Sir J. And you shall see what I’ll say to the justice of peace, sirrah. [Watchman knocks at the door.

Enter Servant.

Con. Is Mr. Justice at home?

Serv. Yes.

Con. Pray acquaint his worship we have got an unruly woman here, and desire to know what he’ll please to have done with her.

Serv. I’ll acquaint my master.

[Exit.

Sir J. Hark you! constable, what cuckoldy justice is this?

Con. One that knows how to deal with such romps as you are, I’ll warrant you.

Enter Justice.

Just. Well, Mr. Constable, what is the matter here?

Con. An’t please your worship, this here comical sort of a gentlewoman has committed great outrages to-night. She has been frolicking with my Lord Rake and his gang; they attacked the watch, and I hear there has been a man killed. I believe ’tis they have done it.

Sir J. Sir, there may have been murder, for aught I know; and ’tis a great mercy there has not been a rape, too; that fellow would have ravished me.

1 Watch. Ravish, ravish! Oh, lud! oh, lud! oh, lud! Do I look like a ravisher?

Just. Why, truly, she does seem a little masculine about the mouth.

2 Watch. Yes, and about the hands, too, an’t please your worship. I did but offer, in mere civility, to help her up the steps into our apartment, and with her gripen fists—

[Sir J. Knocks him down.

Sir J. I felled him to the ground, like an ox.

Just. Out upon this boisterous woman! out upon her!

Sir J. Mr. Justice, he would have been uncivil; it was in defence of my honour, and I demand satisfaction.

2 Watch. I hope your worship will satisfy her honour in Bride-well! that fist of her’s will make an admirable hemp-beater.

Sir J. I hope you will protect me against that libidinous rascal. I am a woman of quality, and virtue, too, for all I am in an undress this morning.

Just. Why, she really has the air of a sort of a woman a little somethingish out of the common. Madam, if you expect I should be favourable to you, I desire I may know who you are.

Sir J. Sir, I am anybody, at your service.

Just. I desire to know your name.