Enter SE R V A N TS.

BU Í LË R: Just as the steward told us, lads! look you there, if he ben’t with my Lady already!

GARDINER. He! he! he! what a joyful night will this be for Madam!

COACHMAN. As I was coming in at the gate, a strange gentleman whisked by me; but he took to his heels, and made away to the George. If I did not fee maiter before me, I should have fworn it was his honour.

GARDIN E R.
Ha'st given orders for the bells to be set a ringing?

COACHM AN.
Never trouble thy head about that, 'tis done.

Sir GEORGE (to Lady.]
My dear, I long as inuch to tell you my whole story,

do to hear it. In the mean while, I am to look upon this as my wedding-day. I'll have nothing but the voice of mirth and feasting in iny house. neighbours and my servants thall rejoice with me. My hall thall be free to every one, and let my cellafs be thrown open.

BUTLER
Ah! bless your honour, may you never die again!

CO A C H M A N.
The same good man that ever he was !

GARDIN E R. Whurra!

Sir GE ORG E. Vellum, thou hast done me much service to-day. I know thou lov'st Abigal, but she's disappointed in a fortune. Ill make it up to both of you.

I'll give thee a thousand pound with her. It is not fit there should be one fad heart in my house to-night.

as you

My poor

L A Dr. What you do for Abigal, I know is meant as a compliment to me. This is a new instance of your love.

A B IGA L. Mr. Vellum, you are a well spoken man: Pray do you thank my master and my Lady,

Sir GEORG E. Vellum, I hope you are not displeased with the gift I make.

V E L L U M.
The gift is two-fold. I receive from you
The virtuous partner, and a portion 100 ;
For wbich, in bumbk wise, I thank the donors :
And so we bid good-nigh: to both

your bo-nours.

THE

EPILOGUE,

Spoken by Mrs OLDFIELD.

TO

WO-night the poet's advocate I stand,

And he deserves the favour at my hand,
Who in my equipage their cause debating
Has plac'd two lovers, and a third in waiting ;
If both the first shou'd from their duty swerve.
There's one behind the wainscot in reserve.
In his next play, if I would take this trouble,
He promis'd me to make the number double:
In troth 'twas spoke like an obliging creature,
For tho', 'tis simple, yet it shews good nature

My help thus alk’d, I cou'd not choose but grantit,
And really I thought the play wou'd want it
Void as it is of all the usual arts
To warm your fancies, and to steal your

hearts: No court-intrigue, no city-cukoldom, No song, no dance, no music-but a drum No smutty thought in doubtful phrase exprest; And, gentlemen, if so, pray where's the jest ? When we wou'd raise your mirth, you hardly know Whether in strictness

you

shou'd laugh or no,

But

But turn upon the Ladies in the pit,
And if they redden, you are sure 'tis wit.

Protect him then, ye fair-ones; for the fair
Of all conditions are his equal care.
He draws a widow, who, of blameless carriage,
True to her jointure, hates a fecond marriage ;
And to improve a virtuous wife's delights,
Out of one man contrives two wedding-nights.
Nay, to oblige the sex in every state,
A nymph of five and forty finds her mate.

Too long has marriage, in this tasteless age,
With ill-bred raillery supply'd the ftage;
No little scribbler is of wit fo bare,
But has his Aing at the poor wedded pair,
Our author deals not in conceits fo stale:
For should th' examples of his play prevail,
No man need blush, tho' true to marriage-vows,
Norbe a jest though he shou'd love his fpouse.
Thus he has done you Britifo conforts right,
Whose husbands, should they pry like mine to-night,
Would never find you in your conduct flipping,
Though they turn’dconjurers to take you tripping

THE THE LA TE

T R I AL

A N D

CONVICTION

OF

Count TARIF F: