for Womens use than Finical Fops that have only the appearance of Men meer outsides the signs of Men and such I have known a Woman fond of Luci. 'T is very hard Sir we can't be where we like best I think we are at Age to look after our selves Sir Tho. Aye if you had but Grace to take care of your selves too Flo. Women at our years know how to make their choice or if we did not we are seldom instructed by ill usage Sir Tho. Eh eh What what are you a chattering Magpye hee do you want to have your Leggs at liberty Flo. If I do I can have patience for I shan't want it long unless you cou'd confine my inclinations too Sir Tho. Let me come at her let me come at her what does she prate again to me You are one to be intrusted with your self indeed look'e here else witness this Letter I got scouting from your Lover to ye de' e see here I can't read it now for want of my Spectacles but here he says how that she has given him a new life from the last favour she was pleas'd to grant him Hark'ee Hussey what favour was that you were so pleas'd to grant him tell me for I will know what that favour was Flo. I don't know what you mean Sir Sir Tho. What not by the last favour Afore God I 'll have her search't I 'll know how far the honour of my Family was concern'd in that last favour of hers I will Gentlewomen And sure I shall find an Expedient too to keep you asunder if Locks and Bolts and Barrs can do it Odso well remember'd let me see if my Doors are all fast and then if you can shufle Love through the Key-hole withall my heart Exit Luci. Prithee see Flor if I 'm not mistaken on of those men yonder looks like your lover Friendly in disguise Flo. And the other the very sperk that lay here last night I now begin to think Friendly employ'd him about that piece of Knight Errantry to get news from our enchanted Castle or to try if thou hadst Chrams enough to engage him to yoke with his friend Luci. Why d' ee think so Flo. Because there are few men that marry in this Age but are asham'd of their fortune and wou'd therefore draw in as many of their freinds as they can to Countenance their folly as they call it Luci. I have a better opinion of your Lover Flora. Flo. He 's oblig'd to ye Madam Enter Hob with a blue Apron on Hob Ch'm coming Ch'm coming your Servant Mr. Friendly I 'm glad to see you you 'r welcome to 'th Fair. Friend I thank the Honest Hob. Hob I shou'd know that Gentleman Master Woodvill I think Wood. Aye Hob how dost do Hob O Lord Master how de' e do Faith I 'm glad to see you with all my heart Lord a mercy upon us how strangly you be grown since you have been over-Seas Come pray sit you down Master Freindly Come pray stay and drink one Pott afore you go Friend Prithee let us sit down or this fellows impertinence will make us observ'd Wood. What do'st thou do with an Apron Hob Hob A Dod I put un on but just now Father will do as Meighbours do and every one it 'h Town a most sells Ale on Fair day but now we sell several other sorts of liquor and Wine too an occasion be Wood. Wine Hob Aye all sorts of Wine Wood. Sayest a so bring us some Claret then Hob Claret Sir we 've no Claret we must not sell Claret 't is against the Law now you may have some of your Port your red Port now or your white Port or such sort of Stuff Wood. Such stuff as thou hast then Prithee bring us Hob Yes Sir is going and then turns back Now in my mind Sir what d' ee think of a little Sack a little Sack now and some of your Sugar in 't is main good Friend Pirthee bring what thou lik'st best thy self For I 'm sure 't will please no palate but thy own Exit Hob. Wood. I fear Frank your project will not answer your end for I see no way of getting at the Ladies Friend There is but little hopes indeed Ned since I see the doors shut and the old Knight in their Company fortune may do something unexpectedly to befriend us Enter Hob with two Black Potts a Trencher with Tobacca Pipes and Bread and Cheese upon it Hob Ch'm coming ch'm coming here Sir Wood. Where is the Sack Hob Sack Sir Od I don't know I thought you said you had rather have Ale Ale is indeed much wholsomer now for your English Stomaches for my Part I 'd rather have Ale now Master Woodvill bite a bit afore you drink Come and mean time I 'll put a little Sugar i' th Ale and make it as good as I can for you Come Sir against your dispose'd He drinks all Wood. Thank ye Hob this fellows kindness will poyson me before I go hence Friend Not whilst you have such a Taster for I don't see that he intends to leave you any Hob A Dod 't is main good Sir will you have tother Pott Sir Wood. No prithee drink this too and then fetch us a Couple Hob Yes Sir I will I will Drinks and Exit Enter Countrymen Sir Tho. above Come my merry Countrymen every man take his Lass and give us a Dance or two and then wee 'll have the Cudgells out Enter Hob with the Potts of Ale stares on the Dancers and Dance minds not the Gentlemen Clow. Yes an 't like your Worships we are all ready come Scratch strike up Dance Hob Aye marry Sir well done Ralph set to u'n Joane set toe'n Hob's Mother within Hob Hob. Hob Ch'm coming ch'm coming he Sings Toll â—â—ll in Mary Sides all now sides all Friend Hob Hob. Hob Ch'm coming ch'm coming Master toll loll c. O. Hob within Hob Hob. Hob Ch'm coming ch'm coming what a Plague ails my Father trow and old Fool Udsbled he makes more a noise set to now William ah rarely done in Mary O dainty Mary turn her about now John now now a murrain you 're quite out Hold hold ye are all out look Ralph shou'd a cast off and while John had turn'd Mary about Thomas shou'd a led up Nan and Joan met Ralph at Bottom again mean while John shou'd a sided with Mary and then Mary shou'd back to back with Ralph and then Thomas had come in again in his own place and so all had been right Come begin again strike up scratch Toll loll doll loll c. O. Hob within Hob Hob Where be ye Hob Ch'm coming ch'm coming what the Devil can't you be quiet a bit toll loll c. Enter Old Hob. O. Hob Hey day hey day this is rare sport I God I 'll strap you ye base Rogue you must you be danceing here and your Mother and I at work Striks him Hob Hey day what 's the
a Parson Wood. Save you Sir Sir Tho. And you too Sir have you any thing to say to me Wood. Yes Sir I hear you are to be try'd for Murder and as the Fact appears to me you will suffer for it Sir Tho. Well and what then Wood. I wou'd know in what state you are in and if you are prepar'd for Death as you ought to be Sir Tho. You know What with that Face prithee get some hair on thy Chin first boy thy outside will beget no veneration in me Wood. My inside won't I 'm sure Aside Sir I expected another sort of treatment from a man in your Condition Sir Tho. Why what 's my Condition Cobble Conscience Wood. Do ye know where you are a going Sir Tho. No nor you neither Sir for all you get your living by it Wood. This way Sir won't convey you to Heaven Sir Tho. Why then I 'll go to to'ther place along with you Wood. And is this all the Preparation you intend to make for your Journey Sir Tho. Aye Sir I shall go just as I am without Boots or Spurs you may therefore spare your pains if you please Wood. What an old Reprobat have I to work upon Enters Saywell and Friendly drest like a Lawyer Say Your Servant Sir I 'am glad to see you in such good Company Sir Tho. 