Geo. Yes, for my excellent Bauding—By Heav'n, I dare not touch his princely Person.

Prince. Where art thou? take this Jewel and retire. [Gropes for his Hand, gives it him.

Geo. E'en my Misfortunes have a sort of Luck; but I'll withdraw, for fear this Devil about me shou'd raise my too rash Hand against his Life. [Exit.

Prince. Come, my eternal Pleasure—each Moment of the happy Lover's Hour, is worth an Age of dull, and common Life.

[Exeunt into the Alcove, the Scene shuts.

SCENE III. A Garden by Night still.

Enter George with his Sword in his Hand, as before.

Geo. Why do I vainly call for Vengeance down, and have it in my Hand?—By Heav'n, I'll back—Whither? To kill a Woman, a young perjur'd Woman!—Oh, ye false Fair Ones! shou'd we do you Justice, a universal Ruin wou'd ensue; not one wou'd live to stock the World anew. Who is't among ye All, ye Fair Deceivers, ye charming Mischiefs to the noble Race, can swear she's Innocent, without Damnation? No, no, go on—be false—be fickle still: You act but Nature—But, my faithless Friend—where I repose the secrets of my Soul—except this one—Alas! he knew not this:—Why do I blame him then?

Enter Olivia, dress'd as before.

Oliv. Fire! Fire! Fire!

Geo. Olivia's Voice!—Ha! what art thou? Thy Voice shou'd be Olivia's, but thy Shape—and yet a Woman is all o'er Disguise.

Enter Lady Blunder in her Night-Gown.

L. Blun. Fire! Fire! Fire! My Son, my dear Sir Morgan.

Enter Sir Rowland, and Servants.

Sir Row. A Pox on your Son, and mine to boot; they have set all the Sack-Butts a Flaming in the Cellar, thence the Mischief began. Timothy, Roger, Jeffrey, my Money-Trunks, ye Rogues! my money-Trunks!

L. Blun. My Son, good Roger! my own Sir Moggy!

Sir Row. The ten thousand Pounds, ye Rascal, in the Iron Trunk, that was to be paid Mr. Welborn for Olivia's Portion. [Exit.

L. Blun. Oh my Son! my Son!—run to the Parson, Sam, and let him send the Church-Buckets. Oh, some help! some help!

Enter Manage.

Man. Oh, Heavens! my Lady Mirtilla's Chamber's all on Flame.

Enter Britton.

Geo. Ha,—the Prince! I had forgot his Danger.

Man. Ah! look up, and see how it burns.

Geo. Britton, a Million for a Ladder!

Man. Blessing on you, Sir, if you dare venture through the House; there lies one in the Fore-Garden.

Britt. The Passage is on fire, Sir, you cannot go.

Geo. Revenge is vanish'd, and Love takes its place: Soft Love, and mightier Friendship seizes all. I'll save him, though I perish in the Attempt. [Runs out, Britton after him.

Enter at another Door, Sir Rowland.

L. Blun. A thousand Pound for him that saves Sir Morgan!

Sir Row. And, do ye hear, let my Rogue lie; I'd rather he should be burnt, than hang'd on Tyburn Road, for murdering his Father.—But where's Boy George?

Enter Men with Trunks.

Rog. Safe, Sir, I hope; he was not in the House.

Sir Row. So, so, away with these Trunks to my Lady Youthly's in Southampton-Square, and tell her we must trouble her to night. Come, Sister, let's away.

[Ex. Lady Blunder, and Sir Rowland.

Prince Frederick and Mirtilla, appear at the Window, the Flame behind 'em.

Prince. Help, help, and save Mirtilla! Ask any Price, my Life, my Fortune! All!

Mir. Oh, Heav'ns, the Flame pursues us as we fly.

Prince. No help! Oh Gods, I shall prevent the Flame, and perish by my Fears to see you die!

Mir. Alas! Sir, you with ease may save your Life! This Window you may leap, but I want Courage.

Prince. No, my Mirtilla, if it be thy Fate, I'll grasp thee, ev'n in Flames, and die with thee.

Mir. We die! we die! the Flame takes hold of us.

Enter George with a Ladder, and puts it to the Window.

Prince. Ha! some pitying God takes care of us. Haste, haste, my Charmer; Heav'n has sent us Aid.

[Puts her on the Ladder, she descends into George's Arms; after her, the Prince. George puts her into Manage's Arms, she faints; he runs up to receive the Prince.

Prince. Lejere! dear Man of Luck—Some happy Star reign'd at thy glorious Birth; every thing is prosperous thou espousest.—How fares my Love, the Treasure of my Soul?

Man. Only fainting with the Fright, but she recovers.

Prince. My Chair there, quickly, that waits for me.—

Enter Chair; he puts her, and Manage into it.

Enter Olivia.

Carry 'em to Mr. Welborn's, to my Lodgings there, and then return to me; for I am wondrous faint, and cannot walk.

Oliv. Ha! by my Life, my Man!

Prince. But if I might impose so much, Lejere, upon thy Friendship, I beg thou wouldst see her safely carry'd to my Lodgings at Welborn's.

Geo. You shall command me, Sir.

[Exeunt Chair, George and Britton.

Oliv. You seem not well, Sir, pray repose upon my Arm a while.

Prince. I thank you, Sir, indeed I am not well.

Oliv. Methinks I find a Pleasure but in touching him—Wou'd I cou'd see his Face by all this fatal Light.

Enter Constable and Watch.

Const. So, so, the Fire abates, the Engines play'd rarely, and we have Ten Guineas here, Neighbours, to watch about the House; for where there's Fire, there's Rogues—Hum, who have we here?—How now, Mr.—Hum, what have you got under your Arm there, ha? Take away this Box of Jewels. [Sir Morgan, and Sir Merlin, creeping out of the Cellar Window. Ha, who have we here creeping out of the Cellar-Window? more Rogues!

Sir Mer. Sirrah! you're a Baud, Sirrah! and for a Tester will wink at the Vices of the Nation, Sirrah! Call men of the best Quality Rogues! that have stood for Knights of the Shire, and made the Mobile drunk, Sirrah!

Const. We cry you Mercy, Sir, we did not know your Worships.

Sir Morg. Lookye, de see, here's a Crown for you; carry us to the next Tavern, and we'll make thee, and all thy Mirmidons, as drunk as a Boat in a Storm.

Oliv. Sir, I find you have Interest with these arbitrary Tyrants of the Parish; pray will you bail me, and this Gentleman?

Sir Mer. What, Endimion! my Lady Mirtilla's Page? He lent me Money to Night at the Basset-Table; I'll be bound Hand and Foot for him, Mr. Constable, and, gad, we'll all to the Tavern, and drink up the Sun, Boys.

Oliv. Yonder Gentleman too has receiv'd some hurt by the Fire, and must go home, Sir; but you must restore him the Box, Mr. Constable.

Sir Morg. Ay, ay, lookye, de see, return the Gentleman all; they're Gentlemen, and our intimate Friends, d'ye see.

[Exeunt Prince, and Olivia.

Enter a Servant.

Const. Stand: Who goes there?

Sir Morg. Philip—Lookye, d'ye see, he shall along with us to the Tavern.

Serv. Sir Morgan, I came to seek you: your Lady Mother sent me back on purpose; she has spoil'd her Beauty with crying for you.

Sir Morg. And wash'd off all her Paint?—Or so, de see! Gad sa' me, Philip, this is ill Luck. Come, let us go drink down Sorrow.

Serv. Being sent of such an Errand, as your Safety, Sir, I dare not stay and drink now, before I've satisfy'd your Mother.

Sir Mer. Not drink! I charge you in the King's Name, Mr. Constable, bring him along. [The Constable and Watch seize him.

Sings.

Wise Coxcombs be damn'd, here's a Health to the Man, That since Life is but short, lives as long as he can.

[Exeunt.



ACT IV.

SCENE I. The Prince's Lodgings.

Enter Page with Lights, sets 'em on the Table. [Ex.

Enter Mirtilla, led by Mrs. Manage.

Mir. Ha! where am I, Manage?

Man. Heav'n be thanked, Madam, at the Prince's Lodgings.

Mir. What happy Star conducted us, and sav'd us from the Fury of the Flames?

Man. Those whose Influence are always gracious to your Ladyship.

Mir. But where's the Prince? where's my illustrious Lover?

Man. Waiting the Return of the Chair, Madam.

Mir. But my Endimion?—Is Endimion safe?

Man. Madam, he is: I saw him in the Garden.

Mir. Then perish all the rest—Go send to search him out, and let him instantly be brought to me—Hah—Lejere.

Enter George.

Geo. Baud, stand aside—and do your Office yonder— [Puts away Manage. Why are you frighted, Madam, because I'm not the Lover you expected?

Mir. What Lover! be witness, Heaven—

Geo. That thou art false, false as the insatiate Seas, that smiling tempt the vain Adventurer, whom flattering, far from any saving there, swell their false Waves to a destructive Storm.

Mir. Why all this mighty Rage?—Because I disappointed you to night?

Geo. No, by Heaven, I dully cou'd have waited for the Hour; have hop'd, and wish'd, and languish'd out an Age. But, oh Mirtilla! Oh thou perjur'd Fair!—But vanish all the Softness of my Soul, I will be satirical.

A Plague, a Torment, to your fickle Sex, Those smiling, sighing, weeping Hypocrites.

Mir. And can you think my Flight is criminal? because I sav'd this worthless Life—for you—

Geo. What Innocence adorns her Tongue, and Eyes! while Hell and Furies give her Heart its motion. You know not where you are?

Mir. Perhaps I do not.

Geo. Swear, for thou'rt damn'd already, and by what black Degrees I will unfold: When first I saw this gay, this glorious Mischief, though nobly born, 'twas hid in mean Obscurity; the shining Viper lay half dead with Poverty, I took it up, and laid it next my Heart, fed it, and call'd its faded Beauties back.

Mir. Confess'd; And what of this?

Geo. Confirm'd you mine, by all the Obligations Profuseness cou'd invent, or Love inspire.

