Foot-boy For that Sir I can Swear and Lye for the Credit of my Master as well as any Boy or Man of them all Enter Scout Foot-boy out of breath S. Foot-Boy O Sir Sir they come they come Sir Arth. Who Boy Who The Rivals S. Foot-boy I Sir I. The Sc. Foot-boy runs off the Stage Sir Arthur follows the Musick strike and Timothy ushers in his Masters servants who come to practice a Dance against Sir Salomons Wedding Enter Timothy and Servants in Mascarade and after them the Musick Timothy makes a Sign to the Musick to hold and they give over T. Foot-boy What a Valiant Knight have I for my Master Timothy VVell my Masters to morrow 's the VVedding day and this is your last time of Tryal I need not tell you how much our Credit 's ingag'd in the exact performance of this piece of Ingenuity As for the Speeches in the Masque those I take upon my self and as for this Masking Dance pray take notice that although the Performance be yours the Contrivance was mine Now Musick strike up again They Dance Timothy Bravely perform'd This will do And let me tell you There is more VVit in this Dance then in a dozen of your best Modern Plays They with their gingle of Rhime and playing with Words go just like the Chimes of St. Bart'elmy and please the Ladies eares but effect not the understanding at all This does gratefully Ravish our noblest Sence the Eye with an exact contrivance of Figure and Motion which are the Elements of Beauty This Entertainment worthily may Greet Our Solomon and Sheba when they meet Exeunt omnes The Third Act. Enter Ralph and Alice Ralph ALlice Shall you and I talke a little wisely together Allice I come just like our Master Evans Ralph Our Master Evans hang him dry-bones No wee 'l talke just as our Fine new Master talkes with Mrs. Betty Allice O I come do you begin Ralph O Rogue now woud'st thou have me make Love to thee and Kiss thy hands over and over and squeeze e'm and cast Sheeps eyes on thee just as the Fine Gentleman does upon Mrs. Betty Allice O pray be quiet you are not half so Fine a Man as he an you were Ralph Mary come up Gillen Flurt is that a Bitt for your greasy Chops A'n you be so dainty you may e'n fast long enough Allice VVhy so I will for all you if I have a mind to 't Ralph Nay but Allice consider a little Since the Fine Gentleman came amongst us we have got Fortunes of our own and Folke that have means should think with themselves how to set up in the VVorld If I ioyn my Twenty Shillings with thy Twenty Shillings and thou joyn thy self with my self we should begin the VVorld curiously together Allice There are other-guess Men then you to begin withal I 'le have neither beginning nor ending with you Enter Sir Solomon Ralph Peace peace here 's Master Evans Allice O! How he Looks Sir Salom. Slaves dispatch quickly make ready to die Both. O pray Sir Allice Indeed I shan't be ready a great while Sir Salom. Peace Traitors examine your Conscience think what y 'ave done Ralph I did nothing 't was she open'd the door and let him in Allice But 't was you that told him first he mought come in Ralph I told him no more then Mrs. Betty bid me Sir Salom. Still worse and worse quickly Villains confess confess When came he first How often has he been here How long did he stay Did he come by day or by night What did he say What did he do No body speak Allice O Sir I have got the Palsy in my Tongue I can't speak Sir Salom. Rascall Are you stealing away if you stir an inch I 'le flea you alive Ralph No no Sir when I have recover'd my Senses I 'le tell you all Sir Salom. Base and ungratefull Vermine that would have starv'd and stúnck in a Ditch long e're this had I not taken them under my Roof nourisht them with my Bread and raised them from the extremity of want and impotent folly to a comfortable subsistance and state of living And after all this treacherous Wretches Could you betray such a Master let a Man into my House to rifle my happiness rob me of all my Treasure Allice No indeed Sir he was very honest we have mist nothing out of the House never since he came Sir Salom. Hush brute beast Come confess quickly How came he in VVhat did he do to Mrs. Betty Ralph Why Sir about a week ago Allice But 't is not a week though nor won't be till to morrow night Sir Salom. 