Mrs. Mech. Next-hey-I have loft the place I am afraid-Come, come, enough has been faid; you have fhewn the fenfe you entertain of the honour. Upon these occafions, a third perfon is fitteft to cut matters fhort. Your ladyfhip hears that

Dolly. Yes, yes, I ken weel enough what the mon would be at. Mrs. Mechlin has fpear'd fike things in your great commendations, Mr. Fungus, that I cannot but fay I clik'd a fancy to you from the very beginning.

Fun. Much obliged to Mrs. Mechlin, indeed, please your la'fhip.

Dolly. You ken I am of as auncient a family as any North Briton can boaft.

Fun. I know it full well, please your la'fhip. Dolly. And that I fhall get the ill-wull of a' my kin by this match.

Fun. I am forry for that, please your la'fhip. Dolly. But after the ceremony it will be proper to withdraw from town for a fhort space o' time. Fun. Please your la'ship, what your la'fhip pleases.

Dolly. In order to gi that goffip, Scandal, juft time to tire her tongue.

Fun. True, your la'fhip.

Dolly. I mun expect that the folk will mak' free my character in choofing fike a confort as you. Fun. And with me too, please your la'ship. Dolly. Wi' you, mon!

Mrs. Mech. Hold your tongue.

Dolly. Donna you think the honor will dra mickle envy upon you?

Fun. Oh, to be fure, please your la'fhip. I did not mean that.

Dolly. Weel, I fay we'll

gang into the country.

Fun.

Fun. As foon as your la'fhip pleases; I have a fweet houfe hard by Reading.

Dolly. You ha'; that's right.

Fun. One of the most pleasantest places that can be again.

Dolly. Ha' you a good profpect?

Fun. Twenty ftage-coaches drive every day by the door, befides carts and gentlemen's carriages. Dolly. Ah, that will

Mrs. Mech. Oh, your ladyfhip will find all things prepared in the next room the attorney waits with the writings.

Fun. The honour of your la'fhip's handDolly. Maifter Fungus, you're a little too hafty. [Exit Dolly. Mrs. Mech. Not till after the .nuptials; you must not expect to be too familiar at firft.

Fun. Pray, when do you think we shall bring the bedding about?

Mrs. Mech. About the latter end of the year, when the winter fets in.

Fun. Not before!

Enter Young LoVEIT, hastily,

Y. Lov. I hope, Madam Mechlin, I have not exceeded my hour; but I expected Mr. Harpy would call.

Mrs. Mech. He is in the next room with a lady. Oh, Mr. Fungus, this gentleman is ambitious of obtaining the nuptial benediction from the fame hands after you.

Fun. He's heartily welcome

wife a woman of quality too?

What, and is his

Mrs. Mech. No, no, a cit; but monftrously

rich; but your lady will wonder

Fun.

Fun. Ay, ay, but you'll follow; for I shan't know what to say to her when we are alone.— [Exit Fungus.

Mrs. Mech. I will fend you, fir, your spouse in an inftant: the gentlewoman is a widow, so you may throw in what raptures you please.

Ý. Lov. Never fear.-Exit Mrs. Mechlin.]— And yet this scene is fo new, how to acquit myself-let me recollect-some piece of a play now. "Vouchfafe divine perfection"--No, that won't do for a dowager; it is too humble and whining. But fee, the door opens, fo I have no time for rehearsal I have it" Clafp'd "in the folds of love I'll meet my doom, and act my".

Enter Mrs. LOVEIT.

Mrs. Lov. Hah!

Y. Lov. By all that's monftrous, my mother! Mrs. Lov. That rebel my fon, as I live! Y. Lov. The quotation was quite a-propos : had it been a little darker, I might have revived the ftory of Edipus.

Mrs. Lov. So, firrah, what makes you from your ftudies?

Y. Lov. A small hint I received of your inclinations brought me here, ma'am, in order to prevent, if poffible, my father's fortune from going out of the family.

'Mrs. Lov. Your father! how dare you difturb his dear afhes; you know well enough how his dear memory melts me; and that at his very name my heart is ready to break.

Y. Lov. Well faid, my old matron of Ephesus. Mrs. Lov. That is what you want, you difobedient unnatural monster; but compleat, accomplish

your

your cruelty: fend me the fame road your villanies forced your father to take.

Enter Mrs. MECHLIN.

Mrs. Mech. Hey-day! What the deuce have we here; our old lady in tears!

Mrs. Lov. Difappointed a little ; that's all.
Mrs. Mech. Pray, ma'am, what can

fion

осса

Mrs. Lov. Lord bless me, Mrs. Mechlin, what a blunder you have made.

Mrs. Mech. A blunder! as how?

Mrs. Lov. Do you know who you have brought me?

Mrs. Mech. Not perfectly.

Mrs. Lov. My own fon! that's all.

Mrs. Mech. Your fon!

Mrs. Lov. Ay, that rebellious, unnatural— Mrs. Mech. Blunder indeed! But who could have thought it: why by your account, ma'am, I imagined your fon was a child fcarce out of his frocks.

Mrs. Lov. Here's company coming, fo my reputation will be blafted for ever.

me.

Mrs. Mech. Never fear, leave the care on't to

Enter FUNGUS and DOLLY.

Fun. What is the matter: you make fuch a noise, there is no fuch thing as minding the writings.

Mrs. Mech. This worthy lady an old friend of mine, not having fet eyes on her fon fince the death of his father; and being apprised by me, that here fhe might meet with him, came with a

true

true maternal affection to give him a little wholfome advice.

Mrs. Lov. Well faid, Mrs. Mechlin.

Mrs. Mech. Which the young man returned in a way fo brutal and barbarous, that his poor mother-be comforted, ma'am; you had better repose on my bed.

Mrs. Lov. Any where to get out of his fight.
Mrs. Mech. Here, Jenny.

Mrs. Lov. Do you think you can procure me another party.

Mrs. Mech. Never doubt it.

Mrs. Lov. Ugh, ugh

[Exit coughing.

Mrs. Mech. Bear up a little, ma'am.

Fun. Fye upon you, you have thrown the old gentlewoman into the ftericks.

Y. Lov. Sir!

Fun. You a man! you are a scandal, a shame to your fect.

Enter Dr. CATGUT.

Dr. Cat. Come, come, Mrs. Mechlin, are the couple prepared; the fiddles are tuned, the bows ready rofined, and the whole band-Oh, you, fir, are one party I reckon, but where is the-Ah, Dolly, what are you here, my dear.

Dolly. Soh!

Fun. Dolly! Who the devil can this be?

Dr. Cat. As nice and as spruce too, the bridemaid I warrant: why you look as blooming, you flut.

Fun. What can this be? hark ye, fir!

Dr. Cat. Well, fir.

Fun. Don't you think you are rather too familiar with a lady of her rank and condition?

Dr. Cat. Rank and condition: what, Dolly?

Fun.