company know that these noble persons of quality have honoured me with their presence: let the fiddles be ready, and see the banquet prepared; and let Mr. Truman come to me instantly; I cannot live a minute, a moment without him.

Good. Delicate devil!

Mrs. Good. Sir! let me beg your patience for a moment, whilst I go and put things in order fit for your reception. [Exit.

Good. Footmen! take care that the engines which I have ordered be ready when I call for 'em. Truman, I see, is a man of punctual assignation; and my wife is a person very adroit at these matters: some hot-brained, horn-mad cuckold now would be for cutting of throats; but I am resolved to turn a civil, sober, discreet person, and hate bloodshed: no, I'll manage the matter so temperately, that I'll catch her in his very arms, then civilly discard her bag and baggage, whilst you, my dainty doxies, take possession of her privileges, and enter the territories with colours flying.

1 Wom. And shall I keep my coach, Mr. Goodvile? Good. Ay, and six, my lovely rampant. Nay, thou shalt every morning swoop the exchange in triumph, to see what gaudy bauble thou canst first grow fond of: and after noon at the theatre, exalted in a box, give audience to every trim, amorous, twiring fop of the corner, that comes thither to make a noise, hear no play, and show himself; thou shalt, my Bona Roba.

*

2 Wom. But, Mr. Goodvile, what shall I do then? Good. Oh thou! thou shalt be my more peculiar punk, my house-keeper, my necessary sin; manage all the affairs of my estate and family, ride up and down in my own coach, attended by my own footmen, nose my wife where'er you meet, and, if I had any, breed up my children. Oh, what a delicious life will this be ! 1 Wom. Hear you, sir, the fiddles?

[Fiddles without.

* Twiring-singing; from the old verb to twyer, (Sax.) to sing.

Good. Oh, the procession's coming, put on your vizors, and observe the ceremony.

Enter TRUMAN, Mrs. GOODVILE, CAPER, SAUNTer, Lady SQUEAMISH, CAMILLA, with Fiddles.

Mrs. Good. Mr. Caper, Mr. Saunter, you are the life and soul of all good company; command me any thing, command my house, that and all freedom are your's.

Cap. Masques, my life, my joy, my top of happiness! Sir, your humble servant: by your leave, madam, shall you and I toss and tumble together in the drawingroom hard by for half an hour or so? ha? [Cuts.

Saunt. Fa toldara, toldara, &c. Ah, madam, what do you wear a mask for? Have you never a nose, or but one eye? Let me see how you are furnished.

2 Wom. Sir, if I want any thing, 'tis to be doubted you cannot supply me.

Good. So; sure this must come to something anon. Mrs. Good. Ah, were but Mr. Goodvile here now, what a happy day might this be! but he is melancholy and forlorn in the country, summoning in his tenants and their rents; that shining pelf that must support me in my pleasures.

Good. Is he then, madam, so kind a husband?

Mrs. Good. Oh the most indulgent creature in the world! what husband but he, Mr. Truman, would have so seasonably withdrawn, and left me mistress of such freedom? To spend my days in triumph as I do, to sacrifice myself, my soul, and all my sense to you, the lord of all my joys, my conqueror and protector?

Cam. Heavens, madam, you'll provoke him beyond all patience.

Mrs. Good. Who? Mr. Goodvile! which way shall it reach his knowledge? no, we'll be as secret—

Tru. As we are happy. So subtly lay the scene of all our joys, that envy or malice, nay the very husband

VOL. II.

H

himself, and Malagene to boot, well hired to the business, shall ne'er discover us.

Mrs. Good. Oh discover us! a husband discover us! Were he indeed as jealous as he has reason, I could no more apprehend discovery than a kindness from him. Good. This impudence is so rank, that I can hold no longer. Say you so, madam? [He unmasks.

Mrs. Good. Oh a ghost! a ghost! save me, save me! Mr. Truman, see, see Mr. Goodvile's spirit: sure some base villain has murdered him, and his angry ghost has come to revenge it on me.

Good. No, madam, fear nothing. I am a very harmless goblin, though you are a little shocked at the sight of me.

