stairs.— But why are you so much alarmed? if the worst happens, nobody can read it, madam, nor find out whom it was designed for.

Isa. If it falls into my father's hands, the very figure of a letter will produce ill consequences.— Run, and look for it upon the stairs this moment. Patch. Nay, I'm sure it can be no where else. -[As she is going out of the door, meets the butler.]-How now, what do you want?

But. My master ordered me to lay the cloth here for supper.

Isa. Ruined past redemption- [Aside.
Patch. You mistake, sure. What shall we

do?

Sir Jeal. Pox of your charms and whims for me! If that be all, 'tis well enough: there, there, burn it, and, I warrant you, no vengeance will follow.

Patch. So, all's right again, thus far. [Aside. Isa. I would not lose Patch for the worldI'll take courage a little.-[Aside.]—Is this usage for your daughter, sir? Must my virtue and conduct be suspected for every trifle? You immure

[Lays the cloth, and exit.

Enter SIR JEALOUS.

Sir Jea. Hold, hold, Patch! whither are you going? I'll have nobody stir out of the room till after supper.

Patch. Sir, I was going to reach your easy chair-oh, wretched accident!

Sir Jea. I'll have nobody stir out of the room. I don't want my easy chair.

Isa. What will be the event of this?

[Aside. Sir Jea. Hark ye, daughter, do you know this hand?

Isa. As I suspected--Hand, do you call it, sir? 'tis some school-boy's scrawl.

Patch. Oh, Invention! Thou chambermaid's best friend, assist me!

Sir Jea. Are you sure you don't understand it?

[PATCH feels in her bosom, and shakes her

couts.

Sir Jeal. To-morrow rids you of this tiresome load: Don Diego Babinetto will be here; and then my care ends, and his begins.

Isa. Is he come, then? Oh, how shall I avoid this hated marriage!

Enter servants with supper.

Sir Jeal. Come, will you sit down?
Isa. I cannot eat, sir.

Patch. No, I dare swear he has given her sup per enough. I wish I could get into the closet. [Aside.

Sir Jeal. Well, if you cannot eat, then give me a song, whilst I do.

Isa. I have such a cold I can scarce speak, sir, much less sing. How shall I prevent Charles coming in? [Aside.

Sir Jeal. I hope you have the use of your fingers, madam. Play a tune upon your spinnet, whilst your woman sings me a song. Patch. I am as much out of tune as my lady, if he knew all. [Aside.

Isa. I shall make excellent music.

[Sits down to play. Patch. Really, sir, I am so frighted about your opening this charm, that I cannot remember one song.

Sir Jeal. Pish! Hang your charm! Come, come; sing any thing.

Patch. Yes, I'm likely to sing, truly.-[Aside.] -Humph, humph; bless me! I cannot raise my voice, my heart pants so.

Sir Jeal. Why, what, does your heart pant so, that you cannot play, neither? Pray, what key

Patch. Ah, would the key was turned on you once!

[Aside. Sir Jeal. Why don't you sing, I say? Patch. When madam has put her spinnet in tune, sir; humph, humph

Isa. I cannot play, sir, whatever ails me.

[Rising. Sir Jeal. Zounds! sit down and play me a tune, or I'll break the spinnet about your ears. Isa. What will become of me?

[Sits down and plays. [То Ратен. [Sings, but horribly out of tune. Sir Jeal. Hey, hey! Why, you are a-top of the house, and you are down in the cellar? what is the meaning of this? is it on purpose to cross me, ha?

Sir Jeal. Come, mistress.
Patch. Yes, sir.

Patch. Pray, madam, take it a little lower; I cannot reach that note-nor any note I fear. Isa. Well, begin-Oh, Patch, we shall be discovered.

Patch. I sink with apprehension, madam Humph, humph-[Sings.]

[CHARLES opens the closet door.

Cha. Music and singing!

'Tis thus the bright celestial court above Beguiles the hours with music and with love.

Death! her father there![The women shriek.] -Then I must fly-- Exit into the closet. [SIR JEALOUS rises up hastily, seeing CHA. slip back into the closet. Sir Jeal. Hell and furies! A man in the closet!

Patch. Ah! a ghost! a ghost!-He must not enter the closet-[ISABINDA throws herself down before the closet door, as in a swoon.]

Sir Jeal. The devil! I'll make a ghost of you, I warrant you. [Strives to get by. Patch. Oh, hold, sir! have a care; you'll tread upon my lady-Who waits there? Bring some water. Oh! this comes of your opening the charm. Oh, oh, oh, oh! [Weeps aloud. Sir Jeal. I'll charm you, housewife. Here lies the charm that conjured this fellow in, I'm sure on't. Come out, you rascal, do so. Zounds! take her from the door, or I'll spurn her from it, and break your neck down stairs.

Isa. He's gone; I heard him leap down. [Aside to PATCH. Patch. Nay, then, let him enter-Here, here, madam, smell to this; come, give me your hand; come nearer to the window; the air will do you good.

Sir Jeal. I would she were in her grave.Where are you, sirrah? Villain! robber of my honour! I'll pull you out of your nest. [Goes into the closet. Patch. You'll be mistaken, old gentleman; the bird is flown.

Isa. I'm glad I have escaped so well; I was almost dead in earnest with the fright.

