ACT III. SCENE 1.

Enter CHARLES.

Charles.

WELL, here's the house which holds the lovely prize, quiet and serene : here no noisy footmen throng to tell the world that Beauty dwells within; no ceremonious visit makes the lover wait, no rival to give my heart a pang. Who would not scale the window at midnight without fear of the jealous father's pistol, rather than fill up the train of a coquette, where every minute he is jostled out of place! [Knocks softly.] Mrs. Patch, Mrs. Patch!

Enter PATCH.

Patch. Oh, are you come, sir? All's safe.
Cha. So in, in then.

Enter MARFLOT.

Mar. There he goes! Who the devil lives here? except I can find out that, I am as far from knowing his business as ever. Gad I'll watch; it may be a bawdyhouse, and he may have his throat cut. If there should be any mischief I can make oath he went in. Well, Charles, in spite of your endeavours to keep me out of the secret I may save your life for aught I know. At that corner I'll plant myself? there I shall see whoever goes in or comes out. Gad I love discoveries. [Exit.

SCENE II.

Draws, and discovers CHARLES, ISABINDA, and PATCH.

Isab. Patch, look out sharp; have a care of dad.
Patch. I warrant you.

Isab. Well, sir, if I may judge your love by your courage, I ought to believe you sincere, for you venture into the lion's den when you come to see me.

Cha. If you'd consent whilst the furious beast is abroad, I'd free you from the reach of his paws.

Isab. That would be but to avoid one danger by running into another, "like poor wretches who fly "the burning ship and meet their fate in the water.” Come, come, Charles, I fear if I consult my reason, confinement and plenty is better than liberty and starving. I know you would make the frolick pleas→ ing for a little time, by saying and doing a world of tender things; but when our small substance is exhausted, and a thousand requisites for life are wanting, Love, who rarely dwells with Poverty, would also fail us.

Cha. Faith I fancy not; methinks my heart has laid up a stock will last for life, to back which I have taken a thousand pounds upon my uncle's estate; that surely will support us till one of our fathers relent.

Isab. There's no trusting to that, my friend; I doubt your father will carry his humour to the grave, and mine till he sees me settled in Spain.

Cha. And can you then cruelly resolve to stay till that curs'd Don arrives, and suffer that youth, beauty, fire, and wit, to be sacrific'd to the arms of a dull Spaniard, to be immured, and forbid the sight of any thing that's human?

Isab. No, when it comes to that extremity, and no stratagem can relieve us, thou shalt list for a soldier, and I'll carry thy knapsack after thee.

Cha. Bravely resolv'd! the world cannot be more savage than our parents, and Fortune generally assists the bold, therefore consent now: why should she put it to a future hazard? who knows when we shall have another opportunity?

Isab. Oh, you have your ladder of ropes I suppose, and the closet window stands just where it did; and

if

you ha'n't forgot to write in characters, Patch will find a way for our assignations. Thus much of the Spanish contrivance my father's severity has taught me, I thank him: though I hate the nation I admire their management in these affairs.

Enter PATCH.

Patch. Oh, madam! I see my master coming up the street.

Cha. Oh, the devil! would I had my ladder now! I thought you had not expected him till night. Why, why, why, why, what shall I do, madam ?

Isab. Oh! for Heaven's sake don't go that way; you'll meet him full in the teeth. "Oh, unlucky

moment l'?

Cha. 'Adsheart! can you shut me into no cupboard, nor ram me into a chest, ha?

Patch. Impossible, sir, he searches every hole in the house.

Isab. Undone for ever! if he sees you I shall never see you more.

Patch. I have thought on it: run you to your chamber, madam; and, sir, come you along with me; I'm certain you may easily get down from the balcony. Cha. My life! adieu-Lead on, guide.

[Exeunt Patch and Charles.

Isab. Heav'n preserve him!

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Changes to the street. Enter Sir JEALOUS, with MARPLOT behind him.

Sir Jeal. I don't know what's the matter, but I have a strong suspicion all is not right within; that fellow's sauntering about my door, and his tale of a puppy, had the face of a lie, methought. By St. Iago, if I should find a man in the house I'd make mince meat of him

Mar. Mince meat! Ah, poor Charles! how I sweat for thee! Egad he's old-I fancy I might bully him, and make Charles have an opinion of my courage. Egad I'll pluck up, and have a touch with him.

Sir Jeal. My own key shall let me in; I'll give them [Feeling for his key.

no warning.

Mar. What's that you say, sir? [Going up to sir Jeal. Sir Jeal. What's that to you, sir?

[Turns quick upon him.

Look to't, for

Mar. Yes, 'tis to me, sir, for the gentleman you threaten is a very honest gentleman. if he comes not as safe out of your house as he went in. Sir Jeal. What is he in, then?

Mar. Yes sir, he is then; and I say if he does not come out I have half a dozen myrmidons hard by shall beat your house about your ears.

Sir Jeal. Ah! a combination to undo me—I'll myrmidon you, ye dog you-Thieves! thieves!

sir.

[Beats Marplot all the while he cries thieves. Mar. Murder, murder! I was not in your house,

Enter servant.

Serv. What's the matter, sir?

Sir Jeal. The matter, rascal! you have let a man into my house, but I'll flea him alive. Follow me; I'll not leave a mousehole unsearch'd. If I find him, by St. Iago I'll equip him for the opera.

Mar. A deuce of his cane! there's no trusting to age-What shall I do to relieve Charles? egad I'll raise the neighbourhood.-Murder! murder![Charles drops down upon him from the balcony.] Charles! faith I'm glad to see thee safe out with all my heart! Cha. A pox of your bawling! how the devil came you here?

Mar. Egad it's very well for you that I was here; I