Burr.  Umph, very well thought on.—­No, sir! you shall trust to my bounty; I’ll go in his place.  Murmur or repine, speak the least word, or give thy lips the least motion, and I’ll beat thee till thou art not in condition to go.

Fail.  I vow to gad, this is extreme injustice.—­Was it not my invention?

Burr.  Why, dost thou think thou art worthy to make use of thy own invention?—­Speak another word, d’ye see!—­Come, help me quickly to strip Sir Timorous; his coat may conduce to the deceit.—­Sir Timorous, by your leave. [Fatts on him.

Tim.  O, Lord! what’s the matter?—­Murder? murder!

Burr.  D’ye open?  I have something in my pocket that will serve for a gag, now I think on’t.

[Gags, and binds him.

So, lie there, knight.  Come, sir, and help to make me Sir Timorous; and, when I am married, remember to increase your manners with my fortune.—­Yet we’ll always drink together. [Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

Enter CONSTANCE, ISABELLA, and NONSUCH.

Const.  This is just the knight’s hour; and lovers seldom come after their time.

Non.  Good night, daughter; I’ll to bed, and give you joy to-morrow morning. [Exit.

Isa.  I’m glad he’s gone:  What, your train takes?

Const.  Yes, yes; Loveby will come:  Setstone has been with him in disguise; and promised him golden mountains, if he will not be wanting to his own fortune.

Isa.  Is your habit provided too?

Const.  All is ready.

Isa.  Away then; for this is the place where we must part like knights errant, that take several paths to their adventures.

Const.  ’Tis time, for I hear somebody come along the alley; without question ’tis Timorous.  Farewell; the chaplain stays for me in the chamber.

Isa.  And I’ll post after you to matrimony; I have laid a fresh parson at the next stage, that shall carry me tantivy.

[Exit CONSTANCE.

Enter BURR with TIMOROUS’S coat on.

Burr.  My lady Constance!

Isa.  The same:  Sir Timorous?

Burr.  The same.

Isa.  Sir Timorous takes me for my cousin.

[Aside.

Burr.  My lady Constance mistakes me for the knight.

[Aside.

Isa.  Here, sir; through the dark walk:  ’tis but a little way about—­He’s my own beyond redemption—­

[Aside.

Burr.  The Indies are mine; and a handsome lady into the bargain.

[Excunt.

Enter FAILER, dogging them, as they go off.

Fail.  He shall be hanged, ere he shall get her.  Thus far I have dogged them, and this way I am sure they must pass, ere they come to the house.  The rogue had got the old dog-trick of a statesman; to fish things out of wiser heads than his own, and never so much as to take notice of him that gave the counsel—­