University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

STORMANDRA, CAPTAIN BILKUM.
STORMANDRA.
Not, tho' you were the best Man in the Land,
Shou'd you, unpaid for, have from me a Favour?
Therefore come down the Ready, or I go.

BILKUM.
Forbid it, Venus, I shou'd ever set
So cursed an Example to the World:
Forbid, the Rake, in full Pursuit of Joy
Requir'd the unready Ready to come down,
Shou'd curse my Name, and cry, thus Bilkum did;
To him this cursed Precedent we owe.

STORMANDRA.
Rather forbid, that, bilk'd in after-time,
The Chair-less Girl should curse Stormandra's Name,
That as she walks with draggled Coats the Street,
(Coats shortly to be pawn'd) the hungry Wretch
Shou'd bellow out, for this, I thank Stormandra!

BILKUM.
Trust me to-night and never trust me more,
If I do not come down when I get up.

STORMANDRA.
And dost thou think I have a Soul so mean?
Trust thee! dost think I came last Week to Town,
The Waggon Straws yet hanging to my Tail?
Trust thee! oh! when I trust thee for a Groat,
Hanover-Square shall come to Drury-Lane.

BILKUM.
Madam, 'tis well, your Mother may perhaps,
Teach your rude Tongue to know a softer Tone.
And see, she comes, the smiling Brightness comes.