Mir. And yet at your Return you found me marry'd to another.

Geo. Death and Hell! that was not yet the worst: You flatter'd me with some Pretence of Penitence; but on the Night, the dear destructive Night, you rais'd my Hopes to all distracting Love cou'd wish—that very Night—Oh, let me rave and die, and never think that Disappointment o'er!

Mir. What, you saw me courted at the Ball, perhaps.

Geo. Perhaps I saw it in your Chamber too. Breathless and panting, with new-acted Joys, the happy Lover lay—Oh Mirtilla!

Mir. Nay, if he knows it, I'll deny't no more. [Aside.

Geo. There is no Honesty in all thy Kind.

Mir. Or if there be, those that deal in't are weary of their Trade. But where's the mighty Crime?

Geo. No, I expect thou shouldst out-face my Eyes, out-swear my Hearing, and out-lye my Senses.—The Prince! the Prince! thou faithless dear destruction.

Mir. The Prince! good Heaven! Is all this Heat for him?

Geo. Thou own'st the Conquest then?

Mir. With as much Vanity as thou wouldst do, if thou hadst won his Sword: Hast thou took care wisely to teach me all the Arts of Life, and dost thou now upbraid my Industry? Look round the World, and thou shalt see, Lejere, Ambition still supplies the place of Love. The worn-out Lady, that can serve your Interest, you swear has Beauties that out-charms Fifteen; and for the Vanity of Quality, you feign and languish, lye, protest, and flatter—All Things in Nature cheat, or else are cheated.

Geo. Well said; take off thy Veil, and shew the Jilt.

Mir. You never knew a Woman thrive so well by real Love, as by Dissimulation: This has a thousand Arts and Tricks to conquer; appears in any Shape, in any Humour; can laugh or weep, be coy or play, by turns, as suits the Lover best, while simple Love has only one Road of Sighs and Softness; these to Lejere are due: But all my Charms, and Arts of gay dissembling, are for the credulous Prince.—Ha—he's here!—and with him the dear Youth that has enslav'd me, who triumphs o'er the rest. [Aside.

Enter Prince Frederick, Olivia following, sees Mirtilla, and withdraws.

Oliv. Ha! Mirtilla, and my Brother here? Oh, how I long to see that Stranger's Face. [Aside.

Prince. Mirtilla, thou Charmer of Life's dull and tedious Hours, how fares thy Heart? Dwells any Pantings there, but those that Love, and his dear Joys create?

Mir. Or if there do, you shou'd excuse it now.

Geo. How many Devils reign in beauteous Woman!

Prince. My dear Lejere, congratulate my Joys; take all my Friendship thou—but thou my Soul. Come, come, my Friend, let us retire together; I'll give thee leave to gaze upon my Heaven, and feed on all the Sweets that Friendship may: But all the rest of the vast Store is mine.

Man. Madam, Endimion is already here. [Aside to her.

Mir. Thou hast reviv'd me—Let him wait my Call. [Exit Prince with Mirtilla, George goes out, and peeps at the Door. Olivia comes forward.

Oliv. Spite, Spite, and dire Revenge seize my fond Soul!—Oh, that I were a Man, a loose leud Man; how easily wou'd I rob him of her Heart, and leave him but the shadow of Enjoyment!

Re-enter George.

Geo. Now, my dear Sister, if thou ever lov'dst me, revenge thy Brother on this perjur'd Woman, and snatch her from this gallant Rival's Arms. She loves thee—Dissemble thou to love again; meet her Advances with an equal Ardour, and when thou hast wound her up to dalliance, I'll bring the Prince a witness of her Shame.

Oliv. But what if he shou'd kill me—

Geo. I'll take care of that.

Oliv. Then e'er the morning dawns, you shall behold it: She languishes to see me, and I wait on purpose for her Commands.

Geo. As I cou'd wish: Be sure to act the Lover well. [Exit.

Oliv. As well as I can act it.

Enter Welborn, habited as last.

That all Mankind are damn'd, I'm positive; at least all Lovers are.

Wel. What have we here? the Spark that rally'd me about a Woman at the Ball to night? Who is it, Sir, you curse so heartily.

Oliv. Ha, how beautiful he is—how many Charms dwell in that lovely Face— [Aside. 'Tis you I curse.

Wel. Gad, I thank you for that, you were kinder to night, when you told me of a fine Woman that was in love with me.

Oliv. Why, what have you to do with Woman-kind?

Wel. A pretty civil Question; has the Lady that sent you a mind to be inform'd.

Oliv. Or if she had, you're not at leisure now, you are taken up, Sir, with another Beauty. Did not you swear, never to speak to Woman-kind, till I had brought her, I told you, sigh'd for you?

Wel. Right, and I have kept my word religiously.

Oliv. The Devil you have, witness the Joy Mirtilla gave your Soul: Even now you were all Transport, all Extasy of Love; by Heaven, you had forgot you brought me in, and past triumphant in Mirtilla's Arms, Love in your Heart, and Pleasure in your Eyes.

Wel. Ay, sure he mistakes me for the amorous Prince, and thus, perhaps, has mistook me all the Night: I must not undeceive him. [Aside. Whate'er you saw, I have a Heart unwounded, a Heart that never soundly loved, a little scratch it got the other day by a young Beauty in the Mall, her Name I know not, but I wish'd to know it, and dogg'd her Coach, I sigh'd a little after her, but since ne'er saw the lovely Vision.

Oliv. Sure this was I. [Aside. What Livery had she, Sir?

Wel. That I took notice of, 'twas Green and Gold—Since that, I trifle now and then with Love, to chase away this Image, and that's all.

Oliv. Ha, now I view him well, 'tis the same handsome Fellow that entertain'd us in the Mall last Thursday.

Wel. Come, Sir, 'tis late, please you to take a Bed with me to Night, where we'll beget a better Understanding.

Oliv. A better than you imagine—'Sdeath, to bed with him, I tremble at the thought—Sir, I do not love a Bedfellow.

Wel. Sir, I have lent my Lodgings to a Stranger of Quality, or I wou'd offer you a single Bed—but for once you may dispense with a Bedfellow.

Oliv. I will not put you to that trouble, Sir.

Wel. Do you design to make me your Friend, and use me with Ceremony? Who waits there?

Enter Footman.

Oliv. 'Slife, what shall I do? I cou'd even consent, to prevent his going to Mirtilla—besides, I have no home to go to—

Wel. Come, no more Scruples—here—a Night-Gown and a Cap for the Gentleman.

Oliv. What shall I do?—I have a little urgent Business, Sir.

Wel. If there be absolute necessity, I'll see you to your Lodgings.

Oliv. Oh, by no means, Sir. 'Sdeath, whither can I go?

Wel. Why do you pause? Deal freely with me, Sir, I hope you do not take me for a Lover of my own Sex— Come, come to bed.

Oliv. Go you, Sir, I'll sit and read by you till Day.

Wel. 'Sdeath, Sir, d'ye think my bed's infectious?

Oliv. I shall betray my Sex in my denial, and that at last I can but do if Necessity compel me to't. [Aside. Go on, Sir, you have shamed me.

[Exeunt.

Enter Prince and George.

Prince. And thus thou hast my whole Adventure out, short was the Conquest, but the Joys are lasting.

Geo. I am glad on't, Sir.

Prince. Why dost wear a Cloud upon thy brows, when Love's gay Sunshine dances in my Eyes? If thou'rt her Lover too, I pity thee; her solemn Vows breath'd in the height of Love, disarm me of thy hopes, if Friendship wou'd permit thee.

Geo. I do not think it, Sir—

Prince. Not think it, not think that she has sworn!

Geo. Yes, doubtless, Sir—she's prodigal of Vows, and I dare swear, by all she's sworn by, she'll break 'em all: She has less Faith than all the fickle Sex, uncertain and more wanton than the Winds, that spare no Births of Nature in their wild course, from the tall Cedar to the Flowers beneath, but ruffle, ravish, and ruin all.

Prince. I speak of my Mirtilla.

Geo. Why, so do I—of yours, of mine, or any Man's Mirtilla.

Prince. Away, she that with force of Love can sigh and weep—

Geo. This very she, has all the while dissembled! Such Love she deals to every gaudy Coxcomb, how will she practice then upon a Hero?

Prince. Away, it cannot be.

Geo. By all your Friendship to me, Sir, 'tis truth.

Prince. Racks and Tortures!—let her have made of me a mere Example, by whom the cozen'd World might have grown wise: No matter, then I had been pleas'd, though cullyed—Why hast thou ruined my Repose with Truths that carry more Damnation than a Lye? But Oh—thou art my Friend, and I forgive thee.

Geo. Sir, I have done, and humbly ask your Pardon. [Offers to go.

Prince. Stay, stay, Lejere,—if she be false, thou'rt all the World has left me; and I believe—but canst thou prove this to me?

Geo. Perhaps I may before the Morning's dawn.

Prince. Ha, prove it here—here, in this very House!

Geo. Ay, here, Sir.

Prince. What, in my Lodgings will she receive her Spark—by Heaven, were he the darling Son of a Monarch, an Empire's Hope, and Joy of all the Fair, he shou'd not live to rifle me of Peace.—Come, shew me this destin'd Victim to my Rage.

Geo. No, my Revenge is only comical—If you wou'd see how Woman can dissemble, come on, and follow me.

Prince. What, disturb her Rest! Didst thou not see her fainting with the Fatigues this Night had given her, and begg'd me I would leave her to Repose?

Geo. Yes, and wonder'd at her Art; and when you begg'd to watch by her Bed-side, with what dear Promises she put you off; while every word fell feebly from her Tongue, as if't had been her last, so very sick she was—till you were gone—Hark—a Door opens—I will obscure the Lights. [Puts away the Lights.

Enter Olivia. They retire a little.

Oliv. Was ever Maid so near to being undone? Oh Heavens! in bed with the dear Man I love, ready to be betray'd by every Sigh. [George peeps.

Geo. 'Tis Olivia.

Enter Manage groping.

Man. I left him here—what, by dark? Endimion, young, handsome Sir, where are you? [Calls Olivia.

