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Miran. Come then, Gardy, give me thy hand; let's

to this house of Hymen.

My choice is fix'd, let good or ill betide.
Sir Fran. The joyful bridegroom 1,
Miran. And I the happy bride.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

Enter Sir JEALOUS, meeting a Servant.

Serv. Sir, here's a couple of gentlemen inquire for you; one of them calls himself Signior Diego Babinetto.

Sir Jeal. Ha! Signior Babinetto! admit 'em instantly-joyful minute; I'll have my daughter marry'd to-night.

Enter CHARLES in a Spanish habit, with Sir GEORGE dressed like a merchant.

Sir Jeal. Senhor, beso las manos: vuestra merced es muy bien venido en esta tierra.

Cha. Senhor, soy muy humilde, y muy obligado cryado de vuestra merced: mi padre embia a vuestra merced, los mas profondos de sus respetos; y a com.. missionado este mercadel Ingles, de concluyr un ne-gocio, que me haze el mas dichoss hombre del mundo, haziendo me su yerno.

Sir Jeal. I am glad on't, for I find I have lost much of my Spanish. Sir, I am your most humble servant. Signior Don Diego Babinetto has informed me that you are commissioned by signior Don Pedro, &c. his worthy father

Sir Geo. To see an affair of marriage consummated between a daughter of your's and signior Diego Babinetto his son here. True, sir, such a trust is reI hope

pos'd in me, as that letter will inform you. 'twill pass upon him. [Aside.]

Sir Jeal. Ay, 'tis his hand.

[Gives him a letter.

[Seems to read.

Sir Geo. Good, you have counterfeited to a nicety, Charles. [Aside to Charles. Cha. If the whole plot succeeds as well I'm happy. Sir Jeal. Sir, I find by this that you are a man of honour and probity; I think, sir, he calls you Meanwell.

Sir Geo. Meanwell is my name, sir.

Sir Jeal. A very good name, and very significant. Cha. Yes, faith, if he knew all. [Aside. Sir Jeal. For to mean well is to be honest, and to be honest is the virtue of a friend, and a friend is the delight and support of human society.

Sir Geo. You shall find that I'll discharge the part of a friend in what I have undertaken, sir Jealous. Cha. But little does he think to whom.

[Aside. Sir Geo. Therefore, sir, I must entreat the presence of your fair daughter, and the assistance of your chaplain; for signior Don Pedro strictly enjoined me to see the marriage rites performed as soon as we should arrive, to avoid the accidental overtures of Venus.

Sir Jeal. Overtures of Venus!

Sir Geo. Ay, sir; that is, those little hawking females that traverse the Park and the playhouse to put off their damag'd ware-they fasten upon foreigners

like leeches, and watch their arrival as carefully as the Kentish men do a shipwreck: I warrant you they have heard of him already.

Sir Jeal. Nay, I know this Town swarms with

them.

Sir Geo. Ay, and then you know the Spaniards are naturally amorous, but very constant; the first face fixes 'em; and it may be very dangerous to let him ramble ere he is tied.

Cha. Well hinted.

Sir Jeal. Pat to my purpose-Well, sir, there is but one thing more, and they shall be married instantly.

Cha. Pray Heaven that one thing more don't spoil all. [Aside. Sir Jeal. Don Pedro writ me word, in his last but one, that he designed the sum of five thousand crowns by way of jointure for my daughter, and that it should be paid into my hand upon the day of marriage— Cha. Oh, the devil!

[Aside. Sir Jeal. In order to lodge it in some of our funds in case she should become a widow, and return for England

Sir Geo. Pox on't! this is an unlucky turn. What shall I say? [Aside. Sir Jeal. And he does not mention one word of it in this letter.

Cha. I don't know how he should.

[Aside. Sir Geo. Humph! True, sir Jealous, he told me such a thing, but, but, but, but-he, he, he, he-he

I

did not imagine that you would insist upon the very day; for, for, for, for money, you know, is dangerous returning by sea, an, an, an, an—

Cha. Zounds! say we have brought it in commodities. [Aside to sir Geo. Sir Geo. And so, sir, he has sent it in merchandize, tobacco, sugars, spices, lemons, and so forth, which shall be turned into money with all expedition: in the mean time, sir, if you please to accept of my bond for performance

Sir Jeal. It is enough, sir; I am so pleas'd with the countenance of signior Diego, and the harmony of your name, that I'll take your word, and will fetch my daughter this moment. Within there. [Enter Servant.] Desire Mr. Tackum, my neighbour's chaplain, to walk hither.

Serv. Yes, sir.

[Exit.

Sir Jeal. Gentlemen, I'll return in an instant. [Exit. Cha. Wondrous well! let me embrace thee.

Sir Geo. Egad, that five thousand crowns had like to have ruined the plot.

Cha. But that's over; and if Fortune throws no more rubs in our way

Sir Geo. Thou'lt carry the prize-But hist! here he comes.

Enter Sir JEALOUS dragging in ISABINDA.

Sir Jeal. Come along, you stubborn baggage you! come along.

Isab. Oh! hear me, sir, hear me but speak one word;

Do not destroy my everlasting peace;

My soul abhors this Spaniard you have chose, "Nor can I wed him without being curst." Sir Jeal. How's that!

Isab. Let this posture move your tender nature.

For ever will I hang upon these knees,

Nor loose my hands till you cut off my hold,
If you refuse to hear me, sir.

[Kneels.

Cha. Oh! that I cou'd discover myself to her!

[Aside. Sir Geo. Have a care what you do: you had better trust to his obstinacy.

[Aside Sir Jeal. Did you ever see such a perverse slut? Off, I say. Mr. Meanwell, pray help me a little. Sir Geo. Rise, madam, and do not disoblige your father, who has provided a husband worthy of you, one that will love you equal with his soul, and one that you will love, when once you know him.

Isab. Oh! never, never!

Could I suspect that falsehood in my heart, I would this moment tear it from my breast, And straight present him with the treach'rous part. "Cha. Oh! my charming, faithful dear!" [Aside. Sir Jeal. Falsehood! why, who the devil are you in love with? Don't provoke me, for by St. Iago I shall beat you, housewife.

Cha. Heaven forbid for I shall infallibly discover myself if he should.

Sir Geo. Have patience, madam, and look at him:

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