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 a Bed-Chamber.

A Song.

Valentine following Sir Antony Love in her Woman's Cloaths.

Val.

Faith Madam, your Entertainment will keep you in Countenance; you may own the making of it.

Sir Ant.

You'll trust your Stomach with a cover'd Dish another time, Sir?

Val.

You may shew your Face after it, and expect the Thanks of the Com∣pany.

Sir Ant.

And disgrace the Reputation I have got with you in other things.

Val.

Nay, if you think so, I wou'd not have you shew it for the World.

Sir Ant.

That were to ruin the Complement you intend me.

Val.

But after all, if your Face shou'd be as delicate as your other Charms—

Sir Ant.

But if it shou'd not be as delicate—

Val.

Then keep it to your self; but 'tis pity 'tis not: but be it what it is, I will pay some part of my Thanks in advising you.

Sir Ant.

You wou'd say Grace and be gone, my serious Sinner, wou'd you?

Val.

Only to make sure of coming agen Child, that's all.

Sir Ant.

Some of that all, I beseech you—

Val.

My Doctrine will turn to thy use. Child, and lead me often to thee, if thou hast but the Grace to make the right Application.

Sir Ant.

Good Holder-forth, bate your damn'd Faces, and begin.

Val.

Why then, in the first place, about our Friend Sir Antony; He's a very pretty Fellow I grant you; but he's a Boy, a giddy-pated Boy—

Sir Ant.

A little too young indeed to be trusted—

Val.

In an Affair of this nature, by any Woman that has a Reputation to secure with her Pleasure.

Sir Ant.

I have been afraid of his talking indeed a great-while.

Val.

You must expect it, Madam; he has not Experience enough to value you: All Women are alike to the young Fellows; as indeed all Fellows are alike to the young Women; neither Sex chuses well, till they come to an Age of Discretion.

Sir Ant.

There I am with you indeed.

Val.

There is a maturity requir'd in Love, as in other Fruits, to recommend the true relish of it, to the distinguishing Palate of an Epicure. I am some∣thing a better Judge of that pleasure, than he can be: And I think fitter, a great deal, for an Intrigue with your Ladyship, both in discretion and perfor∣mance—

Sir Ant.

Then Sir Antony can be.

Shews her Face.

Val.

Sir Antony in Petticoats.

Sir Ant.

But are not you a Rogue, Valentine? Not to receive a Courtesie from a Lady by the favour of your Friend, but you must abuse your Trust, and supplant the very Interest that rais'd you to her?

Val.

I am confounded indeed! But are you Sir Antony Love?

Sir Ant.

All but my Petticoats.

Val.

And are you sure you're a Woman?

Sir Ant.

Are not you sure of that, Sir?

Val.

I am; and charm'd with the certainty—

Kisses her.

Now every pleasure past, comes o're my thoughts: How many opportunities have I lost, That you have giv'n me, and must answer for!

Sir Ant.

There are as many to come; you shall command 'em all.

Val.

Now I remember; you father'd a Bastard for me, at Paris—

Sir Ant.

I had the reputation of it indeed; and shou'd have had the Cow with the Calf; for her Father pursu'd me to marry her, thro' all means of Accommodation, into the strait at last of confessing my Sex to the English Embassador—

Val.

This you never told me before.

Sir Ant.

He had her punish'd, and secur'd me in his Family, as long as I staid there; for you know, he was a Man of Honour—

Val.

And a Man of Gallantry too, Madam, that knew which way to im∣prove such a piece of good Fortune—

Sir Ant.

As well as any body; and so he did Valentine: By his generosity and good usage, he press'd me so very far, that not being able to answer the Obligations I had to him, (having you in my head at that very time) I was forc'd to run away from him, to get rid of him.

Val.

How could you keep this from me so long?

Sir Ant.

Now 'tis more welcome to you?

Val.

Had I known it before, it had been in my power—

Sir Ant.

Not to marry me, I hope, Valentine! But if you cou'd be in that mind (which I neither desire, nor deserve) I know you too well, to think of securing you that way.

Val.

But I wou'd not have engag'd my self, any where else—

Sir Ant.

I know your engagements to Floriante; and you shall marry her. That will disengage you, I warrant you.

Val.

You continue your Opinion of Marriage.

Sir Ant.

Floriante, I grant you, wou'd be a dangerous Rival in a Mistress—

Val.

Nothing can Rival thee.

Sir Ant.

And you might linger out, a long liking of her, to my uneasi∣ness, and your own; but Matrimony, that's her security, is mine: I can't appre∣hend her in a Wife.

Enter Waitwell.

Sir Ant.

Well Governour, what think you of my Management?

Wait.

Why, if you take but half the pains in your Profit, that you have spent in your Pleasure, I think we may expect a very good account of the Knight—

Val.

Sir Gentle Golding! he's in your Debt indeed: I had not leisure to re∣member him.

Sir Ant.

We'll laugh at him at leasure.

Wait.

He's in the Gallery, expecting your pleasure.

Sir Ant.

My pleasure is to see him, bring him in.

Exit Waitwell.

I promis'd him a Mistress, you must know: 'Twill be foolish enough to observe him, when he discovers me; pray stay, and laugh with me.

Val.

The Interview must needs be ridiculous.

Goes to the Door.

Sir Gentle Golding introduc'd by Waitwell: He is surpriz'd at the sight of Sir Antony.

Wait.

My Office ends, where the Lady begins; I'll leave you to her.

Sir Gent.

Pray, Sir, a word with you—

Wait.

The sewer the better, till you have saluted her: You see she expects it.

Sir Gent.

I shou'd have saluted her indeed: but the surprize of your Beauty, Madam, made me forget my Complement.