'T is the Company Neighbour Saywell that will bring me to the Gallows The Parson and the Hangman are the two last that take leave of us there Have you brought my Writings Say I have Sir and here 's a Gentleman recommended to me for an able Lawyer that will settle your Estate as you shall think fit Enter Jaylor Jay Sir here 's a young Lady without desires to see you Sir Tho. O 't is my Wife let her come to me Wood. I 'm afraid the help I can give you will do but little service for he 's as much averse to a black Gown as a Non-Con is to a Surplice What have you done with the Ladies Friend They 're safe at my Aunt Friendlies Wood. Do's Flora know of your Plott Friend No nor of her Fathers being here nor durst I tell her till I have effected my design for tho it is only for her sake if I do get her Fortune yet t'wou'd displease her if she knew I but attempted it Ha! Enter Flora. Flo. O shew me shew me where on my knees I may fix till my Tears have wash'd away my Offences O Sir forgive my Disobedience that has I fear been too much the cause of this most fatal accident Sir Tho. Hum get out of my sight get out of my sight Go get you gone to your Rogue that will have mehang'd go and I 'll provide for ye I 'll give you a Portion Twelve-pence and thy Fathers Curse be thine Inheritance Wood. What a Pox is the meaning of all this Flo. O do not Curse me Sir I have not deserv'd that leave me a Beggar if you please but with your Blessing and I will be contented Sir Tho. What bless thee for contriving to have me hang'd be gone begone from me quickly or I will fist thee from me Flo. Do any thing Sir so you will heat me Let me clear my Innocence and banish me your sight forever turning to Wood. O Sir I beseech you plead for me it is your Duty to Reconcile us and yours and yours turning to Mr. Saywell and Friendly And every good mans to help the distress'd Friend I 'm so amaz'd I cannot think what to do if I discover my self to her in this humour she 'll not have patience to let me undeceive her Wood. So I find our Plot is growing to an end already How like two Fools we shall look by and by if they find us out in our borrowed shapes Aside Say Come pray let me persuade you to hear her however you are never the farther from your Resolution Sir Tho. What can she say for her self am I not brought here for Murder provok't to it by their invention she and her Rogue Friendly that she ran away with did you not run away with him Huzzey Flo. I did Sir Sir Tho. Very good Come I 'll reason the matter calmly with you and have you not married him too against my express Command to the Contrary Flo. No Sir nor never will Sir Tho. Swear swear that and damn thy self Flo. By all my hopes of future Blessings he is not my Husband nor till within this half hour did I know of your imprisonment or the fatal cause Sir Tho. If this be true Flo. If it be not let misery pâ—rsue me Sir Tho. Will you promise me not to marry him when I 'm dead for hang me I suppose they will Flo. O do not name him Death wou'd be a thousand times more wellcome to me than such a Husband Friend So now I may go hang my self Aside Sir Tho. Well on condition that all you have said is true I do forgive thee rise up and Heaven bless thee Friendly Dear Ned what shall I do Wood. Why as thou saidst just now hang thy self for since thou canst not marry to cure thy passion I know no other way Say You will do well Sir Thomas for she has exprest her self a very dutiful Child Sir Tho. She has so and I will reward her for it here is a Deed of Gift of half my Estate which I did once before design for her but happening to fall in Love at that Juncture and marrying I alter'd my Resolution here Sir Say Mr. Nonsuit Sir Tho. Come and witness this the rest of my Estate I will settle upon my Wife and let the Writings be drawn as soon as you can Friendly Sir they shall be ordered immediately Sir Tho. Sir your hand too Wood. Withall my heart and heavâ—n give a blessing to 't Say Amen Sir Tho. There I deliver this as my Act and Deed. Delivers it to Floria. Friend So I 'm glad however I 've seen this done for her tho she has renounc't me for ever Aside Sir Tho. I wish I cou'd have liv'd to a seen thee married my death had been more supportable to me Flo. I wish so to Sir for I 'm young and know not how the subtilties of men may prevail when you are gone that shou'd advise me But for fear this Friendly shou'd attempt me again to make me break the promise I have made you I will this minute put it out of my power and give my self to this Gentleman Mr. Nonsuit if he 'll please to accept of me Friend Ha accept of thee Flo. Nay you don't deserve me for not letting me know your designs upon my Father am I not fit to be trusted with my own welfare think ye Sir Tho. Oons Friend Forgive me Madam and had I Flo. Nay no Apology I 'm satisfi'd that I 'm not oblidg'd to your Plot for what I have but my own Friend By all that 's sacred I will deserve thee if it be in Love to reward
this unexpected blessing tell me you Powers if there be any that knows a happiness like mine how shall I express my Joy Sir Tho. Woons what is all this Wood. O good Sir forbear swearing 't is an hollow'd sound and my ears can't bear it Sir Tho. Rot you and your ears you Canonical Pimp Confussion I 'm cheated out of my Estate too as well as my life Friend No Sir I will take care your Estate shall be dispos'd of according to your Act and Deed and you may live to now if you please and enjoy your liberty Flo. Which you had never wanted Pardon me Sir had you given me mine Sir Tho. Patience give me Patience Say In troth Neighbour 't is the best Remedy you can have e'en make use of it and let that seem your choice which is not now in your power to help Sir Tho. What wou'd you have me do Wou'd you have me give her to him Say Aye and your Blessing too or they 'll be happy without it an Estate is a good step to it and that you have given 'em already and there few Children in this Age that think their Parents can add any thing more Sir Tho. Come hither Take her and make her Wood. Any thing but a Wife or I forbid Woodvile interposes the Banes Sir Tho. You forbid the Banes Friend What 's the meaning of this Wood. Look'ee Frank while the Jest wou'd bare I was willing to carry it on But the Business grows now too much in earnest and the Welfare of my Friend obliges me to make bold with my Mistress Friend What say ye your Mistress Wood. Aye your Lady and her Companion were the two Masks that I told you I pick't up and one of 'em I thank her did me the Favour to afford me her Company that Night if it was Flora she has something very particular in her behaviour that makes her a very agreeable Bedfellow Friend Thou durst not sure say this to me in earnest Wood. But I dare Sir if it be truth as I 'm sure it is tho' perhaps you mayn't care to hear it Friend By Heav'n thou ly'st and did not her presence make this place sacred thou shoud'st pay dear for this Blasphemy Wood. Are you so hot Follow me and I 'll find you a place to allay your fury in Friend Follow thee Flor. Hold you shall not go What 's the meaning of this Enter Lucia Luc. What 's the matter As Wood. is going out Enter Lady Testie in a Mask meeting him Lady With your leave Sir Wood. Ha! Lady What are you surpriz'd to see me here Wood. Ay I'gad am I more than ever I was in my Life Lady Sir 't is hard to conceal wrongs from a Jealous Mistress Wood. And 't is harder for me to do you right whilst you conceal your self Lady Why did you not meet me as you promis'd Wood. Meet you S'bud I thought I had you here but since I find I 'm mastaken pray Madam satisfie me who you are For if you remember when you and I Bargain'd for a little Familiarity I was to be under no obligation till I had seen and lik'd you Lady That you have done already if you spoke truth but since you are so apt to forget refresh your Memory and look again What are you Dumb Pulls off her Mask Wood. I shou'd be dumb Madam if Wood. starts Lady If thou hadst nothing to say but thou hast a Tongue can never want words to excuse thy Perjury shou'd I stay to hear it farewel ungrateful Man Exit Wood. So very well what trick next Fortune is pleased to be very merry with me to day I find I have made a very pretty hand o' this matter Lost both my Mistresses wrong'd a vertuous Lady abus'd my Friend and brought a Quarrel upon me all in one quarter of an hour Hark'ee Friendly Friend Well Sir Wood. 