Dick. I'm come, my dear mother, to pay my duty to you, and to ask your consent to———

Am. What a shape is there!

Dick. To ask your consent, I say, to marry a great fortune; for what is riches in this world without a blessing? And how can there be a blessing without respect and duty to parents,

Am. What a nose he has !

Dick. And therefore it being the duty of every good child not to dispose of himself in marriage without the

for

Am. Now the Lord love thee [Kissing him.]— thou art a goodly young man. Well, Dick, And how goes it with the lady? Are her eyes open to thy charms? Does she see what's for her own good? Is she sensible of the blessings thou hast in store for her? Ha! is all sure? Hast thou broke a piece of money with her? Speak, bird, do: don't be modest, and hide thy love from thy mother, for I'm an indulgent parent.

Dick. Nothing under Heaven can prevent my good fortune, but its being discovered I am your son. Am. Then thou art still ashamed of thy natural mother-Graceless! Why, I'm no whore, sirrah, Dick. I know you are notA whore! Bless us

all

Am. No; my reputation's as good as the best of 'em; and though I'm old, I'm chaste, you rascal, you.

Dick. Lord, that is not the thing we talk of, mother; but

Am. I think, as the world goes, they may be proud of marrying their daughter into a vartuous family. Dick. 'Oons, vartue is not the case

Am. Where she may have a good example before

her eyes.

Dick. Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord!

Am. I'm a woman that don't so much as encourage an incontinent look towards me.

Dick. I tell you, s'death, I tell you

Am. If a man should make an uncivil motion to me, I'd spit in his lascivious face; and all this you may tell them, sirrah.

Dick. Death and furies! the woman's out of her

Am. Don't you swear, you rascal you, don't you swear; we shall have thee damned at last, and then I shall be disgraced.

Dick. Why then, in cold blood hear me speak to you: I tell you it's a city-fortune I'm about, she cares not a fig for your virtue, she'll hear of nothing but quality; she has quarrelled with one of her friends for having a better complexion, and is resolved she'll marry, to take place of her.

Am. What a cherry lip is there !

Dick. Therefore, good, dear mother, now have a care and don't discover me; for if you do, all's lost.

Am. Dear, dear, how thy fair bride will be delighted; go, get thee gone, go: go fetch her home, go fetch her home; I'll give her a sack posset, and a pillow of down she shall lay her head upon. Go, fetch her home, I say.

圖

en the main chance, my dear

vou discover me

the, I say.

* Mallast „he Jen

topoa vou-But one kiss beNasus ter neartily, and runs off: eve dee; for thou art a com

Exit Mrs. Amlet.

CORINNA and FLIPPANTA.

we, Sippanta, if you don't think davon? giveam my letter, after all.

We had t, let him give it you again. My Dout woodit youïseif,

for. Wika we come to love one another to the pur

kup. Ay, thea 'twill be time enough. C.7. But remember 'tis you make me do all this

o it any mischief comes on't, 'ts you must an

Flip. I'll be your security.

Cor. I'm young, and know nothing of the matter; but you have experience, so it's your business to conduct me safe.

Flip. Poor innocence!

Cor. But tell me in serious sadness, Flippanta, does he love me with the very soul of him?

Flip. I have told you so an hundred times, and yet you are not satisfied.

Cor. But, methinks, I'd fain have him tell me so himself.

Flip. Have patience, and it shall be done.

Cor. Why, patience is a virtue; that we must all confess—But, I fancy, the sooner it's done the better, Flippanta.

Enter JESSAMIN.

Jes. Madam, yonder's your geography-master waiting for you.

Cor. Ah, how I am tired with these old fumbling fellows, Flippanta.

Flip. Well, don't let them break your heart, you shall be rid of them all ere long.

Cor. Nay, 'tis not the study I'm so weary of, Flippanta, 'tis the odious thing that teaches me. Were the colonel my master, I fancy I could take pleasure in learning every thing he could shew me.

Flip. And he can shew you a great deal, I can tell you that. But get you gone in, here's somebody coming, we must not be seen together.

Cor. I will, I will, I will-Oh, the dear co

lonel !

[Running off.

Enter Mrs. AMLET.

Flip. O ho, its Mrs. Amlet-What brings you so soon to us again, Mrs. Amlet?

Am. Ah, my dear Mrs. Flippanta, I'm in a furious fright.

Flip. Why, what's come to you?

Am. Ah! mercy on us all

necklace

Flip. What of that ?

-Madam's diamond

Am. Are you sure you left it in my house?

Flip. Sure I left it! a very pretty question, truly. Am. Nay, don't be angry; say nothing to madam of it, I beseech you: it will be found again, if it be Heaven's good will. At least, 'tis I must bear the loss on't. 'Tis my rogue of a son has laid his birdlime fingers on't.

Flip. Your son, Mrs. Amlet!-Do you breed your children up to such tricks as these, then?

Am. What shall I say to you, Mrs. Flippanta ?— Can I help it? He has been a rogue from his cradle, Dick has. But he has his deserts too. And now it comes in my head, mayhap, he may have no ill design in this, neither.

Flip. No ill design, woman! He's a pretty fellow, if he can steal a diamond necklace with a good

one.

Am. You don't know him, Mrs. Flippanta, so well