Miss _Jenny_, her daughter, pert and } Mrs. _Cibber_. forward, } Mrs _Motherly_, one that lets lodgings, Mrs. _Moore_. _Myrtilla_, her niece, seduced by the } Mrs. _Grace_. count, } Mrs. _Trusty_, Lady _Townly_'s woman, Mrs. _Mills_. Masqueraders, Constable, Servants, &c. _The ~+SCENE+~ Lord ~Townly~'s House, and sometimes Sir ~Francis~'s Lodgings._ THE =Provok'd Husband=; OR, _A_ =Journey= _to_ =London=. +ACT+ I. +SCENE+ I. +SCENE+, _Lord ~Townly~'s Apartment._ _Lord ~Townly~, solus._ Why did I marry!--Was it not evident, my plain, rational scheme of life was impracticable, with a woman of so different a way of thinking?--Is there one article of it, that she has not broke in upon?--Yes,--let me do her justice--her reputation--That--I have no reason to believe is in question--but then how long her profligate course of pleasures may make her able to keep it--is a shocking question! and her presumption while she keeps it--insupportable! for on the pride of that single virtue she seems to lay it down, as a fundamental point, that the free indulgence of every other vice, this fertile town affords, is the birth-right prerogative of a woman of quality--Amazing! that a creature so warm in the pursuit of her pleasures, should never cast one thought towards her happiness--Thus, while she admits no lover, she thinks it a greater merit still, in her chastity, not to care for her husband; and while she herself is solacing in one continual round of cards and good company, he, poor wretch! is left, at large, to take care of his own contentment----'Tis time, indeed, some care were taken, and speedily there shall be----Yet let me not be rash----Perhaps this disappointment of my heart may make me too impatient; and some tempers when reproached grow more untractable.--Here she comes--Let me be calm a while. _Enter Lady ~Townly~._ Going out so soon after dinner, Madam? Lady _Town._ Lard, my Lord! what can I possibly do at home? Lord _Town._ What does my sister, Lady _Grace_, do at home? Lady _Town._ Why, that is to me amazing! Have you ever any pleasure at home! Lord _Town._ It might be in your power, Madam, I confess, to make it a little more comfortable to me. Lady _Town._ Comfortable! and so, my good Lord, you would really have a woman of my rank and spirit stay at home to comfort her husband! Lord! what notions of life some men have! Lord _Town._ Don't you think, Madam, some ladies' notions full as extravagant? Lady _Town._ Yes, my Lord, when the tame doves live cooped within the penn of your precepts, I do think 'em prodigious indeed!