Mrs. _Wellf._ Rarely express'd! Come, Ladies.

[_Exeunt._

_Manent Mrs._ Knight _and Mrs._ Wellfed.

Mrs _Knight_. I believe our People wou'd dance after any Tom-Dingle for a pen'orth of Sugar-plums.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Come Mrs. _Knight_, let you and I have a Bottle of Sherry.

Mrs. _Knight_. No, I thank you, I never drink Wine in a Morning.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Then you'll never write Plays, I promise you.

Mrs. _Knight_. I don't desire it.

Mrs. _Wellf._ If you please, Madam, to pa.s.s the time away, I'll repeat one of my best Scenes.

Mrs. _Knight_. Oh Heav'ns! No Rest!----[_Aside._ Madam, I doubt the Company will take it amiss. I am your very humble Servant. [_Exit hastily._

Mrs. _Wellf._ What! Fled so hastily! I find Poets had need be a little conceited, for they meet with many a Bauk. However, scribling brings this Satisfaction, that like our Children, we are generally pleas'd with it our selves.

_So the fond Mother's rapt with her pratling Boys, Whilst the free Stranger flies th' ungrateful Noise._

[_Exit._

_The End of the First ACT._

ACT II.

_Enter_ Calista _and Mrs._ Wellfed.

_Calista._ I Think _Marsillia_ is very tedious.

Mrs. _Wellf._ I think so too. 'Tis well 'tis _Marsillia_, else the Players wou'd never have Patience.

_Calis._ Why, do they love her?

Mrs. _Wellf._ No, but they fear her, that's all one.----Oh! yonder's Mr.

_Powell_, I want to speak with him.

_Calis._ So do I.

_Enter Mr._ Powell.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Your Servant Mr. _Powell_.

_Calis._ Sir, I am your humble Servant.

Mr. _Powell_. Ounds! What am I fell into the Hands of two Female Poets?

There's nothing under the Sun, but two Bailiffs, I'd have gone so far to have avoided.

_Calis._ I believe, Mr. _Powell_, I shall trouble you quickly.

Mr. _Pow._ When you please Madam.

_Calis._ Pray, Mr. _Powell_, don't speak so carelesly: I hope you will find the Characters to your Satisfaction; I make you equally in Love with two very fine Ladies.

Mr. _Pow._ Oh, never stint me Madam, let it be two Douzen, I beseech you.

_Calis._ The Thought's new I am sure.

Mr. _Pow._ The Practice is old, I am sure.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Now, Mr. _Powell_, hear mine: I make two very fine Ladies in Love with you, is not that better? Ha!

_Calis._ Why, so are my Ladies.

Mrs. _Wellf._ But, my Ladies.----

_Calis._ Nay, if you go to that, Madam, I defie any Ladies, in the Pale, or out of the Pale, to love beyond my Ladies.

Mrs. _Wellf._ I'll stand up for the Violence of my Pa.s.sion, whilst I have a bit of Flesh left on my Back, Mr. _Powell_!

_Calis._ Lord! Madam, you won't give one leave to speak.

Mr. _Pow._ O Gad! I am Deaf, I am Deaf, or else wou'd I were.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Well, Mr. _Powell_, when shall mine be done?

_Calis._ Sure I have Mr. _Powell's_ Promise.

Mrs. _Wellf._ That I am glad on, then I believe mine will come first.

_Calis._ D'ye hear that, Mr. _Powell_! Come pray Name a Time.

Mrs. _Wellf._ Then I'll have time set too.

Mr. _Pow._ O Heav'ns! Let me go! Yours shall be done to day, and yours to morrow; farewell for a Couple of Teazers! Oh the Devil! [_Flinging from 'em._

Marsillia _Entring, meets him_.

_Mars._ What in a Heat, and a Pa.s.sion, and all that, Mr. _Powell_? Lord!

I'll tell you, Mr. _Powell_, I have been in a Heat, and Fret, and all that, Mr. _Powell_! I met two or three idle People of Quality, who thinking I had no more to do than themselves, stop'd my Chair, and teaz'd me with a Thousand foolish Questions.