'T is as thou say'st I do lie and prithee forgive me for it Friend 'T is very well Sir But do you think this will satisfie me Wood. At present I hope it will to Morrow thou shalt know more Friend In the mean time then pray make some amends to the Lady Wood I can only ask her pardon what else is requisite do thou do for me anon when the Curtains are drawn Woodvile goes to Flora. Friend Fear not Sir you shan't be troubl'd with any Night-work of mine Sir Tho. That I shou'd have both my Eyes and yet not see these pair of Counterfeit Knaves well 't is not the first time that Whoremongers and Adulters have been cloak't with the Law and the Gospel Enter Lady Testie My Dear art thou ventur'd hither too Lady Ay my Dear to fetch thee home hearing Hob was well and abroad I cou'd no longer bear to have you here since I have recover'd health enough to be happy with you at home Sir Tho What say'st thou Health and be happy What do'st thou mean ha Shall I have thee in my Arms And wil't thou be my Bride to Night Lady I shall be what you please to have me Sir Tho. Why then let sorrow vanish and a Fig for my Daughter Friendly take her and do what thou will 't with her Friend I thank you Sir and to deserve this Kindness if you get an Heir to Inherit your Estate you shall have it again Sir Tho. Hum Do you jeer an Old Man Well if I can't get an Heir do you I 'm contented now it shou'd be for my Grandson Friend How now Ned engaging afresh If you purchase there it must be for Life Wood. With all my heart Madam shall I have Possession upon that Condition Luc. I don't know what may be after seven Years Acquaintance Friend He 'll be worn out in half that time Madam if you don't reclaim him Lady Do you think it 's possible Sir to reclaim him Friend I hope so Madam Lady So do I tho' I doubt it Neice have a care of him Sir Tho. Let her take care of her self her Father left her at my disposal and if she Marries him I won't give her a Groat Luc. Then Sir I suppose your Courtships at an end for without that Charm my Beauty I fear will have but little force Wood. Enough Madam to make me a Convert if you dare put me to a Tryal Aside I know not whether Infected by Friendly's Example or any conceal'd Mischief in this holy Covering but I find my self of a sudden strangely enclin'd to do something to repent of as well as the foolish part of Mankind Flo. I know she loves him and if I thought he lov'd her Aside to Friendly Friend You need not doubt it if he Marries her for nothing but Love can make him do such a Violence to himself Aside to Woodvil Ned pursue your purpose if 't is honourable for such a Beauty and eight thousand Pound if we can work the old fellow to consent will be a better Fortune then any thou can'st hope for in Flanders Wood. If Love goes
That you 'd be Merciful as you are Great Almighty Criticks you his Judges sit If you consent he shall set up a Wit He swears he wont be prouder for 't a Bit. A Country-Wake ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Friendly and Servant Serv. SIR Here 's a Letter for you Friend A Letter Let me see it Read Dear Frank I arriv'd this Day at London and to Morrow purpose for Gloucester where if after Three Years Travel I can find my Friend what I left him I cannot think my Self Vnhappy how unfortunate soever I may seem to the World Woodvill I wish Ned it were in my Power to make thee as happy as it was in thy Father 's to make thee miserable thou should'st find a better Welcome here from thy Friend then thou wilt from a Dead Sire and departed Acres Sirrah go to Sir Thomas Testies and see if â—e's at home and at leisure to receive an Hours Conversation Serv. Yes Sir Enter Woodvill Wood. Franck Friendly Friend Ned Woodvill Wood. What Acknowledgments shall I make my Stars for letting me live to see once more the Man that 's nearest to my Heart Friend There let me grow till want of Friendship makes me unworthy of the Place I was just now Reading your Letter and by that did not expect to see you these two Days How came you so soon Wood. I design'd to come in the Stage-Coach but finding no other Company but an old talkative Woman and two over-grown Boys I chose rather than be coop'd up with Old Age and Ignorance to ride Post and run the hazard of breaking my Neck upon Hackney Jades that have I think disjointed every Limb of me Friend I wish Ned after the fatigue of thy Journey I cou'd Entertain thee with something wou'd divert thy present pain and prove a Cordial for the future for the News I have to tell thee I fear will disorder thy whole Frame and make thy Mind as distemper'd as thy Body Wood. Say'st thee so prithee out with it at once for I am Arm'd against the worst that can befall me my Life which is the last and only thing Fate can now take from me I see in no Danger as for any other misfortune there can come none so great as what is past Friend I know not what you have met with abroad but the greatest you are to expect here is the News of your Father's Death who departed a Fortnight since but before he left the World took care to make you a younger Brother to his Extravagancy which has left you ne'r a Groat for he play'd the last Game with the last stake and Died leaving hardly enough to Bury him Wood. This I heard at London and expected it long before for when he sent me abroad it was only that I might not be a Curb to his Will which was as unbounded as his Lusts that t wou'd be obey'd in all those Vices his younger Years ough to have been asham'd of but the Age we live in is so perverted that Old Men pursue the Vanities of Youth taking up the Cudgels they lay down and fumble with those Debauches young Men grow weary of Friend Thou say'st true Ned but I wish thou hadst not experienc'd it so much at thy own Cost Wood. So do I Frank but since it was in my Power to prevent it it shall not now be my fault to repine at it the Old Gentleman cou'd not 'a chosen a better time to put me to my Shifts since the War gives me so Glorious an opportunity to try what Fortune has in store for me Friend Fortune Prithee what canst thou hope from Fortune with Bullets flying about thy Ears that cou'd Buffet thee so unmercifully in the time of Peace Had'st thou a Friend indeed who had Interest to get thee a Commission that had Authority in it to keep thee out of Harms way thou might'st hope as much as another Man But as thou hast nothing to prefer thee but a comely Figure of Six Foot high thou oughtst to look for nothing more then after the first Volley to chance on a clean place to measure thy Length on without spoiling thy Cloaths Wood. Prithee Frank What Commands are those that have Power to awe a Bullet for till now I never heard a Cannon made any distinction Friend True Ned if we come in their way but I 've known some Men whose Actions were above being question'd step aside when Danger fac'd 'em but if their Enemies meeting with the worst of it have been forc'd to turn their Backs have fall'n in like Lions to scramble for Honour and come home laden with as much as he that deserv'd most Wood. I must confess we have too frequent Examples of this kind however it shall not keep me from doing my best to serve my Country nor make medespair of Success Friend You do well to hope the best it doubles our misfortunes to afflict our Selves with the Apprehension of 'em which sometimes make 'em look more dreadful than they are in themselves Wood. That will never be my fault for disappointments are so frequent with me that I shou'd look for nothing else did I not believe all things must have an end one time or other