Mr. Nicknack, I have a Miracle to tell you, the Collonel from a blustering, ranting Heroe is dwindl’d to a panting, pining Lover; talks in blank Verse, and Sighs in mournful postures:  He the fam’d Pyramus, and I bright Thisbe.

Nic.  I thought, Madam, the Collonel had been a profess’d Marriage-hater.

L. Rod.  Mr. Nicknack, we’ll divert our selves at Picquet.  When you recover, Collonel, from this Lethargy, you’ll play a Pool with us; Ladies admit all sorts to lose their Mony. [Exit Lady Rod. and Nick.

Coll.  I have plaid a fine Card truly, now shall I be number’d with those doating Fools, her Pride encourages, then Jilts, and laughs at.  She’s fair, but, oh! the Treachery of her Sex.

    Enter Sir Harry.

Sir Har.  My dear Collonel, prithee why so pensive?  I have had the pleasantest Adventure this Afternoon, going to the Bank to receive Mony; in Pater-Noster-Row I saw two of the loveliest Sempstresses the Trade e’er countenanc’d; I went into the Shop, struck up a Bargain, whipt over to the Castle, where we eat four Crabs, top’d six Bottles, skuttl’d up and down, kiss’d, towz’d and tumbl’d ’till we broke ev’ry Chair in the Room.  But you are so engag’d with Lady Rodomont, your Company’s a Blessing unattainable.

Coll.  Yes, I have been engag’d, and finely treated.  The Syren with her false deluding Arts, her Force of Words and seeming to comply, has drawn me to declare my Passion for her; now rallies and despises all I said, and hugs her self in baffling my Design.

Sir Har.  ‘Tis like her Sex, they will ha’ their Jades Tricks, but never mind ’em; we’ll to the Tavern and consult new Measures:  Our Perseverance is beyond their Policy.

   The started Hare may frisk it o’er the Plain,
    And the staunch Hound long trace her Steps in vain,
    Swiftly she flies, then stops, turns back and views, }
    Doubles, and quats, and her lost Strength renews, }
    But tho’ unseen, he still the Scent persues, }
    ’Till breathless to a fatal Period brought,
    The Hound o’ertakes her, and poor Puss is caught.

The End of the Fourth ACT.

ACT V.

SCENE, Continues.

    Enter Sir Harry, and Mrs. Lovejoy.

Mrs. Lov. Sir Harry, all this Rhet’rick won’t prevail; whether you term it Virtue, or Pride only, I am resolv’d to keep a Fame unspotted, in spight of all temptations whatsoever.

Sir Har. A Woman’s obstinacy is no novelty; but where’s the difference ’twixt a Mistress and a Wife.  Only a Mistress has a much better Air; you shall appear as gay and fine as any; strut in Brocade, and glitter in your Jewels, ’till you put all virtuous Women out o’countenance.