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Things eafy and quiet among my Creatures, I'm
even plagued out of my Senfes-
Were it not

for fear of being called to Account, I'd lay all my
Employments down, and think myfelf happy.
Enter Serjeant Eitherfide and Secret.

Serjeant Either fide, how do you? I hope your Brother-in-law Serjeant Huddle-Caufe is well. I am glad to fee you -you are my old Friend and Acquaintance

let me fee

Years ftanding-ha! is it not fo?

-above 20

Serj. Your Lordship hits the Mark of Time exactly, and I proteft the Honour you have done me requires Acknowledgments beyond the Talents I am endowed withal; let me therefore, avoiding Prolixity, profoundly celebrate your Lordship's Praifes, and acquaint the World, that the Favours you have placed on me your Creature, exalts me to the Pinnacle of Ambition, and as an incumbent Duty, obliges me to confecrate myself and Pofterity to your Lordship's Pleafure Give me admittance therefore moft humbly to pay this tribute of Duty, and with it the Orizons of many happy Years.

Mort. The Man fpeaks well, (weighs the Purfe) there is weight in his Words-a great fign of an able Pleader- How does your Nięce ?

Seri My Lord!

Mort. How does your Niece, I fay? What art thou deaf?

Serj. She's very well, my gracious Lord, and happy that your Lordship takes notice of her.

Mort. I never faw her, but am told she is a very pretty Girl, aud notable too.

Serj. She is reckoned fo, my Lord; but there is nothing like feeing to be convinced-If your Lor fhip pleafes, I will go and fetch her.

Mort. Do fo-thou'lt oblige me-(exit Eitherfide) This Eitherfide is a Fellow of rare Parts, and eminent Practice: I have known him cheat twenty People, and they never the wifer; but he is a better Pimp ftill; he makes nothing of ruining his own Flef and Blood. Secret.

Secret. Such Men are wanting to fill the Bench withall, and I hope he may ftand fair in your Lordfhip's Intereft in the next remove. He'd perform his Part rarely: He is no charitable, confcientious timerous Fellow, but a thorough paced Lawyer, and mighty hearty in the Caule.

Mort. Sayeft thou fo Man! and by my Honour it was well thought on. If thefe peuking, velvethearted, wary Knaves, that pretend to fcruples, feem averfe to comply with the Queen's Defires any longer, they fhall make room for more deferv.. ing Perfons I do admire they have fo little Grace as to receive a plentiful Salary, and make no return for it.

-His

Secret. I will pawn my Soul for him. Temper may be moulded to what ufe occafion fhall require; befides, his Wants will prompt him to comply his Gains are not fufficient to maintain his Family as his Wife would have it; for fhe loves to go fine as most of them do; and for a new Gown would make him give away the jufteft Caufe in the World: his Eftate too is mortgaged paft Recovery.. to maintain her Pride.

Mort. But his Niece, Secret, his Niece!

Secret. Oh, he is the prettieft Creature my Eyes ever looked on! fuch a Compofition of Flesh and Blood! fo witty! fo modeft! fo alluring!

Mort. And fuch a Companion I want, for I am grown fo melancholly of late, that I am not what I was. If he is of a coming Nature, the is made for ever: I grow aged; this turmoiling in the Government wearies me out ftrangely. I want, like the Heathen Monarchs, my Seraglio, to refresh me after the Bafinefs of the Day And is the tractable fay you?

Secret. Eafy as Innocence itfelf.

Mort. He fhall be a Judge--I am much refiefli¬ ed with the thoughts that I can ferve the Nation and my felf fo luckily-but is fhe fuch a pretty, fweet, dapper Piece of Beauty? I will make thee a great Man before it be long.

D 2

Secret.

Secret. My Lord, fhe is whatfover you can fan

cy; nor can you ftretch your Thoughts into Ima" gination, but the exceeds it in Substance-- but fee the Angel, with her Uncle.

Enter Serjeant Eitherfide, and his Niece Maria. Mort. Secret retire [Exit Secret. A glorious Woman! how her Eyes fparkle! and how the Blood juts in and out upon her Cheeks, as if it hoped fome good were coming toward her! -Come, fweet one-[Kiffes.] her Lips are made of Velvet, fmooth, foft and pliable. Serjeant as I told you before, I have a great Kindness for you, and hearing that you had a Niece of worthy Education, whofe Merits fpoke her Praife, (oh you are a little Tempter!) I can do no lefs,having your Preferment in my Eye, than while I was doing good for you in fome measure, to advance your Niece's Fortune My House wants fuch a fober, difcreet, young Woman to manage it; and by the way, muft call you my Lord.

