The wives excuse, or, Cuckolds make themselves a comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties servants / written by Tho. Southern.

SCENE Changes to the Garden.

Wittwoud following Sightly.

Sight.

Never think of denying, or excusing it to me, I am satisfied there's more in't than you ought to defend, there are so many Circumstances to con∣vince me, of your Treachery to me, I must believe it

Witt.

I see Cozen, you will believe any thing against me: But as I hope to be sav'd, upon the Faith of a Christian, and may I never rise off my Knees in∣to your good Opinion agen, if I don't abhor the Villany you lay to my Charge; something I must confess to you, but I beg you to forgive me, 'twas unadvis'd indeed, but innocent, and without a design upon you: Courtell's a Coxcomb, and nothing but VVilding's Vanity, or VVellvile's Revenge, cou'd be accessary to the Ruin of me with you, the only Relation I love and value in the World.

Sight.

O! I had forgot the pains you took to secure me, to Morrow Night at Cards, at your Lodgings with Mr: VVilding: Cozen, let me tell you, a Bawd is the worst part of an Intrigue, and the least to be said for't in excuse of the In∣famy. But you had something more than a Lover to provide for me, or you wou'd not have expos'd me to a Man that wou'd expose me to all the Town; is it because I have been your best and last Friend, (for you will hardly find such another in your Family) that thus you reward me for the Folly? Or is it be∣cause I am a witness of your Shame, that you wou'd be a Contriver of mine? I know, (and I look upon it as a Judgment upon the former Follies of your Life,) that you are notoriously abandon'd to the Beastly Love of a Fellow, that no Body else can look upon; and, may be, you are mischievously pleas'd to make me as despicable as your self, there must be the Devil in the bottom on't, and I'le fly from him in you.

Witt.

O! don't leave me in this Passion, I am utterly ruin'd if you go; up∣on my Knees I beg it of you.

Sight.

Cozen, I forgive you; what's past shall be a Secret for both our sakes; but I'm resolv'd never more to come into your power; so farewell, and find a better Friend than I have been.

[Goes out.

Witt.

She's lost, and my design upon her, which is yet a greater misfortune to me.

[Wilding to her.

O! Sir, I am obliged to you—and you are oblig'd to your self for your success with Mrs. Sightly; so like a Boy, to discover the Secret, before 'twas in your power to expose! Away, I'le have no more to say to you.

[Goes out.

Wild.

So, Sir, you have made fine work on't with the Woman. I thought I had satisfied you in the Mall this Morning.

Well.

Sir I must be better satisfied than I was in the Morning, I find there's no relying upon your word, since, after your promise, never to follow her more, you cou'd excuse your self to me in the Mall, to meet her at the Chocolate House.

Wild.

Nay then we have both our Grievances, and this must Answer 'em.

[Going to Fight, Courtall enters to part 'em.

Court.

Fie, Fie, Friends, and Fighting! that must not be Gentlemen, Mrs. Wittwoud has tole me the matter; and unless you had a Fourth Man to enter∣tain

me, you had ev'n as good put up agen: We are all in fault, and all deserve to be swing'd for't, that's certain: Wilding was a Fool for telling me of his de∣sign, and I was a Fool for talking on't to VVellvile; and VVellvile no wiser than either, for making such a Bustle about it: Therefore pray Gentlemen let's agree in this Opinion, that by our own Prating, and prying into other Peoples Af∣fairs, we often discover and ruin one anothers designs;

For Women are by Nature well inclind: Our Follies frighten 'em from being kind.

[Exeunt.