Mrs. Sul. Here! what, in my bedchamber at two o’clock o’th’ morning, I undressed, the family asleep, my hated husband abroad, and my lovely fellow at my feet!—O ’gad, sister!

Dor. Thoughts are free, sister, and them I allow you.—So, my dear, good night.

Mrs. Sul. A good rest to my dear Dorinda!—[Exit Dorinda.] Thoughts free! are they so? Why, then suppose him here, dressed like a youthful, gay, and burning bridegroom,

[Here Archer steals out of a closet behind. with tongue enchanting, eyes bewitching, knees imploring.—[Turns a little on one side and sees Archer in the posture she describes.]—Ah!—[Shrieks, and runs to the other side of the stage.] Have my thoughts raised a spirit?—What are you, sir, a man or a devil?

Arch. A man, a man, madam.

[Rising.

Mrs. Sul. How shall I be sure of it?

Arch. Madam, I’ll give you demonstration this minute.

[Takes her hand.

Mrs. Sul. What, sir! do you intend to be rude?

Arch. Yes, madam, if you please.

Mrs. Sul. In the name of wonder, whence came ye?

Arch. From the skies, madam—I’m a Jupiter in love, and you shall be my Alcmena.

Mrs. Sul. How came you in?

Arch. I flew in at the window, madam; your cousin Cupid lent me his wings, and your sister Venus opened the casement.

Mrs. Sul. I’m struck dumb with wonder!

Arch. And I—with admiration!

[Looks passionately at her.

Mrs. Sul. What will become of me?

Arch. How beautiful she looks!—The teeming jolly Spring smiles in her blooming face, and, when she was conceived, her mother smelt to roses, looked on lilies— Lilies unfold their white, their fragrant charms, When the warm sun thus darts into their arms.

[Runs to her.

Mrs. Sul. Ah!

[Shrieks.

Arch. ’Oons, madam, what d’ye mean? you’ll raise the house.

Mrs. Sul. Sir, I’ll wake the dead before I bear this!—What! approach me with the freedom of a keeper! I’m glad on’t, your impudence has cured me.