Geo. Do you hear that, Sir?

Man. Oh, are you here?— [Runs against Olivia.

Oliv. 'Slife, 'tis Manage—how shall I escape?— [Aside.

Man. Come, Sir, my Lady Mirtilla has dismiss'd her troublesome Lovers, for your more agreeable Company.

Geo. D'ye hear that, Sir?

Man. Come softly on, Sir, and follow me.

Oliv. I'm all Obedience—

She cannot ravish me, and that's a Comfort. [Aside, going out.

Prince. Oh, Lejere—can this be possible? Can there be such a Woman?

Geo. Follow him, Sir, and see—

Prince. See what!—be witness of her Infamy? Hell! Hell, and all the Fires of Lust possess her! when she's so old and leud, all Mankind shun her.—I'll be a Coward in my own dire Revenge, and use no manly Mercy.—But oh, I faint, I faint with Rage and Love, which like two meeting Tides, swell into Storms.—Bear me a minute to my Couch within.

Geo. What have I done! now I repent my Rashness.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. Draws off, discovers Mirtilla at her Toylet, dress'd.

Enter Manage, leading Olivia in as Endymion, who falls at Mirtilla's Feet, whilst she's there, sings a Song; she takes him up.

Mir. Rise,—When Lovers are alone they pardon Ceremony.—I sent for you to end the Night with me; say—how shall we employ it?

Oliv. I'll sigh, and gaze upon your lovely Face.

Mir. Nothing but sigh, and gaze; we shall grow dull.

Oliv. I'll tell you Tales of Love, and sing you Songs.

Mir. Thy Voice, 'tis true, can charm a thousand ways; but Lovers time their Joys, these for the Day, those for the lovely Night. And when they would be silently in love, have Musick of soft Sighs and gentler Whispers.

Oliv. Oh, Love inspires all this—What shall I do? [Aside.

Mir. Nay, think not because I sent for you alone, while Night and Silence favour Lovers Stealths, to take advantage of my yielding Heart.

Oliv. I wou'd to Heaven she were in earnest now.

A Noise. Enter Manage.

Man. Oh, hide your Favourite, Madam—do you hear.

Mir. A jealous Lover only, comes in such a Storm—Dear, to my Heart, whose Safety is my Life. Submit to be conceal'd—but where—Oh Heavens, he comes—'Tis for you I fear— [They search for a place.

Man. He comes—

Mir. Here, let my Train secure you—Till now I never found the right Use of long Trains and Farthingals. [She kneels, Man. puts her Train over Olivia.

Enter Prince and George, at the Door.

Geo. 'Sdeath, you have made these Pauses and Alarms to give her time to jilt you.

Prince. Pray Heaven she do—I'd not be undeceiv'd for all the Sun surveys. [Enters.

Mir. My Lord the Prince! now you are kind indeed. [Goes and embraces him. —hah! what means this Unconcern?

Prince. I thought I'ad left you sick, extremely sick.

Mir. And are you griev'd to find my Health return?

Prince. No, wondrous glad of it. You're mighty gay, Mirtilla, much in Glory.

Mir. Can he, who lays his Fortune at my Feet, think me too glorious for his Arms and Eyes?

Geo. Fifty to one the Gipsy jilts him yet. [Aside.

Prince. Pray Heaven she lyes but handsomly— [Aside. —for mine, Mirtilla! Ha—ha—

Mir. Am I not yours? You cannot doubt my Vows.

Geo. She'll do't, and make me love her anew for her rare dexterity at dissembling.

Prince. I left you wearied, going to your Bed, but find you at your Toylet gayly dress'd, as if some Conquest you design'd e'er morning.

Mir. Manage, Sir, from the Fire, secur'd these Trifles, and I was trying several Dresses on; that this slight Beauty that you say has charm'd you, might, when you saw it next, complete the Conquest.

Geo. And that thou wilt, if Flattery can do't.

Prince. Now, were she guilty, as I'm sure she's not, this Softness would undo me, and appease me.

Mir. You seem as if you doubted what I say. [This while, Olivia gets off unseen. By all the Powers—

Prince. Hold, I scorn to need an Oath to fix my Faith; Oh! thou art all divine, and canst not err. [Embraces her. Curs'd be the Tongue that dares profane thy Virtue, and curs'd the listning Fool that dares believe it.

Geo. What a poor, wretched, baffled thing is Man, by feebler Woman aw'd and made a Coxcomb!

Mir. Durst any one traduce my Virtue, Sir, and is it possible that you could hear it?—Then perish all the Beauties you have flatter'd. [Tears her Head-things.

Prince. Come to my Arms, thou Charmer of my Soul! and if one spark of Jealousy remain, one of those precious Tears shall quench the Crime—Oh, come, and let me lead thee to thy Bed, and breathe new Vows into thy panting Bosom. [Leads her off, she looks back on George and smiles.

Geo. Now all the Plagues of injur'd Lovers wreck thee; 'Sdeath, where has she hid Olivia? or how am I deceiv'd?—'Tis Day, and with it new Invention rise to damn this Woman to the sin of Shame; break all the Chains that hold the princely Youth, and sink her with her fancy'd Power and Vanity. [Exit.

SCENE III. Changes to Lady Youthly's.

Enter Sir Rowland half dress'd, Lady Blunder in an Undress, Lady Youthly in her morning-dress, Teresia and Mr. Twang.

Sir Row. Morrow, my Lady Youthly, and thank you for my Night's Lodging—You are as early up as if it had been your Wedding-day.

L. Youth. Truly, Sir Rowland, that I intend.

Sir Row. But where's the Bride-groom, Madam?

Enter Roger.

How now, Roger, what, no news yet of George?

Rog. Alas! none, Sir, none, till the Rubbish be removed.

Sir Row. Rubbish—What—what, is George become the Rubbish of the World then? [Weeps.

Twang. Why, Man is but Dust, as a Man may say, Sir.

L. Blun. But are you sure, Roger, my Jewel, my Sir Moggy escap'd?

Rog. The Watch drew him out of the Cellar-window, Madam.

L. Youth. How, Mr. Twang, the young Gentleman burnt—Oh— [Falls in a Chair.

Ter. Alas! my Grandmother faints with your ill News.—Good Sir Rowland, comfort her, and dry your Eyes.

Sir Row. Burnt, Madam! No, no, only the House fell on him, or so— [Feigns Chearfulness, and speaks to Lady Youthly.

L. Youth. How! the House fell on him—Oh!

Sir Row. Ah, Madam, that's all; why, the young Rogue has a Back like an Elephant—'twill bear a Castle, Madam.

L. Youth. Alas, good Man: What a Mercy 'tis, Mr. Twang, to have a Back like an Elephant!

L. Blun. Of what wonderful Use it is upon occasion—

Sir Row. Ay—but—but I shall never see him more, Back nor Breast. [Weeps.

Twang. Good Sir, discomfort not my Lady—Consider Man's a Flower—

Sir Row. Ay, but George was such a Flower! He was, Mr. Twang, he was the very Pink of Prentices. Ah! what a rare rampant Lord Mayor he wou'd have made! And what a swinging Sheriff— [Cries.

Ter. What, cry, so near your Wedding-day, Sir Rowland?

Sir Row. Well, if he be gone—Peace be with him: and, 'Ifaks, Sweet-heart, we'll marry, and beget new Sons and Daughters—but—but I shall ne'er beget another George. [Cries.

Ter. This is but a Scurvy Tune for your hymenical Song, Sir.

Sir Row. Alas! Mrs. Teresia, my Instrument is untun'd, and good for nothing now but to be hung upon the Willows.

Cry within. Murder, Murder, Murder!

Enter Footman. Sir Merlin with his Sword drawn, and Sir Morgan.

Sir Row. What's here, my Rogue?

Twang. What's the matter, Gentlemen, that ye enter the House in this hostile manner?

Sir Morg. What, Mr. Twang, de see!

Sir Mer. Ay, ay—stand by Divinity—and know, that we, the Pillars of the Nation, are come, de see—to ravish.

L. Blun. Oh, my dear Sir Morgan. [Embraces him.

Sir Morg. I do not intend to ravish, like a Jew, in my own Tribe—

L. Youth. What say they, Mr. Twang, ravish? Oh, save my Honour—lead me to my Bed-Chamber, where, if they dare venture to come, they come upon their Peril. [Twang leads her out. Sir Morgan goes to Ter.

Sir Mer. Old Fellow, do'st hear? Sir Pandarus of Troy, deliver me my Cressida, de see, peacefully, or I am resolved to bear her off Vi & Armis.

L. Blun. Sweet Nephew, retire, we are just upon making your Peace.

Sir Mer. Ha—Old Queen Gwiniver, without her Ruff on?

[Sir Merlin takes hold of her to bear her off; she cries out: Sir Rowland draws upon him. As they are going to fight, George enters.

Geo. Is there a Man in Nature's Race so vile, dares lift a guilty Hand against his Father?

Sir Mer. Father me no Fathers; I fight for Teresia, my lawfully begotten Spouse.

Geo. That I once called you Brother, saves your Life; therefore resign your Sword here at his reverend Feet.

Sir Mer. Sirrah, you lye, Sirrah—

Geo. There, drag away this Brute. [Disarms him. To the Footman.

Sir Mer. Rogues, Dogs, bring Mrs. Teresia along with you.

Ter. Sure this is my fine Fellow—and yet the very same that's to be married to my Grandmother; nor can that City Habit hide the Gentleman. [George speaks this while with his Father, who embraces him.

Sir Morg. Burnt, say you, Mrs. Teresia, de see—my Lady Mirtilla burnt! Nay, then, 'tis time to go to sleep, get sober, and marry again. [Goes out.

Sir Row. Enough, my Boy, enough; thou deserv'st my whole Estate, and thou shalt have it, Boy—This day thou shalt marry the Widow, and I her Grand-child. I'll to my Lawyers, and settle all upon thee instantly. [Goes out.