Sir Ant.

My Face has surpriz'd him, I believe.

Sir Gent.

Pray, did I never see this Gentlewoman before?

Wait.

You best can tell that, Sir; but you are concern'd at something.

Sir Gent.

A little concern'd, I am indeed, but 'tis only to know, whether I know her, or no.

Wait.

In your Tour of France, you may have seen her; she's of the Country.

Sir Gent.

A French Woman.

Wait.

Of Languedock.

Sir Gent.

I durst ha' sworn she was an English Woman!

Wait.

Born and bred among us.

Sir Gent.

I'm glad on't, with all my heart. For I knew a little Woman, but a great Divel, so like her in England—

Wait.

Very like, Sir.

Sir Gent.

That faith and troth, I was down-right confounded at the sight of her.

Wait.

Some Mistress, that you have forsaken—

Sir Gent.

O fie, Sir, I never do those things—

Wait.

I warrant you, and the guilt of her ill usage haunts you up and down, in her shape.

Sir Gent.

Nay, I deserve it indeed; if it shou'd be so; for I was too bar∣barous to the poor Devil, considering I was the first that undid her.

Sir Antony making a Courtsie, points Sir Gentle to a Chair.

Wait.

See, Sir, the Lady wou'd have you sit down by her; I never saw her make such Advances before; you are very much in favour.

Sir Gent.

Soft and fair. I must be more in your favour, before I have done with you.

Wait.

She does not speak English. But there's an universal Character in Love, which every Creature can comprehend; when she has you alone, she'll grope out your meaning, I warrant you.

Exit.

Sir Gent.

So, since we have nothing to say to one another, we shall lose no time in Complements; I like her exceedingly: tho' I never look upon her, but Lucia comes in my thoughts; she's so very like that jilting Jade, I shall never love her heartily: A week will be the farthest, I shall be constant to her. What sign shall I make, to put her in mind of her Bed-chamber? Mo∣ney speaks all Languages, this Purse will be my Interpreter.

Voulez vous, Do me the grand Favour—

Sir Ant.

But how shall we do to understand one another? You speak no

French, and I speak no English; 'Tis impossible to understand one another.

Sir Gent.

Madam; you do speak English—

Sir Ant.

I understand it a little; enough to know I resemble one. What did you call her, Lucia, aye, Lucia, a jilting Jade; you don't like that, for that reason you can't love me heartily; nor be constant above a Week: I understand so much, without speaking English; as you find to be understood.

Sir Gent.

I find I do understand you.

Sir Ant.

But I'll try to speak plainer to you.

Sir Gent.

Nay, you speak plain enough, Mrs. Lucy. Wou'd I were any where, to be rid of you.

Sir Ant.

You see, we were not to part so. Fortune will have me oblig'd to you: I have almost spent the 500 l. I borrow'd of you.

Sir Gent.

I'm glad I had it for you, Madam.

Sir Ant.

And faith, 'tis very kind, in an old Acquaintance, to follow me in∣to France, to supply me agen: I know you came a purpose—

Sir Gent.

Not quite a purpose.—

Sir Ant.

No, not quite a purpose, some little Business by the by of your own, you might have, I grant you: But this Purse you never design'd for me.

Sir Gent.

I'll force nothing upon you Madam; you may give it me agen, if you don't like it.

Sir Ant.

Yes, yes; the Purse is an amiable Purse, and very well to be lik'd; only the Sum does not amount to my Occasions: There's no retreating, Sir Gentle, you are in my Power, and without a Ransome, must continue my Pri∣soner; you know I never want a Pistol upon these occasions; 'tis not the first time I have robb'd you.

Sir Gent.

Any Composition; but don't murder me; you know I hate a Pistol.

Sir Ant.

What have you in your Pockets? Nothing but Papers?

Sir Gent.

You have got already, all the Mony I had about me.

Sir Ant.

About you! with a pox to you: must I be so answer'd? And why had not you more about you? Stay, here's a Bill of 100 Pistols, at pre∣sent, shall excuse you—

Sir Gent.

'Tis very well it does.

Sir Ant.

Payable to you, or your Order? What's there?

Enter Waitwell.

Run, and receive this Bill for the Gentleman.

Wait.

He shou'd Indorse it first.

Sir Ant.

Come, Sir, you must lend me your Order.

Sir Gent.

No borrowing among Friends; I'll give it you, to Monsieur Traffique.

Writes, and gives Sir Ant. the Bill, and Sir Ant. gives it to Waitwell, who goes out.

Sir Ant.

Why, that's well said.

Sir Gent.

You live as it were by your Wits; 'tis better I should loose a little Money, then you should forget your Trade, for want of employment.

Sir Ant.

A great deal better, Sir Gentle! But I must lock you up till the Money be paid.

Sir Gent.

Aye, aye, with all my heart; but he won't scruple the payment.

Sir Ant.

The next time I do you this savour, take care to be better pro∣vided;

don't let me lose my labour upon you, I speak as a Friend to you.

Sir Gent.

I'll take your Advice.

Sir Ant.

If I were not just upon my leaving the Town, and in a very great haste, I can tell you, you should not get off so easily.

Sir Gent.

I am beholding to you: But I am sorry we loose you so soon.

Sir Ant.

You may find me again, if Christendom stands were it does a Twelve-month to an end; let not that trouble you.

Exit after Sir Gentle.

Valentine comes forth.

Val.

Thus all things are provided for by Fate: The witty Man enjoys the Fool's Estate. So Rich and Poor, let 'em compute their Gains; One has his lot in Lands, and one in Brains. And 'tis but Justice Fortune shou'd do more For him, who being born so, wou'd be poor.

Exit.