Maj. O. For shame! hold out, if you are [Apart.

Churles. Yes; but they were received with the utmost contempt. The old gentleman, it a man. seems, hates a lord, and he told her so in plain terms.

Maj. O. Such an aversion to the nobility may not run in the blood. The girl, I warrant you, has no objection. However, if she's there, watch her narrowly, Charles. Lady

Oak. She has been so much vexed this morning already, 1 must humour her a little now. [Apart. Maj. O. Fie! fie! go out, or you are undone. [Apart.

Oak. You see it's impossible.- I'll dine at

Freelove is as mischievous as a monkey, and home with thee, my love.

as cunning too.-Have a care of her, I say, Lave a care of her.

Charles. If she's there, I'll have her out of the house within this half hour, or set fire

lo it.

Maj. O. Nay, now you are too violentstay a moment, and we'll consider what's best to be done.

Enter OAKLY.

Oak. Come, is the coach ready? Let us be gone. Does Charles go with us?

Charles. I go with you!-What can I do? I am so vexed and distracted, and so many thoughts crowd in upon me, I don't know which way to turn myself.

Mrs. O. Within] The coach!-dines out! -where is your master?

Oak. Zounds, brother! here she is!

Re-enter MRS. OAKLY.

Mrs. O. Pray, Mr. Oakly, what is the matler you cannot dine at home to-day?

Ook. Don't be uneasy, my dear! I have a little business to settle with my brother; so I am only just going to dinner, with him and Charles, to the tavern,

Mrs. O. Why cannot you settle your business here, as well as at a tavern? but it is some of your ladies' business, I suppose, and so you must get rid of my company. This is chiefly your fault, major Oakly!

[Apart to Mrs. Oakly.

Mrs. O. Ay, ay, pray do, sir,-Dine at a [Going.

tavern indeed!

Oak. [Returning] You may depend on me another time, major.

Maj. O. Steel and adamant!-Ah!

Mrs. O. [Returning] Mr. Oakly!

Oak. O, my dear! [Exit, with Mrs. Oakly. Maj. O. Ha, ha, ha! there's a picture of resolution! there goes a philosopher for you!

ha! Charles!

Charles. O, uncle! I have no spirits to laugh now.

Maj. O. So! I have a fine time on't between you and my brother. Will you meet me to dinner at the St. Albans by four? We'll drink her health. and think of this affair,

Charles. Don't depend on me. I shall be running all over the town, in pursuit of my Harriot; at all events I'll go directly to lady Freelove's. If I find her not there, which way I shall direct myself, heaven knows.

Maj. O. Harkye, Charles! If you meet with her, you may be at a loss. Bring her to my house; I have a snug room, and

Charles. Phoo! Pr'ythee, uncle, don't triffle with me now.

Maj. O. Well, seriously then, my house is at your service.

Charles. I thank you; but I must be gone.
Maj. O. Ay, ay, bring her to my house,

Maj. O. Lord, sister, what signifies it, whether and we'll settle the whole affair for you. You a man dines at home or abroad? [Coolly. shall clap her into a post-chaise, take the Mrs. O. It signifies a great deal, sir! and chaplain of our regiment along with you, I don't choosewheel her down to Scotland 1), and when you Maj. O. Phoo! let him go, my dear sister, come back, send to settle her fortune with let him go! he will be ten times better com- her father; that's the modern art of making pany when he comes back. I tell you what, love, Charles ! [Exeunt.

sister-you sit a home till you are quite tired

of one another, and then you grow cross,

ACT II.

and fall out. If you would but part a little SCENE I.-A Room in the Bull and Gate Inn.

now

and then, you might meet again in

humour.

Mrs. O. I beg, major Oakly, that you would trouble yourself about your own affairs; and let me tell you, sir, that I

Tom. Yes, your honour.

Oak. Nay, do not put thyself into a passion with the major, my dear! It is not his fault; is no flaw in his blood?

Sir H. And are you sure, Tom, that there

and I shall come back to thee very soon.