'T is no matter Ralph There came a man to the door Allice No no he 's out there came a woman first Ralph But she did not come in Did she Allice But I say she did come first Ralph VVhy then tell the Story your self I can never begin to speak but she puts me out still Sir Salom. What patience can overcome all this Allice This blockhead will alwayes be prating and knowes not what he sayes Sir Salom. Peace both Call down your Mistriss I 'le see if she can speak sence Stay come back again Should they give her notice of the business and my resentment she will have time to frame a Story and disguise the truth I had better moderate my anger and by gentle means draw a plain confession out of her waite both here till I come out again Exit Sir Salomon Allice What a dickens is come to our Master Ralph I alwayes thought the coming of this young Man would make a foule house at last Allice As sure as can be some mad Dog has bit him Ralph No no 't is a what-dee-call thing like a Fly under a Horse-tayl that makes him wince and fling about so I think they call it Jealousy Alice Jealousy What 's that Ralph Why that 's a Disease which Folke in Love are troubled with 'T is Physick that works the wrong way in stead of going downwards it flies up into the head Enter Sir Salomon and Mrs. Betty Sir Salom. Come Betty 't is fine VValking Go get you within doores And a sweet day Exit Ralph and Allice Mrs. Betty Yes indeed Sir Salom. VVhat newes d' ee hear Betty O Sir my little Bird dy'd last night Sir Salom. I 'm sorry for 't Betty the World is grown very Malitious VVould you think that some of the spiteful Neighbours hereabouts should report that a certain young Man a stranger has several times been seen going in and out of your Lodging and that you have receiv'd and entertain'd him in discourse whole hours together But I am none of those that are apt to credit the Slanders of bad Tongues For I offer'd to lay all I am worth there was no such thing Betty Indeed but you must not for as sure as can be you 'd lose all that you lay Sir Salom. VVhy VVas there such a Man then Betty O Lord I he was
Sir Salomon OR THE Cautious Coxcomb A COMEDY As it is ACTED at His Royal Highness the Duke of York's THEATRE LONDON Printed for H. Herringman at the Blew Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange 1671. The Prologue YOu that frequent the Stage must needs allow The Sect of Poets their Fanaticks too How could so many else their Gifts impart In spight of Nature and in scorn of Art All tedious Methods we cut short and grow Poets and Saints by thinking we are so A strong Faith does the business and the place Of VVit supplies in those in these of Grace Their Muse and Spirit differ but in Name VVith equal Rage all but themselves they damn When either carries on the Work o th' Day 'T is a Stage-Sermon or a Pulpet-Play Both Trade in Lofty-Sounds and can Dispense VVith the Formalities of Wit and Sense The Stars at their Nativity did Reign VVith a Malignant Influence o're the Brain Leaving it dry and shrunck as Marrow-Bone Or Shell-fish dwindle in a waning-Moon And therefore our Fore-Fathers wisely said A perfect Poet was born such not made Nor is our Saint less Privileg'd by Birth For though some Virtuosi may hold forth That Eggs when first they drop are not laid addle Yet both our Twins came Gifted from the Cradle Their Brains are stumm'd and in a constant Huffe And what workes out is Froth and Humming Stuffe But we allow these Insects are not bred Alwayes from VVind and Hollowness i th' Head Sometimes an empty-stomach does infuse The Canting-spirit and the scribling-Muse And thus some sharply VVrite for a Third Day And some for Sundayes-Pudding Preach and Pray But when we Preachers name those who contemn The Laws we mean and whom the Laws condemn And when we talke of Poets only they Of his low Forme are meant who vamp'd this Play VVhich wants of Gyant-VVit the brawny-strength And is but Punchinello drawn at length The Persons SIr Salomon Single Mr. Single his Son Mr. VVoodland Mr. Peregreen his Son Mr. VVary Mr. Barter an Indy-Merchant Sir Arthur Addell Mrs. Iulia Daughter to Wary. Mrs. Betty Daughter to Barter Timothy Sir Salomon's Steward Ralph Allice Servants of Sir Salomon and Attendants on Mrs. Betty 2 Foot boyes Constable and VVatch Roger Wary's Man Harry Woodland 's Man A Nurse The SCENE LONDON Sir Salomon OR THE CAUTIOUS COXCOMB A COMEDY The First Act. Enter Sir Salomon Single and Timothy his Servant Sir Salom. TImothy Timot. Sir Sir Salo. Are the Writings ingrost and ready for Sealing Timot. Yes Sir just now I saw the Wax clapt on Sir Salo. 