Enter SERVANT S.

BUT LE R.

Juft 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 whisk'd by me; but he took to his heels, and made away to the George. If I did not see mafter before, I fhou'd have fworn it had been his Honour.

GARDINER.

Ha'ft given orders for the bells to be set a ringing?
COACHMAN.
Never trouble thy head about that, 'tis done.
Sir GEORGE [to Lady.]

as you

My Dear, I long as much to tell you my whole ftory, 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 houfe. My poor neighbours and my fervants fhall rejoice with me. My hall shall be free to every one, and let my cellars be thrown open.

Ah! blefs your Honour, may you never die again!
COACH MAN.

The fame good man that ever he was!

Whurra!

GARDINER.

Sir GEORGE.

Vellum, thou haft done me much fervice to-day. I know thou lov'st Abigal, but she's disappointed in a fortune. I'll make it up to both of you. I'll give thee a thoufand

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thousand pound with her. It is not fit there fhou'd be one fad heart in my houfe to-night.

LADY.

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

Mr. Vellum, you are a well-fpoken Man: Pray do you thank my Mafter and my Lady."

Sir GEORGE.

Vellum, I hope you are not difpleas'd with the Gift I make.

The gift is two-fold. I receive from you
The virtuous partner, and a portion too;

For which, in humble wife, I thank the Donors:
And fo we bid good night to both your Honours.

THE

EPILOGUE,

Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD.

O-night the Poet's advocate I ftand,

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 foou'd from their duty fwerve,
There's one behind the wainscot in referve.
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 ask'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 fteal your

hearts:

No Court-Intrigue, no City-Cuckoldom,
No fong, no dance, no mufic but a Drum
No fmutty thought in doubtful phrafe expreft;
And, Gentlemen, if fo, pray where's the jeft?
When we wou'd raife your mirth, you hardly know

Whether in frictness you shou'd laugh or no,
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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 bis 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 ftate,
A nymph of five and forty finds her mate.

Too long has Marriage, in this tafleless age, With ill-bred rallery Supply'd the ftage; No little Scribler is of wit fo bare, But has his fling at the poor wedded pair. Our Author deals not in conceits fo ftale: For fhou'd th' examples of his Play prevail, No man need blush, tho' true to marriage-vows, Nor be a jeft tho' he shou'd love his spouse. Thus bas he done you British conforts right, Whofe Hufbands, fhou'd they pry like mine to-night, Wou'd never find you in your conduct flipping, Tho' they turn'd Conjurers to take you tripping.

THE LATE

TRIA L

AND

CONVICTION

OF

Count TARIFF.

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