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yours.

walk by the water-Worthy, your servant; Laconic, [Exit. Bal. If you can have so mean an opinion of Melinda, as to be jealous of this fellow, I think she ought to give you cause to be so.

Wor. I don't think she encourages him so much for gaining herself a lover, as to set up a rival. Were there any credit to be given to his words, I should believe Melinda had made him this assignation. I must go see; sir, you'll pardon me.

[Exit. Bal. Ay, ay, sir, you're a man of business-But what have we got here?

Enter Rose, singing.

Rose. And I shall be a lady, a captain's lady, and ride single, upon a white horse with a star, upon a velvet side-saddle; and I shall go to London, and see the tombs, and the lions, and the king and queen. Sir, an please your worship, I have often seen your worship ride through our grounds a-hunting, begging your worship's pardon. Pray, what may this lace be worth a-yard? [Shewing some Lace.

Bal. Right Mechlin, by this light! Where did you get this lace, child?

Rose. No matter for that, sir; I came honestly by it. Bal. I question it much. [Aside.

Rose. And see here, sir, a fine Turkey-shell snuffbox, and fine mangere: see here. [Takes snuff affectedly.] The captain learned me how to take it with an air.

Bal. Oh ho! the captain! now the murder's out. And so the captain taught you to take it with an air? Rose. Yes; and give it with an air too. Will your worship please to taste my snuff?

[Offers the Box affectedly. Bal. You are a very apt scholar, pretty maid! And pray, what did you give the captain for these fine things?

Rose. He's to have my brother for a soldier, and two or three sweethearts I have in the country; they shall all go with the captain. Oh! he's the finest man, and the humblest withal! Would you believe it, sir? he carried me up with him to his own cham ber, with as much fam-mam-mil-yararality, as if I had been the best lady in the land.

Bal. Oh! he's a mighty familiar gentleman as can be.

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How, the justice! then I'm arraigned, condemned, and 'executed.

Bal. Oh, my noble captain!

Rose. And my noble captain, too, sir.

Plume. 'Sdeath! child, are you mad?-Mr Balance, I am so full of business about my recruits, that I ha'n't a moment's time to-I have just now three or four people to

Bal. Nay, captain, I must speak to you

Rose. And so must I too, captain.

Plume. Any other time, sir-I cannot, for my life, sir

Bal. Pray, sir

Plume. Twenty thousand things I would-butnow, sir, pray-Devil take me-I cannot-I must

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[Breaks away.

[Exit.

[Exit.

SCENE 11.

The Walk by the Severn Side.

Enter MELINDA, and her Maid Lucy.

Mel. And pray was it a ring, or buckle, or pendant, or knots; or in what shape was the almighty gold transformed, that has bribed you so much in his favour?

Lucy. Indeed, madam, the last bribe I had from the captain, was only a small piece of Flanders' lace, for a cap.

Mel. Ay, Flanders' lace is a constant present from officers to their women. They every year bring over a cargo of lace, to cheat the king of his duty, and his subjects of their honesty.

Lucy. They only barter one sort of prohibited goods for another, madam.

Mel. Has any of them been bartering with you, Mrs Pert, that you talk so like a trader?

Lucy. One would imagine, madam. by your concern for Worthy's absence, that you should use him better when he's with you.

Mel. Who told you, pray, that I was concerned for his absence? I'm only vexed that I have had nothing said to me these two days; as one may love the treason and hate the traitor. Oh! here comes another captain, and a rogue that has the confidence to make love to me; but indeed, I don't wonder at that, when he has the assurance to fancy himself a fine gentle

man.

Lucy. If he should speak o' th' assignation I should be ruined! [Aside.

Enter BRAZEN.

Brazen. True to the touch, 'faith! [Aside.]-Madam, I am your humble servant, and all that, madam, A fine river, this same Severn-Do you love fishing, madam ?

Mel. 'Tis a pretty melancholy amusement for lo

vers.

Brazen. I'll go and buy hooks and lines presently; for you must know, madam, that I have served in Flanders against the French, in Hungary against the Turks, and in Tangier against the Moors, and I was never so much in love before; and split me, madam, in all the campaigns I ever made, I have not seen so fine a woman as your ladyship.

Mel. And from all the men I ever saw, I never had so fine a compliment: but you soldiers are the best bred men, that we must allow.

Brazen. Some of us, madam; but there are brutes among us too, very sad brutes; for my own part, I have always had the good luck to prove agreeable. I have had very considerable offers, madam-I might have married a German princess, worth fifty thousand crowns a-year, but her stove disgusted me.

The

daughter of a Turkish bashaw fell in love with me, too, when I was a prisoner among the infidels; she offered to rob her father of his treasure, and make her escape with me; but I don't know how, my time was not come hanging and marriage, you know, go by destiny: Fate has reserved me for a Shropshire lady, worth twenty thousand pounds. Do you know any such person, madam ?

Mel. Extravagant coxcomb! [Aside.]-To be sure, a great many ladies of that fortune would be proud of the name of Mrs Brazen.

Brazen. Nay, for that matter, madam, there are women of very good quality of the name of Brazen.

Enter WORTHY.

Mel Oh, are you there, gentleman?-Come, captain, we'll walk this way. Give me your hand. Brazen. My hand, heart's blood, and guts, are at your service. Mr Worthy, your servant, my dear! [Exit, leading Melinda.

Wor. Death and fire! this is not to be borne !

Enter PLUME.

Plume. No more it is, 'faith.

Wor. What?

Plume. The March beer at the Raven. I have been doubly serving the king, raising men, and raising the excise. Recruiting and elections are rare friends to the excise.

Wor. You a❜n't drunk?

Plume. No, no, whimsical only; I could be mighty foolish, and fancy myself mighty witty. Reason still keeps its throne, but it nods a little, that's all. Wor. Then you're just fit for a frolic.

Plume. Just so.

Wor. Then recover me that vessel, from that Tangerine.

Plume. She's well rigged, but how is she manned? Wor. By Captain Brazen, that I told you of today; she is called the Melinda, a first rate I can assure you; she sheered off with him just now, on purpose to affront me; but according to your advice I would take no notice, because I would seem to be above a concern for her behaviour; but have a care of a quarrel.

Plume. No, no; I never quarrel with any thing in my cups, but an oyster-wench, or a cook-maid, and if they ben't civil, I knock them down. But hearkye, my friend, I'll make love, and I must make love-I tell ye what, I'll make love like a platoon.

Wor. Platoon! how's that?

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