Sir Antony Love, or, The rambling lady a comedy as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties servants / written by Tho. Southerne.

SCENE changes to the Street.

Ilford alone.

Ilf.

Volante is so busie for another, she has nothing to do for her self; so closely employ'd for Valantine, she has no Employment for any Body; or when she has, 'tis partially design'd for that Boy-Knight, in prejudice of every Man that may with more reason pretend—

Sir Antony crosses the Stage.

Sir Antony— Sir Antony— a word with you—

Sir Ant.

Prithee let me go; I am big with a Jest, and shall certainly mis∣carry with the first grave Word you say to me.

Ilf.

Be deliver'd of your Burthen then, lay it at my door; I'll Father it for a Friend.

Bringing him back by the Hand.

Sir Ant.

As some Men wou'd a Bastard, for the Reputation of getting it.

Ilf.

I have thought better of this Rivalling business between us; I see plain∣ly Volante declares for you—

Sir Ant.

I think the poor Creature loves me indeed.

Ilf.

And 'tis to no purpose to proceed—

Sir Ant.

None in the World, Sir.

Ilf.

In the measures I had taken in making my way to her; therefore now I come, like a Friend, to desire a Favour of you.

Sir Ant.

Now you say something, Ilford.

Ilf.

And like a Friend to advise you; you're a very pretty Fellow, and have a great many dancing years to trip over, before you come to be setious.

Sir Ant.

I hope so, Sir.

Ilf.

You shou'd Ramble before you Settle—

Sir Ant.

For fear of rambling after—

Ilf.

You are too great a Good, among the Women, to think of being par∣ticular; a dozen years too gay for the Condition—

Sir Ant.

Too gay for a Lover.

Ilf.

Too gay for a Husband.

Sir Ant.

Ay, marry Sir, a Husband!

Ilf.

How Sir?

Sir Ant.

I make Love sometimes, but do not often Marry.

Ilf.

What do you follow Volante for then?

Sir Ant.

Can't you tell for what? For as good a thing you may swear, Il∣ford: You guess at her Inclinations, poor Rogue; and a Lady shall never lose her Longing upon me; I design to Lie with her.

Ilf.

Without marrying her?

Sir Ant.

Without asking any Consent but her own; I am not for many words, when I have a mind to be doing.

Ilf.

So impudent a thing I never heard!

Enter Volante.

Vol.

Quarrelling agen Gentlemen!

Sir Ant.

Upon the old Subject.

Ilf.

I hate the Employment and Character of an Informer: But you come so upon the scandalous minute, I must tell you what; that young Gentleman—

Vol.

Sir Antony has no Friend of you, Sir.

Ilf.

Nor you of him, Madam; as you will find, when you hear what he says of you.

Vol.

Pray what's the matter?

Ilf.

He has the Impudence not only to design it, but ev'n to me his Rival, who love and honour you—

Vol.

Your Story, Oh, your Story!

Ilf.

He dares notoriously tell me to my Face, That he never design'd to marry you; but because you were in love with him, poor Creature, he wou'd do you the favour to Lie with you.

Sir Ant

Madam, you know he hates me upon your Account; and this is one of the poor Endeavours of his Malice to ruin me: You can't think I wou'd be such a Villain—

Vol.

I won't think it, Sir Antony.

Sir Ant.

Such an Ideot, if I cou'd have it in my head, to declare it to my Rival.

Vol.

Oh no— it is not probable.

Ilf.

By Heav'n and Earth he said it.

Vol.

I wou'd not believe it for Earth and Heav'n, if he did.

Ilf.

Nay then 'tis labour lost.

Vol.

If you'll deliver this Letter to Valentine, you'll do him more service, [Gives Ilford a Letter.] than you have me with your News— I won't leave you behind me, Sir Antony.

Sir Ant.

I'm going to the Abbe's, Madam.

Exeunt.

Ilf.

Well! I cou'd almost wish, he wou'd lie with her, to convince her, tho' she won't believe me, she will him; and that, in time, will be a suffi∣cient Revenge upon her Folly.

Enter Abbe and Valentine to Ilford: Count Verole, with Six Bravo's on the other side; they stare upon each other, and pass on. Abbe, Val. and Ilford remain.

Abb.

The Count has his Gurd du Corps, Valentine.

Val.

Sir Antony has Alarm'd him.

Ilf.

He is in a state of War, fit to give Battle already.

Val.

What he wants in his Person, he has in his Equipage: But they threaten too much, to do any Harm.

Abb.

Do you secure your Person; Volante shall secure your Mistress against him, I warrant her.

Ilf.

Here's a Letter she gave me for you.

Exeunt.