LA D, Y. No, you're deceiv'd! you must know it is settled on me by marriage-articles, on condition that I live in this old manfion-houfe, and keep it up in repair. Why faith I have been looking upon this house, and think it is the prettieft habitation I ever faw in my life. LADY. Ay, but then this cruel Drum! For my part, I like this Gothick way of building better than any of your new orders---- it would be a thoufand pities it fhou'd fall to ruin. Ay, but the Drum! LADY. TINSE L. How pleasantly we two could pafs our time in this delicious fituation. Our lives wou'd be a continu'd dream of happiness. Come, faith, Widow, let's go upon the leads, and take a view of the country. LADY. Ay, but the Drum! the Drum! TINSE L. My dear, take my word for't 'tis all fancy: befides fhou'd he drum in thy very bed-chamber, I fhou'd only hug thee the clofer. Clafp'din the folds of love, I'd meet my doom, ACT 9) A C T II. SCENE I. SCENE opens, and difcovers Vellum in his Office, and a Letter in his hand. VELLU M. THIS Letter aftonifheth, may I believe my own eyes or rather my fpectacles---- To Humphrey Vellum, Efq; Steward to the Lady Truman, Vellum, Doubt not but you will be glad to hear your master is alive, and defigns to be with you in half an hour. The report of my being flain in the N.therlands, has, I find, produced fome diforders in my family. I am now at the George-Inn: If an old man with a grey beard in a black cloak, enquires after you, give him admittance. He paffes for a Conjurer, but is really Your faithful Friend, G. Truman. P. S. Let this be a fecret, and you shall find your account in it. This amazeth me! and yet the reasons why I should believe he is still living are manifold---- First, because this has often been the cafe of other military adventurers. I 3 S.condly, Secondly, because the news of his death was first publifh'd in Dyer's Letter. Thirdly, because this letter can be written by none but himself----I know his hand, and manner of spelling. Fourthly,----- Enter BUTLER. BUTLER. Sir, here's a ftrange old Gentleman that asks for you; he fays he's a Conjurer, but he looks very fufpicious; I wish he ben't a Jesuit. VELLU M. Admit him immediately. BUTLER. I wish he ben't a Jefuit, but he fays he's nothing but a Conjurer. He fays right VELLU M. he is no more than a Conjurer, Bring him in and withdraw. [Exit Butler. And Fourthly, as I was faying, because--- Enter BUTLER with Sir GEORGE. BUTLER. Sir, here is the Conjurer---- what a devilish long beard he has! I warrant it has been growing these hun[Afide. Exit. dred years. Sir GE OR GE. Dear Vellum, you have receiv'd my Letter: but before we proceed lock the door. It is his voice. VELLU M. [Shuts the door. Sir GEORGE. In the next place help me off with this cumbersome Cloak. VEL VELLUM. [ After having look'd on Sir George thro' his spectacles.] It is his face, every lineament! Sir GEORGE. Well, now I have put off the conjurer and the old man, I can talk to thee more at my ease. VELLU M. Believe me, my good mafter, I am as much rejoiced to see you alive, as I was upon the day you were born. Your name was in all the news-papers, in the lift of. those that were flain. Sir GEORGE. We have not time to be particular. I fhall only tell thee in general, that I was taken prifoner in the battle, and was under clofe confinement for feveral months, Upon my release, I was refolv'd to furprize my wife with the news of my being alive. I know, vellum, you are a perfon of fo much penetration, that I need not ufe any further arguments to convince you that I am fo. VELLU M. I am----and moreover, I question not but your good. Lady will likewise be convinced of it. Her Ho--nour is a difcerning Lady. Sir GEORGE. I'm only afraid fhe fhou'd be convinc'd of it to her forrow. is not the pleas'd with her imaginary Widowhood? Tell me truly, was fhe afflicted at the report of my death? VELLU M. Sorely. Sir GEORGE. How long did her grief laft? VEL VELLU M. Longer than I have known any Widow's at least three days.. Sir GEORGE. Three days, fay'ft thou? three whole days? I'm afraid thou flattereft me!---- O woman! woman! Grief is twofold. VELLU M. Sir GEORGE. This blockhead is as methodical as ever----know he's honeft. VELLU M. but I [Afide. There is a real grief, and there is a methodical grief; fhe was drown'd in tears till fuch time as the Taylor had made her Widow's weeds---- indeed they became her. Sir GEORGE. Became her! and was that her comfort? truly a moft feasonable confolation! VELLU M. But I must needs fay fhe paid a due regard to your memory, and could not forbear weeping when she faw company. Sir GEORGE. That was kind indeed! I find the griev'd with a deal of good-breeding. But how comes this gang of lovers about her? VELLU M. Her jointure is confiderable. Sir GEORGE. How this fool torments me! [Afide. [Afide. But her character is unblemish'd. She has been as virtuous in your abfence as a Penelope---- Sir |