Lib.

'Slife! what a Fire is in my Ears! Can this possibly be true? Is Lord Protheus really so desperately in Love with me? He certainly is, I recollect a thousand Circumstances now that convince me of it. Psha! how blind was I not to see it before! And do I stand condemn'd so much for Pride and Ill-nature then? If so, Contempt farewel, I've tortur'd the poor Creature long enough in Conscience.— There's one thing I am glad of; they all allow him to have a great deal of Merit.—Why truly, now I consider the thing, I'm o'the same Mind; I have been a little too cruel; he must have been in a world of Anguish, poor Wretch! [Seeing Joculo.] Oh Joculo, come hither, I wanted to speak with thee.

Jocu.

Your Servant, Madam.

Lib.

Harkye, Joculo, hast thou heard Lord Protheus talk of me lately?

Jocu.

Oho! is your Ladyship thereabouts? But I'll be with you. [Aside.]—Did you say any thing to me, Madam?

Lib.

Yes, Sir, I did.

Jocu.

I beg Pardon, Madam, I'm unfortunately given to a kind of Deafness, which comes very often upon me all of a sudden.—But what was your Ladyship pleas'd to say, Madam?

Lib.

I only ask'd if you had heard Lord Protheus talk of me lately.

Jocu.

O! yes, yes, Madam; yes, yes, that I have indeed.

Lib.

But when, when?

Jocu.

This very Morning, Madam.

Lib.

This very Morning!

Jocu.

Ay; I saw him and the Duke you must know, Madam, in woundy earnest Conversation together; the little smattering of Curiosity that I have in my Constitution tempted me to listen to what they were saying, when I soon found your Ladyship was the Subject.

Lib. [Aside.]

Soh! now 'twill come out, I suppose.— And in what manner did he talk of me?

Jocu.

Would you have me tell you, Madam?

Lib.

Why not?

Jocu.

Nay, I don't know why not—it may offend you, perhaps.

Lib.

Um! he thinks I shall be offended at hearing that Protheus loves me. [Aside.]—Offend me! no, not in the least.

Jocu.

And you'll promise not to be angry with me for repeating it?

Lib.

I will.

Jocu.

Why then I found, Madam, they had been talking something about Matrimony; and whether the Duke had propos'd a Match between him and your Ladyship or not, I can't tell; but—

Lib.

But what—

Jocu.

Why he swore—

Lib.

What did he swear?

Jocu.

That he'd sooner marry an Egyptian Crocodile.

Lib.

How!

Jocu.

Yes.—That the Venom of a Viper was mere Balsam to your Ladyship's Spleen; and that a Man had better have

a whole Nest of Hornets about his Ears, than stand the Sting of your persecuting Tongue.

Lib.

'Tis false, he dare not say so.

Jocu.

Upon my Honour, and the Dignity of my Office, but he did tho', Madam.—I know very well, said he—remember, Madam, 'tis Lord Protheus that's speaking, not I.— I know very well, said he, that the Gipsy has a mind to me, and would give her Eyes to get my Heart in Exchange, but Honesty holds out, said he, and bids her Defiance.

Lib.

Oh! I see what the Rascal is at now. [Aside.]— Very well, Sir, be pleas'd to go on; but pray come a little nearer, that I may hear it, for I'm given to the same kind of Deafness that you are.

Jocu.

I'll speak louder, Madam.—Upon this, Madam, the Duke made answer, That he could not but think you had some good Qualities.

Lib.

The Duke said so, did he?

Jocu.

Yes, Madam.

Lib.

Very well, proceed pray.

Jocu.

You mean, Lord Protheus must proceed; 'tisn't I, you know, Madam.

Lib.

Ay, ay, Lord Protheus then.

Jocu.

Yes, yes, said he, she has most excellent Qualities.— You know his bluff manner of speaking, Madam.—Most excellent Qualities, indeed, said he; she has Beauty by the Grain, and Vanity by the Hundred-weight; Wit so light that it won't turn a Scale, but Ill-nature beyond all Weight and Measure; a Heart scantily enough furnish'd with any thing good, but most abundantly stock'd with Pride and Disdain.—And then she's such a Spitfire, such a Spitfire, said he, that whoever comes within reach of her is in danger of losing an Ear at least.

Lib. [Giving him a Box o' the Ear.]

That you may witness for him.

Jocu.

'Sbud! Madam, 'twas not I that said it; and so I told you, but you would not remember it.—I'll tell you no more for that, now.

Lib.

Get out of my Sight this Moment, Rascal, or I'll order somebody to gather a Twig and hang thee up upon yonder Willow.

Jocu.

I believe you had better do that Office for yourself, Madam; you are pretty nigh Willow-ripe by this time, I fansy.

—Your humble Servant, Madam.—If you should think fit to take a Swing, I'll be sure to write an Elegy on you.

Lib.

I'll make thee suffer most swingingly for this Sauciness. —The Rogue has provok'd me, tho' I know there's no Truth in what he said. No, 'tis plain that Protheus loves me.—Well, since the Stars will have it so, love on, Lord Protheus, and I'll requite your Passion.