Enter my Lord Whiffle, Marsilia, Mr. Awdwell, Mr. Praisall, Mrs. Wellfed and Calista.

Mrs. Well. For my part I am quite tir'd, and have a great mind to steal home to Dinner; will you please to go with me, Madam?

Cal. With all my Heart: Marsilia's so taken up with my Lord, they'll never miss us.

Mrs. Well. Come then. (Exeunt.

[Marsilia and my Lord Whiffle talk, both looking in a great Glass.

Mar. Thus I have told your Lordship the First part, which is past.

L. Whif. I conceive you, Madam, I have the whole Story in a Corner of my head intire, where no other Thought shall presume to interpose. Confound me, if my damn'd Barber has not made me look like a Mountebank: This Wigg I shall never endure, that's certain.

Mar. Now I must beg your Lordship to suppose Fastin having seen his Mother-in-Law, is wholly captivated with her Charms, and Betty and she have both foresworn the Consummation of her Marriage with Fastin's Father; so he takes her to an adjacent Castle of his; she having cast the old Philosopher in a deep sleep. I'm forc't to tell your Lordship this, because the Play does not mention it.

Mr. Awd. I am afraid your Ladyship will be wanted, like the Chorus of Old, to enlighten the understanding of the Audience.

Mar. Meer Malice, Spight, and burning Malice, by the Gods!

L. Whiff. Very good, my Coat is as full of wrinkles as an Old Woman's Face, by Jove.

Mr. Prais. Madam, han't they took Betty with 'em to his Castle?

Mar. Yes, yes; But, Mr. Praisall, you must keep your Distance a little now, and not interrupt me, when I am talking to my Lord.

Mr. Prais. I am dumb as a fish.

Mar. Now, if your Lordship pleases to sit down, you will see my Opera begin; for tho' some of the Play is over, there has been no Scene Operaish yet.

Mr. Awd. Operaish! Thats' a word of your own, I suppose, Madam.

Mr. Prais. Ne're the worse for that, I hope, Sir; why mayn't the Ladies make a word as well as the Men?

L. Whiff. The Lady shall make what words she pleases; and I will justifie her in't.

Mr. Awd. And I will laugh at her for it.

Mar. Well, Mr. Awdwell, these Affronts, are not so soon forgot as given.

Mr. Awd. Use your Pleasure, Madam, the Fool's almost weary.

Mar. He nettles me; but I think I have him in my power: Is your Lordship ready to observe?

L. Whiff. Madam, I am all Attention.

Mar. Come, the Night Scene there, a Dark Grove made Glorious by a Thousand burning Lights: By Heav'ns my words run of themselves into Heroick! Now Let em' enter.

Enter Fastin, Lady Loveall.

Fast. Cou'd Age expect to hold thee! Oh thou Heav'nly Charmer! was there such an Impudence in Impotence; if the old Dotard has liv'd past his Reason, he must be taught it; yes, it shall dazle in his Eyes.

Mr. Awd. A very Dutiful Son, this.

Mar. Sir, I desire your Absence, if you won't let the Players go on: His Father has done a very foolish thing; and must be call'd to an account for it.

L. Whif. Right Madam; all old Men do foolish things when they marry young Wives, and ought to meet with exemplary Punishments.

Mar. Aye, your Lordship understands the Justice of the thing——Mrs. Knight, if you please.

La. Lov. Whilst my Ears devour your protested Love, my Heart dances to the Musick of your Vows. But is there no Falshood in a Form so lovely! if there is, these Eyes that let the Object in, must weep for ever!

Fast. By Honour and by Glory, I love thee more than Mortal can express or bear.

Mar. Now, Mr. Powel, my Rhime with a Boon Grace.

Fast. My scorching Raptures make a Boy of Jove;
That ramping God shall learn of me to love.

Mar. How does your Lordship like these Lines?

L. Whiff. Madam, they exceed any of our modern Flights, as far as a Description of Homer's does Mr. Settle's, Poet in Ordinary for my Lord Mayor's Show.

Mr. Prais. After what my Lord has said, I dare not speak, but I am all Admiration,

Mar. to Mrs. Knight.) Madam I beg your pardon for this Interruption; my Friends here will treat me with Flattery.

La. Lov. to Fastin.) And you will be so vain to believe it none. (aside.) Nor Isabella shall not——

Fast. Be nam'd only for Punishment, her Adultery with Amorous is plain, therefore she shall be disgrac'd, and dye.

Mr. Awd. Who had told him this?

Mar. Why Betty had told him, tho' Isabella' was Innocent as to the matter of Fact. Indeed Fate over-rul'd her Inclination: I will not answer you another Question, I protest: find it out as the rest of the World does.

Fastin to his Attendants.) Guard the Orange Grove; there let Isabella remain a Prisoner, whilst I entertain the fair Clemene with a Song and Dances here.

(Italian Song by Mr. Pate.)

Mar. This Song's my own; and I think soft and moving.

L. Whiff. My slacken'd Fibres!—--My Soul's dissolv'd.

(Repeats.

Mar. Now the Grotesque Entertainment; I have mine perform'd by women, because it should differ from t'other House: if it has done em' any Injury I am sorry; but it cou'd not be hop'd, the Play must not be absolutely without Ornament. Pray take care, Gentlewomen, as we Poets are fain to do, that we may excell the Men, who first led the way.