Mrs. O. Come back; - why need you go out?-I know well enough when you mean to deceive me; for then there is always a pretence of dining with sir John, or my lord, or somebody; but when you tell me that you are going to a tavern, it's such a bare-faced

affront

Oak. This is so strange now!-Why, my dear, I shall only justMrs. O. Only just go after the lady in the letter, I suppose.

Oak. Well, well, I won't go then.-Will that convince you? I'll stay with you, my dear. Will that satisfy you?

Tom. He's a good thing, sir, and as little beholden to the ground, as any horse that

1) A spirited girl in England, when opposed in her choice of a husband by her parents, used to make nothing of agreeing with her lover to set off with him to Gretna Green (on the borders of Scotland), to get married; but now this custom is abolished, and the blacksmith who used to perform the marriage ceremony has been forbidden to act, since Lord E-took his flight towards those regions on the same errand; so that, now the levers are obliged to have the ceremony performed in a boat on the river there, and this marriage is perfectly valid.

2) We have an excellent specimen, in sir H. Beagle, of оде of our racing and fox-hunting country-squires; as he speaks entirely in the language of the turf (raceground), some of his sporting terms require an explanation.

ever went over the turf upon four legs. Why I lose my match with lord Chokejade, by not here's his whole pedigree, 1) your honour! riding myself, and I shall have no opportunity Sir H. Is it attested? to hedge 1) my bets neither-what a damned Tom. Very well attested; it is signed by piece of work have I made on't-I have knocked Jack Spur and my lord Startal. up poor Snip, shall lose my match, and as to [Giving the Pedigree. Harriot, why the odds are that I lose my Sir H. Let me see. [Reads] Tom-come- match there too-a skittish young tit! 2) If I tickle-me was out of the famous Tantwivy once get her tight in hand, I'll make her mare, by sir Aaron Driver's chesnut hors, wince for it. Her estate, joined to my own, White Stockings. White Stockings, his dam, I would have the finest stud and the noblest was got by lord Hedge's South Barb, full kennel in the whole country. --But here comes sister to the Proserpine Filly, and his sire her father, puffing and blowing, like a brokenTom Jones; his grandam was the Irish winded horse up hill.

Duchess, and his grandsire Squire Spor

tley's Trajan; his great and great great grandam were Newmarket Peggy and Black Moll; and his great grandsire, and great great grandsire, were sir Ralph Whip's Regulus, and the famous Prince Anamaboo.

his

JOHN SPUR.
mark.
STARTAL.

Enter RUSSET.

Rus. Well, sir Harry, have you heard any thing of her?

Sir H. Yes, I have been asking Tom about her, and he says you may have her for five hundred guineas.

Rus. Five hundred guineas! how d'ye mean? where is she? which way did she take?

Sir H. Why, first she went to Epsom, then

Tom. All fine horses, and won every thing! to Lincoln, then to Nottingham, and now she a foal out of your honour's bald-fac'd Venus, is at York. by this horse, would beat the world.

Sir H. Well then, we'll think on't. - But, plague on't, Tom, I have certainly knocked up my little roan gelding in this damn'd wildgoose chase of threescore miles an end. 2)

Tom. He's deadly blown, to be sure, your honour; and I am afraid we are upon a wrong scent after all. Madam Harriot certainly took the country, instead of coming on to London.

across

Sir H. No, no, we traced her all the way up. But d'ye hear, Tom, look out among the stables and repositories here in town, for a smart road nag, and a strong horse to carry a portmanteau.

are

Rus. Impossible! she could not go over half the ground in the time. What the devil are you talking of?

Sir H. Of the mare you was just now saying you wanted to buy.

Rus. The devil take the mare! - who would think of her, when I am mad about an affair of so much more consequence?

Sir H. You seemed mad about her a little while ago. She's a fine mare, and a thing of shape and blood.

Rus. Damn her blood!-Harriot! my dear, provoking Harriot! Where can she be? Have you got any intelligence of her?