Geo. How, marry to day—Old Gentleman, you must be cozen'd; and, Faith, that goes against my Conscience—Ha, the Fair, the Young Teresia there—When a man's bent upon Wickedness, the Devil never wants an Opportunity to present him with, that she shou'd be in my way now—Fair Creature, are you resolv'd to be my Mother-in-law?

Ter. As sure as you to be my Grandfather, Sir—And see—the News of your being come, has rais'd my Grandmother.

Enter Lettice, my Lady's maid, and Lady Youthly.

Geo. A Pox upon her, her Ghost had been less frightful.

Ter. I cou'd have spar'd her now too; but see she advances as swift as Time.

Geo. And as old: What shall I do? I dye to speak with you—

L. Youth. Where—where's this Young Welcome Gentleman—Oh, are you here, Sir— [She sees him not, but runs upon him. Lettice, take Teresia, and get you to your Chamber, she has her Trinkets to get ready against the Wedding anon, for we'll make but one work of both.

Ter. Ay, 'twill save Charges, Madam—

L. Youth. Ay, ay, get you gone, Lovers sometimes wou'd be private.

Geo. Heark ye—leave me not to her mercy, by Love, if you do, I'll follow you to your Chamber.

Ter. Leave you! No, hang me if I do, till I have told you a piece of my mind, for I find there's no dallying.

L. Youth. Well, Sir, I have finish'd the Great Work.

Geo. I wish you had—Teresia, once you made me hope you did not hate me.

L. Youth. What says he, Teresia?

Ter. He says, he hopes you do not hate him, Madam.

L. Youth. No, by my Troth, Sir; I feel something for you, I have not felt before.

Geo. Not these Threescore Years, I dare swear—You have too much Wit, Teresia, to have been only pleas'd with the Embroider'd Coat, and Gawdy Plume, when still the man's the same.

L. Youth. What says he, Embroider'd Coat and Plume?

Ter. He hopes your Ladyship likes him ne'er the worse, for being without those Fopperies.

L. Youth. Marry do I not, I love not this over-finery in a Husband; those Fellows that dress, think so well of themselves, they never mind their Wives.

Geo. Are you so dull, Teresia, not to see, this Habit was put on, only to get an Opportunity to tell you my Passion?

L. Youth. Tell me of his Passion! was it so, alas, good Young Man—Well, well, I'll defer your Joys no longer, this Night shall make you happy, Mr. Twang shall join us, Sir.

Geo. A blessed hearing—You see, Charming Maid, how very short a space there is between this and the hast'ning hour; stand not on Virgin Niceties, but answer me, our time admits of no Consideration.

Ter. I have not been this Four and Twenty hours a Lover, to need Considering; as soon as you had my Heart, you had my Consent, and that was the first moment I saw you at the Basset-Table.

Geo. Ha! at the Basset-Table!

Ter. Yes, I was the frank Youth that lent you Money—but no more—your Time and Place.

L. Youth. What are you prating to him there?

Ter. He doubts your Love, Madam, and I'm confirming it.

L. Youth. Alas, good Gentleman!—anon I'll convince him—for in the Ev'ning, Sir, the Priest shall make us one.

Geo. Ah, Madam, I cou'd wish 'twere not so long defer'd, for sure I love you like a sighing Swain, and as a Proof of it, I have here prepar'd an Emblem of my Love in a Dance of Country Lovers, when Passion is sincere.

L. Youth. Good-lack-a-day, indeed you're so obliging: But pray let us have the Dance. [Dance.

L. Youth. Very pretty indeed. Come, good Gentleman, don't droop, don't droop; come, hold up your Head—you may be allow'd one kiss beforehand.

Geo. [Kisses her.] Oh, what a pestilential Blast was there! [Aside.

L. Youth. Come, come, Teresia, come with me.

Geo. [to Teresia.] I'll send a Chair to your Back-gate anon, that shall wait you on the Field-side, and bring you whither I shall appoint. Get ready instantly.

Ter. And if I fail, may I be eternally damn'd to the Embraces of old Age.

[Exeunt all but George.

Geo. Mirtilla, thus thy Scorn I will out-brave, And let my Father the kind Cheat forgive; If I with dexterous charitable care Ease him of Burdens he wants strength to bear. [Exit.



ACT V.

SCENE I. Welborn's Chamber.

Enter Welborn dressing himself; to him a Footman with a Letter.

Wel. Prithee what became of the Spark that lay with me last Night?

Foot. I know not, Sir, he 'rose before day—What Letter's this, Sir? It lay upon your Toylet. [Gives Welborn a Letter.

Wel. To the dear Man whose Name I would be glad to know— [Reads. Hum—a Woman's Hand— [Opens it.

The Lady you saw last Thursday in the Mall, you had in Bed with you last Night. Adieu.

Oh! dull Divinity of Love! that by no Instinct, no sympathizing Pains or Pleasure, could instruct my Sense, how near I was to Happiness!

Enter George, fine.

—Lejere, behold me here the most unlucky Fellow breathing. Thou know'st I told thee how I was in love with a young Woman in the Mall: And this very Night I had this very Woman in my Arms.

Geo. Is this your ill Luck, Sir?

Wel. 'Sdeath, all the while I took her for a Man: But finding me asleep, she softly rose; and, by a Light yet burning in my Chamber, she writ this Billet, and left it on my Table. [Gives it George, he reads it.

Geo. By all that's good, Olivia!—And were you very honest, Sir?

Wel. To my eternal Shame, as chaste as Ice.

Geo. What will you say now, Charles, if I bring this Woman to you again?

Wel. Canst thou? Oh, let me kiss thy Lips away.

Geo. For all her Frolick, Charles, she's very honest, a Fortune, and of Quality—and were't not for Olivia, thou shouldst marry her.

Wel. Olivia I ne'er saw, and now 'twill be too late.

Geo. Nay then, Sir, I must fight in her Defence.

Wel. You fight in her defence! Why, dost thou love her?—By all that's good, I will resign her to thee.

Geo. You shall not, Sir; and know she is my Sister.

Wel. Olivia thy Sister!—

Geo. Ask no more Questions, but defend your self, if you refuse to marry her; for her Honour's mine.

Wel. Were she an Angel, I must love this Woman.

Geo. Then thou shall have her—Haste, and get a Licence—no more—trust my Friendship—Go. [Exit Welborn.

Enter Olivia.

Olivia, where did you lie last Night?—Nay do not blush, for you may yet be virtuous.

Oliv. Virtuous! Not the young Roses in the bud secur'd, nor breaking Morn ungaz'd at by the Sun, nor falling Snow has more of Purity.

Geo. I do believe you; but your dangerous Frolicks will make the World talk shamefully.

Oliv. Let him talk on, I will not humour Fools.

Geo. No more—here's Manage—Contrive an Assignation with Mirtilla; but do not hide again where none may find you. This done, I'll tell you more, and make you happy. How now, Manage, is the Prince stirring?

Man. He's in his Dressing-Room, Sir.—This from my Lady, Sir. [Slides the Letter into Olivia's Hand as she passes out.

Geo. What have you there, Olivia? [Takes the Billet.

Oliv. An Assignation from your perjur'd Mistress, Sir.

Geo. 'Tis well—you must obey the Summons; and wind her up to all the height of Love; then let her loose to Shame. I'll bring her Lover in the height of Dalliance, who, when he sees her Perfidy, will hate her.

Oliv. And then the lovely Man stands fair for me. [Aside.

Geo. Go write an Answer back—and wait her hour.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE II. The Dressing-Room. Discovers the Prince at his Toylet, dressing. Musick and a Song.

Enter George, waits till the Song is ended. The Prince sees him, comes to him with Joy, and falls about his Neck.

SONG, by Mr. Gildon.

I.

Ah Charmion! shroud those killing Eyes, That dart th' extremes of Pleasure, Else Celidon, though favour'd, dies As well as him that you despise, Though with this diff'rent measure: While lingring Pains drag on his Fate, } Dispatch is all th' Advantage of my State; } For ah! you hill with Love, as well as Hate. }

II.

Abate thy Luxury of Charms, And only Part discover; Your Tongue, as well as Eyes, has Arms To give a Thousand fatal Harms To the poor listening Lover: Thy Beams, like Glorys veil'd shou'd be, And like the Front of Heav'n, unseen, pass by; For to behold 'em, in full force, we die.

Prince. Mirtilla, O! I faint, I die with thy Beauty's Luxury! by Heaven, I'm all Rapture, Love, and Joy: Such a dear Night, Lejere!—Poets may fancy pressing Goddesses, on downy Beds of Clouds—But oh, Lejere!—Those Gods were never half so blest as I!

Geo. What pity 'twere to wake you from this Dream.

Prince. It is not in the power of Time nor Age: For even then Mirtilla will have Charms! Oh, how she speaks! how well she'll grace a Story!

Geo. How gay her Wit! how movingly she writes!

Prince. I do believe she does. [A little seriously.

Geo. Would it displease you, should you see a Billet from her?

Prince. That's as it were directed. [Gravely.

Geo. You would not credit what you saw last Night.

Prince. Nor wou'd have lost that Night for all the Treasure the vast Ocean hides.

Geo. I wou'd not have a Man, so good and great, be made a Woman's Property—There, Sir. [Gives him the Billet.

Prince. I'll not believe it her's; there are a thousand ways to ruin Innocence; if she be false—she's damn'd. Confirm me, and of course I shall despise her. You cure me, when you shew her worth my Scorn.

Geo. Will you be rul'd then, and believe it Friendship in me?

Prince. I will.

Geo. Give her, by Absence, but an Opportunity; feign some Excuse to leave the Town to day.

Prince. See where she comes—

Enter Mirtilla.

Adorn'd with all the beauteous Wonders of her Sex. The Gods of Love are playing in her Eyes, and give us Wounds from ev'ry graceful Motion. Ah, my Mirtilla! how shall I support the Absence of a many coming Hours, that languish, being from thee but a Moment?

Mir. I hope, my Lord, Fate is not so unkind, to let me live without you many Hours.

Prince. Can all this be dissembl'd? [Aside to George.

Geo. How much more have I heard? yet all was false.