Re-enter SIR JEALOUS out of the closet. Sir Jeal. Whoever the dog were, he has escaped out of the window, for the sash is up: but, though he is got out of my reach, you are not.And first, Mrs Pander, with your charms for the tooth-ache, get out of my house! go, troop! yet hold-stay-I'll see you out of my doors myself; but I'll secure your charge, ere I go.

Isa. What do you mean, sir? Was she not a creature of your own providing?

Sir Jeal. She was of the devil's providing, for aught I know.

Patch. What have I done, sir, to merit your displeasure?

Sir Jeal. I don't know which of you have done it, but you shall both suffer for it, till I can discover whose guilt it is. Go, get in there; I'll move you from this side of the house.-[Pushes ISABINDA in at the door, and locks it, puts the key in his pocket -I'll keep the key myself; I'll try what ghost can get into that room: and now, forsooth, I'll wait on you down stairs.

Patch. Ah, my poor lady! Down stairs, sir! But I won't go out, sir, till I have locked up my clothes.

Sir Jeal. If thou wert as naked as thou wert born, thou shouldst not stay to put on a smock. Come along, I say. When your mistress is married, you shall have your rags, and every thing that belongs to you; but, till then

[Exit, pulling her out. Patch. Oh, barbarous usage for nothing!

Oh, Mr Charles! Your affairs and mine are in an ill posture. Cha. I am inured to the frowns of fortune; but what has befallen thee?

Patch. Sir Jealous, whose suspicious nature is always on the watch, nay, even while one eye sleeps, the other keeps centinel, upon sight of you, flew into such a violent passion, that I could find no stratagem to appease him; but, in spite of all arguments, he locked his daughter into his own apartment, and turned me out of doors. Cha. Ha! oh Isabinda!

Patch. And swears she shall see neither sun nor moon, till she is Don Diego Babinetto's wife, who arrived last night, and is expected with impatience.

Cha. He dies; yes, by all the wrongs of love,

ters.

Patch. A most heroic resolution! there might be ways found out more to your advantage: policy is often preferred to open force.

Cha. I apprehend you not.

Patch. What think you of personating this Spaniard, imposing upon the father, and marrying your mistress by his own consent?

Cha. Say'st thou so, my angel? Oh, could that be done, my life to come would be too short to recompense thee: but how can I do that, when I neither know what ship he came in, nor from what part of Spain, who recommends him, or how attended?

Patch. I can solve all this. He is from Madrid; his father's name Don Pedro Questo Portento Babinetto. Here's a letter of his to sir Jealous, which he dropt one day. You understand Spanish, and the hand may be counterfeited.— You conceive me, sir?

Cha. My better genius! Thou hast revived my drooping soul. I'll about it instantly. Come to my lodgings, and we'll concert matters.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III-A garden-gate open; SCENTWELL waiting within.

Enter SIR GEORGE AIRY.

no.

Enter SCENTWELL and SIR GEORGE. Scent. That's resolved, madam; for here's the knight. [Exit SCENTWELL. Sir Geo. And do I once more behold that lovely object, whose idea fills my mind, and forms my pleasing dreains!

Mir. What, beginning again in heroicks!Sir George, don't you remember how little fruit your last prodigal oration produced? Not one bare single word in answer.

Sir Geo. Ha! the voice of my incognita!— Why did you take ten thousand ways to captivate a heart your eyes alone had vanquished?"

Mir. Pr'ythee, no more of these flights; for our time's but short, and we must fall to business. Do you think we can agree on that same terrible bugbear, matrimony, without heartily repenting on both sides?

Sir Geo. It has been my wish since first my longing eyes beheld you.

Mir. And your happy ears drank in the pleasing news I had thirty thousand pounds.

Sir Geo. Unkind! did I not offer you, in those purchased minutes, to run the risk of your fortune, so you would but secure that lovely person to my arms?

Scent. Hist, hist! sir George Airy- [Enters. Sir Geo. A female voice! thus far I'm safeMy dear!

Scent. No, I'm not your dear; but I'll conduct you to her. Give me your hand; you must go through many a dark passage and dirty step before you arrive—

Sir Geo. I know I must, before I arrive at paradise; therefore, be quick, my charming guide. Scent. For aught you know. Come, come, your hand, and away!'

Sir Geo. Here, here, child; you can't be half so swift as my desires.

SCENE IV.-The house.

Enter MIRANDA,

[Exeunt.

Mir. Well, let me reason a little with my mad self. Now, don't I transgress all rules, to venture upon a man without the advice of the grave and wise? But then, a rigid, knavish guardian, who would have married me-to whom? even to his nauseous self, or nobody. Sir George is what I have tried in conversation, inquired into his character, and am satisfied in both. Then his

Sir Geo. Haste then, and let us tie the knot, and prove the envied pair―

Mir. Hold, not so fast; I have provided better than to venture on dangerous experiments headlong-My guardian, trusting to my dissembled love, has given up my fortune to my own disposal, but with this proviso, that he to-mor row morning weds me. He is now gone to Doctors Commons for a licence.

Sir Geo. Ha! a licence!

Mir. But I have planted emissaries that infallibly take him down to Epsom, under a pretence that a brother usurer of his is to make him his executor, a thing on earth he covets.

Sir Geo. 'Tis his known character.

Mir. Now my instruments confirm him this man is dying, and he sends me word he goes this minute. It must be to-morrow ere he can be undeceived: that time is ours.

Sir Geo. Let us improve it then, and settle on our coming years endless, endless happiness! Mir. I dare not stir till I hear he's on the road -then I and my writings, the most material point, are soon removed.