Sir H. No, faith, not I: we seem to be Tom. Sir Roger Turf's horses to be quite thrown out 5) here - but, however, I sold-I'll see if there's ever a tight thing there have ordered Tom to try if he can hear any -but I suppose, sir, you would have one thing of her among the ostlers. somewhat stronger than Snip-I don't think Rus. Why don't you inquire after her yourhe's quite enough of a horse for your honour. self? why don't you run up and down the Sir H. Not enough of a horse! Snip's a whole town after her? - t'other young rascal powerful gelding; master of two stone more knows where she is, I warrant you. - What than my weight. If Snip stands sound, I a plague it is to have a daughter! When one would not take a hundred guineas for him. loves her to distraction, and has toiled and Poor Snip! go into the stable, Tom, see they laboured to make her happy, the ungrateful give him a warm mash, and look at his heels slut will sooner go to hell her own wayand his eyes. But where's Mr. Russet all but she shall have him-I will make her happy, this while?

in

if I break her heart for it.-A provoking gipsy

Tom. I left the squire at breakfast on a cold -to run away, and torment her poor father, pigeon pie, and inquiring after madam Harriot, that dotes on her! I'll never see her face the kitchen. I'll let him know your honour again. - Sir Harry, how can we get any inwould be glad to see him here. telligence of her? Why don't you speak? why Sir H. Ay, do; but harkye, Tom, be sure don't you tell me? - Zounds! you seem as you take care of Snip.

Tom. I'll warrant your honour.

indifferent as if you did not care a farthing

about her.

Sir H. I'll be down in the stables myself Sir H. Indifferent! you may well call me by-and-by. [Exit Tom] Let me see - out of indifferent! this damned chase after her will the famous Tantwivy by White Stockings; cost me a thousand - if it had not been for White Stockings, his dam, full sister to the her, I would not have been off the course +) Proserpine Filly; and his sire-pox on't, how this week to have saved the lives of my whole unlucky it is that this damned accident should family-I'll hold you six to two that

happen in the Newmarket week!-ten to one

more to the purpose-I swear she is too good teach my young mistress to be gadding. She for you-you don't deserve such a wife-a shall marry you to-night. Come along, sir fine, dear, sweet, lovely, charming girl!- Harry, come along; we won't lose a minute. She'll break my heart. How shall I find her Come along. out?-Do, pr'ythee, sir Harry,

friend, consider how we may discover where cross

she is fled to.

Sir H. Suppose you put an advertisement into the newspapers, describing her marks, her age, her height, and where she strayed from. I recovered a bay mare once by that method.

Sir H. Soho! hark forward! wind 'em and
'em! hark forward! Yoics! Yoics!
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-OAKLY'S House.
Enter MRS. OAKLY.

Mrs. O. After all, that letter was certainly

Rus. Advertise her! - What! describe my intended for my husband. I see plain enough daughter, and expose her, in the public papers, they are all in a plot against me. My husband with a reward for bringing her home, like intriguing, the major working him up to horses stolen or strayed! - recovered a bay affront me, Charles owning his letters, and mare!-the devil's in the fellow! - he thinks so playing into each other's hands. - They of nothing but racers, and bay mares, and think me a fool, I find-but I'll be too much stallions.-'Sdeath, I wish your

for them yet. I have desired to speak with

Sir H. I wish Harriot was fairly pounded; 1) Mr. Oakly, and expect him here immediately. it would save us both a deal of trouble. His temper is naturally open; and if he thinks Rus. Which way shall I turn myself?-I my anger abated, and my suspicions laid

am

half distracted. If I go to that young asleep, he will certainly betray himself by his dog's house, he has certainly conveyed her behaviour. I'll assume an air of good humour, somewhere out of my reach-if she does not pretend to believe the fine story they have send to me to-day, I'll give her up for ever- trumped up, throw him off his guard, and so perhaps, though, she may have met with some draw the secret out of him. Here he comes.accident, and has nobody to assist her.-No, How hard it is to dissemble one's anger! Oh, she is certainly with that young rascal.-II could rate him soundly! but I'll keep down wish she was dead, and I was dead. I'll my indignation at present, though it chokes me. blow young Oakly's brains out.

