get any friend to speak to the Boo-boo-boo! upon my Thoul, I had like to have forgot the moft materialist parfon of all: Does any of you know Lady Kitty Crocodile ? Clack Lady Kitty! nobody better; I have had the honour of working for her ladyship this many years.. O'Don. Then your bufinefs will be done in a trice. Between ourfelves, the ladies always rule the roaft in this part of the world. Clack, I dare believe her ladyfhip will be very willing to ferve us. O'Don. I don't doubt it at all; fhe is one of the most worthieft women alive: She cou'dn't bear to ftay in England after the death of her hufband; every thing there put her fo much in mind of her lofs. Why, if the met by accident with one of his boots, it always fet her a-crying; indeed, the poor gentlewoman was a perfect Niobe. Clack. Indeed, I found her ladyship in a very incontionable way, when I waited on her upon the mournful occafion. Indeed, he was rather more chearful when the tried on her weeds; and no wonder, for it is a dress vaftly becoming, especially to people inclined to be fat. But I was in hopes, by this time, fhe had got over her griefs. O'Don. Not at all, indeed. Indeed, with the French fhe is fafatious and pleasant enough; but she no fooner fets fight on any thing Englifh, than the tears burst out like a whirlwind. Clack. Then, if we can do without it, we won't trouble her ladyship. Mrs. Min. True; we will firft try, fifter, what we can do at the convent. O'Don. O'Don. By all mains: And, d'ye hear, you need not mention any thing about the purfe; you understand me? Clack. Oh, father, you need not fear us. O'Don. Nay, it is not for that; but becaafe one's charity, you know, fhould be private; and, therefore, to divulge it would take away most of the merit. [Exit Clack. True, true. What's next to be done? Mrs. Min. Why, we had beft go after the wench to the convent. into. Clack. But take care what you fay! you fee what a hobble we had like to have got i Mrs. Min. Never you fear; I warrant, I knows how to behave myself. Scene, a Convent, Enter Abbess and Jenny. [Exeunt Abbefs. Only, daughter, confider to what temptation you are expofed in the world. Jenny. The more merit, mother, then in me, to refift them. Abbefs. Attacked by enemies from every quar ter.. Jenny. I am a girl of fpirit, mother, and am determined to face them. Abbefs. But they will be too powerful, child, for you to refift. Jenny. Then, like abler officers, I muft furrender. I fuppofe there will be no danger of their refufing me quarter. Abbefs. Daughter, daughter, I am afraid your affections are carnal, Jenny, Jenny. Mother, mother, they are like other girls of my age. Abbefs. Why won't you accept a fpiritual spouse? Jenny. Because I have found one of flesh and blood much more to my mind. Abbefs. Confider, that is a union that will continue for ever. Jenny. And do you call that a recommendation, good mother? Abbefs. The other, child, must be finally dif folved by death. Jenny. Like many of my countrywomen, perhaps, I mayn't have patience to tarry altogether fo long. But come, mother, I can, I believe, give a good guefs at your meaning: You have a notion that I should bring a pretty good fortune to this spouse of your recommendation ? Abbefs. True, daughter. Jenny. To which, as I never heard of any children produced by this unaccountable union, you will fucceed? Now, I muft tell you, I ha'n't a farthing of fortune. Abbefs. Daughter! Jenny. I am entirely dependant upon father, who, I am pofitively fure, won't part with a farthing to you. He give any thing to your church, as you call it? why, he's never fo happy as when he can rob our own vicar at home of his dues. Abbefs. What, daughter, have you no separate portion ? Jenny. Not a doit. Abbefs. And your father fo fixed an heretic as you have described him? Jenny. Hates a Papish worfer than poison. Abbefs. Abbefs. Well, child, as I find you have no immediate call to the veil, I fhall at this time prefs it no further: Your best way will, I think, be to return to your father. Jenny. Not quite fo foon, if you please. I have told you what induced me to leave him; now, if you will fcreen me from his purfuit, till I can otherwise difpofe of myfelf, tho' I am not rich, I have a few guineas here that will thank you. Abbefs. Why, as the compelling a daughter to marry is a profanation of one of our facraments, I am bound in duty, if I can, to prevent it. Jenny. Is it? gad, I like that creed well enough. Enter a Nun. part of your Nun. The father and mother of that amiable child are now at the grate. Jenny. Lord, good mother, what fhall I do? Abbefs. Let them know, fhe fhall attend them directly. [Exit Nun. Jenny. How, mother! Abbefs. Fear nothing! if they infift on the taking you hence, urge an affection you feel for our faith, and that you wish to wait here for our ghostly instructions; in fuch a case, this is a fecure fanctuary from the fecular arm. Jenny. I understand you, good mother. [Ex. Scene, a Grate. Enter Mr. and Mrs. Minnikin, Mrs. Glack, and Min. This jade is the plague of our lives! we we shall gain nothing, I am fure; let us try what a little mollification will do. Son Codling, keep out of fight, if you please. Enter the Abbess and Jenny. Abbefs. This, I prefume, is the person you want. Mrs. Min. Yes, mistress, this is the party, indeed.-So, Jenny, how could you be fo naughty, child, to run away from your father and me? Min. Yes, and to confort with a parcel of Pap Mrs. Min. Peace, Matthew! there be good and bad of all forts, as they fay. Min. True; and I warrant her fhe'll make choice of the worst. Mrs. Min. Well, but, come, Matthew, it is never too late to repent. Clack. True, fister; and I dare fay my niece is ready to return back with us, and will do every thing we can defire her. Jenny. I am fenfible of the refpect and duty I owe to my parents Mrs. Min. Very well faid, child! it is a long lane that has no turning. Jenny. And fhall always be ready to obey their commands. Min. Do you hear, miftrefs? then open the doors, and let her come out. Jenny. Pardon me, Sir; that cannot be. Jenny. Because a much more important duty detains me. Min. And pray what pretty duty may that be? Jenny. |