Lord Fop. [Looks first on himself and then on his brother.] Ask the ladies.

Fash. Why, thou essence-bottle, thou musk-cat! dost thou then think thou hast any advantage over me but what Fortune has given thee?

Lord Fop. I do, stap my vitals!

Fash. Now, by all that’s great and powerful, thou art the prince of coxcombs!

Lord Fop. Sir, I am proud at being at the head of so prevailing a party.

Fash. Will nothing provoke thee?—Draw, coward!

Lord Fop. Look you, Tam, you know I have always taken you for a mighty dull fellow, and here is one of the foolishest plats broke out that I have seen a lang time. Your poverty makes life so burdensome to you, you would provoke me to a quarrel, in hopes either to slip through my lungs into my estate, or to get yourself run through the guts, to put an end to your pain. But I will disappoint you in both your designs; far, with the temper of a philasapher, and the discretion of a statesman—I shall leave the room with my sword in the scabbard.

[Exit.

Fash. So! farewell, brother; and now, conscience, I defy thee. Lory!

Enter Lory.

Lory. Sir!

Fash. Here’s rare news, Lory; his lordship has given me a pill has purged off all my scruples.

Lory. Then my heart’s at ease again: for I have been in a lamentable fright, sir, ever since your conscience had the impudence to intrude into your company.

Fash. Be at peace; it will come there no more: my brother has given it a wring by the nose, and I have kicked it downstairs. So run away to the inn, get the chaise ready quickly, and bring it to Dame Coupler’s without a moment’s delay.

Lory. Then, sir, you are going straight about the fortune?

Fash. I am.—Away—fly, Lory!

Lory. The happiest day I ever saw. I’m upon the wing already. Now then I shall get my wages.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—A Garden behind Loveless’s Lodgings.

Enter Loveless and Servant.

Love. Is my wife within?

Ser. No, sir, she has gone out this half-hour.

Love. Well, leave me.—[Exit Servant.] How strangely does my mind run on this widow!—Never was my heart so suddenly seized on before. That my wife should pick out her, of all womankind, to be her playfellow! But what fate does, let fate answer for: I sought it not. So! by Heavens! here she comes.