Enter Servant How now Did not I send you to Sir Thomas Testies Serv. Sir I was going as you commanded me and met his Man by the way coming with a Message to you and he is now without waiting to speak with you Friend This Old Knight Ned was a Citizen of London but being weary of his Vocation and willing to keep a young Wife to himself is come to inhabit here upon an Estate which he has lately purchas'd part of it was your Fathers he has one only Daughter by a former Wife whom Nature has been very bountiful to she wants no Charm to make her Self Ador'd and hath found that way to my Heart which none of her Sex cou'd ever do before There is a Neece Ned is equally deserving and would be equally desirable did not Love to shew his Power byass my Affections Come thou shalt go with me and see them if thy Journey has not fatigu'd thee too much Wood. Never to hinder me from the Company of a pretty Woman Frank that Temptation is more prevalent with me than any other Nature can be liable to But at present I must deny my self that satisfaction I hear the Post goes hence within these Two Hours and I have Business obliges me to write by the first opportunity but let my Man go with you to acquaint my himself with the way and I will come to you as soon as I have dispatch'd Jack wait of Mr. Friendly and come back quickly Friend T is very well Your Servant Come back Exeunt severally SCENE II. A Room at Sir T. Testie's Enter Sir Thomas Testie and Lucia Sir Tho. Niece come hither Come hither I say and shut the Door Luc. Bless us What 's amiss in the State that I must be Closeted The Door is lock'd
Sir Sir Tho. Very well Come hither then Hark'ye who am I Luc. Who are you Sir Sir Tho. Ay whom am I Luc. You are my Unkle Sir I think Sir Tho. Am I no more than your Unkle your Father thought me worthy of a better Title when he made me your Trustee and by that means impower'd me to make you a Beggar had I not been your very good Friend as well Luc. Sir you have been more than I cou'd hope for Nor shall you ever find me wanting in those Acknowledgments your Goodness has oblig'd me to pay you for your extraordinary Care of me when I was left young and unable to take any for my self Sir Tho. 'T is very well Why then since occasion now presents wherein you may in some measure requite my Love and discharge your Duty I expect you shall be sincere with me and Answer me directly When was Mr. Friendly last with my Daughter Luc. Sir Sir Tho. I say When was Mr. Friendly last with my Daughter Luc. To the best of my Remembrance Sir I won't be positive but Sir Tho. But No no hold hold lookd'ye see If I catch you stumbling or endeavouring by your Female Devil's Wit at a pinch to cast a blind upon my Understanding I shall conclude you as bad as she and both alike shall share â—y Resentment Therefore come I say and Answer directly to the Question for I will know it and from you Huswife You that are her Confident as you call it Her Help-Mate to Iniquity What because I am Old and can't go withour a Staff you think I 'm Blind and can't See your Roguery without a pair of Spectacles but I have found you out Mistress I have so Luc. Found us out I hope Sir you don't think that she wou'd Act or I Assist her in any thing that might blame her Conduct to Mr. Friendly who you know to be a worthy Gentleman and one I 'm sure I have heard you say you had rather dispose of her to then any Gentleman in the Country and if so I don't know why I should conceal their being together since their designs are Honourable Sir Tho. How What Designs and Honourable What without my Knowledge without first consulting me that am her Father whose sole Right it is to dispose of her Person and dares he without my Leave my Consent to Authorize his Pretensions make Love to her under my roof Were he a Prince and wou'd Endow her like a Queen and shou'd but think of such a thing without my Licence I wou'd Lock her up till the Green-Sickness had made her Eat her passage to him thro' the Wall tell her so d' ye hear Exit Luc. Indeed old Gentleman you wou'd a found neither Locks nor Bolts cou'd have held her Had she not been disoblig'd by his making you acquainted with his Love for she is such a Friend to Disobedience that she thought your being privy to the matter a sufficient Reason to discard him her Favour so that now I hope you may have a very Dutiful Child of her Enter Floria. Flo. Was not that my Father that parted from you Luc. It was Flo. Was he in Humour Luc. Yes a very ill one at the news of your proceedngs with Mr. Friendly If you think you shall dye for Love Floria you may prepare your self a Halter and swing to Elizium as soon as you please for your Father hath forbid the Banes had he been first acquainted with your Lovers Inclinations you might have eaten a Sack-Posset after a Matrimonial Grace together according to Custom But you are now to be Lock'd up and feed upon Chaulk and Lime he says till you have eaten a Passage to your Spark thro the Wall Flo. I 'm glad to find him so resolv'd I shall now dispose of my self to my own liking for had he been enclin'd to the Match I was resolv'd never to â—ee Friendly more for affronting my Love by seeking me at my Father's Hands when that had assur'd me to him before Luc. Why Wou'd you not have your Father have a Power in disposing you where he likes best Flo. Yes if he cou'd Command my Love But since that 's decree'd by a higher Power I must go with my Heart whether he will or no nor shall he have any Vote where he has no right to give it Luc. An excellent Piece of Sophistry to incourage Disobedience Flo. You may call it what you please But in following the dictate of my Passion I obey the Power that made it and my Duty towards Heav'n is to be consider'd before that to my Father I take it I shall therefore Marry without his Leave or Knowledge Luc. Why without his Knowledge Flo. For the pleasure of what thou call'st Disobedience Why thou forget'st sure that I am a Woman as thou art the Sex that first taught it to the World wou'dst have me degenerate Luc. O by no means Madam pray go on have a care of being unjust to your Self whatever you do and for the better incouragement to proceed Know your Father hath sent this day to Mr. Friendly to forbid him the House or approach it at his peril Flo. I know it and by the same Messenger I bid him me et me to night at the Garden Door I scorn the Old Gentleman shou'd have the start of me Luc. And pray what 's the business of your meeting To contrive how you may run away with him Flo. That 's as he shall deserve if he 's as fond of the Vagabond Trick as my self and will be contented to take me for my own sake without any other Consideration Luc. You 'll be contented to pack up your Awls that is a clean Smock with a Suit of Night Cloaths thrust into a Band-box and bid Good-buoy Daddy Well speed thee well since thou art resolv'd upon a mad Trick I think indeed thou cou'dst not have chosen an honester Fellow to play it with Flo. You may call it a mad Trick but any other had been a foolish one witness my Mother-in-law had she been Govern'd by her own Will my Father had wanted a Comforter in his old Age and she had been better supply'd with one in her Youth Luc. Go you 're naught I 'll talk no more with you Offers to go Flo. Nay take me with you for if you leave me here alone I shall think worse than I talk Luc. Come along then Mad-Cap Exeunt SCENE Back Door of a Garden Enter Lady Testie and Betty in their Hoods and Scarfs Bet. Good dear Madam don't afflict your self since y' are bound to your Misfortune resolve to endure it and make your self as easie under it as you can your Grief will make you sick in earnest else Lady I wish it cou'd that I might not be troubl'd to dissemble it to keep my self from the loath'd Bed of that old nauseous Wretch my Husband who not contented to Wed me to his wither'd Carkass has also forc'd me from London from my Friends from every
