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Enter SERV ANTS.

BUTLER.

Juft as the fteward 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 ftrange gentleman whisked by me; but he took to his heels, and made away to the George. If I did not fee mafter before me,

I fhould have fworn it was his honour.

GARDINER.

Ha'ft given orders for the bells to be fet a ringing?
COACHMAN.

Never trouble thy head about that, 'tis done.
Sir GEORGE [to Lady.]

My dear, I long as much to tell you my whole ftory, as you 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 feafting in my house. My poor neighbours and my fervants thall rejoice with me. My hall fhall be free to every one, and let my cellars be thrown open.

BUTLER.

Ah! blefs your honour, may you never die again!
COACHMAN.

The fame good man that ever he was!

Whurra!

GARDINER.

Sir GEORGE.

I

Vellum, thou haft done me much fervice to-day. know thou lov'ft Abigal, but she's disappointed in a forIll make it up to both of you. I'll give thee a thousand pound with her. It is not fit there fhould be one fad heart in my house to-night.

tune.

LAD r

LADY.

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

ABIGAL.

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

Sir GEORGE.

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

VELLU M.

The gift is two-fold. I receive from you
The virtuous partner, and a portion too;
For which, in bumble wife, I thank the donors:
And fo we bid good-night to both your bo-nours.

THE

THE

EPILOGUE,

Spoken by Mrs OLDFIELD.

O-night the poet's advocate I stand,

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And he deferves the favour at my hand,
Who in my equipage their caufe debating
Has plac'd two lovers, and a third in waiting;
If both the first shou'd from their duty fwerve.
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 fimple, yet it fhews good nature.

My help thus afk'd, I cou'd not choose but grant it, And really I thought the play wou'd want it.

Void as it is of all the ufual arts

To warm your fancies, and to steal

your hearts:

No court-intrigue, no city-cukoldom,
No fong, no dance, no mufic-but a drum-
No smutty thought in doubtful phrase exprest;
And, gentlemen, if fo, pray where's the jeft?
When we wou'd raife your mirth, you hardly know
Whether in ftrictness you shou'd laugh or no,

But

But turn upon the Ladies in the pit,

And if they redden, you are fure '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 fex in every state,

A nymph of five and forty finds her mate.

Too long has marriage, in this tafteless age,
With ill-bred raillery supply'd the ftage;
No little fcribbler is of wit fo bare,
But has his fling at the poor wedded pair,
Our author deals not in conceits fo ftale:
For fhould th' examples of his play prevail,
No man need blush, tho' true to marriage-vows,
Nor be a jeft though he shou'd love his fpoufe.
Thus he has done you British conforts right,

Whofe husbands, fhould they pry like mine to-night,
Would never find you in your conduct flipping,
Though they turn'dconjurers to take you tripping.

THE

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