Prince. I must this Day—this tedious live-long Day, be absent from thy Sight—but shall be back i'th' Evening: I'll leave Lejere to wait on your Commands.

Mir. Lejere shall ever, Sir, be dear to me—But I'll retire, and sigh till your Return—that World affords no Pleasure where you are not.

Prince. Do you hear that, Sir? [Aside to George. Till Night, thou dearest Blessing of my Life—Adieu. [Mirtilla going out, pulls Lejere by the Sleeve.

Mir. Thou little, mischievous informing Thing, how vainly hast thou lavish'd out Invention! [Smiling. [Exit.

Prince. By Heaven, methinks 'twere Sin but to suspect her.

Geo. Think so; I'll trouble your Repose no more: I've done my Duty, and I wou'd not see you made a—

Prince. Property—Ha—A loath'd convenient Tool—A Woman's Implement—'Sdeath! she that off—Loose to the nasty Love of every Fool, that will be flatter'd, cozen'd, jilted, cuckolded—No more—I will, unseen, convey my self into the Closet in my Dressing-Room; 'tis near her Bed—and if I find her wanton—

Geo. If you find her—the Youth is waiting now that shall convince you.

Prince. Where?—Oh, set the happy Slave but in my View, and—

Geo. No, faith, Sir, be convinc'd before you strike, for fear she jilt you out of Sense and Reason—

Prince. Come to my Closet, from thence we may observe all that passes in her Chamber; from whence I'll break upon the perjur'd Fair, like Thunder from a Cloud, and more destructive.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A Chamber. Draws and discovers Mirtilla and Manage.

Mir. Is the Prince gone?

Man. Yes, Madam.

Mir. Then bring Endimion to me.

Man. Madam, I wish you'd think no more of him; for I foresee, that this Amour must ruin you. Remember you have left a Husband for the Prince.

Mir. A Husband! my Drudge, to toil for me, and save me the Expence of careful Thoughts: My Cloke, my Led-Horse, for Necessity to fill my Train—no more—but Endimion waits. [Exit Manage. —There is a native Generosity in me, that checks my Inconstancy to this great Man; yet I have so much Woman in my Soul, cannot pain my self to do him Justice—A new desire of humouring my wish, sways all my Interest, and controuls all my Honour. Why should I lose a Pleasure for a Promise? since Time, that gives our Youth so short a Date, may well excuse our needful Perjury.

Enter Manage, and Olivia, she runs and embraces him.

—Let the young bashful Maid, unskill'd in Love, deny the pressing Swain.

Let wither'd Age, who fondly dreams of Virtue, lose the dear Opportunities of Life.

The coming Hours present themselves to us; and are too nice, not to be snatch'd when offer'd.

Oliv. So hasty! this disarms me of Excuse. [Aside.

Mir. Why are thy Eyes bent down? Why dost thou pause?

Oliv. So hot!—I must prepare to shew my Sex's Evidence, if nothing else will do. [Unbuttons her Coat.

Mir. What, not a Word!

Advance, thou bashful Youth—Love in thy Eyes, and Coward in thy Heart! The one all Fire, the other too much Ice.

Prince and George looking out.

Prince. Yet stay me, my Lejere, from my hasty Vengeance.

Oliv. Ah, Madam, how are you mistaken! 'Tis not Coldness in me—but—

Mir. What, Bashfulness! Oh, Love will lend thee Courage; This Trembling is the soft Effects of it.

Oliv. Oh, how vilely she's mistaken!

Mir. Come to my Bed, and press the Roses down; and lend more sweetness to 'em than they bring. [She leading him to her Bed, the Prince enters, with Lejere, holding his Sword in Hand; he takes hold of Olivia.

Prince. Love—thus I fling thy gaudy Fetters off, and am no more a Slave to faithless Beauty. [The Prince holding Olivia by the Bosom of her Coat, her Breast appears to Mirtilla.

Mir. Ha! what do I see?—Two Female rising Breasts. By Heav'n, a Woman.—Oh fortunate Mischance! [This while George is arguing with the Prince not to hurt Olivia.

Prince. No, I will not hurt thee, cease thy trembling.

Mir. Oh, Sir, 'twere Sin to hurt the lovely Youth.

Prince. No, Madam, since I have taken back my Heart, I can present you with another Lover. [Gives Olivia to her.

Mir. Ha! another Lover!—What means my Prince?

Prince. Eternally to leave you to your Frailty.

Mir. Can you so easily cancel all your Vows? Then kill me at your Feet, I do implore it. [Kneels and weeps.

Prince. Away, I do forgive thee, wretched Woman.—But yet be gone—lest Love and Rage return, and I should kill you yet with your young Darling.

Mir. Whom mean you, Sir, this lovely Maid?

Oliv. Maid!—What means she? Sure she cannot know me.

Prince. Talk on, false Woman! till thou hast persuaded my Eyes and Ears out of their native Faculties, I scorn to credit other Evidences.

Mir. Try 'em once more, and then repent, and die. [Opens Olivia's Bosom, shews her Breasts.

Prince. Ha—By Heav'n, a Woman!

Mir. You that wou'd smile at my suppos'd undoing, present yourself no more before my Eyes. 'Twas to perplex you that I feign'd this Passion. I saw you had your Spies to watch for Mischief, [To George. And poison all my Happiness with the Prince.—

And since I am thought so criminal, I'll take an everlasting leave of you. [To the Prince. When I am dead, may she you honour next repay your Tenderness as I have done—But may she never meet my wretched Fate. [She snatches Olivia's Sword out.

Prince. Hold, thou most valu'd Treasure of the World, or turn the pointed Weapon to my Heart.

Mir. No, I'm false, unworthy of your Love.

Geo. Yes, by Heaven. But thou hast jilted him so handsomly, thou'st vanquish'd all my Rage.

Mir. Yes, I am false; false to this Gallant Man,— [To George. false to my Husband, to my Sex's Fame; for you more charming, I alas am perjur'd.

Prince. Lejere, have I then injur'd thee?

Geo. This is the fatal Beauty, Sir, for whom so often you have seen me languish.

Prince. Ah! wouldst thou see me on a Precipice, and not prevent my Danger?

Geo. To mightier Friendship I cou'd all surrender, and silently have born her Perjuries; but those to you, awaken'd all my Rage: but she has out-trick'd me, and I beg her Pardon—And to secure her yours, have lov'd anew, and beg Protection in your Lodgings, Sir, for a young Maid whom I design to marry.

Prince. Command my Life, my Fortune, and my Sword, for the unwilling Injury I have done thee—And is this the charming, perjur'd Fair, Mirtilla?

Geo. It is, Sir.

Prince. Since it is possible that you cou'd cease to love this Gallant Man, whom I have heard with so much tender Passion tell your Loves, what sacred Vows had past, and what Endearments, how can I hope from thee a lasting Faith?—Yet on the Oaths that thou hast sworn to me—by all thy Hopes of Pardon for thy Perjuries, to ease my panting Heart—once speak the Truth—Didst thou not take this Woman for a Man?

Mir. I did—and were she so, I wou'd with Pride own all the Vows I've broke.

Prince. Why, this is fair—and though I buy this Knowledge at the vast Price of all my Repose; yet I must own, 'tis a better Bargain than chaff'ring of a Heart for feign'd Embraces—Thou hast undone me—yet must have my Friendship; and 'twill be still some Ease in this Extreme, to see thee yet repent, and love Lejere.

Mir. No, Sir, this Beauty must be first declining, to make me take up with a former Lover.

Geo. No, Sir, I have dispos'd my Heart another way; and the first knowledge of her Falshood cur'd me: Her Marriage I forgave—that thing of Form—but never could her Fondness to this Youth.

Prince. Who's this Lady, Sir, whose Pardon I must beg?

Geo. My Sister, Sir, who I disguis'd on purpose to be a Guard to this suspected Fair One.

Enter Welborn.

Wel. Ha, she's there!

Now every Feature points me out my Conqueress.—Nay, start not—I have found Thee, thou malicious Charmer, to bring me so near to Bliss, and not afford me one kind hint.

Oliv. And are not you a very dull Fellow, that lov'd and long'd, and had the Maid so near you, and yet needed a Hint?

Wel. Nay, if you conceal'd your precious Talent, how shou'd it profit any body?

Oliv. Conceal'd it!—No, Faith, I made a very fair Tender; but you refus'd it, as not being current Coin.

Wel. But if you most feloniously, and unlawfully deface our Sovereign's Image, so as it may be as soon taken for the Grand Signior's, I may suspect the Metal too.

Oliv. What say you if I tender it before these lawful Witnesses?

Wel. I'll take it for good Payment—I Charles Welborn—

Oliv. Ha, Welborn! [Aside.

Wel. Take thee—whom?—Gad, if the Parson of the Parish knew your Name no better than I—'twill be but a blind Bargain.

Geo. Olivia Marteen—

Wel. My destin'd Wife!

Geo. The very same: Have you the Parson ready?

Wel. He waits in my Chamber.

Oliv. Madam, I beg you'll lend me something more becoming my Sex.

Mir. Manage will furnish you from my Wardrobe. [Exit Olivia with Manage.

Enter Teresia.

Geo. And see my good Genius appears too.

Ter. See, Sir, I am resolv'd to be welcome to your Arms; look, here are the Writings of the Estate my Grandfather left me, and here's three thousand Pound my Grandmother has settled on me, upon her Marriage with you. [Gives him the Writings.

Geo. And here's my Father's Estate settled on me—Come, let's put them together—and go in, and let the Parson do as much for us. [Puts 'em in her Case.

Ter. But have you very well considered this Matter?

Geo. Teresia, we'll do like most Couples, marry first, and consider afterwards— [Leads her in.

Enter a Footman.

Foot. Sir, here's Sir Merlin, with a Lady mask'd, wou'd speak with you.

Wel. Carry 'em into the Dining-Room, I'll wait on 'em anon.

[Exeunt Omnes.

SCENE IV. My Lady Youthly's; Discovers her, and Lettice dressing her.

L. Youth. Hold the Glass higher, Lettice; is not this Tour too brown?—Methinks it does not give a youthful Aire to my Face.