thing that might give me Comfort in my Misery to dwell here in a Country Town where nothing is to be seen but such as himself Bet. Yes Madam here 's something better to be seen then himself What think you of the Gentleman you saw alight yesterday at the Inn Door when you stood at the Window Lady O don't name him unless thou cou'dst give me another sight of him and yet I fear if I had my Desires 't wou'd serve me only to beget another and another still succeeding till I had ask'd my Ruine Did you enquire who he is Bet. I did Madam but cannot learn he came from London and 't is thought by the People of the House he stays for Horses to convey him farther Lady Cou'd not ye have contriv'd to have spoke to him Bet. I cou'd Madam had you so commanded me but 'to what end Lady Nay I know not thô I wish he knew my Heart and were inclin'd to take me from my Plague my Husband who I 'm resolv'd never shall enjoy me thô I 'm sure to be the unhappiest of my Sex Bett. 'T is impossible Madam I think for you to hold out much longer you ha' kept him this Month e'er since you were Married from your Bed with the pretence of Sickness he now grows impatient and begins to believe 't is design'd thrô the want of Love Lady I care not what he believes ha Who 's that yonder Bett. Where Madam Lady Yonder coming down the Walk Bett. ' Slife Madam 't is the stranger we was talking of Lady Put on your Mask Bett. Did not you say you had a mind to see him Madam Lady I have and speak to him but he must not see my Face but see he makes this way Enter Woodvill and Jack the Boy Wood. Boy which is the House Jack Sir they go in at one of these Garden Doors to it but they are so much alike I can't go directly to it I 'll knock if you please at one of them and enquire Wood. What 's here Women and Mask'd I thought Vizards had been of no use at night out of London where they did not serve to invite us to a Face that had a mind to be seen Jack when you have found Sir Thomas Testies wait for me at the end of the Walk Jack Yes Sir Exit Wood. Ladies is not the pleasure of the Walk lost without company Not to us Sir we think Two enough and are best pleas'd when we are by our selves Wood. If one of you has hid a different Sex under her Petticoat I cou'd believe you but Two Women can only talk themselves into an Imagination of a Pleasure they can never produce without the help of one of us Lady Ay What 's that Sir which we of our selves are not able to possess without your assistance Wood. Lookyee Child if you have an inclination to be inform'd leave your Friend and come with me to the other end of the Walk and I 'll shew you presently Lady I do nothing without her Sir If you can't instruct us both together we 'll not Edifie alone Wood Both together I 'll give you leave to seem as ignorant as you please if you have a mind not to understand me but don 't put me upon impossibilities If you 'll retire with me one at a time I 'll promise you shall be both satisfy'd before I leave you Bett. But how shall we be sore you 'll keep your Promise Have a care you don't put your self upon impossibilities Wood. ' Egad that 's true too I think I have been a little too forward but come my Dear what I want in Power you shall find I have in Will therefore don't lose time Bett. Who do ye speak to Lady Aye suppose we had a mind to take you at your word which of us wou'd you chuse first for I don't see yet to which you are inclin'd Wood. Nay Gad that I can't tell unless you agree to pull off your Masks you keep my Fancy in the dark Lady And 't is too light I think to shew our Faces after the liberty we have taken How or which way shall I contrive to keep him If he leaves me now perhaps I may never see him more and he has staid too long already to part with him for ever think quickly what shall I do Bett. I can't tell how to advise you Madam unless you take him this back way into the House with you when we have him there we shall have more time to consider what 's best to be done Wood. Ha! What are they doing drawing Cuts who shall be first serv'd Ladies pray let no Dispute arise between you upon my Account I 'm resolv'd to goe with her that 's nearest my own temper let the coldest Constitution withdraw till the other and I have been a little better acquainted and then Lady Hold Hold Sir Don't raise you Expectation too high thô the freedom we have given our selves may cause a suspicion of our Conduct you will not find us to be what you imagine Wood. I 'm sorry for that Are you what you seem to be Women Lady Yes but not fit for your Conversation for we are Honest yet were we willing to be otherwise our Age wou'd want a Charm to provide for us Wood. Honest and Old What do ye study alâ—ays to my Courage before I come to ingage Ha! Here 's a plump smooth Arm and your Speech does not betray any want of Teeth and so far I 'm sure you are Young enough Lady You 'r Ear has deceiv'd you then for I want all my Teeth but three Wood. If you had two less than you have I 'm sure you have a Colt's-tooth as long as there 's a Stump left therefore that shall be no hindrance Pulling her Lady Hold I say where wou'd you have me Wood. Have thee Child why to the next Green Bank we come at 'T is true the Place is not so well as I cou'd wish it but Love will make hard shifts See your Friend knows your Mind she keeps her distance Lady Forbear and if it is in your Power to behave your self like a Gentleman follow me and as you shall deserve expect a Return But first for your Instruction know you must put a Constraint upon your temper and seem Virtuous which I believe will cost you some pain to do Wood. Seem Virtuous What a Pox do's she mean by Cramping of me Hark'ye Child do's your Friend use to task her Lovers as Conjurers do the Devil with things Impossible Bet. Whatever task she designs for you 't is such I believe you 'd very willingly go through if you knew the Reward wou'd follow Wood. Say'st thou so I'gad I 'll endeavour to guess to Incourage me Whate'er it is it can't but easie prove Enjoyn'd by Beauty and repaid with Love Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Friendly and Floria. Friend HOwe'en you 'r pleas'd to reproach me Madam I beg you 'll think better of my Love than to
you long to be Moulding of Cockeldebread hah get you out of my sight Hussey go Hold now I think again you shall not go you shall stay here and hang at my Girdle like a Horn-Book till I have learnt ye through Luci. You 'd sooner crack your Brains with her Old Gentleman that I can tell you Sir Tho. But here here is my greatest Grief all my other Afflictions are doubl'd and trebl'd in this one and this will sink me to the Grave How dost thou my Love Is there no hopes of Comfort Must I for ever live without the use of my self or like Tantalus have the Meat at my Nose and yet be forbid to Eat Lady We must endeavour to be satisfy'd my Dear a little time will I hope restore me to my Health you must needs think it is an equal trouble to us both tho' my Sex forbids me to express so much of it as you do Sir Tho. Say'st-a so then I will be satisfy'd if thou dost love me I 'll wait with more Patience than a Patriarch for thee Bett. You shall not need Sir I hope if my Lady will be but rul'd Lady O my Dear this importunate Wench wou'd not let me alone till I had promis'd to take something to night that she had provided for me thô I fear the very sight of it will disorder me Sir Tho. The sight of it why what need you look upon it take it in the dark and if you can but get it into your Mouth consider the good it will do you and I 'll warrant you 'll get it down therefore pray take