CLARINDA. Oh! Millamour [sighing.]

MILLAMOUR. Give that dear sigh to my warm bosom. Thence let it thrill into my heart, and fan thy image there -Oh! thou art every where in me. My eyes, my ears, my thoughts would only see, and hear, and think of thee. Thou dearest, sweetest, tenderest- -Would Heaven form me another paradise, would it give me new worlds of bliss,

To thee alone my soul I would confine,
Nor wish, nor take, another world than thine.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-MR. STEDFAST's House.

MR. STEDFAST, with SERVANTS.

MR. STEDFAST. Is every thing in order? liveries on all the rest of my servants?

Are the new

FOOTMAN. Yes, sir, they are all on after a manner; one hath no pockets, and the other hath no sleeves. John the coachman will not wear his.

MR. STEDFAST. Then desire John the coachman to drive himself out of my doors. I'll make my servants know they are dressed to please my humour, not their own.

COOK. Sir, it is impossible to get supper ready by nine. MR. STEDFAST. Then let me have it raw. If supper be not ready at nine, you shall not be in my house at ten. Well, what say you? will not my wine be ready?

BUTLER. No, indeed will it not, sir; your honour hath by mistake marked a pipe not half a year old.

MR. STEDFAST. Must I consult your palate or my own? Must I give you reasons for my actions? Sirrah, I tell you new wine is properest for a wedding. So go your ways, and trouble me with no more impertinent questions.

SCENE II.

MR. STEDFAST, SQUEEZEPURSE.

MR. STEDFAST. Mr. Squeezepurse, I am glad you are come. I am so pestered with my servants.

SQUEEZEPURSE. The laws are too mild-too mild for servants, Mr. Stedfast.

MR. STEDFAST. Well, and have you brought the writings? SQUEEZEPURSE. They are ready. The parties' hands are only necessary. The settlement is as strong as words can make it; I have not been sparing of them.

MR. STEDFAST. I expect Mr. Mutable and his son this instant; and hope, by the help of you and the parson, to have finished all within an hour. [Enter a Servant. SERVANT. Sir, here's a letter for your honour. MR. STEDFAST. Mr. Squeezepurse, you will excuse me.

[Reads.

"SIR,-I am at length fully determined to marry my son to the other lady, so desire all matters may be cancelled between us. I was ashamed to bring you this refusal, so have sent it by letter. Your humble servant,

"THO. MUTABLE.”

Ashamed! Ay, thou mayst be ashamed, indeed. SQUEEZEPURSE. Any thing of moment from the other

party?

MR. STEDFAST. Death and fury! Go call your lady here! -She was a witness of his engagements. I'll go to law with him.

SQUEEZEPURSE. The law is open to any injured person, and is the properest way of seeking restitution.

SERVANT. My lady, sir! my lady is gone out.

MR. STEDFAST. How! gone out! My wife gone outOuns, and pestilence! run away on her wedding-day! Where is she gone?

SERVANT. I don't know, sir.

SQUEEZEPURSE. I saw your lady, sir, as I came by, go into a house in the other street.

MR. STEDFAST. Show me that house immediately, good Mr. Squeezepurse. I will fetch her home, I am determined. It is a fine age to marry in, when a wife cannot stay at home on her wedding-day.

SCENE III.-MILLAMOUR'S Lodgings.

MILLAMOUR, CLARINDA.

MILLAMOUR. Cruel Clarinda-Thus to stop short when we are at the brink of happiness: to show my eager soul a prospect of elysium, and then refuse it the possession.

CLARINDA. With how much juster reason may I complain of you! Ah! Millamour, didst thou not, when the very day of our marriage was appointed, didst thou not then forsake me?

MILLAMOUR. Heaven knows with what reluctancy, nor could any thing but my fear of your misery have compelled me to it.

CLARINDA. It is a strange love that makes its object miserable, for fear of its becoming so. Nor can the heart that loves be, in my opinion, ever miserable, while in possession of what it loves.

MILLAMOUR. Oh! let that plead my cause, and whisper to thy tender heart

SCENE IV.

To him, BRAZEN.

BRAZEN. Oh, sir! Undone, undone.

MILLAMOUR. What's the matter?

BRAZEN. Mr. Stedfast, sir, is below with another gentle

man-He swears his wife is in the house, and he will have her.

CLARINDA. I shall faint.

MILLAMOUR. What's to be done?-There's another woman

in the closet, whom she must not see.

[Runs to the closet, and returns.

[Falls back into a chair.

BRAZEN. Sir, he will be up stairs in a moment. CLARINDA. Oh, heavens! MILLAMOUR. Sirrah, be at hand, and assist me with lying. Her fright has inspired me with the only method to preserve her. Give me my gown and cap instantly. Away to your post-Madam, do you pretend yourself as ill as possible-So! hush, hush, what noise is this?

SCENE V.

MILLAMOUR, CLARINDA, BRAZEN, MR. STEDFAST, SQUEEZE

PURSE.

MR. STEDFAST. Where is this wicked, vile, rambling woman? Where are you, sorceress, that are run away from your husband's house on your wedding-day?

MILLAMOUR. Hold, sir, you must not disturb the lady.
MR. STEDFAST. Must not disturb her, sir?
MILLAMOUR. No, sir.

MR. STEDFAST. Why, pray, sir, who are you?

SQUEEZEPURSE. Mr. Stedfast, give me leave if you please. Whoever you are, sir, I believe you scarce know what you are doing. Do you know, sir, that this lady is a femme couverte, and the consequence of detaining such without the leave of her husband first had and obtained? Mr. Sted fast, you have as good an action against the gentleman as any man can wish to have. Juries, nowadays, give great damages in the affair of wives.

MILLAMOUR. Is this lady your wife, sir?

MR. STEDFAST. Yes, sir, to my exceeding great sorrow.