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

SCENE Shifts.

Olivia and Cornelia,

Ol.

I scorn to deny my self upon such an occasion. I own I am a Woman, and Married to Don Philip before Heav'n, tho' he has left me: Yet will I pursue him, till I have either found the faith∣less wanderer, or spent my Days in the vain Search.

Corn.

You will, you say. Alas! I pity thee, for Thy search will be vain indeed. Know, fond Woman, that he's mine by legal con∣tract, not to be revok'd but by mutal consent: So much he's mine, that I'll not spare him a look to throw away upon thee.

Ol.

Impotent Avarice! I pitty thee, undone as thou art, as well as deserted; for he is mine by yet a stronger tye than any contract

Corn.

It's false: He never was, nor shall be. If thou dost offer any farther claim, thy Life's in danger.

Ol.

I Laugh at thy rage, unthinking Creature, and to let you see how much I value Philip, I here renounce the weakness of my Sex, and dare you to the combat for his Love.

Corn.

Now by great Hymen's Torch, 'twas nobly offer'd, and tho' a Rival spoke it, I applaud it.

Both draw

Come on. Now for Don Philip.

Oli.

She who survives is happy.

Fight awkerdly.

Don. Philip, Frederick, Sebastian, and Bernardo come in, followed by the Anthony's

Fred.

Ha! at Wars? What new adventure's this? We left you but now unaccquainted with each other, as we thought.

parts them.

Ol.

And are return'd too soon. You have hindered the effect of a noble contention. Don Philip there! Then am I satisfy'd, for sure he'l do me justice.

Runs to him.

Corn.

Ha! Do I see my Love again? But hold, fond Heart, keep up thy usual Pride, least the false wretch insult and scorn thy weakness.

Phil.

Sir, I am yet a stranger to you: How can I do you justice?

Ol.

'Tis but acknowledging Olivia for your Wife.

Phil.

[In amazement]

Olivia her self. This is beyond my hopes. I will acknowledge thee, thou Miracle of Love.

Corn.

Villain, hold. See Cornelia too, disguis'd as she is. See your contracted Wife.

Phil.

Ha!

Corn.

What, doth he demur upon it?

Draws.

Die then, ungrateful wretch.

Ol.

[Draws]

Stop thy mad Hand, or sheath thy Blade within this Breast, so it may save Don Philip.

Corn. is held

Phil.

[to Ol.]

My dear Olivia, I Blush to see this kindness from thee.

[to Corn.]

Madam, you might have been less outragious. I must own I have been to blame, but am now resolv'd—

Corn.

To marry Olivia, I suppose.

Phil.

I was a going to say Madam—

Corn.

That thou art perjur'd. Enough, thou hast my consent to be so. Be thy Perjury thy Punishment: For my part I freely discharge thee.

Phil.

I am oblig'd to your Passion then, for it has made you con∣sent to clear me of such an imputation. You have revok'd your contract, and so do I before these witnesses. Donna Olivia, here is my Hand, take it, and my Heart along with it, I doubt not but this Action will restore me to my true happiness. Gentlemen, I hope you own my justice.

Ber.

I cannot deny your obligation here to be superiour.

Oli.

This fortunate Event transports me beyond expression.

Fred.

May I presume, Madam, to remind you of your late con∣ditions?

Corn.

Are you not a Man, Sir?

Fred.

I hope so, Madam.

Corn.

How then are you to be trusted? The only one I ever yet confided in has deceiv'd me. But

[sighing]

you have my promise, e'en dispose of me as you will

Fred.

Madam, you have made me intirely happy. You have not only bless'd me with your self, but made a worthy Friend my Brother.

Ber.

But hold, one thing more. Cornelia, do you know this Ring?

Corn.

Yes, sure. 'Twas your gift, which I could have parted with to no one, but Don Philip.

Phil.

I know it too and Blush. But how came you by it?

Ber.

Think where you dispos'd of it, then ask no more.

Phil.

I was mad when I parted with it, but I find where you have been.

Ber.

I fell in my accident, as you shall know another time. In the mean while we are all satisfied. Joy to you all. I could almost wish my self in the same condition, but not with Eleonora, Don Fredrick.

Fred.

You once wish'd it with her, Don Bernardo.

Seb.

Eleonora, and Bernardo! This must be he who writ that Letter.

Sir, I believe we are both deliver'd from the same perfidious Wo∣man. Did not you write lately to one Eleonora?

Ber.

I dare confess it. She us'd me ill, and I let her know it. Possibly your understanding with her brought you to know it.

Seb.

That she has been of my acquaintance, I don't disown: But 'twas pure accident made me see the Letter. It serv'd to confirm me in what I before suspected, and I have since broke of all correspon∣dence with her.

Ber.

I am glad on't, for she is a very Jilt. But what had Don Philip done to her, that she should hire Ruffians to Murder him?

Phil.

Was it she then that set those Villains on to Murder me, when I was so seasonably releiv'd by you?

Ber.

So I afterwards discover'd by one of the same Ruffians, whom I had wounded and seized, after they had attack'd me by mistake of the Sword you gave me at parting, and it seems Eleo∣nora had hired them for a hundred Crowns to Murder you.

Phil.

What a She-Devil is this! I knew her formerly at Madrid, a Woman of a light Character, who would fain have per∣swaded me to marry her. When she could not prevail, she re∣mov'd from thence hither as I had been inform'd. Wherefore when I came to this Town, I recollected what I had heard, and enquiring her out, I last Night made a visit to her, and it seems by the story, when I went from her, she sent Villains after me to dispatch me.

Seb.

What, did she entertain You too?

Phil.

O, she was my old acquaintance, and I suppose would have been reveng'd on me for the slight I had put upon her.

Seb.

What a rare Wife I should have had! Fortune thou deserv'st all things from me.

Fred.

Well she is going to be reveng'd upon you all. For I was told but now, that she is resolv'd to leave the seducing World, and end her Days in a Nunnery.

Ber.

That would be strange.

Phil.

But the best Action of her Life.

Seb.

Ay, ay, to a Nunnery let her go. In the mean time let Us think a little of this World, and since you are all agreed, let the Ladies retire, and shift themselves into their own habits, and wee'l see you joyn'd together, before Noon is past.

Fred.

With all my Soul. Come, my Cornelia, hast to make me happy.

Corn.

Be it as you please.

Phil.

Tho' Marriage is accounted by some a kind of servitude, yet I hope, my Olivia, we shall have no repenting before the Year is out at least.

Ol.

I shall make it my endeavour to give no cause on my side.

Phil.

Come on then, let us hasten to the Trial: One pleasure at least I am before hand sure of, and that is in the thought of making satisfaction for the wrong I have done.

For whatsoe'er delight Bad Men can find In doing wrong, 'tis the unblemish'd mind, That makes our Lives most sweet, our Pleasures most refin'd.