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. SONG.

Volante sola.

Methinks my Knight begins to shew himself already, in a Husbands Indiffe∣rence; makeing we wait so long alone, in a place, where nothing but his Com∣pany can entertain me: But I have heard indeed, that she who marries a Man for his conversation or good humour, takes care only to secure the least, or the worst part of it to her self: So this is but a small fault in Matrimony; and ten to one, before the Year comes about, I may have a more reasonable cause of repenting. I think I hear him? O Sir, are you come?

Enter Ilford to her.

Ilf.

Sooner than you expected, I believe.

Vol.

How! Ilford—

Surpriz'd, and turning away.

Ilf.

I see you are surpriz'd to see me here; and indeed the Occasion, that brings me to you, is very surprizing.

Vol.

What can you mean by this?

Ilf.

You have stol'n a Wedding, Madam, tho' you think to make it a se∣cret; you can't expect that Sir Antony shou'd bring his Vanity so low, not to make a Boast of the Favour he has done you.

Vol.

By sending you to me?

Ilf.

To wish you Joy.

Vol.

A very likely story.

Ilf.

And give you Joy, Madam.

Vol.

Wou'd Sir Antony wou'd come, to thank you for your Complement.

Ilf.

He sent me with the Complement—

Vol.

He send you!

Ilf.

To supply his place to Night. Your Husband wo'not come.

Vol.

Not come to me?

Ilf.

Be satisfied so far, you are abus'd; and to convince you, tho' too late, how unreasonably you have have prefer'd that Creature to every Body, he has done what no body else cou'd ha' done to you.

Vol.

What has he done?

Ilf.

Giv'n me a fuller Revenge upon your Folly and Scorn, than I cou'd ha' conceiv'd for my self—

Vol.

What has he done to me?

Ilf.

He has marry'd and undone you, left you—

Vol.

Left me!

Ilf.

The first Night left you; left you to me: Not that I believe he design'd me a favour, more than he wou'd ha' done any Man else; but you had us'd me so very ill, he imagin'd, I was capable of any malicious Design of ex∣posing you.

Vol.

Of exposing me!

Ilf.

But that you need not apprehend from me.

Vol.

I'm in your power; but pitty me. My Folly, and my Fortune are too plain.

Ilf.

Do you perceive it now?

Vol.

I shou'd ha' seen it sooner.

Ilf.

'Tis well you find it now. However you deserve of me; I come to serve you: And since this opportunity (that favours, and was given me for baser ends) encourages me to nothing, beyond the hope of your esteem, you must give me leave to think, that, from my behaviour, I deserve that Honour better than my trifling Rival does the Title of your Love.

Vol.

You deserve every thing.

Ilf.

I say enough to warn you of him; but you wou'd venture.

Vol.

My shame confounds me!

Ilf.

You wou'd not credit me.

Vol.

I can but wish I had.

Ilf.

Were it to do agen, you wou'd follow your Inclination, and do the same thing?

Vol.

I hate the Villain.

Ilf.

In your Anger?

Vol.

No, to death I hate him: And were I free from him—

Ilf.

You wou'd not marry him!

Vol.

Never.

Ilf.

Then you are free from him.

Vol.

How! free from him!

Ilf.

Not marry'd to him.

Vol.

Wou'd you cou'd prove it too.

Ilf.

I'll make it plain, if you'll consent to it—

Vol.

More willingly, than I did e're consent. Make that but plain to me; and what returns are in the poor power of one so lost—

Ilf.

So sav'd, I hope.

Vol.

You shall command.

Ilf.

I may restore you to your liberty; but never can my self.

Exeunt.