Lett. That's not in Nature.

L. Youth. Like Nature! Ay, but Nature's self wants Art, nor does this Fontange suit with my Complexion—put on a little more red, Lettice, on my Cheeks, and Lips. [She does so.

Lett. Ay, for they are but a little too much upon the Coventry-Blue—This Tour must come more forward, Madam, to hide the Wrinkles at the corners of your Eyes— [Pulls it.

L. Youth. Ay, Lettice, but there are others, that neither Tours, nor Paint, nor Patches will hide, I fear—yet altogether, Lettice— [Puts on her Spectacles, and looks in the Glass.

Enter Sir Rowland.

Sir Row. What, no Bride yet, nor Bridegroom?

L. Youth. Ay, what can be the meaning of this?

Sir Row. But Teresia, Madam, where can she be gadding?

L. Youth. Why, Lettice tells me, she went to buy some Trifles to adorn her this Night—Her Governante is with her, and my Steward.

Enter Mr. Twang.

Twang. Alas, what pity 'tis; the Supper is quite spoil'd, and no Bridegroom come!

A Noise of hallowing without, and Musick.

Enter Lady Blunder.

L. Blun. Bless us! Here's a whole Regiment of Liveries, Coaches, and Flambeaux at the Door! the Fops of the Town have heard of a Wedding, and are come in Masquerade.

Enter Musick playing; after them, Prince Frederick, leading Mirtilla, George leading Teresia; Sir Merlin, Diana; Mrs. Manage, Britton; Pages, and Footmen, all in Masquerade. Sir Morgan comes in, all in Mourning; Welborn, and Olivia.

Sir Mer. Hearing of a high Wedding, Sir, we made bold (as the saying is) to give you Joy. Sir, are not you the Bridegroom?

Ter. Where's your Bride, Sir? Ha! ha! ha!

Sir Mer. Ay, ay, where's your Bride?

Sir Row. What's that to you, Sir Coxcomb?

Sir Mer. Hum—how the devil came he to know me now?—Is this reverend Gentlewoman your Lady, Sir?

Sir Row. Ounds, they come to mock us!—Hark ye, hark ye, Tawdrums, if you are Men, shew your Faces; if Apes, play over your Monkey-Tricks and be gone, d'ye hear.—We are not at leisure for Fooling.

Geo. Be but at leisure, Sir, to pardon [George kneels. this one Disobedience of my Life, and all the rest I'll dedicate to please and humour you. Sir, I am marry'd. [Pulls off his Mask.

Sir Row. What the Devil's that to me, Sir?

Geo. Do not you know me, Sir?

Sir Row. No, Sir, nor don't care to know any such flaunting Coxcombs.

Geo. Look on me, Sir. [Looks on him, knows him, goes away, and returns.

Sir Row. Hum, hum, hum—

Ter. It is your Son, Sir, your darling Son, who has sav'd your Life from Insolence.

Sir Row. Hum—Teresia!

L. Youth. How, Teresia! what, robb'd me of my intended Husband? Oh, undone! undone! [Falls into a Chair.

Sir Row. And hast thou, after all, served me such a Rogue's Trick, thou ungracious Varlet? What, cuckold thine own Father!

Geo. Oh, do not frown, I cannot bear your Anger! Here will I hang for ever till you Pardon me. [Clasps his Knees.

Sir Row. Look—look—now cannot I be angry with the good-natur'd young Rogue. [Weeps. Well, George—But hark ye, Sirrah, this is a damn'd Trick of yours.

Geo. Sir, I found my Youth was fitter for her than your Age, and you'll be as fond of a Grand-Child of my begetting as you would of a Son of another Man's perhaps.

Sir Row. Thou'rt in the Right on't.

Sir Mer. Ha! Is Monsieur Lejere then my Brother George?

Geo. Sir, Here's another Couple wants your Pardon; my Brother Merlin, and my Lady Diana.

L. Blun. Diana! What, Sir Harry Modish's Mistress?

Dia. Yes, he pawn'd me at the Basset-Table; and, in Revenge, I resolv'd to marry the next Man of Fortune I met with.

Sir Row. The Fool had more Wit than I thought he had; for which I'll give him a Thousand Pound a Year.

Geo. I humbly thank you, Sir.

Mir. Pray, Melancholy Sir, who are you in Mourning for?

Sir Morg. Alas, Madam, for a Person of Quality that was my Wife; but rest her Soul, she's burnt. [Weeps. And I shall never see any thing again like her.

Mir. No! What think you of this Face, Sir?

Sir Morg. As Gad shall sa' me, as like as if the same.

L. Blun. In troth, and so she is.

Prince. 'Tis true, she was once your Wife; but I have preserv'd her from the Flames, and I have most Right to her.

Sir Morg. That's a hard Case, Sir, that a Man must lose his Wife, because another has more Right to her than himself; Is that Law, Sir?

Prince. Lover's Law, Sir.

L. Blun. Ay, ay, Son, 'tis the Fashion to marry one Week, and separate the next. I'll set you a President for it my self. [In this time Welborn kneels with Olivia; Sir Rowland takes 'em up, and kisses 'em.

Sir Morg. Nay, if it be the Fashion, I'll e'en into the Country, and be merry with my Tenants, and Hawk, and Hunt, and Horse-match.

Prince. But now, Sir, I'll resign my Right to you, and content myself with the Honour to have preserv'd her from the Fire. [Prince delivers Mirtilla to Sir Morgan, who receives her.

Sir Morg. As gad shall sa' me, Sir, you're a civil Person; and now I find you can endure a Woman, Sir, I'll give you leave to visit her.

Sir Row. Well, since we're all agreed, and that the Fiddles are here, adsnigs, we'll have a Dance, Sweet-heart, though thou hast out-witted me. [Takes Teresia, George takes Lady Youthly, &c. After the Dance, Lady Youthly weeps.

Geo. What, weeping yet? Here, Mr. Twang, take the Lady to your Care; in these Cases, there's nothing like the Consolation of your young Chaplain.

The Widow, with young Jointure, and old Face, Affected Mein, and Amorous Grimace, Uses to fall to th' younger Brother's share; } But I by Fortune, and Industrious Care, } Have got one that's Rich, Witty, Young, and Fair. }

FINIS.



EPILOGUE.

Spoken by Mr. Horden.

We've grown Impatient to be out of pain, And fain wou'd know our fortune, loss, or gain: The Merchants phrase mayn't be Improper now, If ye our City Character allow. But some Spruse Criticks, I hear, swears 'tis strange, To take a powder'd Beau off from the Exchange; A place more fam'd for Band, and dress precise, For greasy Cuckholds, Stockjobbers, and lies, Than for a Spark o' th' town, but now a days The Cit sets up in box, puffs, perfumes, plays, And tho' he passes for a Man of Trade, Is the chief squeaker at the Masquerade, Let him his Sister, or his wife beware, 'Tis not for nothing Courtiers go so far; Thus for a while he holds, till Cash is found To be a Dr. many a woful Pound, Then off he moves, and in another year, Turns true Alsatian, or Solicitor. For we (except o' th' stage) shall seldom find To a poor broken Beau, a Lady kind, Whilst pow'rful Guinea last, he's wondrous pretty, And much the finest Gentlemen o' th' City, But when fob's empty, he's an odious Creature. Fough, how he stinks! h'as not one taking feature, Then such an Awkard mein, and vulgar sence, I vow, I wonder at his Impudence! 'Tis well Lejere appear'd, George owes the prize To the Gay Monsieur, Footmen and Disguise, Charms which few English Women can withstand, What can't a Man of Quality command? As to the faults, or Merits of the Play } We leave ye to be judges of, yet say, } Ye ought in justice to be kind to day. } For to our Cost alas, we soon shall find, } Perhaps not half the money ye design'd, } Consider, Sirs, it goes to be refin'd. } And since in all Exchanges 'tis a notion, For what ye take to be in due proportion, So may we justly hope no wrong is done ye If ye have par of Wit for par of Money.

* * * * * * * * *

NOTES: The Younger Brother

NOTES ON THE TEXT.

Dedication

p. 316, l. 1 The Epistle Dedicatory. This only appears in 4to 1696. It is there followed by An Account of the Life of the Incomparable Mrs. BEHN, an entirely worthless composition of some three pages, afterwards vastly expanded into Memoirs 'by one of the Fair Sex'.

p. 316, l. 21 The narrow Virtues ... [which] were. 4to 1696 omits 'which' but it is necessary that this or some similar word be inserted to make the paragraph sufficiently grammatical.

Prologue

p. 319, l. 9 an Intriguer. 4to 1696 'the intrigues'.

p. 319, l. 17 Mistress young. 4to 1696 erroneously gives 'young' as a proper name 'Mistress Young'.

Dramatis Personae

p. 321 Dramatis Personae. I have added 'Philip; Diana; Pages, Footmen, Masqueraders, Servants, Rakehells, &c.' 4to 1696 spells Britton 'Brittone'; Mr. Pinketham 'Mr. Pinkerman.' Powell is indifferently spelt 'Powell' or 'Powel'.

ACT I: Scene i

p. 327, l. 2 he. 4to 1696 omits.

p. 327, l. 7 Prince. Here and in ll. 11 and 19 all former editions give speech-prefix 'Fred', but afterwards uniformly 'Prince' throughout the play.

p. 329, l. 31 a. 4to 1696 omits.

p. 329, l. 34 Tablets: 4to 1696 gives 'Tablets write:' which is obviously a misprint for 'Tablets written:' or, perhaps, 'Tablets writ'.

ACT I: Scene ii

p. 330, l. 23 Caudle. Here, and in the following line, 4to 1696 misprints 'Candle'.

p. 332, l. 22 set. 1724 'sit'.

p. 337, l. 7 Sir Mer. 4to 1696 misprints 'Sir Mark.'

p. 337, l. 19 George Kneels. I have inserted 'George'.

p. 337, l. 20 Ay, Sir. 4to 1696 marks this line 'Aside.' An obvious error.

p. 338, l. 10 Sir Rowland. 4to 1696 'Sir Merlin'.

p. 338, l. 16 Chaplain [Mr. Twang], and leaning. 4to 1696 'her Chaplain, and leaning'. I have inserted Twang's name and given in l. 19 speech-prefix 'Twang' which all former editions mark 'Chap.', altering, however, to 'Twang' later in this scene at 'Truly, Madam'.

p. 339, l. 20 cuckold. 4to 1696 'Cuckhold'.

p. 339, l. 34 The End of the First Act. Only in 4to 1696.

