Enter SERVANT S.

BUTLER.

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!

COACH MAN.

As I was coming it at the gate, a ftrange gentleman whisk'd by me; but he took to his heels, and made away to the George. If I did not fee mafter before, I fhou'd have fworn it had been 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 feasting in my house. My poor neighbours and my fervants fhall 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!

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❜ft Abigal, but she's difappointed in a fortune. I'll make it up to both of you. I'll give thee a thousand

M 3

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

LADY.

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

ABIGA L.

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

you

Sir GEORGE.

Vellum, I hope you are not difpleas'd 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 humble wife, I thank the Donors:
And fo we bid good-night to both your Ho--nours.

THE

THE

EPILOGUE,

Spoken by Mrs. Oldfield.

TO-night the Poet's advocate I fand,

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 3
If both the first fou'd from their duty fwerve,
There's one behind the wainscot in referve.
In his next Play, if I wou'd 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 chufe 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

No Court-Intrigue, no City-Cuckoldom,

No fong, no dance, no musick·

hearts:

but a Drum

No Smutty thought in doubtful phrase exprest ;
And, Gentlemen, if so, pray where's the jeft?
When we wou'd raise your mirth, you hardly know
Whether in firitnefs you fhou'd laugh or no,

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 flate,
A nymph of five and forty finds her mate.

Too long has Marriage, in this tasteless age, With ill-bred rallery fupply'd the ftage; No little Scribbler is of wit fo bare, But has his fling at the poor wedded pair. Our Author deals not in conceits so stale : For fhou'd th' examples of his Play prevail, No man need blush, tho' true to marriage vows, Nor be a jeft tho' be fhou'd love bis fpouse. Thus has be done you British conforts right, Whofe Husbands, 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

TRIAL

AND

CONVICTION

OF

Count TARIFF.

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