_Aram._ But now I have subdu'd the country, pray is it worth my keeping? You know the ground, you have try'd it. _Clar._ A barren soil, heaven can tell. _Aram._ Yet if it were well cultivated, it would produce something to my knowledge. Do you know 'tis in my power to ruin this poor thing of yours? His whole Estate is at my Service. _Flip._ Cods-fish, strike him, Madam, and let my Lady go your halves. There's no sin in plundering a husband, so his wife has share of the booty. _Aram._ Whenever she gives me her orders, I shall be very ready to obey 'em. _Clar._ Why, as odd a thing as such a project may seem, _Araminta_, I believe I shall have a little serious discourse with you about it. But, pr'ythee, tell me how you have pass'd the night? For I am sure your mind has been roving upon some pretty thing or other. _Aram._ Why, I have been studying all the ways my brain could produce to plague my husband. _Clar._ No wonder indeed you look so fresh this morning, after the satisfaction of such pleasing ideas all night. _Aram._ Why, can a woman do less than study mischief, when she has tumbled and toss'd herself into a burning-fever, for want of sleep, and sees a fellow lie snoring by her, stock-still, in a fine breathing sweat? _Clar._ Now see the difference of women's tempers: If my dear would make but one nap of his whole life, and only waken to make his will, I shou'd be the happiest wife in the universe. But we'll discourse more of these matters as we go, for I must make a _tour_ among the Shops. _Aram._ I have a coach waits at the door, we'll talk of 'em as we rattle along. _Clar._ The best place in nature, for you know a hackney-coach is a natural enemy to a husband. [_Exit ~Clar.~ and ~Aram.~_ _Flippanta ~sola~._ What a pretty little pair of amiable persons are there gone to hold a council of war together! Poor birds! What would they do with their time, if the plaguing their husbands did not help 'em to employment! Well, if idleness be the root of all evil, then matrimony's good for something, for it sets many a poor woman to work. But here comes Miss. I hope I shall help her into the Holy State too ere long. And when she's once there, if she don't play her part as well as the best of 'em, I'm mistaken. Han't I lost the letter I'm to give her?----No, here 'tis; so, now we shall see how pure nature will work with her, for art she knows none yet. _Enter ~Corinna~._ _Cor._ What does my mother-in-law want with me, _Flippanta_? They tell me, she was asking for me. _Flip._ She's just gone out, so I suppose 'twas no great business. _Cor._ Then I'll go into my chamber again. _Flip._ Nay, hold a little if you please. I have some business with you myself, of more concern than what she had to say to you. _Cor._ Make haste then, for you know my father won't let me keep you company; he says, you'll spoil me.