University of Virginia Library

SCEN. II.

Scene, COVENT-GARDEN.
Enter Sir Frederick Frollick, with Fidlers before him, and six or eight Link-boys, dancing and singing.
Sir Fred.
Here, here, this is the window; range your
Selves here.

Enter the Bell-man.
Bell-m.
Good-morrow, Gentlemen.

Sir Fred.
Honest Bell-man, prethee lend me thy Bell.

Bell-m.
Withall my heart, Master.

[Sir Fred. rings the Bell, and then repeats these Verses.
Sir Fred.
You Widow, that do sleep dog-sleep,
And now for your dead Husband weep,
Perceiving well what want you have
Of that poor worm has eat in Grave;
Rise out of Bed, and ope the door;
Here's that will all your joys restore.
Good-morrow, my Mistress dear, Good-morrow.
Good-morrow, Widow.

[He rings the Bell again.
The Chamber-maid comes to the Window unclac'd, holding her Petticoats in her hand.
Maid.
Who's that that comes at this unseasonable
Hour, to disturb my Ladies quiet.

Sir Fred.
An honest Bell-man, to mind her of her frailty.

Maid.
Sir Frederick, I wonder you will offer this;
You will loose her favour for ever.

Sir Fred.
Y'are mistaken; now's the time to creep into
Her favour.

Maid.
I'm sure y'ave wak'd me out of the sweetest sleep.
Hey ho—

Sir Fred.
Poor girl! let me in, I'le rock
Thee into a sweeter.

Maid.
I hear a stirring in my Mistresses Chamber;
I believe y'ave frighted her.
[Exit Maid.

Sir Fred.
Sound a fresh Alarm; the Enemy's at hand.

[Fidlers play.
The Widow comes to the Window in her Night-Gown.
Wid.
Whose insolence is this, that dares affront me
Thus?

Sir Fred.
in a Canting Tone.
If there be insolence in Love, 'tis I
Have done you this unwilling injury.

Wid.
What pitiful rhyming fellow's that? he speaks
As if he were prompted by the Fidlers.

Sir Fred.
Alas, what pains I take thus to unclose
Those pretty eye-lids which lock'd up my Foes!

Wid.
A godly Buke would become that tone a great
Deal better: He might get a pretty living by
Reading Mother Shipton's Prophesies, or some
Pious Exhortation at the corner of a Street:
His mournful voice, I vow, has mov'd my compassion.

Sir Fred.
Ay, ay, we shou'd have a fellow-feeling of one
Another indeed, Widow.

Wid.
Sir Frederick, is it you?

Sir Fred.
Yes truly; and can you be angry, Lady?
Have not your Quarters been beaten up
At these most seasonable hours before now?

Wid.
Yes; but it has been by one that has had a Commission
For what he did: I'm afraid shou'd it once become
Your Duty, you would soon grow weary of the Employment.

S. Fr.
Widow, I hate this distance; 'tis not the English fashion:
Prethee let's come to't hand to fist.

Wid.
I give no entertainment to such lewd persons.
Farewell, Sir.
[Exit Widow.

S. Fr.
I'le fetch thee again, or conjure the whole Garden up.
Sing the Catch I taught you at the Rose.

[Fidlers sing.
SONG.
He that will win a Widows heart
Must bear up briskly to her:
She loves the Lad that's free and smart,
But hates the Formal Wooer.

Widow runs to the Window again, with her Maid.
Wid.
Hold, hold, Sir Frederick; what do you imagine
The Neighbours will think?

Sir Fred.
So ill, I hope, of thee, thoul't be forc'd to
Think the better of me.

Wid.
I am much beholden to you for the care you have
Of my Reputation.

Sir Fred.
Talk no more, but let the door be open'd;
Or else Fidlers—

Wid.
Pray hold; what security shall I have for
Your good behaviour?

Sir Fred.
My Sobriety.

Wid.
That's pawn'd at the Tavern from whence
You came.

Sir Fred.
Thy own Honesty then; is that engag'd?

Wid.
I think that will go nigh to secure me.
Give 'em entrance, Betty.

[Ex. Widow, and her Maid.
Enter Palmer, with a Link before him.
Sir Fred.
Ha! who goes there?

Palm.
An humble Creature of yours, Sir.

Sir Fred.
Palmer in a disguise! What roguery
Hast thou been about?

Palm.
Out of my loyal inclinations doing
Service to his Majesty.

Sir Fred.
What? a plotting?

Palm.
How to destroy his enemies, Mr Wheadle
And I are very vigilant.

Sir Fred.
In bubbling of some body, on my life.

Palm.
We do not use to boast our services,
Nor do we seek Rewards; good actions
Recompense themselves.

Sir Fred.
Ho, the door opens; farewell, Sirrah.
Gentlemen, wait you without, and be ready
When I call.
Honest Bell-man, drink this.

[Gives the Bell-man money.
Bell-m.
Thank you, Noble Master.
[Exit Bell-man.

Sir Fred.
entring.
Here's something to stop thy mouth too.

The Maid shrieks.
Maid.
Out upon you, Sir Frederick; you'l never leave
Your old tricks.

[Exeunt.