'T is well But prethee tell me What said my Lawyer to this settlement of my Estate Timot. In troth I fear your Worship will be displeas'd should I tell you his sense of it Sir Salo. No no I love to hear Fooles spend their Grave Fopperies 'T is the divertisement of my life to laugh at their Folly Timot. Truly Sir he seems to be of opinion that your settlement is not good in Law Sir Salo. How not good in Law That 's pleasant when he himself drew up the Writings Timot. The defect lies not in them I only speak his words but in your Worship For sayes he it will be strongly presum'd that whenever you Seal such a Conveyance you are not Compos Mentis you understand me Sir It being impossible that any man in his right Sences should throw away his whole Fortune upon an unknown Woman who by all signs and tokens will be deem'd no better then your Concubine and at the same time disinherit an only Son who has so fair an esteem in the World Sir Salo. Let the Fool please himself with his Scrupulous Fancies Timothy there was a necessity of this Fellows Suspition and Wonder For had I nam'd her in the Deed as my Wife and exprest a consideration of Marriage my whole Design might have taken vent and so miscarry'd For 't were unreasonable to expect that a Lawyer whose Trade is Talking should keep silence And should my cast-off Son have smelt the design his Wants and Despair would have left no stone unmov'd to disappoint it Besides in setling my Estate on her I run no hazard of prejudicing my self For when I Seal the Writings I 'le Seal her too for my Wife And then if we have Children Timot. That is when your Worship has Seal'd and she 's deliver'd Sir Salo. No quibling good Timothy Then I say who but they should inherit my Estate If we have none at least my Rebel Son is out o' dores and she who has my Heart has my Estate Timot. I must confess the secret Conduct of this Design is very admirable For Sir I think she her self who to morrow must be your Lady is hitherto no less kept in ignorance both of your Name and Quality then all the rest of your nearest Servants and Relations are of her Person and your resolution to Marry her Sir Salo. O Timothy The Art of Secrecy is the Secret of the World 'T is the Rudder that silently governs the whole Bulk of Human affairs A Secret well kept like Powder close ramm'd does certain execution when ever you give Fire with a just aime Therefore have I kept and educated this tender Virgin in so private and remote a Quarter of the Town Therefore have I disguis'd my Person under a borrow'd name to her and those Servants I plac'd about her that it should not be in the power of any body to acquaint the World with my Design Timot. But with your Worships leave I am afraid the World will judge hardly of you for abandoning thus your only Son and making him an utter stranger to your Blood and Estate Sir Salo. The World 's an Ass and so is doubly he Who incommodes himself to humour fools Timot. But Nature Sir Sir Salo. Nature What 's that 'T is the blind side of our Reason the soft place in our Souls Children owe all to Parents but there lies no Obligation on the Parents side on if there did when Sons Rebellious prove those Bonds are Cancell'd Timot. I must not doubt your Justice But Sir 't is your misfortune to treat him ill of whom the World speaks well Sir Salom. Who Courts Opinion is a Slave to Slaves And gives up Liberty and Happiness To be controld by every idle Breath Let my young Master cramm himself and swell With the Worlds empty Praise 'T will do him just as much good as the vain Reproches of loose Tongues will do me hurt Timothy call in all my Servants for now I intend to publish my Wedding that they Timothy whisles may accordingly know their duty Enter Servants 1 Servant Sir my young Master came this morning Sir Salom. laying his Man over the pate Slave your young Master Am I grown old Or have you any Master but my self All you that eate my Bread this warning take That he who was my Son is no more so And Who dares own the Person I discard In place of
Better and his Admission Roger. O well said sweet young Lady How my Master's heart will be over-joy'd at it Sir Arthur Is it I that am to be blam'd now Apart to Single Single Madam I submit For there 's no Appeal for him whom you condemn Sir Arthur I say still Have a care of him Apart to Julia. Iulia. Come Sir stand before me What Woman can do less that looks upon Sir Arthur Addel then yield her self up to so fair an Estate so comely a Person such a graceful carriage so excellent a Witt such modesty in using it such invincible Courage Sir Arthur O Madam such truths are not to be spoke before my face Roger. I 'm glad she likes him so well But did she know all apart Iulia. Now Sir What have you to say in your own behalf to counter-ballance the perfections of such a Competitour Single Madam I am nothing