Volume I Part 38 (2/2)

_s.h.i.+ft._ Much pleas'd with the Hope, and are resolv'd to try at any Rate.

_Feth._ Mum, Lieutenant-- not too much of their Transformation; we shall have the Captain put in for a Share, and the Devil would not have him his Rival: _Ned_ and I are resolv'd to venture a Castfor 'em as they are-- Hah, _Ned_.

[_Will._ and _Beau._ read the Bill.

_Blunt._ Yes, if there were any Hopes of your keeping a Secret.

_Feth._ Nay, nay, _Ned_, the World knows I am a plaguy Fellow at your Secrets; that, and my Share of the Charge shall be my Part, for _s.h.i.+ft_ says the Guardian must be brib'd for Consent: Now the other Moiety of the Mony and the Speeches shall be thy part, for thou hast a pretty Knack that way. Now _s.h.i.+ft_ shall bring Matters neatly about, and we'll pay him by the Day, or in gross, when we are married-- hah, _s.h.i.+ft_.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Sir, I shall be reasonable.

_Will._ I am sure _Fetherfool_ and _Blunt_ have some wise Design upon these two Monsters-- it must be so-- and this Bill has put an extravagant Thought into my Head-- hark ye, _s.h.i.+ft_.

[Whispers to him.

_Blunt._ The Devil's in't if this will not redeem my Reputation with the Captain, and give him to understand that all the Wit does not lie in the Family of the _Willmores_, but that this Noddle of mine can be fruitful too upon Occasion.

_Feth._ Ay, and Lord, how we'll domineer, _Ned_, hah-- over _Willmore_ and the rest of the Renegade Officers, when we have married these Lady Monsters, hah, _Ned_.

_Blunt._ --Then to return back to _Ess.e.x_ worth a Million.

_Feth._ And I to _Croyden_--

_Blunt._ --Lolling in Coach and Six--

_Feth._ --Be dub'd Right Wors.h.i.+pful--

_Blunt._ And stand for Knight of the s.h.i.+re.

_Will._ Enough-- I must have my Share of this Jest, and for divers and sundry Reasons thereunto belonging, must be this very Mountebank expected.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Faith, Sir, and that were no hard matter, for a day or two the Town will believe it, the same they look for: and the Bank, Operators and Musick are all ready.

_Will._ Well enough, add but a _Harlequin_ and _Scaramouch_, and I shall mount in querpo.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Take no care for that, Sir, your Man, and Ensign _Hunt_, are excellent at those two; I saw 'em act 'em the other day to a Wonder, they'll be glad of the Employment, my self will be an Operator.

_Will._ No more, get 'em ready, and give it out, the Man of Art's arriv'd: Be diligent and secret, for these two politick a.s.ses must be cozen'd.

_s.h.i.+ft._ I will about the Business instantly. [Ex. _s.h.i.+ft_.

_Beau._ This Fellow will do Feats if he keeps his Word.

_Will._ I'll give you mine he shall-- But, dear _Beaumond_, where shall we meet anon?

_Beau._ I thank ye for that-- 'Gad, ye shall dine with me.

_Feth._ A good Motion--

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