it Lady Why then I will my Dear since you will have it so pray come hither and lead me in but hold I have something to say to you first Betty has been a very good Girle and for that reason I will forbear to chide her for her fault in admitting a Man to my House with any design without my Knowledge Sir Tho. A Man What dost thou mean hah What Man hah What Man Bett. What Man Sir Why a. Lady Hold your Tongue and don 't go about to excuse it Bett. With all my Heart for I 'm sure I 'm at a loss to justifie it Lady 'T was a fault knowing how much Sir Thomas and I are your Friends and wou'd rather promote a a good Husband for you than he your hindrance Bett. Say you say Lies the Game there Aside Lady This Gentleman my Dear for so it seems he is and the only Son of a very good Family has for tun'd to fall in Love with this foolish Girl and comes unknown to them to Court her for a Wife therefore pray Sir Thomas if you can be any ways assistant in forwarding the matter do it in consideration of her faithful Service to me Sir Tho. With all my Heart Betty Let me see him and his Love shall not want incouragement and if my Life thou dost recover thy Health I 'll make her a Fortune that shall deserve a Gentleman Lady Go Betty bring him hither Aside and be sure you caution him how to behave himself but keep him still in ignorance of us and our purpose Betty I will Madam Exit Flo. What a dear Friend Dissimulation is to a Woman how many mouldy Kisses has it sav'd my Mother-in-law from my Fathers old brush Beard Aside to Lucia Luc. Why d' ye think she dissembles Flo. Aye as sure as thou do'st when you cry you 'll never Marry and had rather have me for a Bed-fellow than a Man Betty goes to her Lady and whispers Enter Woodvill and Betty Wood. 'T is well they have taken pity of me and suffer'd me to breath in a larger Room I wish they may have Charity to reward my Sufferings for I have been thrust into such a hole that no body but a Beau who fear'd being drub'd for Cuckoldom cou'd a hid himself in it Lady How Not speak to him say you Bett I cou'd not 't was impossible Madam Sir Tho. Odds so a very handsome young Fellow Sir your Servant y' are welcome very welcome and had I seen you before and known your intent of coming hither your Reception ssiou'd not a been conceal'd what ever your Love was Wood. Aside Reception and Love What a Pox does the Old Fellow mean my Fairy Mistress I pickt up by Moon-shine has not brought me here sure to make a Jest of me Looking on Floria and Lucia Ha! there they are by this light a Couple of pretty Creatures Now wou'd I part with any thing butmy Manhood to know which of 'em I 'm first to have a Fall with for by their Discourse I found they had both a mind to try my strength Luc. I perceive by the Lovers Silence my Unkle has put him out of Countenance Flo. He looks like a likely Fellow if he does not want a Tongue Betty has made a good choice Sir Tho. Come Sir you seem surpriz'd that I 'm privy to this matter don't fear I 'm a Friend to her you love and for her sake will assist you in this Business farther than you imagine Wood. Aside Egad may be so and perhaps farther than I desire I Thank you Sir But however you came by your Knowledge if she that brought me here had been as wise as she ought to be she had known you were no more fit to be acquainted with my Business than you are to do it Sir Tho. Say you so Sir perhaps I mistake your Business I thought 't was Honourable 't was so represented to me Sir if it is otherwise there 's the Door 't is as wide as 't was when you came in you shall have no Coupling here if you come not I God's name Wood. Aside What does the old Blade mean and who a Plague does he take me for Bett. Sir as you hope to have a happy end of this Adventure Humour my Master's mistake and seem to be what he 'd have you Aside to Wood. Wood. What he 'd have me What 's that I I Looking on the Maid and sometimes on Sir Thomas ask your pardon Sir if l 've been unmannerly I thought my Design had been conceal'd but since it has come to your Knowledge I hope you 'll be my Friend as you 've promis'd for there is but few I care to trust with a Secret of this Nature Sir Tho. The fewer the better what need any body know of it but we that are present but to prevent what may happen if they shou'd let us come to a conclusion What say you will you to Bed together presently Wood. With all my Heart Sir this Minute if you please Aside I-Gad this will be rare I wish I knew how these witty Rogues have plotted to gain the Old Man's helping Hand to the Friendly Office of Pimping for me But I find my Business is not to be inquisitive I 'm only to suffer my self to be led to the Feast and when every thing is prepar'd then fall to Sir Tho. Hold your Tongue
shrewd point of Law and must be well handled Did he make a Will Clown No he dy'd detestable Hob. Why then they fall to the right Heir Male for look'ee d' ee see the Female can inherit no Breeches unless she can prove she wore them in her Husband's Days Clown But suppose he has no Heirs at all Hob. Why then they go to the chief Mourner and look'ee d' ee see that will be I I will take his Cloaths here now I begin with his Cloak there now let every one take a quarter of him and I 'll follow with doleful Lamentation Clown Why then we have done Neighbour have we Hob. Ay ay Clown How dolefully you look Neighbour Hob. Why aye 't is the fashion so to do I 'm chief Mourner I must be sad Exeunt Omnes Enter Roger and another Servant Rog. Art thou sure he 's Drunk Serv. I 'm sure I left him Dead-drunk Rog. Then I believe they take him for the Man you gave out hang'd himself in Sir Thomas's Orchard to fright the Boys from stealing the Fruit. Serv. I believe so too therefore prithee let us make haste for fear they bury him alive ACT IV. SCENE I. Enter Woodvill and Friendly Friend 'T IS strange you shou'd not see her Face but when you tell me you love her I must laugh at you what if you have enjoy'd her 't was in the dark and in the same minute your fancy painted her a Venus you might has suppos'd her a Dowdy and yet ha' been more just to her Wood. Aye but I 'm never such an Enemy to my pleasure to suppose her the last when I 'd more reason to believe her the first but â—â—unck you mistake me if you think 't is her I love no that 's impracticable after Enjoyment dear Rogue 't is the Married Woman I told thee of that has charm'd my heart and I have some reason to believe hers is not impenotrable Friend Why d'eo believe it You durst not sure tell her so Wood. Why not her Complexion promis'd me a hearing and having an opportunity as I was coming away this Morning thro' the Garden where she was walking I spoke to her and told her the seign'd Love I own'd last Night for her Servant was a Plot I had brib'd her Maid to assist me in to get an opportunity to confess the real one I had for her Friend Very good and no doubt but she beliv'd you Wood. She seem'd at first a little surpriz'd but before I left her I prevail'd so for to gain a promise to see her again and how much that may conduce to a good conclusion you may imagine Friend How do you know but this may be the same Woman you lay with last Night Wood. Prithee don't call my Judgment in question canst thou believe me so raw a Gamester not to know a Maid from a Married Woman Friend I know not what you may do but I 'm sure 't is a Secret I 'm yet to learn but come you must go along with me Flora has sent me word to day will be kept a Wake before their house and if in the Crowd she can get loose from her Father we may chance make work for the Parson Wood. I 'm sorry for 't I had rather help you to make work for the Midwife I don't care to meddle where the Church is concern'd Exeunt Enter Lady and Betty Lady Is not that he see Bet. It