but what you please to make me Iulia. I would make you understand your self and me and that I am a person worthy of belief nor shall all the perswasisions of the World ever seduce me from a well taken resolution Roger. You say right Madam especially when your Father directs and commands it Iulia. Especially when my Father provides a Person every way so qualify'd for a Husband as the famous Sir Arthur Addel Sir Arth. I vow Madam you ravish me Shall we be Marry'd to night Apart to Julia. Single How ambiguous she is Was ever man so parted in two between Happiness and Misery Apart Iulia. To hold you all no longer in suspence know that I have now before my eyes the Objects both of my Scorn and my Esteem The one by a just title of desert has possession of my Heart The other by his bold and rude Addresses has rais'd a just Aversion in me and contempt of his person After this Declaration let me see which is that impudent Man who dares continue in my presence Exit Single Sir Arth. I let him go His guilty Conscience makes him fly But Madam you forgot your promise of binding him to the Peace He 's a troublesome unruly Fellow Iulia. O call him again Sir Arth. Mr. Single Mr. Single The Lady has something more to say to you I protest Sir this is all her own doing I had not the least hand in it you must not be angry with me Apart to Single Iulia. I have also this command for him of you too whom I love that he shall not make the Pretensions of his Rival any ground of a difference or quarrel Sir Arth. Madam your Commands shall bind my hands Though Rivalship be a hard thing to disgest Iulia. Mr. Single Y 'ave now your liberty to retire Roger. And pray Sir let 's see you here no more It is my old Master's express command as well as my young Mistresse's here Exit Single Sir Arth. If he comes again your Order Madam for a Cessation of Armes must cease become void and of no effect Iulia. I hope Sir Arthur he will be so discreet as not to put you upon desperat courses But should the worst happen 't is but unchaining your Masty Dogg Sir Arthur If he makes me do so he shall ee'n answer himself for all the Mischief that 's done Iulia. And so he may without holding up his hand at the Barr. But Sir Arthur the freshness of the Evening warnes me to retire I know you 'l Gallant me to my Lodging Sir Arth. O yes Madam Poor thing she can't live a moment without me Exeunt omnes Enter Peregreen and Woodlands Man in riding apparel Pereg. But Art thou sure my Father will be here to night Servant Yes Sir He comes in company with one Mr. 'Faith Sir I 've forgot his name a rich Merchant newly arriv'd from the Indies And he sent me before to find you out that he might not fail to speak with you about some very earnest business as soon as he came to Town Pereg. What should this business be Servant I believe Sir I can tell you something of it by what I have over-heard Pereg. Prethy what is 't Servant Your Worship then must promise to keep my Counsel otherwise I shall gain a great deal of ill will with my old Master first for over-hearing and then revealing his private Discourses Pereg. Take my word for thy Security Servant That I will for all I 'm worth And to tell you truly Sir I did ee'n long to be the first that should bring you this good Newes Pereg. Good News Of what Servant Of being Marry'd out of hand to a young Lady who they say is vastly rich and hugely handsome Pereg. And do'st thou call this good News I had rather thou hadst told me That to Morrow I must have gone to Goale nay more to Execution For in one a man may hope to be releast from Misery and the other is an end of it But to be Marry'd so soon and having newly tasted Liberty to have it snatcht away from me for ever is more then I can suffer No My Father must excuse me All other things he may do of himself without me but Marriage is a Work which I must do not he Servant I hope Sir you are not in earnest For by all that I can perceive my Master's heart is so set upon this business Enter Single Pereg. Well well You may go rest your self after your Journy Servant But Where shall I find you Sir when your Father 's come Pereg. Either here or under the Arches in Covent-Garden Exit Servant Dear Single Fortune has at last decreed as we are joyn'd in Friendship to joyn us in Adversity Single What 's the matter Pereg. I have told you many passages of Love between Betty and me But I never fully confess'd to you how deep the impression was she has made upon my heart Ah Single she 's the very same thing in every respect to me that the fair Iulia is to you Single If