Part 25 (2/2)

BELL. I thank thee, George, for thy good intention; but there is a fatality in marriage, for I find I'm resolute.

HEART. Then good counsel will be thrown away upon you. For my part, I have once escaped; and when I wed again, may she be--ugly, as an old bawd.

VAIN. Ill-natured, as an old maid--

BELL. Wanton, as a young widow--

SHARP. And jealous, as a barren wife.

HEART. Agreed.

BELL. Well; 'midst of these dreadful denunciations, and notwithstanding the warning and example before me, I commit myself to lasting durance.

BELIN. Prisoner, make much of your fetters. [_Giving her hand_.]

BELL. Frank, will you keep us in countenance?

VAIN. May I presume to hope so great a blessing?

ARAM. We had better take the advantage of a little of our friend's experience first.

BELL. O' my conscience she dares not consent, for fear he should recant.

[_Aside_.] Well, we shall have your company to church in the morning.

May be it may get you an appet.i.te to see us fall to before you. Setter, did not you tell me?--

SET. They're at the door: I'll call 'em in.

A DANCE.

BELL. Now set we forward on a journey for life. Come take your fellow- travellers. Old George, I'm sorry to see thee still plod on alone.

HEART. With gaudy plumes and jingling bells made proud, The youthful beast sets forth, and neighs aloud.

A morning-sun his tinselled harness gilds, And the first stage a down-hill greensward yields.

But, oh-- What rugged ways attend the noon of life!

Our sun declines, and with what anxious strife, What pain we tug that galling load, a wife.

All coursers the first heat with vigour run; But 'tis with whip and spur the race is won.

[_Exeunt Omnes_.]

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by MRS. BARRY.

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