She ventures, and he wins a comedy acted at the New Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn Fields by His Majesty's servants / written by a young lady.

SCENE II.

Enter Freeman, and Urania with a Letter in her Hand.

Uran.

Nay, prithee Freeman, be not in such a Rage at a thing so contempti∣bly ugly, that is not worth raising the Passion of a Man; you must trust to my Honesty after all you can do, and, if I design'd you foul play, I would not acquaint you thus freely, as I do, with all the Coxcomb's proceedings: Pray leave him to my management, and for once trust a Woman's Revenge; I'll warrant you I'll handle him so as shall give you more pleasant Satisfaction than any you can propose; nothing so sharpens our Sexe's Invention, as Re∣venge, the darling Delight of our Nature; and, if I do not pursue mine home, may the Curse of being thought dishonest, without knowing the plea∣sure of it, fall upon me.

Freem.

Urania, I do not suspect you of any Design to abuse me, but, as I be∣lieve you honest, I would have the World do so too. Besides, there is no Fort so impregnable, that may not one time or other, with long Assaults or Stra∣tagem, be taken: But I will have Patience, and see the result of your De∣signs; and, if they do not satisfie me very well, will then take my own Mea∣sures with him.

Uran.

Agreed, with all my Heart, here is the Letter I just now received from him, and likewise my Answer.

[Gives him two several Billets.

Freem.

reads.

Dear Mrs. Honysuckle,

I don't know what a Devil you have done to me, but I can neither eat, drink, or sleep, for thinking of those dear, damn'd Eyes that have set my Heart on fire; let me know when that troublesome Property, your Husband, is out of the way, and I will fly to assure you, I am your devoted Slave,

S. Wouldbe.

Freem.

Familiar sawey Fool, I know his Impudence so well, I do not wonder at him: But now for yours.

Reads.

'Tis impossible to gain any opportunity by my Husband's being abroad, because then I am confined to the Barr; but, if you dare, for my sake, metamorphise your Breeches into Petticoats, but avoiding the seeing of my Husband, and you may pass with all the security possible: To night, in Play-time, will be very convenient, it being a new one, we shall in all likelihood be empty of Company; so that you may have the opportunity, if you desire it, of being alone, with your obliged humble Servant.

Freem.

What mean you by this, Urania? Sure you mistook when you gave me this Letter? What is your Design? The Devil take me if I can imagine.

[Looks surly.

Uran.

Why, first to draw the Woodcock into the Net, and then to use him as I think fit. Pray relie on me, and be not so suspicious, for, if you are, you unravel my whole Design.

Freem.

I can scarce confine my Anger to a Jest; but, for once, I trust you, but if you play me false, and make me thus the Property, as he calls me, of my own Disgrace, look to 't, by Heaven I'll murder thee.

Uran.

Your Threats no way terrifie me, having no Designs that will give you any cause of Displeasure: I'll dispatch away a Messenger to my Gal∣lant, and, in the mean time, give you your Instructions, for you must be assi∣stant to me.

Freem.

Well, go in, I'll follow you immediately.

[Ex. Urania.

Freeman Solus.

I never had the least reason to distrust her Honesty, tho' I'm not perfectly satisfied with this Letter of hers; but I'll watch her narrowly, and it shall scape me hard if she deceive me.

[Exit. Freem.