this declaration of Love be in earnest I doubt y' are past the Cure of Reason Otherwise I should endeavour to disswade my dear Peregreen from a Passion if it tend to Marriage every way so unequal to him Pereg. Ar't thou a Lover thy self and Can'st thou talke of inequality in Love Single I 've done You shall hear no more from me But pray give me leave to be sorry Pereg. You misplace your Sorrow 'T is not here that I want it But what I now shall tell you will too justly deserve the compassion of a Friend Whil'st my Affections are thus unalterably preingag'd just now my Father comes to Town with a positive determination as I 'm inform'd of matching me to one of his own providing whose Person and Fortune they say are such as to render my disobedience to him unexcusable in the Eyes of the World Judge then in what condition I am Uncertain of my Love for she 's in the hands of my Enemy her Goaler Evans And only certain of my Father's just indignation
live Sir Salom. Indeed the Case is extraordinary And so was the Cause and so shall the Satisfaction be For Timothy I 'le give thee in amends a Childes Life in thy Copy-hold Timot. Well Sir since 't is your seeking I accept of the Reparation Sir I have two or three Children more yet unprovided for if your Worship will be pleas'd to kick them into Livings too I stand ready to have their Fines laid upon me Sir Salom. So so I 'm glad wee 're friends again Now call in my Family For I have something of consequence which I must propound to you Tim. whistles and the Servants enter all Come forwards If any body here thinks his Work too much or his Wages too little or his Lodging and Fare too hard Timothy I order you to give him all reasonable satisfaction All. God bless your Worship Sir Salom. And I doubt not on your parts but y' are all ready to serve my Person and vindicate my Honour as occasion shall require All. Our Lives are at your Service Sir Salom. Know then that this very moment I am actually assaulted by an insolent young Fellow who to night Plots no less Mischief then to Ravish my Bride Timot. What manner of death would your Worship have him die Sir Salom. No let not his Punishment be Capitall nor Sanguinary but loade him with as many Blows and as much Infamy as you can Timot. Shew us but the Man and your Worship shall see that we are as able to serve you in chastising your Enemies as entertaining your Friends Enter Mr. Woodland's Servant W. Serv. Pray Gentlemen can you direct me to the Lodging of Sir Salomon Single Timot. Friend there 's Sir Salomon himself W. Serv. Squire Woodland my Master commanded me to let you know that he is newly come to Town upon some business in which your Worship is concern'd and desires he may speak with you before you go to bed Sir Salom. Friend tell thy Master that if I can possibly I 'le waite upon him Where 's his Lodging W. Serv. At a Barbers next doore to the Fleece-Tavern in Southampton-Buildings Sir Salom. Very well apart In what a seasonable hour this old Man 's come to Town to see the Iniquity of his Son chastis'd However my person shall not appear upon the Stage in this Tragedy I 'le only prompt behind the Curtain Exeunt Sir Salomon and his Servants W. Serv. Where shall I find my young Master now the Lord knows This was one of the places he appointed Enter Single and Peregreen looking upon his Watch. Pereg. The time draws near yet didst thou know Single with what panting expectation I long to be possest of my Treasure thou wouldst pity the Torment which each Moment brings me by interposing it self between me and my Happiness W. Serv. O Sir well met My old Master 's newly come to Town and by all means must speak with you instantly Pereg. Peace Screech-Owl I think that Fellow was born to bring me ill Newes W. Serv. In troth Sir I think so too For if to Marry a rich handsome Lady and to see your Father after so long an absence be ill Newes I 'm sure I can bring you none that 's good Pereg. Ah Single What shall I do I must not disappoint Betty and I should not neglect my Father Single None can tell you better then I what the danger is of disgusting a Father though innocently And yet I 'm too much a Lover my self to advise a breach of promise with your Mistriss To satisfie both you must deferr your going to Betty for an hour or thereabouts Your Father must needs be weary after his Journy and cannot hold you long And that she may not think her self disappointed by you write a note to her to let her know the occasion Pereg. But Who shall deliver it Single Had not I a private summons from Iulia to meet her