ACT II: Scene i

p. 340, l. 2 Sir Rowland's Lodging. I have supplied this locale.

p. 340, l. 29 Lookye. 4to 1696 has '(Alone.) Lookye'—an obvious error. '(Alone.)' is probably a misprint for '(Aloud.)' which is of itself quite unnecessary.

p. 341, l. 13 Hearts. 4to 1696 'Heats'.

p. 342, l. 3 'twill. 4to 1696 'will'.

p. 342, l. 19 India. 4to 1696 'Indian'.

ACT II: Scene ii

p. 343, l. 13 A Chamber. I have supplied this locale.

p. 346, l. 17 Hackney-Coach. 4to 1696 'Hackney'.

p. 346, l. 31 pimp. 4to 1696 misprints 'Pump'.

p. 348, l. 8 they. 4to 1696 omits.

p. 349, l. 29 Sir Morgan Blunder's. 4to 1696 'Sir M. Blun.'

ACT II: Scene iii

p. 350, l. 24 Another Chamber. I have supplied this locale.

p. 351, l. 10 another. 4to 1696 adds to this stage direction 'Sir Mer. together.'

p. 352, l. 7 a Tendre. 1724 omits 'a'.

ACT III: Scene i

p. 353, l. 11 too. 4to 1696 'to'.

p. 354, l. 2 A rich Chamber. I have supplied this locale.

p. 358, l. 4 Expectations. 1724 'Expectation'.

p. 358, l. 34 Olivia enters. 4to 1696 reads 'Enter Olivia with a letter. Olivia gives Welborn the letter.'

p. 359, l. 33 Enter Sir Morgan. Before the couplet 4to 1696 repeats 'Sir Morg. and Sir Merl. singing.'

p. 360, l. 10 de. 1724 here and elsewhere 'd'ye'.

ACT III: Scene ii

p. 362, l. 18 you. 4to 1696 'thou'.

ACT III: Scene iii

p. 363, l. 17 Whither? 4to 1696 'Whether?'

p. 367, l. 26 Exeunt. I have added this stage direction.

ACT IV: Scene i

p. 370, l. 30 Exit Prince with Mirtilla. Former editions 'and Mirtilla'.

p. 371, l. 14 Exit. 4to 1696 'Exit George.'

p. 373, l. 15 Exeunt. 4to 1696 'Exit both.'

p. 373, l. 23 of thy hopes. 4to 1696 omits 'of'.

p. 373, l. 32 ruffle, ravish, and ruin. 4to 1696 'Ruffles, Ravishes, and Ruines'.

p. 374, l. 8 Racks. 4to 1696 'Wrecks'.

p. 374, l. 35 feebly. 1724 'freely'. A patent error.

p. 375, l. 4 near to being. 1724 'near being'.

p. 375, l. 33 Exeunt. Not in 4to 1696.

ACT IV: Scene ii

p. 376, l. 1 Scene II. I have numbered this scene, and the following (p. 378, l. 16.) Scene III.

ACT IV: Scene iii

p. 379, l. 33 Sir Merlin with his Sword. 4to 1696 'Sir Merlin his Sword'.

p. 380, l. 19 she cries out. 1724 omits 'out'.

p. 381, l. 17 My Lady's maid. I have inserted these words.

ACT V: Scene i

p. 383, l. 27 Welborn's Chamber. I have marked this locale.

p. 385, l. 13 him. 1724 'them'.

ACT V: Scene ii

p. 386, l. 18 has. 4to 1696 'had'.

p. 386, l. 24 Mirtilla. All previous editions here have 'Lydia', which makes no sense. It is probable that the original name of Mirtilla was Lydia, and Mrs. Behn, or Gildon, neglected to alter it in this passage.

ACT V: Scene iii

p. 388, l. 28 Scene III. All previous editions have 'Scene discovers Mirtilla and Manage.'

p. 388, l. 35 you have left. 1724 'you left'.

p. 393, l. 17 Exit Olivia with Manage. I have added Manage's name here.

ACT V: Scene iv

p. 394, l. 1 Scene IV. I have numbered this scene.

Epilogue

p. 398, l. 26 Fough, how he stinks! 4to 1696 'Fough, he how he stinks?'

NOTES: CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY.

Dedication

p. 316 Collonel Codrington. Christopher Codrington (1668-1710) was born at Barbadoes, and thence sent to England to be educated. In 1685 he passed as a gentleman commoner to Christ Church, Oxford. Five years later he was elected as a probationer fellow to All Souls. Here he speedily became known for the catholicity and thoroughness of his studies, and 'soon acquir'd the deserv'd character of an accomplished, well-bred gentleman, and an universal scholar'. He was already an enthusiastic bibliophile. In 1694 he followed William III to Flanders, and having fought with great gallantry at Hay and Namur in 1695, received various military distinctions. In the same year he attended the King to Oxford, and pronounced the university oration on this royal visit. There are dedications to him by Creech, Dennis, and others, but it has been pertinently remarked that 'his fame is rather to be inferred' hence 'than from actually existent performances on his part', albeit we have copies of complimentary verses (e.g. prefixed to Garth's Dispensary) from his pen. In 1697 he succeeded his father as commander-in-chief of the Leeward Isles. He does not seem to have been popular, and resigned in 1703, retiring to a life of seclusion and study on his Barbadoes estate. He died 7 April, 1710, and his body was brought back to England to be buried in All Souls' chapel. To this college he left L10,000, and L6,000 worth of books, a legacy which built, furnished and endowed the magnificent Codrington library there.

p. 317 Mr. Verbruggen's reading some of his part. One may remember the incident recorded by Pepys (2 February, 1669), how, after Kynaston had been assaulted by Sedley's bravos, and was too ill to appear, the young actor's role was 'done by Beeston, who is fain to read it out of a book all the while and thereby spoils the part, and almost the play, it being one of the best parts in it.... But it was pleasant to see Beeston come in with others, supposing it to be dark, and yet he is forced to read his part by the light of the candles: and this I observing to a gentleman that sat by me, he was mightily pleased therewith, and spread it up and down.'

Prologue

p. 319 grave Sir Roger. 'Sir Roger' was a common nickname for any clergyman from the well-known comic character 'Sir Roger, Curate to the Lady', in Beaumont and Fletcher's popular The Scornful Lady. This excellent play, a rare favourite with Restoration audiences, kept the boards until the death of Mrs. Oldfield in 1730. After the great actress' demise it would seem that none of her successors ventured to attempt the title-role, hence the piece soon fell out of the repertory. In 1783, however, an alteration, made by Cooke the barrister for Mrs. Abington, was produced with great success at Covent Garden. In this meagre adaptation the Curate disappears. Shanks originally acted this part, but Lacy was the acknowledged 'Sir Roger' in Restoration days.

ACT I: Scene i

p. 326 making Wax Babies. Playing at dolls.

p. 330 Southampton Square. The original name of Bloomsbury Square, so called from the Earl of Southampton's town residence, afterwards Bedford House. Southampton Square was at this period, and for long afterwards, the headquarters of fashion in the metropolis: vide further, Vol. III, The Town Fop, p. 22, 'Southampton House,' and note on that passage (p. 476).

ACT I: Scene ii

p. 331 Mr. Motteux. Peter Anthony Motteux was a French Hugenot who came to England upon the restoration of the Edict of Nantes (1685). He soon mixed with the gayest society, and became well known as a prolific writer of songs, prologues, epilogues, masques, and the lighter dramatic fare. Much of this work is not lacking in wit and volatile smartness, but it is all far too ephemeral to have any permanent value as literature. He edited The Gentleman's Journal, but is perhaps best remembered for his translation of Don Quixote, and his concluding Urquhart's version of Rabelais.

p. 331 the Rose. This celebrated house stood in Russell Street, Covent Garden, and adjoined Drury Lane. There are innumerable references to it. The greater portion of the 'Rose' was demolished in 1776, when a new front was being built to the theatre.

p. 331 scours. i.e. violently assaults. 'To scour' was to rampage the streets, breaking windows, fighting with passers-by, beating the watch, &c. Shadwell has an excellent comedy, The Scowrers (1691), which, giving a vivid picture of the times, show these drunken and blackguardly gentry in a very unamiable light. Several plays treat of their exploits. Vanbrugh's The Provoked Wife (1696), Act III, ii, and IV, ii and iv, is perhaps the locus classical for mohocking.

p. 333 the Poet Sternhold. Thomas Sternhold (ob. 1549), was the author with John Hopkins (ob. 1570), of a metrical version of the Psalms, which became a bye-word for doggerel. Sir Morgan is, of course, alluding to some pious rhymes groaned on the way to the triple tree. cf. Shadwell, The Miser (1672), I, i, 'She would be more welcome to thee than a reprieve would, if thou wert just now trolling out Hopkins and Sternhold upon a ladder.'

p. 333 Billmen in Flannel. Bills were the common weapon of the watch. cf. The Coxcomb (folio 1647), Act I, where Ricardo says to the constable of the watch, 'Give me the bill, for I'll be the sergeant.' Doctor Johnson tells us that the Lichfield watchmen carried bills as late as 1778.

p. 333 Wills' Coffee-house. vide Vol. III, Preface, The Lucky Chance, p. 187, and note on that passage (p. 484).

p. 334 his Third Day. vide Vol. III, Preface, The Lucky Chance, p. 187, and note on that passage (p. 484).

p. 334 old Adam. vide Vol. I, The Rover, Part II, p. 133, and note on that passage (p. 446).

p. 334 The Country Justice's Calling. vide supra, The Widow Ranter, p. 265. Dalton's Country Justice, and note on that passage.

