Love's a lottery and a woman the prize with a new masque call'd Love and riches reconcil'd : as it was acted by His Majesties servants at the theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields.

SCENE I. The Town.

Enter Mr. Maggot, and several others, as Venturers in the Lottery.

Maggot.

INDEED, Gentlemen, I have been a long time rumi∣nating upon this Matter; but at last an Ingenious Lady put it into my Head, to set up this Lottery for Wives.

1. Man.

It shou'd therefore, methinks, have been call'd, the Ladies Invention.

2. Man.

Right; for 'tis an excellent Contrivance indeed, especially, at such a time as this, when Lotteries are Al-a-mode.

Maggot.

Al-a-mode d'you call it? Ay, and an Old Mode too: For I'm sure Marriage has been a Lottery ever since I can remember.

1. Man.

And what's the Reason of that, Sir, but because the Law does not allow a Month's tryal before hand? So that we are forc'd to take Pigs in Pokes, contrary to the Custom of all Markets.

Maggot.

Well, to the point.—I knew there were a World of poor Gentlemen in and about this City, who had Daughters that stuck upon their Hands for want of Portions.

2. Man.

Very true, Sir.

Maggot.

So, I sent for a good many of 'em, and told 'em, That I had a great number of extraordinary Rarities, which I intended to put off by way of Lottery, (as many others do, now a days, Books and Cakes) and if they would venture their Daughters, I'de venture my Goods; for I intend∣ed

that every Female shou'd have a Lot of Price and Value to carry her off, for Male encouragement.

1. Man.

I'le assure you, Sir, you may be justly call'd, The distressed Damsel's Patron:

For I never knew Self-Interest, and publick Charity so carnally coupl'd be∣fore.

Maggot.

Nay, more than this, Gentlemen, I'le have no Blanks—But a Lot and a Woman; a Woman and a Lot quite through; 'till all be drawn.

2. Man.

By the Temptation of Womankind, this Contrivance must take, Gentlemen.

Omnes.

Ay, ay—This Lottery must hit; it must, it must!

3. Man.

But hold a little—How shall we know, Master of mine, whe∣ther these same Rarities of yours are worth the ready Money we are to lay down?

Maggot.

There's a Question indeed—Worth, quoth a? Why, I'le tell you what, Friend, there's one Woman will have a strange Fish, with no less than Twenty Feet between the Head and Tail. As I hope to be Knighted, Gentlemen, I fetch'd it my self out of the Zodiack, not many Leagues from the North Pole, where 'tis well known, That the Sun stands still a whole Fortnight together.

1. Man.

And that's the Reason, I believe, that we have wanted one Month in the Summer these several Years past.

2. Man.

Not unlikely, truly—But, Sir, there's one thing more—I desire you, if you have any Woman fairer than the rest, pray let me have her—for I don't care how simple she is.

1. Man.

And let me have the blackest in the whole Pack, for I have heard, That a Woman's Pride is many times the Guardian of her Ho∣nour.

3. Man.

I gad, Sir, if I have a Red-hair'd Woman, I'll turn her upon your Hands again; for I hate to have Fire in the upper Tire.

4. Man.

Pray, Sir, let me have a very genteel Woman; That will sit and simper in the Bar, and draw Customers.

Maggot.

A Genteel Woman, say you! Why, what are you, Friend?

4: Man.

A Tapster, Sir, at the Colchester-Inn in Bishop's-gate-street; I am very well known, Sir, all about that end of the Town; and a pretty Woman will be the making of me.

Maggot.

Look you, Gentlemen, As for the Complexions and Conditions of your Women, Ye must be contented with your Lots— Fortune and Destiny will have their Course— And so farewell, 'till I see you again.

[Exit Maggot.]

1. Man.

Well, Gentlemen, what d'ye think on't?

2. Man.

Why? very well for my part; but then d'ye hear, Gentlemen, we must be sure to take the right way, or we are all spoil'd.

3. Man.

And how's that?

2. Man.

Why if we have to do with Fortune, we must renounce our Sen∣ses and Understandings, and turn meer Fools.

3. Man.

And what then?

2.

Why then if we han't good luck, I'le ne're trust Proverb more.

[Exeunt Omnes.]