is Madam Lady Follow him and give him this Bet. To what end Madam you have found him false already Lady Dispute not my Commands but fly Ex. Betty He has undone me if he leaves me not which I too justly fear for he has already discover'd the Inconstancy of his Sex and what he promis'dd me unknown at Night in the Morning broke to me when he took me for another Enter Betty How now Did you give it him Bet. I did Madam and he 'll see you he says Lady Do'st not think he suspects me to he her that was with him last Night Bet. No Madam but believing me to be confident to both her and you he has brib'd me to keep you ignorant of each others Loves and assist him in your several Inâ—rigues Lady Perjur'd base Villain Why am I fated to Love and not the Infection on my Lips that when his flattery wou'd feal my ruine he there might meet his own Exeunt SCENE II. A Fair. Enter Old Hob and his Wife with Benches to set at the Door and Forms Wife Come Husband good now make haste the Town will be full of People before we shall get fitted O. Hob. Don't trouble thy self Wife every thing within Doors is ready and there is nothing wanting without but the Sign to be put up and look'ee that shall be done present Hob Hob Hob within What say you Father O. Hob. Go and Tap th'Ale quick quick Hob. Aye aye Father O. Hob. There Now he that will drink good Ale let e'n come to th' Sign oth'Potlid Come Wife let 's to our business within Exeunt Enter Friendly and Woodvill Sir Thomas Flora and Lucia at the Balcony Friend If these Disguises will let us stand unsuspected we may be able to attempt something to gain my Flora's freedom Wood. Ay and lose thy own Friend Yonder she is with her pretty friend and old Argus that sticks to 'em like Murder to a troubl'd Conscience Wood. Aside Ha! Are these the Jewels of such vertue One of them I 'm sure has none to boast of nor will the other I believe be a Martyr for her Honour Friend Now Ned tell me How do'st like my Mistress Wood. Like her Friend Ay like her Wood. Very well for a Mistress Friend A Mistress Wood. Ay why dost think I can like her for any thing else Friend I do Sir and think my self happy in my Choice Wood. I 'm glad you 'r so pleas'd Sir I can have her at a clieaper rate Friend Ha! What dice mean Wood. What do you mean Friend Not to hear any thing dishonourably spoken of her I Love tho' by my Friend Wood. Hum Aside Nor ought I indeed in honour if it was she that did me the favour last night tho' it be to my Friend Come prithee smooth thy Brow Franck thou knowest I have but a loose Opinion of all Women which but seldom will let me speak well of any tho' they deserve it Friend Good Manners shou'd correct that ill Custom in a Gentleman and for your own sake pray be perswaded to forget it Wood. Grave Sir I shall Edifie Aside in the knowledge of my Mistress I hope the next time I have her at Blindman's-Buff or she shall keep my Head in the Bag Sir Tho. Come Gentlewomen if you must see the Pastime you may have as fair a Prospect of 'em here as you can in the Crowd and with less danger to your Reputations Luci. Our Reputations In what can they suffer amongst such people as resort here Sir Tho. Why these are Men and fitter
matter now what must I be beat all the days of my life O. Hob Ye Graceless Rogue mind your business then do ye yonder 's your poor Mother within a scoreing and a scoring till she sweats again and no body to draw one drop of Beer Hob I don't care a farthing I won't draw a drop more if you go to that do your worst and take your Course O. Hob Sirrah come ye in and don 't ye stand dancing here don't ye Hob I won't go in so I won't if that trouble yo I will Dance and Dance again Angerly toll loll c. O. Hob Aye thou' rt an untoward Boy as e're was born Mercy forgive me for begetting the. Exit Enter Roger. Hob Marry come up what 's here to do I trow Clow. Here 's the Cudgells an 't like you will your Worship please to have us begin Sir Tho. Aye Aye by all means make hast Roger and bring forth the Hatt and the Favour Roger Here it is an 't please ye Sir Tho. Hang it up there and he that wiens it let him wear it The first Sommersetshireman that breaks a Head here 's half a Crown for him to drink and he that breaks that Rogue Hobs head shall have another Hob Shall he look'e he that breaks my Head shall have somewhat to do I 'll tell you that let ' en be who he will he shall earn his Money Ecod ill rib ' en And look'e to begin here I 'll take up the Cudgell And now let the best man here take up tother an he dare if he be a Sommersetshireman let ' en be a Sommersetshireman I sight for Glostershire I don't care who knows it Sir Tho. At him at him there What is there no body dare venture upon him Neighbour Puzlepate take up the to ' ther Cudgell Puzzle Not I 〈…〉 't please you I have enough of ' en already he broke my Head but last week Sir Tho. Roger Sirrah do you take up the Cudgell and thrash him do'e hear thrash him soundly Sirrah Roger I can't promise that Sir I 'll do my best I 'll break his head if I can in Love and if he breaks mine much good may do him Friend This is as I cou'd wish If Hob does but get the better of the Combat the Testy Knight will certainly be provok'd to come down and then we shall have sport Wood. Prithee let 's encourage him then O brave Hob now for Glostershire Hob. Hob I warrant ye Master let me alone Friend Here Hob there 's an Angel for thee Wood. And break his head Hob and I 'll give the another Hob. Don'te fear Master I God I 'll noint ' en Rogger Do if thou canst I don't fear thee Hob. Hob S'bleed I 'll dress thy Jacket I 'll dowse thy Somersetshire Coate for thee Roger Come on then Clown Obrave Hob. Clown Obrave Roger. Clown Obrave Hob. Here they play and Hob breaks to'thers Head Clown Obrave Roger. All the Clowns Hollow Hob I God I 've don 't I 've don 't Faith Sir Tho. Foul foul foul Hob Fair fair fair Clown Here take the Hat Hob. Sir Tho. You lye you Doggs 't was foul All Clowns Hollow Friend Stand upon thy Guard Hob the Kinght's coming down to thee Hob. Is a let ' en come and welcome here I 'll stand I 'll take no other than St. George's Guard if he let 's drive at me Fore-god I 'll hit ' en over the Sconce if he was a Knight of Gold Enter Sir Thomas from the Balcony Sir Tho. Where are these Bumpkins Now who dars say 't is fair I say 't is foul Hob I say 't is fair Sir Tho. So is that too Sir Thomas and Hob fights Hob break◠the Knights Head the Clowns hollow and cry sair then the Knight draws his Sword and beats Hob and the Clowns off Wood. O brave Knight He has bestirr'd himself I saith with as much courage as if he fought for distressed Damsels Friend So he has I thank him Here 's liberty for you Madam unexpected if you 'll embrace it come down quickly Wood. Your Jaylor's gone Ladies and the doors open come down and we'ell knock off your Fetters Flo. To put on stronger of your own Wood. Not I faith I 'd have every Woman use her leggs as she pleases Friend So shalt thou thy tongue hereafter But prithee let me Confine it now for we have no time to talk Flo. What is it you wou'd have of me Friendly Friend Remember your promise Madam and spare that question Wood. I don't know what his design is Madam but here 's a Parson planted hard by I can till you I believe a purpose to do mischief Flo. I own my promise to marry you but do not remember I ever oblig'd my self to time Friend Be it still unlimited I 'll never press it against your will All I ask now is to deliver your self from Bondage Flo. What sayst thou Lucia shall I go Luoi If I thought you 'd take my advice I 'd give it you but I 'm sure you 'll adhere to none but that of running away therefore prithee make haste and begone Flo. Farewell then Luci. But hast thou the Conscience to leave me behind to be punished for thy sins Flo. Aye if you can have the heart to let me go without ye Friend Make haste Madam your Fathers returning Flo. We come we come fly good Lucia Exeunt from the Balcony Wood. 