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Show A 206 The ProyoPd Wife. a downright ftinking C u c k o l d - Here they a r e -. %QO [Putting his Hand to his Forehead, Methinks I could butt with a Bull. - - What the Plague did I marry her for ? I knew fhe did not like m e ; if flie had, fhe wou'd have lain with me ; for 1 wou'd have done fo, becaufe I lik'd her: But that's paft, and I have her. And now, what (hall I do with her ? If I put m y Horns into m y Pocket, fhe'll grow infolent If I don't, that Goat there, that Stallion, is ready to whip me through the G u t s - - - The Debate then is reduc'd to this; Shall I die a Hero ? or live a Rafcal ? , Why, wifer Men than I have long fince concluded, that a living D o g is better than a dead Lion... [To Conft. and Heartf. j Gentlemen, n o w my Wine and m y Pafllon are governable, 1 muft own, I have never obferv'd any thing in m y Wife's Courfe of Life, to back m e in m y Jealoufy of her : but Jealoufy's a mark of Love ; fo (he nctd not trouble her head about it, as long as I make no more words on't. Lady Fancyful enters difgms'd, and addreffes to Belinda apart. Conftant. I'm glad to fee your Reafon rule at laft, Give m e your Hand: I hope you'll look upon me as you are wont. Sir 7. Your humble Servant. [Afide.] A wheedling Son of a Whore. Heartf. And that 1 may be fure you are Friends with m e too pray give m e your Confent to wed your Niece. Sir J. Sir, you have it with all m y heart: Damn me if you han't, [ Afide. ] 'Tis time to get rid of her: A young pert Pimp \ (he'll make an incomparable Bawd in a little time. Enter a Servant^ who gives Heartfree a Letter. Mel Heartfree your Husband, fay you ? 'tis impofli* ble. lA,$an. Wou'd to kind Heaven it were: but'tis toe true ', and in the World there lives not fuch a Wretch. ' I'm young •, and either 1 have been flatter'* by m y Friends^ as well as Glafs, or Nature has been TheProvok'dWiferm^ toj kind and generous to me. I had a Fortune too was greater far than <he could ever hope for; but with my Heart I a m robb'd of all the reft. I'm flighted and I'm beggar'd both at once ; I have fcarce a bare Subfiftence from the Villain, yet dare complain to none; for he has fworn, if e'er 'tis known 1 a m his Wife, he'll murder me. [Weeping. Bel. The Traytor! La. Tan. I accidentally was told he courted you ; Charity foon prevail'd upon m e to prevent your Mifery : And as you fee, I'm ftill fo generous even to him, as not tofufferhe fhould do a thing, for which the L a w might take away his Life. [Weeping. Bel. Poor Creature ! h o w I pity her ! (They continue talking afide. Heartf. (afide.) Death and Damnation! Let m e read it again. (Reads.) Tho 1 have a particular Reafon net to let you know who I am till I fee you ; yet you*ll eafily believe 'tis a faithful Friend that gives you this jdvice / have lain with Belinda (Good!) 1 have a Child by her (Better and Better !) which is now at Nurfe; (Heaven be prais'd! ) and I think the Founda* iion laid for another : ( H a ! - Old Truepenny ! > _ „ No Rack could have tortur'd this Story from me\ but Triendfhip has done it. I heard of your Defign to marry her, and cou'd not fee you abus'd. Make ufe of my Advice, but keep my Secret till I ask you fort again. Afoeu. (Exit Lady Fancyful. Confl. to B.] Come, Madam, fhall we fend for the Parfon ? I doubt here's no Bufinefs for the Lawyer: Younger Brothers have nothing to fettle but their Hearts, and that I believe m y Friend here has already done very faithfully. Bel. [fcornfully.] Are you fure, Sir, there are no old Mortgages upon it ? Heartf. [coldly.] If you think there are, Madam, it mayn't be amifs to defer the Marriage till you are fure they are paid oft. Bel. afide.] H o w the gall'd Hoife kicks! [To.Heartf."] We'll defer it as long as you pleafe, Sir. Heart* |