ACT II: Scene i

p. 341 by Inch of Candle. An auction where bids are taken so long as an inch of candle burns, the last bid before the flame expires obtaining the lot.

p. 342 a Termer. Originally a frequenter of the law courts, and as many came up from the country to London during term time on legal business, it occasionally (as here) signified an unsophisticated stranger. In Dryden's Sir Martin Mar-All (1667), I, Mrs. Millicent, newly arrived from Canterbury, replies to Lady Dupe's greeting, 'I came up, Madam, as we country-gentlewomen use at an Easter term, to the destruction of tarts and cheese cakes, to see a new play, buy a new gown, take a turn in the Park, and so down again to sleep with my forefathers.' In Mountford's farce, Dr. Faustus (4to 1697, but produced at the Theatre Royal November-December, 1685, or very early in 1686), we have Scaramouch asking what practice the Doctor has, and Harlequin replies: 'Why his Business is to patch up rotten Whores against the Term for Country Lawyers and Attorneys Clerks; and against Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun Holidays, for City Apprentices.' cf. Southerne's Oroonoko (1696), I, i, when Charlot Welldon says to her sister Lucia, 'Nay, the young Inns-of-Court beaus, of but one Term's standing in the fashion, who knew nobody but as they were shown 'em by the orange-women, had nicknames for us.' More often a Termer meant 'A person, whether male or female, who resorted to London in term time only, for the sake of tricks to be practised, or intrigues to be carried on at that period.' —(Nares.)

ACT II: Scene ii

p. 347 Sa. i.e. Save us! Sir Morgan has a frequent exclamation 'God sa me!' God save me! The abbreviation is early and frequent.

ACT III: Scene i

p. 356 the Country of True Love. Mrs. Behn, an omnivorous reader of romances, was thinking of the celebrated Carte de Tendre (Loveland), to be found in Mlle. de Scuderi's Clelie (1654, Vol. I, p. 399), and reproduced in the English folio edition of 1678. This fantastic map, which is said to have been suggested by Chapelain, aroused unbounded ridicule. In scene iv of Moliere's Les Precieuses Ridicules (1659), Cathos cries, 'Je m'en vais gager qu'ils n'ont jamais vu la carte de Tendre, et que Billets-Doux, Petits-Soins, Billets-Galante, et Jolis-Vers sont des terres inconnues pour eux.' This imaginary land is divided by the River of Inclination: on the one side are the towns of Respect, Generosity, A Great Heart, and the like; on the other Constant Friendship, Assiduity, Submission, &c. Across the Dangerous Sea another continent is marked, 'Countreys undiscovered.' Terra Incognita.

The extravagant penchant for romances of the Scuderi Parthenissa school was amply satirized by Steele in his clever comedy The Tender Husband (1705), and as late as 1752 by Mrs. Charlotte Lennox in The Female Quixote, an amusing novel.

p. 360 old Queen Bess in the Westminster-Cupboard. The waxen effigies which yet remain at Westminster are preserved in the wainscot presses over the Islip Chapel. Queen Elizabeth, in her tattered velvet robes, is still one of the most famous. They were formerly far more numerous. A waxen figure of the deceased, dressed in the habit worn whilst living, was, in the case of any royal or notable personage, very frequently carried as part of the torchlight funeral procession and, after the obsequies, left over the grave to serve as a kind of temporary monument.

ACT III: Scene iii

p. 366 drink up the Sun. i.e. carouse till dawn.

ACT IV: Scene iii

p. 379 a Back like an Elephant—'twill bear a Castle. Dr. Aldis Wright, in his notes on Twelfth Night, draws attention to the fact that the celebrated 'Elephant and Castle,' at Newington, in the south suburbs of London, can be traced back to the middle of the seventeenth century.

p. 380 Old Queen Gwiniver. For 'Queen Gwiniver' applied as a term of abuse to an old woman cf. Dekker's Satiromastix, or, The Untrussing of the Humorous Poet (4to 1602), III, i, where Tucca rallying Mistress Miniver cries: 'Now, now, mother Bunch, how dost thou? what, dost frowne, Queen Gwyniver, dost wrinckle?' The reference is, of course, to Arthur's queen.

ACT V: Scene iii

p. 390 Ha! what do I see? cf. The incident in The Plain Dealer, IV, ii, of which there are obvious reminiscences here. Olivia, making love to Fidelia, who is dressed as a boy, is surprised by Vernish. Olivia runs out, and he discovering the supposed lad to be a woman proceeds to turn the tables on his spouse.

ACT V: Scene iv

p. 394 this Tour. cf. 'your false Towers', The False Count, I, ii (Vol. III, p. 116), and note on that passage (p. 480).

p. 394 Fontange. A 'fontange' was a bow of ribbons, so called from the celebrated Madame de Fontanges. Her hair coming down during a hunting-party at Vincennes, she tied it up hastily with one of her garters. Louis XIV, whose mistress she was, so admired the result that he begged her to continue to wear her hair in the same way. This set the fashion, which soon spread into England and long remained popular. cf. Shadwell's Bury Fair (1689), II, ii: 'Milliner. What d'ye lack, Ladies? fine Mazarine hoods, fontanges, girdles, sable tippets?'

p. 394 Coventry-Blue. A kind of blue thread manufactured at Coventry and formerly much used for embroidery, &c. cf. Greene's James IV (1592), IV, iii, where Slipper ordering a doublet cries: 'Edge me the sleeves with Coventry blue.' Ben Jonson, Gipsies Metamorph. (1621), speaks of 'A skein of Coventry blue'.

p. 395 Tawdrums. Fal-lals. cf. Marston's Dutch Courtezan (4to 1605), v, 'no matter for lace and tawdrums'.

* * * * * * * * *

Cross-References from Critical Notes: The Younger Brother

p. 330 Southampton Square. .... vide further, Vol. III, The Town Fop, p. 22, 'Southampton House,' and note on that passage (p. 476).

Town Fop text:

meet me to morrow Morning about five, with your Sword in your Hand, behind Southampton House

Town Fop note:

Southampton House. Southampton House, Bloomsbury, occupied the whole of the north side of the present Bloomsbury Square. It had 'a curious garden behind, which lieth open to the fields,'—Strype. A great rendezvous for duellists, cf. Epilogue to Mountfort's Greenwich Park (Drury Lane, 1691) spoken by Mrs. Mountfort:—

If you're displeased with what you've seen to-night Behind Southampton House we'll do you right; Who is't dares draw 'gainst me and Mrs. Knight?

p. 333 Wills' Coffee-house. vide Vol. III, Preface, The Lucky Chance, p. 187, and note on that passage (p. 484).

Lucky Chance text:

a Wit of the Town, a Friend of mine at Wills Coffee House

Lucky Chance note:

Wills Coffee House. This famous coffee-house was No. 1 Bow Street, Covent Garden, on the west side corner of Russell Street. It derived its name from Will Unwin who kept it. The wits' room was upstairs on the first floor. Some of its reputation was due to the fact that it was a favourite resort of Dryden.

p. 334 his Third Day. vide Vol. III, Preface, The Lucky Chance, p. 187, and note on that passage (p. 484).

Lucky Chance text:

I will be kinder to my Brothers of the Pen, than they have been to a defenceless Woman; for I am not content to write for a Third day only.

Lucky Chance note:

write for a Third day only. The whole profits of the third day's performance went to the author of the play; and upon these occasions his friends and patrons would naturally rally to support him. There are numberless allusions to this custom, especially in Prefaces, Prologues and Epilogues.

p. 334 old Adam. vide Vol. I, The Rover, Part II, p. 133, and note on that passage (p. 446).

Rover II text:

For your parts, who are the poor dependent, brown Bread and old Adam's Ale is only current amongst ye

Rover II note:

old Adam's Ale. A very ancient colloquialism for water. In Scotland 'Adam's wine' and frequently merely 'Adam'. Prynne in his Sovereign Power of Parliament (1648), speaks of prisoners 'allowed only a poor pittance of Adam's ale.' cf. Peter Pindar (John Wolcot), The Lousiad, Canto ii, ll. 453-4:—

Old Adam's beverage flows with pride From wide-mouthed pitchers in a plenteous tide.]

p. 394 this Tour. cf. 'your false Towers', The False Count, I, ii (Vol. III, p. 116), and note on that passage (p. 480).

False Count text:

you must be a Lady, and have your Petticoats lac'd four Stories high; wear your false Towers, and cool your self with your Spanish Fan

False Count note:

Towers. The tower at this time was a curled frontlet of false hair. cf. Crowne's The Country Wit (1675), Act II, ii, where Lady Faddle cries to her maid, 'run to my milliner's for my gloves and essences ... run for my new towre.' Shadwell, The Virtuoso (1676), Act III, mentions 'Tires for the head, locks, tours, frouzes, and so forth'. The Debauchee (1677), Act II, i: Mrs. Saleware speaks of buying 'fine clothes, and tours, and Points and knots.' The Younger Brother (1696), Act V, the last scene, old Lady Youthly anxiously asks her maid, 'is not this Tour too brown?' During the reign of Mary II and particularly in the time of Anne a Tower meant almost exclusively the high starched head-dress in vogue at that period.

* * * * * * * * *

Errors and Irregularities: The Younger Brother

In the Notes, alternation between .' and '. at paragraph-end is as printed. The abbreviation "cf." is always lower-case.

Dedication

for tho suffering Merit [elsewhere tho' with apostrophe]

The Younger Brother

a fighting, whining Lover's Company [fighing] Sir Morgan, and Sir Merlin ["and" non-Italic (emphatic)] Geo. [to Teresia.] [italics/roman reversed in stage direction] [Smiling. [Exit. [bracket before "Exit" added for consistency in e-text]

Notes on the Text

p. 338, l. 10 [p. 331]

Critical Notes

is perhaps the locus classical for mohocking [text unchanged: usual term is "locus classicus"] Wills' Coffee-house [body text has Will's]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Printed by A. H. BULLEN, at the Shakespeare Head Press, Stratford-upon-Avon.

THE END