ploy'd by my master to watch my mistress, and by my miftrefs to watch my mafter. Which party fhall I espouse? To be fure my miftrefs's. For in hers, jurisdiction and power, the common cause of the whole sex, are at stake. But my mater I fee is coming this way. I'll avoid him, and make my obfervations. [Exit. Enter Ducat and Polly. Duc. Be chearful, Polly, for your good fortune hath thrown you into a family, where, if you rightly consult your own intereft, as every body now-a-days does, you may make yourself perfectly eafy. Thofe eyes of yours, Polly, are a fufficient fortune for any woman, if The have but conduct, and know how to make the most of 'em. Polly. As I am your fervant, Sir, my duty obliges me not to contradict you; and I must hear your flattery, tho' I know myself undeferving. But fure, Sir, in handfome women, you must have obferved that their hearts often oppofe their intereft: and beauty certainly has ruin'd more women than it has made happy. AIR XIII. The bufb aboon Traquair. The crow or daw thro' all the year No fowler feeks to ruin; That other beauties fell in ; For fure at heart was never yet If my lady, Sir, will let me know my duty, gratitude will make me ftudy to please her. Duc. I have a mind to have a little converfation with you, and I would not be interrupted. [Bars the door. Polly. I wish, Sir, you would let me receive my lady's commands. Duc. And fo, Polly, by thefe downcaft looks of yours, you would have me believe you don't know you are handfome, and that you have no faith in your looking glass. glafs. Why every pretty woman ftudies her face, and a looking-glass to her is what a book is to a pedant; fhe is poring upon it all day long. In troth a man can never know how much love is in him by conversations with his wife. A kifs on thofe lips, would make ine young again. [Kiffes her. Duc. AIR XIV. Bury Fair. Polly. How can you be fo teazing? Polly. Duc. All maids I know at first refift. [Going to kifs her. [Struggling. Polly. You're monftrous rude; I'll not be kiss'd : Nay, fye, let go my hand. Duc. 'Tis foolish pride Polly. 'Tis vile, 'tis base, Guard me from disgrace. You find that virtue's strong. [Pubing him away. 'Tis barbarous in you, Sir, to take the occafion of my neceffities to infult me. Duc. Nay, huffy, I'll give you money. Polly. I defpife it. No, Sir, tho' I was born and bred in England, I can dare to be poor, which is the only thing now-a-days men are afhamed of. Duc. I fhall humble these faucy airs of yours, Mrs. Minx. Is this language from a fervant! from a flave ! Polly. Am I then betray'd and fold ! Duc. Yes, huffy, that you are; and as legally my property, as any woman is her husband's, who fells herfelf in marriage. Polly. Climates, that change conftitutions. have no effect upon manners. What a profligate is that Trapes! Duc. Your fortune, your happiness depends upon: your compliance, What, proof against a bribe! Sure, C 2 huffy, huffy, you belie your country, or you must have had a very vulgar education. 'Tis unnatural. Befides, huffy, your confent may make me your flave; there's power to tempt you into the bargain. You must be more than woman if you can stand that too. Polly. Sure you only mean to try me! but 'tis barbarous to trifle with my diftreffes. Duc. I'll have none of these airs. 'Tis impertinent in a fervant, to have scruples of any kind. I hire honour, confcience and all, for I will not be ferv'd by halves. And fo, to be plain with you, you obftinate flut, you fhall either contribute to my pleasure or my profit; and if you refufe play in the bed-chamber, you Thall go work in the fields among the planters. I hope now I have explain'd myself. Polly. My freedom may be loft, but you cannot rob me of my virtue and integrity: and whatever is my lot, having that, I fhall have the comfort of hope, and find pleasure in reflection. AIR XVI. A fwain long tortur'd with disdain. Can I or toil, or hunger fear? For love's a pain that's moft fevere. But love, when unhappy, the more virtuous it is, the more it fuffers. Duc. What noife is that? Damaris. [Without.] Sir, Sir. [Afide Duc. Duc. Step into the closet; I will call you out imme,. diately to prefent you to my wife. Don't let bashfulnefs ruin your fortune. The next opportunity, I hope, you will be better difpos'd.. [Exit Polly, Dam. Open the door, Sir. This moment, this mo ment. Enter Damaris. Duc. What's the matter? Was any body about to, ravish you? Is the house o'fire? Or my wife in a paffion? Dam. O Sir, the whole country is in an uproar! The pirates are all coming down upon us; and if they fhould raife the militia, you are an officer you know.. I hope you have time enough to fling up your com miffion. Enter ft Footman. If Foot. The neighbours, Sir, are all frighted out of their wits; they leave their houses, and fly to yours for protection. Where's my lady, your wife? Heaven grant, they have not taken her! Duc. If they only took what one could fpare 1ft Foot. That's true, there were no great harm done. Duc. How are the mufquets? ift Foot. Rufty, Sir; all rufty and peaceable! For we never clean them but against training-day. Dam. Then, Sir, your honour is fafe, for now you have a juft excuse against fighting. Enter 2d Footman. 2d Foot. The Indians, Sir, with whom we are in alliance, are all in arms: there will be bloody work to be fure. I hope they will decide the matter before we can get ready. Enter Mrs. Ducat. Mrs. Duc. O dear husband, I'm frighten'd to death! What will become of us all! I thought a punishment for your wicked lewdness would light upon you ar laft. Duc. Prefence of mind, my dear, is as neceffary in dangers as courage. Dam. But you are too rich to have courage. You fhould fight by deputy. 'Tis only for poor peo C 3 ple ple to be brave and defperate, who cannot afford to live. Enter Maids, &c. one after another. 1ft Maid. The pirates, Sir, the pirates! Mercy upon us, what will become of us poor helpless women! 2d Maid. We fhall all be ravish'd! ft Old Woman. All be ravifh'd ! 2d Old Woman. Ay to be fure, we shall be ravish'd ; all be ravish'd! 1ft Old Woman. But if fortune will have it fo, patience is a virtue, and we must undergo it. 2d Old Woman. Ay, for certain, we must all bear it, Mrs. Damaris. 3d Foot. A foldier, Sir, from the Indian camp, defires admittance. He's here, Sir. Enter an Indian. Ind. I come, Sir, to the English colony, with whom we are in alliance, from the mighty king Pohetohee, my lord and master, and addrefs myfelf to you, as you are of the council, for fuccours. The pirates are ravaging and plundering the country, and we are now in arms, ready for battle, to oppose them. Duc. Does Macheath command the enemy. Ind. Report fays he is dead. Above twelve moons are paffed fince we heard of him. Morano, a Negro villain, is their chief, who in rapine and barbarities is even equal to him. Duc. I fhall inform the council, and we shall foon be ready to join you. So acquaint the king your master. [Exit Indian. Serv. AIR XVII. March in Scipio. Brave boys, prepare. Ah! ceafe, fond wife, to cry. Mrs. Duc. How can you be difgrac'd ! Serv. Above the sense of shame. |