The lover's luck a comedy as it is acted at the theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields by His Majesty's servants / written by Mr. Dilke.

SCENE the Temple Walks. Eager meeting Breviat.

Eager,

G'Morrow Mr. Breviat; I'm taking a Mouth full of your Temple Air: But I profess it is so blow'd upon by the White-Fryars Knights of the Post, the Noble Attestors of your study'd Frauds and Falshoods, that 'tis dangerous giving it Reception in an honest Breast.

Breviat,

You are very Conscientious Eager,—And speak as if your Profession was a Secret.

Eag.

I dare own my Profession, and justify my self a generous publick spirited Per∣son, a Promoter of civil Understanding, and a charitable Procurer of Fellow-feeling betwixt both Sexes, in order to the Establishing the mutual Correspondence of Man∣kind —Whilst you Wranglers, at the Bar, disturb the Peace and Repose of all Men; then basely build your Fortunes upon your own Client's Ruin.

Bre.

Prithee leave this Railing,—And communicate some of your Instructions for the effectual prosecution of my Amour I told you of.

Eag.

Oh!—with the great Heiress Mrs. Purflew;—Why look you now, here you find the want of my Faculty already—managing a Match, and procuring a Mistress, is still Pimping—though by distinct Methods we attain our different Ends.

Enter Bellair, Jocond, and Servants with Baggage, as just Landed.

Bellair,

Go Jocond, get my things to my Lodgings, and call at my Taylors, and the Exchange, and—bid them send home what I writ for.

Jocond,

Yes Sir.—Now must I quest amongst a Covey of Strumpets; All the Eringo my Master has been chawing this Voyage, won't supply a single Pittance to each of the Game I shall spring.

[Exit with Servants.

Eag.

'Ods so, here comes Col. Bellair—by his Garb. I belive just arrived.

Brev.

Col. you're welcome back to England—I won't ask how stand Affairs in Flanders, since your safe return will atone for the loss of Hundreds.

Eag.

I am confident the hearty Jollys of the Old Devil, as well as the buxom She's about Covent-Garden, will subscribe to Mr. Breviat's Opinion.

Bell.

Your Servant Gentlemen—What do you entertain a Stranger with Rail∣lery?

But I am glad to find the same gaiety of Humour reigns with you still.— Eager thou look'st very Spruce,—Do lucky Hits fall apace? But thy Calling can never be at a stand, whilst either young Fools have Money, or the old ones Lea∣chery. —You see I must go and Accouter. For the present adieu.

[Exit.

Eag.

See how heavily the Col. walks, with a score or two of dead Men in each Pocket, and half a dozen of vacant Commissions.

Brev.

I don't grudge him the fruits of his Fatigues,—Since he's a brave, honest, generous Gentleman.—I think he has 'scap'd without the Badge of a single Scar.

Eag.

Though he has lost no Blood this Summer, yet he has sweat for't sufficiently, and has swell'd out his Honour, in a graceful Chair of State.—I heard that he was laid up Stewing all the beginning of the Campaign.

Brev.

O fy!—Eager, thou art ill-natur'd.

Eag.

The truth on't is, I ought to be silent—For I know I shall be employ'd by him—I must hunt the City for some Merchants Prentices, that have broke into their Master's Cash; or some young Recreants of the Law, that have made them∣selves Purses by a decent Robbery of their Father's, or some rich Uncles;—So they shall have Commissions, and handsome retreats to the Army. And the Col. shall have his Recruits made, and I shall have my Snacks—And so that business is done.

Brev.

I find you are very instrumental in military Promotions;—Is that the way to Preferment?

Eag.

That's a safe way to the first step; but there's another, a sure Card to Ad∣vancement for such as have an exquisite Knowledge in my honourable Vocation of Pimping; as prostrating a handsome Relation, or so.

Brev.

But, what a Pox, is this to my bus'ness?—my little charming Purflew, and those killing Graces, of her Mannors, Lands and Tenements.

Eag.

I must confess her well stuffed Purses are weighty Perfections, had she no other.

Brev.

'Sbud they are—I would willingly shake hands with this crabbed Study of the Law, with all the dull Ribaldry of Infeofment, Disseizins, Vowchings, and the Divel and all.

