OCR Text |
Show The Beaux Stratagem. 57 SCENE changes to a Bed-chamber in Lady BountifulV Houfet • Enter Mrs. Sull. Dor. mdrefs'd, a Table and Lights. Dor. 'Tis very late, Sifter, no News of your Spoufe yet Mrs. SHLI. N o , I'm condemn'd to be alone till towards four, and then perhaps I may be executed with his Company. Dor. Well, m y Dear, I'll leave you to your Reft ; you'll go directly to Bed, I fuppofe. Mrs. Sull. I don't know what to do; hey-hoe ! Dor. That's a defiring Sigh, Sifter. Mrs. Sull. This is a languishing Hour, Sifter, Dor. A n d might prove a Critical Minute, if the pretty Fellow were here. Mrs. Sull. Here! what, in m y Bed; chamber, at two a Clock o'th' Morning, I undrefs'd, the Family afleep, m y hated Hul-hand abroad, and m y lovely Fellow at m y Feeet Ogacl, Sifter ! Dor. Thoughts are free, Sifter, and them I allow you So, m y Dear, good Night, Mrs. Sull. A good Reft to m y dear Dorinda Thoughts free ! are they fo ? W h y then, fuppofe him here, drefs'd like a youthful, gay, and burning Bridegroom, [Here Archer fieals out of the Clofet."] with Tongue enchanting, Eyes bewitching, Knees imploring. [Turns a little o' one fide, and fees Archer the Po/rure fin defcribes.~] Ah I [Shreeks, and runs to Sile of the Stage.'] Have m y Thoughts rais'd a Spirit? What are you, Sir, a M a n or a Devil? Arch. A Man, a Man, Madam. [&fog- Mrs. Sull. H o w fhall I be fure of it? Arch. Madam, I'll give youDemonftration this Minute. [Takes her Hand. Mr?. Sdl. What, Sir ! do you intend to be rude? Arch. Yes, Madam, if you pleafe. Mrs. Sull. In the N a m e of Wonder, Whence came ye ? Anh. From the Skies, M a d a m I'm a Jupiter in Love,* and you fhall be m y Alcmena. Mrs. Sull. H o w came you in ? Arch. I flew in at the Window, M a d a m ; your Cozen Cu~ • pid lent m e his Wings, and your Sifter Venus open'd the Cafe-znenr. Mrs, Sull. I'm ftruck d u m b with Admiration. Atrch. And I with VVonder. (Looks psffionately at ? i 4 Mrs. Sulf |