The generous choice a comedy / written by Mr. Manning.

SCENE Changes. The street.

Enter Don Bernardo.

Ber.

A Plague upon that Sreech-owl that call'd in my Eleonora from me: For besides my ill fortune in losing her, she has presag'd me no luck all this night, I am afraid. Well, if I must go home without any Adventure to boast of, or to justifie my absence to Don Frede∣rick, I must e'en be content to bear with his dull Encomiums on Re∣gularity and Example; tho' he, like the rest of the Men of Zeal for severity of Manners, is better pleas'd with the formality of advising, than the difficulty of the practice.

A Song without, at some distance.

Custom, alas! doth partial prove, Nor gives us even measure: To Maids it is a Pain to Love, But 'tis to Men a pleasure.

They freely can their Thoughts explain, Whilst ours must burn within: We have got Eyes and Tongues in vain, And Truth from us is sin.

Men to new Joys and Conquests fly, And yet no hazard run: Poor we are left, if we deny, Or if we yield, undone.

Then equal Laws let Custom find, Nor either Sex oppress: More freedom give to Womankind, Or give to Mankind less.

Ber.

By your leave, whoe'er you are, I mean to interrupt your Singing, tho' I like it well. This may prove some lucky check to my rising in∣clination to go home. I'll follow the voice, whatever may ensue.

Ex.