'T is pity that Marriage shou'd be the end of this Adventure it looks so like Whoring I wish the old Fellows Wife had been in their company to a got me a Stomach to the Business Enter Flora. Friend Upon my Knees I shou'd receive you Madam but the place Flo. Will not let us lose time in talking where 's my Cousin Where 's my Cousin Friend Leave her to my Friends charge He 's an honest Gentleman and will take care of her Wood. A Pox of your honest Commendations let me speak for my self Madam here 's your Man Luci. What to do Not to follow our Friends example I hope Wood. No faith Child I 'm better principl'd thou shalt have me upon easier Terms Exeunt Omnes Re-enter Sir Thomas Sir Tho. There there you Rustich Rogues you hard headed Doggs I think I've at last met with your Sculls I believe I have notch't some of your Noddles for you I have made you pay for shedding my Blood Enter a Maid and Roger and Servant Maid Oh Sir Sir We 're undone Madam Flora and Madam Lucia Sir Tho. What of them Maid They are gone Sir Sir Tho. Gone where Roger With a Couple of Gentlemen Sir No body knows where Sir Tho. The Devil go with 'em which way are they gone Servant They have taken towards the Road Sir but they can't be got far Sir Tho. Bid every one of your fellows take Horse immediately and ride several ways Have they slipt through my fingers at last Make haste you Doggs beats 'em make haste
fly fly Enter Lady Teste and Betty Lady If reason had a power in Love I shou'd not fann this fire within me to make a Ruin of my Peace But oh I strive in vain my ungoverned passion drives me on though sure Destruction follows me What is 't a Clock Betty Four Madam Lady Look if you can see him coming Betty He 's just here Madam Lady O cou'd he bring a heart like that hee 'l find here how happy would this meeting be But that 's impossible Enter Woodvill Wood. So much for my honest obligation we have hous'd they Lads my friends business is done Now let me look after my own 't is something past the time ha Lady You see Sir how much you have prevail'd upon me am I not punctual Wood. Pardon me Madam if I seem not so in suffering you here before me a fault nothing but a businss of no less concern than Life and Death should a made me guilty of Lady So there 's one lye already aside What business The carrying away Sir Thomas's Neice and Daughter Woâ—d How the Devil came she to know that aside Lady Come since I know you were ingaged in that piâ—ce of Chivalry you may spare the expence of an invenion to hide it Wood. 'T is true Madam I did give some little assistance in that affair to the service of my friend but Lady But the extent of your desire is only to engage my heart I 'll warrant Wood. 'T is the last of all my wishes from the first moment I saw you at Church Lady At Church Wood. Aye at Church Madam pray Heav'n she goes to Church aside 'T was there I first beheld you and there promised never to think of any other Women Lady My pretended flekness has kept me from Church ever since I 've been here but I believe if he cou'd have thought I had been to be found at Rome he had said he had seen me there Well Sir I will not question the truth of what you say But if I shou'd be inclinable to believe you what wou'd you do to deserve it Wood. All things that 's possible my Unartful Passion will Compell me to Lady All things but Constancy and that I fear is not in your Passion Wood. It is the only sin of my Affection if it be one to love forever Lady O Heaven that truth dwelt in his words aside Swear Swear that thou lovest me Wood. I do by all ady Hold hold I know there 's nothing but he will Swear And break it when he has done and yet he must swear it for there is such a Charm in the Cheat that again I must hear him and be again deceiv'd Enter Betty and whispers Betty How then I must leave you when next I see you Wood. You 'll perhaps again be taken from me let me not part with you now Lady I must be gone Wood. Then take me with you Lady What to do Wood. That wee 'll talk of by and by Lady But the time will be so short Wood. That we shall have no time to talk Well hinted I Gad Aside On then my Dear that we may not lose that little we have Enter Sir Thomas with Constable and Watch. Sir Tho. A Pox upon you for a company of uncultivated Clods where de' e hall me Const Sir what we do we are bound to 't is our Office therefore pray forgive us Sir Tho. You are not going to Execution with me you ask pardon so like a Hangman Const No Sir Our Warrant is only to carry you before a Justice and from thence I believe to Prison but where afterwards I dare not say but I am afraid your Worships time is but short Sir Tho. Not so short as you 'd make it you dund-headed Doggs to be tryed Condemn'd and Hang'd in a Breath Const No Sir I hope not Tho your Worship made but quick work with poor Hob. Clow. Aye aye poor man his head has done aking by this time Sir Tho. I 'm glad of it and had I my Sword and my hands at liberty none of your shou'd trouble you long Clow. O bloody bloody away with him this is bloody Neighbours All Away away with him Eexeunt Omnes Enter Friendly and Robin meeting Probe the Surgeon Friend So Mr. Probe how de' e find your Patient Probe Alas his Wound is nothing his Scull is not so much as touch 't tho he fancies it impossible for a cut with a Sword to be less than Mortal Friend Poor Hob you must still keep him ignorant of his Condition and make him believe it 's dangerous it may be of use to me Probe I need not do that his fears won't let him believe otherwise let me say what I can Friend Robin come let us go see if we can find Mr. Woodvill for without his help we shall hardly bring our Plot to perfection Exeunt Enter Woodvill and Lady Testy Wood. Not Jove in all his transformations when he Ungodded himself for Mortal Pleasures had one hour of Love like me O for a Night to Revel in that the Taste might be turn'd into a Feast And my longing Soul be fill'd with delight Lady Is not this Extasie feigned And shall not the easie access you have found to my heart make me one day slighted for another Wood. Wrong not thy self with such a thought there can be no other but thee Thou Charmer tell me when shall I see thee again Lady I cannot tell this Evening I 'll endeavour it and if 't is possible I will meet you here tell then Farewell Wood. Farewell my Dear Dear Creature Enter Betty with a Bundle Lady Have you my things Betty Betty Here they be Madam Lady Give 'em to me I 'll put 'em on as I go if he takes not the nearest way I may meet him at the lower end of the Walk Exeunt Re-enter Woodvill meeting Friendly and Robin Friend O well met I find I might have look't long enough for you had not chance brought me to a sight of you Come Robin the things quick quâ—ck Robin Here Sir here Wood. How now what are these for Friend Nay prithee ask no questions But if you 'll do me a piece of service come on with this Holy outside you must suffer a Transformation Ned from a Town Bull to Parish-Priest Wood. That 's the same thing still Frank But to what end must I wear this Mantle for Iniquity Friend Can't you guess Wood. Not I faith unless it be to mock Matrimony And if that 's the business come on as fast as you will I 'm for you Frend. How I did not think thou hadst been so well acquainted with Religion to be able to act any thing of it Wood. Yes yes to serve a friend upon occasion Franck I have study'd it a little Friend And a very little nor that for any affection thou hadst to it I 'll be sworn Come come along Exit As Woodvill follows Enter Lady Teste at the other side Mask'd And