Re-enter Tом.

Enter OAKLY.

O, my dear! I am very glad to see you. Sir H. Well, Tom, how is poor Snip? Pray sit down [They sit] I longed to see Tom. A little better, sir, after his warm you. It seemed an age till I had an oppormash: but Lady, the pointing bitch that follo-tunity of talking over the silly affair that hapwed you all the way, is deadly foot-sore.

Rus. Damn Snip and Lady! -have you heard any thing of Harriot?

Tom. Why, I came on purpose to let my master and your honour know, that John Ostler says as how, just such a lady as I told him madam Harriot was, came here in four-wheel chaise, and was fetched away soon after by a fine lady in a chariot.

Rus. Did she come alone?

Tom. Quite alone, only a servant maid, please your honour.

Rus. And what part of the town did they go to?

[Mildly.

pened this morning.
Oak. Why really, my dear-
Mrs. O. Nay, don't look so grave now.
Come-it's all over. Charles and you have
cleared up matters. I am satisfied.

Oak. Indeed! I rejoice to hear it! You make a me happy beyond my expectation. This disposition will ensure our felicity. Do but lay aside your cruel, unjust suspicion, and we should never have the least difference.

Mrs. O. Indeed I begin to think so. endeavour to get the better of it. And really sometimes it is very ridiculous. My uneasiness this morning, for instance, ha, ha, ha! Το

Tom. John Ostler says as how they bid be so much alarmed about that idle letter,

the coachman drive to Grosvenor-square.

Sir H. Soho! puss-Yoics! 2)

which turned out quite another thing at last was not I very angry with you? ha, ha, ha! Rus. She is certainly gone to that young [Affecting a Laugh. rogue-he has got his aunt to fetch her from Oak. Don't mention it. Let us both forget hence-or else she is with her own aunt, lady it. Your present cheerfulness makes amends Freelove-they both live in that part of the for every thing.

town. I'll go to his house, and in the mean Mrs. O. I am apt to be too violent; I love while, sir Harry, you shall step to lady Free- you too well to be quite easy about you. love's. We'll find her, I warrant you. I'll [Fondly] Well-no matter what is become

1) A horse, or other animal, which has quitted its

of Charles?

master's premises, and is found upon the premises of Oak. Poor fellow! he is on the wing, ramanother, is taken to the pound, which is a place for bling all over the town, in pursuit of this

confining stray-cattle, and there it must remain till

is called poundage

Mrs. O. Where is he gone pray?

3) These are the words used in that most melodious of
all sounds, for a sportsman, the view-halloo! com- relations.
pared to which, the war-whoop of a Cherokee is mere
whispering. The game being in sight, the sudden burst
of this enthusiastic soho! from the mouths of twenty do they live?

Oak. First of all, I believe, to some of her

Mrs. O. Relations! Who are they? Where

or thirty riders, inflames the horses, and dogs almost

Oak. There is an aunt of hers lives just in

hare before them; the horns are completely drowned in the cry.-Puss means hare.

to madness, while it brings inevitable death to the poor

the neighbourhood; lady Freelove.

Mrs. O Lady Freelove! Oho! gone to lady

[To Flora.

Don M. Better words, sir. Flora. Why, sir, d'ye take this fellow for don Philip?

Don M. What d'ye mean, sir?

Flora. That he has cheated me as well as you -But I'll have my revenge immediately. [Exit. [Hyp. walks about, and Don M. stares. Don M. Hey! what's all this? What is it -My heart misgives me.

Hyp. Hey! who waits there? Here, you! [To a Servant] Bid my servant run, and hire me a coach and four horses immediately.

Sero. Yes, sir.

Don M. A coach!

Enter VILETTA.

[Exit Servant.

Vil. Sir, sir!-bless me! What's the matter,

sir? Are not you well?