--

Serj. Oh, Sir!

Mort. Indeed I muft-the Queen upon my Requeft doth confer the Office of a Judge on you, as you deferve; and for ought I know, you may be in a little time Chief-Juftice This I have done my Friend to ferve you: But to the Matter; what fay you Mr. Serjeant, (my Lord, I beg your Pardon) are you willing to put your Niece under my Care and Protection? Ha!

Serj. My Lord, you fo highly oblige me, I am ftruck filent with the manner of it A Judge, Chief-Fuftice! I am confounded with the Honour. my Lord, the Maid is whatever you please to make

her.

Mort. Then, I'll make a Woman of her speedily -What fay you pretty Lady? I am a weak Man, and have but few Relations, who are all well provided for fo that, if I do well, I'll make your Fortune; if I die, you fhall have no Caufe to repent. Maria. Would thou wert dead! muft I then be the Sacrifice to my Uncle's Ambition? Be fteady Vir

tue,

tue, and affift me Heaven, tho' poor, I will not be bafe-Oh Mountacute!

Mort. What fay you Fair One?

[Afide.

Maria. In any honeft way I fhould be proud to ferve your Lordship, and obey my Uncle. Mort. Pretty Innocence!

Serj. He may in time make her his Heir; at leaft her Fortune is made, and I am freed of a Burden. [Afide.] My worthy Lord, her Mind and mine are all one, and will take any Impreffion your Lordfhip fhall ftamp on 'em-A Judge! Wife be of Comfort; thy Chariot fhall be turned into a Coach; thy pew at Church be ftripped of Bafe, and lined with Velvet; and thou shalt take Place of my Lady Mayores Niece -You were born under a happy Planet, Huzzy-Fortune throws herself into your Lap make use on't while 'tis offer'd-A Lord! Oh, lack a day! I cannot contain my Extafy.

Mort. Have you confidered little One of the. Offer? you fhall command in chief and no Harm fhall come to you.

Maria. I hope not.

Mort. Fear it not.

Maria. I truft in your Honour.

Serj. Niece, you must not talk fo impertinately incline your Mind and Body as his Lordship fhall think fit.

Maria. I muft beg to be excufed there, good Uncle. Mort. I am overjoyed I can ferve my old Friend Well, Child, I will take care of you-My Lord, within two Days your Patent fhall be ready: would difcourfe a little with your Niece in private. Serj. I'll leave her with your Lordship.

I

Mort. Pray call me Brother Lord-we are both Lords now.

Serj. Then, Brother-Lord

-Oh pretty! I'll

leave her with your Brother Lordship.

Mort. Do, do.

Maria. How? Will you leave me alone with a

Man, Uncle.

Serj. Peace, Baggage

Uncle! I am a Judge.
I'll

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I'll make the Knaves that brought the Extent againft me fmoak A Judge! I will feague the Rogues Brother-Lord. I am your Brother-Lordship's most humble, and eternally engaged Servant and Judge. Mort. Oh, my Lord Judge, your Friend

-

[Goes to the Door and locks it.

Maria. Ha! What now!

But Mountacute, I will not wrong my Love to Thee--
I have kept it pure, unfullyed, hitherto,
And will, fpite of this mighty Man,
And mightier Villain Uncle:

Mort. My dear Child, I fhall respect thy Uncle infinitely for thy fake Nay, be not bafhful, I am thy Friend, thy Governour, and thou art become my particular Care Here, here is Gold for thee thou fhalt have more than thou can'ft carry!

Maria. I can never deferve this Bounty; nor can I guess why it is you bribe your Servant thus indeed you make me blufh.

Mort. Fye,fye, you must not blush at a Bribeit is my way, Child—but I have given thee my Heart, and am going to put my Body into thy Poffeffion,

Maria. For Heaven's fake! as you have Honour. Mort. Yes, yes, you fhall find I have Honour,and Courage both come, come this way, Child [Forcing her into the Chamber. Maria. Nay, pray, my Lord, do no Violence.As I live here's a Gentleman to your Lordship! Mort. Pox of his Impertinence. Could he find no other Time but now-but go, go into that Room-I'll be with you prefently-nay, go; all fhall be well, and I will be civil.

Well Turrington.

[Puts her off and locks her in.

Enter Furrington.

Turr. My Lord, the Guefts you expected are come, feated and feem impatient

Mort. For the Repaft to be fure.

Turr. Nay, they feem indeed fharp fet

Mort. The fharper the better for my Bufinefs.

Turr.

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