Cap. Ha, ha, ha! Goodvile returned? Dear Frank! Saunt. Honest Goodvile, thou seest, dear soul, we are free here in thy absence.

Good. I see you are, gentlemen, and shall take an opportunity to return the favour. Footmen, be ready.

Mrs. Good. But is it really Mr. Goodvile then? let me receive him to my arms; welcome ten thousand, thousand, thousand times. Dear sir, how does my picture in the gallery do?

Good. Oh, madam, it looked so very charmingly, that I had no power to stay longer from the dear, loving original.

Mrs. Good. So, now begins the battle.

Good. Well, madam, and for your set of fools here; to what end and purpose have you decreed them in this new model of your family? I hope you have not designed 'em for your own use.

Mrs. Good. Why, sir, methinks you should not grudge me a coxcomb or two to pass away the time withal, since you had taken your dearer conversation from me.

Good. No, madam, I understand your diet better: a fool is too squab and tender a bit for your fierce appetite: : you are for as ubstantial dish, a man of heat and

honour, such as Mr. Truman I know is, and I doubt not will do me reason.

Tru. Ay, sir, whenever you'll demand it.

Mrs. Good. Nay, sirs, no quarrelling, I beseech you; what would you be at, sir?

Good. At rest, madam; like an honest snail, shrink up my horns into my shell, and, if possible, hold a quiet possession of it.

Mrs. Good. I hope I have done nothing that may disturb your quiet, sir.

Good. Nothing, madam, nothing in the least; how is it possible that any thing should disturb me? a sot, a beetle, a drone of a husband, a mere utensil, a block for you to fashion all your falshood on, whilst I must still be stupid, bear my office, and never be disturbed, I—

Mrs. Good. So, now your heart is opening, and for your ease I'll give it a little vent myself: you are jealous, alas! jealous of Truman, are you?

Good. And have I no reason, madam, though I come and catch you in his arms, rolling and throwing your wanton eyes like fireballs at his heart? Oh what an indulgent creature's Mr. Goodvile! so seasonably to withdraw, and leave you mistress of such freedom: to spend your days in triumph as you do, to sacrifice yourself, your soul and sense to him, the lord of all your joys, your conqueror and protector.'

Mrs. Good. I am glad to find my plot so well succeed: I knew of your jealousy last night, knew too your journey out of town was but a pretence, in hope to return and surprize me with Truman. I was informed too of your return but now, and your disguise; I knew you through it so soon as I saw you, and therefore I acted all that fondness to Truman before your face. It was all the revenge I had within my power.

Good. Can you deny your being with Truman in the garden last night? were you not there so openly, that even the broad eyes of fools might see?

Mrs. Good. What fool? what villain have you dares accuse me?

Good. One, who though he rarely told truth before, will be sure to do it now; Malagene, your kinsman Malagene, a hopeful branch of your own stock.

Tru. The rascal dares not own it.

Good. But he shall, sir, though you protect him. Tru. "Twas basely done to set a spy upon your friend, after the trick you had played me with Victoria. Good. Basely done?

Tru. Yes, basely, sir.

Good. Death, you lie, sir! Why do I trifle thus when I have a sword by my side?

Cap. Nay, look you, Frank; you had better be patient. Here shall be nothing done, therefore pray put up.

Enter VALENTINE.

Val. What, again quarrelling? Goodvile, this must not be. Truman is my friend, and if he has done you wrong, I'll engage he shall make you satisfaction.

Saunt. Ay, ay, pr'ythee man, take some other time, and don't quarrel now, and spoil good company.

Good. Death! you dancing, talking, mettled, frisking rogues, stand off! Oh I had forgot-Footmen, where are ye?

Enter Footmen.

Here, take away these butterflies, and do speedy execution upon 'em as I ordered; do it instantly.

[They seize them.

Cap. Nay, Frank, what's all this for?
Saunt. Nay, Goodvile, pr'ythee now, as I hope to

live.

Enter MALAGENE.

Good. Away with 'em

[Exeunt with Cap. and Saunt.

Now for Malagene-Ob, here he comes, madam, who