Don M. Yes, yes I am-that is-ha!
Vil. I have brought you a letter, sir.
Don M. What business can he have for a
coach?

Vil. I have brought you a letter, sir, from
Octavio.

Don M. To me?

Vil. No, sir, to my mistress - he charged me to deliver it immediately; for he said it concerned her life and fortune.

of humour.

Don L. Uncle, I am your humble servant. Don M. 1 am glad to see you, nephew. Don L. I received your invitation, and am come to pay my duty: but here I met with the most surprising news.

Don M. How! let's see it - There's what I promised thee-be gone. What can this be now? [Reads. The person whom your father ignorantly designs you to marry, is a known cheat, Don M. Pray what is it? and an impostor; the true don Philip, who Don L. Why, first your servant told me, is my intimate friend, will immediately ap-my young cousin was to be married to-day pear with the corregidore, and fresh evi- to don Philip de las Torres; and just as I dence against him. I thought this advice, was entering your doors, who should I meet though from one you hate, would be well but don Philip with the corregidore, and sereceived if it came time enough to prevent veral witnesses to prove, it seems, that the your ruin. OCTAVIO. person whom you were just going to marry O, my heart! this letter was not designed to my cousin to, has usurp'd his name, betray'd fall into my hands-I am frightened-I dare you, robb'd him, and is in short a rank imnot think on't.

Re-enter the Servant.

Sero. Sir, your man is not within. Hyp. Careless rascal! to be out of the way when my life's at stake-Pr'ythee do thou go and see if thou canst get me any post horses. Don M. Post horses!

Re-enter ROSARA.

Ros. O, dear sir, what was the matter?
Don M. Hey!

Ros. What made 'em quarrel, sir?
Don M. Child!

Ros. What was it about, sir? You look concern'd.

Don M. Concern'd!

Ros. I hope you are not hurt, sir. [To Hypolita, who minds her not] - What's the matter with him, sir? he won't speak to me. [To Don Manuel.

postor.

Don M. Dear nephew, don't torture me: are ye sure you know don Philip when you see him?

Don L. Know him, sir? were not we school

fellows, fellow collegians, and fellow travellers? Don M. But are you sure you mayn't have forgot him neither?

Don L. You might as well ask me if I had not forgot you, sir.

Don M. But one question more and I am dumb for ever-Is that he?

Don L. That, sir? No, nor in the least like
him. But pray why this concern? I hope we
are not come too late to prevent the marriage?
Don M. Oh! oh! oh! oh! my poor child!
Ros. Oh!
[Seems to faint.

Don M. Ah! look to my child.
Don L. Is this the villain then that has im-

posed on you?

Hyp. Sir, I'm this lady's husband; and while
I'm sure that name can't be taken from me,

other you or your party dare give me.
Don M. Oh!

Don M. A-speak!-a-go to him again- I shall be contented with laughing at any try what fair words will do, and see if you can pick out the meaning of all this. Ros. Dear sir, what's the matter?

Enter Corregidore and Officers, with DON
PHILLIP, OCTAVIO, FLORA, TRAPPANTI, and
VILETTA.

O gentlemen, we're undone! all comes too
late! my poor cousin's married to the impostor.
Don P. How!

Oct. Confusion!

Don M. Oh! oh!

Don P. That's the person, sir, and I de

mand your justice. Oct. And I.

Trap. And I.

Flora. And all of us.

Don M. Will my cares never be over?

Cor. Well, gentlemen, let me rightly understand what 'tis you charge him with, and I'll commit him immediately -- First, sir, you say, these gentlemen all know you to be the true Don Philip?

Don M. Oh! oh!

1

Oct Can she repent her falsehood then at last? Is't possible? then I'm wounded too! 0 my poor undone Rosara! [Goes to her] Ungrateful! cruel! perjured man!

Don M. Oh! don't insult me! I deserve the worst you can say. I'm a miserable wretch, and I repert me.

