Amicus upon Taxation, and Inimicus upon Reprefentation, you would have known

Sir Tho. What?

Marg. That, in fpite of the frippery French Salick laws, woman is a free agent, a noun fubftantive entity, and, when treated with confidence

Sir Tho. Why, perhaps, fhe may not abuse it: But ftill, my fage fifter, it is but a perhaps ; now my method is certain, infallible; by confining her, I can't be deceived.

Marg. And pray, Sir, what right have you to confine her? look in your Puffendorff! tho' born in Spain, the is a native of England; her birth-right is liberty-a better patrimonial estate than any of your defpotic countries could give

her.

Sir The. Zooks, you would tire the patience of Job! Pray answer me this; is Harriet my daughter?

Marg. What then? for that incftimable bleffing fhe is not beholden to you; nor can you, tho' a father, with reason, justice, or law, take it from her.

Sir Tho. Why, Margaret, you forget where you are! This, child, is the town of Madrid; you are amongst a fage, fteady people, who know and revere the natural rights of a parent.

Marg. Natural rights! Can a right to tyrannize be founded in nature?

Sir Tho. Look'ee, Margaret! you are but lofing your time; for unless you can prevail on Count Wall, or the prefident of Caftille, to grant you a Habeas, why Harriet fhall ftay where he is.

if

Marg. Ay, ay, you know where you are; but, my niece will take my advice, the justice that

is denied to her here, fhe will instantly seek for elsewhere.

Sir Tho. Elsewhere? hark you, fifter! is it thus you answer my purpose in bringing you hither? I hoped to have my daughter's principles form'd by your prudence; her conduct directed by your experience and wisdom.

Marg. The preliminary is categorically true. Sir Tho. Then why don't you abide by the treaty? Marg. Yes; you have given me powerful motives. Sir Tho. But another word, madam: as I don't chufe that Harriet fhould imbibe any more of your romantic republican notions, I fhall take it as a great favour if you would prepare to quit this country with the firft opportunity.

Marg. You need not have remonftrated; a petition would have answered your purpose: I did intend to withdraw, and without taking leave; nor will I refide on a spot where the great charter of my fex is hourly invaded! No, Sir Thomas; I shall return to the land of liberty! but there expect to have your defpotic dealings properly and publicly handled.

Sir Tho. What, you defign to turn author?

Marg. There's no occafion for that; liberty has already a champion in one of my fex: The fame pen that has dared to fcourge the arbitrary actions of fome of our monarchs, fhall do equal justice to the oppreffive power of parents!

Sir Tho. With all my heart.

Marg. I may, perhaps, be too late to get you into the hiftorical text; but, I promise you, you fhall be foundly fwinged in the marginal note.

Enter a Servant, who whispers Sir Thomas.

Sir Tho. What! now?

Serv. This inftant.

Sir Tho. How did he get

in?

Serv. By a ladder of ropes, dropt, I fuppofe, by Mifs Harriet from the balcony.

Sir Tho. That way, I reckon, he thinks to retreat; but I fhall prevent him? Here, Dick, do you and Ralph run into the street, and front the house with a couple of carbines; bid James bring my toledo; and let the reft of the fellows follow my steps! Marg. Hey-day! what can be the meaning of this civil commotion?

Sir Tho. Nothing extraordinary; only the natural confequence of fome of your falutary fuggeftions.

Marg. Mine, Sir Thomas?

Sir Tho. Yes, yours, fifter Margaret!
Marg. I don't understand you.

Sir Tho. Oh, nothing but Harriet making use of her great natural charter of liberty, by letting young Invoice, Abraham Indigo's clerk, by the means of a ladder of ropes, into her chamber. Marg. I am not furprized.

Sir Tho. Nor I neither.

Marg. The inftant your fufpicions gave her a guard, I told her the act was tantamount to an open declaration of war, and fanctified every stratagem.

Sir Tho. You did? mighty well, madam! I hope then, for once, you will approve my proceedings; the law of nations fhall be strictly obferved; you shall see how a spy ought to be treat ed, who is caught in the enemy's camp!

Enter Servant with the toledo. Oh, here's my trufty toledo. Come, follow your leader! [Exit with Servants. Marg. Oh, Sir, I fhall purfue, and reconnoitre your motions; and tho' no cartel is fettled be

tween;

tween you, take care how you infringe the jus gentium. [Exit Marg. Another chamber. Harriet and Invoice discovered. Har. Are you fure you were not obferved? Inv. I believe not.

Har. Well, Mr. Invoice, you can, I think, now no longer doubt of my kindnefs; tho', let me tell you, you are a good deal indebted for this early proof of it, to my father's feverity.

Inv. I am forry, madam, an event, fo happy for me, fhould proceed from fo unlucky a caufe: But are there no hopes that Sir Thomas may be foftened in time?

Har. None: He is, both from nature and habit, inflexibly obftinate. This too is his favourite foible; no German baron was ever more attached to the genealogical laws of alliance than he: Marry his daughter to a perfon in trade? no! Put his prefent favourite out of the queftion, he can never be brought to fubmit to it.

Inv. Dear Mifs Harriet, then why will you hesitate? there can be no other alternative; you muft either fubmit to marry the count, or by flight efcape from the

Har. No, Mr. Invoice, not till the laft neceffity drives me. Besides, where can we go? how fubfift? who will receive us?

Inv. The world is all before us where to chufe; and, as we fly from oppreffion, Providence our guide.

Har. The world, Mr. Invoice, is but a cold kind of common; and, as to Providence, let us first be fure we deferve its protection.[A noife without.] Blefs me! don't I hear fome buftle below?

Inv. Madam!

Har.

Har. Hufh! my father, as I live! I fear, Mr. Invoice, you are difcovered.

Inv. No, furely!

Sir The. [without.] Have you fecured all the pofts?

Serv. [without.] All, Sir.

Sir Tho. Both the front and the rear?

Serv. Both.

Har. Loft, paft redemption!

Sir Tho. Then advance! now let us unharbour the rafcal!

Har. What can we do?

Sir Tho. Come, madam, open your doors! Har. The balcony, quick, Mr. Invoice, the balcony!

Sir Tho. Unlock, Mrs. Minx! your minion is discovered.

Inv. A couple of fellows ftand below, with their pieces pointed directly against it.

Sir Tho. What, then, you will compel us to batter?

Har. The whole houfe is furrounded! how can you escape?

Inv. Where will this window conduct us?

Har. To the leads that join our house to the chymift's.

Inv. To the leads? it is but a step; there is no danger.

Har. Then inftantly fly! you have every thing to fear from my father.

Sir Tho. John, fetch the mattock and crow! Inv. And leave my Harriet behind me? Har. Secure yourself, and abandon me to my fate.

Inv. No, madam, that I will never do; I'll dare your father's utmost resentment.