Enter S ER VAN TS.

BUT LE R. Just as the Steward told us, Lads! Look you there, if he ben't with my Lady already.

G A R D I N E R. He! he! he ! what a joyful night will this be for Madam !

CO A C H M A N. 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 fee master before, I fou'd have sworn it had been his Honour.

G A R D I N E R.
Ha'ft given orders for the bells to be set a ringing ?

CO A C H M A N.
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 servants shall rejoice with me. My hall shall be free to every one, and let my cellars be

thrown open.

$

BUT LE R.
Ah! bless your Honour, may you never die again!

COACH MA N.
The fame good man that ever he was !

G A R D I N E R.
Whurra !

Sir GEORG E. Vellum, thou hast done me much service 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 M 3

thousand

thousand pound with her. It is not fit there shou'd be one sad heart in my house to night.

'L A DY. What

you do for Abigal, I know is mcant as a com. pliment to me. This is a new instance of

your

love. A BIG AL. Mr. Vellum, you are a 'well-spoken Man: Pray do you thank my Máster and my Lady.

- Sir GEORG E. Vellum, I hope you are not displeas'd 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 too ;
For which, in humble 'rise, I 'thank" the Donors :
And so we bid good.night' to 'both your Hour nours.

THE THE

E PIL OG U E,

TO

Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD.
O-night the Poet's advocate I fand,

I
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 firft fou'd from their duty fwerve,
There's

's one behind the wainscot in referue.
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 foews 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 usual arts
To warm your fancies, and to steal your hearts :
No Court- Intrigue, no City-Cuckoldom,
No song, no dance, no music

but a Drum
No smutty thought in doubtful phrase expref;
And, Gentlemen, if so, pray where's the jest??
When we wou'd raise your mirth, you hardly knozu
Whether in Arietness you shou'd laugh or no,

M 4

But

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

Proteet him then, ye Fair-ones ; for the Fair Of all conditions are bis equal care. He drabus a Widow, who, of blameless carriage, True to her jointure, hates a second marriage ; And to improve a virtuous wife's delights, Out of one Man contrives two wedding-nights. Nay, to oblige the sex in every flate, A nymph of five and forty finds her mate.

Too long has Marriage, in this tasteless age, With ill-bred rallery Supply'd the flage; No little Scribler is of wit fo bare, But has his fling at the poor wedded pair. Our Author deals not in conceits so ftale : For fou'd th' examples of his Play prevail, No man need blush, tho' true to marriage-vows, Nor be a jest tho' he shou'd love his spouse. Thus has he done you British conforts right, Whose Husbands, shou'd they pry like mine to-night, Wou'd never find you

conduet slipping, Tbo' they turn'd Conjurers to take you tripping.

THE L A T E

T RI AL

AND

CONVICTION

OF

Count TARIFF.

M 5