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Mrs. Mech. Let her wait for the Commiffary here, I will introduce him the inftant he is dreffed. [Exit Mrs. Mechlin.

Sim. Mifs Dolly, you may come in, your aunt will be here in an inftant.

Enter DOLLY and JENNY.

Dolly. Hufh, Simon, hufh, to your poft.

Sim. I am gone[Exit Simon. Dolly. Well, Jenny, and have I the true quality

air?

Jen. As perfectly, ma'am, as if you had been bred to the bufinefs; and for figure, I defy the first of them all. For my part, I think Mr. Fungus very well off; when the fecret comes out, I don't fee what right he has to be angry.

Dolly. Oh, when once he is noofed, let him ftruggle as much as he will, the cord will be drawn only the tighter.

Jen. Ay, ay, we may truft to your management. I hope, mifs, I fhall have the honour to follow there will be no bearing fortunes ; your this house, when once you have left it.

Dolly. No, Jenny, it would be barbarous to rob my aunt of fo ufeful a fecond; befides, for miftrefs and maid, we rather know one another a little too well.

Jen. Indeed! but here comes Mr. Fungus; remember diftance and dignity.

Dolly. I warrant you, wench.

Jen. So, I fee what I have to hope. Our young filly feems to be fecure of her match; but I may joftle her the wrong fide the poft: we will have a trial, however; but I muft fee and find out the brother.

D 4

Enter

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Enter Z. FUNGUS and Mrs. MECHLIN.

Fun. Yes, Scarlet is vaftly becoming, and takes very much with the ladies; quite proper too, as I have been in the army.

Mrs. Mech. Stay where you are till you are announced to the lady. Mr. Fungus begs leave to throw himself at your lady fhip's feet.

Dolly. The mon may dra nigh.

Mrs. Mech. Approach.

Fun. One, two, three, ha! Will that do?
Mrs. Mech. Pretty well.

Fun. May I begin to make love?

Mrs. Mech. When you will.

Fun. Now ftand my friend, Mr. Gruel. But she has such a deal of dignity that she dashes me quite.

Mrs. Mech. Courage..

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Fun. Here, hold the paper to prompt me in cafe I fhould ftumble-Madam, or, May it please your lady fhip, When I preponderate the grandeur of your high ginnyalogy, and the mercantile meannels of my dingy defcent; when I confider that your ancestors, like admiral Anfon, failed all round the world in the ark; and that it is a matter of doubt, whether I ever had any forefathers or no; I totter, I tremble, at the thoughts of my towering ambition - Aha, is not Phaeton next?

Mrs. Mech. Hey!-[Looking at the paper.]— No, Luna.

Fun. Right-ambition-dignity how debased, distance how great; it is as if the link fhould demand an alliance with Luna; or the bufhy-bramble court the boughs of the ftately Scotch fir; it is as if What's next?

Mrs.

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 ladyship 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 say 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 boast.

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

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

wi'

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'ship. I did

not mean that.

Dolly. Weel, I fay we'll gang into the country.

Fun.

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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 pleasanteft places that can be again.

Dolly. Ha' you a good profpe&t?

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, haftily.

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: What, and is his wife a woman of quality too?

Mrs. Mech. No, no, a cit; but monftrously rich; but your lady will wonder

Fun.

Fun. Ay, ay, but you'll follow; for I fhan'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, fo you may throw in what raptures you please.

Y. Lov. Never fear.-Exit Mrs. Mechlin.]And yet this fcene is fo new, how to acquit myfelf-let me recollect-fome 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 son, as I live!

Y. Lov. The quotation was quite a-propos : had it been a little darker, I might have revived the ftory of dipus.

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

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. Lou. Well faid, my old matron of Ephesus. Mrs. Lov. That is what you want, you difobedient unnatura, monfter; but compleat, accomplish

your

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