just at this time I 'de be your Man But you may send your Father's Servant there Pereg. Send him He scarce knows the Town by day much less by night Enter Sir Arthur Addell What makes this Fool come to disturb us now Single O pray bear with him By a special command from Iulia I am now enter'd into a strict League of Amity with him Faith ee'n send him with the Note and you 'l do me a particular kindness in it for otherwise hee 'l stick upon me like a Burr and disappoint my meeting with Iulia. Pereg. With all my heart Sir Arthur Why Gentleman Where have you been These two long houres I have done nothing but hunt after you Single Well Sir For what Sir Arth. Faith I have made a discovery of the rarest Champaine-Wine in Town Prethee let 's go and fill our Earthen Vessels with it For we are but brittle Clay Then let 's he Merry whil'st we may Single O brave Arthur of Bradly The Motion 's good in it self but not seas'nable for us at this time for we have business in which you must do a Friends part Sir Arthur Thou knowst Man I love Business What is 't Quickly Single Only to deliver a note for our Friend Peregreen here But 't is of high Concern for there 's a Mistriss in the Case and therefore we chuse a Man of Ability for the Employment Sir Arthur Come give it me I long to be in Action Pereg. You shall have it immediately Peregreen writes Sir Arthur Faith Single never let 's break good company Prethy come along with me when I deliver this Note Single Could I have gone you should not have had the trouble on 't But I am preingag'd Sir Arth. Prethy Where Single Why to tell you as a Friend I have an appointment just now to receive a little Mony and that 's a business you know I must not neglect Sir Arthur Hang Mony A Friends Company is better then it at any time Single Why there 's the difference between us two now You have too much Mony and want Company and I have too much Company and want Mony Pereg. Well Gentlemen I have done Sir Arthur Have you a Watch about you Sir Arth. No Sir not I. Pereg. Here take mine and precisely at half an hour past eight deliver this Note to a young Lady at the Corner house that has a Belcony which looks into Holborn-Fields next to Swan-Ally Sir Arth. I know the place Pereg. But you must knock gently at the back-door of the Garden to'rds the Fields and when she appears give her the Note and tell her He who sent it will be with her about an hour hence or sooner if he can Sir Arth. Take no further care your business shall be punctually done Pereg. Y' are an obliging person Sir Arthur Come Harry Now I am for my Father Exit Pereg. and W. Servant Sir Arth. But hark'ee Mr. Single Did not you tell me that this Peregreen was one of my Rivals I vow now upon better consideration Why should I do such a kindness for an
in my possession I 'le put thee in a safe place farr enough out of the reach of thy Jaylor Evans Betty But VVill you Marry me Pereg. Ah Betty VVhy art thou so cruel as to make a doubt on 't I 'le rather die then not Marry thee VVhat hast thou in thy hand there give me thy Basket it troubles thee to carry it Betty Then pray have a great care on 't and let it not go out of your hands for there is a VVriting in 't which I 'm told is worth me a great deale Pereg. I warrant you I 'le not part from 't Enter Sir Salomon Mufled up in his Cloak VVhos 's that Sir Salomon Most fortunately met to relieve me in distress Here Sir I have now my Jewel to consign into your hands Pray have a care of her as of my Life I broke away with violence from my Father to look after this Treasure But I 'm oblig'd to return immediately to him Pray lose no time but lodge her safely in your House For I apprehend the pursuit of old Evans VVithin this hour I hope to be with you Dear Betty for a little while farewell Betty VVhat VVill you leave me so soon Pereg. I 'le be with thee again immediately In the mean time I leave thee in a Friends hands who will have the same care of thee that I have Exit Peregreen Sir Salom. Gipsy D' ee know me Betty skreeks Keep in your shrill Notes or I shall stop your VVind-pipe for you VVhat Did your Gallant lie stretcht out upon the floor like a Fox to run away with the Poultry Once more I have thee in my hands Let him snap thee again and I 'le forgive him and thee too Come away quickly y 'had best Exit Betty and Sir Salomon into his own Lodging Enter the Constable and Watch with Sir Arthur in Custody Constable Hold your self contented VVee 'l not part with you so You 'r a very suspitious Person for immediately after the Fact committed we found you running