Eag.

A—h, That black old Gentlemen you speak of, was the first of your Employ, he sui'd out a Writ of Ejectment against poor Father Adam.

Brev.

And I don't care if he claims his Right to the whole Tribe of Gown-men Ec∣clesiastical and Civil.—If I get my Mistress, he shall have nothing to say to me, on that score, I promise him.—Therefore, prithee, let's come to the Point—thou know'st I won't be backward to whet thy Invention.—There honest Eager, do'st understand the Language of old Jacobus's?

[Gives him Money.

Eag.

Ay, Sir, now you say something to the purpose.—Then to be plain and short with you.

Brev.

Come—begin then.

Eag.

I have already told you something of Alderman Whim's Humour.—He has a greater Influence over his Niece Purflew, than her other Uncle Sir Nicholas, who is joynt Trustee with him.

Brev.

Good—

Eag.

And though the young Lady be enjoyn'd by Will not to Marry till Eighteen, without the consent of both Uncles; yet I am confident the Alderman alone is able

to effect the business,—she being already of that Age, or very near the matter, though kept in Ignorance of it.

Brev.

Very well.

Eag.

You must know both the Uncles design to make their Markets—Yet will not trust each other: Therefore you must come down a good handsome Donative to the Alderman, which will bring him to treat of further Terms.

Brev.

A lusty round Bribe you mean.—I belive you're much in the right on't, for that's the chief Spring in all the grand Movements of both Church and State.

Eag.

Oh fy!—You must not call it barefac'd Bribery; 'tis not good breeding to term it so—I that have no other way of Living should be loath to have Gen∣tlemen's noble Gratuities have that scandalous Title.—But to proceed, You know he's a magotty Projector; You must humour his extravagant Notions, and what you deposite, you must pretend to intrust him withal for the Encouragement of some Project.

Brev.

Very pritty.—I find downright Suborning is improved to a delicate nice Science.

Eag.

O God, Sir, a curious Study, and has its different Appellations by the seve∣ral Stations of Men.—The Church-men call it an Earnest of Merrit.—The Courtier a Hint of Remembrance.—Ministers of State, and Officers in the Courts of Justice term it Expedition.—The Grandees of the Army a Recommendation.— The Parliament-men a Promoting of the Business.—The Bawd a Gratuity.— The Whore a Pair of Gloves; and the Jockeys a Barnacle.—All's to the same purpose i' Faith.

Brev.

Why, look you Mr. Eager, I believe what you utter is downright Oracle; therefore I having a parcel of old Granam Gold by me—I am resolv'd to put it in, and venture my Luck for the Double-Chance, Wealth and Beauty.

Eag.

Do so; I have urg'd your business to the Alderman already, and found it work; therefore about it.

Brev.

I'll go to my Chamber, and take my Credentials with me, and to him.— Eager, wish me good Luck;—Farewel.

[Exit.

Eag.

Sir, I am your most Obsequious: So there's one Bubble dispatch'd.— Let me look over my Table-book, and see how I must order the Business of the Day.—To meet Mr. Goosandelo to introduce him into Sir Nicholas's Company, and assist him in his Amour with Mrs. Purflew; the same with Breviat's: But that won't prejudice my Concern.—To bully Squire Sapless out of a certain Sum of Money. Good, that will be done with ease: A rich Prize, that Cheshire Spark, i' Faith—I must make this Booby bleed stoutly.—To Sollicit for Alder∣man Whim, that he may solace himself, as he calls it, with Madam Vesuvia; so.— To procure an honourable Interview betwixt the old Herald, Sir Nicholas Purflew, and the bright Inhabitant of the Azure Apartment; (as his Letter styles hèr) very well. The same Lady Vesuvia—I must put the grand Menage upon these two old lustful Satyrs.—Well, I profess mine is a laborious Employ.—All the Qualifica∣tions for a Secretary of State, or a Principal Minister, are not sufficient to accomplish a thorough-pac'd Pimp, and Cheat. By your leave, sweet Mr. Eager; but, I think, I may make bold with my self now I am alone.

[Exit.