LORD AND LADY TOWNLY.

Lord T. How comes it, madam, that a tradesman dares be clamorous in my house for money due to him

Lady T. You don't expect, my lord, that I should answer for other people's impertinence ?

Lord T. I expect, madam, you should answer for your own extravagances, that are the occasion of it — I thought I had given you money three months ago, to satisfy all these sort of people.

Lady T. Yes; but you see they never are to be satisfied.

Lord T. Nor am I, madam, longer to be abused thus. What's become of the last five hundred I gave you?

Lady T.

Gone.

Lord T.

Gone! what way, madam ?

Lady T.

Half the town over I believe by this time. Lord T. 'Tis well; I see ruin will make no impression, till it falls upon you.

Lady T. In short, my lord, if money is always the subject of our conversation, I shall make you no answer. Lord T. Madam, madam, I will be heard, and make you answer.

Lady T.

Make me! Then I must tell you, my lord, this is a language I have not been used to, and I won't bear it.

Lord T. Come, come, madam; you shall bear a great deal more before I part with you.

Lady T. My lord, if you insult me, you will have as much to bear on your side, I can assure you.

Lord T. Poh! your spirit grows ridiculous

you

have neither honour, worth, nor innocence to support it. Lady T. You'll find, at least, I have resentment; and do you look well to the provocation.

Lord T.

After those you have given me, madam, 'tis

almost infamous to talk with you.

Lady T. I scorn your imputation, and your menaces: the narrowness of your heart's your monitor; 'tis there, there, my lord, you are wounded; you have less to complain of than many husbands of an equal rank to you.

Lord T. Why, madam! do you presume upon your corporal merit, that your person's less tainted than your mind? Is it there, there alone, an honest husband can be injured? Have you not every other vice, that can debase your birth or stain the heart of woman? Is not your health your beauty, husband, fortune, family, disclaimed, for nights consumed in riot and extravagance? The wanto does no more; if she conceals her shame, does less sure the dissolute avowed as sorely wounds my honour and my quiet.

and

Lady T. I see, my lord, what sort of wife might please you.

you have seen

-I am amazed

Lord T. Ungrateful woman! could yourself, you in yourself had seen her. our legislature has left no precedent of a divorce for this more visible injury, this adultery of the mind, as well as that of the person! When a woman's whole heart is alienated to pleasures I have no share in, what is it to me, whether a black ace or a powdered coxcomb has possession of it?

Lady T. If you have not found it yet, my lord, this is not the way to get possession of mine, depend upon it.

Lord T. That, madam, I have long despaired of: and, since our happiness cannot be mutual, 'tis fit, that, with our hearts, our persons too should separate. This house you sleep no more in: though your content might grossly feed upon the dishonour of a husband, yet my desires would starve upon the features of a wife.

Lady T. Your style, my lord, is much of the same delicacy with your sentiments of honour.

Lord T. Madam, madam, this is no time for compli I have done with you.

ments

Lady T. If we had never met, my lord, I had not broke my heart for it but have a care; I may not perhaps be so easily recalled as you may imagine.

Lord T. Recalled- Who's there?

Enter Servant.

Desire my sister and Mr. Manly to walk up. [Exit Sers. Lady T. My lord, you may proceed as you please; but pray, what indiscretions have I committed, that are not daily practised by a hundred other women of quality?

Lord T. 'Tis not the number of ill wives, madam, that makes the patience of a husband less contemptible: and, though a bad one may be the best man's lot, yet he'll make a better figure in the world, that keeps his misfortunes out of doors, than he that tamely keeps them within.

Lady T. I don't know what figure you may make, my lord; but I shall have no reason to be ashamed of mine, in whatever company I may meet you.

Lord T. Be sparing of your spirit, madam; you'll need it to support you.—

Enter Lady Grace and Manly.

Mr. Manly, I have an act of friendship to beg of you, which wants more apologies than words can make for it.

Man. Then pray make none, my lord, that I may have the greater merit in obliging you.

Lord T. Sister, I have the same excuse to entreat of you too.

Lady G. To your request, I beg, my lord,

Lord T. Thus then- As you both were present at my ill considered marriage, I now desire you each will be a witness of my determined separation - -I know, sir, your good nature and my sister's must be shocked at the

office I impose on you; but, as I don't ask your justification of my cause, so I hope you are conscious that an ill woman can't reproach you, if you are silent on her side.

Man. My lord, I never thought till now, it could be difficult to oblige you.

Lord T. For you, my lady Townly, I need not here repeat the provocations of my parting with you world, I fear, is too well informed of them

the

-For the

good lord, your dead father's sake, I will still support you as his daughter-As the lord Townly's wife, you have had every thing a fond husband could bestow; and (to our mutual shame I speak it) more than happy wives desire

but those indulgences must end; state, equipage, and splendour, but ill become the vices that misuse them.

The decent necessaries of life shall be supplied but not one article to luxury; not even the coach, that waits to carry you from hence, shall you ever use again. Your tender aunt, my lady Lovemore, with tears this 'morning has consented to receive you: where, if time and your condition bring you to a due reflection, your allowance shall be increased but, if you still are lavish of your little, or pine for past licentious pleasures, that little shall be less nor will I call that soul my friend, that names you in my hearing.

Lady G. My heart bleeds for her.

[Aside.

Lord T. Oh, Manly, look there! turn back thy thoughts with me, and witness to my growing love. There was a time, when I believed that form incapable of vice or of decay; there I proposed the partner of an easy home; there I for ever hoped to find a cheerful companion, an agreeable, intimate, faithful friend, a useful helpmate, and a tender mother but, oh, how bitter now the dis

appointment!

Man. The world is different in it's sense of happiness: offended as you are, I know you will still be just.

Lord T. Fear me not.

Man. This last reproach I see has struck her. [Aside. Lord T. No, let me not (though I this moment cast her from my heart for ever) let me not urge her punishment beyond her crimes- I know the world is fond of any tale, that feeds it's appetite of scandal: and, as I am conscious severities of this kind seldom fail of imputations too gross to mention, I here, before you both, acquit her of the least suspicion raised against the honour of my bed. Therefore, when abroad her conduct may be questioned, do her fame that justice.

Lady T. Oh, sister!

[Turns to Lady Grace weeping.

Lord T. When I am spoken of, where, without favour, this action may be canvassed, relate but half my provocations, and give me up to censure.

[Going. Lady T. Support me! save me! hide me from the world! [Falling on Lady Grace's neck. Lord T. [Returning.]—I had forgot me-You have no share in my resentment; therefore, as you have lived in friendship with her, your parting may admit of gentler terms than suit the honour of an injured husband.

[Offers to go out.

Man. [Interposing.] My lord, you must not, shall not leave her thus! One moment's stay can do your cause no wrong! If looks can speak the anguish of her heart, I'll answer with my life there's something labouring in her mind, that, would you bear the hearing, might deserve it. Lord T. Consider! since we no more can meet, press not my staying to insult her.

Lady T. Yet stay, my lord-the little I would say will not deserve an insult; and, ûndeserved, I know your nature gives it not. But, as you've called in friends to witness your resentment, let them be equal hearers of my last reply.

Lord T. I sha'n't refuse you that, madam- be it so.