Par. Yes, yes, madam; one of your ladyship's footmen gave it to him in the Park, and he told the bearer, with all transports of joy, that he would be punctual to a minute.

Lure. Thus most villains some time or other are punctual to their ruin; and hypocrisy, by imposing on the world, at last deceives itself. Are all things prepared for his reception?

Par. Exactly to your ladyship's order: the alder man too is just come, dressed and cooked up for iniquity.

Lure. Then he has got woman's clothes on?

Par. Yes, madam, and has passed upon the fa mily for your nurse.

Lure. Convey him into that closet, and put out the candles, and tell him, I'll wait on him presently.

[ds Parly goes to put out the candles, somebody knocks

Music plays without.

Lure. This must be Sir Harry; tell him I am not to spoken with.

Par. Sir, my lady is not to be spoken with.

Wild. I must have that from her own mouth, Mrs Parly. Play, gentlemen. [Music plays aga "Lure. This must be some clown without mar

"ners, or a gentleman above ceremony.

"there?

"WILDAIR sings.

"Thus Damon knock'd at Celia's door,

Who

"He sigh'd, and wept, and begg'd, and swore,

"At last his sighs and tears made way,
"She rose, and softly turn'd the key:
"Come in, said she, but do not stay.

"I may conclude,

"You will be rude,

But if you are, you may.

Enter Sir HARRY.

[Exit Parly."

Lure. 'Tis too early for serenading, Sir Harry. Wild. Wheresoever love is, there music is proper: there's an harmonious consent in their natures, and ' when rightly joined, they make up the chorus of earthly happiness."

Lure. But, Sir Harry, what tempest drives you here at this hour?

Wild. No tempest, madam, but " as fair weather as ever enticed a citizen's wife to cuckold her husband in fresh air." Love, madam.

[Wildair taking her by the hand. Lure. As pure and white as angels' soft desires.

Wild. Fierce, as when ripe consenting beauty fires. Is't not so ?

Lure. Oh, "villain! What privilege have men to "our destruction, that thus they hunt our ruin ?” [Aside.] If this be a love token, [Wildair drops a ring, she takes it up.] your mistress's favours hang very loose about you, sir.

Wild. I cann't, justly, madam, pay your trouble of taking it up, by any thing but desiring you to wear it.

Lure. You gentlemen have the cunningest ways of playing the fool, and are so industrious in your profuseness. Speak seriously, am I beholden to chance or design for this ring?

Wild. To design, upon my honour. And I hope my design will succeed.

[Aside. "Lure. And what shall I give you for such a fine "thing?

"Wild. You'll give me another, you'll give me "another fine thing.

[Both sing." Lure. Shall I be free with you, Sir Harry? Wild. With all my heart, madam, so I may be free with you.

Lure. Then plainly, sir, I shall beg the favour to see you some other time; for at this very minute I have two lovers in the house.

Wild. Then to be as plain, I must be gone this minute, for I must see another mistress within these two hours.

Lure. Frank and free.

Wild. As you with me-Madam, your most hum

ble servant.

[Exit.

Lure. Nothing can disturb his humour. Now for my merchant and Vizard.

[Exit, and takes the candles with her.

Enter PARLY, leading in SMUGGLER, dressed in Women's Clothes.

Par. This way, Mr. Alderman.

Smug. Well, Mrs. Parly,—I'm obliged to you for this trouble: here are a couple of shillings for you. Times are hard, very hard indeed; but next time I'll steal a pair of silk stockings from my wife, and bring them to you "What are you fumbling about my "pockets for "

Par. "Only setting the plaits of your gown:" here, sir, get into this closet, and my lady will wait on you presently. [Puts him into the closet, runs out, and returns with Vizard.

Viz. Where wouldst thou lead me, my dear auspicious little pilot?

Par. You're almost in port, sir; my lady's in the closet, and will come out to you immediately.

Viz. Let me thank thee as I ought.

[Kisses her. Par. Pshaw, who has hired me best? a couple of shillings, or a couple of kisses?

Viz. Propitious darkness guides the lover's steps, and night, that shadows outward sense, lights up our inward joy. "Night! the great awful ruler of man

H

"kind, which, like the Persian monarch, hides its "royalty to raise the veneration of the world. Un"der thy easy reign dissemblers may speak truth: all "slavish forms and ceremonies laid aside, and ge"nerous villany may act without constraint.”

Smug. [Peeping out of the closet.] Bless me what

voice is this?

Viz. “Our hungry appetites, like the wild beasts "of prey, now scour about to gorge their craving "maws;" the pleasure of hypocrisy, like a chained lion, once broke loose, wildly indulges its new freedom, ranging through all unbounded joys.

Smug. My nephew's voice, and certainly possessed with an evil spirit; he talks as profanely as an actor possessed with a poet.

Viz. Ha! I hear a voice. Madam-my life, my happiness, where are you, madam ?

Smug. Madam! He takes me for a woman too: I'll try him. Where have you left your sanctity, Mr. Vizard?

Viz. Talk no more of that ungrateful subject-1 left it where it has only business, with day-light; 'tis needless to wear a mask in the dark.

"Smug. Oh, the rogue, the rogue !-The world "takes you for a very sober, virtuous gentleman. "Viz. Ay, madam, that adds security to all my "pleasure. With me a cully 'squire may squander "his estate, and ne'er be thought a spendthrift"With me a holy elder may zealously be drunk, and "toast his tuneful noise in sack, to make it hold forth