away Sir Arth. Pray Mr. Constable believe me Indeed I 'm an honest Man Constable Clear your self before the Justice and I 'm satisfy'd But thither you must Sir Arth. Am not I finely serv'd Now shall I be hang'd for killing my self 2. Watchman Neighbour the Rogues since we were here have carry'd away the Body Sir Arth. Friend you are mistaken The Body carry'd away it self 2. Watchman How the Man talks Sure he 's Mad. 3. Watchman I Neighbour they that shed Man's Blood are commonly so 'T is a Judgment upon Murtherers 1. Watchman To what Justice shall we carry him Mr. Constable Constable To Justice Wary He 's nighest at hand 2. Watchman I he 's as like to get him hang'd as any Justice upon the Bench. Sir Arth. VVhy Mr. Constable VVhat d' ee mean to do Upon my reputation I am the Man that was kill'd 1. Watchman Away away with him he 's raving mad Derick must be his Doctor 2. Watchman This is the Justice his House Constable Knock then Enter a Servant of Mr. VVary's Serv. What would you have Constable We have apprehended a Man here upon suspition of Murder and we have brought him to be Examin'd and Committed by his Worship Serv. That 's well I 'le call my Master instantly He 's but a little way off at Grey's-Inn Constable Pray make haste Sir Arth. Friend friend 't is I Don't you know me Serv. I know no body when he 's in the hands of Justice My Master shall be here strait Exit Servant Enter Single and Julia at the Corner of the Stage Iulia. I did certainly hear Sir Arthur Addell's voice Look where my Knight is in the Constables clutches Slip you away whilst I go see what the meaning is of this Tragy-Comedy Exit Single Well Mr. Constable Who is 't that you have brought hither to my Father Const. Madam A very wicked Man without doubt For here was Murder committed close by and presently after we caught him flying away with as guilty a Countenance as ever I saw and yet I have seen many in my time Iulia. A very shrew'd presumption indeed Sir Arth. But Madam Don't you know me All this while 't is I your Husband that must be whom these Rogues abuse thus Iulia. I 'm the sorrier for 't Sir Arthur that a Man of your Quality should run himself into such Enormities I thought you had not been so bloody And yet 't is no more then what your self have confest formerly to me that when your Courage is let loose like a fierce Mastiff-Dog it falls upon all that comes in it's way Sir Arth. Nay but pray Madam hear me Will you mistake the Matter too like these Clod-pated Rascalls here I am the very Man on whose Person all this Murder was committed for I was set upon by Rogues that would have kill'd me but that I prevented 'em Iulia. How By killing ' em Sir Arth. No no Madam by dying my self or at least making them believe so At which the Rogues took such a fright for fear of hanging that away run they and away went I Then come the Clutches of the Parish here and according to their usual Custome seise me who was the Person assaulted and suffer the Rogues to make their escape Constable A very pretty story indeed No no Mr. Iustice when he comes won't be fob'd off so Iulia. In troth Sir Arthur 't is so intricate a Case that I can determine nothing in 't till my Fther comes Sir Arth. Good Madam make the Slaves release me I would not for a World be seen in their Company by your Father Iulia. I vow Sir I dare not intrench upon my Fathers Authority Y' are now in the hands of the Law and that must either quit you or condemn you Neighbours y 'had best bring your Prisoner within doors till my Father comes Constable Yes Madam Jogge on Sir Sir Arth. Ill-natur'd-woman I 'le pay all thy Scores when once thou art my Wife Exit Sir Arthur Julia and the Watch. Enter Peregreen and Single Pereg. Ah Single What shall I do Whil'st I 'me happy in the possession of my Mistriss my Father is so violently bent upon this Match of his own providing that to oppose him openly in it would certainly cause as wide a breach in our Family as is already unfortunately in yours His impatience is such that he will needs have me see her to night to which end he tells me She will immediately be brought to his Lodging All I can hope in this business is when I see this young Lady to let her know my former engagement that if she be generous the Treaty may seem to break of her side Enter Allice running in Single 'T is your only expedient as the Case stands Allice O Sir my Mistriss Betty is stark staring mad If I had not hindred her she had thrown her self out at Window Nor could I have held her hands from doing her self a Mischief but that I promis'd her to