Vil. So! here's the lady in tears, the lover in rage, the old gentleman out of his senses, most of the company distracted, and the bridein fair way to be hanged.- The merriest wedding that ever I saw in my life. [Apart to Hypolita.

groom

a

Cor. Well, sir, have you any thing to say before I make your warrant?

Hyp. A word or two, and I obey ye, sir. -Gentlemen, I have reflected on the folly of my action, and foresee the disquiets I am like

Don L. That, sir, I presume my oath will prove. to undergo in being this lady's husband; there-
Oct. Or mine.
Flora. And mine.

Trap. Ay, and mine too, sir.

fore, as I own myself the author of all this seeming ruin and confusion, so I am willing [head? (desiring first the officers may withdraw) to offer something to the general quiet. Oct. What can this mean?

Don M. Where shall I hide this shameful Flora. And for the robbery, that I can prove upon him: he confess'd to me at Toledo, he stole this gentleman's portmanteau there, to carry on his his design upon this lady, and agreed to give me a third part of her fortune for my assistance; which he refusing to pay as soon as the marriage was over, I thought myself obliged in honour to discover him.

Don P. Pshaw! some new contrivanceLet's be gone.

Don L. Stay a moment, it can be no harm to hear him-Sir, will you oblige us?

Cor. Wait without. [Exeunt Officers.
Vil. VWhat's to be done now, 'trow?
Trap. Some smart thing, I warrant ye; the
little gentleman hath a notable head, faith.
Flora. Nay, gentlemen, thus much I know

Hyp. Well, gentlemen, you may insult me if you please; but I presume you'll hardly be able to prove that I'm not married to the lady, of him: that if you can but persuade him to or hav'n't the best part of her fortune in my be honest, 'tis still in his power to make you pocket; so do your worst: I own my inge- all amends; and, in my opinion, 'tis high time nuity, and am proud on't.

Don M. Ingenuity, abandon'd villain!-But, sir, before you send him to gaol, I desire he may return the jewels I gave him as part of my daughter's portion.

he should propose it.

Don M. Ay, 'tis time he were hang'd indeed: for 1 know no other amends he can make us. Hyp. Then I must tell you, sir, I owe you no reparation; the injuries which you complain of, your sordid avarice, and breach of

Cor. That can't be, sir-since he has married the lady, her fortune's lawfully his: all promise here have justly brought upon you: we can do, is to prosecute him for robbing therefore, sir, if you are injured, you may this gentleman.

thank yourself for for it.

Don M. O that ever I was born.

Hyp. Return the jewels, sir! if you don't

Don M. Nay, dear sir, I do confess my blindness, and could heartily wish your eyes

morning, you may chance to go to gaol before me.

ever we saw one another.

pay me the rest of her fortune to-morrow or mine had dropp'd out of our heads before

Hyp. Well, sir (however little you have deserved it), yet for your daughter's sake, if you'll oblige yourself, by signing this paper, to keep your first promise, and give her, with her full fortune, to this gentleman, I'm still content, on that condition, to disannul my own pretences, and resign her.

Don M. Sir, I don't know how to answer you: for I can never believe you'll have good nature enough to hang yourself out of the way to make room for him?

Hyp. Then, sir, to let you see I have not

[Goes to the Table with Flora. Don P. Now, sir, you see what your own rashness has brought ye to. Don M. Pray forbear, sir. Hyp. Keepitup, madam. [Aside to Rosara. Ros. Oh, sir! how wretched have you made only an honest meaning, but an immediate me! is this the care you have taken of me for power too, to make good my word, I first my blind obedience to your commands? this renounce all title to her fortune: these jewels, my reward for filial duty? [To Don Manuel. which I received from you, I give him free

Don M. Ah! my poor child!

Ros. But I deserve it all, for ever listening to your barbarous proposal, when my conscience might have told me, my vows and person in justice and honour were the wronged Octavio's.

possession of; and now, sir, the rest of her fortune you owe him with her person.

Don M. This is unaccountable, I must confess-But still, sir, if you disannul your pretences, how you'll persuade that gentleman, to whom I am obliged in contract to part with his