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Show 16 ^* The Recruiting Officer. BaH. I don't, but I wou'd rather counfel than command ; I don't propofe this with the Authority of a Parent, but as the Advice of your Friend; that you wou'd take the Coach this Moment, and go into the Country. Sil. Does this Advice, Sir, proceed from the Contents of the Letter you receiv'd juft n o w ? Ball. N o matter, I will be with you in three or four Days, and then give you m y Reafons. But before you go, 1 expect you will make m e one folemn Promife. Sil. Propofe the thing, Sir. Ball. That you will never difpofe of your felf to any M a n, without m y Confent. Sil. I promife. Ball. Very well, and to be even with you, I promife I never will difpofe of you without your o w n Confent, and io, Silvia, the Coach is ready; farewel. (Leads her to the Door, and returns.) N o w fhe's gone, I'll examine the Contents of this Letter a little nearer. (Reads. SIR, TV/T Y Intimacy with Mr. Worthy has drawn a Secret from him, •*• that he had from his Friend Captain Plume; and my Friendfhip, and Relation to your Family, oblige me to give you timely of it: The Captain has difhonourable Defigns upon my Coufin Silvia. Evils of this Nature are more eafily prevented than amend-* ed, and that you wou'd immediately fend my Coufin into the Country, is the Advice of Sir, your humble Servant, MELINDA. Why the Devil's in the young Fellows of this Age, they are ten times worfe than they were in m y time; had he made m y Daughter a Whore, and forfwore it like a Gentleman, I cou'd have almoft pardon'd it; but to tell Tales beforehand is monftrous. Hang it, I can fetch down a Woodcock or a Snipe, and why not a Hat and Feather ? I have a Cafe of good Piftols, and have a good mind to try. Enter Worthy. Worthy! Your Servant. Wor. I a m forry, Sir, to be the MefTenger of ill News. Ball. I apprehend it, Sir, you have heard that m y Son Owen is paft Recovery. Wor. M y Letters fay he's dead, Sir. BaU. i |